As if liberally pasting the sponsor’s name all over an athlete wasn’t enough, we now have kits displaying colourful historical images as well. First our athletes were identified by their kit; then by playing in it they were contributing to kit sales (while actively promoting a brand name). Now, one can only assume that Stade Francias have decided to give spectators a history lesson, by playing in a rugby jersey with multicoloured images of Blanche de Castille (wife of Louis VIII and mother to Louis IX) emblazoned on it. I am loath to write this off as a fashion faux pas – French eccentricity notwithstanding. Could someone please tell me what is going on here, and what I should prepare myself for next?
4 comments:
I just feel sorry for the players...
Seriously though, does the colour of kit really matter? The original purpose was simply to distinguish between one team and the other (a necessity as those who have gone through team runs without such means to differentiate will testify) but with sport, and replica kit, becoming a economic industry, perhaps it isn't surprising that team sponsors now wish to ensure that the shirts are 'eye-catching' and a fashion item. However, teams might find it more and more difficult to play in this kit if/when it clashes with an opponent's, as Bristol rugby have discovered this season when their new blue/white hooped shirts had to be changed for their first two matches. Interestingly enough, head coach, Richard Hill, then blamed the team's subsequent losses on having to wear their 'away' white shirts as he claimed that it caught the attention of the referee and the Bristol players were therefore more likely to be penalised than the opposition wearing darker colour shirts.
I think when it gets to the stage when officials can't distinguish between the teams because of kit colours then they will be prevented from wearing them. Otherwise, we're likely to see more novel and outrageous designs.
...though the French always have had funny taste in fashion.
No, the colour doesn't matter - but what colour is that kit? You're right, differentiating teams was (is?) the primary goal of coloured kit...but I am more interested in the possibility of messages, historic, commercial or otherwise being displayed to millions of people. Would it be okay for Italy to play with a Pope's head on their front? What if they were playing a World Cup game against Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi's had decided that they should have a picture of the prophet prominently displayed? Or am I just being silly?
Hmmm...on reflection perhaps I should clarify my thoughts here. I don't like the idea that athletes might become the promoters of a symbol or the flagbearers for a particular ideology. I suppose in some ways even displaying your country's flag might be doing this (think of the hammer and sickle on the old Soviet flag), but then again, that is not a club rugby jersey. Why use a picture of the wife of a French monarch who while still a prince marched unopposed through London and was declared King of England?
Cynical ranting aside, I have seen some fairly disgusting kit in my time, but that tops all of them.
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