Kappa Teamsport UK is thrilled to announce they have signed a partnership to become the Official Supplier Partner for the BKT United Rugby Championship (URC).
The BKT United Rugby Championship – a prestigious professional rugby union competition that features teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, and South Africa - was formed in 2021, following the merger of the Pro14 and South African Rugby's Super Rugby teams. The URC is one of the most exciting rugby competitions in the world, with a strong focus on promoting the sport and developing the next generation of its stars.
As the Official Supplier Partner for the URC, Kappa will be responsible for the design and outfitting of all of the league’s referees and officials.
Mark Ward, Kappa UK Brand Director commented, “We are excited to bring our expertise in sportswear design to the URC and provide the league with product that not only looks great but also performs at the highest level. Our goal is to work closely as partners to not just create kit that reflects the URC’s unique identity but also help them in their efforts to grow and serve the game off the pitch too”.
Already well established in European rugby, Kappa has a long history of serving some powerhouse rugby teams such as Racing 92 and Italy National team with innovative kit designs. And more recently you can see the ‘Omini logo’ on the likes of Top 14’s Stade Français and Bordeaux Bègles. This addition to the rugby offense allows Kappa to continue this legacy and build toward their future vision of how they serve the game.
“This partnership represents a major milestone for Kappa UK, and we are honoured to be working with the BKT United Rugby Championship. We are committed to providing the URC with the best possible sportswear, and we look forward to seeing our kits on the field during the upcoming season. We can't wait to see what the future holds for this exciting partnership between Kappa and the URC”.
The 2023-24 match official’s kits take design inspiration from the competition’s own core brand values, looking to express unity in the game without making everything feel uniformed. Kappa is known for its rich DNA of creativity and a culture of non-conformity, synergistic with the URC which also curates exciting styles, cultures, languages, and identities.
Martin Anayi, United Rugby Championship CEO, said: “We believe that the URC boasts the most eye-catching new brand in rugby with a richness that befits the excitement and diversity of our league. Kappa has a flair for mixing heritage with modern design and we can’t wait to see how they apply that approach to our match official’s kit. Given their history of working with some of the biggest names in sport, we know that not only will our referees and match officials look good, but they will also be wearing kit with a proven track record of supporting elite performance.”
This exciting partnership not only highlights the growth opportunities identified in rugby but also demonstrates Kappa UK's commitment to excellence and innovation in team sport. The instantly recognisable brand will now look to make this announcement one of many new developments in the UK market as it looks to capitalise on opportunities.
To discover more Kappa Rugby Teamwear here, or to explore designing your own club uniform visit our online Kitbuilder.
To stay up to date with the latest news regarding the URC, join their free membership to receive a personalised URC experience.
