The NSW Swifts are proud to unveil the Club’s 2025 First Nations Dress which has been designed by long-time collaborator Rheanna Lotter of Ngandabaa Aboriginal Art.
Lotter, a proud Yuin woman and the founder of Ngandabaa, has been part of the Swifts Family since being commissioned to produce First Nations Round gifts in 2023 and 2024.
She has also delivered a number education sessions to the playing group by sharing her story and culture through the joy of Aboriginal art classes.
A hugely respected artist across the national landscape, Lotter has previously designed First Nations uniforms for other sporting teams such as the Sydney Thunder (cricket), the Australian Paralympic Team and created an Indigenous football design for the AFL.
Outside of sport her work has been used by global brands Amazon and Specsavers.
To tie in with National Reconciliation Week, the Swifts will wear the design in their top-of-the-table clash with the Sunshine Coast Lighting in Queensland on Saturday night.
The team will also wear it for the Swifts’ Official First Nations game in Round 13 (also against the Lightning) which ties in with NAIDOC Week.
Lotter, a self-confessed Swifts fan, said she was delighted to be working with the Club again.
“I really cherish the collaboration we have been able to build over the past number of years and the connection that’s come with that,” she said.
“When working with the Swifts, especially during our art sessions, you can tell that they are really engaged and want to learn as much as they can.
“It is clear that it’s not just about wearing a dress. They want to fully understand why First Nations Rounds exist and what we need to do to ensure we continue on the right path towards Reconciliation.
“I have entitled the design 'Legacy' because the Swifts have pioneered women in sport and the Club never forgets its roots and the great people that have brought it through the highs and lows of sport.
“I hope that the story behind this design connects with the wider netball community and I cannot wait to see the players wear it this weekend, and in Sydney later this year.”
Jeremy Butler, Executive General Manager of the Swifts, thanked Lotter for her work in the build-up to the opening First Nations Round of the season.
“Rheanna has produced a beautiful design and a story that resonates deeply with us as a Club.
“She is not just a brilliant artist; she is a fantastic educator. She looks to build a connection and common ground first and then work from there.
“We are proud to wear her design and are honoured to have two opportunities to do so.”
LEGACY: Story of Swifts 2025 First Nations Dress
By Rheanna Lotter
This artwork, entitled “Legacy”, encompasses the history and future of the NSW Swifts. The bottom left of the dress features the heritage dress colour yellow, paying tribute to the past greats of the team. Underneath, the ups and downs of the sport is symbolised by mountains, showing the journey of the challenges faced in elite sport.
Above, highlighted in red, are seven meeting places representing the fellow competitor teams in Suncorp Super Netball. The blue section in the centre of the dress is symbolic of water, which connects and sustains us on our journey. Footprints are featured on the dress to pay respects to our ancestors who walked before us, paving the way for future stars to grow.
And finally, the central meeting place at the top of the dress is the past, present and future of the NSW Swifts. The outer ring presents large U shapes (symbolic of people) which represents the current team and associates. The centre of the meeting place features the heritage yellow of the team’s history, and smaller U shapes (symbolic of people) for the future Swifts to come.
