Over recent years several teams have raised awareness for environmental causes through the medium of football shirts. From the rising tide on the crest of Sunderland’s kit for a match this season to the Forest Green Rovers kits that were made from waste coffee grounds and recycled plastic, brands and clubs have been creative in the way they have amplified important messages.
Thai League 1 side Lamphun Warriors have joined the fray in collaboration with the Northern Thailand Breath Council to create one of the most creative collections of kits I’ve seen in a long time.
Across 6 differently coloured kits, Lamphun are highlighting Thailand’s air pollution crisis with the colours of each kit representing varying daily air quality levels as measured by the severity of PM2.5 (particulate matter) air pollution. As the level of pollution changes, the current state of play will be symbolised by the colour the players are wearing on the pitch.
On one end of the scale is the green jersey, which represents “good” air quality (0-50), whilst the yellow and orange kits represent “moderate” (51-100) and “unhealthy for sensitive groups” (101-150) respectively. As the kits change colour and get darker the levels of danger that are represented increase, from red representing “unhealthy” (151-200) to purple representing “very unhealthy” (201-300) and finally maroon when PM2.5 levels reach "hazardous" levels exceeding 300. All six kits share various details, including a topographical and the classic “Chang” sponsor of Barclaysman-era Everton sides of old.
The campaign is calling for action to combat PM2.5 pollution in both the short-term and long-term. For the immediate future, there is an appeal to reschedule matches that are to be played at peak pollution periods. Longer term, there is a petition to establish a Clean Air Act alongside improved tracking and regulation of PM2.5 levels.
Only adding to the impact of the campaign is the fact that Lamphun usually play in white. But, by introducing six colours and connecting the drastic change to an important cause, there is sure to be some momentum gathering behind the movement. We’ve nothing but love for the execution of the idea.
Leave a comment