Printwear_Magazine

p47 school:Layout 1 18/08/2009 11:16 Page 47
SCHOOLWEAR ASSOCIATION
School sportswear
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by David Burgess,
As with the entire Rowlinson range
Chairman of The all garments are Oeko-Tex certified;
Schoolwear Association
they have been produced in an
ethical and responsible way, and
L
et's face it, not everyone's a natural sportsman and not all of us
are suitable for further
have glowing memories of school sporting triumphs – leading the personalisation with our
football team to regional victories, hurdling our way into the trophy
speedy embroidery service.
cabinet and not dropping our egg off our spoon.
For this reason there has always been a contingent of schoolchildren
through the ages who profess to turn their noses up at organised sport,
decrying its importance in comparison to more academic pursuits.
To a lesser extent, this rather reflects what the schoolwear sector has
done with school sportswear.
While blazers become emblazoned and the merits of traditional school
tie versus clip-on are debated, the humble school sportswear has
remained in – dare I say it – a bit of a rut.
Not any more though!
I think over the last year or so the developments in school sportswear –
what you and I used to know as PE kit – have been very interesting and
have centred on two key shifts.
We have found that performance fabrics are certainly causing a mood
change in school sportswear. Schools no longer embrace old fashioned
cotton or acrylic rugby shirts and are turning instead to newer more t*OTUPDLOPNJOJNVNT
exciting styles. These are typically made from more lightweight
performance materials – the type embraced by professional sportsmen.
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For the school pupils this can be inspiring – knowing they are kitted
out in gear not dissimilar to that worn by their sporting idols.
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The other growing trend within the maintained sector is the introduction
of the house system. This has always been a trait typically associated
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with independent schools – largely linked to the prevalence of boarding GBCSJDXJUIFBTZDBSF
and living in a 'house'.
However more schools are adopting the system as a way of engendering
team spirit, commonality and healthy competition. Day to day school
sportswear is adapting to follow this trend with items often now
containing a trim in the house colours which may manifest as tipped or
embroidered collared polo shorts for example.
I am a firm believer in the importance
of a smart school uniform and the
benefits this brings to both the wearer
and the school in terms of pride,
belonging and social leveling. I see no
reason why these
feelings should be left on the
touchline.
David Burgess is Chairman of The 5JQQFE1PMP
Schoolwear Association, the trade body
for the school-specific uniform sector,
For further information please visit
which represents the interests
of everyone from retailers, suppliers,
www.rowlinson-knitwear.com
direct-to-school and wholesalers
or call customer care on 0161 477 7791
to fabric manufacturers and garment
decorators.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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