The Club has received an overwhelming response, with hundreds of entries into the competition, to design our 2020 Dacia Magic Weekend shirt.
The competition was open to entrants with autism or learning disabilities, and with the help of Community Integrated Care, an incredible number of young people from across the country have taken part and put forward their designs.
We have now completed the first stage of the judging process, involving representatives from the Club, Community Integrated Care, O’Neill’s as well as Journalist, Gareth Walker.
The next phase of the shortlisting will now whittle down the final entrants to a winning design with one lucky winner, not only seeing their design developed by the renowned rugby league apparel designers, O’Neill’s, but also receive an exclusive VIP Saints experience!
The runner-up of the competition will also have their design used as a warm-up shirt to be worn by the players at the Magic Weekend match.
The reigning Betfred Super League champions have again teamed up with local charity, St Helens Autism Support, and the leading national social care charity, Community Integrated Care, to deliver this unique project.
This inclusive initiative reflects a long-term commitment by Saints to use the Betfred Super League’s Dacia Magic Weekend event as platform for raising awareness and funds to change the lives of people affected by autism.
This competition will give someone the honour of leading the design of Saints’ 2020 Magic shirt for the St James’ Park tie, where they will compete against their 2019 Grand Final rivals, Salford Red Devils.
Sam Brennan, Managing Director of Community Integrated Care, said: “For such a historic and world-famous club as Saints to create an opportunity like this for people who have learning disabilities and autism is unheard of. This initiative is making a powerful statement about the importance of inclusion for all and speaks volumes about the values of the club and sport of rugby league.
“We were overwhelmed by the hundreds of entries that we received and the hard work and creativity that had clearly gone into every design. Judging the competition felt almost impossible.
“On behalf of Community Integrated Care, I’d like to thank everyone who has participated in and supported this competition. We are grateful to our partners at Saints, Saints Community Foundation and St Helens Autism Support for working with our charity to deliver such an incredible opportunity.”
Saints CEO Mike Rush commented: “We are humbled by the amount of entries we have received with some incredibly creative and unique designs, many of which have come with written details on why they chose their design and what it means to that person.
“It really showcases what the Club means to so many people in the Community.
“We can’t wait to get the next phase of the judging and get the final design into production for our fans.”
Look out for updates on the winning design and how you can get your shirt in time for the 2020 Dacia Magic Weekend!
