Category: News

27/07/202327/07/2023

As part of Kukri Sports’ ongoing commitment to celebrating the accomplishments and perseverance of para-athletes, we are proud to present an exclusive interview featuring Alasdair Donaldson, Head of Para Sport at Loughborough University, and Egyptian Badminton star, Yasmina Eissa.

Yasmina Eissa, an Egyptian badminton player and current Loughborough university student, shared her inspiring journey into the world of para sports. “I’ve always been passionate about badminton and was very active when I was younger, competing in a variety of sports.

“When my coach discovered para sports and encouraged me to participate in the World Championships in Korea, it opened up a whole new world for me. I realised the potential of para-badminton and how it allows athletes like me to excel. From there, I knew that was the sport I wanted to continue competing in moving forwards.”

Eissa, who was also the Vice Chair of the Para Sports Exec at Loughborough University this year, continues to play her part in striving towards inclusivity. “Throughout the year we have enjoyed a lot of events, whether that be the ‘Para Sports takeover week’, where we get a lot of people to learn more about para sports and try out para sports such as Wheelchair Tennis and Wheelchair Basketball.

“It allows students with disabilities to come out and play their sport, which they wouldn’t have been able to do in the past because it wasn’t as inclusive.”

Expressing her excitement about the future of para sports, Eissa said, “I believe that para sports can achieve even greater recognition and exposure, just like women’s sports. London 2012 was a turning point for the Olympics, and I hope to see more coverage and opportunities for para-athletes on a global stage.

“I think there’s a lot of misconceptions when you think of the Paralympics, so for me it’s about debunking any myths or stereotypes, and really showing people what it actually is and the talent within it.”

Alasdair Donaldson, who was appointed Loughborough University’s new Head of Para Sport last year following almost ten years at British Triathlon, has played a pivotal role in promoting para sports at Loughborough University.

Donaldson, who graduated from Loughborough University in 1998, shared his thoughts on the university’s long-standing history of supporting para-athletes. “Para sports is not a new thing at Loughborough University, but the focus on it is.

“We have witnessed some exceptional athletes over recent years like Tanni Grey-Thompson, one of Britain’s greatest Paralympic athletes, Clare Griffiths, and Dan Greaves, who have all graduated from Loughborough and achieved incredible success in their respective para sports careers.

“The university has been a nurturing ground for para-athletes, fostering an inclusive environment where they train alongside their non-disabled peers.”

Highlighting the university’s commitment to supporting para-athletes in balancing their athletic pursuits and studies, Donaldson said, “The focus goes on the person first; they are here to be students, and we work with them to find a balance between their athletic commitments and academic studies.

“Our cooperative and integrated coaching and support teams ensure that all student-athletes, regardless of their abilities, receive the necessary assistance to thrive and flourish in their sport.”

Donaldson emphasised Loughborough university’s commitment to creating an inclusive sporting landscape and their ambitious plans for the future. “We want to ensure para athletes get the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers.

“We are establishing a Universities/Higher Education working group, where para sports will take the front seat. Our aim is to make every one of our 62 Athletics clubs inclusive and welcoming to everyone who wants to participate.”

Donaldson also touched on Loughborough university’s dedication to increasing the provision for disabled students to engage in sports. “We want to make sure that those who were told at school that sports wasn’t for them have the opportunity to participate. We aim to expand para-coaching provisions with various sports and encourage disabled participants to become confident leaders in sports.

“We go into the community and bring the community into us as effectively as we can. The work done by our students, like Abbie Breakwell, who runs participatory events for wheelchair tennis every week, is a testament to the positive impact of community engagement in developing sports for everyone.”

Kukri remains committed to championing para sports and promoting the stories of exceptional athletes like Yasmina Eissa.

Kukri are proud partners of Loughborough University – providing brand-new match apparel, training and leisurewear across the whole of Loughborough’s varied sporting offer. Click here to find out more about them.

Keep an eye out for more para sports content coming soon.

25/07/202324/07/2023

Global sports brand Kukri Sports has reaffirmed its commitment to the netball industry in Australia by offering a full range of ground-breaking bespoke dress options.

With over 20 years of history in providing high-quality sportswear, Kukri aims to empower netball players across the country with the perfect fit, unmatched comfort, and exceptional performance, in designs that can be individually created for each club.

Netball’s popularity in Australia has risen significantly over the last few years, captivating athletes, fans and communities alike. In recognising the growth and need for innovative solutions, Kukri has collaborated with elite netball players, coaches and industry experts across the globe to offer the ultimate range of netball dresses. The bespoke dresses can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of netball players, taking into consideration their unique body shapes, movement patterns, and performance.

Aaron Zwart – Sales Manager, Australia commented “At Kukri Sports, we are passionate about supporting netball in Australia.

“We pride ourselves on our commitment to offer the very best bespoke sportswear. We are excited to continue our contribution to the growth and success of netball in Australia and look forward to empowering athletes of all ages and skill levels.”

Designed by Professionals, Worn by You

Through working closely with our high-profile netball partners around the world, Kukri are able to offer professional designs and innovations to grass roots clubs, meaning customers receive the same quality sportswear as international competitors.

Explore our range of bespoke Netball dress designs

Kukri Sports Netball partners:

Matrics Netball

Since first joining forces in 2013, the partnership has gone from strength to strength. Established in 1972, Matrics Netball Club is based in Adelaide and competes in the Netball South Australia Premier League Competition among others.

Matrics is celebrating 50 years of Netball and has a proud history, with the club winning 7 Premier League Grand Finals, whilst contributing strongly to the players of the Adelaide Thunderbirds squad. On average, the Club fields more than 40 teams in both the Winter and Summer seasons.

Find out more about Matrics Netball

Loughborough Lightning

Loughborough Lightning, the current champions of the Netball Super League in the UK, have enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Kukri Sports for more than ten years. The team is situated at Loughborough University, another esteemed partner of Kukri Sports. Having reached the grand finals for three consecutive years, they have emerged victorious in two of those occasions.

Find out more about Loughborough Lightning

Severn Stars

Severn Stars also compete in the Netball Super League and have partnered with Kukri since their inception in 2016.

In 2022, a collaborative effort resulted in the development of a new netball dress specifically designed for the team. This culmination led to the creation of a contemporary dress that fits impeccably and enables the team to perform at their best level.

Find out more about Severn Stars

Netball Northern Ireland

Since 2018, Kukri has been in a partnership with the national netball team of Northern Ireland, supplying playing kit and leisurewear for all Northern Ireland squads. As they compete on the international stage, it is essential that the quality of the dresses reaches an elite standard, a responsibility that Kukri takes great pride in fulfilling.

Find out more about Netball Northern Ireland

17/07/202317/07/2023

Kukri Sports, a leading sportswear provider in Australia, recognizes the crucial role that education plays in the development of young people. Our goal is to facilitate better learning outcomes for students throughout the country by providing schools with high-quality playing and leisurewear that not only performs across all teams, but also meets their high standards as an educational institution.

With a wide range of products perfectly suited to the needs of each school, Kukri offers a choice of fabrics, including our latest breathable materials and new sustainable options for a greener alternative, as well as cutting-edge technology and a variety of fits to ensure that there is an option to suit everyone.

“Kukri proves quality attire for our College students. Their pricing is reasonable and the turnaround time on obtaining stock is quick. Kukri are great to deal with, highly recommend!” Kellie Barker – Deputy Principal, St Teresa’s Catholic College

“Kukri Sports doesn’t just sell sportswear to schools; we strive to provide a comprehensive support package. Our team works closely with our partners every step of the way to help them choose the right products and create custom designs that meet their unique needs. We are committed to ensuring that every student looks and feels their best in their sports apparel by offering unparalleled support and guidance throughout the entire process.” Brendan Underwood – Sales Manager, Kukri Sports Australia

Kukri Sports is a global business with a local presence in Australia, where we have established offices. We believe in providing personalized support to our partners, which is why we allocate an Account Manager to every school to ensure that their requirements are met smoothly. For branded stock, we offer a lead time of 3 weeks, and our partners have the flexibility to choose between online or wholesale ordering options based on their convenience.

Kukri Sports are a global sportswear provider and multi-sport specialists with over 20 years’ experience across elite sport, grassroots clubs and education providers.

Whether you are an education provider, local club or professional business, If you want to find out more about how Kukri Sports could help with your sportswear requirements CONTACT US

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.

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.

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.

23/06/202323/06/2023

Sport is a hugely important part of the everyday fabric of Australian life and the country is a nation of many sports: cricket, football, tennis, rugby, and netball to name but a few. Over 90% of adults have an interest in sport and the country is embracing sport as a force for social change, increasing acceptance of woman and people with disabilities as sporting role models. *

Kukri Sports is proud to continue its global growth in the sportswear market and as a brand we are delighted to provide increased focus on our commitment to support the sportswear needs of education providers, professional clubs, and grass roots teams in Australia.

With a focus on high-quality, performance driven sportswear, Kukri is dedicated to helping athletes achieve and perform at their best.

As a global business Kukri has over 20 years of history of supporting over 100 different sports, with partners including Yorkshire and Somerset CCC in England, British Gymnastics, Ulster Rugby and Waikato Rugby. Kukri also partner with many leading education institutions throughout Australia, meaning whether studying at school or university our expertise means we can create fully bespoke designs to meet all requirements.

For more information about Kukri’s partners click here.

In addition to its partnerships, Kukri also offers a wide range of bespoke sportswear products for individual athletes and sports enthusiasts. 13 million adults and 3 million children take part in sporting activities each year in Australia. Whatever your sport, whatever your ability, gender or body shape we have you covered. Whether you’re looking for t-shirts, leggings, hoodies or jackets, whether it’s performance sportswear, sustainable sportswear or leisurewear you require, we have options to suit everyone – find out more.

“At Kukri we as passionate about providing all athletes with the right sportswear to help them perform at an optimal level, whether this is at school, university, within grass roots sports or on the international stage.

Our goal is not only to provide elite bespoke sportswear but also meet the individual needs of our partners and customers.” – Brendan Underwood – Sales Manager, Kukri Sports Australia.

“We are committed to being a reliable sportswear partner to institutions throughout Australia. We understand the importance in providing the right kit and we are dedicated to offering a wide range of high-quality kit that caters for the needs of every athlete.

The company has experienced an enormous amount of growth over the last few years, which is testament to the people in the business, who strive every day to offer customers with the best possible experience and product.

From education providers through to elite level competition we strive to be the best sportswear partner in Australia and around the world.” – Andrew Ronnie – Group Executive Chairman

If you are interested in finding out how Kukri could support your sportswear needed get in touch.

Source Ref:
*About sport in Australia | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

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)