PUMA BAFANA BAFANA AWAY KIT AND ANTHEM JACKET
Despite not being at Afcon, Bafana Bafana fans have reason to get excited this month. PUMA, the official sponsor of Bafana Bafana, will stock selected stores with the national teams new fan wear merchandise on 15 February. Fans can buy the South Africa Away Shirt for R599 and the South Africa Anthem Jacket for R999, and can also purchase a range of other fan wear from selected retailers.
The new kits are designed to maximise player’s performance. The jersey fits the body closely to avoid grabbing from the opponent and to enable players to exhibit their physical presence on the pitch. The fabric features PUMA’s U.S.P Moisture Management technology, which enhances airflow and body performance by dragging moisture away from the body and keeps the body at the ultimate performance temperature.
PUMA UNVEIL NEW BAFANA BAFANA JERSEY
PUMA LAUNCHES NEW BAFANA BAFANA KIT AT AN EXHIBITION OF AFRICAN FOOTBALL ART AND DESIGN IN LONDON
PUMA today unveiled the new South African national team football kit at the opening of a month-long exhibition, Interpretations of Africa: Football, Art and Design, at the Design Museum in London.
Star footballers including Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar, Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon, John Mensah of Ghana and Yaya Touré of Ivory Coast attended the launch of the exhibition, where the Bafana Bafana kit is exhibited alongside new kits for PUMA’s other African teams – Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Namibia, Senegal, Togo, Gabon and Burkina Faso.
South African artists Hasan and Husain Essop designed the new Bafana Bafana kit. The brothers are among a group of artists from the Creative African Network www.CreativeAfricanNetwork.com commissioned to design kits inspired by their country’s heritage, culture and traditions.
The kit, which Bafana Bafana will sport when they play against the Ivory Coast in the Nelson Mandela Challenge on Saturday 12 November, includes a rainbow graphic inspired by the phrase “Rainbow Nation” coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
“Our design was influenced by South Africa’s diversity of cultures and how we have grown as a Nation. We worked with the PUMA design team to help us create a symbol that would reflect South African spirit. After hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, South Africans have united across the country to support their team. The kit represents the unity within our country and at the same time reflects our strong African identity,” said the Essop brothers.
Safa President Kirsten Nematandani agreed: “When Archbishop Desmond Tutu coined the phrase the Rainbow Nation he captured the unique character of our country, and how our different peoples would work together to make our country great. It is appropriate that the new rainbow kit design has been launched in the year of the Archbishop’s 80th birthday. We believe we have a kit and a team which can unite our fans behind the Bafana Bafana cause.”
The new kits are designed to maximise player’s performance. The jersey fits the body closely to avoid grabbing from the opponent and to enable players to exhibit their physical presence on the pitch. The fabric features PUMA’s U.S.P Moisture Management technology, which enhances airflow and body performance by dragging moisture away from the body and keeps the body at the ultimate performance temperature.
South African national team coach Pitso Mosimane is excited about the new Bafana Bafana look: “The new team kit from PUMA is technically advanced, looks great and tells the unique and wonderful story of our country. The players will wear it with pride.”
It also didnt go unnoticed that Steven Pienaar is wearing the upcoming Yellow/Purple V1.11 colourway we expect Puma to officially release soon. The new colourway certainly complements the new kit perfectly!
PUMA TO RELEASE LIMITED EDITION REPLICA SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBAL SHIRTS IN JULY
PUMA has reaffirmed the new South African national football team kit launched in Johannesburg on Tuesday 7 June is an interim kit, which will be replaced by a new kit set to be unveiled in advance of the 2012 African Cup of Nations.
The sportlifestyle brand also confirmed that replica home shirts have been produced in very limited numbers (2000 units) intended as a collector’s item in celebration of the new partnership, rather than for the mass market, and have been priced accordingly at R899.00. The replica home shirt will be available to buy in South Africa at the beginning of July and in line with PUMA Vision’s commitment to Africa, all proceeds from sales of the interim home shirt will be donated to SOS Children Villages in South Africa, a cause designated by the South African Football Association.
Ronald Rink, General Manager of PUMA South Africa, said: “PUMA has worked hard over the past few months to create a playing kit that could be provided for South African teams at the earliest possible time, something on which the South African Football Association placed great emphasis on. It was important to ensure this playing kit incorporated the latest innovations and performance qualities that we deliver for all our national federations worldwide, and we’re pleased we’ve been able to deliver it within such a short timeframe.”
PUMA also confirmed it has included South Africa in an exciting African-wide kit concept the sportlifestyle brand has developed for the 2012 African Cup of Nations. A completely new creative kit design will be unveiled in advance of the tournament and a full range of replica wear and accessories will be available to South African football fans following the launch. The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations replica products will have a normal lifespan, and tiered-pricing to cater for all levels of the market.
PUMA announced on Tuesday 7 June that it had entered into a new partnership with the South African Football Association to become the official technical supplier to the SAFA, effective immediately and lasting beyond the next two FIFA World Cups.
South Africa will become the thirteenth African international team currently outfitted by PUMA. The German company is also supplying the Orange African Cup of Nations champions Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Togo, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Malawi and Namibia.
PUMA ANNOUNCES BAFANA PARTNERSHIP
PUMA is delighted to announce that it has entered into a new partnership with the South African Football Association to become the official technical supplier to the SAFA. Starting immediately and lasting beyond the next two FIFA World Cups, PUMA will provide the official playing kits for all South African teams including the National ‘A’, Youth and Women’s teams.
Bafana stars Katlego Mphela, Renielwe Letsholonyane, Steven Pienaar, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Kagisho Dikgacoi unveil the new Puma home and away strip for Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg.
The new PUMA South Africa kit was also launched in Johannesburg today, by South African captain Stephen Pienaar along with Bongani Khumalo, Itumeleng Khune and Katlego Mphela. The South African national team will debut the new PUMA kit during their next fixture scheduled for the 10th August (opponents to be confirmed).
Featuring the very latest innovations of PUMA technology, the kit incorporates performance enhancing fabric through moisture wicking properties, mesh inserts on the side for improved ventilation and embossed fabric to enhance the aesthetic appearance. The shirt will also feature both the Protea and SAFA badges. In line with PUMA’s CSR commitment to Africa, all proceeds from replica home shirt sales will be donated to SOS and the Children’s Fund. In line with PUMA’s CSR commitment to Africa, all proceeds from replica home shirt sales of the launch kit, will be donated to the SOS Children Villages in South Africa, a cause designated by the South African Football Association.
Limited Edition Home Jersey
South Africa become the twelfth African international team to be outfitted by PUMA, following in the footsteps of African Cup of Nations champions Egypt, as well as Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Togo, Burkina Faso, Malawi and Namibia.
Christian Voigt, Senior Head of Global Sports Marketing at PUMA said “We are delighted to enter into this new partnership with the South African Football Association. PUMA has a longstanding commitment to Africa and African football, and this new relationship further underlines our continuing investment in the continent. In partnering with the South African Football Association, we are proud to have added another great asset to our sports marketing portfolio, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship.”
Limited Edition Away Jersey
Kirsten Nematandani, President of the South African Football Association said, “To announce this new commercial relationship with PUMA is a great privilege for us, and we are very happy to have secured this deal. PUMA’s presence in African football really speaks for itself, and they were the most desirable company for us to align ourselves with. Their technical innovation and excellence is of course important, but more so is the heritage and support they have demonstrated for this continent over a number of years. They are the perfect partner as we strive to grow the profile of football in South Africa in the years to come.”
As part of the brand’s commitment to Africa, PUMA continues to support a number of grass roots and charitable initiatives across the continent. In 2010, the sportlifestyle brand launched the Africa Unity kit – the official FIFA sanctioned third kit of all PUMA sponsored African national football teams, with proceeds from global sales supporting biodiversity causes in Africa. Later the same year, 10,000 durable footballs were delivered to various football projects across a number of West African countries. PUMA was also the official sponsor and fanwear supplier of the 2010 Orange African Cup of Nations in Angola. In 2009, PUMA incorporated the use of sustainable cotton sources from Africa into its product ranges, supporting the Aid by Trade Foundation’s ‘Cotton Made in Africa’ initiative, developed to improve the living conditions of African cotton farmers and promote environmentally responsible farming practices.
NIKE GIVE THE CHANCE HOPEFULS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN WITH KAIZER CHIEFS
The four highly promising young footballers from around South Africa, who will represent the country at the global finals of Nike’s The Chance football competition in the United Kingdom in January, were invited by Kaizer Chiefs to attend a double training session last week at Naturena.
Jonathan King, Nazan Klaasens, Khayalethu Nzimande and Reyaad Pieterse, will join 96 other aspiring footballers from around the world in the hope of winning a contract at the prestigious Nike academy. The Nike academy is a high performance training programme supported by the English Premier League and Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger will also be present at the global finals in order to cast his watchful gaze at the young players who have excelled in their respective countries.
The quartet arrived at Naturena under the pretence of participating in fitness tests with the Kaizer Chiefs coaching staff but instead found themselves thrust into a full-blown training session with the entire Kaizer Chiefs squad who were preparing for a vital Premier Soccer League fixture against Bidvest Wits in Polokwane at the weekend. Head coach Vladimir Vermezovic welcomed the youngsters into the fold and immediately began putting the players through their paces.
After a stretching period King, Nzimande and Klassens joined the rest of the outfield players for a series of warm-up drills while goalkeeper Pieterse joined Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper coach Rainer Dinkelacker for the start of the goalkeeping session.
“The purpose behind inviting the youngsters to join Kaizer Chiefs for training was to acclimatize them to the rigours of professional football by exposing the young athletes to the highest level the game has to offer. The intensive training period was designed with the purpose of preparing the players technically, physically and mentally ahead of the trip to the United Kingdom in January,” said Seruscka Naidoo, Communication Manager, Nike South Africa.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Vermezovic had set up the tactical session with specific emphasis placed on counter-attacking football. This ensured that the players worked on fitness and endurance while also focusing on technical ability, execution and tactical nous.
Vermezovic and the professional players were also highly complimentary in their initial feedback to the youngsters, encouraging them to keep grounded, and to ensure that they continue combining their physical training and ability with sheer hard work.
All four of the aspiring players were visibly moved by their experience on the day, mingling with many of the players that they have only seen on television and in the media. The experience gained during their training session will certainly put them in good stead for their imminent trip to Europe.
NIKE GIVES CAPE TOWN’S FOOTBALL HOPEFULS ANOTHER CHANCE TO GET NOTICED
Nike gives Cape Town’s football hopefuls another opportunity with ‘The Chance’
Nike returns to Cape Town in search of the best young footballers to represent South Africa at the Nike Academy trials in the United Kingdom
Nike’s youth football programme, The Chance, is a global search for talented footballers to get an opportunity to join the Nike Academy, a high performance training programme, supported by the English Premier League, in the United Kingdom.
Locally, Nike set out its search for South Africa’s top young guns in August, with trials already conducted in Johannesburg, and Cape Town. However, the interest from youngsters in Cape Town has increased, and Nike will host a second round of trials for those players who did not get a chance to register in August.
Already more than 300 hopefuls aged 16 and 17 years joined The Chance South Africa trials with football legends-turned-pro-coaches Shaun Bartlett, Eric Tinkler and Tebogo Moloi heading up the scouting.
Nike will be rolling out their final leg of the trials in Durban at the end of September. The player’s who make the grade and get noticed during the regional trials, will be called back for the final trial in Johannesburg. Only four South African players have the chance to slot into the best 100 players from across 40 countries, to join Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at the UK trials in January 2011, to compete for one of eight international places in the Nike Academy. These eight will have all their expenses paid to live in the UK for a year starting in July 2011 and be a full time member of the Nike Academy.
As members of the Nike Academy, players become full-time participants at a residential training centre in England with access to elite coaches, nutritionists, psychologists and fitness conditioners, along with world class facilities to perform at the highest level.
Date: Sunday, 12 September 2010
Time: 8am until 4pm
Venue: Old Mutual Academy, Mutual Park, Jan Smuts Drive, Pinelands
NIKE THE CHANCE – SOUTH AFRICA NOTICED 3
At the Chance trials, South Africa, hundreds of aspiring footballers had the opportunity to prove their ability to the watching scouts. (We have already had a look at Phathi Sacolo and Simanga Mthembu.)
Bongani Mthembu’s strength, tackling ability and willingness to run down the line makes him a tough defensive opponent and an attacking threat from the back.
To find out more about The Chance check out the feature TRW did here: or visit: http://go.nike.com/TheNoticed
NIKE THE CHANCE – SOUTH AFRICA NOTICED 2
At the Chance trials, South Africa, hundreds of aspiring footballers had the opportunity to prove their ability to the watching scouts. (We have already had a look at Phathi Sacolo here:)
When the competition is relentless as it was at the trials, it’s vital to keep a cool head to perform. Simanga Mthembu’s football brain and close control ensured he kept his.
To find out more about The Chance check out the feature TRW did here: or visit: http://go.nike.com/TheNoticed
NIKE THE CHANCE – SOUTH AFRICA NOTICED
At the Chance trials, South Africa, hundreds of aspiring footballers had the opportunity to prove their ability to the watching scouts.
Phathi Sacolo’s creativity and clever positional play consistently impressed and earned him the right to play at the final trial.
To find out more about The Chance check out the feature TRW did here: or visit: http://go.nike.com/TheNoticed
NEW AJAX ADIDAS HOME AND AWAY KIT
Adidas has given Ajax Cape Town a new look home and away kit for the 2010/2011 season. The new kit –which the team will use for the first time next weekend in a MTN8 Cup match –was unveiled at a function in Canal Walk, Cape Town.
The most significant features of the new Ajax Cape Town jersey is the Andreas cross on the chest, a round collar instead of V-collar and the red band on the shirt is now split by white planes on the shoulders.
“The Ajax Cape Town jersey is a continuation of the proud tradition at Ajax Amsterdam which has seen us produce a unique, world class home jersey every season without deviating from the traditions of the club. However, the away jersey at Ajax is always different and this season we have come up with the bold blue and electricity colorway,” says Kevin Jooste, the Football Category Manager at adidas South Africa.
Both jerseys feature climacool technology- a combination of performance fabrics, open mesh and ventilation channels which keep cool air flowing in and heat and sweat flowing out. Climacool works by considering how and where the body produces heat and sweat, and focus’s specific fabric and garment features in those zones. The effect is that athletes stay dry, comfortable and perform at their peak in even the most heated competitions.
George Comitis the Ajax Cape Town CEO said, “We are proud and honoured and to be associated with adidas. They are a premium sports brand and as a football club we always strive to be the best therefore the association with adidas enables Ajax Cape Town to look the part. The kit for the new season is immaculate and when we go onto the field, from our PSL team down to our juniors, the community scheme coaches as well as all our staff, we will be proud to wear the new adidas kit which is world class.”
The jerseys are now available in retail stores.