Bidjigal artist key to Sharks jersey design
The Cronulla Sharks have unveiled their 2025 NRL Indigenous jersey, designed by renowned Bidjigal artist Jordan Ardler.
Cronulla’s NRL and NRLW teams will wear the jersey across the two-week NRL Indigenous Round in August, celebrating the strength, survival and culture of First Nations people and their immeasurable impact on rugby league.
Ms Ardler has designed the Sharks’ Indigenous jersey for the past three years and worked with the club’s players and officials to capture the rich stories, history and cultural essence of the ‘Kurranulla’ area where the Sharks live and play.
“This jersey design is an acknowledgement to the local community, the land and its peoples. It also is a representation of our Cronulla Sharks community, including players, staff and fans and where they all combine,” she said.
“It is symbolic of our journey of forming the family we have and those who have become a part of it. A space for everyone to come together.”
Key elements of the jersey include:
- A humpback whale – a significant Indigenous totem in the local area representing all those who came before – placed across the chest for protection and to signify being at the heart of the community.
- Intricate patterns representing land forms, the surrounding oceans and saltwater country, as well as the footprints of players, staff and fans.
- The totems of each Indigenous Sharks player and/or their Indigenous partners on the back of the jersey, showcasing how their family, community and culture have driven them to become their best selves.
- Three interlocked circles on the sleeve depicting a player’s journey to the Sharks, their time at the club and what they take when they move on.
- Orange lines representing the Gweagal clan – the traditional owners of the land upon which the Sharks live and play – who are known as fire people.
