The 2017 Indigenous jumper is available for purchase via the Roo Shop
North’s players have collaborated with talented artist Sarrita King to produce another stunning Indigenous jumper.
Along with the Roos’ apparel partner, Canterbury, Lindsay Thomas, Jed Anderson and former club champion Daniel Wells helped design another unique piece steeped in deep meaning and tradition.
“We’ve had some great indigenous jumpers over the past few years, but this one is particularly special to us,” Thomas explained.
"We wanted something that represented all the Indigenous players that have pulled on the North jumper over the decades. Sarrita's circles represent the various tribes we are all from.
“Wellsy came up with the idea to recreate the iconic North Melbourne kangaroo but with a more Indigenous interpretation, which looks fantastic.
"We were all heavily involved in the idea and the design.
“This jumper has a significant storyline and I can’t wait to wear it."
King describes herself as a ‘story teller’ and quickly understood the history of the club and its deep ties to Indigenous culture.
Her artistic inspiration comes from her experiences growing up with her family in the Northern Territory and from her father, William King, also a famous artist, who taught her about her Aboriginal heritage and the connection to the world.
King inherits her Australian Aboriginality from her father who was part of the Gurindji tribe from the Northern Territory.
Represented by the Cromwell Gallery in Collingwood, this is King’s fourth collaboration with North having created and redesigned the fan favourite ‘Our Icon’ jumper in 2014 and 2015, followed by ‘Bloodline’ in 2016.
“This club has a rich and proud indigenous history and Sarrita has captured the essence of our heritage and the contributions we have all made to the club and wider football community,” Thomas added.
North is set to play against Carlton in Sir Doug Nicholls Round on May 28 and King is proud to again be a part of such a special occasion.
“Sitting down with the players and hearing what was important to them and what should be incorporated in this latest design was a great experience,” King said.
“This is very much their ideas and feelings laid out on their canvas which is their playing jumper.
“Taking the famous Kangaroo that’s synonymous with North’s success in the 90s but adapting it to fit the traditional Indigenous art style is a beautiful combination and wonderful synergy.”
The Kangaroos’ current Indigenous players are Lindsay Thomas, Jed Anderson, Paul Ahern and Jy Simpkin.
“The players, past and present, all come from different backgrounds and different tribes,” King added.
“I’ve used the circles, which are prominent in my artwork, to represent them all.”
