Get ready to embrace one of the most meaningful weeks on the cricket calendar—and make sure you, your club, or your family does it right.

Look, I’ll be honest with you: Indigenous Round in Australian cricket isn’t just another theme week where we slap a sticker on the bat and call it a day. It’s a genuine celebration of First Nations culture, history, and the incredible contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have made to our great game. From the dusty ovals of remote communities to the hallowed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), this round matters.

Whether you’re a grassroots player, a coach, a parent wrangling the kids to their Under-12s match, or just a fan who wants to show up properly, this guide is for you. I’m going to walk you through exactly how to participate in, appreciate, and honour Indigenous Round—without the cringe, without the tokenism, and with genuine respect.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a practical checklist to make sure you, your club, or your family nails Indigenous Round. Let’s dive in.

What You’ll Need

Before we get into the step-by-step, let’s make sure you’ve got the basics sorted. This isn’t complicated, but a little preparation goes a long way.

A willingness to learn – This is the most important thing. Indigenous Round is about education as much as celebration.
Access to your club or association’s Indigenous Round guidelines – Most clubs and leagues (including Cricket Australia affiliated ones) release specific protocols. Find them.
Appropriate merchandise – If you’re buying a guernsey or cap, make sure it’s officially licensed and proceeds go to Indigenous programs. Check out our guernsey sizing guide if you’re ordering online.
Acknowledgment of Country information – Know whose land you’re on. There are plenty of free resources online to help you identify the Traditional Custodians of your area.
Open ears and closed mouth – Seriously. Listen more than you speak.

Step 1: Understand Why Indigenous Round Exists

Before you do anything else, you need to know the why. Indigenous Round isn’t just a nice gesture—it’s a recognition of the fact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been playing cricket on this continent for a lot longer than the first recorded Test match in 1877.

Let me give you a quick history lesson. In 1868, an all-Aboriginal cricket team toured England—the first Australian sporting team to travel overseas. These blokes were pioneers, and they played under the captaincy of Charles Lawrence, but the players themselves were from the Jardwadjali, Gunditjmara, and other First Nations groups. They played 47 matches, won 14, drew 19, and lost only 14. That’s a phenomenal record for a team that faced racism, exploitation, and cultural dislocation.

Fast forward to today, and Indigenous Round is a chance to honour that legacy. It’s also a platform to address the ongoing disparities in participation, representation, and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Cricket Australia (CA) has made genuine strides here, but the round is also a reminder that there’s still work to do.

Your job: Read up on the 1868 Aboriginal team. Learn about players like Johnny Mullagh (one of the stars of that tour), and understand why the round exists beyond the pretty guernseys. This context will make everything else you do more meaningful.

Step 2: Learn the Local Protocols

This is where a lot of people slip up. Indigenous Round isn’t a one-size-fits-all event. What’s appropriate on the lands of the Gadigal people at the SCG might be different from what’s appropriate on Wurundjeri land at the MCG, or on Whadjuk Noongar land at the WACA Ground.

Here’s what you need to do:

Identify whose land you’re on. Use a website like the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia or your local land council’s resources.
Find out who the Traditional Custodians are. For example, if you’re playing at the MCG, you’re on Wurundjeri land. At the SCG, it’s Gadigal land. At the WACA, it’s Whadjuk Noongar land.
Learn the correct pronunciation. Nothing kills the vibe faster than a well-meaning butchered name. Practice it.
Check if there’s a local Elder or community member who can perform a Welcome to Country. If you’re organising a club event, reach out respectfully. Don’t just assume you can get someone—give plenty of notice.
Understand the difference between a Welcome to Country (performed by a Traditional Custodian) and an Acknowledgment of Country (which anyone can do). Both are important, but they’re not interchangeable.

Pro tip: If you’re a parent or coach, teach the kids the Acknowledgment of Country. Get them to say it before training or matches during Indigenous Round. It’s a small thing, but it builds respect from a young age.

Step 3: Get the Right Gear—And Wear It with Pride

Indigenous Round guernseys are some of the most beautiful in Australian sport. They’re designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and they tell stories—of country, of family, of connection. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to approach the merchandise.

Do this:

Buy officially licensed gear. Whether it’s a Big Bash League (BBL) team’s Indigenous guernsey or a Sheffield Shield club’s special strip, make sure the proceeds go to Indigenous programs. Cricket Australia and the clubs are pretty transparent about this.
Wear it to matches. If you’re heading to a BBL or Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) game during Indigenous Round, rock the colours. It shows solidarity.
If you’re a player or coach, wear the club’s Indigenous guernsey with respect. Don’t treat it like a costume. It’s a piece of art and culture.
Check sizing before you buy. Our guernsey sizing guide can help you avoid the awkward “it’s too tight but I’ve already peeled the tag off” situation.

Don’t do this:

Don’t buy knock-offs. Counterfeit gear doesn’t support Indigenous communities. Full stop.
Don’t wear Indigenous-themed gear outside of Indigenous Round without understanding the context. Some designs are specific to the round. Wearing them year-round can dilute the meaning.
Don’t treat the guernsey as a “costume.” It’s not fancy dress. It’s a symbol.

Step 4: Participate in Cultural Activities (The Right Way)

During Indigenous Round, many clubs, associations, and venues run cultural activities. These might include:

Art workshops
Didgeridoo performances
Dance demonstrations
Storytelling sessions
Yarning circles

Your job is to participate—but with the right attitude.

Show up early. If your local club is hosting a Welcome to Country or a cultural performance, be there before it starts. Don’t wander in halfway through.
Put your phone away. This isn’t content for your Instagram story. Be present.
Ask questions respectfully. If you’re in a yarning circle or workshop, ask questions about the culture, the art, or the stories. But don’t interrogate. Listen first.
Don’t touch sacred items without permission. Some cultural objects are not for handling. If in doubt, ask.
Encourage kids to get involved. Kids are naturally curious. Let them ask questions, try the art, or learn a dance. Just make sure they’re respectful.

Pro tip: If you’re a coach, organise a cultural awareness session for your team before Indigenous Round. Invite a local Elder or Indigenous player to speak. It’s a great way to build understanding.

Step 5: Support Indigenous Cricket Programs

Indigenous Round isn’t just about one week of the year—it’s about ongoing support. If you want to be more than just a passive participant, here’s what you can do:

Donate to the National Indigenous Cricket Association (NICA) or similar programs. These organisations run development pathways, community programs, and talent identification.
Volunteer at local Indigenous cricket clinics. Many clubs run these during Indigenous Round or in the lead-up. Offer your time.
Mentor young Indigenous players. If you’re a coach or experienced player, reach out to local programs and offer your expertise.
Attend the Indigenous Cricket Festival if it’s held in your area. This is a celebration of Indigenous cricket that often coincides with the round.
Follow Indigenous players and advocates on social media. Learn from them. Amplify their voices.

Remember: Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, and David Warner have all spoken strongly in support of Indigenous Round and reconciliation. They’re not just going through the motions—they genuinely care. Take a leaf out of their book.

Step 6: Avoid the Common Mistakes

I’ve seen a lot of well-meaning people get Indigenous Round wrong. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

Treating it as a “theme round” like any other. It’s not. It’s a cultural celebration and a moment of reflection. Don’t trivialise it.
Performing a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgment of Country without preparation. Practice it. Get the pronunciation right. Don’t mumble through it.
Using the round to score political points. Indigenous Round is about culture, community, and connection. Keep politics out of it.
Assuming all Indigenous cultures are the same. Australia has hundreds of distinct language groups and cultural practices. What’s appropriate on one country might not be on another.
Forgetting about the WBBL and women’s cricket. Indigenous Round isn’t just for the men’s game. The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and women’s Test matches also participate. Give them equal attention.
Not following up after the round. Indigenous Round is a starting point, not a finish line. Support Indigenous cricket all year round.

Step 7: Reflect and Share (Respectfully)

After Indigenous Round is over, take a moment to reflect.

What did you learn? Write it down. Share it with your team or family.
What could you do better next year? Maybe you want to organise a cultural workshop. Maybe you want to donate to a program. Maybe you just want to learn more.
Share your experience—but respectfully. If you post photos on social media, make sure you have permission from anyone featured. Don’t post sacred or private moments. And always credit the artists and Elders involved.

Pro tip: Start a conversation in your club or family group chat about how to keep the momentum going. Indigenous Round shouldn’t be the only time you think about these things.

The Indigenous Round Checklist

Here’s your quick-reference checklist. Print it, save it, stick it on the fridge.

Learn the history of the 1868 Aboriginal cricket tour and Johnny Mullagh
Identify the Traditional Custodians of your local area
Learn how to pronounce the local language group name correctly
Organise or participate in a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgment of Country
Buy officially licensed Indigenous Round merchandise (check our guernsey sizing guide first!)
Wear the gear with respect, not as a costume
Show up early to cultural activities and put your phone away
Listen more than you speak
Support Indigenous cricket programs through donations or volunteering
Avoid tokenism—treat the round with genuine respect
Reflect on what you learned and share respectfully
Keep the conversation going all year, not just during Indigenous Round

Indigenous Round in Australian cricket is a beautiful thing. It’s a chance to celebrate the oldest living culture on earth and its profound connection to our national sport. But it’s also a responsibility. If we do it right, we honour the past, enrich the present, and build a better future for cricket—and for Australia.

So whether you’re watching the Ashes, the BBL, the WBBL, or a Sheffield Shield match, or you’re out on the field yourself, take a moment. Learn. Listen. Respect. And enjoy one of the most special weeks in our sporting calendar.

Now go get that guernsey on—and wear it with pride.

Want to dive deeper into the history and culture of Australian cricket? Check out our history and culture hub for more stories. And if you’re curious about how Indigenous Round compares to other sporting traditions, our fan traditions section has you covered.

The Ultimate Guide to Indigenous Round in Australian Cricket