The Gold Coast SUNS today officially launched the club’s Season 7 Pride Round guernsey.

The AFLW team will wear the guernsey in the upcoming Round 8 clash against Melbourne at Metricon Stadium, with Kool Kids Training College also announced as the official match day partner.

The Season 7 guernsey was designed in conjunction with the playing group and will feature elements of the traditional SUNS design, the Pride Progress Flag down each side, as well as the Transgender and Straight Ally flags.

Defender Serene Watson spoke to the importance of the annual round and the message it should spread throughout the community.

“I think it’s amazing that our guernsey is evolving each year, we continue to add new elements and it’s exciting to see the acceptance of everyone around the club and in the community,” Watson said.

“Pride Round is one of the most important rounds in the AFLW calendar, it’s exciting that we’re able to bring it to life, wear our Pride guernsey and really represent, making sure everyone feels accepted to play our game.”

Gold Coast SUNS forward Tori Groves-Little highlighted what the round represented to them.

“We’ve incorporated the Pride Progress Flag which aims to include the marginalised communities of colour, which is important, taking steps in the right direction, adding new elements to be more inclusive and it’s great to see,” Groves-Little said.

“Pride Round means to me, acceptance. Especially in the AFLW, there is a lot of people that play and view the game that fit into the LGBTQIA+, so it’s about acceptance and welcoming, being role models in making the community a safer place.”

The straight ally flag incorporation on the design forms an integral part in representing unity and support towards the LGBTQIA+ community.

The KKTC brand will have a significant presence throughout the Round 8 fixture as Match Day Partner, and KKTC Founder Bruce Coulson understood the importance of an inclusive environment, not only within the AFL industry and wider community, but within his own business.

“Having partnered with the GC SUNS AFLW team since its inaugural year; KKTC are honoured to be the match day partner for Pride Round, giving us the opportunity to highlight inclusion and diversity within the workplace as well as across all sport.  Here at KKTC we are proud to be given this opportunity and along with the club strive to step forward in ensuring we are creating a welcoming community for everyone,” Coulson said.

Metricon Stadium will come alive on match day to help celebrate Pride Round across a number of different elements, and all players will auction off their match worn guernseys to raise funds for members of the LGBTQIA+ community that have been impacted by domestic and family violence.

SHOP NOW: You can purchase a Gold Coast SUNS Season 7 Pride Guernsey here.