Author: garethloopdesignagency

19/05/202319/05/2023

As part of Mental Health Awareness week, we spoke with some of our partner’s athletes from various sporting backgrounds on their personal experiences with mental health challenges, the importance of exercise and their advice for young athletes experiencing mental health challenges.

Kukri Sports understands the importance of Mental Health Awareness Week, an initiative launched by the Mental Health Foundation, which happens every year and aims to tackle the stigma around mental health.

Launched in 2001, the initiative is vital in increasing public understanding of mental health and how problems can be prevented. It also aims to help people understand and prioritise their and others’ mental health and well-being.

As part of our efforts to tackle the stigma around mental health and provide support, we spoke to athletes from various partners across different sports, who bravely share their personal experiences, their coping mechanisms and how their sport has positively impacted their mental health throughout their respective careers.

Adam Lyth, a Yorkshire County Cricket Club legend who has amassed over 200 first-class appearances and is the club’s leading run-scorer in the Vitality Blast, opened up about the challenges he has faced in his career. The left-handed opening batsmen insisted that a close support network has helped him through difficult periods.

“I was going through a difficult period of time when I was playing for England with the media, expectations and a loss of form from an individual perspective. That was probably the most difficult time in my career.

“I just tried to take everything out of it and concentrate on my job at the time, which I’m there to enjoy and love. Speaking openly and getting that support from your closest friends and family is really important, and it’s helped my greatly in my career up to this point.”

Lyth, who has sailed beyond 12,000 career runs in all first-class cricket, stressed the importance of young athletes speaking openly about their mental health challenges.

“I think it’s important that young athletes speak out, whether that be to friends, family, teammates or coaches. They are there to help you, and it’s never nice to see anyone going through difficult periods of time and them not wanting to speak out as a result of that.

“The most important thing for me is your family and the teammates you have around you, and if people speak out to them, they can hopefully help in getting athletes through a difficult period of time that will make them stronger for when they face other obstacles throughout their career.”

Kukri also spoke with international Beach Volleyball stars, the Bello Brothers, who already boast four World Tour medals, on the strategies they have found to be effective when competing at a high level.

“We also have long periods of time when we’re training without competitions during the off season or pre-season, so we find it very beneficial to have a good plan in place to ensure we stay focused and engaged at all times.

“We have a really good plan in place and team around us too, which helps to create the framework and routine that we follow, which allows us to have an element of consistency and helps keep our mental health in check.”

Javier Bello, who spoke on behalf of the Bello Brothers, also encouraged young athletes to speak out about the challenges they are facing.

“I think for any young athlete it’s important that you speak to people around you. Even if it’s just having a small conversation and not feeling like you are alone and fighting your own battle.

“It’s really important to get support from those around you such as friends, players and coaches that can help you overcome challenges.”

Kieran Molloy, Ireland’s rising boxing star who aspires to become a world champion, also gave an insight into the challenges he has faced in his career.

“I’ve had to step away from a lot of things, there’s no social life or going our partying as an athlete, but my dream of becoming a world champion outweighs all of that.

“But these are the sacrifices that athletes have got to make to reach the top and push for their dreams. You’ve got to be selfish, look after yourself and once those rewards eventually come, it’s all worth it.”

“Boxing is a very lonely sport, you spend a lot of time alone. It’s been difficult for me moving away from home at a young age and living alone, so you’ve got to surround yourself with people who you know are going to be there for you.

“I’ve got some great people around me here like my coach, Angel Fernandez, and the other boxers I train with such as Sergio Garcia, Frazer Clarke and Richard Riakporhe. We’re all in the same boat here and will be there for each other through thick and thin.

The 24-year-old, who made a triumphant return to his native Galway this month after beating Fernando Mosquera, also shared his advice for young aspiring boxers who are facing mental health challenges.

“Reach out to people. They can always give me or any of the other guys a message and we’d be more than happy to help and listen to what they have to say.

“Boxing is a very tough sport and if there is any way we can help people we will. Never be afraid to ask for help if you are struggling. There is a lot of good people in the world and a lot more good than bad out there, and I just think a simple message can go a long way to helping young boxers overcome challenges they are facing.”

Will Smeed, who became the first player to score a century in the Hundred in 2022. also spoke with Kukri on his coping strategies that help him mentally.

“A big thing for me is having a routine. I think having that in place helps me to cope with the pressures that come with cricket. I just try to enjoy it which helps to take that pressure off and go in with the mindset that I’m going out there to have fun and win, which for me is a good way to look at it.

“I think I’ve always been good at staying level and keeping things in perspective. Obviously, some people struggle with that a bit more, but I think it’s important that they have a routine to go back to, and if you are low, just keep persevering with that routine and then from there the performances will come good and that will help people to start feeling better about themselves.”

The 21-year-old, who starred on his England Lions debut in July 2022, is encouraged by the support out there for people struggling with their mental health.

“There are a lot of avenues out there now that athletes can pursue to get the help they need and get on top of their mental health. The main thing for me is to find your support network and reach out to people.

“I think the main thing is if you are struggling is not to be afraid to speak out and seek help.

“Especially with a sport like Cricket, I think it’s very important to stay level-headed. If players can find their own way of coping with the different challenges that cricket throws at you, then I think that will only help them in the long-term.”

As all the above athletes attest, exercise can be a powerful tool in the fight against mental health challenges. Although, with that can come pressure and increased expectation, which is where it is important to speak out and be open about your struggles.

We hope that their experiences will help others to seek help and support when needed, and to see the benefits of exercise in improving young athletes’ and other individuals’ mental health.

For more information on Mental Health Awareness Week and how you can access support, click here.

12/05/202312/05/2023

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.

03/05/202303/05/2023

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.

13/04/202314/04/2023

As we continue to shine a light on the accomplishments of Women in sport this month, we recently sat down with ex-England Netball captain and Loughborough Lightning’s Olivia Murphy.

Now Assistant Coach and Head of Performance Support at Loughborough Lighting, Olivia Murphy enjoyed a stellar playing career with 95 caps across 15 years playing internationally for England and six years spent as senior captain.

As part of the wider elite sport franchises based at Loughborough University, Kukri continues to provide support for five time Grand finalists, Loughborough Lightning Netball, who were crowned Netball Super League champions in 2021 and continue to inspire and develop talent through their pathway.

“It’s a special partnership. Kukri have been working with Lightning Netball over multiple seasons now. The beauty of the kit is that the Kukri team are always listening to feedback or ideas from our athletes and staff. We both want to be at the top of our game!”

Murphy has also stressed the importance on the Kukri kit being accommodating for Netball players of all shapes and sizes to help facilitate their performance on the court.

“Kukri have worked with us around fit and feel of the dresses and sizing in particular. The great thing about Netball is that it’s played by females of all shapes and sizes, and Kukri have fully embraced this challenge so all the athletes can feel amazing in their kit.

“Kukri kit is long enough for our taller athletes, so they don’t have to worry about how it looks when they move and the fabric ensures that it’s breathable. Playing in packed arenas and on Sky Sports means look, feel and performance kit are hugely important.

“I would recommend Kukri to anyone working with female athletes as the staff will listen and react, as well as research what’s important for their partners.”

Kukri Sports have been a proud partner and Official Kit supplier of Loughborough University for over ten years, providing brand-new match apparel, training and leisurewear across the whole of Loughborough’s sporting provision.

To find out more about Loughborough Lightning, click here.

As part of supporting Women in sport campaign, we are giving you 20% off all Women’s sportswear for this month only. Don’t miss out, click here to find out more and grab yourself a bargain.

05/04/202312/04/2023

This month we are proud to launch our Women in Sport campaign to shine a light on the accomplishments of strong, powerful women on the track, in the fields and on the courts, pitches and gyms across the globe. Plus, we will be highlighting the support we offer to these inspirational women to help them achieve their goals.

Through collaborations with our partners, we will be highlighting the hard work and dedication of these inspiring women and the progress they continue to make across a variety of sports. We will be sharing their inspirational stories to motivate and encourage a new generation of female athletes who can now truly believe that anything is possible.

Activities will include interviews with key partners, including a live Instagram takeover with Northern Diamonds star, and leading wicket taker in Women’s County Championship Cricket, Katie Levick plus we are offering a 20% discount off all our Women’s Training & Leisurewear products throughout April.

At Kukri Sports, we are dedicated to breaking down gender barriers in the sporting world and providing contemporary and stylish designs which empower women to feel proud to engage in sporting activities at every level.

We are also committed to ensuring all women have access to sportswear that suits their individual needs, whatever the sport, whilst providing them with the opportunity to participate in sports safely and comfortably.

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

We work with many elite female athletes in their respective sports, including those at England Athletics, British Gymnastics and Severn Stars. We are also championing next generation talent by supporting England Athletics’ Youth Talent Programme with our Kukri Ambassadors scheme, which includes athletes such as Amy Thompson, Annabel Amadin, Grace Wall and Jess Bailey.

“At Kukri we understand how important it is that women feel comfortable in what they are wearing when taking part in sporting activities. This is a key focus for the business when we are developing new products, and at the forefront of our minds when we are developing new products.

“The features we incorporate into our designs ensure women are provided with the right comfort and support, whether it is the optimum fit or bespoke material properties, to perform at all levels of sport.” – Sarah Clark, Senior Product Developer at Kukri Sports.

“Our close relationships with our partner’s make it particularly enjoyable to design and develop sportswear specifically for women as we understand just how important it is to the athletes.

It fills everyone within the business with great pride when we see our designs showcased in high profile global sporting competitions, such as the 2022 Commonwealth Games or the Netball Super League.” – Hayley Yates, Design Manager at Kukri Sports.

Kukri Sports is proud to be at the forefront of designing bespoke sportswear for women, whilst promoting inclusivity in the industry.

For more information on our 20% discount off all Women’s Training & Leisurewear products, please click here.

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.

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