Author: garethloopdesignagency

26/06/202626/06/2026

As part of this Pride Month feature, British Trampoline gymnasts Ryan Brown and Izzy Songhurst share their experiences on inclusion, representation and allyship within the sport.

Through their long-standing partnership, Kukri Sports continues to support British Gymnastics in promoting equal opportunities across all disciplines.

Ryan Brown on belonging and representation

For Ryan Brown, a multiple-time British Championships medallist and former World Age Group Champion, inclusion starts with authenticity.

“An inclusive sporting environment is one where everyone feels welcomed and accepted for who they are,” he said.

“I’ve always felt accepted in gymnastics. I’ve met friends from different countries and backgrounds who share the same passion.”

He believes representation is key to breaking stereotypes.

“Visibility and representation are important, as they show that there isn’t just one type of athlete.

“When young people see athletes being themselves and succeeding, it reinforces that they don’t have to change who they are to belong in sport.”

Izzy Songhurst on inclusion and allyship

Olympic trampoline and two-time European gymnast Izzy Songhurst shared that inclusion is key to both wellbeing and performance.

“An inclusive environment is where everyone should feel welcome, respected and supported, regardless of where they are or where they come from,” she said.

On allyship, she stressed action over words.

“It’s about listening, learning and speaking up to create an environment where people feel supported.

“Knowing that people around you genuinely care and are willing to stand alongside you can make a huge difference.”

Pride Month and ongoing inclusion in sport

Both gymnasts see Pride Month as a moment to celebrate progress while continuing important conversations.

“Pride Month is a chance to celebrate inclusion and individuality,” Ryan said.

“It’s not just about one month, it’s about helping create an environment where people feel accepted every day of the year.”

Izzy added, “It celebrates diversity, recognises progress and raises awareness, showing support for LGBTQ+ people in sport and beyond.”

A message to young gymnasts

They both agreed gymnastics should feel open to everyone.

Ryan said, “Never let the fear of not fitting in stop you from trying a sport you love. Be yourself, work hard and enjoy the journey.”

Izzy echoed, “Don’t be afraid to give it a try. Sport builds friendships and provide memorable opportunities. You deserve to take up space and be yourself.”

Their message is simple — sport is strongest when people can be themselves. Inclusion, representation and allyship are building a culture where everyone belongs.

26/06/202625/06/2026

One month after welcoming daughter Rosie, Hannah Cockroft CBE reflects on stepping away from elite sport, embracing motherhood and why this new chapter has only added to her strength.

For the nine-time Paralympic champion, the past year has been unlike any other in her remarkable career.

Pregnancy meant spending the longest time away from her racing chair in 18 years.

But rather than focusing on what she couldn’t do, the experience gave her a new appreciation for what her body could achieve.

“I’m so proud of my body and how it has adapted to pregnancy,” she said. “What has surprised me the most is just how much I can still do.”

The Kukri Sports ambassador continued training in the gym until 32 weeks pregnant and says the experience reinforced her belief that years of elite sport have equipped her for challenges beyond competition.

“It makes me proud that the training I do doesn’t just make me strong on the track, but in everyday life too.”

While pregnancy revealed a different kind of strength, stepping away from athletics brought its own challenges.

“The biggest adjustment for me has been being out of the chair and the lack of routine,” she admits.

“Seeing my husband Nathan continue our training routine without me took a lot of getting used to.

“I went along with him to one training session and spent it sat in the car crying because I couldn’t join in.”

Now, with daughter Rosie, Hannah is already looking ahead.

“I’m hopeful that once I’m back in training and preparing for the LA Paralympic Games, I can share more of my experiences of pregnancy and motherhood, and show that para-athletes can come back to the top of the podium after childbirth with the right support.”

With her sights already set on a return to competition, Cockroft hopes her experience can inspire others to believe that motherhood doesn’t mean the end of ambition.

“I just hope people realise that motherhood isn’t the end for me. It’s just the start of a new chapter and a new challenge.

“I’m more motivated than ever to come back, and I hope to be that inspiration to others that anything is possible!”

26/05/202601/05/2026

Since 2023, Kukri Sports has been the official sportswear partner for the University of Exeter, delivering bespoke kit and merchandise for one of the largest and most competitive university sport programmes in the UK.

In 2026, that partnership was further extended, a testament to what’s been built together and what more is to come.

52 Clubs. One Standard. No compromises.

Supporting a programme of this scale demands more than a traditional kit supplier. Exeter needed a long-term partner who could:

– Deliver a consistent identity across their 52 sports clubs

– Provide bespoke playing kit and leisurewear that reflects their heritage and pride

– Manage ordering and fulfilment efficiently for a large and active student population

– Meet the sustainability expectations of a forward-thinking institution

---

More than a kit supplier

Kukri’s university partnership model and 25+ years of experience in the sector was built for exactly this kind of challenge.

Working closely with Exeter, Kukri delivered a complete solution across all 52 clubs, reflecting the identity and pride of each team, tailored to each sport and designed to a consistent standard of quality that helps student-athletes feel and perform at their best.

---

Simplifying Kit Management at Scale

Central to Kukri’s offering is a dedicated online stock shop – built specifically for the University of Exeter and designed to make kit management simple for staff and students alike.

The shop includes:

– A dedicated microsite featuring Exeter’s full product range

– Individual ordering for club members

– Bespoke garments that can be personalised across different sports

– Fast, reliable fulfilment – with a 72-hour delivery window for bespoke garments and three weeks for branded stock items

The results

Three years of partnership delivered at scale.

The partnership in numbers:

– 52 sports clubs kitted out across playing and leisurewear

– 4^th in the UK BUCS rankings 2024/25 out of 160 institutions

– 110+ teams competing weekly

– Over 4,700 garments delivered in the last three years

---

What Exeter Say

---

See the Partnership in Action

Ready to build the same for your university?

14/05/202614/05/2026

Paris Olympic champion Lola Anderson shares how mindset, balance and support helped shape her journey to the top of world rowing.

From writing down her Olympic dream at just 14 years old to becoming Paris 2024 Olympic champion in the women’s quadruple sculls, Lola Anderson has experienced both the pressure and rewards that come with elite sport.

After writing her name into Olympic history following Great Britain’s dramatic final push past the Netherlands in Paris, Anderson understands the importance of mental wellbeing both on and off the water.

Finding freedom on the water

For Lola, rowing has always provided an escape from pressure and outside stress.

“Any challenges I’ve faced tend to fade away when I’m on the water.

“When you’re passionate about maximising your potential in the boat, it’s really important not to place too much pressure on the outcome or your performance.”

Managing pressure at the highest level

Staying present has become central to how she manages the demands of elite rowing.

Despite competing on the biggest stage in sport, Lola believes mental challenges are something every athlete experiences.

“Recognising a mental hurdle doesn’t indicate weakness.

“As we headed into Paris, it would have been easy for us to let the pressure and expectations suffocate us before we even began racing.”

The importance of team culture

For Lola, team culture plays a major role in both performance and wellbeing.

“Rowing is one of the best team sports, requiring us to rely on each other both on and off the water.

“When the dynamic is strong, athletes communicate clearly, are more open to collaboration and take greater ownership of the team culture.”

Switching off away from sport

Away from training and racing, creating balance is equally important.

“I’ve always found that spending time with friends, even in simple ways serves as a good reset.

“My teammates and I often enjoy stress-free activities, such as pottery painting or cooking dinners for one another.

“Any activity that helps us genuinely switch off after training is beneficial.”

Speaking up and enjoying the journey

Lola helps younger athletes understand the importance of speaking openly and prioritising mental health.

“It can be easy to bottle up emotions and keep everything inside,” she said.

“Talking and sharing anxieties with teammates not only lightens your load, but may also encourage another teammate you didn’t know was struggling to do the same.”

Her own journey taught her that happiness and performance are closely connected.

“Transitioning into a university programme proved challenging.

“I internalised that I needed to work harder and viewed myself as ‘weak’ mentally.

“Once I shifted my focus to enjoy the day-to-day aspects of rowing, I was having fun again.

“Choosing my mental health over a desperation to perform took a weight off my shoulders and allowed me to train and race unburdened.”

Kukri is proud to support the British Rowing team and athletes like Lola as they continue to foster that sense of community on and off the water.