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Commonwealth Games Australia today revealed the competition and ceremony uniforms to be worn by the Australian Team at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Diadora – which produced the Australia Team uniform for Glasgow 2014 – will once again provide the competition wear for Australia’s 470 strong team of athletes across 18 sports, while iconic Australian brand R.M. Williams has created the uniforms to be featured in the opening and closing ceremonies.
The Diadora competition range features Commonwealth Games Australia’s fresh new brand elements including the gradient of colour from green to gold.
Some 58,000 individual items have been produced by Diadora for the Australian team, which will total more than 700 with athletes and officials.
Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips said he was proud of the uniforms created for the Australian Team.
“With more than 700 athletes and officials set to be part of the Australian Team, this is one of the biggest Australian Teams assembled for any Games, so outfitting is a real challenge,” he said.
“Diadora alone have created 240 styles across 18 sports for a total of 58,000 individual pieces. It’s a huge undertaking.
“CGA is pleased to have partnered with Diadora and R.M. Williams who have both done a wonderful job to produce uniforms that are distinctly Australian.
“The feedback on the Diadora competition wear from Glasgow 2014 was extremely positive so we are excited to have worked with them again on a competition range that represents CGA’s new brand which we think is fresh, contemporary and very Australian.
“R.M. Williams is clearly one of Australia’s most iconic clothing brands and the work they have done on the Australian Team opening and closing ceremony uniforms is wonderful.
“We really feel that we have a created a uniform that befits the honour of representing Australia on the world stage, but has a casual, contemporary twist that is at home on the Gold Coast.
“Perhaps most special about the R.M. uniform is the Indigenous artwork detail throughout – featured in the blazer lining, the pocket squares, ties and scarves and also the polo shirt.
“The artwork used throughout the uniform represents ‘Unity’ which is a powerful message for our team,” Phillips said.
The artwork is part of series of works created for the GOLDOC Reconciliation Action Plan by Brisbane based Larrakia woman Jenna Lee, senior designer and artist at Gilimbaa.
Overland Group (Diadora) Managing Director Bill Tyson said:
“Diadora is proud to once again partner with Commonwealth Games Australia on the competition uniform for the Australian Team.
“We are proud to include items in the range like our polo shirt which is made of recycled plastic along with our rich cool yarn – a great blend of function and sustainability.
“We looking forward to seeing Australian athletes achieve success wearing our Diadora green and gold on the Gold Coast.
R.M Williams CEO, Raju Vuppalapati said:
“R.M.Williams is delighted and honoured to partner with Commonwealth Games Australia to design the uniform for the Australian Team to be worn during the opening and closing ceremonies.”
“We have created a “head-to-toe” look that reflects Australia and the Gold Coast – pioneering spirit, rugged elegance, beach and sunshine. The designs feature print artwork inspired by a visual expression of unity, created by Indigenous artist Jenna Lee.“
“We wish our athletes and Commonwealth Games 2018 great success.”
R.M Williams Chief Marketing Officer, Mathew Hayward said:
“Supporting Australia has always been of the utmost importance to R.M.Williams; from collaborations with the Royal Agriculture society, Australian Defence force and the Wallabies to our new partnership with the Commonwealth games. It is the heart and soul of the company.
“We are proud to be supporting our athletes at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and for our iconic brand to be part of the experience. Australia is renowned the world over for R.M.Williams and sporting excellence, so what better partnership to showcase this.”
