Men’s Volleyroos unveil new Indigenous-inspired National Team uniforms ahead of 2022 VNL
Volleyball Australia (VA) has unveiled the new Australian National Team uniforms in conjunction with Sport Plus Erreà Australia, featuring an Indigenous-inspired artwork by two-time Olympian and Indigenous artist Brad Hore.
The artwork was unveiled at the Australian Beach Volleyball Championships in April 2022, but the Men’s Volleyroos Team are the first athletes to see the new uniform in person, when it arrived at their training camp this week.
Australian Men’s Volleyroos team member, and proud Kombumerri man, Beau Graham said he was “overwhelmed with emotion” when the uniform was unveiled to him and his teammates this week.
“I was breathless and wordless,” Graham said.
“To finally have the beauty of Indigenous artwork and storytelling sewn into the Volleyroos apparel, it’s a fantastic step for Volleyball Australia.”
The Wambuyn Mulumun (‘The Kangaroo Coast’ in Dunghutti language) design represents Australia with its rich colours of red ochre, green coastlines and beautiful rich sand.
“The Wambuyn (Kangaroo) is only native to our land and represents us on the world stage. It creates an icon for our sport, it can represent us as people and as a collective culture where working together creates a family,” explained the artist, Brad Hore at the artworks’ unveiling.
“The Mulumun (Coast) and sand surround our home, it’s what Australia is so known for. It protects our lands, feeding life and culture all around.
“I hope this is something that brings athletes back together when they’re overseas traveling and creates a connection among them,” he said.
The Men’s Volleyroos will be the first to wear the new uniform on the world stage, when they face Brazil in the first round of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) next week.
“It was an honour and a pleasure to be involved with this project,” said the Founder and CEO of Erreà Sport Italy, Mr. Angelo Gandolfi.
“To take someone’s vision, their personal story, and translate that as a graphic onto clothing is not an easy task and it was very important to us that this was done correctly.”
“It is a privilege to play an intricate part in the design process of a garment that represents our traditional custodians,” added Lorraine Mendonca and George Aliferis from Sport Plus Erreà Australia.
“Brad Hore’s artwork is truly inspirational, and it was exciting to be part of the team to make an idea come to fruition.
“Our partnership with Volleyball Australia continues to grow and strengthen.”
Graham said he feels so proud to be pulling on this new uniform, and he can’t wait to share Australia’s cultural identity with the global volleyball community.
“Wearing this uniform means that as a sporting family we acknowledge our First Nations of the land and show not just our own countrymen, but also show the world, the cultural and spiritual aspects of Indigenous Australians,” he said.
“We teach that as a team we represent Australia’s rich colours that encompass our land and in turn, encompass us.
“Whenever we put these jerseys on, we show the world that as a team we are one, and to be a part of the Volleyroos at any point in time, we recognise the dedication of those who walked before us, and those who walk with us.
“Australia is always with us.”
