Adelaide 36ers Partner with We Create Studio as Major Partner for NBL Indigenous Round

National Basketball League (NBL) franchise the Adelaide 36ers has announced a commercial partnership with Aboriginal-owned and led business We Create Studio for the club’s upcoming Indigenous Round match against the Illawarra Hawks.

The alignment sees the creative agency serve as the presenting Major Partner for the marquee fixture, alongside supporting partner BHP.

Under the agreement, We Create Studio founder Pat Caruso, a proud Eastern Arrernte person born and raised on Kaurna Country, hosted a dedicated cultural awareness workshop for 36ers players, coaches, and executive staff.

The session focused on the multigenerational impacts of the Stolen Generations, First Nations identity, and creating career pathways across professional sport administration, coaching, and support roles.

Beyond the Indigenous Round fixture, We Create Studio is a foundation partner of the 36ers’ community arm, the Shooting Hoops Foundation, a supporting partner for the upcoming Remembrance Round game against Melbourne United, and the official player sponsor for development player Deonte Williams.

Highlighting the importance of leveraging professional sports platforms to create meaningful opportunities for First Nations youth, We Create Studio founder, Pat Caruso, said: “It’s part of the reason I’ve come on board with the Adelaide 36ers, to try and make a difference to young people and to young Aboriginal people coming through, who see sport as a legitimate pathway,”

“It’s not just about what they can do on the court.

“It’s leaning into the support networks that are around the players to know they can be part of the executive leadership team, the medical and support staff or be one of the coaches.

“It’s about giving these young people the opportunities and I love being part of their learning, their teaching and their growing.

“The 36ers’ connection to grassroots basketball and the community is a big part of why this partnership means so much to us.

“Sport brings people together, creates belonging and gives young people something to aspire to.

“As an Aboriginal owned creative business, we’re proud to support the Indigenous Round and work alongside the club to celebrate culture and inspire the next generation,” Caruso said. 

Commending on Caruso’s leadership and the agency’s cultural contribution to the organisation, Adelaide 36ers chief of external relations & community strategy, Ross Wait, said: “From the moment we met, I could sense Pat’s desire to help.”

“Having had his own lived experience of some of the barriers faced by young First Nations people, he is passionate about making a difference in the community and making things better for the next generation.

“We’re grateful to have someone with such enthusiasm and drive, and an organisation in We Create Studio that lives his values, backing our club and being part of our Indigenous Round this week.

“We’re looking forward to working together in the community through our Shooting Hoops Foundation going forward,” Wait said. 

Cultural Activation and Community Initiatives

The partnership incorporates multi-layered fan engagement and internal cultural programs across the club’s NBL operations:

• Cultural Awareness Sessions: Players and club staff participated in traditional message stick workshops to share personal stories and foster long-term cultural understanding.
• Fan Engagement & Merchandise: We Create Studio will distribute exclusive first-edition Adelaide 36ers player cards at the venue, alongside hosting signed jersey competitions for attending supporters.
• Grassroots Community Alignment: The collaboration will leverage the Shooting Hoops Foundation to deliver basketball pathways and support networks for young Indigenous athletes across South Australia.

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