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Somerset County Cricket Club, in association with Trade Nation and Kukri Sports, today reveal our 2023 Vitality Blast shirts, with a twist!
SCCC will become the first County to have two Vitality Blast shirts: one for batting and one for bowling!
To launch the new kit, Tom Banton, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Ben Green and Sonny Baker visited Musgrove Park Hospital’s Children’s Wards to meet the patients and give away some of the new shirts. The players also presented a cheque for £1500 to the hospital.
Head Coach, Jason Kerr outlines why the launch took place at Musgrove Park Hospital.
“Over the years we have developed a close relationship with the hospital, the Love Musgrove charity and with the Children’s Wards in particular,” he explained. “The annual Christmas present drop at the wards is one of the most important days of the year for the Club and the players but because of Covid we haven’t been able to enter the wards when dropping off the gifts for the last few years.
“It’s a connection that the players have really missed, so to be able to come back, see the children, give away a load of shirts and donate a significant amount of money to such a worthy cause was absolutely brilliant.
“Thanks to the generosity of Trade Nation and Kukri, our Commercial Team had a budget to make a video for the shirt launch but instead of making a film they wanted to donate every penny to the children’s wards. That speaks volumes about where this Club is from top to bottom. Every single person associated with this Club has bought into our values 100% and we are proud to be able to help and support our local community.”
The batting shirt is based around the design of a batting crease. The dynamic angle of the crease with the wyvern over the heart means that the focus of the wearer is always on the crease and its importance.
The design of the bowling shirt is based on a diagram uncovered in an old Wisden annual which depicts the release point and trajectory of every possible delivery. The angles at which these deliveries cross over create the different tones and points of colour.
The designs are simple but not simplistic. They are the product of a distinct narrative.
Emma Stacey, Chief Marketing Officer at Trade Nation said: “As part of our ongoing relationship with Somerset County Cricket Club, we are proud to be supporting such a worthwhile cause and hope that our donation makes a positive difference to these young children’s lives”
Regional Account Manager, Kukri Sports, Lloyd Alley said:
“It was great to be able to attend Musgrove Park Hospital with the Somerset CCC players and staff. After a tough few years and Covid putting a stop to their visits, it was clear to see that this makes a huge difference to the children on the ward, being able to meet and chat to the players. With the relationship that the club have with Musgrove, its great to be able to donate to such a great cause.
“When Somerset came to us with the innovative idea of producing two shirts for two difference facets of the game, we worked collectively with the commercial team and their graphic designer to bring their ideas and designs to life, the story behind the designs are very unique to the club and the game of cricket itself”.
Jane Horn, Musgrove Park Health Play Specialist added: “It was great to welcome the team back into the hospital again after the Covid Pandemic kept them out for the past few years. The patients, their parents and staff had a wonderful time with the team. We all loved having a game in the corridor, and we definitely had some budding players in the ranks! Thanks again for taking the time to visit.”
