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The Bello Brothers: An exclusive interview with the International Beach Volleyball Stars

As part of our campaign on supporting men in sport, we recently sat down with our Beach Volleyball ambassadors, the Bello Brothers, in an exclusive interview.

The Bello Brothers, also known as Javier and Joaquin Bello, teamed up with Kukri Sports back in November 2022, in a partnership which has seen us provide them with sportswear for training and competitions.

The Madrid-born stars, who produced some breathtaking displays to earn bronze at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, have developed in the UK under the guidance of their father, Luis Bello, who continues to coach the team.

The twins, now aged just 22, have been making history since their international debut in 2016, and already boast four World Tour medals, Commonwealth Bronze and three-straight British Championships.

As they aim to push for Olympic qualification and lead the growth of the sport, Javier Bello, speaking on behalf of the Bello Brothers, stressed the importance of the right sportswear when competing, and praised Kukri’s involvement.

In Beach Volleyball we are constantly facing difficult conditions, which means we need kit that is not only durable, but can also sustain itself in those situations and provide support for us to help us play with intensity and compete at the highest level, both in training and matches.

The kit from Kukri has been high-quality. We have worn a wide range of products since we teamed up last year, which has been very beneficial for us.

“We train in different conditions, and Kukri have supplied us with some great jackets which we wear a lot as they help to keep us warm when we are training in colder conditions.”

The Bello Brothers, who are preparing for the their next event in the upcoming Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour in Ostrava, Czech Republic, believe that sportswear for Beach Volleyball is heading in the right direction.

Having the right sportswear helps us feel comfortable and ultimately perform at a higher level. It allows you to focus on your performance, rather than being distracted by the fitting of the kit or how it looks.

Players don’t want a source of distraction when they are playing, so having the right sportswear helps to enhance performance levels, which is something that has really benefitted us since we partnered with Kukri.

“Hopefully, we can continue to see development of sportswear in Beach Volleyball. We look forward to wearing more Kukri kit in our upcoming competitions that will help us to compete and push for our goal of qualifying for the Olympics.”

To find out more about the Bello Brothers, click here.

Follow the Bello Brothers on social media:

Instagram

@javier_bello1

@joa_bello

Facebook

@teambellovolley

Twitter:

@TeamBelloVolley

Don’t miss out on 20% OFF all our men’s training & leisurewear products this month. Click here to find out more.

Learn How Kukri Supports Men In Sport This Month

Kukri is proud to launch a new campaign dedicated to supporting men in sport. The aim is to highlight the accomplishments of male athletes and how we aim to provide support, whilst also collaborating with key partner to raise awareness around the importance of mental health and well-being in sport.

This follows on from our women in sport campaign, which shone a light on the accomplishments of women and promoted inclusivity in the industry. We also interviewed ex England Netball captain, Olivia Murphy, Northern Diamonds Phoebe Turner, and Severn Stars’ Grace Namana, as well as experiencing a day in the life of Northern Diamonds star Katie Levick.

Click here to recap on our supporting women in sport campaign’s activities.

This month, we will be collaborating with several male athletes to highlight the importance of sportswear in their respective sport, as well as highlighting the importance of positive mental health in sports and how they have tackled their challenges.

Activities will include interviews with several athletes from key partners in different sports, as well as an Instagram takeover with our boxing ambassador, Kieran Molloy. Plus, we will also be launching 20% off all our men’s training & leisurewear products throughout May.

At Kukri Sports, we are dedicated to providing contemporary and stylish designs which empower men to feel proud to engage in sporting activities at every level.

We offer a wide range of sizes and designs in our men’s sportswear to promote inclusivity, comfort, and performance for a diverse customer base.

We work with many male athletes in their respective sports, including those at England Athletics and British Gymnastics, as well as professional clubs such as Ulster Rugby, Somerset CCC and Yorkshire CCC. We are also championing exciting talent through our ambassadors such as Irish professional boxer, Kieran Molloy and beach volleyball stars, Javier and Joaquin Bello.

“At Kukri, we understand the importance of comfortable sportswear for men when taking part in sporting activities. Our bespoke kits are designed to not only meet the sportswear needs of men, but also to help them feel empowered and confident in their athletic pursuits.

“We are proud to support men in sport and play our part in designing kit that they can feel proud to wear when participating.”Lauren Brigden, Product Designer at Kukri Sports.

Kukri Sports is proud to be at the forefront of designing bespoke sportswear for men across a variety of sports. Customers can follow this campaign throughout the month on our website, as well as on our social media channels.

For more information on our 20% discount on all our men’s training & leisurewear products, please click here.

Meet Our New YTP Ambassadors

As we look ahead to another year, we would like to introduce our six new athletes for the Kukri Sports Ambassador initiative. Each Ambassador has been carefully selected from the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme and have an exciting future ahead of them.

Kukri is supporting each of the athletes by providing brand engagement opportunities and professional support in their chosen sports, whilst also supplying them with elite Kukri training kit.

We are pleased to also confirm that Isaac Delaney and Keira Brady-Jones will be continuing as Kukri Sports YTP Ambassadors.

Our six new Ambassadors include:

Amy Thompson

Sport: Shot Put & Discus

Annabel Amadin

Sport: Shot Put & Discus

Grace Wall

Sport: High Jump

Jess Bailey

Sport: Endurance running events

Kai Barham

Sport: Hammer Throw

Paris King

Sport: 80 metre Hurdles

At Kukri we are committed to supporting the sportswear needs of all athletes from grassroots to elite.

England Lacrosse Partnership Extension

Kukri Sports are excited to announce an extension to our successful partnership with England Lacrosse, until 2027.

England Lacrosse are the National Governing Body for the sport in England. As part of the deal Kukri will continue as the official kit supplier and will provide sponsorship as well as bespoke playing and training wear for all England national squads, academies and staff.

“England Lacrosse (EL) are delighted to re-sign with Kukri as our official kit supplier across all major EL properties. Kukri have proved to be a committed, reliable and dynamic partner since we first signed with them in 2018.

Kukri are continually working to refine and redesign their lacrosse products, delivering sport specific performance sportswear to our athletes. 

Kurki will also partner The Fly, Europe’s first ever national 6s lacrosse league.

We look forward to working with Kukri over the coming years.” – Caroline Royle, Marketing Manager, England Lacrosse.

“Everyone at Kukri is delighted to extend our long-term partnership with England Lacrosse. The partnership, starting in 2018 and with the extension, takes us through to 2027. The long-term nature of the partnership means that we can develop products specifically around England Lacrosse, which in turn can be uniquely designed for optimum performance of the teams. It is exciting to work directly with the England Lacrosse players, producing new lacrosse sportswear.

The partnership extension will also see us develop further merchandise ranges for England Lacrosse supporters, as well as working with The Fly tournament to produce all kit alongside specific fan ranges.

It is an exciting time for both organisations and we can’t wait to grow the lacrosse offering across the country further!”Josh Beal, Sales Director, Kukri Sports

Kukri Sports are a global sportswear supplier, offering superior quality bespoke garments, across multiple sports, from grassroots to elite level.

To find out how we can support your sportswear needs Contact Us

THE GOAL IS TO BECOME A WORLD CHAMPION

As he approaches his first year as a professional boxer, Kukri Sports sat down with sporting ambassador Kieran Molloy to look back on his career so far, from his incredible amateur career to signing with the sports brand, and his ambitions for the future.

“I only spoke to my girlfriend about it last week,” Kieran Molloy says, astonished, when asked if he realises the enormity of what he has accomplished since going pro earlier this year.

“We were on the way back to the airport to come back to England, and I was just sitting there and thought to myself if you told me this three years ago that I was going to sign as a professional, having Kukri Sports as a kit sponsor and training in England with a world class coach, I would be so happy.”

For Molloy, becoming a professional boxer has been his dream since he was five years old. He followed his two brothers, Connor and Stephen, to the local Boxing club in Galway and, as he puts it, has “never looked back since.”

The Irish boxer rose to prominence in the amateur scene with 202 wins in 221 fights, including 11x National Champion, 3x Irish Elite Champion, EU bronze medallist, as well as a Youth European and World medallist, all by the age of 23.

“I started having my first few fights when I was 9,” said Molloy. “Every guy that I would spar at my own age, I was far too advanced for them.

“Then I started sparring with kids three or four years older and I would hold my own against them. So we travelled around the country for sparring matches and I started winning national titles, so it was all good for my confidence.”

But there is one moment that stands out for him the most: winning his first league title. “To have my grandad there, who sadly passed away last year, and the people who were with me from the start, who supported me, it was just class to have everyone with me on the night.”

After making the decision to turn over to the pro ranks nine months ago, Molloy was signed by one of the best promotional companies in the business. His link up with world-class coach Angel Fernandez has seen him go from strength to strength, with three professional wins under his belt so far. However, his life has changed in more ways than one, in and out of the ring.

“I have to do a lot by myself now. I live by myself which has been a big change. On the weekends I have to stay disciplined and recover properly so I’m fresh for training on Monday. Even if I’m just going out visiting people, it still makes you tired when Monday comes, so I’ve been trying to get as much out of training as possible and my recovery, as well.

“I’m training extremely hard. I think I’ve upped my work ethic again since I’ve turned pro. I’m studying a lot about boxing this year, compared to before when training was done I would just forget about boxing for the rest of the day.

“Most days now, I’m going back and writing down what worked well. I’m studying, always, just to try and improve.”

When the subject turns to Kukri Sports, it is evident how much the support means to Molloy. The sports brand partnered with him ahead of his pro debut and now supply him with sportswear for his bouts, something the young boxer is grateful for, and believes has had a significant impact on his confidence in the squared circle.

“We’re on an exciting journey together,” Molloy gleamed. “I have a three-year goal for myself to become a world champion and to top that with the support from Kukri Sports, it’s amazing.

“They’re great at keeping contact and always have me kitted out properly for training, with not just me but my whole team. It’s good to look slick as a team together, going to weigh-ins or press conferences. They’re great people to work with.”

Molloy’s commitment and knowledge of the sport in which he operates is compelling, and with his fourth pro-bout scheduled for next month in Belfast, he is determined to keep his unbeaten record.

“I fought in Belfast in August in front of 11,000 people in a massive stadium with a great atmosphere. There’s always a good atmosphere in Belfast for fight nights.

“We’re looking to move to 4-0 that night so I’m looking forward to it. We’re in a heavy faze of camp at the moment so by the time fight night comes, we will be well prepared.”

Despite being heavily focused on his next fight, Molloy does have a long term vision. His approach has always been that he is better than his opponents and feels he can reach the pinnacle of the sport, but he remains humble and is determined for his performances to speak for themselves

“I’ve got a lot of dreams in my head, and I don’t want to share all of them, but the ultimate goal is to make sure I become a world champion”. Molloy’s boxing journey is not one to be missed.

10-YEAR CONTRACT WITH RUGBY SCHOOL

Kukri Sports are proud to announce a new 10-year partnership extension with Rugby School, which will run until 2033.

The deal reconfirms Kukri as Rugby School’s official sportswear provider, offering a full range of bespoke sportswear for staff and pupils, both on and off field.

Located in Warwickshire, England, Rugby School are one of the most prestigious education establishments in the world and is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain (founded in 1567). To learn more about Rugby School visit www.rugbyschool.co.uk

“We are pleased to be extending our relationship with Kukri Sports. Rugby School has created a functional and inclusive range of sports kit with the help and support of Kukri – students and staff all look and feel part of our sports teams. We take great pride in our ‘nobody on the bench’ approach and this kit embodies our ‘whole person whole point’ ethos. We are delighted to be associated with Kukri, a leading brand in the sportswear industry as demonstrated by their appointment as this year’s Commonwealth Games kit supplier for Team England.” – Debbie Skene, Rugby School.

“We are very proud to be extending our partnership with Rugby School, a powerhouse in school sports with enormous heritage. The school’s history speaks for itself, being the home of Rugby, but the school’s modern sports offering has unbelievable breadth and depth, this year showcasing 57 teams, playing 8 different sports, with over 550 pupils playing a competitive game on a single day. The partnership extension allows for us to plan for the pupils and parents of tomorrow, developing school sportswear specifically for the school and its pupils. We aim to deliver continuity and consistency but continually adapt to the next school’s sportswear offering.” – Josh Beal, Sales Director at Kukri Sports.

2023 – Rugby’s 200th anniversary at the game’s historic birthplace – Rugby School

Celebrations will take place throughout 2023 at Rugby School to celebrate the bicentennial of the game of Rugby itself.

Rugby School is the home of the sport, which was first played on the school pitch back in 1823.

Find out more about the celebrations

If you are interested in partnering with Kukri Sports, or want to know how we can help, Get in touch

THE HONG KONG SEVENS RETURNS

As the world’s premier rugby event launches a much-anticipated return on 4th November after a 3-year hiatus Kukri Sports are delighted to continue in our 17th year as sponsor and official merchandise supplier.

The Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is one of the most popular sporting events in Asia and attracts some of the world’s top rugby players and thousands of fans from around the globe to watch intense, fast paced rugby action in a carnival atmosphere at the famous Hong Kong Stadium.

The three-day event takes place from 4th – 6th November when 16 teams are set to compete on rugby’s greatest stage.

As well as supplying the official Hong Kong Sevens merchandise range, Kukri Sports are also official supplier to the Hong Kong Rugby Union teams across men’s, women, and national age grade teams.

This year we have produced a fashion forward range of leisure wear and accessories for every age of rugby fan including T-shirts, hoodies, and polo shirts, enabling everyone to take home a piece of history from the 2022 event, as well as a full range of replica home and away shirts for men, women, and kids.

As we move towards a more sustainable future, we have introduced the option of replica shirts made from recycled fabric giving the #HK7’s rugby fans a wider range to choose from and the chance to be part of the sustainable sportswear revolution.

Our online store is now open for you to purchase your merchandise ahead of the tournament or buy your memento at the event itself from one of the stalls located in the stadium.

Get a piece of history from the 2022 #HK7’s while stocks last and get ready for another truly memorable 3-day carnival of rugby.

KING’S COLLEGE, TAUNTON – PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

Kukri Sports are delighted to announce a multi-year extension to our partnership with King’s College, Taunton.

King’s College was founded in 1880 and is an elite education provider, situated in Somerset, uk. They offer a carefully tailored curriculum, delivered by specialty teachers, from nursery through to Sixth Form, which includes an enviable sporting provision. Find out more about King’s College, Taunton.

As part of the partnership Kukri will provide a full range of bespoke school sportswear for both on and off field, for both staff and pupils.

“We have been with Kukri for a few years now and are delighted to be in partnership moving forward. The kit is really good quality and we love playing around with the designs of which there are many options. Our pupils and staff are incredibly happy and we are so pleased we continue to look smarter, more professional and cohesive thanks to the kit packages we have put together.” Phil Lewis, Director of Sport, King’s College.

“To extend our partnership with a school such as Kings College is exciting and a great opportunity to continue growing what we’ve started over the past couple of years. We have created an image and identity to the schools brand both on and off the field, this will only continue to grow and expand. Sport at Kings College plays such a huge part in the students journey and we get great pleasure in supporting a part of this, we look forward to what is up and coming.” Lloyd Alley, Regional Sales Manager, Kukri Sports.

If you are interested in partnering with Kukri Sports, or want to know how we can help, get in touch

MOMENTOUS SUMMER FOR KUKRI AT COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2022

Kukri Sports, the market’s leading bespoke teamwear provider, partnered with some of the competition’s top nations, including Team England.

Kukri Sports delivered an unprecedented service to partnered teams and athletes at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 as the competition’s leading bespoke teamwear provider. 

The games were a major success not just for the participating teams, but also for Kukri, who partnered with Team England, Team Canada, Team Barbados, Team Guernsey, and Team Isle of Man, as well as supporting Northern Ireland Netball, Scottish Bowls, and Scottish Wrestling.

With innovations such as sustainable teamwear ranges, direct collaboration with athletes to create more focused sportswear, and overcoming logistical barriers imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the global sportswear brand hit various milestones in preparation for the competition. 

Josh Beal, Sales Director at Kukri Sports, said: “The Commonwealth Games is a flagship competition in international sport, and we are proud of the partnerships we have had at the Birmingham games this year.

“Whilst the business has partnered with teams in previous games, this year’s had some significant hurdles for us to overcome, due to the Covid pandemic. 

“Our projects started on 17th March 2020, meaning a lot of work needed to be completed during; various lockdown’s, travel and freight restrictions plus ongoing social distancing – all of which meant the businesses needed to adapt.

“We held up to 90% of meetings virtually, whilst making sure our kits perfectly matched the partner requirements for over 2,500 athletes and staff and over 96,000 individual items of kit – across 19 different sports.

“Having these obstacles to overcome didn’t mean it affected the development and innovations in our offerings. For the first time we introduced a sustainable range of teamwear, made from recycled plastic bottles, whilst ensuring 100% of our packaging was both recycled and recyclable. 

“We also worked directly with Team England athletes to make sure that the bespoke kit they received had their direct input, on fit and fabric, but also crucially the design.

“Throughout the whole project our team provided over 10,000 man-hours and 100% of the kit requested was provided in time for the games – it was some achievement!”. 

Lou Pullan, Head of Kit Operations at Team England, said: “Over the past two and a half years, we have been working with Kukri to design and develop our most Athlete focused kit range ever. 

‘The time, care and attention to detail provided by Kukri across our Delegation and Competition wear has been outstanding and really showed in the final product range in terms of both functionality and design.

“Our kit design was heavily influenced by the city of Birmingham, the rich history, culture and architecture that it has become known for. The opportunity to celebrate the home games through the kit design really underpinned the project, we were delighted to return to the red and white and a design inspired by the St Georges flag.”

Watch our short documentary on the development of the Team England teamwear. Kukri Sports are a global sportswear supplier offering superior quality bespoke garments, across multiple sports, from grassroots to elite level. To find out how we can support your sportswear needs contact us.