“To know where you are going you must know where you have come from”
Behind the Design
Across rugby union, league, and AFL, ASICS recognises the significant contribution Polynesian athletes make in the game, bringing exceptional skill and unmatched entertainment on the professional stage.
In recognition of the contribution these players make to the sport and the rich tapestry of Pasifika cultures, ASICS has proudly developed the Voyager pack in partnership with Samoan Graphic Designer, Jarryd Saifoloi, paying homage to Fijian, Tongan, Māori, Cook Island and Samoan cultures.
"... it comes down to the culture and how the culture makes you feel valuable"
- Ardie Savea
"It's just a different purpose I have now. I'm representing my whenua, my country, every week.
I feel like that's what I'm trying to do now. To inspire the young ones."
- James Fisher-Harris
A celebration of the Pasifika players
This collection not only celebrates the prowess of Pasifika players, and other remarkable athletes but honours the diverse cultural heritage inherent in our football codes. The pack serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring Polynesian players, while embodying the values of their communities, family, unity, leadership, respect, and service.
Phases Approach
Our stories draw together whakapapa and knowledge of whakapapa. Our stories are an ecosystem of perpetual time, stringing together our ancestors from hundreds of years ago, to our future generations to come. They tell of the accomplishments, challenges, learnings and evolution of our people. Our success is a result of this collective ecosystem.
Phase One:
The Past - Te Ao Mārama The knowledge that is known.
Finished patterns representing various pacific cultures sit at the back of the boot. This phase represents the stories that have been told, the events that have been lived, and the people that make up our DNA. Here we remember those who have come before us and the great actions they undertook to put us in a position to access greater opportunities today.
Phase Two:
The Present - Te Whaiao & Te Pō The knowledge that is being learnt and The knowledge that is yet to be discovered.
This phase represents the stories currently being shaped. They are not yet complete but in the beginning stages of being sculpted. This is represented by a Māori weaving pattern known as Poutama that sits in the middle section of the boot.
Poutama has significant spiritual and educational meanings. The stepped pattern symbolises levels of attainment and advancement, growth and the pursuit of knowledge.
The Voyager Poutama is made up of small x’s that are signify our whakapapa (genealogy).
Phase Three:
The Future - Te Kore The knowledge that is yet to be discovered.
This phase represents opportunities. It is the space not yet written, waiting to be discovered, born, or created. Visually we use white space (empty space) at the front of the boot to hold room for future generations to come.
