It was not the most unexpected surprise, having been hinted out over recent months but the FAI has now confirmed that New Balance is to be the new Official Kit Supplier to Ireland’s national football teams from Men’s and Women’s senior squads through to all underage levels.
New Balance will replace Umbro who have made Ireland’s kits since taking over the deal from Adidas who had taken Ireland to Italia ’90 and USA ’94.
New Balance have already got a foothold in the Irish market. They make the kits for Liverpool and Celtic, two of the biggest sellers to irish football fans and they also manufacture the kit for Shamrock Rovers in the SSE Airtricity League.
Last year they signed a deal with the Olympic Council of Ireland whereby the irish team heading to the Olympics was the only one in the world to be wearing New Balance kit.
The company is based in Boston and has recently expanded away from its core business of running shoes and equipment.
Read More: Why New Balance Chose Ireland for the Olympics
The deal will include full kit, training apparel and equipment for the Ireland senior teams chasing after World Cup qualification and underage teams as they aim to continue their recent impressive run of qualifying for UEFA European Championships.
“This truly is a fantastic collaboration for the brand with such strongly supported national team,” said Richard Wright, General Manager of New Balance Football.
“Ireland boast some of the most passionate supporters in the world and we look forward to creating kits for them to be proud of, hoping to be a part of the success on the pitch.”
“We are delighted to collaborate on this exciting agreement with both New Balance and the FAI,” added Jonathan Courtenay, Managing Director of Toplion, the Irish distributor for football of New Balance as well as Umbro, Converse, BLK and others.
“We are looking forward to unveiling the new Ireland kits, training and leisure wear over the coming months.”
“The FAI is delighted to announce this relationship for our international teams,concluded John Delaney for the FAI.
“The Republic of Ireland jersey is recognisable all around the world and is synonymous with the passion that our players and our supporters are renowned for.”
“We’re looking forward to revealing the New Balance kits that will be worn by all of our competitive national teams as they enter into a very exciting time for international football.”
The Umbro shirt which was worn at the finals of Euro 2016 will be worn for the final time in the World Cup qualifying game against Austria on June 11th.
The FAI are active members of the Sport for Business community, alongside the GAA, Leinster and Munster Rugby and most of Ireland’s leading sport and sporting sponsors. Here is a little of what we do together.
