MELBOURNE has launched its 2022 Pride guernsey, in celebration and support of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

The Demons will wear the specially designed jumper when they meet the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night during Season 7’s AFLW Pride Round. 

Designed by Alejandro Stephens, a member of Pride supporter group the Ruby Demons, the guernsey is one of celebration, community and coming together.  

With the Pride flag’s six-colour palette at its core, shades of red, orange, yellow, green, indigo and violet make up Melbourne’s traditional ‘V’, complemented by the club’s royal blue at the base. 

The design is extended onto the back of the guernsey, where light blue, pink and white are joined with brown and black to represent the transgender community and people of colour respectively.  

Together, these colours reflect the Progress Pride Flag, which celebrates diversity and encourages inclusivity within the community.  

Stephens, who has been part of the Ruby Demons since 2017, reflected on the honour of creating this season’s Pride jumper. 

“The very word Pride was behind it all,” Stephens told Melbourne Media. 

“I was inspired to generate a collection of elements that transmit the celebratory messages of community and coming together. 

“My goal was to ensure each palette was strikingly visible from the guernsey, on the front and the back. 

Melbourne’s Major Partner Zurich has again showcased its support of the dedicated round, with a special logo change to incorporate the Progress Pride Flag. This sits proudly on the back of the jumper.  

The Demons will also wear rainbow socks when they do battle with the Suns this weekend, while all matches will see umpires wear rainbow sweatbands, goal umpires use Progress Pride Flags instead of the traditional white, and rainbow markings on the ground. 

Now in its third season, AFLW Pride Round is a formal celebration of inclusivity, diversity, growth and acceptance, and a step forward to ensuring the game is a safe place for all. 

“Pride Round reinforces the safe and inclusive environments for avid LGBTIQ+ fans, who, in the past, might have felt out of place due to their sexualities,” Stephens said. 

“Pride Round welcomes and celebrates these people into Australia’s sporting leagues and communities, where every individual is treated equally and respectfully.”