Student athletes selected in the UWA Maaliwah team to compete in the 30th UniSport Indigenous Nationals competition, have been presented with their playing jerseys in a ceremony held at Bilya Marlee on Friday 19 June.
The presentation was hosted by Charlee Brahim, UWA Maaliwah player, with addresses from Jake Wilkins, UWA Sport General Manager, Nerry Nichols, Acting Director, Indigenous Student Services & Business Manager, and Adele Williams, UWA Student Sport Coordinator.
The 2026 Maaliwah team captains, Lailah Berlottie and Emmanuel Richardson, then delivered their welcome addresses, reflecting on their experience so far and excitement for the upcoming event. The event concluded with the announcement of the Maaliwah squad and presentation of the playing jerseys to each athlete.
The jersey artwork was created by Dr Richard Walley for the 2025 nationals competition hosted by UWA. The artwork focuses on themes of Country, community, coming together and a strong team spirit. It draws on elements from the UWA crest, Noongar Boodjar (Country) and the Bilya (River), as well as representing the universities, competitors and sports in the Games.
The Indigenous Nationals, a week-long multisport event, brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student athletes from universities across Australia.
The competition aims to not only celebrate the rich sporting culture of Indigenous Australia, but to also acknowledge the heritage and history of the participating student-athletes.
The first Indigenous Nationals was held in 1996 at the University of Newcastle and was attended by approximately 30 students. The event has now grown to an annual spectacle which hosts hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tertiary students from around Australia every year.
Throughout the week, students compete in four core sports, touch, football, netball, basketball and volleyball.
In 2026, the 30th Indigenous Nationals will be hosted by the University of Newcastle in New South Wales on Awabakal and Worimi Country from 29 June - 3 July.
UWA School of Indigenous Studies and UWA Sport support staff will join the team as it embarks on its quest for another championship.
Image: 2026 UWA Maaliwah team.
Congratulations to all the athletes selected for UWA Maaliwah, including the support staff.
UWA Maaliwah Team List:
Alaxandrea O’Brien
Cassie Davidson
Charlee Brahim
Daniel Jacquel Thomas
Emmanual Richardson (Captain)
Imogen Famlonga
Imogen John
Jacob Lovell
Kevin Sibosado
Lailah Bellottie (Captain)
Rikki Willcocks
Taj O’Donohue
Tiana Alger
For more information on the upcoming Indigenous Nationals, visit UniSport Australia.