Ahead of the sold out match in Melbourne, Nike’s iconic goalkeeper jersey will be available for fans. It will be the first time that any Australian goalkeeper kit has been released to the public.
By Kieran Yap 26/2/24
Above: Mackenzie Arnold. Photo: Cat Bryant.
Matildas fans can throw their hands up in triumph as though they’ve just saved a crucial penalty (or several), Nike and Football Australia have announced that the iconic purple goalkeeper jersey made famous by Mackenzie Arnold will be available for purchase.
Supporters have long lamented that goalkeeper kits have been hard to come by, and following Arnold’s heroics at the Women’s World Cup, demand immediately surged.
The jerseys will first go on sale via Football Australia Online Store from 12:00pm AEDT tomorrow. Rebel Sport and Ultra Football will have stock available from Wednesday, 28 February.
The jerseys will also be available to purchase at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Wednesday from merchandise outlets both inside and outside the venue. The match against Uzbekistan is expected to be at full capacity, making it the 12th sold out home game for the national team.
This marks the first time that Australian goalkeeper jerseys have become officially available, and with replica kits outselling the 2019 version by more than 13-1 they are expected to sell fast.
“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,” said Nike Pacific Vice President and General Manager, Ashley Reade.
“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 Whyman.”
Mackenzie Arnold echoed the excitement and this has added to a 12 month stretch that had eclipsed her wildest dreams as a goalkeeper.
“When I was a young athlete, the idea that I could make a living as a goalkeeper never really crossed my mind,” she said through Football Australia.
“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.”
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