Ospreys Rugby are delighted to unveil their new 2011 home jersey ahead of a special launch event at the Quadrant Shopping Centre in Swansea today.
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.
Manufactured by Kooga since the inception of the region in 2003, the jersey is predominantly black, with steel blue side panels to reflect the industrial heritage of the region, and will once again feature the logo of RWE npower renewables, primary sponsors of the region since 2005, emblazoned across the chest.
Continuing secondary sponsors who feature on the jersey are Persimmon Homes, Worthington’s, Maximuscle, Veolia, Nathaniel Car Sales and Jewson, while Cuddy Group and Doors Warehouse return to the shirt and Italian construction firm Stabili appear for the first time. In addition to the jersey sponsors, Hyundai appear on the shorts for the first time, along with South Wales Evening Post, who return after previously featuring two years ago.
Ospreys Managing Director, Roger Blyth, commented:
“In the short time since our formation, the Ospreys jersey has established itself as something of a sales phenomenon, with five consecutive jerseys selling more than 40,000. We have a young and vibrant brand which rugby fans clearly associate with, and it is because of this that international, national and local businesses want to be part of what we are doing through sponsorship.
“These sponsors and partners are a major part of the Ospreys family, and their support is integral to our aim of creating a sustainable rugby organisation that communities across the region can be truly proud of, on and off the field. I’ve no doubt that our new jersey, with the flash of steel blue incorporated into the traditional black representing the proud, industrial and working class history of Ospreylia, will once again prove popular with fans.”
Julia Lynch Williams, Managing Director of RWE npower renewables, said that RWE and the Ospreys share a common goal, which is why the long-standing sponsorship has been such a success:
"RWE npower renewables and the Ospreys have a great deal in common. Building relationships with the local communities in which we work is pivotal to the success of both organisations. We are very proud to be the main sponsors of the Ospreys, and are looking forward to a very successful season, both on and off the pitch."
Mike Cuddy, Managing Director of the Ospreys, added:
“The launch of a new Ospreys jersey is always eagerly awaited, and this year, with us taking the launch event into the community for the first time it has been the case more than ever. We are extremely grateful to the Quadrant Centre for allowing our supporters to really be a part of the jersey launch for the first time, which has helped to make it an even bigger event. We are all about the community, so to launch the new jersey at the heart of our community makes perfect sense.
“Our ongoing relationships with all the sponsors featured on our new jersey provides us with the stability needed to allow us to compete at the highest end of professional rugby. In what remain difficult economic times, we value their support more than ever as we seek to continue leading the way in Wales.
“The ongoing popularity of the Ospreys jersey never ceases to amaze, and with more than 40,000 sold over the last twelve months, it is testament to both the continued strength of our brand and to Kooga’s understanding of the rugby jersey market which enables them to continue delivering winning designs like the steel blue and black 2011 version.”
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.”
The new Ospreys 2011 home jersey is now available to purchase from the Club Shop at the Liberty Stadium and online at www.ospreysrugby.com exclusively for one week after which it goes on general sale across the UK and beyond. There is also a wide range of leisure wear now available instore, including t-shirts, polo shirts and hoodies, as well as a ladies range.
The away jersey will be revealed in August ahead of the opening home game, the pre-season fixture against Russia on Sunday 21st August, KO 3.00pm
The 2011 Ospreys jersey offers the very latest in cutting edge kit design. The new ‘smoother feel’ fabric and improved anti-static behaviour of the player’s liquid pro shirts enhances comfort during performance.
Liquid pro offers the very best in terms of moisture transportation; It’s hydrophilic properties draw moisture away from the skin forcing it onto the garment outer where it evaporates, which allows the body core temperature to remain balanced and perform at its optimum level.
The tight compressive fit of the shirt reduces muscle oscillation during movement, which in turn increases the efficient power output. The compression also enhances blood flow, stimulating the supply of oxygen to critical muscle groups, which in turn promotes less lactic acid damage. The liquid pro performance shirt is also available for fans to purchase and is an exact replica of that worn by the Ospreys squad.
The alternative Ospreys replica shirt has a looser more relaxed cut and features Evaporex II, the next generation of Kooga’s revolutionary Evaporex fabric. Re-engineered from stitch construction to ensure a new cutting edge model of performance, handle and comfort and featuring a polyester thermo regulating mix to wick perspiration away from the skin to create ideal body climate, providing an unsurpassed degree of function, fit and wearability.
By purchasing the new Ospreys Replica Shirt you are benefiting from some of the technological advances available to elite rugby athletes. Kooga and the Ospreys, balancing tradition with technical innovation for the discerning player and supporter.
Home Supporters Shirt: Junior £39.99 Adult £49.99
Team Shorts: Junior £15.99 Adult £19.99
Team Socks: Junior £7.99 Adult £10.99
Liquid Pro Shirt: Junior £49.99 Adult £64.99 (available mid August)
Replica Hood: Junior £49.99 £64.99 (available September)
Ladies Shirt: £49.99 (available early August)
Infant Kit: £29.99 (available early August)
Junior Kit: £39.99 (available early August)