NIKE

Kosta Barbarouses models the new All Whites away strip.

Female football fans will be able to purchase New Zealand shirts after Nike came under pressure to produce women's sizes.

Nike released their new Māori inspired New Zealand football shirts last Friday, which include a realistic silver fern design running up each sleeve.

But when the shirts went on sale on Saturday, there were no options for female football fans. The shirts only came in men's sizes.

On Thursday, Nike told Stuff women's jerseys would be made available after the issue was highlighted on Tuesday.

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"Nike and New Zealand Football will release a women's jersey aligning with the Football Ferns playing Japan on Sunday June 10," Nike said in a one line statement.

NIKE

Chris Wood in the new All Whites kit.

New Zealand Football had trumpeted equality in their organisation by announcing equal working conditions for their men's and women's sides, but their kit supplier didn't initially follow suit by selling supporters kit for men and women.

On Tuesday, New Zealand Football said they would be talking to Nike about producing a women's kit.

"I don't know quite what's gone on, but they're going to be selling the shirts at the women's game which is fantastic," NZ Football chief executive Andy Martin said.

Asked about the shirts not being available initially, Martin said, "I honestly don't know what happened there."

The women's shirts will be available for purchase on June 10, both online and at the game at Wellington's Westpac Stadium. Both the home and away shirts will be on sale.

They may also be available at promotional opportunities prior to the match.

The friendly match will mark the first time in 27 years that the Football Ferns have played in Wellington.

There had also been issues on the NZ Soccer Shop website for fans looking to add the name of their favourite Football Fern to their New Zealand shirt.

Initially, only All Whites players were options for a personalised name and shirt number, but at the request of New Zealand Football, Football Ferns player have been added.

Soon, women's sizes will also appear on the site.

The new design from Nike is said to draw inspiration from Māori legend.

"People in New Zealand rally behind the silver fern," Nike football apparel senior design director Pete Hoppins said.

"While it has been the primary symbol for New Zealand football for some time, we decided to integrate the frond more completely into the national team collection for 2018."

Martin said the new design has been well received by football fans.

"The new shirts have gone down very well," he said. "There has been a lot of feedback about the design which is quite good."

 - Stuff