Sunday, 19 January 2025
Wednesday, 6 November 2024
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS ENHANCE DIGITAL EXPERIENCE WITH 2025 KIT
The British and Irish Lions has unveiled its 2025 jersey, incorporating a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag to enhance fan engagement.
New Zealand-based sports brand Canterbury, utilising concepts indicative of the critical role technology plays in modern sports performance. The firm has integrated its Vapodri technology to keep players cool and comfortable on the field.
Additionally, Former British and Irish Lions captain, Sam Warburton, was also brought in to provide design input and advise on player needs, while extensive on-field testing ensured durability and performance.
Ben Calveley, CEO of British and Irish Lions, commented: “We’re incredibly proud and excited to unveil the new Lions jersey today alongside Canterbury, who have been a fantastic partner to The British and Irish Lions for many years dating back to the 1959 Tour of New Zealand.
“This will be the third Tour in a row for us to partner with them and the 2025 jersey launch represents another key milestone as we continue to build towards Australia. The famous red jersey is a crucial part of the Lions DNA, and I have no doubt that the players and our supporters all around the world will enjoy wearing this jersey as well as the wider Lions lifestyle apparel.
The standout feature of this kit is its integration of NFC technology. By scanning the tag located at the bottom right of the jersey, fans can gain access to the Lions Clubhouse app – a platform for exclusive content, which also launches today and will remain live throughout the Tour.
In the app, supporters can explore exclusive behind-the-scenes content, including player videos from the Tour, matchday highlights and Q&As with team members. This new feature aims to bring supporters closer to the action and provides access to a fan forum in the community section.
Calveley concluded: “Our amazing fans are a core part of what makes a great Lions Tour, they were dearly missed in South Africa in 2021, but we will now be more connected with them than ever before thanks to this innovative new design and exciting digital experience.
“We look forward to seeing this jersey form the iconic Sea of Red next year across Australia, in Dublin, and in homes and clubs all over the UK and Ireland.”
The first Test kicks off at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (19 July). The second Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (26 July). The series concludes with the final Test at Sydney’s Accor Stadium (2 August) in front of over 80,000 fans.
Late last year, Sky Sports announced it would exclusively broadcast nine British and Irish Lions games for the Rugby Union team’s tour of Australia in 2025.
The British and Irish Lions has unveiled its 2025 jersey, incorporating a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag to enhance fan engagement.
New Zealand-based sports brand Canterbury, utilising concepts indicative of the critical role technology plays in modern sports performance. The firm has integrated its Vapodri technology to keep players cool and comfortable on the field.
Additionally, Former British and Irish Lions captain, Sam Warburton, was also brought in to provide design input and advise on player needs, while extensive on-field testing ensured durability and performance.
Ben Calveley, CEO of British and Irish Lions, commented: “We’re incredibly proud and excited to unveil the new Lions jersey today alongside Canterbury, who have been a fantastic partner to The British and Irish Lions for many years dating back to the 1959 Tour of New Zealand.
“This will be the third Tour in a row for us to partner with them and the 2025 jersey launch represents another key milestone as we continue to build towards Australia. The famous red jersey is a crucial part of the Lions DNA, and I have no doubt that the players and our supporters all around the world will enjoy wearing this jersey as well as the wider Lions lifestyle apparel.
The standout feature of this kit is its integration of NFC technology. By scanning the tag located at the bottom right of the jersey, fans can gain access to the Lions Clubhouse app – a platform for exclusive content, which also launches today and will remain live throughout the Tour.
In the app, supporters can explore exclusive behind-the-scenes content, including player videos from the Tour, matchday highlights and Q&As with team members. This new feature aims to bring supporters closer to the action and provides access to a fan forum in the community section.
Calveley concluded: “Our amazing fans are a core part of what makes a great Lions Tour, they were dearly missed in South Africa in 2021, but we will now be more connected with them than ever before thanks to this innovative new design and exciting digital experience.
“We look forward to seeing this jersey form the iconic Sea of Red next year across Australia, in Dublin, and in homes and clubs all over the UK and Ireland.”
The first Test kicks off at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (19 July). The second Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (26 July). The series concludes with the final Test at Sydney’s Accor Stadium (2 August) in front of over 80,000 fans.
Late last year, Sky Sports announced it would exclusively broadcast nine British and Irish Lions games for the Rugby Union team’s tour of Australia in 2025.
- Kieran O'Connor
Monday, 14 October 2024
LIONS EDGE RUSHER AIDAN HUTCHINSON CARTED OFF WITH BROKEN TIBIA
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| Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was carted off the field Sunday after breaking a tibia. Sam Hodde/Getty Images |
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Detroit Lions star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson broke a tibia during Sunday's 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys in a scary scene at AT&T Stadium.
Hutchinson injured his left leg on a play in which he was sacking Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Hutchinson's leg appeared to snap above the ankle when it collided with the left leg of teammate Alim McNeill as Hutchinson was pulling Prescott down.
Members of the Lions and Cowboys quickly circled around Hutchinson as team doctors rushed to his side. Hutchinson's leg was placed in an air cast, and he exited on a cart.
The Lions said after the game that Hutchinson underwent immediate surgery at a Dallas-area hospital.
"Hate it for Hutch. That's tough. It was tough," Campbell said. "He's in good hands right now. He's being taken care of. He'll stay back here and obviously he's going to be down for a little while. So, that's tough and it's hard when you lose somebody like him, but we'll know a lot more after this and obviously wish him the best."
McNeill called the injury "frightening to see." And he wasn't initially aware of the severity of Hutchinson's injury right after it happened, although he was involved in the play.
"That's what I felt, but I haven't seen it myself so I couldn't really tell," McNeill said after the game. "I didn't know if that was him or not, but I did feel somebody like leg with me and then I saw Hutch down ... that's crazy. "
Lions running back David Montgomery, who finished with two rushing touchdowns, said he has faith that Campbell and his staff can prepare players to fill Hutchinson's role.
"It's an unfortunate loss for us. A big, big, big blow for us and it's just more personal for us now because of the kind of guy that Aidan is and the kind of character that he has and what he brings to the locker room and to this team," Montgomery said. "So, I know for me personally, I'm going to take it real personal for a guy like Aidan because he was the heartbeat of this team, and he still will be."
Hutchinson, the second pick of the 2022 NFL draft, has 7.5 sacks this season, the most through five games by a Lions player since 1983 (William Gay), per ESPN Research. Entering Week 6, Hutchinson led the NFL in sacks, pressures and pass rush win rate even though the Lions were coming off their bye week.
Without Hutchinson, Detroit will likely rely heavily on defensive linemen Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike, DJ Reader and Isaac Ukwu to help pick up the slack. The injury could reopen the door for James Houston, who was ruled inactive for the game at Dallas.
"We're all feeling for him 100 percent," Onwuzurike said. "It's hard to rebound from a guy like Hutch. That s--- is tough. He's a freak. He was probably going to break the sack record this year so when you lose someone like that, that's real tough but we've got hungry guys. ... So, I think the guys will handle business 100 percent."
McNeill said he and his teammates on the defensive side of the ball don't anticipate any major schematic changes.
"We're still going to get off the ball off that edge, play that run and set that edge, but I don't think too much will change, maybe like some third-down stuff but I don't really think too much, too much will change," McNeill told ESPN while exiting the locker room. "It will just be a change of rotation and stuff like that, but I don't think anything will be too drastic, though."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
- Eric Woodyard, ESPN
Monday, 19 August 2024
HASSAN SUNNY'S SINGAPORE'S RETIREMENT I'M
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| After 115 caps over 20 years, Hassan Sunny's Singapore career came to an end on Sunday when he announced his retirement from international football at the age of 40. Supakit Wisetanuphong/MB Media/Getty Images |
On Sunday, Hassan Sunny called time on his storied international career as he retired from Singapore duty following a two-decade stint which saw him earn 115 caps.
While Hassan may now be 40, his retirement from Lions duty still came as a surprise considering he was still the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper -- and showed no signs that his powers might be on the wane.
Just a couple of months ago, Hassan produced a stunning display despite Singapore ultimately falling to a 3-1 loss to Thailand in their final Asian qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite the victory, Thailand ultimately missed progressed to the next round of World Cup qualifying by a solitary goal -- which ultimately led to Hassan going viral in China as his 11 saves inadvertently led to them advancing at the expense of the Thais.
At club level, while Albirex Niigata (S) have had a difficult season so far despite their status as defending Singapore Premier League champions, Hassan has remained in top form and the White Swans might arguably be in a worse predicament if not for the reliable shot-stopper.
Ultimately, he felt it was time to "step aside and let the younger goalkeepers take over".
But although Singapore have traditionally had few troubles unearthing excellent options between the posts, there are several factors that suggest they will face a tough time filling his void.
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| Hassan Sunny regularly earned plaudits for his indomitable displays against more-illustrious opposition, such as Son Heung-Min and South Korea in the recent second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. AP Photo/Lee Jin-man |
In his younger days, Hassan had a fierce competitor in Lionel Lewis -- two years his senior and no slouch himself having been named the Most Valuable Player in the 2004 ASEAN Championship which was won by the Lions.
Back then, there was another viable option in Shahril Jantan -- a five time SPL champion who would have easily won more than his eight caps if not for the presence of Lewis and Hassan.
When Lewis called time on his Singapore career in 2011, Hassan looked set to be the undisputed No. 1 but injuries then allowed the promising Izwan Mahbud to force his way into the reckoning.
While they initially battled to be the Lions' first choice in goal, Hassan eventually gained a stranglehold on a starting XI berth but Izwan always shaped up as a capable back-up option and certain long-term successor.
Nonetheless, after only returning from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury towards the end of last year, Izwan has only just completed his road to recovery -- returning to the Lion City Sailors lineup for their past three outings.
Izwan's return was held up by the emergence of his own back-up in Zharfan Rohaizad, who can also consider himself a chance to succeed Hassan but is still yet to make his international debut despite being 27.
Geylang International's Hairul Syirhan, a fellow 'youthful' prospect, is two years older and also awaiting his first cap.
Other options like Syazwan Buhari and Zaiful Nizam of BG Tampines Rovers and Hougang United respectively, who have regularly been in the third-choice periphery, are both -- like Izwan -- on the wrong side of 30 now and perhaps cannot be included in the "long-term successor" category.
Regardless of who immediately gets the nod, filling Hassan's gloves will be a massive task considering he was -- at his peak -- regarded as one of Asia's best goalkeepers and among the region's leading duo alongside Thailand's Kawin Thamsatchanan, who retired from all forms of football earlier this year.
Off the field, there is also the upcoming void of a leadership figure who consistently preached professionalism and work ethic.
Renowned for his dedication to training and maintaining his body at peak condition through a strict dietary and recovery routine, Hassan was often referred to by coaches and teammates as a role model and leader.
As part of a golden crop from the National Football Academy's 1984-born intake, the 40-year-old would be an influential figure in the dressing room alongside batchmates Shahril Ishak and Baihakki Khaizan, and junior Khairul Amri -- with the close-knit quartet all members of FIFA's centurion club and combining for a staggering 535 caps.
With the other three having retired previously, Hassan's departure from the international scene marks the end of an era.
There are still leaders among the Lions, mainly captain Hariss Harun and centre-back Safuwan Baharudin but no one else, apart from winger Faris Ramli, has more than 40 caps to their names from the most recent squad selected by coach Tsutomu Ogura.
Of course, with change comes opportunity, and it can be an exciting time for Singapore as they usher in a new generation.
Nonetheless, as they bid farewell to their longstanding hero in goal, there is now a huge void to fill in more ways than one.
- Gabriel Tan
Friday, 10 March 2023
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