An Australian cricket tournament aimed at launching elite careers for more First Nations players has returned after a two-year hiatus due to COVID.
Seven men's and five women's teams are competing in Alice Springs this week for the National Indigenous Cricket Championships, a week-long T20 tournament usually held annually on Arrernte land.
Now in its sixth year, the championships aim to see more Indigenous cricketers representing Australia at the highest level, and present a vital opportunity for players from across the country to build connections and share culture.
For Gerry Reid — the vice-captain of this year's competing Northern Territory women's team and an Arabana and Warlpiri woman — it's both exciting, and nerve-wracking, to be back.
Recently based in the remote territory town of Tennant Creek, she's been training at the local tennis court with the men's team, because there are no cricket nets.
"Living so remote, there's not a lot of cricket where I come from, so you just make do with what you have," she said.
"We just do a lot of throwdowns and batting, and we do a bit of fielding on the main oval."
For the captain of the territory's women's team and Palawa woman Febi Mansell cricket has been life-changing.
She was just seven years old when she first encountered the sport.
"A couple of random kids came into my class and said, 'Does anybody want to play cricket?'" she recalled.
"I put my hand up because, at that point, I didn't play any sport. I was just sitting at home and I was bored and all my friends were getting in trouble.
"I thought, 'No, I want to get out and do something' … 18 years later, I'm here."
Now, Febi wants to inspire the next generation.
"One day I want to help kids that were in the same position as me to get here to the [championships]," she said.
"I want to see them thrive and know that there's something beyond the four walls at their house. They can travel the world. They can make money doing something they enjoy."
The championships also aim to foster the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.
This includes Wiradjuri 16-year-old Callee Black, a member of the competing New South Wales women's team, as well as the national under-19s team.
A love of cricket runs in the family — her parents and her older sister are cricketers — and she's now forging her own path in the sport.
This is her first tournament, with Cricket Australia already saying she's "one to watch".
"I love just making connections with everyone," she said.
"Some days you're not always going to get a result but, as long as you're playing with a smile on your face, that's all that matters."
New South Wales men's team captain Tyran Liddiard said the championships could be a great learning experience for participants.
"Obviously, we're here to play cricket, but I think everyone grows as a person," Liddiard said.
"And really it's just about … meeting new people, building on relationships and learning about other tribes and other cultures in different areas around Australia, which is amazing."
Cricket Australia says the championships have already produced some outstanding players, such as Ashleigh Gardner.
The Australian cricketer recently made international headlines in the inaugural Women's Premier League auction, landing a deal of more than half a million dollars.
It's hoped the tournament will continue to pave the way for the next generation.
"This is a platform for young Aboriginal women and men seeking to make it into professional cricket," Ms Reid said.
"But it also represents a lot of cultural aspects — just being proud about your culture and building that sisterhood and brotherhood."
