The Manly Sea Eagles have released their latest jersey ahead of their Round 20 clash with the Roosters at 4 Pines Park.
In collaboration with Dynasty Sport, the โEveryone in Leagueโ kit has been designed to โcelebrate inclusivenessโ, not just within the NRL but Australian sport as a whole.
The jersey will maintain the traditional Manly style, but the thin white hoops will instead be replaced by rainbow patterns.
โSport is one of those great things where people come together from all walks of life and participate in something without exclusion. This jersey is a celebration of that,โ said Dynasty Sport founder Tyler Rakich.
While other codes around the world have varied in their approach to similarly inclusive themes, this is the first jersey of its kind in Australia.
You, Me, Everyone in League.https://t.co/csnxCYOs7h@dynasty_sport #ManlyForever pic.twitter.com/buVY5B8Vgm
— Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (@SeaEagles) July 24, 2022
โThe Everyone In League jersey is something weโve wanted to do for a number of years. As soon as we got the concept locked in, all parties have contributed to make it something weโre really proud of.
โThe design maintains the iconic Manly DNA with the striped design and maroon, but with the subtle inclusion of the rainbow colours as a nod to inclusivity.โ
Interim Manly CEO Gary Wolman said the entire Sea Eagles organisation was proud of the jersey.
โThe Sea Eagles have a rich and diverse history with rugby league and the community,โ Wolman said.
โTo be able to bring this concept to life with Dynasty sport is a fantastic achievement and weโre pleased to be able to share such an important message that means so much to so many people.โ
Despite the usual detractors in the lonely corners of social media, the jersey has been warmly received overall.
Itโs not the first time the NRL has led the way with inclusivity in Australia, either, with the NRL Mardi Gras float the first of its kind and Macklemoreโs iconic 2017 Grand Final performance another trailblazing moment. Just this year Marcelo Montoya was also banned for four games after using a homophobic slur on the field.
Itโs another reminder that this isnโt a token, strategic move that should be met with cynicism but part of a larger strategy of inclusiveness that the NRL should be largely praised for.
Manlyโs important clash with the Roosters takes place this Thursday evening at 7.50pm โ but the jerseys can be ordered online now.
