Author: garethloopdesignagency

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.

12/07/202312/07/2023

Kukri Sports is proud to announce that one of its Youth Talent Programme Ambassadors has been chosen to represent Team England at this year’s highly anticipated Commonwealth Youth Games.

Jess Bailey, who will be competing in the 3000m, has been confirmed as one of 31 athletes who will represent Team England on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago from 4-11 August.

The competition will provide a global platform for Jess to showcase her skills and compete against some of the finest, young athletes in athletics.

Reflecting on the news, Jess said, “I am very grateful for the opportunity, and hope to do my country proud.

“It’s been a long road since picking up a stress fracture in my foot last year. I had 6 weeks in a cast and 4 weeks in a boot and I had lost all my confidence after I began cross training again in February.

“I thought it would take at least a year to re-gain full fitness and get back to where I was. Fortunately, I was wrong, I spent several months just focusing on what I could control and on the little things, and now less than five months since my boot was removed, I have been selected to represent my country in Trinidad & Tobago.”

Raised in a sports-oriented family, Jess was exposed to various sports from an early age. Starting with gymnastics and netball, she later discovered a passion for running.

Reflecting on her athletics journey so far, Jess expressed, “I have loved my time in athletics so far, and although there have been ups and downs, overall, it has been such a positive journey. The adrenaline from racing and the feeling of pushing yourself to the limit is unbeatable.

“Through running, I have been fortunate enough to travel to Thailand, Italy, Israel, and Ireland. Those experiences have been amazing, I have made friends around the world and have had opportunities to experience different cultures I never would have had the chance to see otherwise.”

Looking ahead to the future, Jess is determined to let her training do the talking and will continue to stay grounded, “Training and competing in this sport is one of the things I love most in life, and to get to do that every day would be such a privilege.

“I would love to be a professional runner and compete internationally as a senior. For now though, I’m just going to keep training hard, enjoy the process and not take anything for granted.”

Kukri would also like to congratulate its other YTP Ambassadors on their achievements so far this year. Amy Thompson equalled her personal best in the Women’s Under-18s shot put at this year’s Loughborough Pathway International with 7.94m, which is a world paralympic consideration standard.

Amongst other achievements, Kai Barham was crowned Under-20s Hammer Thrower Men’s Champion at the England Athletics Under-23 and Under-20 Championships in Chelmsford.

Gracie Wall was also victorious in the Championships, winning the Women’s Under-20 High Jump gold medal with a winning jump of 1.78 metres, a personal best that pushes her to third place in this year’s UK Under-20 rankings.

Gracie, who has achieved the qualification standard for the British Championships and will now be competing this week in Manchester, reflects on her journey so far with immense pride, “I have always watched athletics on the TV and participated in a few events in PE at my Primary School.

“I joined an athletics club at the age of 7 and tried all the events, but began high jump when I was 10. Since then, I have competed and focused on high jump, continuing to improve and develop my performances, all whilst enjoying the opportunities the sport gives me and loving the journey with my coach and friends.

Looking ahead, Gracie has ambitious goals for her future in high jump, “My main aim and aspiration is for my performances to be recognised and rewarded by being selected for Great Britain. I want to challenge myself and deliver high-quality performances on a bigger stage.

“By having clear goals of the heights and aspirations I want to reach, this gives me an incentive and motivates me. Along with success, challenges also feed motivation – all these factors drive me more to achieve my goals and be the best version of myself.”

Kukri is proud to support all our Youth Talent Programme Ambassadors and would like to congratulate them on their achievements so far this year.

As the countdown to the Commonwealth Youth Games begins, Kukri will continue to support Jess in her preparations, ensuring she has the necessary resources to compete at her best.

With a strong commitment to youth development and whilst empowering the next generation of athletes, Kukri remains dedicated to achieving excellence in sports worldwide.

We would like to wish all our YTP Ambassadors the best of luck in their competitions for the rest of the year.

Click here to read find out more about this year’s Commonwealth Youth Games.

Click here to find out more about our YTP Ambassadors.

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.

05/07/202304/09/2023

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.

30/06/202329/06/2023

As part of our ongoing campaign on supporting youth in sport, we spoke with upcoming rugby star, Connie Clarke, on her journey from nearly quitting the sport to scoring two tries on her England Under-18s debut, as well as her hopes for the future.

Clarke, who has the potential to be a future rugby union star, first joined Preston Grasshoppers at the age of 7. The youngster discovered her passion for the game at a young age after being influenced by her family’s connection to the sport.

After learning about her Grandfather’s impressive career with England School Boys in the 1950’s, she and her brother embarked on a rugby journey that has led her onto some incredible achievements.

Reflecting on her early years, Clarke shared, “I first went down to a local rugby team aged 5. I went down with my older brother and sister at the time, and since then me and my brother kept playing all the way through.

“Me and my brother have got our Grandfather as an end point of what we want to achieve in our careers, we want to do it for him and build on his legacy. At the same time, we really enjoy playing and get such a buzz from it which ignited our drive to keep playing as we got older.”

Throughout her journey up to this point, Clarke has faced challenges as a female player in what was a historically male-dominated sport. However, the youngster admits she has witnessed a positive transformation in the acceptance and inclusivity of girls in rugby. “If you go to any rugby club in the country now, they accept girls and boys of all abilities, which is a big positive,” Clarke said.

“I was lucky to be part of a club who accepted me and allowed me to play, but when I played for other clubs they had never seen a girl play rugby. If a girl was to join a team it was quite difficult for them to fit in as they would feel too uncomfortable.”

One of the significant milestones in Clarke’s career up to this point was her England Under-18s debut, which came in their bicentennial anniversary game with Wales at Rugby School back in March. Overwhelmed with joy, she shared, “Once the email came through, I searched for my name, and once I found it, I was just over the moon.

“As it sunk in I told my family and then realised I would be playing in front of a bigger crowd than I was used to, which was initially daunting, but I managed to push that aside and just focused on the excitement of getting to play and represent my country.”

Clarke’s dedication and talent were evident as she scored two superb tries in a convincing 48-5 victory for England. Reflecting on the moment, she said, “At that point, it just felt like I was doing my job and scoring a try for the team I was playing for. But when I was running back to the halfway line, I heard the stadium announcer mention my name, ‘The scorer for England is Connie Clarke.’

“Then I heard all my family cheering from the distance, and that just boosted my energy even more – it was an amazing feeling.”

Balancing rugby with academic studies has been a priority for Clarke, who emphasizes the importance of maintaining an even playing field. “When I need to focus on my studies, that comes first,” she said.

“Sometimes, if I’ve been at an England training camp over the weekend, I’ll ask Preston Grasshoppers if I can miss a week’s training as I have to focus on work, and they are really understanding of that.”

Clarke’s journey has been marked by memorable experiences, particularly her involvement with Preston Grasshoppers. Recalling her early days with the girls’ team, she faced initial challenges due to the limited number of players.

“It was quite hard for me because I was used to turning up to training and doing something that was valuable, but there wasn’t much you could do with five girls.

“At that point, I had lost the motivation to keep playing. I was close to giving up and fell out of love with it because I wasn’t playing or developing, but my coach at Hoppers, Steve Tiernan, said it would only get better and I trusted him that it would.”

Clarke credits her coaches and mentors for her development as a player. Their belief in her abilities and constant guidance have propelled her to new heights. From her coach at Preston Grasshoppers to the trainers at Sale, they have played an instrumental role in shaping her skills and preparing her for higher levels of competition.

“I trained really hard and eventually got into the centre of excellence at Sale. All the coaches there then prepare all the girls for the next steps, and they focused not only my performance on the field, but also everything else off it that helps to shape you as a player.

“Eventually, I got picked up by England, which was an amazing feeling, and that wouldn’t have happened without the support of my coaches at ‘Hoppers’ and Sale.”

Looking ahead, Clarke’s ambitions include playing for the Senior Red Roses, the pinnacle of achievement in English women’s rugby.

“That’s always been the dream for me and I will do what it takes to make it happen. I’m moving down to Exeter next year, so hopefully if I keep training hard I can get into the Allianz Premier 15s and play for a team in that competition.”

Everyone at Kukri Sports wishes Connie success in her future career!

Kukri Sports are proud partners of Preston Grasshoppers – click here to find out more about the team.

Keep an eye out for more youth in sport content coming soon.

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.

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.

29/05/202326/05/2023

With the new Cricket season well underway, Kukri Sports recently sat down with Somerset County Cricket Club star Will Smeed in an exclusive interview as part of our campaign on supporting men in sport.

The 21-year-old, who has been dubbed as an exciting young cricketer, made his Twenty20 debut for Somerset in the 2020 T20 Blast and made history a few years later by becoming the first player to score a century in the Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix.

Smeed, who made his List A debut in July 2022 for the England Lions against South Africa, insists that he’s still keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite an impressive introduction onto the cricket scene.

“The last few years have been pretty cool,” Smeed gleamed. “I’ve been very fortunate to have been given a lot of opportunities, and luckily things are going my way at the moment.”

“I’ve always been pretty level headed though, so to be honest I’m just cracking on and trying to play cricket and not think about the distractions that come with it.”

The right-handed batter decided to step away from red-ball cricket last year to focus on white-ball cricket, and, despite some controversy around the decision, feels like it’s the best avenue to go down in order to enhance his game.

“I just felt like it would give me the best chance to reach the highest level I could in white-ball cricket.

“I felt like trying to do both at the same time was taking away from both aspects, so i think by just focusing on this for now I’m excited to see where this can hopefully take my white-ball game.”

A product of King’s College Taunton, Smeed (who are also one of Kukri’s partners), who helped Somerset CCC to a sensational win against reigning champions Hampshire Hawks in the Vitality Blast this week, insists he’s raring to go again and feels better than ever.

“I’m really enjoying being back in and around the group after a busy winter. I think if we can win the Vitality Blast then hopefully I’ve played my part.

“The main goal for me has always been to try and focus on the team and help them win matches, and hopefully I can do that again this competition and then we can go one better than last season.”

Take advantage of our 20% discount off all our men’s training & leisurewear products before the offer expires at the end of this month. Click here to find out more.

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.