Ospreys Rugby today took the wraps off their new-look second jersey, which will be worn by the team for the first time when they run out to face Russia at the Liberty Stadium next Sunday (August 21st, KO 3.00pm).
The unveiling of the change shirt comes two weeks after the first ever public launch of an Ospreys jersey, when hundreds of fans flocked to the Quadrant Shopping Centre in Swansea to see members of the senior squad modelling the black and steel blue home version, along with the full range of 2011 leisure wear.
Once again, the Kooga manufactured jersey will carry the logo of primary sponsor RWE npower renewables across the chest. Predominantly white, the jersey has steel blue shoulder flashes, the colour representative of the proud industrial heritage of the region, while a wave dissecting the torso represents the coastal location of Ospreylia.
In addition to RWE, secondary sponsors featured on the jersey are Persimmon Homes, Worthington’s, Maximuscle, Veolia, Nathaniel Car Sales Jewson, Cuddy Group, Doors Warehouse and Stabili.
With the new home jersey once again proving to be a hit with supporters, Ospreys Managing Director, Roger Blyth, is in no doubt whatsoever that the white and steel blue number will go down just as well. He commented:
“Over the last five years the combination of a strong Ospreys brand and Kooga’s forward thinking and innovative kit design as ensured that we’ve always stayed one step ahead of the game in terms of jersey design and 2011 is no different. Our fans have been buying the home jersey in big numbers since the launch event two weeks, and I would expect this stunning new white and steel blue shirt to be every bit as popular.
“I’ve no doubt that Kooga have again delivered a winning design and I look forward to seeing the players in action against Russia on the 21st, With our fans having already had the chance to see what the black jersey looks like on our players at the launch, we felt it was appropriate to make this pre-season game and family day almost like a second launch event, where we can get to see the boys in white and steel blue.”
Andrew Peters, Managing Director of Kooga, said:
“Kooga Rugby continues to be delighted with the partnership with Ospreys Rugby. It has been a genuinely successful partnership, which we hope will last for many years. Ospreys have been exceptional in their open and commercial approach to the relationship, and we hope that we have brought innovative and exciting designs to the Ospreys. We look forward to continuing to supply the supporters with great shirts and the team with ‘extremely designed’ technical product.”
With more than 42,000 of the 10/11 jersey sold over the course of the last twelve months, the fifth successive year sales exceeded 40,000, the new jersey is again expected to be one of the biggest selling in northern hemisphere club and regional rugby.
The white and steel blue shirt will be available to buy from 10am on Friday morning, at the Liberty Stadium and online, available exclusively for a week before going on sale across the UK and beyond at all Kooga outlets.
The new second jersey will only be available in a supporter’s fit, with all sizes available, priced at £39.99 for juniors, £49.99 adults.