The All Blacks’ amazing new jersey is the star of its new video promoting diversity. | Photo: YouTube
New Zealand’s world famous rugby union team, the All Blacks, shown a massive gesture of support to the LGBTI community.
After Australian player, Israel Folau’s comments saying ‘God’s plan’ for people was ‘HELL’, the All Blacks has shown its solidarity with the rainbow community.
Firstly the team released a heartwarming video supporting diversity and inclusion in the sport. Using the hashtag #diversityistrength.
Standing alongside the women’s rugby team, the Black Ferns, a voiceover tells viewers the ‘next battle’ is ‘formidable’.
‘The next battle is different,’ the voiceover says
‘The next battle is truly formidable and deeply devious. It is discrimination. An enemy that cannot be fought alone, it must be defeated together. It will take more than 15, it will takes thousands, millions.
But the really cool part is coming
Insurance company AIG sponsors the All Blacks and Black Ferns, and created the ad.
Its #diversityisstrength campaign also includes a specially made All Blacks jersey which reveals the rainbow flag when stretched.
The incredible new All Blacks jersey. | Photo: AIG
‘Now AIG has combined all the colours of the rainbow to create a United Black,’ the voiceover says in the video.
The amazing jersey has rainbow stripes painted on both sides of the ribbed material. The way the fabric is painted the colors get into the fabric which is how the rainbow reveals itself when the material is stretched.
The before and after of the All Blacks’ new jersey. | Photo: AIG
Advertising agency TBWA/Hakuhodo, took the idea of the United Black jersey to AIG who loved the idea.
‘The result is a fabric that maintains its black appearance when at rest, but when stretched, reveals the deeper grooved portions of each rib and the colours underneath,’ the agency explained in a statement.
