Details have been announced of a new Nike clothing line in conjunction with recently-out skater Brian Anderson.

Anderson has been a big name in the skating world since the mid-90s. In 1999, he won the World Cup of Skateboarding in 1999 and was named Thrasher magazine’s Skater of the Year.

In September 2016 he revealed that he was gay – making headlines around the world.

The announcement didn’t deter clothing giant Nike from working with the skater on a new range of merchandise, which is due to go on sale this Thursday (19 Jan).

The Nike SB line includes a yellow hockey jersey, Nike Icon hoodie, jacket, sunglasses and Nike SB Bruin Hyperfeel.

Anderson said in a press statement that he was moved to help design the clothing as, at 6’4” he’s had trouble in the past finding clothing that fit him. The idea for the range came about from his fondness for hockey jerseys.

‘Often hockey jerseys are built so huge. I could kind of get away with wearing them, because I’m a big guy, but I had one that was like a rock ‘n’ roll merch kind that I got from some website.

‘I sent it to campus to be like, “Hey guys, let’s follow this pattern. The wrists and the forearms are not super baggy and wavy. The fitting is great.”’

Nike has made no secret of valuing diversity and inclusion in sport. It was among the first sportswear brands to produce a Pride season collection, with the debut of its #BeTrue range in 2012.

Talking to Complex about the collection, Anderson spoke again about the impact that being open about one’s sexuality can have on one’s self and wider world.

‘I think the importance is for people to understand each other’s struggle. If you’re able to be out with your teammates, you might be a little less high-strung or uncomfortable because you’re not holding that in.

‘I think it’s important if people can understand where you’re at in your head. You can be a better athlete and a better teammate.

‘Like I say in the Vice thing, being closeted may have actually made me a better skater in the beginning. I was so angry about so many things that I was like, “Arghhh!” I had so much pent-up aggression that it made me a better skater.

‘I think some people may be uncomfortable in a locker room or sharing space with a person who has a different sexual preference. Maybe over the years people will be able to just brush it off more.

‘When you open people’s minds, they eventually become more comfortable with it.’