USA Rugby Signs Kit Deal With BLK

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. — BLK and USA Rugby have today announced an historic new partnership which will see the country’s leading male and female Rugby Union players competing in cutting edge, high performance BLK apparel for the next three years starting this July.

BLK, whose apparel is worn by more than 4,000 Rugby teams around the world including the New Zealand Kiwis, Qantas Wallabies and Fiji Rugby Union, will be the Official Kit Supplier for USA Rugby and will outfit the national teams from the Eagles senior sides to the age-grade All-American programs. The three-year deal will ensure the Eagles perform at the highest level in the IRB Rugby World Cup England 2015 and the Rio 2016 Olympic Summer games.

BLK Chief Executive Officer Tyron Brant said the partnership announcement with USA Rugby, an organization which boasts well in excess of one hundred thousand members and is also a member of the United States Olympic Committee, is a significant occasion for the team at BLK as they continue with the company’s international expansion strategy.

“I have been extremely impressed by our colleagues at USA Rugby and look forward to building on the strong relationship we have established during the lead up to today’s announcement,” Brant said. “We are excited to be entering into a partnership with a like–minded organization and firmly believe it will provide outstanding outcomes for both parties.

“There are many exciting times ahead for Rugby in America with an exciting international schedule, and we look forward to working with USA Rugby to maximize potential through the provision of cutting-edge technologies and innovative apparel designs.”

The Australian-based company recently announced partnerships with Ospreys Rugby of the RaboDirect Pro 12, South African Super Rugby club Natal Sharks, and four-time Heineken Cup champion Stade Toulousain.

USA Rugby Chief Executive Officer and President of Rugby Operations Nigel Melville said the partnership heralded a new era for the code across America as it builds for an exciting period of international competitions including the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and the return of Rugby Union to the Olympics in 2016.

“BLK is an exciting new global Rugby brand that will provide all of our national teams with elite-level, high quality technical playing and training apparel,” Melville said. “USA Rugby is delighted to partner with BLK, whose products are now worn by an increasing number of professional and international Rugby teams.”

Brant adding that the explosive growth of Rugby across the United States in recent years, coupled with the progression and success of USA Rugby’s representative teams made USA Rugby the perfect partner for the rapidly-evolving BLK brand.

“As we continue to establish ourselves as a global leader in sportswear innovation and design, the opportunity to partner with organizations like USA Rugby provides us with platforms to continually showcase and test our advanced apparel technologies in the toughest conditions.”

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