WESTERN FORCE & BLK RENEW PARTNERSHIP TO 2019
- New playing, training and supporter apparel range
- New packages and loyalty rewards for RugbyWA clubs
The Western Force has renewed its partnership with leading apparel provider, BLK, for a further four seasons, to the end of 2019.
The renewal comes on the back of record retail jersey sales for the Western Force in 2015 with the launch of the club’s 10th season playing strip. The extension continues the partnership that began in 2012 – initially under the auspices of BLK’s former brand, KooGa.
The new partnership will see a number of exciting key initiatives implemented from 2016, including an expansion in the Western Force supporter apparel range, with the introduction of a leisure range, featuring Western Force American-style basketball singlets.
In keeping with BLK’s commitment to cutting edge team wear, the Western Force will feature a seamless performance jersey for the Western Force, in a brand new design for the 2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby season.
RugbyWA local clubs will also benefit from the partnership with BLK offering highly competitive uniform and supporter wear packages, while BLK will also look to recognise those clubs through a range of loyalty rewards and opportunities across the next four years.
In 2016, a designated BLK representative will be embedded within the Western Force organisation to assist local clubs and supporters with their uniform and supporter wear requirements.
BLK supplies performance uniforms – training and match day wear – to more than 5,000 teams across multiple sports wordwide, including three Rugby World Cup squads (Fiji, Samoa and the USA), and the Force, Melbourne Rebels, Queensland Reds, Sharks (South Africa) and the returning Southern Kings in the Asteron Life Super Rugby competition.
Western Force CEO Mark Sinderberry says the new partnership is set to provide significant benefit for Western Force supporters and RugbyWA clubs alike.
“We’re very excited about how this partnership has evolved and will continue to develop over the next four years,” he said. “We’ve had a strong relationship with BLK – and initially KooGa – over the past four years, which culminated in the fantastic success of our 10thseason anniversary jersey this year.
“This sort of success provides the opportunity to grow and expand our relationship and retail brand, which provides additional choice and benefit to our supporters.
“To have a BLK representative ‘on the ground’ to work with our supporters and clubs to help deliver on their needs is an exciting development.
“Importantly, to be able to provide a significant benefit to our clubs through the provision of international standard playing uniforms and training wear at an excellent price.
“I’d like to thank BLK for their ongoing support and am excited to continue to evolve and grow this partnership together.”
BLK Chief Marketing Officer Jason Sintome says he is confident fans of the Western Force around the globe will continue to support the club as they prepare to take part in the new-look Asteron Life Super Rugby competition next season.
“The Western Force continues to capture the hearts and minds of rugby supporters, not only in the West but around Australia and indeed internationally,” he said. “As a brand, BLK are extremely pleased to be celebrating a partnership extension which will enable both organisations to build on a highly successful 2014/15 retail campaign through the continued design, production and delivery of high quality, cutting edge apparel.
“As a brand dedicated to assisting athletes and teams to achieve their goals and the success they strive and train for, the team at BLK look forward to playing our part in the continued growth of rugby in Western Australia. With a number of new structures in place along with a willingness to work together, we look forward to sharing in celebrations and special moments as the Western Force work towards achieving their on-field goals.
“Grassroots rugby will also benefit as a result of today’s partnership extension with both organisations committed to working with teams participating in competitions at all levels and age groups across Western Australia, with a number of exciting offers, opportunities and benefits to be presented in the near future.”
“We look forward to working with Chief Executive Officer Mark Sinderberry and the team at the Western Force for the next four years.”
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