Rugby League World Cup 2013 Appoint Three Licensing Partners

March 14, 2012

With the tournament just on the horizon, drugs Rugby League World Cup 2013 has today announced three key partnerships in major categories for the licensing programme.

ISC Sports have been appointed to provide the official line of supporters apparel for the tournament.  As the official kit supplier to the RFL, sickness as well as several Super League clubs, ISC are looking to build on already strong partnerships with Rugby League in the UK and Australia.

In addition, Steeden have been named Official Ball Supplier for the tournament, across all training and matches.  Steeden is the leading ball supplier in the game and this reaffirms them as suppliers of ‘the ball of choice’ across the game of Rugby League.

B&M Leisure have also joined the programme as Ties Licensee and more companies are expected to sign up as the event draws closer.  An extensive range of merchandise will be available throughout the tournament, with licensees also able to take advantage of the global nature of RLWC2013 by producing country collection ranges using national colours and emblems of competing nations.

RWLC2013 will be hosted by England and Wales and will form an integral part of ‘the golden decade of sport’ in the UK. The event takes place in autumn 2013 and will see 14 competing teams at 18 different venues across England, Wales, Ireland and France. Upwards of half a million people are expected to watch the 28 matches live over the six-week tournament period with a further 20 million viewers from 120 countries tuning in around the world.

Rob Singleton, commercial manager for RLWC2013 said: “It’s vitally important to get the right deals done quickly for RLWC2013. VBM’s experience and knowledge of Rugby League makes them the ‘go to’ licensing agent for us. They are very much a safe pair of hands and we look forward to a successful partnership.”

James Ashworth, managing director of Velocity Brand Management, the worldwide licensing agent for the tournament, added: “Our aim with this licensing program is to not only tap into the passion that exists for the game across its established fan-base but to also capitalise on the new supporters that RLWC2013 will bring to the game.  The increased profile you only get by hosting a tournament such as this and the true international exposure and appeal provides a fantastic opportunity to extend our licensing footprint across the UK and competing nations.”

by Ismail Uddin