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SGB Sports
apart from the base layer technological advances,
plans for Italian brand Errea Sport revolve around
its new ‘Titanium Nano-Technology’ fabric.
Nanotech particles in the new textile have water
and oil repellent, anti-stain, anti-static, anti-
bacterial and breathable properties, and they are
being worn the pitch this season by football clubs
Middlesbrough, Atalanta and Parma, in Errea’s
home city.
“We are using nano-technology fabrics in our
shirts for professional teams, and that technology
will be rolled out into our standard catalogue
product from Spring 2009, to be released in
March,” says Errea’s Barnard.
For Kustom Kit, its Cooltex range is going to be
key this year. “Our Cooltex range is a new
addition for 2009, and it has been introduced to
meet the greater demand for
performance-led garments,” says
Ryan Hornbuckle, Kustom
Kit’s marketing director.
“Cooltex garments
made from a coconut bi- feature dry-wicking has found potential in looking beyond the basic
product and we are using fabric that gives team kit and base layer items. “Clubs can
it as a fabric varnish, improved air generate extra revenue by producing a retail
providing a water- circulation range,” says Shalloe. “This area should not be
repellent finish. It and allows exclusive to pro clubs, and we work closely with
wicks away sweat moisture to our retail accounts on producing custom ranges
and regulates body escape. The for clubs, as parents of junior members are only
temperature. Cocona Cooltex range too happy to buy a hoodie or a jacket to support
is being used in all the is ideally suited the club financially, which in turn generates
Rhino base layer to anybody that revenue for the retailer.”
products and official needs a Not all team-wear manufacturers will prosper in
team kits.” performance 2009. A market that is depressed and over-
And there it is: when addressing the garment – not only sports teams crowded cannot work for all. The brands
team-wear market today, it can only be but also for staff at leisure emerging intact at the end of the year are the
a matter of time before the sector’s centres and gyms, and those in ones offering attractive and relevant products,
shining saviour comes into focus: the base layer. the sporting corporate hospitality exceptional value for money, and of course,
While the shirt-short-sock three-piece may just sector.” excellent service and sales support.
about remain the basic team requirement, it has Mitre also remains at the leading edge
all but expanded into a quartet, with the base technically, with its microfibre travel suits and
layer at its foundation. polyester water-resistant jackets proving popular
“Increasingly, base layers are being considered at the professional level. Having recently signed
part of the core range rather than as a support up to supply kit to the El Salvador national team,
collection,” confirms Olner. Mitre’s product development hinges on training
“The explosion in base layer technology and ground feedback from professional teams, to the
provision has been remarkable really,” adds Tim extent their football socks even come with heel
Barnard, UK sales manager of Errea Sport. and toe cushioning with a view to eradicating
“Because the majority of players are now wearing blisters.
base layer products, right down to grass roots Meanwhile, Gymphlex is ensuring that school
levels, you are seeing that team shirts are tending and club teams also have access to the technical
to be made in lighter fabrics.” fabrics on the high street through its new Gforce
“The Bukta base layer has really taken off,” concept for 2009. Taking in over 20 fabrics and
says Neil Cameron of Bukta, itself a new entry 23 colours, Gymphlex is also offering services
into the ultra-competitive team-wear market. including badging and embroidery.
“The base layer is still a relatively new and A lot of companies are also countering the
exciting concept, and as all the football recession by diversifying their product offerings
professionals are wearing them this has a knock- are delving into new markets. Prostar, for
on effect on grass roots football. Our price is also example, is following the success of its training-
considerably cheaper than many other brands, wear into cricket and rugby, and Bishop promises
while the quality of our base layer products is very we will see Prostar kitting out an international
high.” cricket side before 2009 is all out.
Precision Training will be introducing a new Sensport, which operates in rugby, cricket,
base layer range for Autumn Winter 2009, but hockey, netball and basketball as well as football,
10 SGB SPORTS FEBRUARY 2009
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