Being part of a team means something. It’s a unique bond between a group of people who are united by one purpose and should always have each other’s backs.
Loyalty, integrity, and above all, identity are the most important factors in creating a successful team. Along with serving the more practical purpose of identification on the field of play, custom jerseys are one way to enhance team loyalty. And in hockey, that’s especially important, given the high-octane, fast-paced nature of the sport.
Here are just some of the reasons why every hockey team needs custom jerseys.
Identity
A team turned out in the same colors has the benefit of providing a sense of identity and unity. A matching kit fosters a sense of belonging and togetherness, which is essential for effective teamwork, positive attitudes, and ultimately, good results.
Strutting onto the ice all in matching uniforms is great for morale, plus you’ll be able to actually see each other out of the corners of your eyes. Wearing the same apparel will also boost confidence, for the reasons outlined above, and can have a positive effect on your overall performance.
Essentially, identity is as important for a hockey team as solid training practices and drills.
Easy to Spot
It may seem obvious, but many overlook the importance of matching kit and being able to identify teammates on the ice quickly. In a sport where concentration is paramount and split seconds count, spotting a teammate to pass to is crucial to success.
We’ll talk more about design later, but it’s also useful to have a striking color scheme to stand out amongst the ice and the borders of the rink. It’s also useful if your opponents have matching jerseys — that way you can tackle or avoid them, depending on what’s happening at the time in the game.
Comfort and Durability
Ice Hockey is a rough and tumble sport, so your jerseys need to reflect that — durability is the name of the game, you don’t want them getting torn or ripped easily during match play.
There are companies out there, like Owayo, that specialise in hockey jerseys and other equipment, so you won’t have any trouble sourcing the right uniform for your team.
Comfort is also important — the jersey should be made from breathable material to wick away sweat and keep players cool and comfortable on the ice. Look for companies that specialize in reinforced stitching and high-quality materials.
Supporters Jerseys
To further foster your team spirit and morale, then enlist some supporters to come and cheer you on during matches (you may already have some, of course). That means you’ll need to print up some replica jerseys for them to buy.
Having your team colors lighting up an arena gives a real psychological boost and helps build confidence, leading to greater performance (crowd noise and cheering also help).
Don’t forget that you can also invest in practice jerseys, tracksuits, and more customized items.
Designing a Great Jersey
There are a few things to consider when designing a great hockey jersey for your team. Think of your team as a brand — the colors and logos you choose reflect your identity, core values, and other factors such as geographical location, culture, etc.
A jersey should have striking colors to quickly identify your other teammates on the ice, and to stand out against any advertising there might be on the sides of the rink.
If your team name involves an obvious symbol or creature, such as the Stars or the Eagles, then it’s obvious to incorporate this into your design (check Colorado Eagles kits). Otherwise, you could consider forming a logo from the initials of your team.
Sponsorship Considerations
Local businesses are always looking for ways to reach out to broader markets in their area, and one way they do this is to sponsor sports events or teams. It may be worth reaching out to a local firm to see if they’re interested in getting involved with your team.
Having a striking team brand, at the forefront of which is the team jersey, is a great way to secure sponsorship and some extra revenue for your team.
Team jerseys are about comfort and durability on the ice, but they are so much more than that as well. With unity and loyalty among your ranks, the chances of success are heightened.
