More Than Just a Kit

Written By Rachel Bach

Over the course of Melbourne’s many lockdowns due to COVID-19, I started to search for football kits related to women’s football teams to add to my collection. At the top of my list were the home jerseys I’d photographed the Matildas play in from 2016 onwards. 

As kits started to arrive in my mailbox, I examined each of the designs, having never seen some of the details up close before. I found myself thinking about what moments I’d captured in each kit. I don’t have a favourite, but there are many that are incredibly meaningful to me.

The frames that came to mind straight away are the ones that transport me back to the second I hit the shutter on the camera. I can vividly recall how I felt at that exact moment. Here are some of the photographs that are most special to me.

2017

LISA DE VANNA, SYDNEYA sell-out crowd on home soil for the first time. I’ll never forget the roar of the crowd when Lisa De Vanna opened the scoring. People leapt out of their seats to celebrate. It was the first time I’d experienced photographing a game with a big crowd, and the atmosphere was incredible. I was overwhelmed by what I was witnessing - I told a friend I couldn’t believe what was happening just before the match kicked off.

LISA DE VANNA, SYDNEY

A sell-out crowd on home soil for the first time. I’ll never forget the roar of the crowd when Lisa De Vanna opened the scoring. People leapt out of their seats to celebrate. It was the first time I’d experienced photographing a game with a big crowd, and the atmosphere was incredible. I was overwhelmed by what I was witnessing - I told a friend I couldn’t believe what was happening just before the match kicked off.

SAM KERR AND KATRINA GORRY, MELBOURNEI took this photo the first time I saw the Matildas play in Melbourne. That night, my dad was in the crowd. He’d never been to a Matildas game before, but we’d watched them together on television for years. When Sam scored with an unstoppable strike in the second half, the stadium erupted. It was an incredible goal, and I felt like I got to share the excitement with dad (even if we weren’t sitting together). I also got lucky with the signage in the background adding a nice message to the frame.

SAM KERR AND KATRINA GORRY, MELBOURNE

I took this photo the first time I saw the Matildas play in Melbourne. That night, my dad was in the crowd. He’d never been to a Matildas game before, but we’d watched them together on television for years. When Sam scored with an unstoppable strike in the second half, the stadium erupted. It was an incredible goal, and I felt like I got to share the excitement with dad (even if we weren’t sitting together). I also got lucky with the signage in the background adding a nice message to the frame.

2018

ALANNA KENNEDY, AMMANIn a match that had some forgettable moments, this is one that I’ll never stop thinking about. The Matildas were minutes away from being knocked out of the Asian Cup by Thailand when Alanna scored. I was so excited I almost jumped out of my seat. I think Alanna’s reaction was one of celebration and relief, and that perfectly describes how I felt. It was my first overseas trip to photograph football, and it taught me a lot about balancing my passion for the team and my photography.

ALANNA KENNEDY, AMMAN

In a match that had some forgettable moments, this is one that I’ll never stop thinking about. The Matildas were minutes away from being knocked out of the Asian Cup by Thailand when Alanna scored. I was so excited I almost jumped out of my seat. I think Alanna’s reaction was one of celebration and relief, and that perfectly describes how I felt. It was my first overseas trip to photograph football, and it taught me a lot about balancing my passion for the team and my photography.

CAITLIN FOORD, SYDNEYCapturing post-match moments between players and those in the stands has always been something I’ve loved. As Caitlin climbed into the stands, I followed her with my lens, unsure of where she was going. A hug from nan was what eventuated. Such a personal moment in a public setting. I didn’t know Cait personally when I took this, but now that I do I know how much this frame means to her. It makes it even more special.

CAITLIN FOORD, SYDNEY

Capturing post-match moments between players and those in the stands has always been something I’ve loved. As Caitlin climbed into the stands, I followed her with my lens, unsure of where she was going. A hug from nan was what eventuated. Such a personal moment in a public setting. I didn’t know Cait personally when I took this, but now that I do I know how much this frame means to her. It makes it even more special.

2019

CAITLIN FOORD, DENVERThis was one of the most exhilarating shoots I’ve experienced. I’d heard from the players how much they enjoyed playing against the USA, and for years I’d watched from afar as they battled in front of massive crowds. It was the first time the Matildas wore this kit, and I was ecstatic to be in America for it. I watched as Caitlin spun her way into the 18-yard box and scored. The whole team rushed to celebrate with her. It’s a particularly special frame to me because I’d been working closely with Cait for months leading up to that moment. I was thrilled for her.

CAITLIN FOORD, DENVER

This was one of the most exhilarating shoots I’ve experienced. I’d heard from the players how much they enjoyed playing against the USA, and for years I’d watched from afar as they battled in front of massive crowds. It was the first time the Matildas wore this kit, and I was ecstatic to be in America for it. I watched as Caitlin spun her way into the 18-yard box and scored. The whole team rushed to celebrate with her. It’s a particularly special frame to me because I’d been working closely with Cait for months leading up to that moment. I was thrilled for her.

CHLOE LOGARZO AND ELLIE CARPENTER, MONTPELLIERA goal in the comeback win against rivals Brazil at the World Cup, celebrated right in front of me. This was one of those moments where I could barely believe what I was witnessing. I felt so fortunate to be at a World Cup at all, and to have the opportunity to capture a moment like this was simply incredible. The ‘Never Say Die’ spirit of the Matildas was on full display, and I was lucky enough to have had the best seat in the house for it.

CHLOE LOGARZO AND ELLIE CARPENTER, MONTPELLIER

A goal in the comeback win against rivals Brazil at the World Cup, celebrated right in front of me. This was one of those moments where I could barely believe what I was witnessing. I felt so fortunate to be at a World Cup at all, and to have the opportunity to capture a moment like this was simply incredible. The ‘Never Say Die’ spirit of the Matildas was on full display, and I was lucky enough to have had the best seat in the house for it.

2020

SAM KERR, NEWCASTLEI’m always nervous going into competitive matches, and with a spot at the Olympics on the line, this was no different. When Sam scored I felt instantly at ease. Goals often bring about feelings of exhilaration, but on this occasion I felt somewhat calm. When I took this frame, I had just started working as the Matildas’ team photographer. I couldn’t have known that it’d be my last trip with the team for the foreseeable future - weeks later we went into lockdown for the first time. I haven’t been able to photograph them since, but this picture reminds me of how much I love working with this team.

SAM KERR, NEWCASTLE

I’m always nervous going into competitive matches, and with a spot at the Olympics on the line, this was no different. When Sam scored I felt instantly at ease. Goals often bring about feelings of exhilaration, but on this occasion I felt somewhat calm. When I took this frame, I had just started working as the Matildas’ team photographer. I couldn’t have known that it’d be my last trip with the team for the foreseeable future - weeks later we went into lockdown for the first time. I haven’t been able to photograph them since, but this picture reminds me of how much I love working with this team.

NIKE KIT LAUNCH, MELBOURNEWith a new national team kit design ready, I was asked to shoot some of the imagery for the launch. As COVID restrictions changed so did plans, and it ended up being a lockdown shoot with just myself and the kit. This was the final frame - shot out the back of my house. I relished the challenge of creating under the restrictions, but also laughed at the absurdity of the situation. This shoot helped me feel reconnected to the game - a feeling I’d lost during lockdown. I’m still yet to have the chance to shoot a game in this kit, but it was an honour to be trusted with this project.

NIKE KIT LAUNCH, MELBOURNE

With a new national team kit design ready, I was asked to shoot some of the imagery for the launch. As COVID restrictions changed so did plans, and it ended up being a lockdown shoot with just myself and the kit. This was the final frame - shot out the back of my house. I relished the challenge of creating under the restrictions, but also laughed at the absurdity of the situation. This shoot helped me feel reconnected to the game - a feeling I’d lost during lockdown. I’m still yet to have the chance to shoot a game in this kit, but it was an honour to be trusted with this project.

Rachel Bach
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