Education and Encouragement:
The power of our Indigenous Uniforms
When looking at our Indigenous Uniforms, telling the stories of our history is at the forefront.
The Gathering Place
The Gathering Place
The Gathering Place is Melbourne United’s dedicated home for celebrating, recognising and learning from Indigenous culture, stories and community.
This space brings together the club’s Indigenous initiatives, partnerships and programs, while providing opportunities for our community to connect with the history, traditions and ongoing contributions of First Nations peoples.
Through The Gathering Place, you can explore our Indigenous Round jerseys and the artists behind them, learn more about the Kulin Nation and the lands on which we play, discover the organisations and communities we work alongside, and access educational resources, videos and stories that continue to shape our journey.
Proudly supported by
What we do
A snapshot of the work we are currently doing with the Indigenous Community in Melbourne.
Our Indigenous jerseys
Since the introduction of Indigenous Round in 2020, Melbourne United has proudly collaborated with a number of talented First Nations artists to create bespoke jerseys that tell meaningful stories through art and design. Each jersey reflects culture, connection, community and Country, while providing an opportunity to celebrate and amplify Indigenous voices through basketball.
Get involved with our Club
Artists in action
Our Advisory Committee
Our Advisory Committee plays an important role in guiding Melbourne United’s Indigenous initiatives, providing cultural knowledge, perspective and leadership as we continue to learn, grow and strengthen our connection with First Nations communities.
Mandy Nicholson
NBL20-NBL22
Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai illum Wurrung
Latest news
We are proud to have worked and colloborated with a vast range of Indigenous businesses and organisations.
Who we work with
The artists
We want to thank the artists who have shared their stories, culture and creativity through the design of our Indigenous Round uniforms over the years. Your art has helped us celebrate and honour First Nations peoples each season.
Name 4
Aunty Joy Murphys something something something something something something
Name 2
Aunty Joy Murphys something something something something something something
Name 3
Aunty Joy Murphys something something something something something something
Melbourne United acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, live & play. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present & emerging as well as all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Community.
Want to learn more?
Learn more about Indigenous language, culture and history by clicking on the below buttons to visit a range of fantastic educational resources.
Learn more
About Australia's 250+ languages (AIATIS)
First Nations names for major Australian cities
Wurundjeri history, culture and services
Education for pre-school children
Stories about Indigenous Culture
We are proud to be celebrating Indigenous Round during Round 10 of the 2026-27 Hungry Jack's NBL season, recognising and honouring the rich cultures, histories and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
As part of this year's celebrations, we will host the New Zealand Breakers at John Cain Arena on Saturday 21 November, proudly wearing our Kulin Nation Project Indigenous Uniform. The uniform will provide a platform to share meaningful stories through Indigenous art and design, celebrating the rich culture and connections of the Kulin Nation. We look forward to sharing more about the artists, their stories and the inspiration behind this special design in the coming weeks.
NBL27 Indigenous Round
Melbourne United vs New Zealand Breakers
Saturday 21 November, 7:30pm tip off
John Cain Arena
Indigenous representation in our brand
When we unveiled our new brand identity in 2024, it was important that our values were reflected not only in what we say, but in how we present ourselves. As part of the redesign, we proudly incorporated Bunjil into our visual identity, recognising the creator spirit of Country and paying respect to the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work and play.
Represented through our primary logo and our alternate Bunjil M icon, this element acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people and serves as a constant reminder of our commitment to inclusion, respect and community. We are proud to be one of the first professional sporting clubs in Australia to incorporate First Nations elements into our brand identity, ensuring Indigenous representation remains an ongoing and visible part of who we are.
Steve Ulula Parker
NBL23 & NBL27
Boonwurrung, Yorta Yorta and Erub Torres Strait Island
Tiffany Hunter
NBL24
Taungurung
Alex Kerr
NBL25 & NBL27
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung
Ky-ya Nicholson Ward
NBL26
Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai illum Wurrung
Participation & Connection
Creating opportunities for young First Nations people to connect with basketball, community and the Melbourne United family.
Through our ongoing partnership with Koorie Academy, we deliver experiences that encourage participation, build confidence and create lasting connections both on and off the court.
- Basketball clinics for Koorie Academy participants
- United for Her girls-only events
- Community events that strengthen connection through sport
Pathways & Opportunity
Removing barriers and creating opportunities for young First Nations athletes and families to thrive.
We are committed to ensuring more young Indigenous people have the opportunity to experience basketball at every level, from attending their first Melbourne United game to developing their skills through our Academy programs.
- Free junior camp registrations and Academy scholarships
- Ticket Assist and community initiatives
- Game day experiences including transport, pre-game clinics, player meet & greets and merchandise.
Learning & Cultural Awareness
Working alongside First Nations communities to listen, learn and celebrate Indigenous culture together.
Our commitment to reconciliation is built on education and collaboration. We continue to work closely with Koorie Academy and our Indigenous Advisory Committee to ensure our club, players, staff and supporters continue to learn from and celebrate First Nations culture.
- Indigenous Round education and storytelling
- Cultural learning opportunities for staff and players
- Ongoing collaboration with First Nations communities and partners
Chris Goulding wearing our
NBL27 Indigenous Uniform
Through our partnership with Koorie Academy, founded by Gunai Kurnai man Uncle Ricky Baldwin, Melbourne United is proud to support opportunities for young First Nations people and their families to connect through culture, community and basketball.
As our official Charity Partner, and the first Aboriginal organisation to formally partner with a Victorian professional sporting team, Koorie Academy plays an important role in our ongoing Indigenous journey. From delivering cultural education sessions for our players and staff to joining us for Indigenous Round celebrations, the Academy helps strengthen our understanding, build meaningful connections and ensure First Nations voices and perspectives remain an important part of our club.
Together, we continue to celebrate culture, create opportunities and foster a sense of belonging both on and off the court.
The Kulin Nation Project
Melbourne United lives, works and plays on the lands of the Kulin Nation - an alliance of five groups: the Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wadawurrung peoples.
For NBL27, the club has brought all five groups together on one uniform for the first time. Rather than the usual approach of a single artist telling a single story, five artists — one from each part of the Kulin Nation — have each created a work in their own style, united under the KULIN wordmark. A first-of-its-kind for a professional sporting club in Narrm (Melbourne).
The uniform is only part of it. Guided by an Advisory Committee of Elders, artists and community leaders, the project also shares the stories behind the artwork and celebrates each of the five groups of the Kulin Nation — the people whose Country we all call home.
United will wear the uniform for the NBL Indigenous Round on Saturday 21 November at John Cain Arena against the New Zealand Breakers.
Learn more about the project
Kulin Nation Project
Yalanda Edwards
NBL27
Western Arrernte, Gunditjmara, WaddaWurrung
Troy Firebrace
NBL27
Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung
Iluka Sax-Willams
NBL27
Taungurung
