Category: News

06/03/202314/04/2023

The sports brand has announced a record-breaking year, including successes with international sporting events and key partnership extensions.

Kukri Sports has announced significant global growth for their brand, after another hugely successful year in 2022. Sales figures rose significantly by a record 23%, whilst profits rose by 58%.

After adapting to the easing of pandemic restrictions around the world the business has sustained relationships with premium global sporting events, whilst a number of high-profile partnership announcements and extensions have taken place as the brand continues to be a leading provider for National Governing Bodies, education providers and sporting clubs across the world.

In 2022, Kukri continued to provide high-quality bespoke teamwear and leisure wear for the world stage, delivering an unprecedented service to partnered teams and athletes at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, with teams including Team England and Canada. They also continued their 17th year of sponsorship of the Hong Kong Sevens following its return in November.

As a global business Kukri also experienced exponential growth in various regions, including the Middle East, Ireland and North America, with an increase in custom-made teamwear orders from teams in the regions and an increased demand for their apparel online. To further solidify their presence, Kukri signed multiple sponsorship deals, including an extension with one of their longest serving clients, Dubai College, and a 3-year partnership with Cougar Volley as their official kit supplier.

Additionally, the sports brand also signed and extended agreements with a host of other partners such as Loughborough University, Welsh Gymnastics, British Wrestling, England Lacrosse, British Wheelchair Basketball, Rugby School and a number of other well renowned educational institutions.

Last year, the brand’s initiative to reduce their environmental effect while also caring for individuals who create and wear their products throughout the world, continued to excel.

Andrew Ronnie, Group Chief Executive at Kukri Sports, said: “This year has once again seen an exponential rise in sales numbers while we have also continued to ensure we are delivering excellent levels of customer service and satisfaction, despite some of the most challenging trading times.

Another focus for us has been our ambition to continue to improve our products and develop our sustainability ambitions, giving our partners across the world the choice of a more environmentally friendly kit provision – something you will see at our events this year.

The year ahead promises to be no less of a success for us and we have some exciting events to look forward to, including the bi-centential celebrations with our partner Rugby School amongst others. We continue to put a huge focus on supporting athletes across the board – be that youth, female, or male athletes.”

03/02/202303/02/2023

Kukri Sports are delighted to further extend our partnership with Dubai College for a further 3 years until 2026.

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

Established in 1978, Dubai College is one of the most prestigious schools in the UAE, with a reputation for combining academic excellence with an outstanding sporting provision.

Find out more about Dubai College

“We are delighted to continue our relationship with Kukris Sports, which have consistently delivered high quality to Dubai College sport for over a decade. The quality of their product has provided our student body with first rate sports apparel, both in curriculum and for our numerous sports teams.” Andrew Jones, Director of Sport, Dubai College.

“With a decade of partnership behind us, we are thrilled to continue our collaboration with Dubai College, a school in Dubai known for their exceptional sports program. We look forward to providing them the best quality sportswear and designs to support their athletes in reaching their full potential on and off the field.” Kobus Cronje, Regional Manager, Kukri Sports.

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

01/02/202301/02/2023

Kukri Sports are proud to announce our multi-year contract extension with St Mary’s University, who are based in Twickenham.

As part of the deal Kukri will remain as the official sportswear partner, supplying a full range of competition kit as well as offering a customisable training and leisurewear range.
St Mary’s is an elite university, with over 6,000 undergraduate and post graduate students across the four academic schools, for more information visit www.stmarys.ac.uk.

“We’re pleased to be extending our relationship with Kukri for a further two years, building on the success of our partnership that began in 2018. The quality of kit provided for St Mary’s students and staff has been excellent, and the competition and training kit designs ensure that we can continue to create a unique identity and sense of belonging for our sporting community. We look forward to continuing to develop our students’ sporting experience with Kukri.” – Gareth Crewe, Sport Development Manager, St Mary’s University.

“It is great to be extending our partnership with St Mary’s University. We have worked with them since 2018 to produce an offering which covers multiple facets of the university, from playing kit, SU leisurewear, playing kit and staff kit. We look forward to continuing to develop the range for all students and support the success of St Mary’s sporting development and offering through our partnership.” – Josh Beal, Sales Director, Kukri Sports.

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

24/01/202324/01/2023

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.

19/01/202319/01/2023

Kukri Sports are delighted to announce a 3-year partnership with Cougar Volleyball who are based in Maple Ridge Canada.

As part of the deal Kukri will be the official kit supplier to the team, providing uniform, apparel and sportswear for all athletes and staff.

Founded in 2020 Cougar were the first Volleyball team in the Ridge Meadows region of Canada. The club aims to create opportunities for athletes ages 8+ to establish a long-term passion for the sport of volleyball, while learning the values of teamwork, leadership, and a common goal.

“The Cougars Volleyball Club is pleased to announce it’s partnership with Kukri Sports as their official and exclusive uniform, apparel & gear supplier. We are excited to be working with Kukri Sports as they have provided us with high quality products & exceptional service since our club started a few years ago” James Tecson, Club Director, Couger Volleyball

“We are delighted to have entered into a 3 year partnership with Cougar Volleyball who we worked with last year, providing them with both on and off court apparel.  Cougar Volleyball have ambitious growth plans and we look forward to supporting them as they continue to expand, ensuring their athletes are able to train and compete in industry leading apparel along with providing an online store for retail purchases too.” Jamie Williams – Vice President, Kukri Sports North America.

For more details on Cougars volleyball visit Cougar Volleyball Club or check out their Instagram @cougars_volleyball

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

10/01/202313/01/2023

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

07/12/202219/01/2023

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.

05/12/202211/01/2023

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 200^th 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

17/11/202215/12/2022

Kukri Sports has announced a deal with Birmingham 2022 bronze medallists Javier and Joaquin Bello this week, providing them kit ahead of their key competitions this year. As part of the announcement, we sat down with the pair to find out a bit more about who they are, their background and their hunger for more success.

Three months on from their epic performance in the Commonwealth Games that earned them an illustrious bronze medal, Javier and Joaquin Bello are stood in more humbling territory, their local training centre. “We are so proud, but this is just the beginning. We have bigger aspirations,” says Javi with a smile, when asked about the pair’s past achievements. Despite their previous accolades, the brothers are setting their sights on the future, growing the sport of beach volleyball, and building their own legacy.   

The Bello’s guaranteed themselves a shot at a medal after impressively defeating Tuvalu, Cyprus, and Team Gambia in the competition. However, in the biggest match of their careers, in front of a 4,000 crowd, the mammoth task of the more experienced Team Canada was a stride too far for the Madrid-born siblings. They bowed out in the semi-final, before eventually edging Rwanda to secure their bronze. The talent, dynamism, and passion they radiated during the tournament won the hearts of the spectators.  

Despite tight funding, the twins exceeded all expectations of England’s place in the beach volleyball world order and became trailblazers for the sport in Britain. “Part of our identity is knowing we don’t have the perfect conditions to be a professional team, but doing the best with what we’ve got,” admitted Javi. “There are now more people playing and it will benefit the sport in the long run, it might not be us benefitting, but definitely the next generations of players.” A wisdom way above his years, the 22-year-old is clearly delighted to have had an impact on the long-term success of his favourite sport.   

The conversation turns to his brother, Joaquín, who is asked if the siblings had planned to engross the public this much. “They liked our passion,” he responded jovially. “We focused almost exclusively on the Commonwealth Games this year as it was the biggest event in a generation that we were going to host in the UK. It was our once in a lifetime opportunity to broadcast this sport to the world.” Perhaps reflecting the modern world in sport, the brothers identify social media as the catalyst that propels them and their brand. They “love to tell stories and show off the sport” to their followers and confess the engagement they receive on their content has a positive impact on their lives.  

When the topic of Kukri Sports is brought up, both Bello brothers light-up. The brand partnered with the players and supplied them with their kits for the Commonwealth Games, something that the young sportsmen are incredibly thankful for and state that played a colossal role in their great form. “You want clothes that are comfortable and you can move in. We felt loose and good on the court and that was all down to Kukri, that’s why we reached out to them. It’s another little performance gain we had thanks to them,” says Joaquin, who feels supported by the brand, as the brothers aspire to make a serious push for the next Olympic Games.   

Whilst they dream of having professional careers in the sport, they are both still in education, but it is not difficult to see that they are gifted individuals with masses of charisma – Javier recently graduated in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Royal Holloway University, while Joaquin is in his fifth year studying medicine at Imperial College. The twins, who emigrated with their beach volleyball-obsessed family to the UK aged 10, are in perfect hands for success. Their mother Barbara is their team manager, with younger brother Enrique acting as a training partner. Most incredibly of all, their father Luis, described as “one of the best coaches in the world” by Javi, coaches them. An exemplary set-up for a meteoric rise. Javier and Joaquin Bello – remember the names.