SUITING UP A PROFESSIONAL RUGBY TEAM, NO EASY FEAT.
From the moment we became sponsor and official clothiers for the 2018 NSW Waratah's rugby team, we knew we couldn't expect to get the job done well by suiting them up by simply using our off the rack collection.
"Having had experience dressing professional sportsmen in the past, it's very evident and makes perfect sense, that the rigorous training regimes professional sports people keep means their body shapes are just not like us regular people."- David M.- Company Director
These guys are the ultimate professionals and they train their bodies to be built so they can outlast and out play their competition.They're tall and short, with big necks and shoulders, small waists, solid legs and powerful arms. And this meant trying to establish the right fitting garment for members of the scrum pack, the inside and outside backs as well as team management was never going to be possible using one standard fit.
Every person in the squad would need to be personally tailored, and this meant having our personal tailoring team record each persons every body measurement so each garment would be produced for the wearer to fit perfectly, while looking and feeling comfortable with every movement and at any time.
THE PERSONALISATION PROCESS
Waratahs senior management wanted to ensure the 2017 squad were dressed in unique off the field tailored wear that represented a unified team made up of many special individuals. We needed to make their suits and shirts unique.
Early on in the process, we met with management and discussed styles, fabrics and the colours that represented NSW rugby.
"We discussed the important smaller details that would make all the difference each time the garments are worn. The internal lining colour, the style of buttons on each suit and shirt, the colour of the button stitch, the way each suit and shirt would sit on each player, (stretch cotton shirts for added comfort). The right shirt collar style so the collar looks Crisp and sharp with each wear. Then how each suit and shirt should be stitched to ensure durability and comfort. Every detail discussed and documented."- David M. - Company Director
Then to ensure the ultimate experience in player and management personalisation, we decided to Monogram the 2017 Waratahs logo under the collar of every jacket, and individually stitch each player and managements names inside their suit jacket, suit trousers and inside their shirt collar. Then for a discrete personal touch, monogram their initials onto their shirt sleeve cuff which had never been done before.
"We all thought that would be very cool and as it turns out is."- David M. - Company Director
GETTING THE PERFECT FITTING
OUR PERSONAL TAILORS WERE SENT IN TO GET THE SQUAD MEASURED UP.
In 4 hours they registered over 1500 individual measurements, every player and administration member registered 35 measurements each.
These were checked, then cross checked so no mistake could be made.
Upon completion of this tenuous process, each body measurement was inputted into our computer system and sent to our bespoke factory where individual patterns were produced for each player and staff member.
"We then visited the factory to sign off on fabrics, styles, colours, buttons, monogramming of every garment". David M.
The manufacturing process took place with each garment individually tailored according to each paper pattern.
"Three weeks later, we received each garment for a final fitting, with fingers crossed everything would be perfect."David M.
GARMENT PRESENTATION AND FINAL FITTING
"We were excited about presenting the finished garments to each player and staff member. They didn't know the team logo and their names would be monogrammed on their own suit and shirt, so we were hoping the small personal details would inspire each of them to dress and perform well off the field as well as on."- DM
So as we presented and carried out the final fitting, it was a true pleasure to see the garments fit each person perfectly (a couple of suits needed minor hem adjustment) but it gave us greater satisfaction to see each person being recognised as individuals with their own personalised sit, shirt and tie, rather than a playing squad all wearing a uniform they were thrown into.
DRESSING A GROUP OF SPECIALLY TALENTED INDIVIDUALS, THAT TOGETHER MAKE UP ONE UNIFIED AND VERY PROFESSIONAL WINNING RUGBY TEAM.
"No easy feat, but with programmed preparation, dedicated time, experienced energy as well as intense focus on the right outcome,
we feel the NSW rugby team is dressed like winners while off the field like they're winners on the field."
"No easy feat, but with programmed preparation, dedicated time, experienced energy as well as intense focus on the right outcome,
we feel the NSW rugby team is dressed like winners while off the field like they're winners on the field."
TESTIMONIALS FROM THE WARATAH'S TEAM
Andrew Hore – CEO NSW Waratahs & NSW Rugby
Ron Bennett have been the official clothier of the NSW Waratahs for 4 seasons now and have been an incredibly supportive partner of NSW Rugby.
Their suits are made of the finest materials and since they are made to measure, they fit our players of all shapes & sizes, allowing us to achieve that professional look off the field.
Daryl Gibson – Head Coach NSW Waratahs
Ron Bennett have been providing suits to our team for 4 seasons and each year they add a subtle new touch to our suits. Rugby is a game of all shapes and sizes and their custom made suits & shirts makes it easy for our players to not only look good but feel comfortable off the field.
Philip Van Schalkwyk - General Manager, Corporate Services NSW Waratahs
Ron Bennett have really gone out of their way to make all staff & players look polished for all our formal occasions with their made to measure suits.
Damien Fitzpatrick – NSW Waratahs Cooker
Contrary to what people may think, rugby players actually enjoying wearing a suit and Ron Bennett have delivered amazingly comfortable custom suits year on year for us at the waratahs.
Ron Bennett masterfully tailor suits to fit the 35 vastly different body shapes of our playing squad, they have us looking very smart for all of our formal appearances.
Michael Wells – NSW Waratahs Number 8
Rugby is a sport for all types of body shapes and sizes but thanks to the team at Ron Bennett, with their made to measure suits all our boys from the front rowers to the slick backs are able look their best off the field.
Waratahs and Wallabies Number 9 Half Back Nick Phipps:
We have been wearing Ron Bennett suits for the past few seasons and the team at RB are always happy to help.
They have made a truly, one of a kind garment each season we have worked with them, that fit all our blokes big & small.
