Scottish Rugby Extends Canterbury Kit Deal

Scottish Rugby has secured a new deal with kit manufacturers Canterbury of New Zealand.Canterbury will now continue as official apparel sponsors of Scottish Rugby – supplying the famous blue Scotland kit until at least 2012 with an option to continue until 2013.  Scottish Rugby’s relationship with Canterbury is one of the longest-running kit sponsorships in the game.  By the end of the new agreement, it will have spanned 13 years.Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive Gordon McKie said: “This deal is good news for Scottish Rugby and an ideal boost ahead of the RBS 6 Nations Championship which gets underway next week.”It will also allow us to display the world-famous Canterbury brand during the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.”Canterbury understands the requirements of an international rugby team and we look forward to working with them and their new owners JD Sports, as we continue to seek to find innovative ways to improve both on the field and in terms of kit.”Chris Stephenson, Canterbury CEO, added: “We are delighted to supply leading edge product to Scottish Rugby. “We feel that the heritage of our brand coupled with the long-standing values of Scottish Rugby, emphasise the similarities displayed by both parties.”I would personally wish to thank Gordon McKie and his team for their continued belief in our brand and look forward to a productive and rewarding relationship with Scottish Rugby over the coming years.  We wish Scotland every success in the forthcoming championship.”Notes to editors: Canterbury of New Zealand was established in 1904 to manufacture and supply rugby jerseys to the New Zealand All Blacks.  The company is now the world’s largest rugby dedicated brand and provides official playing strips to over 100 of the world’s top rugby teams including the Scotland and South Africa national teams, as well as Glasgow Warriors, London Wasps, Cardiff Blues and Leinster. Canterbury’s commitment to developing innovative and high performance sportswear is recognised across the globe, with athletes from all sporting disciplines opting to wear Canterbury baselayer and compression products, proven to enhance blood flow, performance and recovery.