MELBOURNE has launched its 2023 Pride guernsey in celebration and support of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Dees will don the jumper this weekend when they travel to Brighton Homes Arena to face the Lions during the AFLW’s Pride Round.
This year’s design is close to the heart of Melbourne’s football program, with two of its own creating the concept behind the guernsey.
AFLW dietician Rylie Ellis and Head of Women’s Football Operations Jessie Mulholland joined forces to design something meaningful to the LGBTQIA+ community, playing group and club.
The special design weaves elements of the progress pride flag into the famous ‘V’ of the traditional Melbourne jumper, the collar and the back of the guernsey.
While externally understated, Ellis and Mulholland highlighted the purpose of this subtle change, explaining that no matter the round, the LGBTQIA+ community is always a part of the red and blue.
“We didn’t want the guernsey to be too different on the outside because as people who live in the LGBTQIA+ community, we don’t feel different, day to day, we live the same lives as everybody else,” Ellis told Melbourne Media.
“We wanted it to look very much the same as the regular guernsey because when we get to football, we are the same and we feel like it’s a place of equality, that’s what we wanted to show on the outside.”
A particularly important aspect of this year’s jumper and a point of difference to previous pride guernseys is the rainbow element on the inside.
The inside of the guernsey looks to honour the internal work of the football club in its journey towards inclusion, acknowledging the educational steps it’s taking towards inclusivity.
“From a club perspective, it’s about the journey of our internal education,” Mulholland said.
“The club is really supportive in trying to be better, to be a really inclusive and safe environment for everyone.
“We’ve had education sessions with Minus18 and Proud2Play and we’re really excited for the journey the club is on at the moment.”
The inside gradient also holds a powerful message for those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and is a beacon of hope for those who may not have the opportunity to be their true selves externally.
“We’re very aware that we feel lucky to be able to be out and be who we are, but we recognise that there are a lot of people throughout the world, Australia and football, that aren’t able to be who they are on the outside and they wear their rainbows everyday, on the inside,” Ellis said.
“We wanted them to know that we see them and that this guernsey is for them.”
While the retail version of the guernsey doesn’t include the internal gradient, the message remains true for all who don the jumper – that Melbourne is a safe space for all.
In addition to the special guernsey, the Demons will also wear rainbow socks when they face the Lions on Saturday night.
Now in its fourth 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.
