Latest Apparel for All Blacks, Silver Ferns

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Media Release

Monday 4 May 2009

Latest Playing Apparel Revealed for All Blacks and Silver Ferns

Monday 4 May, Auckland; adidas’ support for New Zealand’s top sporting teams was illustrated today as the latest team apparel was unveiled for both the Silver Ferns and the All Blacks.

At a launch event in Auckland this morning, Silver Ferns’ Casey Williams, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk and Laura Langman were joined by All Blacks Josevata Rokocoko, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock and Ali Williams to model each team’s new apparel.

A new all-white All Blacks jersey was unveiled to be used as a second kit to complement the traditional, famous black apparel. The white jersey includes a white collar and New Zealand’s national symbol, the silver fern, on the left breast in black. As well, for the first time ever, both the black and white strips will feature a fern pattern across the front of the jersey fabric, enhancing the New Zealand look and feel of the most famous rugby jersey in the world. The All Blacks will wear the white jersey with their traditional black shorts and black socks with white stripes.

The white jersey will only be worn, as required, when the All Blacks are playing outside of New Zealand, in line with the IRB’s revised policy of the away team needing to change jerseys in the event of a clash. It will be worn for the first time against France in Marseille this November during the All Blacks’ end of year tour.

The 2009 all-white jersey also continues the tradition of famous white All Blacks jerseys of the past, with the All Blacks first donning an all-white jersey in 1930 for the domestic Test series against the touring British Isles team.

For Captain Richie McCaw and his fellow All Blacks, the new adidas rugby jerseys will be the lightest ever, weighing just 195 grams. The new jerseys are (35%) lighter than the 2005 edition and feature the most innovative apparel technology, ForMotion™. The jerseys will be used in conjunction with adidas TECHFIT™ apparel to ensure the All Blacks have the most competitive apparel on the pitch in 2009.

Three-dimensionally engineered to move naturally with the athletes’ body during training and matches, the 2009 All Blacks jersey sleeves have been made longer and more fitted to work in unison with the players’ bicep, reducing irritation and muscle restriction. Ultrasonic bonding in both the jersey and shorts also makes for a stronger and more comfortable kit, while the ClimaCool® mesh areas are strategically placed to optimise moisture management.

Richie McCaw welcomed the new colourway for the second kit saying, “The team is really excited about the new white jersey. Although we always love playing in the black All Blacks jersey, it’s a rare honor and privilege to play in the second kit. I know the boys are looking forward to having the opportunity to pull one on, and I am sure the fans will be just as excited about seeing us play in it.”

As ‘official apparel provider’ to Netball New Zealand, adidas will provide match dress and kit to the Silver Ferns, NZ Accelerant Squad, NZU21’s, NZ Secondary Schools and the NZ Umpires Squads. The Silver Ferns will sport their new look when competition starts this September.

The new Silver Ferns dress is made from a state of the art Merino/Polyester mix which maximises the performance potential of the wearer, by promoting the balanced regulation of core body temperature and providing protection and comfort in competitive, extreme conditions.

Silver Fern captain Julie Seymour says the team are thrilled with their new on court dress. “We’re really looking forward to stepping onto the court in September in our new match dress. The technology of the dress is fantastic - the fabric is so comfortable, which is so important for competition play. And of course we love the design!”

In line with adidas’ global policy around product development for elite athletes, members of both Silver Ferns and All Blacks teams were involved in the design and development of their new kit.

“It’s our goal to provide New Zealand’s elite sporting teams with the best technology available to give them optimal competitive advantage,” said David Huggett, Country Manager, adidas New Zealand. “Today’s launch was a great opportunity to see our elite sportspeople in their new national uniforms before they hit the international sporting spotlight this year.”

Both the black and white All Blacks jerseys go on sale worldwide from May 4th at a recommended retail price of NZ $180. In addition to the replica jersey, adidas has developed an extensive range of All Blacks supporters’ apparel that provides for male and female All Blacks fans of all ages.

The All Blacks also used the event as the opportunity to launch the sale of tickets for the Iveco Series Tests, with the players handing Test tickets and offering a personal invitation to the Silver Ferns to come to an All Blacks Test this year. Thousands of rugby volunteers this week get an early opportunity to buy tickets to the All Blacks Test against France in Dunedin (13 June) and Wellington (20 June) and the Test against Italy in Christchurch (27 June) before they go on sale to the general public next Monday, 11 May 2009.
Tickets for the New World International Netball Series will go on sale nationwide from early July.

ENDS

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