Luke Wenitong has two good reasons to celebrate this year's National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC).
Firstly, his daughter Juliette has been selected to play for Queensland for the second year in a row; he's also umpiring at the competition for the first time.
"I'm a cricket tragic, so for me, it's the best spot in the house being an umpire and standing right in front of the wicket," he told NITV.
"Especially if it's your daughter steaming in on a sunny day with the wind behind her.
"It's good to see her improve and see her take wickets."
Fostering excellence in Indigenous cricket
Juliette Wenitong was only 14 years old when she was first selected to play for Queensland in 2025.
Her team went all the way.
"Making the Grand Final in my first go-around, that was pretty incredible," Juliette said.
"I was very excited about that, and it would be incredible if we could do it again this year."
Luke Wenitong is one of four Indigenous umpires officiating at this year's NICC.
It's part of Cricket Australia's Indigenous Pathway program that was created to identify any Indigenous umpires in community cricket and help them upskill, with the hope of being selected to officiate at the NICC.
During the tournament they'll be observed and receive feedback.
"It is a big step up, but it's also an opportunity," Luke said.
"I see it as a stepping stone, I love umpiring even though I'm reasonably new at it.
"I just see it as doing something a big out of the ordinary and it's definitely out of the ordinary being there with your daughter and all the mob down there as well."
Luke got involved in umpiring when his daughter started playing cricket.
"In 2018 I got involved in umpiring some of her games, coaching and counselling when she gets out for ducks or doesn't take any wickets," Luke said.
He's also had to make some tough calls umpiring Juliette over the years.
48 hours of no talking to dad afterwards, but that's ok, that's part of sport
"I've said no too many times to count," Luke said.
"I've also given her out LBW a couple of times.
"As we were driving home that afternoon, I remember her saying that was clearly outside off-stump dad, but I thought she was out.
"48 hours of no talking to dad afterwards, but that's ok, that's part of sport."
Despite their disagreements on the field, Juliette Wenitong is extremely proud of her father umpiring at the NICC.
"I feel like a proud parent watching him sometimes, I do get really nervous though," she said.
Watch the National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) Finals on NITV and SBS On Demand on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19.
How to watch during the week: matches are streaming on Cricket Australia's YouTube page
Men’s: https://play.cricket.com.au/grade/6884ac88-418f-4759-9fd0-310a6bd290b6?tab=matches
Women’s: https://play.cricket.com.au/grade/44836145-7aab-4c9a-a64f-bd034e3bd4d8?tab=matches
