Ospreys Rugby are delighted to unveil the brand new home jersey for the 2013/14 season.
The exciting new design, which features an eye-catching Celtic shield print across the torso combined with a splash of orange trim, is once again expected to be amongst the biggest selling club or regional rugby shirts in the UK and Ireland over the next twelve months.
The presence of the Celtic shield echoes the 2008/09 version, the best selling Ospreys jersey of all time, when a similar design featured across the shirt.
The shield was a familiar symbol in the time of Celtic warriors, signifying bravery, strength and protection, providing a safe return home for the victors.
Manufactured by Kooga, the jersey features the logo of commercial partners RWE npower renewables on the chest for the ninth consecutive season, making it the longest running jersey sponsorship in regional rugby.
In recognition of the community clubs across Ospreylia and the work they carry out to support and grow the game in the region, both the home and the still to be unveiled away jersey feature the ’77 Clubs 1 Region’ legend on the inside collar, with the figures ’77’ and ‘1’ embroidered on the bottom left of the jersey front.
Yarnie Guthrie, Ospreys Commercial Manager, said:
“As always, it gives us enormous pleasure to be able to reveal another fantastic Ospreys jersey that we believe is, once again, a winner in terms of design, symbolism and wearability
“With the return to a Celtic Shield design that proved so popular in the past we are nodding our head to tradition while with the inclusion of orange, which signifies vibrancy, power, energy, optimism and freshness, we are looking to the future of the region.
“There is a real air of excitement round our environment at the moment. Over the summer we supplied five players to the British & Irish Lions including the series winning captain, Alun Wyn Jones, eight of the Wales squad in Japan including three new caps, and seven of the national U20 squad that were the first Welsh team to reach the final of the Junior World Championship. One of those, Sam Davies, was crowned IRB Junior World Player of the Year.
“We also have a host of young talent coming through the ranks at the moment. This is clear signal that our 600 per cent increase in investment into development is paying dividends. The future is bright at the Ospreys.”
Since 2006 the Ospreys jersey has become a sales phenomenon, proving to be the second biggest selling club or regional rugby jersey in UK and Ireland in every season.
An independent report compiled earlier this year by Running Rugby, a respected website aimed at ‘decision makers in league and union’ illustrated how the Ospreys continue to outsell their rivals, with sales running at double the number of the other three Welsh regions combined.
Andrew Peters, Managing Director of Kooga, said:
“Once again Kooga have been delighted to design new kits for the Ospreys as part of our long term and excellent partnership. This year the home shirt uses a Celtic shield design, which we felt was symbolic and inspirational.
“Ospreys have always been a really positive group to work with, who expect the best of their partners, and who also expect to deliver the best themselves. Kooga have always enjoyed the working relationship with the Ospreys team, and the ethics they have for the whole operation. Everyone at Kooga wishes the Ospreys every success for the new season.”
The new 2013/14 home jersey is available to purchase now from shop.ospreysrugby.com, and will be instore at the newly refurbished Club Shop at the Liberty Stadium from 9am on Saturday morning, along with a full range of leisurewear, accessories and gifts for the 2013/14 season.
To mark the launch of the new jersey and the reopening of the Club Shop, the Ospreys are hosting a family fun day at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday morning with broadcast partners the Wave live on air from 10am until 2pm, inflatable fun for kids young and old and, between 11am and 1pm, appearances from the new wave of Ospreys including members of the Wales U20 squad and familiar faces such as Dan Biggar, Hanno Dirksen, Matthew Morgan and Tom Habberfield.
Yarnie Guthrie added:
“The new jersey will be exclusive to the Club Shop for a period of time, and we are delighted to confirm that we have the widest ever range of stock available on jersey launch day so there’ll be plenty to choose from.
“We look forward to seeing plenty of supporters at the stadium on Saturday, eager to get their hands on the new jersey and to get to know some of our young up and coming players who are the future of the Ospreys.”
The 2013/14 home jersey is available now in sizes ranging from XS Boys through to 4XL, priced at £39.99 for child sizes and £49.99 for adults.
A ladies fit jersey will be available later this month, along with the 2013/14 away jersey which will also be unveiled during August.