Rheanna Lotter, the founder of Ngandabaa Aboriginal Art, has a long association with the NSW Swifts but this year the relationship has grown to new heights.
The proud Yuin woman, who was first commissioned to design First Nations gifts for the Club in 2022, was this year commissioned to design the Club’s First Nations uniform which the Swifts wore in their Suncorp Super Netball Round 7 win over the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Queensland.
This Saturday the Swifts host their own First Nations Round and Lotter’s design will take centre stage as Briony Akle’s team looks to maintain their push for top spot ahead of the 2025 Finals Series.
Lotter teaches people about Aboriginal culture by allowing them tell their own stories through Indigenous art.
That is why her Swifts dress design tells the story of the seven-time Premiers, from humble beginnings as the Sydney Swifts back in 1997 to the Club we know and love today.
“For me it’s about going personal,” Lotter says.
“I think it makes it a lot easier for everybody to feel a sense of connection to it. And when we connect, you know, that leads to understanding and care which leads to change.
“And I think that's really cool… you're able to do that through creating artworks that are personal, where people can feel that sense of connection.”
“I entitled the Swifts design 'Legacy' because the Swifts have pioneered women in sport and the Club is one that is very proud of its roots. It is my hope that the netball community really connects with it too.”
Having been part of the Swifts family for many seasons, Lotter said she was honoured to take on the design process in 2025.
“It feels like a full-circle moment because we've done, you know, the workshops with players over the last few years and doing the gifts as well, and now leading to the dress.
“So, it kind of feels like a full-circle moment. And the coolest thing is that for me, I know a bunch of the players now and I see how much it actually means to them to feel that sense of connection with that design.
“I think in the end sport is the place where you're going to get people from all walks of life. We believe different things. You have different values and opinions and sport connects us.
“So obviously it's a great place to have these conversations and bringing Aboriginal Art front and center is only going to start this conversation. So, I'm really proud to be part of that.”
