Nike Unveils First England Kit Via Twitter
Nike has unveiled its first England home kit for 2013, to mark the 150-year anniversary of the Football Association, with the first official sighting of the strip revealed via an image posted on Twitter by England midfielder Jack Wilshere. But the picture did not feature the Arsenal playmaker himself, who many believe to be a future England captain, instead the tweet starred a pupil at his former school wearing the jersey.
Wilshere tweeted just before lunchtime on Monday: ‘Like this kid, my England dream began here, so he was first in #theshirt – England’s new kit from @NikeFootball’.
The 21-year-old arrived to watch a training session at The Priory School in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, before picking out lucky student Jason Kelly to wear and reveal the shirt for the first time .
Wilshire said: ‘This is where my dream of playing for England started and it’s great to be back here to see a new generation playing with the same passion. I gave Jason the shirt because his commitment and work-rate really impressed me today, he showed that it’s what you do on the pitch that matters – from your first match as a nine year-old all the way up to the international stage.’
The new kit, which will be worn for the first time during England’s game with Ireland next Wednesday, is made by American company Nike won the right to produce the shirt last year, ending the national side’s association with Umbro, who, other than Admiral, have made the kits since 1954.
Nike, who owned Umbro until it sold the brand last year, signed a new partnership with the FA in September.
Following its reveal via social media, Nike launched a campaign emphasising that while the kit may feature technical innovation and performance benefits, it cannot win games by itself, and it is what the players do in it that counts.
Check out a close up of the new kit, including some of the features involved, at Sport Industry TV.
The kit includes a gold ribbon graphic below the Three Lions inscribed with 150 years and the dates 1863 and 2013, marking the Football Association’s anniversary, while the blue on the new kit is the same dark blue colour that featured on England’s first kit.
Meanwhile, Continental Tyres has become an official supporting partner of St. George’s Park, The FA’s new National Football Centre in Burton-upon-Trent, UK.
The four-year deal sees Continental join Nike, BT and Hilton as a partner of the centre. As part of its package of rights the global tyre firm will have branding rights to a 60-metre indoor high performance running track, a goalkeeping ‘stopping zone’ and the ContiWarmUp area for use by players preparing for games or training sessions.
