Uniforms and Gear

OVERVIEW

Marin FC has partnered with Capelli Sport in 2023 to provide uniforms and gear. Both the spectrum of apparel and gear has broadened and more importantly the systems for purchasing and cycling up to new items have been tailored to how our club, players and families operate.

In a nutshell, the system works in three year tiers. When a player starts with the club, they arrive in a particular tier based upon their age. In known and regular periods, each three years, players cycle ‘up’ to new apparel. This timing was selected to correspond to normal wear-and-tear, players typical growth rate and for new sizing.

All purchasing is done through player-specific jersey numbering (unique numbers for all players in the club in each age/gender group) and through Capelli Sports online ordering and customization system. Typically new ordering and replacement ordering occur in late May and early June directly after tryouts and team formation.

The following Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) will likely address any information you may need.

What is the uniform cycle?

There are two uniform cycles. Without getting into the micro and macro economics side of things, the two cycles are:

Vendor cycle : Purchase and re-purchase expectations.
Player cycle : How often does a player need or want to purchase new gear?

Marin FC and Capelli Sport have invented a new partnership that aligns the two cycles which is very much to the benefit of our players and families.

Our “uniform cycles” are in three year increments. However instead of three years across the club, the cycles occur at age breaks. Players enter the club at any point in the cycles and then over time simply align with all their teams and ‘cycle’ up to new gear at the next age break.

With three year increments, the age breaks essentially align with when a player will likely outgrow their uniform or the uniform will need to be replaced due to wear and tear.

This system of aligned cycles has two major benefits; limited and predictable purchasing based upon known milestones in the player’s career.

Please refer to this chart to see where your player(s) fall in the uniform cycle.

When can we order once on a team?

The desire is to organize teams and select/assign jersey numbers to new players as quickly as possible after tryout and team formation. This essentially occurs at the end of May or into the first week or two of June depending upon the tryout conclusion date(s) and the response rate from those players selecting jersey numbers.

Typically, returning players will be in the Capelli Sport system already and may order any needed items directly after tryouts and being selected to a team. New players however will need to await the jersey number selection process to be sorted out.

How do I order my uniforms?

After selection to a team, players either retain their jersey number or select one from those available in the age/gender group.

Each player is then uploaded to the Capelli Sport website and will receive an ordering link via email.

Once on the site, items may be selected for purchase. Required items are pre-selected.

How do sizing and gender preferences work?

All gear, apart from unisex items such as backpacks, baseball caps and some garments, offer gender specific shape and sizing. Sizes are selected when ordering.

Gender preferences are preset with the player, per their team, in the Capelli website ‘store’, however, like sizing, this can be changed when ordering.

The club knows, for example, that some of our female players prefer the male garments, so it is now possible to purchase items as any player prefers.

Is there a fan shop?

Yes … At the Capelli Sport website, do a simple search for ‘Marin FC’, and you will find fan items available for purchase by anyone.

How do FA players get their kits?

Financial Aid players are essentially treated like all other players in the numbering, selection, customization, and ordering process … with one critical exception …

The club will issue to each financial aid recipient an electronic purchase card (aka ‘gift card’) good at checkout to defray the cost of the uniform kit purchase. The amount of the card value is equal to the required items cost times (x) each player’s financial aid award percentage.

In example, a player awarded a 60% financial aid package (60% reduction in fees essentially) will receive a purchase card for 60% of the required kit value.

Can I buy additional garments?

Absolutely.

There will be required uniform kit items and a minimum number for those items, but after these basics are handled, players may order as much more of an item as they wish. This can be done when initially ordering by increasing the quantity specification or later on by returning to the player’s account on the Capelli Sport website and initiating a new order.

How are jersey numbers assigned?

Players have the opportunity to pick their jersey number when they enter the Club, and this number stays with them throughout their time at Marin FC (unless they depart and come back). Depending upon when they enter the club, some numbers (00-99) may already be taken by current players.

It is critical that each player in each age/gender group has a unique jersey number. This allows players to train and play with other teams within his/her age group without rostering conflicts.

The process for picking jersey numbers has a system to ensure expeditious organization and minimal delays in ordering.

Any returning player in the age/gender group keeps their current number.
New players to the club may select from the available numbers within his/her age group. Numbers are then provided on a first-come; first-served basis for each age group.

What happens if two players have the same number?

On rare occasions, there may be a conflict when two players have the same jersey number. The selection process aims to eliminate these conflicts over time but it is always possible that a current player ‘plays up’ to a different age/gender group where someone has that player’s same jersey number.

Our uniform coordinator will employ prioritized decision-making mechanisms to resolve the conflict, including but not limited to:

Voluntary … meaning if a player in a conflict situation wishes to change their number, the other player may keep their number.
Appropriate age/gender group prior presence … meaning that if a player is moving to a new age/gender group and thus creating the conflict, the player changing groups will need to select a new number.
Duration … meaning the player with the jersey number at Marin FC for the longer period of time keeps their number.
Coin flip … when all else fails.

Does the club reuse uniforms?

Because sizing and jersey numbers are often unique, a recycling or reuse program can be challenging to implement. Having said that we will take donated current in-style Marin FC uniforms and use them as spare uniforms if possible. If we can’t use them we will donate to a charity.

We also encourage hand-downs to siblings or family friends or donating to charities.

How and when can replacement apparel be ordered?

Anytime.

When a player is with Marin FC they are held with their jersey number on the Capelli Sport website. They can then order any needed items by returning to their player account and making selections.

If I already have a number, can I change it?

Unfortunately, no. With over 900 players in the club, jersey numbers are selected by each player during their initial registration with the club and cannot be changed throughout a player’s time at Marin FC. We understand that players may have personal preferences, but due to the size and complexity of our program, accommodating number changes is not manageable.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us keep things running smoothly across all teams and age groups.