The Collingwood Football Club has today unveiled its 2023 Indigenous guernsey and dress.
Designed by Djab Wurrong and Kirrae Wurrong artist Tarni Jarvis, the guernsey will be worn by the Club’s AFL side across the league’s Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds, and the dress will be worn by the Club’s Super Netball counterpart in the league’s Indigenous Rounds.
The design tells the story of the many individuals and groups that make up the Collingwood Football Club.
As a Club which started with one men’s VFL side, Collingwood has evolved into a Club housing eight teams in AFL, AFLW, VFL, VFLW, Netball, ANC, Wheelchair and Reclink, houses Next Generation Academies, and has a wide community outreach.
“For us as supporters, Collingwood is more than just a Club and a game of football – it is a connection to another community that inspires and allows us to be a part of something greater than our everyday lives,” Jarvis said.
“Within this artwork, I have captured the different people who are a part of the Club and the Collingwood community, from its players and staff to the supporters.”
The design features circles within the black stripes on the guernsey. Each circle is unique and represents the people, and their stories, that make up the Club. Crosshatching – which is a commonly used technique within Aboriginal artwork in the southwest region of Victoria – is used to create the white stripes of the jumper.
“It is a true honour to be given the opportunity to design the Club’s Indigenous jumper and dress, and to represent the Club’s Aboriginal supporter base. This design has brought to life our support for this great Club,” Jarvis said.
“To see the men and women athletes wear this design in their respective Indigenous-round games will be a very special moment, a life-highlight.”
Collingwood’s AFL side will wear the design next weekend in Round 10 against Carlton at the MCG and in Round 11 which is a home game against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
The Club’s Super Netball designed dress will make its first appearance in Round 11 against the Sunshine Coast Lightning at USC Stadium and again in Round 12, a home game against the Adelaide Thunderbirds at John Cain Arena.
Collingwood’s 2023 Indigenous guernsey will be available online at the Club Shop.