The Ospreys Superstore has taken delivery of the eye-catching new 3rd shirt, which is Now On Sale!
Supporters are reminded that they can still take advantage of the recent shirt amnesty launched by the region in conjunction with sponsors RWE npower renewables and the SOS IRB Kit Aid charity appeal.
Under the terms of the amnesty, anyone handing in an old Ospreys replica shirt featuring the old crest, from seasons 03/04 through to 06/07, at the time of purchase, will receive a 10 per cent discount off the price of the new green shirt. All the old shirts collected will then be donated to SOS IRB Kit Aid, a charity that recycles second hand kits for use in emerging rugby countries in Eastern Europe, with the Ospreys shirts destined for Bosnia as part of the charitys first ever delivery to the former Yugoslav state.
The new shirt, which is a fusion of rich and sumptuous greens, set against purples and strong blues, along with the traditional Ospreys black, was worn for the first time in the LV= Cup opener against Northampton Saints at the Liberty Stadium, going down a storm with the players who were almost unanimous in their agreement that it was the best Ospreys shirt yet. The colour scheme of the new shirt was selected as being symbolic of the region, with the dominant greens representative of the hills and fields that run right throughout Ospreylia, with the range of blues representing the coastal location.
Ospreys season ticket holders and members are able to claim the amnesty discount on top of their mandatory 10 per cent discount that they already qualify for, giving them a massive 20 per cent off the price of a new shirt. The amnesty discount is available on the home, away and 3rd supporters, match and ladies replicas, along with the replica hoody, in all adult and junior sizes.
Ospreys Managing Director, Roger Blyth said:
The reaction to our new 3rd shirt has been very positive, with a healthy number of pre-orders already placed, and we are expecting there to be considerable demand for the shirt when it arrives in store. Following on from the terrific response to our shirt amnesty launched in September, we thought it would be good to extend the amnesty to include the 3rd shirt, allowing anyone who is yet to buy a shirt this season the chance to receive a discount on a new shirt by trading in an old one which will then be recycled to go to a fantastic cause in SOS IRB Kit Aid.
Tens of thousands of Ospreys shirts are sold every year, so I have no doubt that there will be plenty of old shirts tucked away in drawers and wardrobes, not just across the region but right around the UK and beyond, that are no longer being worn by their owner. SOS IRB Kit Aid do a fantastic job, providing youngsters who maybe wouldnt have the opportunity to play our fantastic game, the chance to enjoy rugby regardless of the social conditions in which they live and we, along with sponsors RWE npower renewables, are delighted to be able to assist in this way.
Speaking at the time of the launch of the shirt amnesty, Kim Daye, PR Officer for Wales, RWE npower renewables, added:
As an organisation, RWE npower renewables is focused on creating a sustainable environment and are always looking at ways in which we can accommodate this across our business, and as such, we are delighted to be able to provide assistance to SOS IRB Kit Aid through the collection of these old shirts for recycling. The amnesty is a good extension of our efforts to promote sustainability and a great way to link our own brand values with those of the team we sponsor.
The SOS IRB Kit Aid charity provides a wonderful service, recycling old and unused rugby kit, extending its life span and ensuring that good quality equipment can be re-used by those who need it and we applaud their efforts. As well as assisting with collection, we will be encouraging our staff to trade in their old shirts, especially in light of our recent name change.
SOS IRB Kit Aid is the brainchild of John Broadfoot, a rugby mad father who was prompted to set up the organisation following a school rugby tour to Romania where he witnessed for himself the power of rugby in a nation where poor wages prevent many families from being able to afford the most basic of equipment. Fully endorsed by the International Rugby Board, SOS has grown from its roots when John collected spare equipment from just ten schools, to its current position where the organisation collects unwanted or outgrown rugby kit and equipment from more than 400 schools, rugby clubs, kit manufacturers and referees societies across the UK.
With the help of the IRB, the kit is sent, via bona fide national rugby federations, to help with the development of junior rugby in less advantaged countries. As well as where it all started in Romania, SOS is now active in Georgia, Moldova, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia. The intention is that eventually, there will be more than 2,000 organisations on board distributing kit throughout the world, wherever youngsters want to play rugby, be it townships in South Africa, the Indian sub-continent or inner city rugby in deprived areas of the UK.
The Ospreys join a long list of top rugby names in supporting SOS IRB Kit Aid, with the likes of Ireland skipper Brian ODriscoll, England Grand Slam winning captain Bill Beaumont, British Lions legend Ian McGeechan, World Cup winners Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson, New Zealand coach Graham Henry and Welsh front row legend Graham Price all backing the charity.
The new 3rd shirt is priced at £49.95 for adults and £39.95 for juniors. Season ticket holders and members can claim their 10 per cent discount by using their discount key fobs at the time of purchase, with the amnesty discount of 10 per cent being added to this upon return of an Ospreys shirt featuring the old crest, from seasons 03/04 through to 06/07.
For further information on SOS IRB Kit Aid please visit www.sosirbkitaid.org.