Ballarat City’s season on the line in a special day for the club

Ballarat City have released a special jersey to celebrate Diversity Day as the club prepares for its final game of the season. See the jersey here first.

Ballarat City player Charlie King is hoping his designed jersey can inspire his club to some final day heroics in the National Premier League.

The club this weekend is celebrating Diversity Day in their final round home match against the North Sunshine Eagles in NPL3.

To celebrate the team will be holding an African-themed day with music and food throughout the day.

The day has been organised with the help of Football Victoria and the Australian Human Rights Commission with Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan involved.

A special jersey has also been created, designed by Ballarat City player Charlie King.

The computer design of the jersey the Ballarat City Football Club will wear in their final game of the year. It has been designed with the help of Puma. Picture: Supplied.

King, who has played for the club for the past six years, said his mother inspired his design.

“My mum is Tanzanian and that’s where I was born,” he said.

“We have eight African players in the team so we decided to do an African theme.

“The masks in the background is a traditional masai and they were used in celebration, initiation celebrations for men and in wars.”

There is also inspiration from the movie Black Panther with the crossed arms in the middle of the jersey.

“I thought I’d tie that in,” King said.

“Our team ranges from mid 30s to young 20s so they’ve definitely seen the Black Panther movie and know what it’s about.”

Ballarat City head into the final match needing a win to avoid relegation.

The jersey the Ballarat City Football Club are wearing in their final game of the season. Picture: Supplied.

A win and a loss by Springvale White Eagles, who are third from bottom, against Melbourne City would enable Ballarat City to stay in the NPL3 tier.

A loss or a draw would consign the team to the State League next season in seniors.

“Our focus is completely on ourselves, it’s irrelevant what happens in the other game,” Ballarat coach Michael Trigger said.

“We’ve played well at home the whole year and go in with a game plan to get the win.”

Trigger said the team would be at full strength for what is a pivotal day in the club’s history.

“It’s an important date on our calendar, so we look forward to playing in it,” he said.

“The jersey has not only been done by someone in the community but by someone in our club.

“So it does give you a bit of satisfaction and motivation for the day.

“It’s important we celebrate that.”

The seniors, who will wear the jersey, play at 3pm on Saturday at Morshead Park with the Under-21s to play at 1pm.