For The Rose & Crown: Leading the Way, From The Very Beginning

As final preparations are made for competitive cricket this year, Hampshire’s men’s and women’s players have come together to launch the 2025 season, marking a historic moment in the Club’s history and introducing the Rothesay County Championship and Metro Bank One Day Cup playing shirts.

This summer will mark the first time a professional women’s team has played under Hampshire’s historic Rose & Crown crest, aligning all teams under the Hampshire Cricket name. The moment is celebrated in the short film, For the Rose and Crown.

For the Rose and Crown, celebrates the county’s unique history and embodies the Club's spirit of innovation, resilience and unity. The short film includes contributions from men’s and women’s players, capturing the Hampshire story from the origins of the sport to the present day.

The film opens at Broadhalfpenny Down, near Hambledon, where the inaugural first class match was played more than 250 years ago, between Hampshire and an All England team. The historic site, which is commonly known as the cradle of cricket and is still in use today, was the centre of the cricketing world for the latter half of the 18th century and is widely regarded for its importance in the game’s transformation from a rural pastime to a codified sport.

As the short progresses, it swiftly transitions into the 20th century, celebrating some of the legendary players who have represented Hampshire “from Mead to Shackleton and Smith to Warne”. Next, the Club’s commitment to innovation and never give up mantra are referenced alongside clips from recent victories for both Hampshire men and Southern Vipers, the previous name of Hampshire’s women’s team. 

Emerging stars Joseph Eckland and Abi Norgrove look to the future, “to new beginnings, for the next generation”, emphasising this landmark moment for the sport with the alignment of men’s and women’s teams and competitions across the country. To close, captain’s Ben Brown and Georgia Adams, reinforce the message of unity across the Club “together as one” before all players pledge their allegiance “for the Rose and Crown”.

The Shirts: A Closer Look

The Metro Bank One Day Cup playing shirts incorporate a subtle blue wave pattern cutting through the dark navy base with contrasting white trim and a white Rose and Crown crest.

A round neck collar provides for a modern athletic style, while the technical material offers a sleek look and comfortable fit. The same base pattern is used for both men’s and women’s teams, with variants to accommodate front of shirt partners. 

The attractive design has been universally popular among the playing squads and displays the logos of Connect It (men’s front), Hilton (women’s front), Hendy (back) and Pangea Insurance Brokers (sleeve). 

The crisp white Rothesay County Championship shirt is adorned with striking ombré side panels and a bold navy crest. Navy trim on the cuffs provide further contrast with the unpatterned body delivering a clean cut, modern take on an all-time classic.

The shirt retains a traditional collar and buttoned placket and displays the logos of Hilton (front), Hendy (back) and Pangea Insurance Brokers (sleeve).

All shirts are available to buy through the Utilita Bowl Store.

For the Rose and Crown

This county, this place (John Turner)

Where cricket was born (Mary Taylor)

Where the first match was played (Tom Prest)

And laws were formed (Ella McCaughan)

This rose, this crown (Kyle Abbott)

Worn by hundreds before (Freya Davies)

From Mead to Shackleton (James Fuller)

And Smith to Warne (Rhianna Southby)

This Club, historic (Mark Stoneman)

But not looking back (Nancy Harman)

We stand up, move forward (Brad Wheal)

And never, ever give up (Naomi Dattani)

To new beginnings (Joseph Eckland)

For the next generation (Abi Norgrove)

Together as one (Ben Brown & Georgia Adams)

For the Rose and Crown (All)