Collingwood AFL players wear custom-designed Indigenous boots for the 2026 Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds (SDNR) and are set to wear them again during NAIDOC Week in Round 18.
Designed by Brothaboy founder Andrew Taylor, a Noongar man with Ballardong Yued bloodlines, the boots were created in honour of the Lady Gladys Nicholls Hostel.
The hostel was first established in 1958 by the Aboriginal Advancement League and is deeply embedded in First Nations history.
Lady Gladys Nicholls (1906–1981), a prominent activist with strong ties to Cummeragunja, contributed significantly to the hostel’s development through sustained fundraising efforts.
She worked alongside her husband, Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls, supporting initiatives that supported opportunities for First Nations people within the community.
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It has provided a residence for students from across the nation for decades and continues to evolve in partnership with Taylor.
“We identify talented Aboriginal kids across Australia, whether that’s academically, in sport or performing arts and we invite them to the hostel in Melbourne to pursue their dreams,” Taylor said.
“We are a complete wrap-around support service outside of school and sport.”
Today, students can reside at the hostel with ongoing support from Andrew and Cara Taylor.
Each boot designed for Collingwood is inspired by both the player’s personal story, and styles from Taylor’s label.
On Pat Lipinski’s boots (pictured), the design shows connection on a global scale.
His boots feature the Australian, UK and US flags, each representing Lipinski and his three siblings who live in different countries across the world.
“For me, it’s all about connection,” Taylor said.
“Collingwood Football Club reached out to me as an artist and I wanted to connect Collingwood with the oldest Aboriginal organisation and Aboriginal owned hostel in Australia.”
AFL players wore custom designed Indigenous boots when the Pies took on the Sydney Swans in the Marn Grook game at the SCG and in the Round 11 match against Waalitj Marawar (West Coast Eagles) and are set to again wear them during NAIDOC Week in Round 18.
