BRISBANE LIONS midfielder Allen Christensen says it is an honour and privilege to wear a Guernsey that represents his culture and Club.
The Lions launched their 2015 Indigenous Guernsey in March, available for sale from the Lions Shop. Designed by local Brisbane artist Stephen Hogarth, it depicts Woolloongabba as a major meeting place for the area, and makes reference to the role of the Brisbane River and surrounding waterholes as hunting grounds for local Indigenous people. The guernsey will be worn in this Sunday's clash against St Kilda at the Gabba.
“To put on a jumper that represents your people, there are no words that can really describe it”, Christensen said.
“To represent your family and all the people who have watched you from where I am from in the Tiwi Islands and all the people up in Darwin who know me, it’s a great honour and a great privilege.”
It is the second time in the Club's history that the Brisbane Lions will wear a one-off Indigenous inspired event guernsey.
“AFL Clubs have been running with these designs for a couple of years now but I reckon this is probably the best one I’ve seen. It holds a lot of recognition to the area; it’s got the Gabba, the blue of the Brisbane River running through there and the estuaries running off it as well”, Christensen said.
“It means a lot to the place but also incorporates the Brisbane Lions with the old Fitzroy jumper, the lion and our colours as well.”
“We’re lucky to have someone who has done our jumper justice.”
The designer, Mr. Hogarth created the guernsey in consultation with the Brisbane Lions and Major Apparel Partner BLK.
“It’s fantastic to be working alongside the Lions again. This is a great initiative and I can’t wait to share our new design with AFL Fans and the broader community.”
The design shows that there are no boundaries within sport and we can work as a team to achieve common goals.
This amazing piece is available now via pre-sale at the Lions Shop at Gate 2 at the GABBA, online at lionsshop.com.au or by contacting one of our friendly Lions Shop team members on 07 3335 1712.
Online bidding for player issued and match-worn signed guernseys starts at bounce down (1.10pm) on Sunday May 31, when the Lions play St Kilda.
