Dear reader,
In case you missed the news or have just emerged from underneath a rock, last Friday, 23 May, marked a momentous occasion in the South African football landscape – the return of KICK OFF, your favourite football magazine.
But wait, that’s not all – not only is the monthly publication back, but it also marks its return in a new format, where two of the most popular sporting codes globally - soccer and rugby - meet.
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As you page through the June edition, which is currently on sale at a store near you, you will notice that pages 1-31 contain soccer content, while the rest is dedicated to rugby. There are two front pages on either side of the magazine. This might be a curious case to many, but extensive research was done and we strongly believe that this is the way to go.
In any case, the content offering is so compelling that even if consider yourself a football-only or rugby-only aficionado, or happen to love both, you will still look forward to picking up your copy every month.
While the news of the return of KICK OFF is anticipated to raise eyebrows throughout the industry at a time when most print titles have closed shop, we view this as a bold, exciting step in an ever-changing media landscape. For one, we are talking about an iconic publication and brand loved and cherished by many.
It is not lost on us that many of you have your own stories to tell about your love affair with the magazine, and one cannot begin to imagine the sense of nostalgia in the football community during the past two years and eight months.
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Massive thanks to Novus Media, our new owners, without whom this relaunch would have been a mere pipedream. Their belief in the project is a tribute to the popularity enjoyed by the two sporting codes out there.
Nothing much changes though. KICK OFF will still remain a one-stop shop for exclusive and informative, educational and entertaining content.
Let's be honest, the realm of breaking news is not what a monthly magazine is about, and so storytelling is something you will find more of on our pages. SA football is rich with anecdotes, stories never told before, tales that expose the beautiful as well as the darker side of our game, and we will endeavour to shine a light on it all.
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Lastly, as editor, I can only ask that you, good reader, embark on this new journey with us as we continue to dispel the narrative that print is dead or dying. Hope you enjoy the first of many editions to come, and please feel free to send us your feedback in the comments section below.
*If you are struggling to get a copy of KICK OFF at your nearest store, send the name and address of the store via email to: Nozuko.Mkonwana@novusmedia.co.za or call Nozuko on 021 910 6681.
The Editor,
Lunga