Somebody has to collect sizes from 15 sets of parents. If you’re reading this, it’s probably you.

Most personalised kids’ football kit problems have nothing to do with the design. They come from sizes guessed from ages, squads that grow by November, and money chased through the team WhatsApp group. We kit out junior clubs every season, and the ones that get it right first time all follow the same three rules.

Three rules we’d give every junior club

1. Size by chest, not age. Age is the worst way to size a child. Kids the same age can be different sizes, and every brand cuts differently. A tape measure takes two minutes and saves weeks of swaps.

2. Order the squad plus two. Junior squads almost always grow during the season. Two spare shirts in common sizes means a new player in November gets kit that weekend, not in six weeks.

3. Keep the club out of the cash. Collecting money from every family is the job nobody wants. Let parents order and pay online, and the club never has to chase a payment.

Get those three right and everything else is easy.

We have just received our personalised kits for my Under 10’s football team. We ordered a home & away kit and could amend anything we wanted. They look absolutely fantastic and the kids love them just as much as I do. A special thanks to Teddy who helped me with my order with great communication. Will highly be recommending and using every year!! – Joel

What goes into personalised kids’ football kit?

A personalised kids’ football kit has three parts: shirt, shorts and socks. Most clubs add a goalkeeper kit, then training wear and an away kit as the club grows.

Item	Price (excl. VAT)	Price (incl. VAT)
Football shirt, short sleeve (sublimated)	£19.50	£23.40
Football shirt, long sleeve (sublimated)	£21.50	£25.80
Football shorts (sublimated)	£13.25	£15.90
Football shorts (cut and sew)	£9.50	£11.40
Football socks (plain)	£7.00	£8.40
Football socks (bespoke)	£9.50	£11.40
Goalkeeper top, long sleeve (sublimated)	£25.00	£30.00
Goalkeeper padded shorts	£15.75	£18.90

Prices per item. Your design, badge, names, numbers and sponsor logos are included.

Every shirt is fully sublimated, so the design is part of the fabric rather than printed on top. Personalised kids’ football kit gets washed after every muddy Sunday, so that matters: no cracking, no peeling, and colours that stay bright all season.

How many kits does a junior team need?

Match formats in youth football in England grow as players get older:

Age group	Match format	Ordering tip
Under 7 to Under 8	5v5	Small squads. Spares matter most here, as new joiners are common.
Under 9 to Under 10	7v7	Squads grow. Plan for rolling subs and extra players mid-season.
Under 11 to Under 12	9v9	Bigger pitches and squads. Two goalkeeper tops are worth having.
Under 13 and above	11v11	Full squads. Consider a second set for away games or colour clashes.

Formats can vary by league, so check with yours. Whatever the age group, our rule stands: order every player a kit, plus two spares.

Getting junior sizes right

Sizing is where junior orders go wrong.

• Measure, don’t guess. Ask parents to measure their child’s chest and check it against our size guide.
• Size up once for younger players. A little room to grow means the kit lasts the full season, and often the next one.
• Never more than one size up. Baggy shirts and long shorts get in the way when kids are running and tackling.
• Collect sizes in one place. A shared form or spreadsheet beats chasing messages in the team group.
• Mix sizes freely. Kit comes in junior and adult sizes, so a squad that spans growth spurts still matches.

This is the second football kit we’ve had from the Decathlon Club and I can honestly say that they are impeccable. Summer, who handled my order was incredible from start to finish and made the ordering process so simple. I can’t recommend Decathlon Club and Summer enough. Keep up the great work Summer and I’ll hopefully be dealing with you next year. – Simon

Personalising kids’ football kit

Personalisation is what turns a set of shirts into a team. With Decathlon Club, your club badge, player names, numbers and sponsor logos are all included in the price, so there are no extras to add up.

• Names on the back. Young players are proud to see their own name, and coaches and parents learn the squad faster.
• One number per player, all season. It makes replacing a lost shirt simple.
• Give sponsors pride of place. A local business on the front can help keep subs down for families. Agree placement before you design.
• One design from Under 7s to Under 16s. Every age group looks like part of the same club.

Start with our online kit designer, or let our in-house design team create something for you at no extra cost. For more on names, numbers and badges, see our ultimate guide to personalised football kits.

What does personalised junior football kit cost?

Here’s what a full personalised kids’ football kit costs per player, using sublimated shirts and shorts with plain socks:

Squad example	What’s included	Excl. VAT	Incl. VAT
One player kit	Shirt, shorts, socks	£39.75	£47.70
One goalkeeper kit	GK top, padded shorts, socks	£47.75	£57.30
7v7 squad of 10	9 outfield kits + 1 goalkeeper kit	£405.50	£486.60
11v11 squad of 12	11 outfield kits + 1 goalkeeper kit	£485.00	£582.00

Make it easy for parents

• An online club shop. Parents choose sizes and pay online, and kit is delivered without the club handling cash. Find out more about club shops – availability depends on our qualification criteria.
• Easy reorders. When a new player joins mid-season, reorder a matching kit through the Client Portal. After your first order, there’s no minimum.

How to order personalised kids’ football kit

1. Design your kit. Use the online kit designer or work with our design team, free of charge.
2. Collect sizes and names. Measure chests, record each player’s name and number, and add two spares.
3. Place your order. Your first order has a low minimum of 5 items, so even the smallest squad can order.
4. Kick off. Your kit is delivered in under 6 weeks. Read our guide on how to order custom sports kit for the full process.

Kit out your junior team Shirts from £19.50 with your badge, names, numbers and sponsors included. Free design, junior to adult sizes, and no minimum after your first order. Design your junior kit Not the one who orders? Send this guide to your club secretary, or ask them about setting up a club shop.

FAQs

Can you get personalised football kits for kids?

Yes. Every junior kit can include the club badge, player names, numbers and sponsor logos at no extra cost, in junior sizes and fits.

How much does personalised kids’ football kit cost?

With Decathlon Club, a sublimated shirt, sublimated shorts and plain socks cost £39.75 per player excluding VAT (£47.70 including VAT), with your badge, names, numbers and sponsors included. Shirts start at £19.50.

What is the minimum order for junior football kit?

Your first order has a minimum of 5 items. After that there’s no minimum, so you can add new players whenever they join.

What size football kit should I order for my child?

Measure your child’s chest and check it against the junior size guide, rather than going by age. Go one size up if they’re growing quickly, but no more, as baggy kit gets in the way.

Can parents buy kit individually?

Yes, through a club shop. The club sets one up and parents order and pay for their child’s kit directly, so the club doesn’t collect money. Club shops available subject to qualification criteria.

Who Makes Decathlon Club Kits? Inside the Partnership with My Club Group

If you’ve ordered kit from Decathlon Club, or you’re thinking about it, you might wonder who’s behind it. Here’s the short answer: Decathlon Club is Decathlon’s custom teamwear service, and every kit is designed and made by My Club Group, the UK teamwear specialist.

This post explains how the partnership works, how your kit gets from first idea to match day, and the quality that goes into it.

The short answer

• Decathlon Club is Decathlon’s custom teamwear service for clubs, schools and teams across the UK.
• My Club Group is the UK teamwear specialist that designs and makes every Decathlon Club kit.
• The service is run by My Club Group in collaboration with Decathlon UK, and has been since 2023.
• You design, order and manage your kit right here on decathlonmyclub.co.uk.

Who are My Club Group?

My Club Group is a custom sportswear and teamwear supplier based in Oxted, Surrey. They make fully sublimated bespoke kit for grassroots clubs, schools, universities and charities across more than 12 sports.

Teamwear is all they do. Sunday league sides, netball squads, running clubs, school PE departments: if a team needs kit with its own colours, badge and sponsors, that’s their job. My Club Group have supplied over 11,000 clubs across the UK and Europe.

You can read more about the team on My Club Group’s About page.

Why Decathlon and My Club Group work together

Decathlon is known for making sport affordable and accessible. Custom teamwear needs something extra: a design team, specialist printing, and someone who’ll pick up the phone when your sponsor logo changes the week before kick-off.

The partnership puts the two together. You get Decathlon’s value and reach, with kit designed and made by people who specialise in teamwear.

How your kit is designed

Every kit starts with your club: your colours, your badge, your sponsors.

1. Start in the kit designer. Pick your sport and garment, then add your colours, badge, sponsors, names and numbers.
2. Work with the design team. My Club Group’s in-house designers can make your design dreams a reality.
3. Approve your proof. You’ll see your kit artwork as a 2D CAD (computer-aided design) before it’s made. Nothing goes into production until you’ve signed it off.
4. Keep one point of contact. A dedicated account manager looks after your order from first design to delivery.

How your kit is made

Decathlon Club kits are fully sublimated. In plain terms, your design is printed onto transfer paper, then heat-pressed so the ink bonds with the polyester fibres. The design becomes part of the fabric instead of sitting on top of it.

What that means for your team:

• No cracking or peeling. Badges and sponsor logos stay sharp all season.
• Colours that last. Your kit still looks like your kit after wash after wash.
• Light and breathable. No heavy printed patches on the chest or back.
• Any design you like. As many colours and as much detail as you want, across the whole garment.

Want the detail? Read What Is Sublimation Printing?

The quality behind every kit

Good kit comes down to three things: the fabric, the fit and the checks.

• Fabric. Moisture-wicking polyester, light enough for summer training, tough enough for a muddy January.
• Fit. Sizes from juniors to adults, with a size guide for every garment.
• Checks. Every order is checked against your approved proof before it’s sent to our factories.

See finished kits from real clubs in the kit gallery.

What it costs and how long it takes

Prices are all-inclusive. Shirts start from £19.50 (excl. VAT) and shorts from £13.25 (excl. VAT), and that includes your design, badge, names, numbers and sponsors. The final price depends on the garment you choose.

Your first order starts at 5 items. After that, there’s no minimum, so you can add a new player’s kit whenever you need it.

Delivery takes less than 6 weeks from when you approve your design and pay. Got a season start or tournament date? Order early and tell your account manager.

After your kit arrives

• Club shops. Set up a free online club shop so players and parents can order and pay for their own kit. Club shops are provided based on our qualification criteria.
• Client Portal. Track orders and reorder kit when new players join.

Frequently asked questions

Is Decathlon Club part of Decathlon?

Decathlon Club is Decathlon’s custom teamwear service. It’s run by My Club Group in collaboration with Decathlon UK.

Who makes Decathlon Club kits?

My Club Group, a custom teamwear specialist based in Oxted, Surrey. They design and make every kit.

Is Decathlon Club the same as My Club Group?

Not quite. Decathlon Club is the service you order from on this site. My Club Group designs and makes the kit, and also supplies clubs directly under its own name.

How long has the partnership been running?

Since 2023.

What’s the minimum order?

5 items for your first order, with no minimum after that.

Ready to design yours?

Your colours, your badge, your sponsors, made by teamwear specialists. Start in the kit designer and see your kit come to life.

Every netball player knows the feeling. The coach calls out the team, you grab your bib, and suddenly you know exactly where you can and can’t go. Those two letters on your chest and back do a lot of work.

Whether you’re a new coach, a PE lead kitting out a school team, or a club volunteer replacing a tired old set, this guide covers everything you need to know about netball bibs: what the letters mean, how many you need, how they should fit, and the options we offer to match your kit.

What are netball bibs for?

Netball bibs show each player’s position, so umpires, team-mates and opponents can see at a glance who is allowed where. Unlike most team sports, netball limits where every player can move on court, so the position on your bib matters as much as the number on a football shirt.

Under the World Netball Rules, position initials must be 150 mm (6 inches) high, clearly visible, and worn above the waist, front and back. A traditional bib does that with letters printed on a tabard that goes over the player’s kit. Leagues and schools can add their own kit rules, so check with yours before match day.

The seven netball positions

A netball team has seven players on court, each with a position and set areas of the court they’re allowed in.

Position	Bib	Where they can go	Main job
Goal Shooter	GS	Attacking third, including the goal circle	Main scorer. Finds space in the circle and shoots.
Goal Attack	GA	Centre and attacking thirds, including the goal circle	Scores and feeds the shooter.
Wing Attack	WA	Centre and attacking thirds, not the goal circle	Feeds the ball into the circle.
Centre	C	Anywhere except the goal circles	Takes the centre pass and links defence to attack.
Wing Defence	WD	Centre and defensive thirds, not the goal circle	Marks the opposition Wing Attack.
Goal Defence	GD	Centre and defensive thirds, including the goal circle	Marks the opposition Goal Attack.
Goal Keeper	GK	Defensive third, including the goal circle	Last line of defence. Marks the Goal Shooter.

How many bibs do you need?

Bibs belong to positions, not players. A full set is seven bibs, one for each position, and players swap them when they change position or come on as a substitute. A netball squad can have up to 12 players, but only seven are on court at once, so one set covers a full match.

Most clubs and schools find one set isn’t quite enough:

• Two sets in different colours let you run training matches within your own squad, or swap if your colours clash with the opposition.
• One set per team saves a lot of hunting around on a busy tournament day when several of your teams play at once.
• A spare or two covers the bib that goes home in someone’s kit bag and never comes back.

Getting the size right: juniors to adults

A bib that’s too big flaps around, twists and hides the letters. One that’s too small rides up and pulls tight over the dress. Neither helps your players or the umpire. Look for a fit that:

• Sits flat over the playing dress or top, with the letters facing forwards and backwards.
• Stays above the waist when players jump, land and pivot.
• Doesn’t restrict arm movement for passing and shooting.
• Leaves the full letters visible, even on smaller junior sizes.

If you coach several age groups, keep separate junior and adult sets. A bib that fits a senior Goal Keeper will swamp an under-11 Centre.

Netball bibs from Decathlon Club

We supply netball bibs in a range of colours, so you can pick a set that matches your club or school kit, or a contrasting colour for training matches. Whether you need one set for a new team or several sets for a whole school, we’ll help you choose the right colours, sizes and quantities.

Need netball bibs? Tell us how many teams you’re kitting out, the colours you’re after and the age groups you coach. Our team will come back to you with options and pricing. Contact us to discuss bibs →

The custom option: position patches that match your kit

Prefer something built into your kit? Bibs sit over the top of the dresses you’ve designed so carefully, and they have a habit of going missing. That’s why many teams choose position patches instead.

Our Netball Position Patches come in a set of 14, so you have all seven positions for the front and back. They attach with Velcro, so players can swap positions in seconds during a game, and they’re designed to match your kit rather than cover it. No loose bibs, no clashing colours, and a team that looks the part from the first centre pass.

Item	Price (excl. VAT)	Price (incl. VAT)
Netball Position Patches (x14)	£35.00	£42.00
Netball Dress Standard Sublimated	£24.50	£29.40
Netball Dress Premium Sublimated	£31.00	£37.20
Netball Vest Sublimated	£15.75	£18.90
Netball Skort Sublimated	£22.50	£27.00

Prices per item. Your design, badge and personalisation are included at no extra cost.

Because our dresses and vests are fully sublimated, your colours and design are part of the fabric, so they won’t crack or fade. Find out more in our guide to sublimation printing.

Bibs for junior netball

Younger players often start with High 5, a five-a-side version of the game for primary-age children. Players rotate through different positions and take turns on the bench, so the bibs change hands a lot during a session.

That’s where position patches earn their place. Instead of pulling bibs over heads between periods, players swap a patch and get straight back on court. For schools, our netball kit guide for schools covers ordering for several teams and year groups at once.

Looking after your bibs and patches

• Fasten Velcro patches to each other, or remove them, before washing, so they don’t snag other kit.
• Wash on a cool cycle and air dry. Skip the tumble dryer.
• Store each set together in its own bag, labelled with the team name.
• Count them back in after every match. It’s the easiest way to stop sets shrinking over the season.

How to order custom netball kit with position patches

1. Design your kit. Use our online kit designer or work with our in-house design team, at no extra cost.

2. Choose your garments. Pick standard or premium dresses, vests and skorts, in men’s, women’s and junior sizes and fits.

3. Add position patches. One set of 14 per team covers all seven positions, front and back.

4. Place your order. Your first order has a low minimum of 5 items. After that, there’s no minimum, so you can add patches or players whenever you need to.

Kit out your netball team Design dresses, vests and position patches that match. Free design, all-inclusive pricing, and junior to adult sizes. Need bibs as well? Contact us and we’ll help. Design your netball kit →

Planning a full kit refresh? Read our custom netball dress guide for design ideas for the 2026/27 season.

FAQs

How many bibs are in a netball set?

A full set has seven bibs, one for each position: GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD and GK. Our position patches come in a set of 14 so you have each position for the front and back.

What do the letters on netball bibs mean?

They show each player’s position: Goal Shooter (GS), Goal Attack (GA), Wing Attack (WA), Centre (C), Wing Defence (WD), Goal Defence (GD) and Goal Keeper (GK). Each position can only go in certain areas of the court.

Do netball positions have to be shown on the front and back?

Yes. Under the World Netball Rules, position initials must be 150 mm (6 inches) high, clearly visible, and worn above the waist on the front and back. Check your league or school competition for any extra kit rules.

Can you use position patches instead of bibs?

In many competitions, yes, as long as the initials are the right size and visible front and back. Patches attach to your kit with Velcro, so they match your colours and can be swapped quickly. Check with your league before your first match.

Do you sell netball bibs?

Yes. We supply netball bibs in a range of colours, from single sets to bibs for several teams. Contact us to discuss colours, sizes and quantities.

What is the minimum order for custom netball kit?

Your first order has a minimum of 5 items. After that, there’s no minimum, so you can order extra patches, dresses or sizes whenever you need them.

The New Season Checklist for Club Secretaries

It’s 11pm on a Thursday. The league wants registrations by Friday, three parents still haven’t sent sizes, and someone has just asked in the WhatsApp group whether training tops are happening this year. If you’re the club secretary, you’ve probably had that night. This club secretary checklist is here so you don’t have it again.

Club secretary duties never fit neatly into a job description. You’re part administrator, part diplomat, part kit manager, and the first name anyone thinks of when something needs sorting. So we’ve pulled the whole new season into seven phases. Work through them in order, tick things off, and hand off everything you can.

Whether you run a Sunday league side, a netball club, a rugby section or a multi-sport community club, the jobs are broadly the same. Only the dates move.

Key takeaways

• Start 8 to 12 weeks before your first fixture. Most new season stress comes from jobs left to the final fortnight.
• Registrations, insurance and safeguarding come first. Nothing else matters if players can’t take the field.
• Confirm sponsors before you order kit, so the right logos go on the right shirts.
• Stop handling kit money. An online club shop takes payments, sizes and deliveries off your plate.
• Write your comms plan once and reuse it every week.

What does a club secretary actually do?

The club secretary is the club’s main administrator and its point of contact with the outside world. If you’ve just been voted in at the AGM, here’s what the role usually covers:

• Affiliation and registrations: renewing with your league and governing body, and registering players.
• Meetings and the AGM: booking the date, circulating the agenda and keeping the minutes.
• Main point of contact: for the league, other clubs, venues and match officials.
• Fixtures and bookings: confirming pitches, courts and kick-off times.
• Member records: keeping them up to date and stored in line with UK GDPR.
• Club communications: sending news to players, parents and volunteers.

In smaller clubs, the secretary often picks up kit, sponsorship and fundraising too. That’s too much for one volunteer. So every phase below ends with one job you can hand to someone else, or to a system.

What we see every pre-season

We work with grassroots clubs, schools and charities across more than 12 sports, and the same pattern turns up every year. 21% of our kit orders land in the weeks just before the season starts. Clubs that order in that window are competing with everyone else for the same production slots.

“We have just received our personalised kits for my Under 10’s football team. We ordered a home & away kit and could amend anything we wanted. They look absolutely fantastic and the kids love them just as much as I do. A special thanks to Teddy who helped me with my order with great communication. Will highly be recommending and using every year!!” – Joel Marples

None of this is about working harder. It’s about doing the right jobs in the right order.

Phase 1: Wrap up last season (10 to 12 weeks out)

• Hold your AGM, or book the date. Confirm committee roles, agree subs for the year and vote on any rule changes.
• Update your contacts list. Who’s leaving, who’s stepping up, and who’s the new manager for the under 12s?
• Audit last season’s kit. Count what came back, note what’s damaged and list missing sizes. This is the starting point for your kit order.
• Review what worked. A 15-minute chat with coaches about last season’s biggest admin headaches will save you hours this time round.

Hand this off: The kit audit. Give a coach or parent the kit bag and a list to count against.

Phase 2: Registrations, insurance and safeguarding (8 to 10 weeks out)

This is the non-negotiable block. Get it done early and everything else gets easier.

• Renew affiliation with your county association or national governing body. Deadlines vary by sport and region, so check your league handbook.
• Open player registrations. Most governing bodies now register players online (football clubs use the FA’s Whole Game System, for example). Send the link with a clear deadline.
• Collect membership forms and consents, including emergency contacts, medical information and photo consent for junior players.
• Check your insurance covers public liability and personal accident for the coming season.
• Confirm your welfare officer and check DBS checks are in date for coaches and volunteers working with juniors.
• Restock the first aid kit and confirm who’s first aid trained at each session.
• Lock in facility bookings for training and home fixtures.

Hand this off: Chasing consent forms. Use one online form and ask each team manager to chase their own squad.

Phase 3: Renew and grow your sponsors (8 to 10 weeks out)

Sponsors keep subs affordable and kit on players’ backs. Sort them before you order kit, not after, so the right logos go on the right shirts.

• Say thank you first. Send every current sponsor a short season recap: photos of their logo on matchday kit, results and community moments.
• Confirm renewals and logo files. Ask for a high-resolution or vector logo now, so your kit order is not held up waiting for artwork.
• Fill gaps early. If a sponsor has stepped away, start looking now. A new sponsor found after the kit order has gone in won’t be on this season’s shirts.
• Offer more than a logo: social media shout-outs, pitchside boards, a feature in your newsletter.

Looking for a new sponsor? Kit Funder connects local sports clubs with businesses that want to back them. For your club, it’s a smarter way to fund your kit. For sponsors, it’s a direct route to a passionate, loyal community. The AI does the matchmaking, so you spend less time cold-calling and more time at the club. Explore Kit Funder.

Hand this off: The season recap. A parent with a good eye for photos can pull it together in an evening.

Phase 4: Sort the kit (6 to 8 weeks out)

Kit is where good intentions meet the pre-season rush. Every club wants new kit for the first fixture, so demand peaks in the weeks just before the season starts. Order early and you skip the queue. Running a football club? Our Pre-Season Kit Checklist goes into more detail.

• Confirm squad numbers for every team, including new starters and any late joiners you’re expecting.
• Build a size list. Ask players to check against our size guide rather than guessing.
• Decide who pays for what. Matchday shirts might be covered by subs or sponsorship. Training tops, hoodies and supporter wear can be optional extras through your club shop.
• Refresh the design if it’s time. New sponsor? New crest? With logos confirmed in Phase 3, this is the moment.
• Order spares. A couple of extra shirts in popular sizes saves a panic when someone joins mid-season.

Every Decathlon Club customer gets a dedicated account manager and all-inclusive pricing, so the price you’re quoted is the price you pay. Your account manager will confirm lead times when you order. And because our bespoke kit is fully sublimated, your colours, crest and sponsor logos are dyed into the fabric rather than printed on top, so there’s no print layer to crack or peel. Design your kit.

Hand this off: The size list. A shared online form collects sizes while you get on with everything else.

Phase 5: Plan your comms (4 weeks out)

• Pick your channels and stick to them. A team app or WhatsApp group, an email list and one social account is plenty for most clubs.
• Write a welcome pack: season dates, subs and how to pay, kit and club shop link, key contacts and your code of conduct.
• Build a weekly rhythm. Fixtures out midweek, results and photos after the weekend. Same format, every week.
• Celebrate early. Post your new kit reveal. It builds excitement, gives sponsors their moment and gets new members talking.

Hand this off: Match updates. A parent who loves social media can run results and photos every weekend.

Phase 6: First fixture week

• Check every player is registered and cleared to play.
• Hand out kit and agree who washes and returns any club-owned shirts.
• Confirm officials, venue and kick-off time with the opposition.
• Share the club shop link once more for anyone who missed it.
• Take a breath. The hardest part is done.

Hand this off: The kit wash rota. Agree it once and pin it in the team group.

Phase 7: Set up your online club shop

Here’s our view: the club secretary should never be handling kit money. Not for training tops, not for hoodies, not for the bobble hats parents order in November. If you’re collecting cash in an envelope or handing out bags of hoodies from your car boot, the system is broken, not you.

An online club shop fixes it. Players, parents and supporters choose their items, pick a size and pay online. You don’t hold stock, and you don’t touch the money.

• Choose your range: training wear, hoodies, bags, supporter kit, coaches’ kit.
• Put the shop link in your welcome pack so every new member sees it on day one.
• Set a pre-season order window so kit arrives before the first fixture.
• Remind people at natural moments: the start of the season, the colder months and before Christmas.

Our online club shops are free for qualifying clubs. You qualify if your club has more than 50 members, orders more than a standard kit (think training wear, coaches’ kit or supporter garments), or has been with us for more than three years. Find out in three quick questions. Check if your club qualifies.

Hand this off: All of it. Once the shop is live, your only job is sharing the link.

Your new season checklist at a glance

Print it, pin it to the clubhouse noticeboard, or share it with your committee. Add a name in the Owner column for every job you hand off.

When	Task	Owner	Done
10 to 12 weeks	Hold or book the AGM and confirm committee roles		☐
10 to 12 weeks	Update contacts and audit last season’s kit		☐
8 to 10 weeks	Renew affiliation with your league or governing body		☐
8 to 10 weeks	Open player registrations and collect consents		☐
8 to 10 weeks	Check insurance, welfare officer and DBS checks		☐
8 to 10 weeks	Book training and home fixture facilities		☐
8 to 10 weeks	Thank, renew and recruit sponsors; collect logo files		☐
6 to 8 weeks	Confirm squad numbers and sizes, then order kit and spares		☐
4 weeks	Send the welcome pack and set up comms channels		☐
4 weeks	Post your new kit reveal		☐
First fixture week	Final registration check, kit handout, confirm officials		☐
After kit delivery	Set up or refresh your online club shop		☐

A word for the volunteers

Grassroots sport runs on volunteers. The treasurer chasing subs. The parent washing 15 shirts every Sunday night. The coach who turns up an hour early to put the nets out. None of it wins a trophy, but none of it happens without you.

That’s why we do what we do. From bespoke teamwear to free online club shops and Kit Funder sponsorship matching, we want the admin side of your season to feel lighter, so you get more time for the bit that matters.

New to Decathlon Club? Tell us about your club and we’ll take it from there. Get a quote.

FAQs

What are the main duties of a club secretary?

A club secretary manages registrations and affiliation, organises committee meetings and the AGM, keeps member records, acts as the main contact for the league and other clubs, and handles club communications. In smaller clubs, the role often covers kit, fixtures and sponsorship too.

I’ve just become club secretary. Where do I start?

Start with a handover from the previous secretary: league logins, contact lists, the club constitution and last season’s minutes. Then check your affiliation and registration deadlines, because those are the dates you can’t move. Everything else can follow the phases in this checklist.

When should a sports club start preparing for the new season?

Aim for 8 to 12 weeks before your first fixture. For winter sports like football, rugby, hockey and netball, that usually means early summer. For summer sports like cricket and athletics, start early in the new year.

Does the club secretary have to sit on the committee?

In most clubs, yes. The secretary is usually one of the club’s officers alongside the chair and treasurer, and is elected or confirmed at the AGM. Check your club constitution for the exact rules.

How does an online club shop help a grassroots club?

It gives players, parents and supporters one place to order kit and extras. They pay online and kit is delivered, so the club doesn’t hold stock or handle cash. Decathlon Club online club shops are free for qualifying clubs.

How can a grassroots club find a new sponsor?

Start with the businesses already connected to your members, then offer sponsors real visibility: logos on kit, social media shout-outs and pitchside boards. Do it before you order kit, so new logos make this season’s shirts. Kit Funder can also match your club with local businesses that want to sponsor community sport.

It’s the third week of term and the custom school netball kit box has come out of the PE cupboard again: two dress designs that don’t quite match, four bibs missing, and a Year 7 squad in kit that was ordered for players three sizes bigger. Every PE department running netball knows this scene. It happens when kit gets ordered team by team, year by year, from whichever supplier had the shortest lead time that term – and by the time it’s obvious the branding doesn’t line up, the fixture list is already out.

The fix isn’t a better spreadsheet. It’s ordering netball kit the way most departments already order football or rugby kit: one supplier, one crest, one portal, covering every age group in a single order. Here’s what that actually involves, and what to check before you commit to a supplier.

What Counts As Netball Kit For A School Today

Netball kit for a school covers what a student wears for PE lessons, after-school clubs and inter-school fixtures. Unlike a lot of team sports, netball has a genuine decision to make at the top of the order: dress or two-piece. Both are fully sublimated, so the choice comes down to what suits the department, not durability.

A complete school netball kit typically includes:

• Netball dress or two-piece top and skirt/skort, fully sublimated in school colours
• Positional bibs or Patches (GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD, GK), sized correctly for the age group wearing them
• Netball socks
• A midlayer or quarter-zip for cold-term training and warm-ups
• Optional training vest or tee for practice sessions separate from the match dress

Size-inclusive design matters as much here as anywhere else in school sport – a full run from junior sizes through to adult, rather than a generic fit that only works for part of the squad.

Dress Or Two-Piece: Our Take

Departments often treat this as a coin toss. It isn’t quite. A two-piece gives players more freedom through the hips and shoulders, which matters more at GD and GK where marking and jumping are constant – and it’s easier to size a growing squad in, since top and bottom can move independently across age groups. A dress reads as more traditional and gives a cleaner match-day look for teams that play a lot of fixtures in front of parents. If a department is choosing kit mainly for training and midweek matches, we’d lean two-piece for the practicality. If match presentation is the priority – first-team netball, open days, prospectus photography – the dress earns its keep.

The Problem With Ordering Netball Kit Team By Team

When netball kit gets ordered team by team, or year by year, the pattern is familiar to most PE leads:

• Dresses from three different years that don’t quite match in colour or crest placement
• Bibs bought as an afterthought, in the wrong sizes for younger age groups
• No consistent branding between the department’s netball kit and its kit for other sports
• Parents chasing the department for sizing, rather than ordering themselves
• A scramble in the weeks before the first fixture, when it’s already too late to fix a sizing gap

For a MAT running netball across several academies, the same problem multiplies – different crests, different suppliers, no easy way to see who’s ordered what.

One Supplier, One Crest, One Portal

The fix mirrors what works for every other sport in a school’s PE programme. One supplier, one crest applied consistently, and one portal for parents to order through directly.

Consistent Branding Across Every Age Group

One colour palette and one crest across dresses, two-pieces and bibs, with consistent name and number styling from Year 7 netball through to the sixth form team. Sublimation means the design is part of the fabric, so a department can run a genuinely coordinated look without it costing more to get right.

Bibs, Sized Properly

Netball’s seven positions each need a clearly marked bib, and a bib sized for a Year 7 player doesn’t fit a sixth former. Ordering bibs as part of the same kit order, in the right sizes for each age group, avoids the usual scramble to find a spare GS bib five minutes before a fixture.

We also offer vlecro Positional Patches, which can be easily swapped out between training drills and matches. Ordering Patches in your school’s colours that match perfectly with your dress or two-piece kits makes a real difference to how professional and united players look and feel on match-day and in training.

One Portal Instead Of Chasing Sizes

Our online portal lets the PE department see all their items clearly, in one place, and handle reorders witha few simple clicks. Dedicated account managers help set the portal up, so there’s no extra admin for the PE department to take on.

Sizing, Fit And Fabric: What PE Departments Should Check

• Full size runs from junior through adult, so every player from Year 7 to sixth form gets a proper fit
• A dress and a two-piece option, since departments differ on preference and some players prefer the freedom of separates
• Breathable, technical fabric that holds its shape through a full season of matches and washes
• Bibs sized to match each age group, not a single one-size design
• Indoor and outdoor suitability, since school netball moves between the sports hall and outdoor courts through the year

What To Look For In A Netball Kit Supplier

Criteria	What to check
Minimum orders	Low or no minimum so a single year group or age-grade squad can order without waiting on the rest of the department
Lead times	Ask for current stock-item and bespoke-order timelines in writing before you commit to an ordering date
Design support	Free online kit builder plus a named contact for schools that want a design done for them
Bibs and sizing	Positional bibs sized correctly across every age group, from primary to sixth form
Ordering route	A portal that takes payment directly, so the PE department isn’t collecting cash or chasing sizes
Pricing transparency	All-inclusive pricing stated upfront, with names, numbers and crest included rather than added as extras

FAQ: Netball Kit For Schools

What is included in a school netball kit? Typically a dress or two-piece top and skirt/skort, positional bibs, socks and a midlayer for training. Names, numbers and school crest are included as standard rather than priced as extras.

Dress or two-piece – which should a school choose? Both are fully sublimated and equally durable. For training and midweek matches, a two-piece gives more freedom of movement; for first-team fixtures and match-day presentation, a dress gives a more traditional, coordinated look.

How are netball bibs sized for different age groups? Bibs should be ordered in sizes matched to each age group wearing them, from primary through to sixth form, rather than a single size for the whole department.

Can a school order netball kit through the same supplier as football or hockey kit? Yes – consolidating every sport a department runs under one supplier, one crest and one portal is the same model that works for multi-sport PE kit generally, and it applies just as well to netball on its own.

Talk To Decathlon Club

If your department is ready to sort netball kit properly before the season gets further underway, get in touch with our account managers to talk through the portal, the design process, and how to get every age group sized and sorted through one order.

Most basketball clubs don’t lose money on the kit itself. They lose it on timing: they register colours late, they order to today’s squad instead of January’s, or they pick the cheaper print method and reorder it eighteen months later. Get these decisions right, and ordering kit takes one conversation. Get them wrong, and you’re refunding a sponsor, re-registering colours mid-season, or explaining a colour clash to a parent before a fixture.

Here’s what actually catches clubs, schools and universities out – and how to avoid it.

Mistake 1: Registering colours after 31 August

Basketball England-affiliated clubs must register their first-choice colours before 31 August, along with squad numbers and sponsor logos. Miss the deadline, and you’ll negotiate a colour clash with whoever registered first – sometimes mid-season.

Schools and university teams don’t answer to this rule directly. But BUCS competitions and inter-school fixtures still expect distinct home and away colours, so lock in your palette on the same timeline anyway.

Mistake 2: Ordering to today’s squad, not January’s

Clubs order exactly enough vests for the current roster, then scramble in January when two new players need shirts to match a four-month-old print run. Decathlon Club keeps your design, colours and size chart on file, so a top-up order should be quick. First orders need a minimum of 5 kits; re-orders have no minimum, so adding two shirts for new joiners costs you two shirts, not a fresh batch of five.

“I ordered a set of basketball shirts for our school team. There was an almost overwhelming number of options for the design, but the process was easy to navigate. Using a poor quality copy of our school logo wasn’t a problem… The whole process took about 8 weeks. The tracking process was helpful and the shirts look amazing. I am really pleased with the result and will use Decathlon again.”
– Helen, Trustpilot

Helen’s order shows what a school kit run actually looks like: even a rough logo file doesn’t block a strong result, but sizing needs a second check. Cross-reference the size guide before you commit – a shirt measurement isn’t the same as a chest measurement, and that’s exactly where her order nearly went wrong. Eight weeks also beats the fastest quoted turnaround for stock items, so plan around the fully-custom timeline, not the best case.

Mistake 3: Skipping the durability question

Print and fabrication methods don’t all hold up the same way over a season. Some crack, peel or fade faster than others, and basketball’s game frequency and skin-to-fabric contact push fabric harder than most sports. Ask how a supplier actually makes their teamwear before you order. Decathlon Club lays this out directly for custom teamwear instead of leaving it as a sales claim. Read it before comparing prices – a cheaper quote usually means a different, shorter-lived production method.

“I ordered a kit for the Basketball team. It was a fantastic, easy experience and Summer was able to help with everything I needed, including making sure it arrived by a certain event! When it arrived, it was excellent quality and all the girls loved them!”
– Charlotte, Trustpilot

Mistake 4: Ordering in September (or January)

Lead times stretch furthest exactly when everyone else orders – late August and early January, right when Mistakes 1 and 2 hit hardest. Suppliers can sometimes rush an order once artwork and sizes are locked, but Helen’s eight-week timeline shows “possible” doesn’t mean “on time for your first fixture.” If your season starts in September, confirm sizes and artwork in July.

Mistake 5: Planning only for match day

A vest and shorts cover the starting five. They don’t cover warm-ups, travel, bench players, or the reversible light/dark set some junior leagues require. Plan the full kit-out at once, even if you order it in stages:

• Match vests: home and away, with crest, sponsor and player names
• Basketball shorts: coordinating colours to match
• Reversible kits: for training, scrimmages, and junior leagues that require a light/dark option
• Shooting shirts and training wear: practice vests, hoodies, tracksuit tops for travel
• Accessories and bags: kit bags and coach apparel for the whole squad, not just the players

This keeps the whole squad looking and washing the same way all season.

Designing kit that’s actually yours

Colours, crest, nickname and sponsor logos make a kit yours rather than a template with your name on it. Decathlon Club’s Kit Designer runs the process online: pick a base template, set your main and contrast colours, upload crest and sponsor artwork, add player names and numbers, then review a digital mockup before production starts. Helen’s review shows the tool handles a rough starting logo fine – but take your time with it; it offers enough options to reward a careful pass rather than a rushed one.

Fabric and fit for a September–April season

UK basketball venues swing from a warm sports hall to a cold community centre across a season that runs September to April. Check the fabric weight and fit options on the basketball kit page against your venue: a heavier, more structured fabric suits a cold hall; a lighter, more breathable option suits high-intensity games in a warmer one. Fit runs from a classic loose cut to a closer athletic cut, with women’s cuts available. Cross-check sizing against the size guide rather than estimating – Helen’s review is a reminder that a shirt’s stated size and a player’s usual size don’t always match.

Who this serves

• Schools and colleges: check Decathlon Club’s school sportswear range – budget-focused sets, minimal customisation, fabric built to survive multiple year groups
• Universities: Decathlon Club’s university sportswear range covers premium branding and multiple sponsor placements for BUCS-level teams
• Grassroots clubs: consistent designs across age groups, with staggered ordering and easy mid-season top-ups
• Corporate and recreational leagues: kit that looks properly put-together without a club-level budget

Getting started

Gather your squad list, sizes, colour preferences, league rules and sponsor details. Then open the Kit Designer and start building, or get in touch if you’re managing multiple teams or want help finalising a design. Charlotte’s order shows why: having someone on hand to guarantee delivery before a specific event turns a stressful order into a smooth one. Start the conversation months before you need the kit, not weeks.

Rugby kit design lives or dies on details a generic template can’t handle: reinforced seams that survive a ruck, collars that don’t chafe under contact, and numbering referees can actually read at pace. Get a custom kit builder wrong and you’ve got a wardrobe of shirts nobody wants to wear. Get it right, and a job that sounds like a difficult undertaking turns out to be easy and hassle free.

That’s not a promise from our brochure. It’s a real Trustpilot review from Dan, who said:

Excellent service & products

Summer was excellent in her communication and really made the process as clear and simple as it could be. The children’s rugby shirt and shorts quality is very impressive and arrived within the stated timescales and I would recommend and re-use Decathlon Club in the future.

Here’s what this article covers:

• How our online kit builder and in-house design team split the work between them
• A step-by-step walkthrough of designing a kit online
• How to brief our designers directly if you’d rather skip the builder
• Choosing between Pro Fit and Standard Custom Rugby Kit
• Pricing, lead times, and what real clubs say about the process

Two Ways to Design a Rugby Kit

You’ve got two routes in, and most clubs end up using a bit of both.

The online kit designer is self-service: pick a template, drop in your colours and logos, and preview the result in 3D before you submit. It’s fast, and it’s the right call for a club that already knows exactly what it wants.

The in-house design team takes over when a brief needs a human – a from-scratch crest, a tricky sponsor layout, or a design with no template to start from. This is where most rugby-specific requests land, because rugby kit has physical demands that generic templates don’t always account for: heavy-duty stitching at stress points, fabric in the 220-280 GSM range for durability, and collar and number placement built around referee visibility rather than looks alone.

Both routes get you sublimation printing, which embeds the design into the fabric fibres rather than sitting on top of it – the reason crests and sponsor logos don’t crack or peel after a season of washing and contact.

Designing a Kit Online, Step by Step

1. Choose your garments. Select rugby from the sport menu, then pick jersey, shorts, socks, or training wear, and a Pro Fit or Standard Custom template.
2. Pick a base design. Hoops read as traditional, chevrons feel more dynamic, fades give a modern look, and solids keep things simple – the right call usually comes down to your club’s existing identity.
3. Set your colours. Use the colour picker for primary, secondary, trim, and collar, and keep an eye on contrast – referees need to read numbers at a distance and under floodlights.
4. Upload logos. Crests, sponsors, and school badges go on chest, sleeve, or back at no extra cost for standard placements; player names and squad numbers are added at this stage too.
5. Preview and save. Rotate the 3D mock-up, check collar and cuff detail, and save a version to compare against alternatives.
6. Submit for review. Our design team checks the file, sends a proof, and confirms sizing before anything goes to print.

Briefing Our In-House Design Team Directly

Some clubs would rather talk it through than build it themselves – particularly for anniversary kits, retro throwbacks, or a full rebrand.

To brief a designer, come with: your club’s history and colours (founding year, traditional palette), existing crest and sponsor files, reference photos of past kits, and a clear sense of what “done” looks like. There’s no template restriction on this route – you get full creative freedom, with our designers handling the printing know-how.

The usual workflow: initial mock-ups within 24-72 hours, one or two feedback rounds, then sign-off before print. Design work is included in the garment price for both Pro Fit and Standard Custom.

Choosing Between Pro Fit and Standard Custom Rugby Kit

Feature	Standard Custom	Pro Fit
Fit	Classic, relaxed cut	Athletic, contoured cut
Fabric	Robust, heavier weight	Lighter, performance-focused
Best for	Minis, juniors, schools, social sides	1st XVs, BUCS sides, academy squads
Durability	Built for rough handling, frequent washing	Built for competitive performance
Budget	Lower per unit	Higher per unit

Most clubs don’t pick one tier across the board. A common pattern we see: Pro Fit for the match-day squad, Standard Custom for training wear and juniors, which keeps the overall spend down without compromising on the shirts that matter most. If budget is the main constraint, Standard Custom is the safer starting point – you can always upgrade specific squads later.

Browse both ranges on our Custom Rugby Kit page, or contact us to talk about about which mix suits your age groups and budget.

Design Details Worth Getting Right

Colour and contrast. Keep secondary colours to cuffs, collars, and side panels rather than spreading them across the shirt – busy kits read worse on the pitch, not better. Number contrast isn’t optional if you want referees (and broadcasters, if you’re filmed) reading them at a glance.

Sponsor placement. Front and centre without overpowering the crest is the standard approach; if a sponsor’s colours clash with the kit, our designers can recolour the logo or move it to a contrasting panel rather than force it onto a background that fights it.

Typography and numbers. Bold, competition-legible fonts, checked against your league’s regulations before anything goes to print.

Heritage touches. A founding year inside the collar, a subtle nod to your town, or a patch marking an anniversary season – small details, but they’re the ones players notice years later.

Consistency across the range. Match jersey, shorts, training wear, and leisurewear should share colour breaks and logo placement. Clubs that get this right across men’s, women’s, and youth sides build a look supporters actually recognise pitch-side.

From Design to Delivery

Sizing. Rugby cuts run differently to football or leisurewear – more room through the shoulders for forwards especially. Sample sets or a fitting night are the safest way to avoid a reorder. Sizes typically run junior through to 4XL.

Minimum orders and reorders. Most custom runs start from as few as 10 jerseys per design, and once your design is on file, reordering for a late-joining player is straightforward – several reviewers specifically flag how painless repeat orders are, one describing a second reorder as “quick and efficient… once again.”

Lead times. Budget 5 weeks from artwork sign-off in a normal window; June to August, as pre-season demand peaks, can push that further.

Post-sign-off changes. Amendments after approval can cost time or money. Double-check names, numbers, and sponsor spelling before giving the green light – it’s the cheapest step in the whole process to get right.

Care. Wash inside out, below 40°C for performance fabrics, no fabric softener. Basic care is most of what separates a kit that looks sharp all season from one that fades by October.

Getting Started

Use the kit designer to explore templates and get a feel for what’s possible, or go straight to our team with a brief if you already know your colours, crest, and timeline. Either way, real clubs – from junior rugby sides to beach rugby socials to BUCS squads – go through the same design and sign-off process described above before anything reaches production.

If your PE department is managing football, netball, hockey and athletics kit from separate suppliers, with separate crests and separate ordering windows, you already know how much time that absorbs. There is a simpler model: one supplier, one crest, one online ordering portal covering every sport the department runs.

Key Takeaways

• PE departments sourcing school sports kit sport by sport end up with inconsistent branding, staggered lead times and admin spread across multiple supplier accounts.
• Consolidating football, netball, hockey and athletics kit under a single supplier with one crest and one ordering portal cuts admin and keeps every team looking like they belong to the same school.
• Written for PE leads and MAT procurement staff managing kit across one school or several academies in the UK.
• A single portal lets parents order direct through a self-serve shop, while the school avoids holding stock on site.

What Counts As A School Sports Kit Today

A school PE kit is the set of clothing and accessories a child is required to wear for PE lessons, fixtures and clubs. It typically includes a PE shirt, shorts or skort, sports socks and suitable footwear.

What has changed is that a modern kit needs to work across multiple sports rather than being locked to one. If your department runs football, netball, hockey and athletics, you should not need five separate kit lists.

Core garments for a multi-sport base kit:

• Breathable t-shirts or a polo shirt for lessons and fixtures
• Multi-sport shorts or skort
• Training pants or leggings for colder terms
• Midlayer or quarter-zip top
• Sport socks (long, for shin-pad sports)
• Optional base layer for winter cross-country or outdoor sessions

Size-inclusive design matters too: full size runs from junior sizes (Year 7) through to adult, covering all ages rather than relying on generic one-size items that rarely deliver the right fit.

The Problem With Sourcing Kit Sport-By-Sport

When a PE lead juggles multiple suppliers, the day-to-day reality looks like this:

• Separate account logins and email threads for football, netball and hockey gear
• Inconsistent branding between sports: different crest sizes, slightly different colours, mismatched style
• Staggered lead times that make it hard to have every team kitted out for the start of term
• Budget spread thin across small orders, with no bulk savings
• Replacement orders mid-year becoming a time sink

For MAT procurement staff, multiply those problems across several academies and the admin overhead becomes significant.

One Supplier, One Crest, One Portal

The fix is straightforward. Consolidate football, netball, hockey and athletics kit under a single supplier. Apply one school crest consistently across every item. Give parents one online portal to find, choose and order what they need.

Consistent Branding Across Every Sport

One colour palette, one crest, consistent fonts for names and squad numbers, and coordinated staff kit for fixtures and open evenings. Sublimation printing allows a wide range of design options, so there is no trade-off between a unified look and a distinctive identity.

One Ordering Portal Instead Of Several Email Threads

Schools can set up a branded online shop for sports kit. Parents select the school, pick compulsory and optional products, filter by size, and pay online. Decathlon Club handles stock, production and delivery so the school does not hold kit on site. Dedicated account managers assist with online shop setup, so there is no heavy lift for the PE department.

Budget And Timeline Benefits Of A Single Supplier

Fewer purchase orders, one set of lead times to plan around, and simpler reconciliation for MAT procurement across multiple academies.

For trusts, it’s worth agreeing a “master kit”: one base shirt style, shorts, socks and midlayer that can flex slightly per campus (an accent colour or campus name) while staying recognisably the same brand.

Sizing, Fit And Comfort: What PE Departments Should Check

What matters to a buyer is practical, not theoretical. Check for:

• Full size runs from junior through adult, so every child from Year 7 to sixth form gets a comfortable fit
• Unisex and girls’ fit options, so girls are not forced into oversized cuts
• Elasticated waistband on shorts and training pants for quick changes between sports
• Breathable, technical fabrics that hold their shape through repeated washing
• Indoor and outdoor suitability: sports hall, grass and 3G surfaces

On durability, reinforced seams and colour-fast dyes matter more than any single spec – the goal is kit that still looks smart after two to three school years, which helps save on replacement costs and reduces lost-property headaches.

What To Look For In A School Kit Supplier

A practical checklist when you are ready to talk to suppliers:

Criteria	What to check
Minimum orders	Low or no minimum is ideal for smaller cohorts or new campuses
Lead times	Confirm current stock-item and bespoke-order timelines
Design support	Free mockups, sample garments, in-school sizing events
Size charts	Clear guidance for families ordering at home
Personalisation	Student initials, squad numbers; many schools restrict this for curriculum PE kit to control cost
Pricing transparency	Prices excluding VAT stated upfront

Ideas For Multi-Sport PE And After-School Clubs

A well-planned multi-sport kit supports a broad extracurricular offer without needing extra garments. The same items a child wears in curriculum PE can carry them through clubs and fixtures.

• Mixed football, netball and hockey rotation club (one kit, three sports, one game per week)
• Girls’ multi-sport pathway combining athletics, fitness circuits and small-sided games
• Trust-wide athletics or cross-country club using the same branded kit across academies
• Inclusive options: a Couch to 5K group, lunchtime fitness sessions, or a staff-vs-students charity match

Consistent branding also supports school identity at inter-school fixtures and trust tournaments, helping every team look and feel part of something bigger.

FAQ: School Sports Kit And Multi-Sport PE

What is a PE kit?

A PE kit is the required clothing and accessories for PE lessons, fixtures and after-school clubs. It typically includes a PE shirt, shorts or skort, sports socks and suitable footwear such as trainers or boots for specific sports.

What is a PE kit for school?

It is the same core kit, specifically the version a school mandates or supplies as its standard PE uniform, usually with the school’s crest or colours applied for a cohesive look across year groups.

What to put in a PE kit?

A practical list: breathable t-shirt or polo, multi-sport shorts, sports socks, trainers, shin pads for football or hockey. For colder terms, add a quarter-zip top, training pants and a base layer.

What does multi-sports include?

Multi-sports typically blends football, netball, hockey, athletics and fitness training within one programme or club. Some schools also include swimming, dance or rugby touch depending on facilities and staffing.

What are some ideas for multi-sport after-school clubs?

Year 7 to 8 rotation clubs cycling through football, netball and hockey each half term. A girls’ multi-sport pathway mixing athletics, small-sided games and fitness circuits. Trust-wide cross-country or athletics clubs that bring academies together. Inclusive options like Couch to 5K groups or staff-vs-students charity matches.

Talk To Decathlon Club

If you are looking to consolidate your school sports kit across a department or trust, get in touch with Decathlon Club to discuss the portal, the design process and how to make ordering simple for parents and staff alike.

Every Saturday, grassroots pitches across the UK and Europe fill with players wearing custom sports kit with someone else’s name on their chest: a local estate agent, a plumber, a car dealership. That’s sport sponsorship: a business pays to put its name in front of a club’s players, parents and community, and in return helps fund the season.

Sponsors come in different shapes. A local business might sponsor one youth team for a season. A regional brand might back several clubs across a county. A national company might sponsor a semi-pro club’s stadium, cup competition or entire youth setup. Each brings different assets: front-of-shirt, back-of-shirt, sleeve, training wear, pitch boards, matchday programmes, and digital or social placements.

Kit is where the deal becomes visible. Once a club has a sponsor, that logo needs to look like it belongs on a matchday shirt. Decathlon Club works with grassroots and semi-pro clubs across the UK to place sponsor logos properly, right colours, right size, right position, so the sponsorship looks like the professional partnership it is.

Why Sport Sponsorship Is Essential for Grassroots Sport

A typical under-14 football season costs more than most people outside the committee realise: pitch hire, league and cup fees, referee fees, kit, travel, and winter facility hire.

Subs rarely close that gap, particularly for clubs keeping fees low so families aren’t priced out. Sponsorship is often the difference between breaking even and having to raise subs, cut an age group, or turn players away.

The value isn’t only financial. A sponsor can bring expertise (an accountant helping with the books), free services (a print shop covering posters), volunteers, equipment, and credibility. A run of professional-looking local sponsors signals a well-run club, which helps with attracting coaches and winning grants.

Sponsor income also supports inclusion directly: lower subs for families who need it, hardship funds, and the pitch time and kit needed to grow girls’ teams and disability football. A club might use new sponsor funding to launch a girls’ age group or a disability team in 2027, turning a shirt logo into wider participation.

Types of Sport Sponsorship Deals

Most clubs mix deal types rather than relying on one:

• Cash sponsorship. A fee for a season or longer. A grassroots youth team might charge £250-£750 for front-of-shirt sponsorship; a National League club’s shirt deal can run into the thousands. Training kit and single-tournament sponsorship are cheaper entry points for a first-time sponsor.
• In-kind sponsorship. No cash, but real value: free printing, matchday physio cover, a free venue for an awards night. Often the easiest first “yes” from a local business.
• Product and equipment sponsorship. Boots, balls, GPS vests or matchday drinks supplied by a sports or nutrition brand in exchange for branding and social mentions.
• Rights packages. Naming rights to the ground, a stand, or a cup competition, for example a club renaming its pre-season tournament “the 2026/27 Decathlon Club Community Cup”. Suits larger local employers wanting sustained visibility.
• Multi-year vs one-season deals. One season is lower risk for a new sponsor; multi-year gives the club budget certainty. Clubs with strong renewal rates increasingly pitch multi-year terms with a modest year-two discount.

How to Find Sponsors for Your Club

Most clubs find sponsors through their existing network and structured outreach, not luck.

Start with who’s already connected: parents’ employers, ex-players running businesses, and the local businesses members already use (estate agents, tradespeople, cafés, gyms, car dealerships). This “warm network” converts far better than cold approaches.

Then check who sponsors other teams in your local league or county FA, and look for gaps: businesses that support grassroots sport but haven’t backed a team in your area or age group yet.

Build tiered packages rather than one take-it-or-leave-it offer:

Tier	Typical assets	Indicative price (grassroots)
Bronze	Sleeve or training-kit logo, social mention	£150-£300/season
Silver	Back-of-shirt, pitch board, programme mention	£300-£600/season
Gold	Front-of-shirt, website and social feature, matchday shout-outs	£600-£1,200/season

Before approaching anyone, gather your audience data: player and parent numbers, social followers, matchday attendance, school links, and tournament travel. “We reach 40 families every Saturday and 900 social followers” is a far stronger pitch than a general appeal.

Digital tools are increasingly part of this too: platforms such as Kit Funder, built to connect grassroots clubs with businesses that want to sponsor sport, rather than relying on cold emails alone.

Approaching Local Businesses Professionally

Local businesses are still the backbone of grassroots sponsorship in the UK and Europe, so this outreach is worth doing properly.

The biggest factor in getting a reply is personalisation. A generic “Dear Sir/Madam” email reads exactly like what it is. A message that names the owner, mentions a shared connection, and references the local area gets read.

A good proposal should cover:

• Who you are: the club, and the level you play at.
• What you need: sponsored kit, travel costs, a facility upgrade, or whatever the specific ask is.
• What you offer in return: the tiered package and specific assets.

Include impact, not just numbers: participation figures, community projects, school links, and, where genuinely true, support for girls’ and disability football or wider community campaigns.

Follow up properly. A first message with no reply isn’t a no; wait 7-10 days, then send a short follow-up. Two follow-ups is usually the right ceiling before moving on to the next prospect.

Building Long-Term Sponsor Relationships

Renewing a sponsor is easier than finding a new one. Clubs that treat sponsors as partners, not one-off cash sources, keep them for years.

Activate the sponsorship day-to-day: social shout-outs, “sponsor of the match” posts, joint community events, and photos of the squad visiting the sponsor’s premises. All low-cost, and all give the sponsor something to point to.

At season end, report back properly: an impact summary with photos, reach statistics, results, and a story or two about what the sponsorship funded. That’s the difference between a sponsor who renews without being asked and one who quietly drifts away.

There’s also plenty a club can offer at no cost: a website feature, regular tags in matchday posts, and an invite to the presentation evening.

Plan multi-year with sponsors where the relationship is working: involve them in kit refresh cycles, new age-group launches, or a promotion push. A sponsor who feels they’re growing with the club is far more likely to increase their commitment.

A common pattern: a sponsor starts as a single-team shirt sponsor for an under-12s side, and after two or three seasons of genuine activation, grows into a club-wide partner backing multiple age groups and training kit.

Common Challenges in Sport Sponsorship (and How to Overcome Them)

Most clubs hit the same obstacles: time, confidence and competition.

• “We don’t know how to find sponsors.” Build a systematised outreach list, use online platforms, and spread the workload across committee roles.
• “Businesses can’t see the benefit.” Usually a pitch problem. Present clear numbers, community impact, and realistic pricing tiers.
• “We’re in a crowded area.” Differentiate on quality: sharper social content, visible community projects, active girls’ and disability teams, and a professionally produced sponsored kit.
• Admin burden. Standardise with a reusable sponsorship pack template and a simple contract, and lean on suppliers like Decathlon Club for design and production.

On compliance: be careful which sponsors fit a junior or family club (gambling and alcohol sponsors are generally unsuitable for teams involving minors), and check league rules and safeguarding guidance before signing anything.

Next Steps for Clubs Looking to Secure Sponsorship

Audit what the club needs, define clear packages, put together a simple deck and sort kit and branding with Decathlon Club, so any sponsor you land looks the part from day one.

A rough 30-day plan:

• Week 1: Audit funding needs; draft tiered packages; pull together audience numbers.
• Week 2: Build a one-page deck; map the club’s warm network.
• Week 3: Send the first round of personalised outreach; respond to early Kit Funder matches; start a kit design in the Decathlon Club kit designer.
• Week 4: Follow up on week 3’s outreach; review offers; finalise packages and confirm kit designs for production.

A well-designed, sponsored kit changes how a club is perceived: by players deciding where to sign, coaches deciding where to volunteer, and the next sponsor deciding whether this club is a good investment.

Ready to start? Design your kit and share this guide with the rest of your committee and coaching staff.

Designing a football kit can be one of the most exciting parts of preparing for a new season – but starting with a blank canvas isn’t always easy. Whether you’re designing for a grassroots club, school, youth academy or corporate team, the challenge is finding a look that represents your identity while remaining practical on the pitch.

Modern custom football kits give clubs far more freedom than traditional teamwear. From classic stripes and retro-inspired graphics to subtle sublimated patterns and bold goalkeeper colours, there are plenty of ways to create a kit that looks professional and feels uniquely yours.

A complete kit can include football shirts, shorts, socks, goalkeeper kits and training wear, so it’s worth thinking about how your design will work across the whole range rather than focusing on the shirt alone.

If you’re ready to start experimenting, try the Decathlon Club Kit Designer. You can explore different colours, templates and customisation options and see how your ideas come together.

Here are 10 football kit design ideas to get you started.

1. Classic Stripes with a Modern Twist

Stripes are a football-shirt classic for good reason. They’re instantly recognisable and can be adapted to almost any club colour combination.

Try:

• Vertical stripes in two or three club colours, varying the width for a more contemporary look.
• Pinstripes within broader bands for added detail without making the shirt too busy.
• Hoops or sashes if you want something more distinctive.
• Contrast sleeves or cuffs to introduce a secondary colour while keeping the main design clean.
• Subtle gradients or colour shifts within the stripes for a modern interpretation of a traditional style.

The key is to choose one dominant pattern and give the crest, sponsor and player numbers enough clear space around it.

Use the kit builder to experiment with different base colours, sleeve options and cuffs, then see how your crest and sponsor work with the design.

2. Try a Minimalist Single-Colour Kit

Sometimes the simplest design makes the biggest impression.

A single-colour football shirt creates a clean foundation for your club crest, sponsor and other details. Navy, forest green, burgundy, white and black can all create a strong base, while a contrasting trim adds character.

Consider:

• A tonal graphic that’s only slightly lighter or darker than the main colour.
• Contrast piping around the collar or sleeves.
• A distinctive collar shape to give the shirt a traditional or modern feel.
• A single accent colour for the badge, sponsor, cuffs and socks.

Minimalist doesn’t have to mean boring. Limiting the number of colours can actually make the details you do choose stand out more.

It can also make it easier to maintain a consistent visual identity across shirts, shorts, training wear and fanwear.

3. Build a Kit Around Your City and Community

The strongest football kits often have a story behind them.

Instead of choosing colours simply because they look good, think about what makes your club, school or local area distinctive. Your surroundings, history and community can all provide inspiration.

Ideas include:

• Using local colours or flag elements as secondary details.
• Taking inspiration from local architecture, landmarks or landscapes.
• Creating an abstract pattern based on a river, coastline, skyline or local environment.
• Incorporating a club mascot or historical symbol into a subtle repeating graphic.
• Using small, tone-on-tone details to represent an important part of your club’s history.

You don’t need to put a landmark across the entire shirt. A small visual reference can be enough to make the design feel personal.

For custom sublimated designs, artwork can also be adapted into patterns that become part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it. This means we can create detailed and intricate designs that will last wash after wash.

4. Bring Back the Retro Look

Football kit design has a long history of bold colours, oversized graphics, geometric patterns and distinctive typography. That makes retro styles a great source of inspiration for a modern team kit.

Try combining:

• Chevrons, zigzags or diagonal blocks
• Checkerboard or geometric panels
• Vintage-inspired collars and cuffs
• Bold, block-style numbering
• Simplified crest treatments
• Throwback colour combinations

You don’t have to reproduce an old kit exactly. Taking one element from a particular era and combining it with modern cuts and fabrics can produce something that feels nostalgic without looking dated.

For more background on the resurgence of vintage football shirt design, read Why vintage football shirt designs are making a comeback.

5. Experiment with Subtle and Statement Patterns

Sublimation opens up plenty of possibilities for custom football shirt design. Because the dye is integrated into the fabric, sublimated graphics don’t have the same peeling or cracking issues associated with some surface-applied prints.

There are two main approaches.

Subtle patterns

Use low-contrast graphics such as:

• Ghost stripes
• Tonal diagonal lines
• Repeating club initials
• Watermark crests
• Small geometric motifs

These add depth while leaving the main branding easy to read.

Statement graphics

For a more adventurous look, consider:

• Oversized club initials
• Large animal or mascot graphics
• Bold geometric shapes
• Full-panel illustrations
• Strong diagonal graphics

The important thing is balance. If the shirt has a large graphic, leave enough clean space around the crest, sponsor and numbers.

6. Choose Colours That Work on the Pitch

A colour combination that looks great on a computer screen still needs to work under floodlights, in photographs and on a muddy Sunday morning.

Start with your club’s core colours, then think about contrast and visibility.

Reliable combinations include:

• Red and black
• Blue and white
• Navy and gold
• Maroon and sky blue
• Black with a bright accent
• Green with white or contrasting trim

The most important consideration is contrast. Player names and numbers need to be easy to read, while the crest and sponsor should remain visible against the shirt.

It’s also worth planning your home, away and third options together. A strong kit collection should give you enough contrast to avoid clashes with opponents.

Don’t forget the shorts and socks. A contrasting pair of shorts can add definition, while a full monochrome kit can create a much stronger visual block.

Before committing to a design, check how your colours work across the complete kit rather than judging the shirt in isolation.

7. Get Crest, Sponsor and Number Placement Right

A professional kit isn’t just about the graphic. It’s also about where every element sits.

Club crest

The traditional left-chest position remains popular, but you can explore alternatives such as a central crest or a subtle oversized crest used as a background graphic.

Whatever position you choose, make sure the crest remains clear at a distance and in photographs.

Sponsor

Your sponsor should complement the shirt rather than compete with the club crest.

Consider:

• Sponsor colour
• Logo size
• Available negative space
• Contrast against the shirt
• Secondary sponsor locations such as sleeves or the back

If the sponsor’s brand colours clash with the kit, discuss whether an approved single-colour version of the logo is available.

Names and numbers

Readability should always come first. Choose a number colour and font that contrast clearly with the shirt, particularly if the back contains a pattern.

If your club competes in a league or organised competition, check its kit regulations before finalising positions, colours and sizes for numbers, badges and sponsors.

8. Give Your Goalkeeper Kit Its Own Identity

Your goalkeeper needs to stand out from the rest of the team, but that doesn’t mean the kit should look unrelated.

Bright colours such as neon green, purple, orange or yellow can create the necessary contrast while still incorporating elements from the main outfield kit.

For example, you could use:

• The same crest treatment
• Matching collar or cuff details
• A related graphic pattern
• The same typography
• A shared secondary colour

Practical considerations matter too. Think about visibility, movement, comfort and whether your goalkeeper needs additional features such as padding.

You can also use the same approach for coaches, substitutes and staff: keep the wider visual identity consistent while giving each group a clear role within the club.

9. Turn Your Kit into a Complete Club Identity

Your football shirt doesn’t have to exist in isolation.

Once you’ve established your colours, typography and key graphic elements, carry them through the rest of your club’s visual identity.

For example:

• Use the shirt’s main pattern in social media graphics.
• Carry your colours into training tops and tracksuits.
• Use consistent typography for player graphics and matchday content.
• Apply the same crest treatment to hoodies, jackets and fanwear.
• Repeat distinctive visual elements on banners and club merchandise.

This makes the club instantly recognisable, whether someone sees the team on the pitch, in a photograph or on social media.

10. Design for Longevity, Not Just One Season

The best kit design isn’t necessarily the one with the most graphics. It’s the one your team will still be happy wearing months after launch.

Before approving your design, ask:

• Does it clearly represent our club?
• Can players’ names and numbers be read easily?
• Does the sponsor sit comfortably within the design?
• Will the shirt work with the shorts and socks?
• Does the goalkeeper kit feel part of the same identity?
• Will the design still look good in team photographs?
• Can elements of it be carried into future seasons?
• Is it practical for the age groups and teams that will wear it?

Think about longevity when choosing both the visual design and the wider kit range. A strong core identity can remain consistent while patterns, trim and secondary colours evolve from season to season.

How to Start Designing Your Custom Football Kit

Once you’ve got some ideas, the design process doesn’t need to be complicated.

1. Start with your identity

Choose the colours, crest and visual elements that are most important to your club.

2. Pick a design direction

Decide whether you want something classic, minimalist, retro, graphic or completely original.

3. Build the full kit

Check the shirt, shorts and socks together. Don’t judge the shirt on its own.

4. Add your branding

Place the crest, sponsor, names and numbers while keeping readability and competition requirements in mind.

5. Review it at different sizes

A design that looks good on a screen should also work across different player sizes and in team photographs.

6. Get feedback before ordering

Show the final design to players, coaches and club decision-makers. A quick review can identify colour, visibility or branding problems before production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good football kit design?

A good football kit balances club identity, visual appeal and practicality. Strong colour contrast, clear numbering, effective sponsor placement and a design that works across the entire kit are all important.

What colours work best for football kits?

There is no single best combination. High-contrast pairings such as blue and white or red and black are easy to recognise, while darker colours with a bright accent can create a modern look. Your choice should also consider visibility and potential kit clashes.

Can I design a custom football kit myself?

Yes. Online kit designers allow clubs to experiment with templates, colours and customisation before committing to a final design. The Decathlon Club kit designer is one option for creating and visualising a custom kit.

What is sublimation printing?

Sublimation is a printing process in which dye is transferred into the fabric. This makes it particularly useful for detailed custom sportswear patterns and avoids the raised surface associated with many conventional prints.

Should the goalkeeper kit match the outfield kit?

It should feel like part of the same club identity while providing enough visual contrast from the outfield players. Matching crest, typography, trim or graphic elements can connect the designs.

How do I make sure player numbers are readable?

Use strong contrast between the number and the shirt and avoid placing numbers over particularly busy graphics. If your team competes in an organised league, check its specific kit regulations before finalising the design.

Ready to Create Your Kit?

The strongest football kits combine identity, clarity and practicality. Start with your club colours, choose one defining visual idea, and build the rest of the design around it.

Whether you prefer traditional stripes, a minimalist single-colour shirt, a bold retro graphic or a design inspired by your local community, the goal is the same: create a kit your players are proud to wear.

When you’re ready to turn the idea into a finished design, open the Decathlon Club kit designer and start experimenting. When you have a design in mind, you can contact Decathlon Club to discuss your requirements, including team orders, delivery times and available customisation options.