Manchester City and England defender Kyle Walker has partnered with PUMA, EA Sports FIFA, and suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), to release a limited-edition home and away kit to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
The Kyle Walker x CALM collection has been designed by the England International to help open the conversation around mental health and challenge the stereotypes that prevent people from seeking the help they need.
The home and away kits are available to unlock in FIFA 22 as well as to purchase in real life through PUMA and Pro: Direct Soccer.
Kyle Walker x CALM collection
The home kit is designed to reflect every stage of PUMA ambassador Walker’s football career.
It documents the highs including Premier League title victories, to the lows of defeats in major finals.
The colours on the kit represent each club the full-back has played for and is a tribute to the role of the clubs in making him the teammate and father he is today.
The away kit design is a vivid demonstration of the challenges surrounding poor mental health.
Key statistics and phrases are included across the kit highlighting that 125 people die by suicide every week in the UK, with 75% of those being male.
Alongside this, the kit champions CALM’s message that ‘life is always worth living’.
FIFA 22 players can now unlock the home and away kits in Ultimate Team by completing a series of in-game objectives.
The full Kyle Walker x CALM collection is also available in VOLTA Football including a cap, tracksuit and hoodie.
Important message
A recent poll conducted by CALM found that two in three Britons are feeling overwhelmed, with 37% saying their mental health has got worse over the last two years.
This has been reflected in record demand for CALM’s helpline services who answered a call for help every 59 seconds in 2021, with calls and chats covering topics such as health worries, financial stress, anxiety, relationship concerns and loneliness.
Kyle Walker, commented:
“Everyone can suffer from the effects of mental ill health, but football can help because football is about being part of something. From when I was playing as a kid in Sheffield to now playing with Manchester City and England, the feeling has remained the same.”
CALM is encouraging people to stay connected and show there’s always someone on your side if you’re struggling.
Walker added:
“When that whistle blows for kick-off nothing else matters; not your stress, not your relationships, not your worries. Partnering with CALM, PUMA and EA SPORTS to create these kits is a reminder that no matter what you’re going through, there’s always hope and always someone to lean on.”
How to purchase the physical Puma CALM FC x Pro Direct kits
The physical home and away jerseys are on sale for £40, through PUMA.co.uk and Prodirectsoccer.com.
PUMA has also made a financial donation to support CALM and their life-saving services.
You can purchase the Puma CALM FC x Pro: Direct Home Shirt here.
You can purchase the Puma CALM FC x Pro: Direct Away Shirt here.