A NBL club whose past Indigenous jerseys have been shrouded in controversy has opened submissions for next season's design.

The Tasmanian JackJumpers began calling for designs submissions for the club's next Indigenous jersey late last month, with the club seeking a Tasmanian Aboriginal artist to create a jersey design to be worn as part of the NBL's 2025/26 Indigenous round.

Using the jersey to highlight and acknowledge Tasmanian Aboriginal people, the JackJumpers said the successful design should be representative of Tasmanian Aboriginal culture.

"It is hoped that the artwork be reflective or incorporative of Lutruwita/Tasmania, and its Aboriginal culture, people, places or stories, as well as representing something meaningful to Tasmanian Aboriginal people," the JackJumpers said.

The call for a designer ahead of the 2025/26 comes following years of controversy which saw the JackJumpers scrap their 2023/24 jersey following community backlash, leading to an artist calling foul play on the jersey design process the following season.

The JackJumpers said the "concepts and story-telling of the jersey are at the discretion of the artist, and can tell individual stories or include wider themes".

"For example, if the artist connects with the 2025 NAIDOC theme 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy' this could be incorporated into the design," they said.

Alternatively, the JackJumpers suggested artists could focus on the strength of the club's motif, the jack jumper ant, as a design stimulus.

Design selections will be based on merit by the JackJumpers Aboriginal Advisory Panel consisting of Auntie Lola Greeno, Uncle Rodney Dillon and Theresa Sainty.

The JackJumpers said applications are open to members of the community who identifies as a Tasmanian Aboriginal person and can demonstrate the capacity to complete the artwork as described.

Both artists who have previously worked with the club as well as new designers are welcome to apply.

Artist details and a biography, a 250 word (maximum) concept describing the design's cultural theme and relevance to Tasmania and a draft sketch or proposed drawing of the artwork and/or how a potential jersey could be designed should form an artist's application.

Submissions can be made to the JackJumpers via enquiries@jackjumpers.com.au, with applications closing Thursday 13 February, 2025.