From the catwalks of Manchester
The process of updating the kits involves discussions between the clubs and Reebok, the incorporation of Reebok’s latest manufacturing technologies and international styles, and finally FFA approval. Adelaide and Queensland’s new away kits, for example, replicate the cut and neckline of Reebok’s latest designs as worn internationally by teams such as English club Manchester City.

In all, releasing a new strip can take up to 12 months of working behind the scenes.

“It’s a lengthy process. We’ve already had feedback from the clubs about this year’s and last year’s product so we’ve already done a lot of the research,” Novak says. “So now it’s about researching and giving them what they want.”



A bright future
Come round one next season, many of the clubs may don brand new home shirts. Like Melbourne, some may choose to establish their own unique design elements on the shirt. But it’s up to the clubs to indicate what they’re after, and it’s up to the fans to let the clubs know.

So, some advice from Tracy for budding junior kit designers: “Just let loose, it’s always interesting to have young ideas on product. They’re the ones that don’t get stuck in tunnel thinking. They think outside the square. The clubs are very traditional a lot of the time too, so it’s always good to have their fans give them feedback. Send designs in, they’ll pass them on to us and we’ll see what we can use.”

And what about the Roar’s somewhat creative colour scheme? “It’s an interesting colour combination, I must say,” Novak concedes, “but being predominantly orange it’s easily identifiable as Queensland Roar, and the more orange it is, the better it sells.” The Full90 looks forward to how much more orange the kit can get next year!

Reproduced from TheFull90 – the official matchday magazine of the Hyundai A-League www.a-league.com.au Get it at the game!