The Sydney Roosters are proud to unveil their inaugural NRLW Indigenous jersey, to be worn in Rounds 6 and 7 of the 2025 season.
More than just history, it’s hers. The jersey is a powerful celebration of identity, storytelling, and connection. It represents a truly special moment in the Club’s journey, one that honours the past while carving space for a new chapter led by women. While Indigenous designs have proudly featured in the men’s program, this is the first time the Club has created a jersey that reflects the unique identity, stories, and strength of its women’s side. For Olivia Kernick, it’s a deeply personal milestone in a growing NRLW legacy.
Designed by Tylah Mundine, a proud Bundjalung woman born and raised in Sydney, the jersey tells a story from the bottom to the top, a layered visual narrative that weaves together the Roosters' proud history, its current stars, and the future of the game.
The lower layer of the design features flowing linework that symbolises lineage, connecting individuals and athletes across generations within women’s rugby league and the broader landscape of women’s sport. These lines, deliberately resembling tree roots, represent the foundational work of those who came before. Their efforts laid the groundwork for today’s players and future athletes to thrive.
Also woven into this layer are totems that represent Indigenous past Sydney Roosters players who were reconnected with through the design process. These symbols honour their culture, legacy and enduring connection to their people and the Sydney Roosters, whilst acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the journey of women’s rugby league.
At the heart of the jersey is Olivia Kernick, the 2024 Dally M Medal winner and proud Indigenous woman whose rise through the Roosters system has inspired many. The totem in the design represents Liv herself, while the surrounding rivers symbolise the many journeys she’s undertaken on and off the field. The circular elements reflect key milestones in her career, from local to international achievements, and also acknowledge the people she’s met and relationships she’s built along the way.
Mundine’s artwork flows upward, transitioning into a powerful depiction of the future. In reimagining the Roosters’ traditional red V, native flora elements are incorporated to reflect growth, culture, and legacy. Inspired in part by NRLW Head Coach John Strange, these elements connect back to the root system at the base of the jersey and represent how the Roosters nurture not only athletes, but also staff, volunteers, and the broader community.
Every detail in the design contributes to one meaningful, unified piece. From community lines to flowing rivers, from totems to blooming flora, the jersey is a visual journey.
The jersey will be worn exclusively in Rounds 6 and 7 of the NRLW season, in matches against the Titans and Knights. While not available for retail sale, fans will have the opportunity to own a piece of history through the auction of match-worn jerseys, with proceeds going to the Kari Foundation to support Indigenous youth and community programs.
