PLAYERS from Redditch Rugby Club will be cutting a dash on the field of play this coming season decked out in their snazzy new 50th anniversary shirts.
The tops have been designed by local children after the Bromsgrove Road club decided to mark its momentous 50th birthday by inviting the borough’s schools to come up with a style for them.
“What the youngsters came up with was fantastic and we are so pleased with the result,” said organiser and first XV lock Craig Martin.
“Myself and fellow lock Lee Williams launched the competition last year to catch on with the Rugby World Cup but now the winners have been chosen and the shirts made up.”
The winner of the first XV’s design was Rupert Callow, aged eight from Mount Carmel First School, who created a classically understated hooped design which harked back to the club’s first strip in 1966.
A sense of humour has been brought to the Development or second XV strip by designer Noah Barker, also aged eight and also from Mount Carmel.
He’s taken the club’s usual light blue / dark blue colours and put a happy, pointing Kingfisher on the front, complete with rugby boots in recognition of the club’s nickname, The Kingfishers.
On the back are rugby posts featuring needles for uprights, harking back to the town’s industrial heritage.
Shades will definitely be needed for the Exiles XV’s shirts. Taking inspiration from Scottish sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi’s Mosaics in Millward Square in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, designer Connor Vaughan of Birchensale Middle School, aged 11, has created a stunning riot of colour for the veterans side which is sure to blind opponents.
“We’re really pleased with what our three young designers have come up with – they are all fantastic,” said Craig.
Each of the winners received a rugby shirt of their design plus four tickets to see premier outfit Worcester Warriors.
