The upcoming FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup has introduced some major changes, which are set to benefit First Nations people from the grassroots all the way to the elite level.
This year's September World Cup will be played on Wangal Country, in Sydney's inner-west, with 12 participating teams, including Australia, Belgium, Bosnia, China, France and the US.
Organisers told NITV that this year's event will have an Indigenous focus and they hope to use the World Cup to bring Indigenous culture to the world stage.
Taryn Kirby, General manager of Media Marketing and Communications for the World Cup said it's important to introduce Indigenous culture to international teams.
"As an international event, we think it's really important to introduce those that are coming to Australia to play, and those that are watching to introduce them, and tell them about the importance of the Indigenous community to Australian culture," he said.
The International Basketball Federation said it aims to deliver a new standard of cultural engagement across all facets of the event and leave a lasting legacy for basketball and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The move was welcomed as a big step for the representation of First Nations people, with further plans to celebrate Indigenous culture with merchandise, community engagement and event time cultural engagement.
Abby Cubillo with players from the Sydney All Blacks basketball team. (Supplied: FIBA)
Inspiring the next generation
The New South Wales and Federal governments have funded a legacy program that includes education and leadership pathways for Indigenous and multicultural women and girls.
The World Cup logo has also been designed by 14-year-old Aboriginal basketballer Armalie' Marlii' Briscoe.
"It's about connecting the event with the Indigenous community, inspiring them from grassroots, right till the opportunities on an elite level," said Taryn Kirby.
Larrakia woman and Professional Basketball player Abby Cubillo said she believes programs like this give visibility for those who are watching.
"For a young girl to see someone up there that they can kind of relate to and say look, she's proud of her culture and she's playing at the highest level, this girl's done this to be able to get to this level of competition," she said.
"I think it's super important and it gives that connection from grassroots to elite level."
She said to see Indigenous representation would inspire the younger generation.
"I think something that lacks you know, you see people at the highest level but it's like how do I get there and there's so many different ways to get there ... but to be able to have that visibility gives girls the realisation that they can actually be there in the future," she said.
Beverly Coe, Manager of the Redfern All-Blacks Basketball Association hopes the engagement between the International Basketball Federation can continue past the World Cup in September.
"Hopefully after this, we'll keep the engagement [with FIBA] and have more things so that our girls will get involved and build pathways," she said.
