The Black Friday equipment selection brings together player and club gear: training balls Gilbert and Sporti, protection gear, bags, care products, team equipment like vests and cones, and teamwear Force XV, Proact and Craft. Everything you need to replace worn-out gear from autumn sessions or to prepare for the winter months.
The rugby player's gear, at a discount.
The ball is the piece of equipment that wears out the fastest. The Gilbert G-TR4000, a very common training ball in clubs, combines a rubbery textured surface for grip, even in the rain, and a bladder that maintains pressure well; it is available in size four for ages ten to fourteen. The Sporti Soft'rugby, made of foam, is used for introducing younger kids and for indoor sessions, without fear of contact with the ball. Founded in 1823 in Rugby, Gilbert has supplied the official ball for every World Cup since 1995.
The Black Friday equipment comes in:
The Black Friday also includes children and clubs.
Some items wear out faster than you think. The gum shield becomes misshapen over months and eventually won't stay in place, while the foam in the shoulder pads Force XV compresses and absorbs less impact. For teenagers, whose teeth are growing, the gum shield is changed more often than for adults. In terms of care, ankle supports assist recovery after a sprain, and a cold pack slipped into the bag helps relieve a knock right after coming off the field, before consulting a healthcare professional.
For a club, the end of autumn is the time to take stock. The training bibs, cones, and ball bags wear out over sessions, and the coaches' gear needs to face the winter. The parka coach Force XV, designed for those spending hours on the sideline, protects from wind and rain. For players, the Proact and Force XV sweatpants, Craft shorts, and Proact cuffed socks make up a cohesive training outfit, easy to order for a whole group and simple to add to throughout the year.
Outside of Black Friday, good bargains can be found in good deals, clearance, sales. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections. The year's highlights come in a stable order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the year-end holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by the summer sales and back to school.
A ball with worn-out grip, that becomes deformed or loses pressure from one session to another, will slip from hands and alter passes. It may still be used for warm-ups, but a new ball is necessary for technical work.
One ball for every two or three players allows for smooth rotation of passing drills without delays. For a group of twenty, around ten balls stored in a bag for balls would be a good foundation.
A bag of fifty to sixty litres can hold the full outfit, shoes, protective gear, and a towel. A separate compartment for boots keeps clothes clean after a match in the rain.
A cold pack, elastic bandages, adhesive tape for support, gauze, and a disinfectant cover most minor injuries. For any persisting pain, refer the player to a doctor.
Wash them inside out, at no more than forty degrees, without fabric softener which reduces grip for textured models. Air dry them to help the elastic fibers maintain their fit around the calf.