GREAT BRITAIN25th July 2005
A record number of advanced orders have been placed for the new Great Britain Rugby League replica shirt with sales expected to triple on last seasons figures to well over the 20,000 mark.
The kit designed by global sportswear brand Puma was officially launched on Saturday at the Trafford Centre one of the UKs leading retail complexes.
Hundreds of supporters attended the event to see current GB squad members Brian Carney, Sean Long and Stuart Fielden model the new kit alongside Lions skipper Paul Sculthorpe.
Also in attendance were Great Britain Women Under 21s player Katie Butler and GB Lion mascot The Mane Man. Sales of the new shirt were also brisk as it appeared in leading sports retailers.
Commenting on the launch of the new strip, the RFLs Commercial Director Paul Kimberley said: "We entered into a tender process at the end of 2004 which involved most of the big rugby brands in the UK.
The launch of the new Puma designed kit is the culmination of six months work and we are very excited about the new look for the Lions.
Meanwhile, the RFL have confirmed that the current Great Britain kit will be replaced with a new design in autumn 2006 prior to the Lions leaving to play in the Tri-Nations when the tournament is staged in Australia.
Kimberley added: As Rugby Leagues international calendar is developed for the long term, we aim to further improve what we offer supporters.
With the new GB shirt, training wear, accessories and other products like DVDs we are hoping to satisfy the demand we know is out there for Great Britain and engage Super League products."
The new Great Britain Rugby League kit can be ordered online by clicking on SHOP at www.superleague.co.uk. This section of the website also contains full details of the kit specification.
The kit designed by global sportswear brand Puma was officially launched on Saturday at the Trafford Centre one of the UKs leading retail complexes.
Hundreds of supporters attended the event to see current GB squad members Brian Carney, Sean Long and Stuart Fielden model the new kit alongside Lions skipper Paul Sculthorpe.
Also in attendance were Great Britain Women Under 21s player Katie Butler and GB Lion mascot The Mane Man. Sales of the new shirt were also brisk as it appeared in leading sports retailers.
Commenting on the launch of the new strip, the RFLs Commercial Director Paul Kimberley said: "We entered into a tender process at the end of 2004 which involved most of the big rugby brands in the UK.
The launch of the new Puma designed kit is the culmination of six months work and we are very excited about the new look for the Lions.
Meanwhile, the RFL have confirmed that the current Great Britain kit will be replaced with a new design in autumn 2006 prior to the Lions leaving to play in the Tri-Nations when the tournament is staged in Australia.
Kimberley added: As Rugby Leagues international calendar is developed for the long term, we aim to further improve what we offer supporters.
With the new GB shirt, training wear, accessories and other products like DVDs we are hoping to satisfy the demand we know is out there for Great Britain and engage Super League products."
The new Great Britain Rugby League kit can be ordered online by clicking on SHOP at www.superleague.co.uk. This section of the website also contains full details of the kit specification.