20 First Nations players in NBL1 teams

BY VELMA GARA

Several Torres Strait Islanders will play in this year’s NBL1 North competition.

Torres News had a quick look at the rosters for NBL1 North teams and found there were at least 20 First Nations players participating in the 16-round competition.

There are 16 club teams from across Queensland and over to Darwin, with Cairns

Walter John Sailor, Weilarni Darua (Most Valuable Players).

Carly Mosby, Kailu George, Hassan Binawel (Coaches), Anthony Sagigi (Table official), Micaree Binawel, Kiwat Abednego, Thomas Loban, Kailu Luffman (Referees), Robert Nona (Referee / Shot clock), Cedella Gaidan (Referee / Table Official), Lucas Dewis (Shotclock / Coach), Rishad Sabatino (Shot clock), Ayesha Kepa (Table Official), Liberty Seekee (Photographer), Tom Dunsmore, Joseph Passi & Crew (Torres Shire Council), Fay Peters & Frank Morseu (Kaziw Meta) and Irene Laifoo & Crew (Boggo Pilot Hostel).

Player of the Grand Final

• Girls – Nay Binawel

• Boys – Kura Stephen

Most Valuable Player of the Torres Strait ICBL

• Girls – Weilarni Darua

• Boys – Walter John Sailor having the most First Nations players on its roster across its men’s and women’s sides.

The national NBL1 competition comprises of North, South, East, West and Central.

The North’s regular season tipped off last weekend and will continue until mid-July 2023.

Here are the club teams with their First Nations players: Cairns Dolphins / Marlins – Teyahna

Bond, Shaneice Swain, Leichan Williams, Curt Ah Wang, Kerry Williams (Men’s Coach)

Townsville Flames / Heat – Indiah Bowyer, Michael Cedar

Mackay Meteorettes

/Meteors – Denesha

Bobongie

Brisbane Capitals – Abby Cubillo, Tyla Cubillo

Darwin Salties –Jamie-Lee Peris, Deba

George, Nathan Jawai, Michael Maclean (Assistant Coach)