· Worcestershire County Cricket Club agree three year kit deal with Canterbury
· 2015 is Worcestershire CCC’s 150th Anniversary Year
Today, Worcestershire County Cricket Club has announced a three year kit deal with sports brand Canterbury.
The deal, which runs until 2017, will see skipper Daryl Mitchell and his players wear the new Canterbury kit during the county's 150th Anniversary Year.
Canterbury supply playing apparel to many cricketing teams around the world, from grassroots to elite, as part of their dedicated team wear business. These include the New Zealand Black Caps and Cricket Scotland whom are currently competing in the Cricket World Cup 2015.
It is a big year for Canterbury; they are the Official Sportswear Supplier to Rugby World Cup 2015 as well as official kit supplier to England Rugby and Ireland Rugby as well as Japan Rugby and Namibia Rugby who will all be bidding for glory in this year’s Rugby World Cup.
County Commercial Director, Jon Graham, said; "It is the most significant kit deal in the history of the club. "We've looked at all of our relationships and we've made quite a few changes in the last couple of years.
"The fact that we were approached Canterbury in itself says a lot.
"With the Rapids brand, the success of Moeen Ali with England and the promotion in the County Championship, we have been able to enter negotiations a little bit easier than we would have done in the past.
"The key for me is this year the Canterbury brand is going to be everywhere, people will be saying 'Worcestershire are sponsored by that brand” and you can't underestimate the power of that.
"Perception is reality. If Worcestershire is deemed to be a credible partner for a brand like Canterbury, then that's where we need to go. It is going to help with other conversations we have with would be sponsors."
Graham added: "I think all in all, the deal is yet another positive story of where the club is going. Division One cricket alongside the Canterbury brand is a really good fit because we are punching with some huge counties.
"As far as what it means for the club, it means we've got security for the next three years.
"But it’s not just about first class cricket. It is about the Worcestershire Cricket Board, and the Canterbury brand will flow all the way through the club from second eleven, Academy, everyone.
"There will be a brand new design including a new Rapids kit for T20 and 50 over cricket as well as a new training kit and a one-off kit for the pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi.
"Fans will get quality merchandise at reasonable prices. From a retail perspective, we need to offer value for money. With Canterbury, we will still offer value for money but the quality is on a different level."
Graham said: "We alluded to the players a couple of months ago that the new kit could possibly be
Canterbury and we got a ‘wow’ response. That is what you want.
"You want the players to feel like a million dollars when they go out onto the park. Mitch (Skipper Daryl Mitchell) and Bumpy (Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes) have seen the kit and are over the moon with it."
Rhodes said: "The kit looks fantastic. Canterbury is a great company and their clothing is quality.
"It has to be because of their first reputation of being involved in rugby and, if you are training or playing rugby, you need equipment that is substantial.
"It is very well made and we are looking forward to using it. We are proud to be the only county using Canterbury when international rugby and cricket teams use them.”
Canterbury CEO, Chris Stephenson, said; “Canterbury is passionate about sport, and we are really excited about our newest partnership. The future is bright for Worcestershire County Cricket Club, and we are delighted to welcome them to our team wear fold.”
