Newport County has teamed up with the University of South Wales to give Fashion students the opportunity to design the First Team's pre-match warm-up shirt for the 2026-27 season.
The warm-up shirt design competition provided students with the chance to work on a live brief for a professional football club, combining their creative skills with an understanding of Newport County, its supporters and the city it represents.
The project forms part of the ongoing collaboration between USW and Newport County, creating opportunities for students to gain real-world experience while bringing new ideas and perspectives to the club.
Students were challenged to develop a design that reflected the identity of Newport County and the wider city, with the winning design taking inspiration from the River Usk.
The river has played a central role in Newport's history, economy and identity, with the winning design exploring themes of movement, resilience and shared experience.
The design also reflects the emotional journey of supporting Newport County, recognising the highs, lows and enduring loyalty shared by the club and its supporters.
Steven Wright, Head of Subject for Fashion, Photography and Advertising at USW, said: "The collaboration with Newport County AFC has been an exciting one for staff and students across Fashion at USW. Fashion exists beyond catwalks and is deeply personal, which aligns strongly with historic community clubs like Newport County. Creating a design that connects fans, community, place and the club was central to our brief. The final design reflects Newport as a vibrant and exciting city rooted in tradition and strength. Inspired by the River Usk, the tidal lifeblood of the city, it explores the ebb and flow of both the river and the team. The final print references the riverbank lined with cracks, representing the well-worn wrinkles of joy, sadness and triumph shared by the city and the club."
For the students involved, the competition offered valuable experience of responding to a live creative brief and working with a professional sporting organisation.
The collaboration also strengthens the links between Newport County, USW and the local community, providing a platform for emerging creative talent to see their work brought to life in a professional sporting environment.
Sam Houldsworth, Chief Executive Officer of Newport County AFC, said: "This project perfectly demonstrates the value of working with our local university. The students have shown exceptional creativity and professionalism throughout the process, producing designs that capture the identity of both Newport and Newport County AFC. We are proud to provide opportunities that help develop the next generation of creative talent while strengthening our connection with the communities we represent."
The project is part of the wider partnership between USW and Newport County, with both organisations working together to create opportunities around learning, innovation and community engagement.
At its heart, the warm-up shirt project celebrates the connection between creativity, community and Newport County, while giving the next generation of creative talent the opportunity to work on a project with a local sporting institution.
