Football Ferns will no longer wear white shorts. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Football Ferns won't be wearing white shorts at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
The move is part of the global shift away from female athletes wearing white shorts due to period anxiety.
Instead the Football Ferns' white shirt is paired with teal-blue shorts and the black alternative strip has an all-over-print of a handmade Silver Fern pattern, which was created using a spray paint technique, and can be seen on elements of both kits.
These kits will first be worn by the Ferns in their games against Iceland and Nigeria later this month.
The shift away from white shorts in the Ferns kits has been warmly welcomed by the players according to Football Ferns centurion Hannah Wilkinson.
"It's always been something that women athletes, not just footballers, have had to deal with. In the end it just helps us focus more on performance and shows a recognition and appreciation of women's health."
In addition to the shorts colour change, players will also be offered Nike Leak Protection: Period innovation integrated into their playing shorts.
As an organisation, New Zealand Football wholeheartedly supports the shift away from white shorts for our women's international players, chief executive Andrew Pragnell said.
"The kits pay homage to the sporting heritage of Aotearoa, with the white shirt holding a special place in our football traditions, and the black being synonymous with New Zealand sport and we can't wait to see our Ferns wear these kits."
