Netherlands 2013 Away Kit Celebrates Nation’s Philosophy & Traditions

Dutch National Team players unveil Nike Football's eye-catching new kits at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum.

The Netherland’s away kit, unveiled at the soon to be re-opened Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam by national team players Kevin Strootman, Ricardo van Rhijn and Adam Maher, has a striking new look that takes the three colours of the Dutch national flag and incorporates them into a vivid and eye-catching design.

The new away strip mirrors the home shirt, which has two shapes, one covering the crest, the other at the hem. On the new white away kit the shape above the crest is red and the one at the hem is blue; utilising the colours of the Dutch flag. The shapes point to the Netherlands’ relationship with geometry and space.

The Dutch football logic is based on simplicity and that is the essence of total football – the Dutch’s gift to the game – that was built on the simple and effective use of space on the pitch.

On the new away kit, national team coach Louis van Gaal, said: “As we start on our new journey as a team, the new away for the side represents a new beginning for the national team.  It’s an exciting time ahead for the squad and the nation.”

The shorts are white with blue trimmings as are the socks that have a “Nederland” detail on the back of each.

In line with Nike’s commitment to combining performance with lower environmental impact, fabric for the new kit’s shorts is made with 100% recycled polyester, while the shirt fabric is made with a minimum 96% recycled polyester. Each kit is made using an average 13 recycled plastic bottles.

The kit are constructed using Nike Dri-FIT technology to wick moisture and are made out of 23 percent lighter fabric with 20 percent stronger knit structure than Nike’s previous kits. The shirts also feature laser-cut ventilation holes to promote localised cooling, to help regulate player temperatures during a match.