See, it can be done. In my inbox this very evening...

Ulster unveil new home and away kits
For immediate release Tuesday 31st July 2012
Issued by Ulster Rugby

Ulster Rugby, in conjunction with kit partner Kukri, has unveiled a new home and away kit ahead of the 2012/13 season.

www.rabodirectpro12.com/images/content/Ulster1213Shirt.jpg

General Manager of Kukri Ireland, Terry Jackson said: “We’re delighted to reveal the new Ulster Rugby kit for the new season - the latest chapter in our fantastic, thriving 4 year partnership with the club. We’ve worked very hard with Ulster Rugby to develop the merchandise range for the 2012-13 season, and we couldn’t be happier with the result - we think the new kit looks fantastic and we hope the players and fans are as proud of it as we are.”

The home playing jersey will once again be predominantly white but the new design includes red panels on the shoulders and black piping on the sides. Ulster Rugby is proud to announce the continuation of Bank of Ireland as main jersey sponsor. The Belfast Telegraph will also continue with their jersey sponsorship whilst the shirt sleeves see new partner BT come on board as Official Communications Partner. The playing jersey is accompanied by matching white and red shorts and socks.

The black away jersey will give supporters a different look and provides a new dimension, with dark grey stripes across the front and bright yellow piping on the sides and sleeves. The jersey is complemented by black shorts and socks.

Fiona Hampton, Head of Sales & Marketing said: “The Ulster Rugby shirt has a huge amount of tradition associated with it, not only in its colours but also with its partners. We are delighted to announce new 3 year deals with both Bank of Ireland and Belfast Telegraph who have been proud sponsors for many years, as well as welcoming BT as a new shirt sponsor. Our sponsors play a key role in driving forward to achieve our ambitions and we would like to thank them for their support.”

Ciaran McGivern, Head of Business Banking NI at Bank of Ireland, said: “Bank of Ireland are delighted to continue their support of Ulster Rugby with the extension of our sponsorship agreement for another 3 years. We both have a strong and committed tradition of contributing to the communities in which we operate. We have been partners with Ulster Rugby for many years and the sponsorship is a great fit with Bank of Ireland. Ulster Rugby has had some great rugby moments over the last number of years and has some of the most dedicated and passionate supporters out there. We look forward to watching Ulster Rugby build on their successes last season and enjoying many more great rugby moments to come.”

Kingspan has also come on board as a new sponsor of the kit and its branding will be included on the back of the shorts and playing socks.

Philip Browne from Kingspan added: “Over recent years Kingspan Environmental, a Division of The Kingspan Group, a worldwide sustainable building solutions provider, have enjoyed a successful partnership with Ulster Rugby and have watched their development with interest. Kingspan Environmental are therefore delighted to be enhancing their involvement with Ulster Rugby to become one of their major branded sponsors. Kingspan Environmental are a developing force in GB, Ireland, Europe and further afield in their various market sectors and see benefit in working with a team that also has ambitious plans.”

ENDS://

connachtexile wrote: How would you guys rate the difficulty of a launch for Rugbytech and Elvery's? Now remember this is Rugbytech and Elverys two companies that couldn't organise a P*ss-up in a f*cking brewery. Personally I'm going with gargantuan.

Does anyone think it would really difficult to get a few players in Elvery's stores announce that it will be on the shelves at a certain time and date and that the player/s at the store say Johnny O'Connor in Galway will be there to sign it. It would get a few people in they could get some face time with a player and it would be nice publicity for the Club.

Nigh Impossible?

They've done them before so I don't see why not.

www.connachtrugby.ie/2008071081408/conna...ew-jersey-in-elverys

www.connachtrugby.ie/2011101982650/conna...s-launch-new-jerseys

How would you guys rate the difficulty of a launch for Rugbytech and Elvery's? Now remember this is Rugbytech and Elverys two companies that couldn't organise a P*ss-up in a f*cking brewery. Personally I'm going with gargantuan.

Does anyone think it would really difficult to get a few players in Elvery's stores announce that it will be on the shelves at a certain time and date and that the player/s at the store say Johnny O'Connor in Galway will be there to sign it. It would get a few people in they could get some face time with a player and it would be nice publicity for the Club.

Nigh Impossible?

Openside wrote: Id like to apologise to the Connacht branch for putting up pictures of the 12/13 Jersey, i just made the assumption that since they were on general sale already i could post pictures my bad

You don't need to apologise at all Openside, in the professional era there hasn't been a single promotion / launch of Connacht's wares so there is absolutely no need for anyone to have expected there to be one this season, and in fact until something is actually confirmed in writing somewhere on the Connacht Branch / Elvery's sites I personally won't get my hopes up too much this season either fir anything to happen before the season is well upon us...

Id like to apologise to the Connacht branch for putting up pictures of the 12/13 Jersey, i just made the assumption that since they were on general sale already i could post pictures my bad

Diom wrote: Hi all,

I've had some contact from the branch to say that they were made aware of the issue on Saturday and immediately took steps to get the jersey off the shelves ahead of the official launch. Obviously Connacht wanted to launch this right and someone, somewhere has f*cked things up for them.
I've been asked to ask OS to remove the pics, so as to stop the word spreading too far and ruining the official launch. So I've PMed him.

I won't be spreading the word on this either, and I would ask you guys not to either. By spreading this we would be hurting Connacht's launch plans and that's not really my goal as a fan.

I barely glanced at the pictures of the new kit initally, but now we're not meant to be looking at or talking about them, I can't stop

I dunno S_P. All I know is that they wanted to keep it under-wraps until "the official launch". As for actively encouraging whispers, I agree, but it obviously is not something that CB see as helpful.

Diom wrote: Hi all,

I've had some contact from the branch to say that they were made aware of the issue on Saturday and immediately took steps to get the jersey off the shelves ahead of the official launch. Obviously Connacht wanted to launch this right and someone, somewhere has f*cked things up for them.
I've been asked to ask OS to remove the pics, so as to stop the word spreading too far and ruining the official launch. So I've PMed him.

I won't be spreading the word on this either, and I would ask you guys not to either. By spreading this we would be hurting Connacht's launch plans and that's not really my goal as a fan.

What launch plans Diom? Have they given any indication of what is planned or when or are they keeping it to themselves in case they decide not to go ahead with again this season...

Usually manufacturers actively encourage chinese whispers in the build up to a Launch, to increase interest..

This will be a first for Elverys/Rugbytech if sonmething (anything) does actually come off....

Hi all,

I've had some contact from the branch to say that they were made aware of the issue on Saturday and immediately took steps to get the jersey off the shelves ahead of the official launch. Obviously Connacht wanted to launch this right and someone, somewhere has f*cked things up for them.
I've been asked to ask OS to remove the pics, so as to stop the word spreading too far and ruining the official launch. So I've PMed him.

I won't be spreading the word on this either, and I would ask you guys not to either. By spreading this we would be hurting Connacht's launch plans and that's not really my goal as a fan.

A green version of this with celtic scribblings would be my idea of fun

+1

Has anyone contacted Alex Saul or whoever is in charge of marketing? I'd love to know the offical response.

Strange that they'd have to reshoot it. Tommy Bowe was interviewed in the new Ulster kit a few weeks before it was launched.

It's a nice enough new shirt, but a bit too much black for me. On a floodlit pitch in December the HEC shirt just looked black from afar. I'd rather have a lot more green.

A green version of this with celtic scribblings would be my idea of fun

www.mckdesign.co.nz/portfolio/print-desi...-maori-rugby-jersey/

I definitely put this down to an Elverys error.
Im sure most of us have seen the footage from the Galway Arts Festival, where Duffy, Swift and O'Connor were being interviewed.
It seems that interview was shoot twice. After completing the interview initially, they realised that the players were all in this seasons gear, which hasnt been announced yet, so it had to be re-shot.

From what I've heard, that jersey displayed in these pictures, is definitely next seasons 1st team jersey, and that the Eagles have a separate jersey.
Supposed to be some very nice kit available this year. I just hope its all available to buy online

I have to say I like it I just hope it's not going to be like the fiasco last season with the HEC kit!!

ummm, wrote: Before we line marketing up against the wall, it's worth bearing in mind it's possible this was Elvery's jumping the gun.

I'd make that explanation odds on favourite alright.

Before we line marketing up against the wall, it's worth bearing in mind it's possible this was Elvery's jumping the gun.

swift4prez wrote: re jersey, i prefer last years one but ill buy this though.

ok ok ok. how the fuck have these made it onto the shelfs with anything from connacht rugby.
who is sitting in his office asleep.
we all know that there not the best at getting information across but this is taking the piss. dublin before galway mayo sligo etc???
anyone spot them else where?
rant over for a while.

Swift4prez

I think you and every other Clan member has every right to be pissed off over this. Nothing about new kit on the CR website, nothing in the media. Well done Marketing - IDT

Why am I even surprised