‘Quails’ Kit Takes Flight for Sacramento Republic FC

An April Fools’ joke gone right has inspired the new third kit for USL Championship side Sacramento Republic FC.

In 2016, the club put out a press release on April Fools’ Day announcing that it was adopting a new secondary logo featuring two California quails, which would also be the club’s new mascots.

The press release was tongue-in-cheek, but Republic FC supporters latched onto the “Quails” moniker. It remains the club’s unofficial nickname today, despite the bear on the club’s crest. The California quail is the official state bird, and according to the club, “is known for its hardiness and adaptability.”

This has inspired Republic FC to design a new kit as a salute to their fans. It features a gold and silver pattern on a white base that mimics a quail’s feathers. A quail silhouette appears on the back of the jersey, near the collar. The City of Sacramento’s motto, “Urbs Indomita” (“Indomitable City”), is printed along the inner base of the jersey.

*A close-up photo of the feather pattern on the front of the jersey,*

“The quails have been a fun, fan-driven tradition and after a difficult year apart from our supporters, the Quail Kit salutes their deep love for the Indomitable Club,” said Allison Yee-Garcia, the club’s vice-president of marketing. “On the field or off, we hope that fans will wear this jersey with pride, knowing that they continue to have a strong role in the story of Republic FC.”

*The quail silhouette on the back collar of the new kit.*

The jerseys are manufactured by Nike, but were designed in-house by Republic FC staff. The logo of UC Davis Health appears on the chest, as it has for every Republic FC jersey since the club’s inception in 2012.

The club will wear the new kits for the first time on Saturday, May 29, when they take on Phoenix Rising FC at Heart Health Park in Sacramento.

Photos courtesy Republic FC