St Kilda will pay homage to some significant markers in LGBTQIA+ history while inspiring and encouraging an inclusive and accepting future for all in this weekend’s AFLW Pride Round, today revealing its Season Seven Pride guernsey.

Designed earlier in 2022 by members of St Kilda’s AFLW playing group – including current players Kate Shierlaw, Alice Burke and Lucy Burke – and the club’s graphic design team and community partners, the guernsey reflects key moments and events that have helped shape an inclusive culture both at the Saints and the broader football community. 

The guernsey adapts a blackout version of St Kilda’s Crusader kit, featuring the Crest motif in the colours of the Pride Progress Flag. Emblazoned on each colour wave are milestone words, detailed in chronological order, which carry significant meaning within the LGBTQIA+ community and Saints’ AFLW playing group.

Pick up your Pride merch for AFLW Pride Round

Among them are ‘Fitzroy Street’ – a nod to the origins of the LGBTQIA+ movement for equality in St Kilda and, more recently, the MidSumma Pride March – and ‘YES!’ to recognise the marriage equality outcome from 2017. 

The words ‘Together We Rise’ conclude the wording to symbolise the club’s shared vision of creating inclusive environments for all, with a commitment to learning and growth between our AFLW, AFL, VWFL and VBFL sides, as well as the St Kilda community,

“Being able to wear this guernsey is really special,” co-vice-captain and proud LBGTQIA+ community member Kate Shierlaw said.

“The design of this guernsey has a lot of meaning behind it and is something I’m proud to have played a part in. I’ve been lucky to always feel welcome and included in football, but I know that hasn’t been the case for everyone.

We know that the AFLW competition has had a big impact on society through the advocacy of the clubs and players. It’s an element of our roles as a players that I’m particularly proud of.

- Kate Shierlaw

“By seeing us in these colours, it might mean that some people actually feel they belong in ways they hadn’t before, and that's something which isn't lost on our playing group.

“It was a really great opportunity working with my teammates, some of whom are no longer at the club, to conceptualise this design and I’m looking forward to running out in it this weekend.”

Pick up your Pride merch for AFLW Pride Round

The Saints’ Pride Round game will be held on Sunday 16 October at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium against the Western Bulldogs.

St Kilda will wear the guernsey again the following week for Round 9 against Port Adelaide, with the match at RSEA Park to celebrate Pride through various means to promote acceptance, equality and inclusion.

More than just words

  • Fitzroy Street: A nod to the origins of the Melbourne queer & LGBTQIA+ movement and fight for equality in St Kilda, as well as the continuing presence of the community in this area. 
  • MidSumma: The Pride March the club attends yearly alongside the LGBTQIA+ community.
  • Pride Cup: Our proud partners in the LGBTQIA+ who have helped guide the club towards achieving a safe and inclusive culture and environment for all.
  • YES!: Recognition of the marriage equality outcome in 2017.
  • Saints Pride: The inception of our Pride Supporter Group
  • Pride Game: The first Pride Game in the AFL men’s competition, held against Sydney in 2016.
  • EST.2017: The commencement of the AFLW competition, which has provided countless role models for those in the LGBTQIA+ community and given many a voice and environment to be their genuine selves.
  • 3.1.19 - 1.8.14: The final score of our first ever AFLW win against Melbourne in Pride Round in Round 3, 2020.
  • AFLW, AFLW, VBFL, VWFL: Symbolising the connection of our four St Kilda teams across the men’s, women’s, wheelchair and blind competitions.
  • Together We Rise: The club’s mantra of working together as one to learn, grow and create inclusive environments for all.

Wear it with Pride: Saints reveal Season Seven Pride guernsey

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