The Cronulla Sharks are proud to unveil their 2025 Indigenous jersey, designed by renowned Bidjigal artist Jordan Ardler.
Cronulla's NRL and NRLW teams will wear the deeply meaningful strip across the two-week Indigenous Round in August, celebrating the strength, survival and culture of First Nations people and their immeasurable impact on rugby league.
Ardler has crafted the Sharks' Indigenous jersey for the past three years. She once again 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," Ardler explained.
"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.
Ardler continued: "Each of us have experienced life differently. We have formed bonds that have led us to this point. Our community is diverse but our cultures combined have formed a culture at the club that has become our main strength."
Indigenous Round has been extended over two weeks this season to give every NRL and NRLW club the opportunity to wear their special jersey at home.
Cronulla's men and women will wear the kit in a double-header against the Dragons at Kogarah (August 9) before hosting the Titans at Sharks Stadium (August 16).
The 2025 Indigenous range, including a jersey, hoodie and scarf, is now available. CLICK HERE to order online or visit the Sharks Store at Bay Central Woolooware.
All jersey sizes are in stock except for the infant range, due to arrive in early August.
In the artist's words: Jordan Ardler
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.
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.
Each step in a player's journey or a fan's life has led them to become a part of what we have today. We hold strength and unity in the many communities that have joined together that we now call ours.
These journeys have become a solid foundation for our values that we are privileged to be able to perform within the beautiful lands we are surrounded by at our home ground. The humpback whale represents the local Aboriginal community and all of those who walked before us. It is placed upon the chest for protection and being at the heart of our community.
The patterns throughout the jersey represent the land forms and the surrounding oceans.
The totems of each Indigenous player and/or their Indigenous partners are also represented in the jersey to show they are an integral part of the team and the community. They are seen at the back to showcase how each player's family, community and culture have been a driving force to push them to be their best in their lives and now at our club.
Each of us have experienced life differently. We have formed bonds that have led us to this point. Our community is diverse but our cultures combined have formed a culture at the club that has become our main strength.
Specific design description
Whale
A significant totem of the local area.
Back
Totems of the players and their partners.
Front bottom
Ocean ripples – saltwater country; player journeys.
Sleeve
Three circles connected – representing a player's journey to get to the Sharks, their time at the Sharks and what they take with them when they move on.
Top Back
Footprints in country – players, families, fans and staff.
Orange lines
Acknowledging the Aboriginal peoples of the local area as fire people.
