The Adelaide Thunderbirds have revealed their new heritage dress design for 2026, drawing inspiration from the club’s inaugural dress from 30 years ago.
In celebration of this significant milestone, the side will wear the new design for their season opener against fellow foundation club the NSW Swifts on Saturday, March 14.
The anniversary design, created by Australian-owned performance apparel partner Valour Sport, pays homage to the club’s 1997 dress, showcasing its purple and steel blue colours.
It features the Thunderbirds’ inaugural logo from 1997 and six stars representing each premiership, along with the names of all 112 capped players.
It also mirrors the pattern of this year’s pink home dress, which took inspiration from the club’s first back-to-back premiership dress in 1998 + 99.
Valour Sport has been the club’s apparel partner since 2021 and will continue to be until at least the end of 2027 after signing a two-year extension.
A complementary merchandise range will also be launched in celebration of the 30-year milestone.
Thunderbirds premiership player and South Australian Lauren Frew said the new design was particularly significant for her side.
“We’re so excited to launch our new heritage dress, inspired by our inaugural dress from 1997,” Frew said.
“It’s so special for our club to celebrate 30 years this season and we’re grateful to Valour for creating this anniversary design.
“We’ll wear this dress for Heritage Round which is also our season opener against the Swifts at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on March 14.”
Valour Sport Managing Director Matthew Knight said the design reimagined the club’s inaugural dress through a modern performance lens.
“Milestones like this are about honouring history while ensuring athletes perform at their best today,” Knight said.
“Our role was to respectfully preserve the visual DNA of the inaugural dress while delivering a garment built for the modern speed and physicality of elite netball.”
