#66 Get Shirty
Eden Arts collaborated with Hartlepool Council to create a competition to design a new kit for Hartlepool Rovers ladies team. The competition which ran from March to the end of April in 2023 attracted a phenomenal pool of talent. The competition was created at a time of radical shift in the presence and professionalism of female sport. England was at the fore-front of introducing fully professional contracts for women in rugby in 2019.
Our five judges included the now Emeritus professor of Public Art at Uclan and rugby lover Charles Quick; Commercial Operations Director of London based fashion brand Emilia Wickstead, Chelsea Power; Head of Equality at Sport England and former Wasps and Saracens player Garnet Mackinder; Coach, former ladies's captain and Club Committee member Danielle Coulton; alongside Eden Arts Director Adrian Lochhead. The judges had the unenviable task of narrowing down the entries to a final four. A huge response to the ensuing public vote for the favourite design followed.
The winning design created by the talented Sarah Diante is striking and innovative. It highlights the strength, courage and passion of the ladies team. The famous stag, taken from the 'hart' in Hartlepool is representative of the speed, agility and fierce force of the female team. The stag has angels wings a tribute to the locally manufactured angel of the north. The waves in the design speak of the relationship to the sea and victory. The red rugby ball symbolizes the determination and passion and the unwavering spirit and drive the players have to push for victory. Together these elements reflect the connections that inspired this powerful design.
The kit was manufactured by Macron. Director Adrian Lochhead presented the kit to the Under 16's team prior to a friendly-game organised with local team Blaydon on Sunday 3rd November at Hartlepool Rovers RFC. What a long way from the ill-fitting kit made for the dimensions of men. A real performance booster, the team took proudly to the pitch in their beautiful and bold new kit.
