Richmond has unveiled its 2022 AFLW Indigenous guernsey ahead of Friday night's highly anticipated season opener against St Kilda.
The Tigers will proudly wear the predominantly yellow design as a clash strip throughout the season and in the league-wide Indigenous Round in Round 8.
Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) alumnus Chantelle Mitchell designed the jumper in consultation with Monique Conti and Sarah D'Arcy.
Chantelle, a budding young Indigenous artist from Mildura, also painted the boots of fellow Sunraysia product and Richmond key forward Courtney Wakefield ahead of last season's Indigenous Round.
The round became extra special for the AFLW Tigers in 2021, with the team recording the Club’s first-ever win in the competition and the players resonating powerfully with the design elements and story behind the Michelle Kerrin designed jumper.
Given the significance, Chantelle's 2022 design will include the same sash as last year's history-making jumper, paying homage to the connection within the group and cultural learning the players commenced together.
The symbols inside the sash represent connection, country, and people living in Indigenous communities. An Indigenous symbol for "woman" is also placed on the guernsey, close to the heart.
The woman represents "sisterhood" and the staunch matriarch that lives on through generations. Its inclusion signifies that every time a Women's footballer steps onto the field, they are a part of something greater than football.
Chantelle drew inspiration from her culture and own experiences playing with the Bendigo Pioneers in the NAB League when creating her additions to the design.
These are featured through the Barkindji patterns, symbolising women’s strength adjacent to the sash and on the jumper's back.
The flowing nature of the artwork on the back of the jumper represents a 'journey,' namely that of Women's footballers and the ever-expanding and improving AFLW competition.
The jumper will be Richmond’s 13th different Indigenous-designed jumper in the Club’s history and the second to be worn at AFLW level. It will be the first time a KGI alumni has been involved in the Women’s jumper creation.
Chantelle’s hometown of Mildura has become an important region for KGI. In recent years, KGI has brought the REAL Healthy program to the area, helping young Indigenous locals to be the best and healthiest version of themselves.
Chantelle and her Mildura-based Indigenous teammates Nalin Moore, Katlin Mitchell and Shelby Hooker benefitted from the program and complimentary use of Aligned Leisure’s Mildura WAVES, while managing NAB League football and the 400km between Bendigo and Mildura in 2021.
** Richmond will further explore Chantelle and the jumper's story prior to the Club's home Indigenous Round clash in Round 8, which will be an opportunity for the team to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and its contribution to Australian football.
