Two Super League clubs have launched special Magic Weekend jerseys.
St Helens and Hull FC, who coincidentally take each other on tonight, have both revealed their one-off kits for the May event.
Saints’ kit has been designed to raise the awareness of Autism.
In association with O’Neills, the shirt design follows the traditional Saints White shirt with a Vee – but the Red Vee has been replaced with a Multi Coloured Jigsaw Design Vee.
The coloured jigsaw pieces, along with the Ribbon design on the back, are key symbols used to raise awareness of Autism nationally.
Each replica shirt also carries the logo of St.Helens Autism Support, a local group already making a massive difference in the area by helping raise awareness of the condition and aiding people, particularly children, with all levels of Autism.
The Magic Weekend match details are also listed on the right front hem of the shirt.
Tom Jackson from St. Helens Autism Support said: “St. Helens Autism Support is delighted to be associated with this ground-breaking shirt initiative. As a local charity we have two main objectives – to raise awareness of the condition and to raise funds for our current project; a resource centre in the town to provide community, training and employment opportunities for local people
Pre-orders for the replica version start today to coincide with tomorrow’s National Autism Awareness Day with a donation from every shirt sold going to local support group St Helens Autism Support.
Meanwhile, Lee Radford’s side will wear their special shirt when they take on rival Hull KR at St James’ Park in May.
The jersey, voted for by Hull FC members, includes a white star – a tribute to the club’s early history and also a coincidental reference to Newcastle United famous shirts of the 1990’s.
Hull FC members recently voted between four designs for this year’s Magic Weekend jersey.
Each unique design drew inspiration drawings by children at schools from across the city last season as part of the club’s community engagement activity, as well as on match days in the Toys ‘R’ Us Family lounge, with the first-team players picking their favourite designs for the final vote.
