Storm STAR in new apparel deal

Melbourne Storm and leading Melbourne based apparel brand STAR have joined forces in a five year partnership that sees the innovative manufacturer become the official on-field apparel partner of the iconic National Rugby League Club.

The deal will see STAR supply Storm with home, away, themed jerseys and training kit including singlets, tees, shorts, tracksuits, hoodies and backpacks for players and staff.

Since TPF Sports launched STAR in 2012, the sportswear brand has developed a strong reputation for unique tailored apparel solutions, allowing elite athletes to perform at their best. Investing in research and technology, STAR has a signature style of innovative material and design that will see Storm wear a revolutionary jersey in 2016.

The partnership is ground breaking in the rugby league industry, with players to undergo personalised fittings in December to enable their 2016 jerseys to be custom-made.

Storm players and football personnel were involved in the design process and are excited to take the field in the most technically advanced playing kit in the NRL, with the collection engineered under STAR's Starlite and Fitrite standards for optimal performance.

Melbourne Storm will become the first rugby league club to have its performance range produced by STAR, joining AFL powerhouse club Collingwood as the other professional sporting organisation in the STAR family.

The 20 players and coaching staff arriving for the first day of pre-season training today will receive their new 2016 STAR apparel range.

Storm's new partnership with STAR offers the opportunity for a fresh design of all apparel including playing jerseys. Both Storm's home and away jersey will take on a new look in 2016 with members and fans particularly pleased to see the return of the traditional Storm lightning bolts.

Melbourne Storm CEO Dave Donaghy said: "We are thrilled to be welcoming such a high performance and professional brand like STAR to the Melbourne Storm family for at least the next five years."

"STAR itself was born out of the want to innovate and Melbourne Storm follows a similar approach. The technical excellence of the STAR team and products is compelling.

"Our players have been heavily involved in developing the performance range and are excited by having a product with leading edge technology to assist with on-field performance."

Craig Dyer, Director of TPF Sports, said he was excited to partner with Storm in the company's first foray into NRL.

"Melbourne Storm for many years has set the benchmark across the NRL competition in achieving success on and off the field.

"We look forward to supplying an innovative apparel range for the team and the members and supporters to match their Club," said Mr Dyer.

"This is a hugely important collaboration and relevant to our brand strategy to align with the best sporting clubs in Australia and one which we hope will take Melbourne Storm to the next level in innovative sportswear design."

Donaghy also said the partnership with STAR would benefit Storm's army of members and fans who will see the return of the traditional lightning bolt to the home and away jerseys as well as an improved online service through the Melbourne Storm online shop.

"STAR's focus on customer service will also be a win for our loyal members and fans, with the online shopping experience to be enhanced and special member's merchandise bundles being a key focus.

"We want all Melbourne Storm members and fans in a purple jersey, the lightning bolts are back, our traditional colour of purple is through the jersey and the presence of blue reflects our Victorian heritage being a one team, one town club."

Storm is in a strong positon off the field with the Club having a full complement of commercial partners on its playing range heading into 2016, making it one of the most valuable on-field kits in the NRL.

A range of Melbourne Storm's 2016 training and playing kit is now available to purchase in a special Member Merchandise offer.

Fans who become a 2016 member will have the opportunity to receive special member pricing on a range of new merchandise items until Monday 30 November, including the member-only price of $120 for the new home and away jerseys.

Head to Storm's membership website to secure your new piece of 2016 playing and training kit at the members-only price.

About the HOME jersey

The theme of the home jersey stays true to the Storm purple and the navy blue of Victoria. The transition of the colours and the hatching delivers a subtle V formation. The side strips see a welcome return of the Storm lightning bolts. The back of the jersey also sees the integration of Storm lightning. Overall the ambition was to create a clean, attractive looking jersey that remains a strong source of pride for everyone associated with Melbourne Storm.

About the AWAY jersey

Keeping a predominantly white base, the 2016 Storm away jersey delivers a return of the V, representative of Victoria. It was an opportunity to create an equally clean look whilst accentuating the purple through the shorts and socks.