 |
 |
|  | |
Port Elizabeth - South Africa: 12H00: In a landmark announcement in South African rugby, that is likely to reverberate through the 14 rugby unions, the newly formed and named Southern Spears Super 14 rugby franchise, in the Southern & Eastern Cape, today revealed the staggering sponsorship of R15 million, by the Australian manufacturer, International Sports Clothing, (ISC). The CEO of the Southern Spears, Tony McKeever, said, "Today's signing with ISC of Australia, marks a watershed in South African rugby and propels the Southern Spears and its three shareholders, Border, Eastern Province and South Western Districts into a sports marketing category that places a value on the Southern Spears trademarks and intellectual property that is on a par with, or greater than, some of the traditional historical rugby marks in South Africa". McKeever added that, "The Southern Spears received five sponsorship offers from various technical apparel manufacturers, from around the world, but it was the tenacity and professionalism of the Australian company ISC, that ensured the agreement got signed today. When the other manufacturers were content to go through a drawn out 'mating dance' and chit-chat, ISC jumped on a plane, to meet with myself and my Spears Board, 24 hours after speaking with me on the phone, to showcase their credentials and willingness to enter into a long term partnership and grow the Southern Spears Technical and Replica Apparel Market". The Australian firm, ISC, have entered into a three year deal, from 2006-2008, with Southern Spears, in which McKeever has also brokered ISC's support for all three Unions, Border, Eastern Province and South Western Districts, in an unprecedented commitment of solidarity to the sponsor, by the Southern Spears. Speaking in a conference call from Sydney and the Headquarters of ISC, the General Manager, Brett Corrick said, "We at ISC in Australia and the UK are extremely excited at this breakthrough into the South African market and particularly, in the partnership with the Southern Spears and SpearLeaders, to cater for the Southern Spears supporters, as well as their female and kids ranges". Ian Wright, General Manager for ISC South Africa, declared that, "this is an exclusive agreement with the 4 rugby teams in the Southern and Eastern Cape, co-ordinated and marketed by the Southern Spears, unlike the ISC sponsorship of the Australian Super 14 Teams, the Brumbies and the Western Force, In short, we have become, 'The Brand Behind Your Team!'. International Sports Clothing (ISC), has operating bases both in Sydney, Australia and in the UK, employing 85 staff, with offices to open in Johannesburg in the near future. ISC is an experienced and proven designer, manufacturer, supplier and distributor of merchandise under license, with an established track record for dependability.
ISC holds an exclusive supporters license for the NRL, and also holds licenses for supply to Bowls Australia. The UK arm of ISC holds merchandise licenses to 4 of the 12 English Super League Teams; the Bradford Bulls, Salford City Reds and the Wakefield Wildcats and the new French Team, Catalans. ISC distribution includes France, Italy, USA and New Zealand. ISC has the expertise and experience to utilise both local and offshore garment manufacturing. This knowledge ensures consistency of quality and supply. In house sublimation printing, screen-printing, embroidery as well as outsourcing relationships with Australia's leading knitting mills provides the ultimate in control and responsiveness to the demands of high profile teams. | | |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
