University of Reading: Reading FC kit makes climate change statement
The Championship club has partnered with the University of Reading to incorporate the climate stripes created by Professor Ed Hawkins on the players’ jerseys and shorts for the 2022/23 season.
Bespoke stripes illustrating how temperatures have risen in Berkshire over the past 150 years feature on the sleeves of the home shirt and down the side of the shorts for the men’s and women’s teams.
The new kit is part of a wider partnership between the two organisations, in which sustainability experts at the University are supporting the Football Club on ways to reduce its carbon footprint.
Royals fans will notice additional recycling drives and more sustainably sourced food when they visit the Select Car Leasing Stadium this season, as a range of green initiatives are put into practice across the club to build on positive work already in progress.
Reading FC women’s players Faye Bryson (L) and Emma Harries (R) modelling the new home kit for the 2022/23 season
Professor Ed Hawkins, a climate scientist at the University of Reading and creator of the climate stripes, said: “The climate stripes are intended to start conversations about climate change, and making them visible to thousands of football fans across the country every week brings that to a new audience.
“Support is a powerful thing in football and this collaboration makes it a key theme for the season. We hope Reading’s fans will push them on to success this season, while at the same time the players and club will be supporting climate action and recognising the science.”
The climate stripes were created in 2018 and are available to download for free from showyourstripes.info.
They have been adopted in countless ways, including featuring on the cover of a book by Greta Thunberg, on badges worn by US senators, displayed 10 metres tall on the Main Stage at Reading Festival, and inspiring a range of clothing launched at London Fashion Week.
The University of Reading is a world-leading centre for meteorological research and education. It was recently awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for work to tackle climate change impacts.
Tim Kilpatrick, Head of Commercial at Reading Football Club added: “Last week we all endured the hottest day on record in Reading and that heatwave aptly underlines how vital it is to spark a conversation about climate change and environmental sustainability.
“We are not perfect, but this is the start of a journey. We will not aim to change the world overnight. But we want to aim to reduce our carbon footprint as a football club and give our fans the opportunity to come with us on the same journey. Featuring the climate stripes in the design of our home kit is one way we hope to inspire more climate conversations amongst our supporters and our local community.”