Torquay guernsey design led by junior Aboriginal players celebrates Country and community

BESPOKE guernseys and netball bibs designed by junior Aboriginal players are helping celebrate the women of the Torquay Football Netball Club while honouring Country, community and connection.

Designed by Remy Sliwa, Elleischa Sizer and Mia Murphy in 2025, the artwork tells the story of where Torquay’s women’s footballers gather and play, while also reflecting the pathway junior players take into the senior side.

Worn again in 2026 to celebrate AFL Barwon’s Indigenous Round, Sliwa – a proud Gunditjmara girl – said it was special to work with her clubmates on the design.

“I felt proud of my culture when I was asked to design the jersey,” Sliwa said. “Obviously I love football and netball so I got to create a design for something I love doing.

“All three of us girls play girls football so we connected through that.”

Torquay’s guernsey design features symbolism of the women’s football team and the junior players coming up through the club. Photo: Michael Chambers.

The design wraps around the guernsey.

The large circle in the middle of the jumper is the meeting place, Spring Creek Recreational Reserve, Torquay’s home ground. In the middle is the symbol for women, surrounded by footsteps to represent the cohort moving forward together.

Flowing around the design are waterways representing Spring Creek and the nearby ocean, while eucalyptus leaves along the sides reference the bushland surrounding the oval. The leaves feature crosshatching commonly seen in Victorian Aboriginal artwork.

On the back of the guernsey, Torquay’s junior football sides are represented with symbols of friendship, teamwork and connection. Kangaroo tracks signify young players moving forward, treading softly on the earth that sustains them and unable to move backwards.

Torquay were by far the dominant team over Bell Park. Photo: Michael Chambers.

This year the club also adapted the artwork for its netball bibs.

Sliwa said she was thrilled to see the design expand beyond football and hoped the uniforms would continue to be worn throughout the season.

“The design comes back to Country and Community, which relates to netball as well as football at Spring Creek, so I’m happy to see it used for both,” she said.

“It is a great opportunity to show the contribution First Peoples have had on sport at a local level too.”

Torquay captain Lila Richard has a kick smothered. Photo: Michael Chambers.

Sliwa’s mother, Gunditjmara woman Ilona Rose, said the club’s commitment to wearing the guernseys and bibs again sent an important message.

She is pleased to see the club’s desire to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and culture.

“This sends a message that inclusion is important all year round – not just during Indigenous-themed weeks or celebrations – because it’s about how people are respected, represented and supported every day, not just occasionally,” she said.

“Respect and recognition shouldn’t be temporary. Inclusion means valuing cultures, identities and perspectives

throughout the whole season.”

Sliwa hopes to wear the guernsey herself later this season and said she would do so with pride.

On the field, the Tigers had an easy 17.16 (118) to 1.0 (6) win over league newcomers Bell Park. Camille King and Luella Aldridge were standouts on the day with six and five goals respectively.

Torquay now prepare to play Barwon Heads/Ocean Grove in round 6.