Blak and White: Collingwood to Reveal Indigenous Guernsey in AFLW Season Opener

Collingwood Unveils Indigenous Guernsey for the 2023 AFLW Season Opener

Collingwood Football Club’s AFLW team is set to reveal its Indigenous Guernsey for the 2023 NAB AFLW Season Opener this Friday. The team will don the Indigenous-designed guernsey as its official away uniform for the upcoming AFLW season. The design, created by Djab Wurrong and Kirrae Wurrong artist Tarni Jarvis, aims to represent the diverse individuals and groups that form the Collingwood Football Club.

A Symbolic Artwork Celebrating the Collingwood Community

Jarvis’s artwork tells a story of the club’s deep connection with its community and the inspiration it brings to its supporters. The design features circles within the black stripes, with each circle representing the people and their unique stories that contribute to the club’s identity. The white stripes are created using a traditional Aboriginal art technique known as crosshatching, commonly found in southwest Victoria.

In an interview, Jarvis expressed her gratitude for being given the opportunity to design the club’s Indigenous guernsey and dress. She views this as a significant honor and a chance to represent Collingwood’s Aboriginal supporter base. Jarvis believes that seeing both the men and women athletes donning her design during their respective Indigenous-round games will be a momentous and life-highlighting experience.

Promoting Inclusivity and Indigenous Culture

The unveiling of Collingwood’s Indigenous guernsey highlights the club’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and recognizing the contributions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. By wearing this guernsey as their official away uniform, Collingwood’s AFLW team is making a strong statement of solidarity and support for Indigenous players and fans.

This initiative reflects a broader movement within the AFLW and AFL to create greater opportunities and recognition for Indigenous athletes and celebrate Indigenous culture. By incorporating Indigenous designs and storytelling into team uniforms, clubs are promoting awareness and appreciation for the rich Indigenous heritage of Australia.

Editorial: The Power of Sport in Promoting Social Change

The unveiling of Collingwood’s Indigenous Guernsey serves as a reminder of the powerful role that sport plays in driving social change and fostering inclusivity. It is through initiatives like these that sporting clubs can create a sense of belonging and inspire communities to unite around a common cause.

Indigenous Round is a significant event in the AFL calendar, where all 18 AFL clubs celebrate and pay respect to Indigenous culture. The Collingwood Football Club’s decision to extend this celebration to the AFLW team by incorporating the Indigenous guernsey demonstrates their dedication to promoting equality and recognizing the contributions of all players, regardless of gender.

By embracing and showcasing Indigenous art and culture, sporting clubs can create a platform for meaningful conversations about reconciliation, representation, and social justice. This annual celebration allows clubs and their supporters to reflect on the unique experiences of Indigenous athletes and the ongoing challenges they face in the sporting world.

Advice for Other Clubs

Collingwood’s commitment to embracing and promoting Indigenous culture through their guernsey provides an example for other clubs to follow. By incorporating Indigenous designs and symbols, clubs can create a visually striking and culturally significant uniform that fosters a sense of pride and belonging for Indigenous players and fans.

It is crucial for clubs to engage with local Indigenous communities and artists, like Collingwood did with Tarni Jarvis, to ensure the authenticity and respectfulness of the designs. By involving Indigenous artists in the creative process, clubs can ensure that their guernsey design accurately reflects the stories and heritage of the local community.

Furthermore, clubs should not limit their support and recognition of Indigenous culture to one-off events. By actively promoting inclusivity and providing opportunities for Indigenous athletes throughout the season, clubs can send a powerful message of support and create a more inclusive sporting environment.

Ultimately, it is through initiatives like Collingwood’s Indigenous Guernsey that the AFLW and AFL can continue to cultivate a more diverse and inclusive sporting landscape, where all players and fans feel represented and valued.