June 24 – Kit supplier New Balance, conspicuous by its absence as a national team kit provider at both the Copa America and Euro 2016 championships, has today officially unveiled its new Audazo football collection of boots with specialist footwear for small-sided football and futsal.
New Balance has a number of high profile football club kit supply deals including Liverpool, Celtic and Porto, but has steered clear of pursuing a national team strategy. However, the company’s main business is in footwear in the US and it has been making in-roads into the football market with its boots.
The Audazo range is marketed under the ‘Run the Game’ tag line and challenges players to “think on their feet and play with the confidence and attitude to back up their skills. They are all about the speed and agility that this game demands and have the skills and confidence to dazzle the opposition.”
New Balance has made a point of targeting the small-sided court-based game as well as the 11-a-side turf-based format.
General Manager of New Balance Football Richard Wright said: “Our ambition is to leave our mark on all forms of the game including the turf or court markets which are proving to be popular all over the world. New Balance is very much about catering for the demands of the turf and court player to help them control the game. To achieve this, our R&D team have worked extremely hard to create footwear that suits all players and of all styles. The Audazo range is dynamic, comfortable and stylish meaning players wearing New Balance will be changing the game all over the world.”
As regards the boots themselves, the Audazo range has incorporated a “Fresh Foam insock provides ultra-cushioning and comfort.. The REVLite midsole provides added cushioning and shock absorption…The ProBank Midsole gives additional support and protection to key areas of stress on the foot for lateral movement which is key given the court and turf games require quick passing, and sharp and short cutting and turning movements in order to control the game.”
The boot for court-based games is designed differently. “The small sided shoe upper has a transparent TPU overlay with no sew panels for a clean strike of the ball. The futsal shoe upper is made of a lightweight and synthetic material with breathable mono mesh woven into the design,” said New Balance.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1728019587labto1728019587ofdlr1728019587owedi1728019587sni@n1728019587osloh1728019587cin.l1728019587uap1728019587