New Westfield Matildas kit showcases the ‘spirit of Australia’
The Westfield Matildas kit for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ will marry two distinct aspects of Australian culture, according to Nike’s Cassie Looker.
Looker, the global lead for women's football apparel at sports manufacturer Nike, introduced the specially designed kit to a small Australian audience, describing it as a reflection of what makes the Westfield Matildas unique.
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“This is a reflection of the spirit of Australia, but also of the Matildas,” Looker said.
“We know that the average age of the Matildas is 24. They’re super young, they’re fun, they’re awesome, and we want to make sure this is reflected in their kit.
“So this graphic is a marriage between urban street culture and also the amazing countryside here in Australia.
“This graphic mixes the awesome 90s-inspired graffiti you see on Hosier Lane [urban street art location in Melbourne] and also the golden wattle, that brilliant yellow colour.
“When you take a look at the back of the jersey we have the Matildas rallying cry of ‘Never Say Die’ so they’ll take this on their back as they take the pitch in France. It’s something that they can really think about and really inspire them.”
Looker explained that Nike had focused on each of the nations that will wear their brand at the World Cup in the years leading up to the showpiece event, which kicks-off in Parc des Princes, Paris, on Friday 7 June.
“At Nike, everything starts and ends with the athlete,” Looker said. “They take us to new places we’ve never been before and it isn’t any different as we head into the World Cup.
“Nike has 14 of the 24 federations heading into the World Cup and with that, every federation will have a brand-new women’s fit specifically for their athletes. It took us three years, a lot of work and a lot of passion that went into this new fit.
“For the jersey and shorts, I’ll walk you through what’s different. For men, they really like jerseys and shorts that are pretty tight because it makes them feel like superheroes.
“But for women it’s different, we want to make sure that they feel comfortable and professional and also have the fit that’s just right for them.”
The new Westfield Matildas kit is available in women’s, men's and kids' sizes from 12 March via the FFA Online Store. Click here to buy yours now.
