University News Last updated 28 January
探花直播鈥檚 first-ever Netball Superleague team have听 鈥� and it鈥檚 been designed by two talented students from 探花直播鈥檚 (BCU) College of Fashion and Textiles.
Zoe Bennett and Rohan Scott, both in their second year studying Fashion Design, worked with players and staff from 探花直播 Panthers to create clothing that would look great and aid performance.
鈥淩ohan and I learnt from one another through the whole process,鈥� said Zoe. 鈥淭his is my first professional design collaboration - and it was so much more fun than I ever expected it to be.鈥�
Rohan added: 鈥淏y far, this project is one of the biggest achievements of my career and education. When I see the kit in action, it鈥檒l be so surreal, but all our hard work will be on the court.鈥�
Working under the guidance of BCU lecturers Sian Riley and Lucinda Holbrooke-Hase, Zoe and Rohan gained invaluable hands-on experience of designing sports kit for elite athletes.
They received advice from players about comfort and kit practicalities, collaborating on everything from initial sketches to the final fit over several months.
鈥淚 was inspired by the hidden rosette prints that panthers have,鈥� said Zoe. 鈥淐ombining this pattern with Rohan鈥檚 electric shapes and colours created a stand-out design that we鈥檙e both so proud of.鈥�
鈥淢y original concept was based on futurism, with contouring lines and hyper neon colour schemes,鈥� added Rohan. 鈥淲hen Zoe and I combined our concepts, it really allowed us to embody the team while portraying them in a new light for their debut into the Netball Super League.鈥�
Jo Tripp, head coach of the 探花直播 Panthers, said: 鈥淟ooking great on court is a massive part of being successful and feeling confident.
鈥淚f you feel good, you play well, if you play well, you inspire those around you.
鈥淭his is a fantastic example of how sport and style can combine to create something really special.
鈥淭his initiative shows how powerful our young people鈥檚 ideas can be.鈥�
The new kit will make its debut when the Panthers open their season at home to Manchester Thunder on 21 March at the BP Pulse LIVE Arena.
Tickets are on sale now via the as the team will be embarking on their attempt to make a massive impact on the league in their first season.
In September, BCU launches its Sportswear Design MSc course, which equips designers with a combination of technical design skills and sports science knowledge.鈥��
Photo credit: 探花直播 Panthers