Titleist becomes licensed golf ball partner for Rugby League World Cup 2021

The leading golf ball brand, Titleist has landed a partnership with Rugby League World Cup 2021 to provide personalised golf balls for the new event that will see the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair tournaments run concurrently for the first time this October 23rd to November 27th.

Under the licensing partnership, Titleist will now give golfers the chance to add the tournament logo or any of the participating teams’ marks to their golf ball line-up via the My Titleist platform, consisting of the Pro V1, Pro V1x and AVX, as well as a the Tour Speed, Tour Soft, Velocity, and TruFeel golf balls.

Titleist joins a roster of brands partnering with RLWC2021 including apparel, accessories, publishing and collectibles, ahead of what promises to be the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup to date.  

Edward Shirley, Titleist corporate sales manager, said: “Partnering with a world first event like this demonstrates Titleist’s determination to join forces with globally recognised properties to help increase awareness and engagement across multiple sports and audiences.

“The partnership is an extremely exciting one for Titleist and we look forward to working with the Rugby League World Cup this year.” 

Jonathan Neill, commercial director at RLWC2021, added: “Titleist is a brand that symbolises sporting excellence, and another partner who shares our vision in delivering the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup ever.  

“Titleist are not only committed to producing industry leading products but have also demonstrated a desire to collaborate with other sports and major events through their customisation offering and digital platform which will support the tournament’s ambition of reaching new audiences.” 

Not only does this partnership provide golfers with the opportunity to show their support for the event and their nation, it also allows them to play the leading golf balls in the market. 

The British & Irish Lions signs new deal with mouthguard specialist OPRO

The British & Irish Lions has signed a new licensing partnership with the world’s largest mouthguard manufacturer, OPRO, marking one of a number new licensing deals secured for the brand by The Point. 1888.

A product licensing programme for the British & Irish Lions is now well underway, created to tap into the demand for the sport ahead of the Castle Lager Lions Series in South Africa against the Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks.

The new partnership grants OPRO the rights to produce Lions-branded mouthguards available for purchase through its network of global retailers.

The relationship also sees all players selected in the Lions squad provided with OPRO’s, award winning, custom-fit mouthguards. OPRO is the official mouthguard partner of more than 85 teams and associations across the world, including England Rugby, Rugby Australia, New Zealand Rugby and 11 Gallagher Premiership clubs.

“We are delighted to welcome OPRO to our family of licensees,” said Tom Halsey, British & Irish Lions commercial director.

“OPRO’s pioneering approach to mouthguard technology and player welfare sets it apart from any competitor. We look forward to another successful partnership with them.”

Daniel Lovat, sports marketing director for OPRO, added: “It’s a huge privilege to once again be partnered with the Lions and we also thanks The Point. 1888 for their fantastic support.

“We’re excited to launch the range of Lions-branded mouthguards alongside our retail partners and also support the squad during the Tour, ensuring they’ve the very best protection for their teeth.”

OPRO is the latest in a list of recent Lions’ license deals secured by The Point.1888, which include Reach Publishing for a Lions pre-Tour magazine, Tour guide, and bookazine, Super Socks for a range of Lions-branded personalised socks and cushions, and Disrupt Sport who will create a portfolio of print on demand Lions products includng posters, stickers, puzzles, wallets, phone cases and bumbags.

“We are delighted to be working with these new partners to support what is set to be an incredible few months for the Lions in South Africa. With some very varied partners on board, we are thrilled to be appealing to so many fans across the entire family, as well as supporting the team whilst they play,” said Hannah Stevens, head of retail at The Point. 1888.

Fédération Française de Rugby names ORECA its official online store partner in IMG deal

Fédération Française de Rugby, the governing body for rugby union in France, has named ORECA as its official online store partner, in a deal brokered by the federation’s licensing agency, IMG.

Under the new partnership, ORECA will operate the online Fédération Française de Rugby shop, sales promotion and marketing, using the re-branded France Rugby logo and identity. The launch of the new website last week coincides with the intoduction of the new France Rugby jersey developed by Le Coq sportif.

Serge Simon, vice president of Fédération Française de Rugby, said: “The different rugby teams are at the dawning of big challenges for the years to come, during which the Fédération Française de Rugby is also pursuing its digital transformation.

“The French Rugby Federation is therefore proud to launch its new eCommerce shop, where all supporters and rugby fans will be able to embrace products that bear our famous rooster. This new platform will provide the opportunity to showcase the new jersey of the French rugby teams.”

Raphaël de Chaunac, vice president of ORECA, added: “We are delighted with this collaboration, which represents a business diversification for our company and we would like to thank FFR and IMG. Becoming the official online store operator of France Rugby highlights that we are at the service of the fans and the people practicing this sport.”

Mickael Andreo, vice president of licensing, IMG, added: “We are entering a highly strategic period for rugby in France with last month marking three years to go until France hosts Rugby World Cup 2023. Working with specialists in each area of the licensing ecosystem, we will allow the FFR to reach out to the fans with a compelling, qualitative and adapted product offer and services. We are delighted to welcome ORECA as part of our licensee family.”

Rugby World Cup 2023 will be played across nine cities in France and will take place September, 8th 2023 – October, 21 2023.

Fédération Française de Rugby names IMG its global licensing agent

Fédération Française de Rugby, the governing body for rugby union in France, has appointed IMG as its exclusive global licensing representative in a multi-year deal that will take the partnership through to 2024.

Under the new deal, IMG will develop a licensing programme using the recently rebranded France Rugby logo and identity, while looking to take the brand to new global audiences.

IMG will work to grow the existing business and extend FFR into new categories through fan merchandise, sporting accessories and iconic rugby related products for men, women, and children.

Bernard Laporte, president, FFR, commented: “We are pleased to be working with IMG to develop an ambitious licensing programme for FFR during the next four years. For decades now, our research has shown that French citizens believe rugby embodies strong values of solidarity, conviviality and respect.

“With France hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2023, there is a strong opportunity for us to extend our product offering for rugby fans both domestically and internationally.”

Mickael Andreo, vice president of licensing, IMG, added: “The Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, the first ever held in Asia, was an outstanding success. The sport is currently in a great place, and with France now preparing to host the competition in 2023, we feel very privileged to work with the FFR – one of the most prestigious and respected National teams in the world.

“We believe there is a lot to build and are looking forward to taking this opportunity to the market.”

Rugby is one of the most popular sports in France, with 23 million people aged 15 and older following the sport. During the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, 19 million French fans followed their national team’s progress and, on average, France national team games attract more than five million TV viewers.

The deal strengthens IMG’s position in the rugby sector, with the agency having recently delivered a record-breaking licensing programme for Rugby World Cup 2019 and continuing its licensing efforts for the 2023 tournament in France.