St Kilda has unveiled a specially designed guernsey that Saints players will wear to honour Captain Nick Riewoldt in his 300th match.
Currently sitting on 298 AFL games, Riewoldt’s milestone match is slated for Round 2 against Western Bulldogs, which will also serve as a fundraising match for Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision (MRV).
The Rooey 300 guernsey has been designed in conjunction with ISC to replicate the jumper the spectacular forward wore for his debut game in Round 15, 2001 against Adelaide Crows (below).
Five per cent from each guernsey purchased from Saints Locker Moorabbin or shop.saints.com.au will be donated to MRV that will go towards finding a cure for Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes.
The front of the guernsey is emblazoned with the much-loved cross design featuring a custom Rooey 300 logo that has been created for the event.
Each replica guernsey will feature a sublimated number 12 on the back; the iconic number worn by Riewoldt, as well as the Maddie Riewoldt Vision logo and a customised neck yoke that showcases a list of Riewoldt’s career achievements.
The St Kilda skipper said he anticipates his milestone match will be special for several reasons.
“This Saints jumper takes me back to my first game, all those years and games ago. I’m extremely proud of my career so far and am looking forward to game number 300,” he said.
“The real celebration for me is that my 300th is also a Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision fundraiser, giving me and my family an opportunity to honour Maddie and raise funds to go towards finding a cure for Bone Marrow Failure,” Riewoldt said.
In reaching the celebrated achievement, Riewoldt will be the fifth player in St Kilda history to record 300 games. $5 from every adult ticket purchased to the Round 2 milestone match will go to Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision.
Family is forever #FightLikeMaddie
Posted by St Kilda Football Club on Sunday, July 19, 2015
Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision
Nick’s sister Maddie Riewoldt suffered from a Bone Marrow Failure called Aplastic Anaemia, which claimed her life in February 2015. Maddie 26, had a five year battle with the illness experiencing countless blood transfusions, intrusive medical procedures, two bone marrow transplants and seven months in hospital, with 227 days spent in ICU.
In June 2015, four months after Maddie’s passing, Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision was established to raise money and fund medical research into finding a cure for Bone Marrow Failure.
Since being established, Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision has received close to $1million from generous donations and probono support. They have already made strategic inroads into their mission of finding a cure and started funding significant medical research projects, including the world’s only National Aplastic Anaemia Registry.
