The ultimate guide to school football kits

From PE lessons to competitive fixtures against other school teams, the right football kit can play a bigger role than many realise. Choosing the right football kit for your school is not just about looking the part, it’s about giving students the confidence to perform, the comfort to focus on the game, and the durability to withstand everything school sports can throw at it. For teachers and parents alike, choosing a kit means balancing quality with cost, ensuring every student is equipped without overstretching budgets.

With so many options available, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. What fabrics will last the longest? How do you get sizing right across different year groups? Which is why in this guide we’re going to break it all down. From selecting high-performance materials and making sure you get the right fit, to exploring custom designs, and the convenience of bulk ordering, keep reading to find out everything you need to know when choosing a school football kit.

What should a school football kit include?

A complete football kit should be comfortable, able to support performance across every element, and provide a consistent look that makes the team easily identifiable. Each piece of the kit plays an important role in helping students perform confidently throughout training and matches. Of course, the budget plays a huge part in what schools can afford. That’s why we offer exclusive discounts to educational institutes with our Avec for Education service, helping to make premium sportswear accessible to all children. This service is available on all of the products listed below:

Junior football jerseys

Football shirts should be lightweight, breathable, and easy to move in. Jerseys made from performance fabrics help regulate temperature and manage moisture, while durable construction ensures shirts maintain their quality throughout the season. Customisation options such as school crests, sponsor logos, and player numbers also help strengthen team identity.

Junior football shorts

Comfort and mobility are essential when selecting football shorts. Players need freedom of movement for sprinting, turning, and tackling, so lightweight materials and an athletic fit are key. Durable fabrics also help shorts withstand regular use on a variety of playing surfaces.

   Avec Pro Player Jersey in Neon Yellow

Junior football socks

Football socks are often overlooked, but they remain a vital part of the overall kit. A secure, comfortable fit helps support shin pads and ensures players remain comfortable throughout the game. Reinforced toe and heel elements also prevent blisters, while grip socks can help to stop feet slipping around in the shoes, which causes friction and less controlled foot movements. 

Long-sleeve options

Having long-sleeve jersey options, or the choice of adding base layers is great for playing during colder months, and can also provide more comfort to students who prefer more coverage. 

Explore our full junior team kit collection to find the perfect kit option for your school team.

How do I choose the right football kit sizes for a school team?

Getting sizing right is vital to how a team looks, how players feel, and how they perform. In a school environment, where players are constantly growing and changing, choosing the correct sized kits requires a balance between size precision, comfort, and long-term durability. A well-fitted kit that allows players to move freely, and stay cool and comfortable is key for any team. Kits that are too tight can restrict movement and cause distraction, while overly loose garments can impact agility and get in the way during play.

The most effective way to ensure correct sizing and consistency across a team is to base sizing on accurate measurements. Chest, waist, and height measurements should always be checked against a supplier’s size guide rather than relying purely on average age categories which will ensure you get a more professional fit.

 Our size guide shows exactly how to measure each player to get the right fit and provides a simple chart to follow that details the exact measurements for both adults and juniors. Unless school is bulk ordering multiple sizes, we’d encourage parents to use this size guide and send the appropriate corresponding size to the school.

Age-based sizing can be useful as a guideline, but it doesn't truly reflect the variation of sizes within school teams. Players of the same age often have very different builds, particularly across mixed year groups. Therefore by using detailed size charts you can ensure every student is equipped with a kit that fits properly and performs as intended.

Keep in mind that for school teams, longevity matters. Allowing slight room for growth, particularly in younger year groups, can help extend the lifespan of each kit across the season. The key is to size up strategically, so you can maintain a good fit without compromising comfort or movement.

If you choose to bulk order your kits you will need to gather the sizes of all players in advance to make the process as straightforward as possible. Ordering a balanced range of sizes, along with a small number of spare kits in the most common sizes will ensure you’re prepared for any squad changes throughout the season.

Should schools invest in personalised football kits?

Personalising football kits can create a stronger sense of identity, improve team unity, and help students feel connected to the team they represent, which can increase overall confidence. Looking like a team helps players perform like a team. And while customisation can increase upfront costs, the long-term value it brings to school sport often makes it a worthwhile investment. 

Customisation allows schools to create a kit that best reflects their identity. Adding school crests, team names, player initials, or squad numbers helps build a recognisable and consistent look across all teams and age groups. Numbered shirts can also bring practical benefits during fixtures, making player identification easier for coaches, referees, and spectators.

Our Avec for Education service allows you to easily order kits for schools with your own branding, names and sponsors. As well as providing you with exclusive discounts on bulk ordering for your team, making creating school kits quick, easy, and affordable.

What material is best for school football kits?

The demands of school sport require a kit that performs consistently, and can withstand high-intensity matches and repeated washing cycles. Choosing a kit with the right materials makes all the difference. Providing options that support individual comfort while maintaining a unified team appearance helps create a positive experience for every player involved. 

There are four key components of a kit that you should consider when it comes to the material.

Breathable fabrics

Lightweight, technical fabrics such as polyester blends, are the standard for most football kits. These materials are designed specifically to promote airflow, regulate body temperature and keep players comfortable during all levels of activity. When students feel comfortable in their kit, they’re more likely to engage confidently in sport. 

Moisture-wicking features

Moisture-wicking technology is another key factor in a kit, so that sweat can be effectively drawn away from the skin, allowing it to evaporate quickly and keep players dry. This not only improves comfort but also supports focus and endurance throughout the game.

Durability 

Regular use, tough playing surfaces, and frequent washing all place demands on a kit therefore, choosing durable, high-quality materials that retain their shape, colour, and performance over time are essential. Strong construction and quality finishes are key to meeting these expectations and ensuring your team looks the part and delivers value across the season. 

Weather considerations

Football is played in all conditions, so having a kit that is versatile is essential. Lightweight kits are ideal for warmer weather, while colder months call for the addition of base layers or long-sleeve designs. Planning for year-round use ensures players remain comfortable, prepared, and ready to perform whatever the conditions.

How many kits should a school team have?

The number of kits a school team needs will depend on the frequency of wear and the size of the squad. Having a mixture of matchday kits, training wear, and spare items ensures teams remain prepared and organised throughout the season.

Spare kits

Having extra kits spare is essential as it means that any last-minute squad changes, damaged kit, or forgotten items can all be resolved. Keeping spare kits in core sizes allows schools to respond quickly without disrupting the team or compromising presentation.

Training kits vs match kits

Separating training wear from matchday kits is not essential if you’re on a budget, but it can help extend the lifespan of a team’s football kit. Training sessions place heavy demands on clothing through repeated use and washing, so having dedicated training wear will help preserve the condition of official match kits.

Home and away kits

For schools competing regularly against other teams, having both a home and away kit is the ideal setup. Having two kits is not a must-have, but it can help avoid colour clashes and ensures players remain clearly identifiable on the pitch. 

Inclusivity options

School sportswear should be designed with inclusivity in mind, ensuring every student feels comfortable, confident, and able to participate fully. This means that you should offer a broad range of fits and sizes to accommodate different body types and preferences across age groups. As well as providing layering options for students who may prefer additional coverage for comfort, cultural, or religious reasons. Having a variety of options can help schools create a more inclusive environment without compromising performance or team consistency.

Find your school football kit at Avec Sport

Make sure your school team is fully prepared for the season ahead with our high-quality, fully customisable junior teamwear. Designed to support performance at every level, our football kits are made to help your team look professional, feel confident and perform their best all season long. And with the help of our Avec for Education service, personalising and bulk ordering kits has never been easier.