Sale Sharks have partnered with Isle of Man based technology disruptor Luna Ventures and VCode® in a three-year deal to create the world’s first interactive rugby union kit.
The Sharks will wear a VCode® on their shirts next season, specially designed to allow fans to scan them and receive exclusive online content throughout 2020/2021.
The cyber coding technology, VCode®, was created by Manchester company VST Enterprises and will be present on the Sharks’ kit in the form of a ‘maize’ style logo on the front of the shirt, in between the groundbreaking VCode® name branding.
The VCode® can be scanned up to 100 metres, on moving objects and in a 170 degree arc, and can even be scanned through the TV, which is especially important right now for Sale fans, who are still unable to attend fixtures.
Speaking on the unprecedented announcement, Sale’s commercial director, Mark Cueto MBE, said: “We’re delighted to welcome LUNA Venture Partners and VCode® as our new front of shirt technology partner for the men’s team in what is, to our knowledge, a world-first for rugby union.”
“We are the first sports club in the world – and indeed the first Premiership Rugby club ever – to wear a VCode® on our shirts, and fans will be able to find new and exclusive content throughout the season by simply scanning the top – even when watching on TV.
“It’s brilliant to have a fast-growing technology company front and centre of our shirts, along with a series of dynamic partners that fit in perfectly with the fabric of our club.
“We’ll be heading into the 2020/21 season with a strong set of corporate partners who, despite the impact of COVID-19, have recognised the benefits of joining us to help build strong brand awareness and make new connections through the Sharks family.”
Louis-James Davis, CEO & Founder of Manchester based VST Enterprises, said: “We’re excited to be working again with Luna Venture Partners and Sale Sharks as a principal technology partner and for VCode® to be playing an integral part of the club’s tech innovation as a unique front-of-shirt partner at this level of rugby.
“We believe this is the first time an interactive scanning technology has ever been used on a players shirt to give a more interactive and immersive experience between players and fans.”
Image credit: Sale Sharks
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