Replica Kits, are they ruining rugby? It is that time of year again, the point when clubs around the world release the new kits they will don for the coming year. As professionalism has become a greater part of the game this has become a glossier affair, as it doesn’t just mean what the team will wear but also what the fans will purchase. This is part and parcel of football nowadays, teams slightly alter the kit every year to keep fans buying the replicas, and it is not the road rugby should take.
The Scarlets, recently unveiled their yellow and red ‘alternative kit’. The new kit is striking and a huge change from the navy blue away kit that they have used in the last few years. The Scarlets have said that the kit will celebrate 130 years of the club, as these were Llanelli’s original colours. However, the real reason is money and at £45 apiece the attractive new shirt design should make the Scarlets a healthy profit.
In Cardiff a similar trend is visible. The Cardiff Blues have a home kit, an alternate kit and a European kit. The European kit last year was a garish pink design and this year has switched to an equally garish lime green. The Blues’ excuse is that the jersey will promote an eco-friendly message. Once again, it is all about the money. The Blues kit is even more expensive, priced at £55.
Wherever you look in world rugby there are examples. Harlequins recently provided a new kit that was eye watering to say the least. These new kits are a world away from the classic ‘cotton traders’ shirts that so many of us were brought up with.
The alternative kits will barely be worn all season but all the above clubs are trying their best to sell as many as possible. The Blues could only play six games in their green kit. The Scarlets are will only need the alternative kit when they play Munster away in the Pro12.
I understand that clubs need to raise money from these areas. However, this simply doesn’t provide value for money for the supporters and leaves them short-changed. Particularly in the case of the Blues, purchasers of the pink shirt only had a one year lifespan on their shirt. Clubs are expecting too much from fans by asking them to buy a new shirt every year.
Football has been through this process and now fans are paying fortunes for shirts every year. Rugby needs to avoid going down this road and should keep hold of some of its amateur background. Rugby is competing with other sports already for viewing figures and stadium attendances’; selling expensive shirts is not going to help rugby grow. This latest fashion amongst rugby clubs is to the detriment of the game, and for the sake of a quick buck the clubs could lose long term support.
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