Cricket in South Australia proudly celebrated First Nations Round across all levels of the game this summer. From Friday 28 November to Sunday 7 December 2025, the South Australian Men’s team, Adelaide Strikers WBBL, SACA Premier Cricket clubs, and Community Cricket clubs and schools have come together to acknowledge the history and influence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on cricket.
Clubs marked the occasion in meaningful ways, including First Nations artwork on stumps and uniforms, as well as gathering for a Barefoot Circle. This powerful tradition invites players to remove their shoes before the match, connecting physically with the land and paying respect to the Traditional Owners of the Country on which they play.
National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC)
Each year, Australia’s most talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketers gather to showcase their skills, celebrate culture, and promote unity through sport at the National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC). This year, the 2025 Championships were contested at Great Barrier Reef Arena and Harrup Park in Mackay, Queensland, on YuwibaraCountry, after moving from Arrernte Country in Alice Springs where the first eight editions were hosted. The Championships also serve as an important pathway for emerging Indigenous talent to showcase their abilities on a national platform, with past players including South Australia’s Sheffield Shield Final hero and recent Australian Test debutant, Brendan Doggett.
Following the 2025 Championships, South Australia Indigenous Men (SA Boomerangs) representatives Jackson Gillespie (Adelaide University Cricket Club), Liam Connors (Woodville District Cricket Club) and Anne Dubois (Adelaide Cricket Club) were selected for the MCC Indigenous Training Camp, which was held at the MCG in October.
Ann Dubois Shares her experience
What was the experience like at the MCC Indigenous Training Camp?
My experience was unreal. Hearing from players like Will Pucovski and Scott Boland was incredible — they gave so much insight into the highs, the lows, and what it’s really like to be a professional cricketer. We also had wellbeing, integrity, and dietician sessions that helped us understand our bodies better and showed us how to improve our performance through proper preparation. It was extremely eye-opening and helpful.
How would you describe the quality of coaching provided?
The coaching we received was unlike anything I’ve experienced before. We focused on all thefiner details. For me, as a side-on bowler, we looked closely at my foot alignment – something I’d never even heard about before. I learnt that my front foot was out of alignment, which was making my bowling that bit more inconsistent.
How did you find the dynamic with the other players, being the only South Australian woman?
It was really easy. All the girls – and even the boys – were super welcoming and easy to talk to. Being the youngest and the only female SA player didn’t matter at all in the bigger picture. We were all selected because we have talent, and there was a genuine belief in each other from the start.
Looking Ahead
SACA is now seeking players for the SA Women’s Indigenous Cricket Team (SA Desert Peas) to compete at the 2026 Championships, scheduled for 14–19 April in Mackay, Queensland.
Expressions of interest are encouraged via the link below:
SA Women’s Indigenous Cricket Team (SA Desert Peas) – Expression of Interest