Canterbury of New Zealand announced as Irish Rugby Football Union kit sponsor until 2020
Canterbury of New Zealand has been announced as the new kit supplier to the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), following a multi-million euro deal announced today.
The deal will unite the two brands from 1 September for six years until 2020, including two World Cup tournaments, and will see Canterbury work with IRFU to produce match day, training and bench wear for the national squad as well as all junior and underage teams including the O2 Irish Wolfhounds, Under 20’s and Women’s national side.
Chris Stephenson, Canterbury CEO, said: “In the IRFU we have found a partner with shared values, a shared heritage and a shared focus and ambition to succeed at the pinnacle of our disciplines. These mutual traits were paramount in our decision to join forces and share in what we believe will be a truly exciting journey for Irish Rugby, most particularly the supporters, and Canterbury through the next two Rugby World Cups.”
Official Canterbury IRFU merchandise will be sold through all major sports retailers and online from autumn 2014.
Pat Fitzgerald, President IRFU, said of the sponsorship deal: “I’d like to welcome Canterbury into the Irish Rugby family as we journey towards the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Having the backing of the world’s top rugby apparel brand is testament to the strength of the Irish Rugby brand and reflects positively on the progressive steps being taken to ensure that we cement our position at the top of world rugby.”
Irish fans will see the Ireland team line up in the new Canterbury kit for the first time at the Aviva Stadium on 8 November.