The Football Ferns will wear teal blue shorts as part of the playing kit for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and will reveal their new strip in this month’s friendlies against Nigeria and Iceland.
The move away from white shorts is part of a global trend by female athletes.
The team’s black alternative strip incorporates a handmade Silver Fern pattern, created using a spray paint technique.
The same fern pattern appears on the teal blue shorts.
Main photo: The Silver Fern pattern on the new-look shorts. Credit: NZ Football.
‘The new jersey is epic’
Ferns striker Hannah Wilkinson said:
“The new jersey is epic, it’s just epic.
“I also really, really love the fact that we have colour in our jerseys which is a little bit different. That of blue colour is an amazing change and even better the absence of white shorts now is fantastic for women with any kind of period anxiety.
“It’s always been something that women athletes, not just footballers, have had to deal with.
“In the end, it just helps us focus more on performance and shows a recognition and appreciation of women’s health.”
In addition to the shorts colour change, players will be offered Nike Leak Protection: Period innovation integrated into their playing shorts.
New Zealand Football Chief Executive Andrew Pragnell said:
“As an organisation, New Zealand Football wholeheartedly supports the shift away from white shorts for our women’s international players.
“The kits pay homage to the sporting heritage of Aotearoa, with the white shirt holding a special place in our football traditions, and the black being synonymous with New Zealand sport and we can’t wait to see our Ferns wear these kits.”
Paula Hansen, New Zealand Football Women’s World Cup Legacy and Inclusion general manager, said:
“As part of our mahi to ensure the Women’s World Cup’s legacy continues beyond the tournament across the game, we continue to work to ensure that football is welcoming and inclusive to everyone who wants to participate at all levels,” she says.
The playing shirts will be available for retail in women’s and men’s cuts from April 5, and youth cuts will be available for retail from April 17.
Fixtures
Game to be played on Saturday April 8, 1am (NZT)
New Zealand v Iceland
Game to be played on Wednesday April 12, 1am (NZT)
New Zealand v Nigeria
Both games will be played at Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Turkey.
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