For Pride Cup, Adelaide United Unveil Shirt Designed by Local Artist

In celebration of Pride 2024, Adelaide United have teamed up with a local artist, Mali Isabel, to create a special kit inspired by Australian indigenous paintings. The debut for this kit was the Original Rivalry: a fierce derby that took place last weekend against Melbourne Victory. The name alone tells you all you need to know about the relationship between these two clubs, but each year they settle their differences to host a round of the Pride Cup, a charity event dedicated to encouraging LGBTQ+ people to become more involved in sport.

One of the world’s oldest surviving artistic traditions, indigenous painting is extremely diverse: there are as many styles as there are indigenous cultures within Australia. Since many of these cultures do not have a history of written language, painting has been used by them as an important form of communication as well as a way of maintaining a connection with the past. Explaining the design of the shirt - its whirling, multicoloured pattern - Isabel claimed that it: “invites all of us to reflect on the interconnectedness of all living beings and the beauty that emerges when we embrace the rich tapestry of life."

In addition to coming from an indigenous background, Isabel is a member of the LGBTQ+ community who has chosen to champion this aspect of her identity in her design. “I love using the rainbow colours purely to remind people about pride, and being loud and proud about your culture, your identity and everything in-between.”

As an official partner of the A-league, we’re excited to be hosting exclusive live auctions for all of the shirts that were worn on the pitch during this derby. For the chance to make one yours, click here and start bidding!