Kitting out Team GB is star job for ex-swimmer
ASWIMMER whose Olympic dream was cut short by injury has fulfilled his ambition of wearing the Team GB badge – in unexpected circumstances.
At 17 Jordan Hewitt won bronze in the National Swimming Championships and was earmarked for great things in the pool.
But the dream of representing his country was shattered by a shoulder injury.
Now 13 years on Jordan has finally been given the chance to wear the illustrious Team GB logo after sports chiefs selected his embroidery firm to help decorate the new kit.
The jackets, tracksuits and vests will be worn by Olympic boxing gold medallist Nicola Adams, Jade Jones, Jack Laugher, Samantha Murray, Liam Phillips and Dan Purvis as part of a sponsorship deal with Aldi ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Jordan, 30, who runs Macclesfield-based L and J Workwear, said it was an honour to be asked to help decorate the kits.
He said: “As you can imagine once the embroidery was done I certainly didn’t pass up the opportunity to put on some of the kit, but it was only to check the positioning was correct. There was no strutting around the warehouse pretending what could have been I can assure you.
“Joking aside, being able to help out Team GB was an honour. This has been a fantastic opportunity for our company to work on such a big project and on a personal level it meant a lot because of my swimming past.”
The order from Team GB came about after a marketing agency contacted Jordan and asked him to brand 100 garments with the Team GB and Aldi logo within 24 hours.
Jordan and his staff worked through the night and delivered the finished kits to Manchester ahead of a publicity shoot featur- ing Team GB athletes.
Jordan said: “Initially I wasn’t told who the client was, it was very hush hush, but when I got told it was Team GB I was buzzing and it made the job that much more important.”
Based at the Old Saw- mill on Elizabeth Street, L and J Workwear is a third generation family firm.
It has also embroidered work uniforms for delivery firm DHL and the NHS.
It was founded by Ray Hewitt, who handed it over to son Phil, and Jordan joined them three years ago.
Jordan said: “I am eager to make a name for ourselves in the industry as a reputable, trustworthy supplier. This latest job has really helped.”