You may know us as the last nation on Earth without a national team – and we are working hard to change that fact – but we are also creating history by becoming the first team to release their 2030 Alternate jersey.
Well, as a low-lying nation in the Pacific Ocean we are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and we are using this opportunity to celebrate the diversity of nature and customs across our islands – but also to remind the world that we are fighting to overcome the affects of climate change.
The jersey, designed by Uruguayan Matías Otero, features several iconic elements indigenous to the nation. From the iconic outrigger canoe, used by the Marshallese people for thousands of years to transport themselves across the ocean, the Drel – a traditional Marshallese hand fan, to flora and fauna such as the Plumeria (National Flower of the Marshall Islands), the Brown Booby, and the Great White Shark which can be found in the world’s largest Shark Sanctuary in the Marshall Islands.
Instead of squad numbers, all jerseys are emblazoned with the number 1.5 – that refers to the global temperature that was outlined in the 2021 COP conference Paris Agreement – a reminder that we all have our part to play if we wish to preserve the world as we know it.
On the neck there is a slogan ‘We deserve to thrive’ which is taken from the poem “Dear Matefele Peinam” by internally renowned Marshallese artist and activist Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner. The full line is – We deserve to do more than just survive. We deserve to thrive. – and signifies that the Marshallese (and other Pacific Island nations) who barely contribute to climate change but the affects of which are magnified in their daily lives.
The designer, Uruguayan Matías Otero, had this to say about the jersey. “The design is directly inspired by the Marshall Islands cultural and natural heritage. My hope is to reflect the importance of respective and preserving the existing diversity of life on this planet and especially within the Marshall Islands that is impacted so heavily by climate change. It is an honor to be somehow present in the development of soccer in the Marshall Islands.“
Volunteer Soccer Federation Commercial Director Matt Webb wants the jersey to resonate beyond the sport. “The overwhelming response to the launch of our project last year had a profound impact upon us. It became clear just how much responsibility lays at our doorstep to raise awareness not only our sporting ambitions, but to draw attention to the impacts of the climate crisis on our nation. We can use our platform to drive change.“
Just like our first ever jersey, this design was submitted as part of our ‘Create our first kit competition’. President Shem Livai added, “That the artist who designed this comes from Uruguay, a country with such a rich soccer history, I think is important. They were the first ever winners of the World Cup in 1930, and 100 years on we are striving to take part in the qualifying of the same competition – which could potentially be our last opportunity to do so. However, if the worlds leaders can come together, just as the soccer community has done to produce this jersey. It shows that with collaboration, we can overcome challenge.“
Official Site of MISF 