Written by Mike Carter, Hull KR Shirts.
Hull KR have wasted no time in revealing two-thirds of their kit plans for the 2023 season. On Friday 30th September, the Club revealed their home kit, and on Sunday 16th October, just over two weeks later, their first alternate kit was released. I spoke about kit reveals being like Christmas to me in my 2023 home kit review, so to get two within two weeks of each other is excellent!
On Thursday 13th October, a small group of sponsors, club officials and ex-players gathered for a lunch and presentation to reveal the strip ahead of its full reveal on the 39th Anniversary of Hull KR’s 8-6 victory over Australian Origin side, Queensland. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the group which attended the presentation, which was a huge privilege in itself. I would like to think this is off the back of the time, effort and hard work that has gone into making ‘Hull KR Shirts’ a successful platform.
We were also shown examples of the yet-to-be-revealed training wear that will accompany the Queensland-inspired alternate shirt. I’m sure this will be adored as much as the 2023 alternate kit, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for further information in due course.
(Credit: Hull KR)
Hull KR continued their public marketing for the 2023 kits on Saturday 15th October, at 12:00 pm, with the first tease for one-half of their alternate kits for the upcoming season. The tease included a short video that captured some of the moments from that famous victory, including “that punch” from Kiwi Mark Broadhurst. The audio for the video was provided by Rob Chadwick but in a much calmer fashion this time. We also had our first glimpse of the shirt, which shows us a maroon and gold colourway, the number 83 on the shoulders, and a dedication tag to the squad of 1983.
The 2023 alternate shirt was again made available to purchase after the first and only teaser for the kit, a tactic that Hull KR has executed well in the past. They will hope that they’ve been able to strike once again while the iron is hot.
12:00 pm on Sunday 16th October arrived, and with it came Hull KR’s 2023 alternate kit. Modelled by first-team players Rowan Milnes, Matty Storton, Will Tate and Phoenix Laula-Togaga’e.
For the second time in two years, Hull KR has used gold on one of their playing kits. Following on from the success of the Boilermakers kit, they’ve dipped back in once again for this Queensland-inspired kit. It is very early days, but could this kit outperform the Boilermakers kit? Hull KR’s Chief Operating Officer, Craig Franklin, thinks it just might…
The Queensland-inspired alternate kit is everything you could expect from a kit that has taken inspiration from the Aussie Origin side. The marron and gold kit also features a broad-breasted band across the middle of the shirt, which is something that is synonymous with Hull KR since our inception. This is a lovely addition to the shirt, which allows us, the fans, to be able to connect with the kit by having our own Hull KR touch in a prominent position.
Gold is used for the broad-breasted band, collar and cuffs. The main front of shirt sponsor is the only sponsor that doesn’t appear in gold. This appears in maroon and works as the perfect contrast for the gold broad-breasted band. The front of shirt sponsor is the most expensive location to purchase on a shirt and to see that it stands out without ruining the shirt is a great win/win situation for the Club and Connexin.
(Credit: Hull KR)
The alternate shirt also has the 80s-style V-neck collar that we’ve used on the 2023 home shirt. As I mentioned in my home kit review, it is very similar to that used in 2019 on the away shirt and 2020 on the home shirt, a style that OXEN has used very effectively in the past. On the inside of the collar, it reads “Hull KR 8-6 Queensland”. This was the final score of our famous victory in 1983. It upset the Aussies so much that Queensland coach, Arthur Beetson, made a request to Colin Hutton for a rematch, but the Robins politely declined as we were content with our victory.
(Credit: Hull KR)
Each replica shirt has ’83’ on the shoulders, in a similar position to the squad numbers on the Queensland shirts in 1983. This could also be considered a little nod to the shirt history of Hull KR too, as this was a feature that was seen during the early 1990s in East Hull.
(Credit: Hull KR)
My favourite tribute to the team of 1983 is the stitched tag on the lower right side as wearing. OXEN have applied this to most of the shirts that they’ve produced for Hull KR. However, this time it has been used in a way like never before. The tag reads, “This shirt is dedicated to the heroes of 1983 who famously beat the reigning state of origin champions”. This dedication to the squad of 1983 is a wonderful thought and one that the Robins supporters will be able to wear with pride.
(Credit: Hull KR)
I don’t need to say this again, but I am going to. The sponsor integration is flawless. As previously mentioned, I was privileged to be in the presence of some of the sponsors on Thursday afternoon to see the kit for the first time, and I was requested to give a short speech on my thoughts on the kit after seeing it in full for the first time, just 30 seconds prior. During this moment, I took the time to thank each and every one of them for allowing their company colourways to be changed to make the kits look aesthetically better. I have seen it in the past where a kit has been ruined by the application of a large, contrasting sponsor on the front. I feel as a Club, we are so lucky that we have such a good group of partners who allow their branding to match the livery of our kits.
(Credit: Hull KR)
As with the 2023 home shirt, the Club has executed the option of the shirt carrying the Betfred Super League logo on the right sleeve. This time it appears in maroon and gold, instead of its usual colourway. This is a move that we have seen used across Super League and allows for the logo to be applied in a way that sits in well within the aesthetics of the shirt.
(Credit: Hull KR)
As we move to the back of the shirt once again, we have excellent sponsor integration. Harrison Solway and Hirebase’s branding both look great. They fit seamlessly into the shirt, standing out well enough without overpowering the design. Above the Harrison Solway logo, you will notice the Robin Icon. This has been lowered from the collar to the highest point on the back of the main body of the shirt. Doing this has allowed for it to be a bit larger, and I feel it is a better place for the icon than its previous collar spot in 2022. You will also notice the gold band doesn’t continue all the way around the shirt. This is so that the shirts can be personalised, but also so they match the player specification shirts.
(Credit: Hull KR)
During the sponsors event on Thursday, I made a suggestion to the Club that I thought they should offer the opportunity to supporters to personalise their 2023 alternate kits with the names and squad numbers of the heroes of 1983. Smith #3, Broadhurst #10, or Hall #13, to name a few, would look awesome on the back of the shirts, printed in gold letters and numbers. I am absolutely over the moon that this idea has become a reality, and I can’t wait to have my shirt personalised. The big question now is how do I narrow it down to just one…?
(Credit: Hull KR)
This 2023 alternate shirt will be worn with maroon shorts and socks. The shorts have gold detailing and sponsor branding throughout their design. The socks also follow suit, giving off a very uniform approach in contrast to the home kit.
There we have it. Our first of two alternate kits has been revealed, and wow, it’s a beauty. The execution of this idea has been sensational, from the inclusion of a broad-breasted band to the smaller details and dedications. The tagline reads, “every great shirt starts with a story,” and it’s certainly true here. I wasn’t born until 1990 and didn’t get into Rugby League until I was 19 years old, but one of the best things I’ve done is learn about the history and heritage of Hull Kingston Rovers. If you’re a young or new Robin and you’re not aware of the story of the time Hull KR beat one of the best test teams in the world, I’d recommend that this is a great place to start learning.
Both kits that we’ve seen could be deemed kit clashes with the likes of St Helens, Wigan Warriors, Salford Red Devils and Leigh Centurions due to their usual home colourways, so it will be interesting to see what our second alternate kit looks like and how it will overcome the potential kit clashes in Lancashire.
Up The Robins!
The 2023 alternate kit range can be purchased by clicking here.
Hull KR Shirts 
I love the Alternative Shirt. What a brilliant idea to remember the 1983 season when Hull Kingston Rovers beat Queensland the Reigning State Of Origin Champions 8-6.
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