Wildcats to Host Club-First Multicultural Game

The Perth Wildcats will proudly host the club’s first-ever Multicultural Game later this month, marking a significant moment in the organisation’s history and reflecting the diverse cultures and communities that shape both the Wildcats and the broader Australian basketball landscape.

Set to take place on Sunday, 25 January, the Multicultural Game is a player-led initiative designed to recognise heritage, identity and community, while bringing people together through the shared love of basketball. 

The game represents a people-first approach, centred on lived experiences and the power of representation, both on and off the court.

The Multicultural Game was driven by the playing group, led by Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, whose time in Melbourne helped provide the blueprint for the concept. 

After joining the Wildcats, Lual-Acuil Jr raised the idea internally, sparking early conversations that would ultimately grow into a dedicated fixture on the club’s calendar.

The initiative was quickly embraced by the Wildcats, with the club backing the vision from its earliest stages and supporting the players as the concept evolved from informal discussions into a fully realised game night.

For Wildcats guard Sunday Dech, being involved from the very beginning has been a meaningful experience.

“It’s obviously super cool to be there from the start, from when it was just talks in passing to it being a game now,” Dech said.

“Jo was a big driver of it and floated the idea past the front office and the club grabbed it with two hands and ran with it. The Wildcats have been fully supportive of it from day one.”

Australia’s identity as a multicultural nation is mirrored across the NBL, with players, coaches, staff and fans representing a wide range of backgrounds.

For Dech, the Multicultural Game acknowledges that diversity and provides a platform to celebrate it in a meaningful and visible way.

“The NBL is diverse, just like Australia,” he said. “You’ve got people from all walks of life, from different countries and different nationalities. To be able to represent that in your profession is something we don’t take for granted.”

Dech, who represents both South Sudan and Australia, said the opportunity to celebrate multiple aspects of identity on the court carries deep personal meaning.

“To be able to represent both flags and have that be part of the game is really special,” he said. “Everyone’s got a different background, but we’re all here for the same common goal of basketball. To celebrate something outside of just winning or losing brings a wider community together.”

While the game itself remains central, the Multicultural Game is also about visibility, particularly for younger fans and emerging players.

“I think it’s a huge opportunity for kids to see people from where they’re from playing at the highest level,” Dech said.

“Whether that gives them a pathway to follow or just a sense of pride seeing their heritage represented, that’s powerful.”

Dech also reflected on how much both basketball and representation within the sport have grown during his time in the league.

“When I first started, basketball might have been a third or fourth-tier sport in Australia,” he said. “Now it’s a staple. It’s on TV every night, people are involved day in and day out, and you’re seeing people from all walks of life join the game.”

He pointed to the growth of South Sudanese representation within Australian basketball as a powerful example.

“When I first came through, there were maybe two or three South Sudanese guys,” Dech said. “Now there’s 10, 15 and more coming through. To see young men and women embrace the game and run with it is something really special.”

Fans attending the game are encouraged to be active participants in the celebration, embracing the spirit of inclusion that underpins the night.

“Represent your heritage with pride, just as much as you support the Red Army,” Dech said. “If you see your flag out there, or if you’re sitting next to someone new, ask them where they’re from. Ask about their story.”

“When you spark those conversations, there’s room for growth,” he added. “Hopefully this doesn’t just become a game, it becomes a round and something bigger in the future.” 

Perth Wildcats General Manager and COO Danny Mills said the Multicultural Game was an important opportunity for the club to celebrate the diversity within the Wildcats and the broader basketball community.

“This was a player-led initiative from the outset and that’s what makes it so powerful,” Mills said.

“The Multicultural Game is about recognising the people, cultures and stories that make up our club, our league and our community. We’re proud to support an initiative that celebrates diversity in a genuine and meaningful way and we hope it becomes something that continues to grow into the future.”

The Multicultural Game will also feature a specially designed jersey to be worn on the night, with further details to be revealed closer to tip-off. 

The Perth Wildcats take on Melbourne United on Sunday, 25 January, as the club proudly celebrates its first Multicultural Game at RAC Arena, a night built on representation and bringing people together.