South Coast Blaze have taken to the court this Netball NSW Premier League First Nations Round wearing a dress that carries deep meaning, powerful storytelling, and a proud cultural legacy.
Designed in collaboration with Blaze athlete Mia Evans and her Elder, Uncle Keith, the 2025 First Nations Round dress brings a striking artwork titled "Burra Bee Dee" to life - a piece that blends tradition, identity, and personal family history.
The idea for the dress came about when South Coast Blaze approached three of their First Nations athletes, inviting them to contribute to the design for this year’s celebration. Mia, who shares a close relationship with Elder, Uncle Keith, a talented artist, asked if he had any artworks that could be featured.
Keith responded with Burra Bee Dee, a vibrant, layered painting that immediately felt right. Together, they envisioned the artwork displayed on a black dress, allowing the colours and symbolism to stand out boldly on court.
The dress holds immense cultural and emotional significance. The title, Burra Bee Dee, means “Flying High” in the Kamilaroi language. The artwork honours the legacy of Mia’s great-great-grandmother, Mary Jane Cain, a remarkable woman who once wrote to Queen Victoria to seek formal recognition of the land where their family lived. Her courage and persistence led to the establishment of the Burra Bee Dee Mission, a safe haven for the local Aboriginal community. Today, it remains a sacred site and place of remembrance for Mia’s family.
In developing this artwork, Uncle Keith sought to honour that history and the ongoing connection to Country. The geckos featured throughout the design represent Mia's personal totem, symbolising identity, resilience, and protection. The black lines flowing through the artwork represent the lifelines of water and land, the fundamental elements that sustain both people and spirit, connecting all living things across generations.
“The artwork demonstrates community and obviously as a franchise we do all come together usually in the red dress." Said Mia
"This dress recognises the Indigenous girls and shows that First Nations athletes do have a voice and together we can be louder as a community.”
The 2025 dress doesn’t just tell Mia’s story - it represents the voices, histories, and strength of First Nations people more broadly.
Netball NSW is proud to support the recognition and celebration of First Nations culture through this powerful design, and acknowledges the significance of sharing stories like Mia’s on the Premier League stage.
