Union Berlin, kit supplier adidas and streetwear label Iriedaily have joined forces for a limited edition Fourth Kit collection to support sports and youth culture in the district of Köpenick. The kit will be worn in this Saturday’s home match against Bayer Leverkusen, and by the women's team as part of the annual Women's Football Day on 1 May for their friendly against 1. FC Köln II.
Putting the spotlight on youth culture in their home district, Bundesliga side 1. FC Union Berlin have partnered with streetwear label Iriedaily for a limited edition fourth kit and collection, produced by adidas. Union and their partners will use part of the proceeds from the sale of the shirts to finance the construction of a new skate park in Mellowpark. This will be inaugurated on Sunday, 30 April 2023. In the future, the new space will provide social initiatives from the south-east of Berlin with space for workshops and projects related to skateboarding – true to the motto, Nebeneinander, miteinander, füreinander.
The design of the shirt, and the corresponding streetwear collection, comes from Iriedaily and picks up on the iconic "Crazy Fresh" pattern of the Kreuzberg streetwear brand. Special details include the "Daily Eisern Irie Union" lettering, which discreetly runs across the shirt, as well as the obligatory U.N.V.E.U. lettering at the back of the neck. The adidas logo and Union emblem adorn the front, while the Iriedaily branding is located on the jersey sleeve. “Mellowpark” is emblazoned across the chest of the special jersey in the sponsor slot.
In addition to the jersey, there is a streetwear collection consisting of a hoodie, a training jacket and a T-shirt.
Jens Werner, board member of Mellowpark e.V., says, "The jersey visibly unites two institutions that have long belonged together, 1. FC Union Berlin and Mellowpark. The new skate plaza is a milestone for our youth work. Many thanks to all the volunteers who have built a top facility that is attractive for skaters from all over the region.”
"We are very happy to be able to support Mellowpark," says Wendelin Hübner, Director of Key City Activation at adidas and initiator of the project. "With this special jersey, together with our partners Union and Iriedaily, we are introducing a real institution of Berlin sports culture and youth work to one of the biggest stages in all sport, the Bundesliga.”
"It must always be about celebrating similarities and respecting differences. The 'Irie Union' jersey for Mellowpark is the perfect expression of this," said Walter Molt, founder and CEO of Iriedaily. "In that sense - side by side, with each other, for each other.”
"Many Unioners not only grew up on the terraces at the Alte Försterei, but also next door at Mellowpark. So this very natural connection is experiencing a new milestone with this project. It was great fun to get this off the ground together with adidas and Iriedaily. Special thanks go to our main sponsor Wefox and our sleeve partner Comedy Central, who made their space on the jersey available for this project," said Christian Arbeit, managing director of communications at 1. FC Union Berlin.
Shop the Union Berlin fourth kit collection at prodirectsport.com/soccer
