MGC Sports Jacket Initiative

After my enrolment at MGC in 2017, I participated in many sports across all seasons, so I became accustomed with the MGC sports uniform. It was during my involvement with the cross country team when the temperature ranged from 5 – 12C and a 22km SE wind was blowing up the slopes of Mt Cooper, that I realised that the school sports jacket was not adequate to keep our team members warm when they were not racing. One experienced cross country competitor from MGC actually packed a silver thermal blanket to cope with the wind chill and rain. 

As a result of my cross country experience and discussions with fellow competitors I was motivated to investigate the possibility of improving the quality of the current sports jacket. I arranged a meeting with Ms Money in 2017, where we discussed the process required to achieve any changes to the approved uniform and the positive design features of my brother’s sports jacket at MHS. My proposal was presented to the School Council and they deemed it unnecessary. This was a disappointing result. 

After two more seasons at cross country and getting cold and wet in the rain, I was convinced that an improvement in the quality our sports jacket was a worthy project. As a result, I did a great deal of research about other secondary schools sports uniforms design features and costs. I drafted a design incorporating the MGC school colours and logos. I then consulted my Godmother who has over 30 yrs experience in the Fashion Industry as a designer, and my cousin who is completing her studies in Interior Design and we came up with a streamlined prototype. We presented our proposal to the School Council on 20 Aug 2019 and received their approval to work on the design with Bob Stewarts.

Since then, members of the designing team have liaised with the principal team and have managed to have 2 prototypes of the jacket made, even with the Covid disruptions. We submitted the final adjustments to the design on 12 August 2020, and finally it is for sale at Bob Stewarts. It feels rewarding to know that lots of people are wearing the new sports jacket and to finally see my hard work come to life. 

Victoria Trentin

Year 11