Blue skies, sunshine and crisp winter air saw Sydney Harbour on full display for the official unveiling of this year’s Australian Commonwealth Games Team uniforms.
Taking place at Admiralty House, Australia’s Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), opened the celebration by commemorating that there are a mere 50 days left until the our national team pack their bags and head to Birmingham, England.
As for what they’ll be packing in their suitcases, this year’s official uniforms served as an ode to true blue Aussie spirit and was brought to life by the iconic R.M. Williams. The ensembles were a “celebration of heritage design and Australian craftsmanship”, and included a capsule range of green-and-gold inspired looks, including limited edition leather boots that were handcrafted in Adelaide, South Australia.
For this year’s kits, R.M. Williams remained committed to local production, with most of the collection having been manufactured in Australia. Created not just for the athletes, but also for coaches and officials all headed to Birmingham, there were 690 uniforms manufactured in total.
Playing on Australia’s traditional green and gold palette, the uniform designs included signature polos, tailored sportscoats and puffer vests. At the games, Australian athletes will be donning neutral-toned chinos, paired with classic cotton shirts, all embroidered with the Australian Commonwealth Games Team’s 2022 logo.
Showcasing the 2022 uniforms was Ridge Barredo, Olympic weightlifter; Sharni Williams OAM, Olympic Rugby 7’s player; Ellie Cole OAM, Paralympian swimmer; Charlotte Caslick OAM, Olympic Rugby 7’s player; Jake Lappin, paralympian athletics and Tina Rahimi, Olympic boxer.
As for R.M. William’s moment to shine, they are stacking athletes up with a unisex sneaker, as well as limited edition Comfort Craftsman and Comfort Erica tan leather boots, with green and gold tugs. Each boot is created with one-piece of Coco Moulton leather with the brand’s signature elastic sides for support.
But perhaps the most special inclusion of all was the ‘Unity’ symbol incorporated into the designs of the polos, ties, scarves and vest lining. The symbol was designed by Indigenous artist Jenna Lee, and lives in a series of works created for the Gold Coast 2018 Reconciliation Action Plan, by Gilimbaa. Since the Gold Coast games’ theme was ‘Together With Unity’, it only makes sense that the symbol was paid homage for the 2022 games’ theme of ‘Greater Together’.
With the ‘Unity’ symbol a central component to the Commonwealth Games, it represents the recently released Reconciliation Action Plan, which was created to recognise and celebrate the history and future of First Nations athletes and people.
“It’s a great honour to once again be bringing the outback spirit of R.M.Williams to the Australian Commonwealth Games Team uniforms, dressing our nation’s sporting stars for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies,” Scott Faulder, Head Of Product Development at R.M.Williams, explained.
“The kits blend a modern sensibility with classic Australian style, infused with the traditional green and gold colour palette, along with the Unity symbol designed by Jenna Lee.”
“With the majority of this collection crafted on Australian soil, we’re taking a step forward in sustainable production and bringing manufacturing home.”
But where will we actually see the uniforms in action? Our athletes and officials will be donning said kits at a number of events, including the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies. And officials will continue to sport the kits as they make additional appearances around the ceremonies and sporting events.
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will take place from July 28 to August 8, 2022.
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