Castleford Tigers & Oxen specially design shirt pays homage to Tawera Nikau

Castleford Tigers can reveal a specially designed shirt which will be worn for our 2023 Magic Weekend fixture against Leeds Rhinos at St James’ Park in Newcastle that pays homage to former legendary player, Tawera Nikau.

The stunning kit which is designed alongside the Club’s official kit partners OXEN and Nikau himself, is a mostly black shirt which features a yellow and white chevron on the front with added detailing which pays tribute to kits that Nikau donned during his time with the Tigers.

Fords fans will also spot that the shirt also gives a nod to Nikau’s Maori and New Zealand heritage with ‘Taiaha’ Maori spears across the sleeves and on the shorts as well as a chequered vee which matches the design of the Kiwis kit he wore whilst proudly running out for his country.

Tawera represented the Tigers from 1991 to 1996, playing an integral role in the famous 1994 Regal Trophy Final victory over Wigan Warriors and is widely regarded as one of the Club’s best-ever overseas players.

As mentioned earlier, the 56-year-old has been part of the creation of the jersey since the very start, and he put forward his pride of having a shirt designed in tribute to his memorable years with the Tigers.

“It’s a huge privilege! I am humbled and honoured. I was totally shocked because it’s been nearly 30 years now since my time at the club. To be held in such high esteem by the Castleford fans in general is just a real privilege and I am so proud of it. It’s something that me and my family will honour for the rest of our lives.

Having the Maori spears and having something that represented the heritage and where I come from means a lot to me. For me, it was amazing to be able to sit down with the designers and come up with a jersey that epitomises what I stand for and that connection with Castleford.”

The Tigers’ Fan Steering Group were also involved in the design and the decision to base the kit on Tawera’s career with the Club. Steering Group member Steven McNichol touched on how the idea came about.

“The idea came up in a fan steering group meeting to do a tribute shirt to a former player and the one that came to everyone’s lips was Tawera Nikau. After that, we all started having ideas on how we could honour his career and him as a person.

“Tawera has been part of it right from the start and he loves the design and has been very much involved. He means a lot to Tigers fans in terms of what he did on the pitch but also what he gave to the community as well, I think he’s just as remembered for that.”

Castleford Tigers Magic Weekend 2023 kit is available to purchase now online at castlefordtigers.com/shop