VNL 2022

Two-time Olympian and Indigenous artist inspires design of Volleyroos’ jerseys

Published 08:42, 01 Jul 2022

The Australian national team are competing at this year’s Volleyball Nations League with a new look. Their beautiful jerseys were inspired from a special design created for Volleyball Australia by Brad Hore. An ex-boxer who competed at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Hore is an Indigenous Australian artist, health worker and motivational speaker. He also works for the Australian Olympic Committee as an ambassador for school sports.

Hore’s artwork titled The Wambuyn Mulumun, which translates from the Dunghutti language as ‘The Kangaroo Coast’, was first publicly unveiled back in March by Sydney 2000 Olympic beach volleyball champion Kerri Pottharst and the artist himself during the 2022 Australian Beach Volleyball Championships at Coolangatta Beach.

“The Wambuyn (‘kangaroo’) is only native to our land and represents us on the world stage. It creates an icon for our sport, it can represent us as people and as a collective culture where working together creates a family,” Brad Hore said. “The Mulumun (‘coast’) and sand surround our home. It’s what Australia is so known for. It protects our lands, feeding life and culture all around. I hope this is something that brings athletes back together when they’re overseas travelling and creates a connection among them.”

Volleyball Nations League 2022 Brasilia Men - BRAvsAUS -7

Australian libero and captain Luke Perry

The design, which represents Australia and its rich colours of red ochre, green coastlines and beautiful rich sand, will appear on all Australian senior national team uniforms for both beach and indoor volleyball. The Volleyroos playing at the VNL were honoured to be the first to wear the new uniforms in international competition.

“Wearing this uniform means that as a sporting family we acknowledge our First Nations of the land and show not just our own countrymen, but also show the world, the cultural and spiritual aspects of Indigenous Australians,” Volleyroos middle blocker Beau Graham said. “We teach that as a team we represent Australia’s rich colours that encompass our land and in turn, encompass us.”

Beau Graham and Luke Perry modelling the new uniforms

“For an athlete to be a part of the Australian elite teams at any point of our history or future, it recognises the dedication of those who have preceded them and inspires those who will follow,” said Volleyball Australia CEO Andrew Dee. “As they represent Australia on the world stage, our athletes are always surrounded by a collective country, proud and honoured to welcome them home.”