Kit Boss: How VX3 are meeting bespoke cricket teamwear demands

'The bespoke side's really exciting for me because we have a team of graphic designers who work wonders with the clubs to design literally almost anything you want on your kit' says VX3's Nick Halse

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We're now well into an era in which one-day kits have become an accepted part of professional cricket and in recent years that demand for coloured clothing at club level has grown exponentially too.

At VX3, based on the English Riviera in Paignton, Devon, a determination to offer that innovation to amateur players across the country has driven the sportswear company's vision as it strives to bring a professional level of service and quality to the clubs it counts as clients.

"In the last two or three years we've really put a focus on cricket to see how we can improve and better cater for cricket clubs throughout the country.", explains VX3 sales manager Nick Halse.

"Since the pandemic we've had massive growth from clubs coming back and really looking to take advantage of everyone's keenness and enthusiasm for getting back outside. In the last five years we've had more of the coloured kit coming through, more of the names and numbers.

"It's really great for us as a bespoke supplier. We've grown off the back of that."

And when Nick mentions the idea of "bespoke" kits, he really means it. Options for clients include the ability to imprint images of their own ground, local landmarks or even faces as part of the designs.

There is also the opportunity for individual sections of clubs – such as women's or youth operations – to have their own tailored designs, while one-off kits for occasions like charity matches are on offer too.

"The bespoke side's really exciting for me because we have a team of graphic designers who work wonders with the clubs to design literally almost anything you want on your kit, from colour to any design – whether it's a local landmark in your town, someone's face or pictures of the ground itself," explains Nick.

"We got back and forth with the clubs to make sure it's exactly as you want it."

"We really push kits for women's teams," he adds. "The growth in this sector is massive and the nice thing is women's team like a bit of their own profile within the club, so you might use the club colours but maybe a slightly different design for them. That's been really popular and really taken off."

^{Harry Charsley wearing Newport County's VX3 kit against Manchester United in the FA Cup. (Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)}

The bespoke service doesn't just extend to the design stage of the process either. We all know the challenges that can be faced when placing a large teamwear order, but VX3 aims to meet these potential pitfalls head-on by holding sizing sessions at clients' grounds.

"Being a new brand to a lot of people, they don't know what size or fit they're going to be so I'll often take out a full sizing set to a training session, AGM or committee meeting and let everyone try on kit to make sure they get the right size.

"That's a great way for us to interact and build relationships with the clubs as well.

"Anything we can do to help, we do."

Looking to the future, VX3 also hopes to bring its services into professional cricket (clients including football's Newport County and their rugby union-playing groundmates Dragons RFC, along with rugby league clubs Salford Red Devils, Oldham, and the Scotland and Wales national sides), although Nick remains tight-lipped on where else we might be seeing the company's logo soon.

"We're always looking at different products. We've got a few things in the pipeline as well as looking at a few more pro clubs. I can't say too much as yet but we are looking along that way.

"We're expanding our off-field range too, leisurewear, tracksuits, hoodies and all that sort of thing."

Find out more about VX3's cricket teamwear range on their website.