Waikato Rugby have announced a significant change to the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) sides uniform, specifically the colour of their shorts.

The change will see the FPC team move away from their traditional white shorts and make a permanent switch to black shorts, to ensure players are comfortable during games.

“We are committed to creating an environment where all our players feel comfortable and supported, both on and off the field,” said Andrew Strawbridge, Director of Rugby. “We have listened to the concerns of our players, and we believe that changing the colour of our shorts is an important step to help alleviate these players anxieties while providing players with a greater sense of security and confidence during games.”

Waikato Rugby FPC Captain, Kennedy Simon, praised the organisation for actioning this initiative, saying “It makes me proud to hear that Waikato Rugby have listen to the feedback from the players and actioned our concerns. We hope that this small change will have a massive impact on our players’ experience and inspire us to focus more on the games without distractions.”

Waikato Rugby recognises that small changes like this can make a big difference and is committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity within the sport and will continue to prioritize the well-being of its players.

The Farah Palmer Cup side will wear the new black shorts when the team takes to the field later this year.

Article added: Thursday 23 March 2023