2022 Indigenous Round Uniform Revealed

The Perth Wildcats have revealed its 2022 NBL Indigenous Round playing uniform, designed by Wadjuk Noongar man, artist Kevin Bynder.

A basketball enthusiast and lifelong Wildcats fan, Bydner chose to tell the story of the club’s 40 years of history through his art.

“I’ve been an artist for round about 20 years now. I just love creating and designing, and putting my culture out there through my artwork,” he said.

“I’m a big Wildcats fan, I love all my Perth teams, but I especially love my basketball. I’ve played basketball all my life. I’ve always wanted to design for the Wildcats, so when I had the opportunity, I was pretty stoked.

“I decided to make the overall story of this design about the history of the Wildcats, but through my art.”

The jersey showcases the club’s humble beginnings and the people who brought NBL basketball to WA.

It honours Wadjuk people and the club’s players and staff from the last four decades and celebrates its greatest successes in its 10 NBL championships and five NBL MVP awards.

Coupled with the history of the team, the uniform also pays respect to the land in which it calls home.

“The red, white and yellow represents the ochre found in the foothills of Wadjuk country. It is traditionally used by Indigenous peoples to paint on themselves, walls or rockfaces,” he said.

“A design element on the shorts represents the Darling Range, which is the resting place of the Wagyl – the rainbow serpent responsible for the creation of the waterways and landforms which form the Noongar country.”

Bynder believes Indigenous markings on the playing uniforms of elite sporting teams has a great impact on young people.

“Whether it be Indigenous or non-Indigenous, it doesn’t matter, to see artwork on top-level athletes like the Wildcats, it gives young people a bit of inspiration that they may want to do that one day,” he said.

“It also teaches a lesson. People may not have seen art like this before, and they may ask questions which leads to education which is the key. It’s not reconciliation, it’s conciliation. Moving forward. It all plays a part.”

Earlier this year, the Perth Wildcats announced that all 2021/22 home and away playing uniforms would include Indigenous markings.

NBL Indigenous Round ran from 4-14 March, however, the Wildcats will not wear the new uniform until it returns to Wadjuk land on Sunday at RAC Arena.

The Perth Wildcats Indigenous Round jersey is available to purchase from the Perth Wildcats Team Store.