Driven by heart and empowered by their history, the AVIS Magic are ready to launch the 2023 ANZ Premiership season in a newly designed playing dress.
Named “Te Ahi-o-Mahuika” the dress design pays tribute to the traditions of Magic honouring the female form and spirituality of the Waikato Bay of Plenty region.
Designer, Julie Paama-Pengelly, worked with concepts the players identified as defining the essence of Magic, and encapsulated these through the Māori goddess Mahuika – a powerful Māori female ancestor whose fingernails are the source of fire (ahi) and power.
Mahuika represents the Magic feminine power, essential energy, strength, perseverance and teamwork.
“The coloured heart design is a Magic tradition and is at the centre of this design but it’s expanded with the Māori symbolism,” says Paama-Pengelly.
On the dress itself the yellow flame of the fire curves up, sparks and raises the star, the fire of desire, the aspiration and power to reclaim victory, the star being a representation of past Magic success.
“Red represents the womb and the heart of the people, of women, earth mother and the team. The blue waters flow and connect the region, the rivers and ocean. The black exposed through the spaces carry the Māori design meanings, ‘the flow of life’ curving as representation of whanau (family) whanaungatanga (relationships) and whakapapa (history).”
The design honours the 116 players that have worn the dress so date – from the first Magic captain Amigene Metcalfe, to the new contracted players in this year’s team Charlotte Elley and Amy Christophers.
For AVIS Magic stalwart and 2023 vice-captain Erena Mikaere, the dress expresses the mana of the Magic history.
“We feel very proud to wear the 2023 AVIS Magic dress that has been inspired by one of our Māori deities - Mahuika,” says Mikaere.
“Julie has done an incredible job on this piece which reminds us of a women’s power and helps us to embody the attributes of powerful women.”
