Dover set to make history as first female Indigenous NBL referee

The NBL has announced Jacqui Dover will become the first female Indigenous referee in league history when she makes her debut later this month.

The news comes ahead of the NBL's inaugural Indigenous Round, which will again recognise and acknowledge Indigenous culture and basketball across Australia and New Zealand.

The round will coincide with National Reconciliation Week and follow last year's tradition, as all nine teams will sport special Indigenous uniforms designed by Indigenous artists.

All games will include a Welcome to Country and Acknowledgment of Country with the NBL also designing an Indigenous logo for the round based on a painting by Indigenous artist Chern'ee Sutton.

Dover will take charge of the opening game of the round on May 26 when the Cairns Taipans host the Brisbane Bullets at the Cairns Pop-Up Arena.

A proud Yugambeh woman, Dover cut her teeth as a referee in the QBL and WNBL and has recently joined up with Basketball NSW as its Indigenous, Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Programs Manager.

She also spent time in the United States in 2019 at the National Referee Try-Outs as the only Australian selected in a group of 40 elite officials.

NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said: "We want to ensure the NBL’s Indigenous Round is meaningful, impactful, and makes a significant positive influence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on and off the basketball court.

"We are delighted to announce that Jacqui Dover will make her debut as an NBL referee during Indigenous Round.

"Jacqui thoroughly deserves her chance in the NBL and we wish her all the best for what we hope will be a long career ahead.

“Basketball has been enriched by the contribution of a number of Indigenous players, coaches, referees and administrators across Australia and New Zealand and we will proudly celebrate this during Indigenous Round."

Brisbane Bullets' guard Tamuri Wigness also spoke to the importance of the Round, as one of four current NBL players of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. 

“It really gives me pride that we get to acknowledge our people. I get to have my family on my back, not just my Bullets family but I’ll also have my people and my culture with me as well.

“For the entire NBL to acknowledge the Indigenous people of Australia is great but this is about education and awareness as well. This round will provide the Indigenous community with so much inspiration to strive to be an NBL player. I can guarantee all the Indigenous kids around the country will be watching.

“Our jersey this season recognises speed, strength and accuracy which are three major elements that we need to take into every game.”

Every game of the 2020-21 NBL season is LIVE, FREE and in HD via SBS On Demand, with select games also live on SBS VICELAND.