Richmond is proud to be launching its first AFLW Indigenous-designed guernsey.

The jumper that will be proudly worn by Richmond AFLW players on Friday night has been designed by Michelle Kerrin, an employee of the Club’s Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI).

Korin Gamadji means ‘grow and emerge’ in Woiwurrung, the language of the Wurundjeri peoples, the Traditional Owners of the land on which Punt Road Oval is situated.

Ten years ago, these words were gifted to the Richmond Football Club by Wurundjeri Elders. Since then, the KGI has lived up to its name, empowering more than 2000 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth through leadership, health, and employment pathways.

Kerrin, a proud Arrernte and Lurija woman from the Northern Territory, reflected on the anniversary of KGI and her own journey as an Indigenous woman throughout the jumper's design.

“I wanted to share the story of the women who have come through the Richmond Football Club’s KGI programs, including Lagunta Sisters and the Richmond Emerging Aboriginal Leaders (REAL) Program,” she explained.

The symbols inside the traditional yellow sash of the home Richmond jumper represent connection, country, and people living in Indigenous communities.

An Indigenous symbol for “woman” is also placed on the guernsey, outside of the sash and close to the heart.

“The woman symbol on the jumper is for our staunch matriarch that lives on for our Elders, Aunties, and children. It is for the women that pave the way and that are rising,” Kerrin said.

“It is for every woman that steps on the field and represents something greater than us. (It shows) we are bold, and we are powerful.”

Richmond AFLW defender Sarah D’Arcy, who has spent the past two years teaching Indigenous students in a remote Northern Territory community named Minyerri, 600km south-east of Darwin, has a close affinity with Indigenous culture and youth.

“It is huge to be able to pull on this jumper and what it represents and means. I know it is something that has not been done before, so it is really special,” D’Arcy said.

“The girls and women in the communities that I have been in are going to be so excited and so proud to see that girls are representing them. I can just imagine all their faces if we were able to get a few (Indigenous jumpers) over to them.

“Representing all those women out there for the first time with an Indigenous jumper but also celebrating those that have not yet been celebrated in this space is a hugely important and empowering thing.”

Richmond will wear the jumper for the Round 5 AFLW clash against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium as part of the AFLW’s inaugural Indigenous Round.

Sitting at the heart of the Richmond Football Club, the core values of the KGI - connection, community and culture – have enabled the Club and its people to also emerge as leaders of reconciliation and social justice.

The club is proud of what the KGI has achieved and are thankful for the guidance of the Wurundjeri peoples and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

In 2021, we reflect and celebrate the past ten years and together, we make strong and bold plans for the KGI of the future.