Football Australia and Nike have announced that, from tomorrow, Tuesday 27 February, Australian fans will be able to purchase the CommBank Matildas’ goalkeeper jersey in the iconic purple colourway worn by Mackenzie Arnold on the world stage last year.
The Matildas' jerseys will first go on sale via Football Australia Online Store from 12.00pm AEDT tomorrow and retail partners Rebel Sport and Ultra Football, from Wednesday, 28 February.
The announcement comes after Lioness goalkeeper Mary Earps' jersey sold out in record time last year.
For fans wanting to show their support in the stands as the CommBank Matildas take on Uzbekistan in AFC Women's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024TM Asian Qualifiers, the jerseys will also be available for purchase at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Wednesday from merchandise outlets both inside and outside the venue.
With the team set to play in front of another full house this week, making it twelve sold-out home matches in a row for the CommBank Matildas, it’s set to be another high energy show of support.
Mackenzie Arnold, Nike athlete and CommBank Matildas’ Goalkeeper, who today released a heartwarming video capturing the moment she saw the retail jersey for the first time: "The support we as goalkeepers have felt from our fans over the last year has been absolutely incredible. It means so much to me that we’ll head into another huge year for our team, and our sport, knowing that our families, friends and fans will be backing us all the way, and wearing our jerseys with pride.”
Arnold is especially excited to see young aspiring goalkeepers in the stands: “When I was a young athlete, the idea that I could make a living as a goalkeeper never really crossed my mind. It’s a testament to how far our game has come that the next generation of keepers will now see fans wearing our jerseys in the stands.”
Nike Pacific Vice President and General Manager, Ashley Reade, is backing the momentum behind the CommBank Matildas, the goalkeeping cohort, and the game: “In the past two decades we’ve seen football in Australia grow to incredible heights thanks to the power of and pride of our National teams, like the Matildas. Last year’s tournament saw fandom for our goalkeepers take on a new energy which we loved to see.
We are so proud of Mackenzie Arnold’s performances on and off the pitch. We also continue to be inspired by the broader goalkeeper squad, including Teagan Micah, Lydia Williams and Jada Mathyssen-Whyman,” he said.
“With this release, our first ever replica goalkeeper jersey for an Australian football team, we look forward to seeing Aussie fans continue to show their support for the entire Matildas’ squad in another huge year for. James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia added: “Over a number of years now, the CommBank Matildas have been breaking ceilings for the women’s sport, however, what we witnessed at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup changed Australian sport forever.
“We are delighted to work with our long-term apparel partner, Nike, in making available for fans the now iconic purple CommBank Matildas’ goalkeeper jersey as worn by our goalkeeping cohort during last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup and during the current Olympic Qualifying campaign.
“For many years now, our national team goalkeepers have become national heroes and household names, so we are thrilled that through the support of Nike, fans can now access the CommBank Matildas’ goalkeeper jersey and we can’t wait to see that support in the streets and stands during another big year for our women’s national teams,” Johnson concluded.
The CommBank Matildas’ Goalkeeper jerseys will be available from $125 in women's, men’s and $100 in youth sizes.