It is not often someone gets to witness a trio of indigenous brothers as talented as the McDowell-Whites competing in the same team, let alone in the inaugural Indigenous Round of NBL1 and in NAIDOC week, but this is what sports fans may witness this weekend at the Paul Bancroft Centre!
If Darryl McDowell-White passes his concussion protocol tests this week then this is what spectators will experience on Saturday! DJ collected a stray elbow to the head in the dying minutes of the Brisbane game three weeks ago and developed symptoms of concussion after the game. DJ had to sit out of the away game at Ipswich the following week, after still suffering symptoms from the knock. Then last week the COVID lockdown forced a postponement of the Cairns game at home on Friday and the Spartans away game on Saturday.
If all goes well with the protocol tests this week, DJ will will most likely take the court as starters with younger brothers William and Kobe in Basketball Queensland's inaugural Indigenous Round of NBL1 as part of the NAIDOC week Donovan Crowe, Aidan and Bailey Graham, Frazer Roberts and Jai Blackman-Corowa joining the McDowell-White "Brothers Grim" trio.
This is an important event for us for a number of reasons.
1. At the very start of our journey, as an Association, the club commissioned local indigenous artists Matt Robert and Ambrose Killian from Ngalin Ayeye (formerly MA Deadly Art) to paint a picture to recognize and pay respects to the traditional owners of Quandamooka & Yoolooburrabee country which our club operates within. The club adopted the story that went with the painting and has been the mainstay for the culture of our Association which revolves around inclusiveness, belonging and connection to community.
The painting was used as the template for our inaugural QSL team uniforms which will be worn by men's team for the game on Saturday.
2. Our club has strong indigenous connections from our naming rights partner, to our women's head coach, through to the eight members of our men's team!
As a club, we are excited and proud that our fans may see a complete indigenous line up on the floor at some point during the game and are bubbling with anticipation at the opportunity to watch all three of the "Brother's Grim" trio!
Our club has some activities planned to tip off the evening:
4:50pm Welcome to Country Speaker
5:00pm Tribal Dancers with Didgeridoo and Smoking Ceremony
5.30pm Our women will be wearing indigenous socks for their game.
We have a presentation of posters before the men's game to celebrate our indigenous connections with our members.
7.30pm Men's tip off
Join us in our celebrations for NAIDOC week! Ticket must be purchased in advance.
