What you need to consider when ordering new customized teamwear for your players
Ordering teamwear for superstars
When Cristiano Ronaldo switches teams, he does not only make headlines with whopping transfer sums, but also with personal preferences. With him, it is not only teamwear for any player, but for a superstar.
Whether Real Madrid, Juventus or the latest stop at Manchester United, the goal getter insists on one thing: having his lucky number 7 on the shirt. Given his value, any players sporting a 7 on the shirt before he joins the club switch to another number, happily or grudgingly.
You may not have a similar superstar in your team, but all players deserve shirts that make them happy. Discover more in our interview with Magnus Johansson, General Manager of teamwear expert SENZOR.
Helpful hints to keep players happy
If you could give one hint for good teamwear for players, what would it be?
Magnus: Number 1, performance. Look for great material, a perfect fit, and teamwear with a history. This does not necessarily mean you need to shell out the extra money for the big brands. Get someone with expertise, someone also other clubs use.
What are some grievances about teamwear you hear from players?
Magnus: Players hate to look the same. Striving to be a top performer in a sport is all about competing and about NOT being like everyone else. Players hate it when they have to look just like everyone else. The 50th club in a standard white shirt with standard black print, delivered from the same sportswear chain… this does not make them feel good.
A unique matchset gives them a confidence boost, and sports is a lot about confidence.
Unique players, unique matchsets for players
So what makes a matchset unique?
Magnus: A design that stands out, something not so easily available. There are a few shirts that almost everyone in the world recognizes: Juventus’ black and white stripes, Barcelona’s iconic blue and red combinations, and the immortal fair blue and white of Argentina, forever associated with Maradona and Messi. For heaven’s sake, it’s baby blue and white, really soft colours, but it works even for this aggressive sport.
With the printing technology available today, it’s easy and cheap to get customized shirts in a unique design.
Tricky wishes
Which players are hardest to please?
Magnus: Having been a goalie myself, I have to say goalies, of course.
This is somehow self-evident, since you need your goalie to stand out, which means you need a colour that works combined with the colours of the rest of the team.
Referee shirts are also pretty tricky, given they should be highly visible and look respectable.
Is there something that is regularly forgotten?
Magnus: We’ve seen mis-spelled names and wrong numbers, but I think what teams often forget is to order in time. Strangely enough, our earliest order each season come from highly successful clubs. Planning helps. But given that the ordering is sometimes done by volunteers, it is a messy process, and we love to help people through the ordering process.
Interesting facts about ordering teamwear
Which fun fact do you wish a team would know?
Magnus: Not sure if it’s a fun fact, more a very good thing to consider when ordering teamwear for players. We recently spoke with a team which changed the colours for their girls’ teams from white to black. Interesting choice – what was behind it? It turns out that they witnessed girls quitting when they entered puberty. So they spoke with the young players and to their surprise that young girls are worried about stains. What a pity to give up a sport you love just because of that – and what an easy solution.
Once again, communication is key. Speak to your players, they will tell you what they like or not like about teamwear. And you will be surprised to learn that unique design and a great fit are more important than a standard brand name.
Some examples of happy players in our teamwear
Do you want to get your order for customized teamwear right?
Read more in our article series about ordering teamwear:
Helpful hints for ordering teamwear
Helpful hints to keep your sponsors happy
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