KeepHer Australia History

Independent goalkeeper glove brand · Canberra, ACT, Australia · Founded 2023

KeepHer Australia's story starts with Mel Maizels, the first Australian goalkeeper KeepHer sponsored. Maizels has worn the gloves since 2018 in the A-League Women with Perth Glory, Canberra United and Melbourne Victory, where she is now head goalkeeper coach.

Helen Ritchie noticed the gloves from the stands at a Canberra United home game, and Maizels later gave Ritchie's daughter a pair. In 2019, Ritchie founded Even Playing Field to make female-specific sports apparel and equipment easier to find across Australia, and KeepHer gloves became part of that range.

In 2023, Ritchie and Maizels launched KeepHer Australia as the Australian and New Zealand arm of the Portland, Oregon, brand. The gloves come in sizes 6 to 9 and are stocked and shipped locally.

Milestones

  1. 2018Mel Maizels becomes the first Australian keeper sponsored by KeepHer.
  2. 2019Helen Ritchie founds Even Playing Field.
  3. 2023Ritchie and Maizels launch KeepHer Australia.

Sources: KeepHer Australia: About us · ABC News, March 28, 2021. Spot an error? Send a correction.