As a purchaser of AFL football jumpers I have always noted they were made in Australia.

Historically Australian Made

Recently , I purchased several AFL,  authentic , licensed football jumpers , printed with official sponsors , from a major sporting goods retail outlet . All were made in China . Two seperate manufacturers produced them . Neither company , were the three traditional manufacturers , who had always made them in Australia .

A disturbing trend . The price has been maintained making them an expensive item and the quality of manufacture displays less attention to detail.

The AFL prides itself on a national competition,  and promotes the Australianess of the brand ,yet it allows football jumpers , previously manufactured in Australia , to be made in China .

Another great Aussie icon , the humble footy jumper , bites the dust ?

Chinese made

Football Jumpers offer companies who pay for sponsorship a high profile mobile billboard facility .

All players wear the jumper , jersey , guernsey with the sponsors name / logo or mascot printed across them.

Companies pay highly to have their company name emblazoned on the clubs gear .

The companies consider it worth the expenditure as they receive high visibility for their product.

Sponsors come and go .

A jumper can be dated by who the sponsor was at the time .

Often fans or collectors will seek out a specific jumper with a unique sponsor because it triggers a memory or reminds them of a favourite place in time.

In the modern game , companies pay huge remunerations to the clubs to own a piece of the jumper , jersey , guernsey .In return they achieve high visibility and maximum media exposure of their brand .

Hungry ?

thirsty ?