Leeds' first ever overseas player was Kiwi Joseph Lavery, who toured with the famous All Golds in 1907 and played in the first ever Rugby League test match at Headingley that year between the Northern Union and the New Zealand All Golds. The connection goes right through to the last century with players such as Bert Cook, Dean Bell and Ali Lauitiiti making Headingley Carnegie their home.
The kit has been produced by ISC and features the logos of main club sponsors Leeds Building Society on the front along with Berry's Jewellers and Hesco Bastion. Leeds Metropolitan University is featured on both sleeves with LSS Skips and O'Hara & Co again featuring on the back of the shirt. The shorts include the logos of ISC, Leeds Building Society and, for the first time, Quest Solutions, who also retain their place on the Rhinos socks from last season.
The kit was officially unveiled today and 2013 silver and gold members have been emailed a link to exclusively purchase the shirt along with a new associated training range before it is launched this Saturday at the Headingley Carnegie club shop. Rob Burrow and Liam Hood will both be at the shop from 11am until 1pm. Orders placed before midnight on Sunday 27th January can get postage for £1 for orders under £50 and free for orders over £50.
The shirt will be available in two fabrics for supporters to choose from. The specially produced Authentic Players shirt, which is the same as the Champions will wear during matches, is £67.50 and available in XS-4XL. The replica shirt is available in Polyester priced at £44.50. The Polyester shirt is available in sizes XS to 6XL and also available as a specially designed Ladies shirt in sizes 8-18 and priced £44.50.
Junior fans can also get their hands on the new replica polyester shirts which are £34.50 for sizes age 6 to 14 and £29.50 for ages 0 to 4. Replica shorts and socks are also available in adult and junior sizes.
Commenting on the new look kit, Commercial Director Rob Oates said, "We have created a really distinctive design for the away kit this season with a stronger shade of pink that we think supporters will really like. We are proud that New Zealand will play two games at Headingley Carnegie this Autumn in the World Cup and that Leeds is their base for the campaign. Our club has a long association with New Zealand and it is nice that we have been able to incorporate black into our away kit to acknowledge that."
