Category: News

10/07/202310/07/2023

Recently, two prestigious educational institutions affiliated with Kukri Sports participated in the annual World School Games Netball Cup, which took place at Loughborough University (another prominent partner of the company).

World School Games Event Series

The World School Games is a series of events each year across a range of different sports, including Netball, Basketball and Swimming.  Competitors are drawn from a variety of leading education providers across the world.

Scott Macfarlane – Director at World School Games

“We are thrilled to welcome more than 30 schools from 5 different countries to the World’s #1 University for sport, Loughborough, for the third edition of the World School’s Netball Cup.

The World School Games event series is a global celebration of competition, diversity and friendship where young athletes represent their schools, countries and families with pride, passion and class.”

Find out more about The World School Games

Two Kukri partner schools taking part in the event were Dubai College (DC) and Dubai English Speaking School (DESC), who both understand the benefits the tournament offers its students.

Dubai College Director of Netball Lucia Sdao

“It’s a fantastic competition! we came last year for the first time and actually won in all 3 age groups. It is really beneficial for us to visit another country and play against different opposition styles. After the COVID-19 restrictions ended it was important for the students to visit different locations and experience other sporting cultures.

Whilst some of our students are British, many aren’t and it’s a great experience to bring them over to the UK and visit Loughborough University and experience the fantastic facilities and see the athletes walking around campus.

We have a robust DC Netball programme, which involves early mornings, lunch times, after school training and competitions at weekends, and lots of the girls compete in the Dubai leagues. We also have full on strength and conditioning programmes, ran by our Head of Performance Justin Walsh.

Whilst it is important to win, the main focus of the team is on their performance and how they compete against the other schools taking part, whilst focusing on long-term development.

At DC with have over 300 girls who take part in netball, and our focus is allowing any netballer being the best player they can be.”

DESC Netball Coach Amanda Newton

“Our students are very excited to participate in The World School Games, especially as they don’t get a lot of opportunity to compete against other schools in Dubai. It’s a great opportunity to travel and play in something that is more than a training environment. They are staying together on the university campus, training together, eating together and competing together, which offers an insight into what their lifestyle may be like if they become a professional athlete.

At DESC we appreciate the benefits of competing at this event and it exposes our students to the English way of playing, whilst competing against other international schools. They also get to visit the fantastic facilities that Loughborough has to offer as a leading sports university in the world and see the athletes walking around, it is just a fantastic experience for them all.

Our goals are to put out good performances when we play, we want to win whenever we play, but we just want to build the experience of the players, to develop them further and potentially prepare them for a future life as an athlete.”

Liv Murphy , Head of Performance Support at Loughborough University

“At Loughborough we see the event as a great opportunity for netballers of the future to experience where the Loughborough Lightning team train and play.

We want to showcase the sport and inspire the next generation. At the event the teams met some of our star players who are heading to the World Cup this summer and held the Super League trophy as Lightning are the current champions.

We look forward to welcoming more generations of players to access our world class facilities and inspire them to strive to be the best they can be. Most of all we want people to continue to love the sport.”

06/07/202306/07/2023

Kukri Sports is delighted to launch a new campaign dedicated to showing its support for para-athletes and acknowledging their exceptional accomplishments across a wide range of sports.

This follows on from recent campaigns, which focused on women, men and youth athletes in their chosen sport. They included exclusive interviews with professional Cricket, Netball, Gymnastics & Rugby stars, as well as experiencing a day in the life of Ireland’s rising boxing star, Kieran Molloy, and Northern Diamonds spin bowler Katie Levick.

Throughout July, Kukri will be collaborating with para-athletes from a wide variety of sports. These athletes, who have conquered barriers and overcome obstacles, will provide insightful information for aspiring para-athletes and demonstrate the limitless possibilities that can be achieved through dedication and determination.

We will also be providing a platform for para-athletes from our partners, whilst also showcasing how our products continue to evolve in order to help them perform at their optimum level.

Speaking about the campaign, Kukri Sports’ Sales Director, Josh Beal, stated, “We are honoured to launch this campaign and provide a platform to celebrate para-athletes’ incredible accomplishments. Our aim is to promote diversity and inclusivity by providing sportswear that they feel comfortable, are able to perform and can be proud to wear whilst also helping to foster a society where every individual is recognised for their abilities, regardless of limitations.”

By highlighting the incredible talent and achievements of para-athletes, Kukri hopes to break down barriers and create a more inclusive and equal sporting landscape.

Throughout this campaign and with the support of our partners, Kukri hopes to empower para-athletes, inspire the next generation, and pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse sports industry.

06/07/202306/07/2023

Kukri Sports are delighted to announce a four-year partnership extension with Scottish Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in Scotland. As part of the deal Kukri will continue to provide bespoke leisure and podium wear for all performance programmes and national teams.

This support will assist Scottish Gymnastics in delivering their athlete-centred, coach-led, performance-driven programmes which offer athlete development pathways across gymnastics disciplines.
The extension of the partnership is testament to the shared commitment to create a positive culture and experience centred around wellbeing and protection, allowing gymnasts and coaches to thrive and aspire to world-class performance.

Scottish Gymnastics chief executive officer Doc McKelvey said:
“Our vision is an uplifting gymnastics experience for all and providing appropriate, quality clothing for our national and region teams is an important part of that, ensuring they look and feel comfortable when they step out to represent Scotland. Kukri Sports is an integral part of that experience, and we are delighted to continue our partnership with them. This allows us to have a range of leisure kit which is suitable for gymnasts of all ages, coaches and support staff. We look forward to working together over the next four years.”

Kukri Sports sales director Josh Beal added:
“We are really proud to extend our partnership with Scottish Gymnastics. Having worked together since 2018 we have formed a fantastic relationship which we will grow further until at least 2026. Kukri are working on new ranges and designs, alongside Scottish Gymnastics, and we can’t wait to showcase this to all gymnasts in Scotland.”

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

About Scottish Gymnastics:
Scottish Gymnastics is the national governing body of gymnastics in Scotland. Their vision is an uplifting gymnastics experience for all, with shared values of inclusive, supportive, and aspirational to ensure gymnastics is enjoyable, safe, and open to everyone. The organisation has a membership of around 160 clubs and 30,000 gymnasts, coaches and officials. They are responsible for the governance and development of gymnastics across Scotland, supported by principal funding partner sportscotland and their other partners.

04/07/202303/07/2023

Over the last month, Kukri Sports has been proud to have placed a spotlight on the accomplishments of young, talented athletes across a wide range of sports.

The campaign aimed to provide a platform for these rising stars to showcase their skills, dedication to their sport, inspire others, and pave the way for their future success.

Among the remarkable stories during the campaign was the inspirational journey of Connie Clarke, an upcoming rugby star. Connie, who plays for one of Kukri’s rugby partners, Preston Grasshoppers, revealed how she went from nearly walking away from the sport to scoring two tries on her England Under-18s debut.

Click here to read more of our interview with Connie Clarke.

We also collaborated with British Gymnastics to speak with talented Rhythmic Gymnasts, Marfa Ekimova and Louise Christie. The pair outlined their dedication to the sport, how gymnastics has shaped their life so far and their goals for the future.

Click here to watch the full interview.

Reflecting on the campaign, Josh Beal, Sales Director at Kukri Sports, said, “Our commitment to nurturing young talent goes beyond just providing sportswear. We believe the power of sport to transform lives and communities. It has been fantastic to witness the dedication and talent of these young athletes across a wide range of sports, and we are excited to continue to play a role in their journey towards achieving success.”

Kukri Sports remains committed to its mission of empowering youth in sport beyond the campaign’s conclusion. We will continue to support young athletes through sponsorships, partnerships, and ongoing initiatives aimed at nurturing talent, fostering inclusivity, and creating opportunities for aspiring athletes to succeed.

Keep an eye out for our next campaign coming soon, which will aim to demonstrate how we provide support for para-athletes across different sports.

27/06/202326/06/2023

Sales figures have hit unprecedented record levels for Kukri Sports in the Middle East, with sales rising by 78% across the region in FY2022

The company is poised to see further growth in 2023, as it extends long-term agreements with prestigious partners, including Dubai College and British School Al Khubairat, both renowned for their exceptional sporting programs.

Kukri’s achievements in the region can be attributed to its unwavering dedication to providing elite-quality, bespoke sportswear to leading educational institutions, complemented by exceptional customer service. By focusing on these key values, Kukri Sports has cemented its position as a trusted and preferred choice among schools and colleges in the Middle East.

Arcadia Partnership Announcement

As Kukri looks ahead to the future, the business remains committed to further expanding its presence in the Middle East and are proud to announce our new 4-year partnership with Arcadia School, based in Dubai.

The partnership will see Kukri provide sportswear for both staff and students, across a wide variety of sports.

“This is an exciting new partnership for the UAE business, showcasing the bespoke capability and performance product that Kukri prides itself on. We’re looking forward to building the partnership with Arcadia, encouraging all pupils to be active and working alongside them to create a leading sporting programme” – Kobus Cronje, Regional Manager – Kukri Sports.

If you are interested to find out more about how Kukri Sports could support your requirements in any location, Get in Touch

07/06/202306/06/2023

Kukri Sports is proud to launch our latest campaign showcasing how we support and empower young athletes, with the aim of shining a light on their accomplishments across a variety of sports.

This follows on from our recent campaigns, focused on the support offered to women and men in sport, which included exclusive interviews with professional Netball and Cricket stars, as well as an Instagram takeover with Northern Diamonds star Katie Levick and Ireland’s rising boxing star Kieran Molloy.

Recognising the great potential of young athletes, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of athletes by focusing on the developmental years.

Throughout the month of June, content will include interviews with several athletes and coaches from some of our key partners across a variety of different sports. We are also offering a 20% discount on all our youth training & leisurewear.

We will also provide a platform for some talented young athletes to showcase their talents, whilst offering exposure and recognition for their abilities in their respective sport.

“We firmly believe that every young athlete deserves an opportunity to pursue their sporting dreams. Through this campaign, we aim to empower and inspire the next generation, providing them with the tools, support and exposure to help them excel in their chosen sports. We’re excited to make a positive impact and collaborate with some of our partners throughout this month to showcase their talent, dedication and sporting achievements in their sport.” Josh Beal, Sales Director at Kukri Sports.

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

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

We work directly with many young athletes in their respective sports, including our YTP Ambassadors , British Wheelchair Basketball, England Athletics, England Lacrosse, Loughborough Lightning, Netball Northern Ireland, and a host of schools and universities. Find out more about our partners here.

Keep an eye out for exclusive content throughout the month on our website and social media channels.

Click here for more information on 20% off all our Youth Training & Leisurewear products this month.

02/06/202301/06/2023

Kukri Sports are proud to announce our new partnership with Special Olympics GB, ahead of this summer’s Special Olympics World Games.

As the new Official Kit Partner of Team Special Olympics GB for the next two years, Kukri will ensure that all 82 athletes (and unified partners), 35 coaches and eight support staff are supplied with its range of sportswear for the Special Olympics World Games.

As the new Official Kit Partner of Team Special Olympics GB for the next two years, Kukri Sports will ensure that all 82 athletes (and unified partners), 35 coaches and eight support staff are supplied with its range of sportswear for the Special Olympics World Games.

As the biggest inclusive sporting event of 2023, Berlin 2023 opens at the Olympiastadion Berlin on 17 June and will see more than 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities compete in 26 sports over nine days of competition.

Colin Dyer, Chief Executive of Special Olympics GB, said: “Team Special Olympics GB athletes are participating in 17 sports at Berlin 2023, so it’s great to know that they will be kitted out to perform in the best possible way.

Kukri Sports is one of the world’s most respected performance sportswear brands and it works with multiple teams and athletes at elite and grassroots level. We’re very excited to secure this new partnership and to work with the Kukri team on at least three major events in the Special Olympics GB major events calendar.”

Kukri Sports, which has released three items for Team Special Olympics GB supporters in its online store, will also supply for the 2024 National Winter Games and the 2025 World Winter Games through the partnership.

Josh Beal, Sales Director at Kukri Sports, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been chosen as the sportswear partner of Team Special Olympics GB at the Berlin 2023 Special Olympics World Games.

It’s an honour to see our products worn by such talented athletes on a world stage. We believe that our high-performance sportswear will help the team achieve their best results and are delighted to be part of the event. We will be cheering the team on every step of the way.”

Team Special Olympics GB athletes participating at Berlin 2023 are part of the 6,500 athletes who regularly engage in sporting opportunities across England, Scotland and Wales.

Across the United Kingdom, Special Olympics GB is the largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults of all abilities with intellectual disabilities. Its registered athletes participate at one of the 95 accredited programmes, which are delivered by a devoted team of around 3,500 volunteers.

About Special Olympics GB

• Special Olympics Great Britain (GB), set up in 1978, is a non-profit charity which provides year-round sports coaching and athletic competition in summer and winter sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

• Special Olympics GB currently has 95 accredited programmes in England, Scotland and Wales and provides coaching and competition opportunities in 27 sports. These programmes are run by over 3,500 volunteers who support more than 6,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities to take part.

• Special Olympics GB is more than just an opportunity to take part in sport – it transforms lives.  It provides opportunities to increase confidence, realise potential, develop physical fitness and mental well-being, demonstrate courage and experience new friendships.  And above all for both athletes and their families – to have some FUN.

• The work of Special Olympics GB is currently funded by individuals, trust and corporate donations and financial support is crucial to enable us to continue our work.

• Over a quarter of British adults (27%) have had heard of Special Olympics GB and 98% think that it is an inspirational organisation. (Two Circles, National Representative Omnibus Survey for Special Olympics GB) 

About Special Olympics

• Special Olympics is a global, IOC (International Olympic Committee) recognised organization.

• Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics now reaches more than five million athletes in over 190 countries.

• Unlike the Olympics and Paralympics which focuses on elite sport with events every four years, Special Olympics aims to offer opportunities for athletes of ALL abilities to take part in a range of sport every day of the week, every week of the year.

• About Intellectual Disability

• An intellectual disability (ID) is: ‘A significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (impaired intelligence) with a reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning) which started before adulthood, with a lasting effect on development’ Source: Department of Health (2001) Valuing People.

• There are an estimated 1.5 million people with intellectual disabilities in Great Britain (Source: Papworth Trust 2010).

• Two hundred babies are born each week with intellectual disabilities in the UK (Source: Papworth Trust 2010).

• Eight out of ten children with intellectual disabilities are bullied and ALL are socially excluded. (Source: Mencap 2007).

• Changing social activities and a changing environment mean that younger generations* have more of a connection to or are aware of people with ID (*under 45 years old). (Two Circles, National Representative Omnibus Survey for Special Olympics GB)

01/06/202301/06/2023

Over the last month, Kukri Sports has been proud to have shed light on the challenges faced by male athletes and promote their accomplishments and dedication to their respective sports.

The campaign included exclusive interviews with players from Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Somerset Cricket Club, as well as a captivating look into the daily life of Ireland’s rising boxing sensation, Kieran Molloy.

Kukri, known for its commitment to supporting athletes at all levels, sought to highlight the personal journeys, sacrifices, and triumphs of these remarkable sportsmen.

We also sat down with International Beach Volleyball stars, the ‘Bello Brothers’, who spoke about the importance of having the correct sportswear in Beach Volleyball.

Click here to read more of our exclusive interview with the Bello Brothers.

The campaign also featured a day in the life Instagram takeover with Ireland’s rising boxing star Kieran Molloy. The takeover provided boxing fans with a rare glimpse into the intense training regimen, sacrifices, and determination required to excel in the demanding world of professional boxing. Click here to watch the full takeover.

We also spoke to Somerset CCC star Will Smeed , who shared his aims for the new Vitality Blast season and why he made the decision to walk away from red-ball cricket.

Click here to read the full interview with Will Smeed.

“We are thrilled to have created a platform for male athletes to share their stories and inspire others. Through our exclusive interviews and the ‘day in the life’ feature with Kieran Molloy, we aimed to showcase the dedication, hard work, and resilience of these remarkable individuals. We are proud to have played a part in promoting a positive narrative around men in sport.” Josh Beal, Sales Director, Kukri Sports.

Our campaign also initiated a crucial conversation about the challenges athletes face in their respective sports. By sharing their stories, this campaign has hopefully inspired countless individuals to pursue their passions and overcome obstacles, reinforcing the notion that success is achieved through determination, hard work, and a supportive community.

Click here to read more.

As this campaign comes to a close, we remain committed to demonstrating our unwavering commitment to athletes of all genders, promoting inclusivity, and fostering an environment where every athlete can thrive.

Keep an eye out for our next campaign on ‘Supporting Youth in Sport’ coming soon.

26/05/202326/05/2023

As part of our ongoing campaign on supporting men in sport, Kukri Sports recently sat down with rising boxing star, Kieran Molloy, in an exclusive interview.

Kieran Molloy, who teamed up with Kukri as a sporting ambassador in March last year, has a bright future in boxing with his achievements including 11x National Champion, 3x Irish Elite Champion and EU Bronze Medallist, all by the age of 23.

The now 24-year-old welterweight prospect enjoyed a triumphant return to his hometown Galway in his last bout, winning convincingly after an eight-round contest with Colombian Fernando Mosquera, dazzling the sell-out crowd and showing off his impressive arsenal of skills in the process.

Molloy (5-0, 3KOs) looks back on the fight fondly and insists he’s raring to go ahead of his next bout, scheduled against Kurt Walker in Belfast on Saturday 27 May.

“It was fantastic to headline in my own city. I was very proud to bring big time boxing back to my home town. A lot of the people that were in the crowd have supported me since I was a kid, so it was nice to put on a show for them.

“I’m feeling good ahead of my next fight,” Molloy said. “I’m training well here at Loughborough University and we’ve got some great facilities here, so you can’t really ask for much more than that.”

Molloy, who trains under the watchful eye of world-class coach, Angel Fernandez, is excited for the future under the Spaniard and also lavished praise on his fellow boxing training partners.

“I’m doing some great work with my coach, Angel Fernandez, and I also have the privilege of training with some other talented boxers in Richard Riakpohre, Frazer Clarke and Sergio Garcia, so we’re all pushing each other on every single day in order to achieve our goals and reach the very top.

“It’s nice to be able to train with them all. Richard is a lot more advanced in his career at the moment, but that level is what we want to aspire to and we know we can get there with the plan that Angel has in place for us. We always keep pushing each other on every day and we’re all working our way towards the top.”

Molloy’s commitment and knowledge of the sport in which he operates is compelling, and ahead of his next bout, he is not underestimating the challenge that lies ahead.

“In training you’ve got to have every box ticked before the fight. You could be training for a specific style, but your opponent might come out and do the exact opposite of what you are prepared for.

“You have got to adjust as the fight comes,” Molloy continued. “In our training camps we cover everything, whether our opponent is an aggressive fighter, counter puncher, if he’s on the run, if he’s slick or if he’s got a tight guard. It’s important we cover all aspects in training and that is what our coach, Angel, is very good at doing.”

Combining his exciting talent with his dedication to the sport, Molloy undoubtedly has a bright future in boxing and will do whatever it takes to reach his goal. Next up, Belfast.

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