Ulster and Ireland rugby star Robert Baloucoune has teamed up with Ulster Ladies and Enniskillen RFC club captain Rebecca Beacom to unveil a new sports jersey designed to do more than deliver performance, it’s built to start a conversation about climate change.
The initiative comes through a partnership between leading glass manufacturer and bottler Encirc and Enniskillen RFC U18s, with Encirc proudly supplying the team’s new playing kit.
The jerseys feature a striking climate change design on the sleeves, illustrating the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
The visual concept transitions from cool blues to deep reds, representing the rapid warming of the planet. This powerful imagery serves as a constant reminder of the urgent need for collective action and sustainable practices, both on and off the pitch.
Rebecca Beacom, who plays for Enniskillen RFC and Ulster Ladies, is also a graduate engineering trainee with Encirc, further strengthening the connection between the club and the company’s sustainability mission.
Encirc’s support reflects its ongoing commitment to community engagement and environmental responsibility, aligning with its wider sustainability strategy. By combining sport and advocacy, the partnership aims to inspire young athletes and the wider community to consider their role in tackling climate change.
Fiacre O’Donnell, Sustainability Director at Encirc, said: “We’re proud to back Enniskillen RFC U18s while promoting a message that matters to everyone, namely protecting our planet for future generations.”
He added: “Rugby is the latest sport to carry this climate change message on their sleeves following our partnerships with local GAA and football clubs. It’s vital that we continue to press home the message that action on climate change is needed now.”
Trevor Whittaker, Enniskillen RFC Chairman revealed: “Enniskillen Rugby Club is delighted to promote the ‘show your stripes’ campaign in conjunction with Encirc, a leading local business with sustainability at the heart of all they do.
“During our Centenary season, inclusion and accessibility to rugby continues to be at the fore of our club’s objectives. We feel it is appropriate that a youth team proudly wears their newest kit with the eye catching and topic raising sleeves, jointly designed with their primary sponsor, Encirc.
“There has been a great amount of focus on the development of our club facilities of late, primarily aimed at modern, accessible changing facilities for our large and growing membership of woman and girls. Also, for our newest mixed ability tag team, the SKINclusions, many of whom require additional support. We have also recently appointed a club sustainability officer.”
He ended: “With the continued support and expertise of Encirc in the field of sustainability, rugby at Enniskillen RFC for all our local community, and in particular our youngest and newest members, will be safeguarded as we venture into our next exciting century.”
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