THE CARLTON Football Club is delighted to launch its 2021 Pride guernsey, which will be worn by the Game Changers in Friday night’s Round 2 blockbuster against the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval.

The game will mark the fourth consecutive season the two teams have met in a celebration of pride, recognising and supporting the LGBTIQ+ community by celebrating inclusiveness, gender diversity and welcoming all people, no matter their sexual orientation.

For the third time since the landmark event began, inaugural Game Changer Darcy Vescio has led the design of the guernsey.

Keeping to tradition, the design forms a shadow of the monogram, highlighting what it means to be a Carlton person welcoming of all, for every player, member and supporter who pulls on the Navy Blue.

Building upon last year’s guernsey, which was centred around the themes of coming together and being stronger through shared values, Vescio said it was important to this year shift the focus to growth.

“This year’s design features growth rings with the jumper being about the strengthening of ties, growing together, using your voice and acknowledging contribution,” Vescio said.

“The women’s football space shapes our perceptions and we grow with it year upon year. It continues to shape the AFL landscape and change the existence of LGBTIQ+ people within the institution.

“The rings are therefore representative of us evolving and developing over time, while the colour configuration – being in the form of wedges – is symbolic of speech, representing the idea of growth through using your voice.”

You can get your hands on your very own Carlton 2021 AFLW Pride guernsey online at The Carlton Shop or if you would like to wear it to the game on Friday night, head to Ikon Park on Tuesday or Thursday between 10am – 4pm to pick one up. 

Following the match, the players’ guernseys will also be auctioned off via the Club’s online auction site, with proceeds split between the Carlton Pride Group and LGBTIQ+ charity Minus18.

Minus18 are the champions for LGBTIQ+ youth in Australia. The charity creates social change and mobilises community support through their identity-affirming, youth-driven events, workshops, education resources and campaigns across the nation. 

Carlton Pride has been the official LGBTIQ+ supporter group of the Blues since 2017.

The group exists to provide a safe and inclusive environment for members of the LGBTIQ+ community. It welcomes all LGBTIQ+ people and allies.