Basketball Ireland has signed a deal with Macron to be the official kit and leisurewear supplier of the Irish International programmes.
The deal is for three years and extends to cover the eight Irish International programmes currently in place.
The partnership will also see the National Basketball Summer Camp in Gormanston branded as the Basketball Ireland Macron Kits National Camp.
Under terms of the agreement, Macron will become the title sponsor of each International team as they compete in the FIBA European Basketball Championships.
This summer in particular they will support the U16 boys and girls teams as they prepare for the 2013 U16 European Championships.
The boys will travel to Sarajevo from August 8th-18th to take on England, Switzerland, Slovenia and Romania.
The girls will face a tough task when they meet Germany, Portugal and Denmark in Portugal from August 1st – 11th.
Basketball Ireland and Macron will work together to create both International and grassroots relationships in the basketball community over the next three years.
“Macron is a hugely respected brand with many of the top teams in European sport wearing their gear,” said Basketball Ireland Secretary General Bernard O’Byrne. “It is an excellent partnership for Basketball Ireland and a vote of confidence in the positive direction that the sport continues to take in Ireland. We very much look forward to working with Macron over the coming years.”
“Macron is delighted to be teaming up with such a well-run and professional body as Basketball Ireland,” added John Fallon, Director of Macron Store Dublin. “We are excited as this is the first time Macron has formed a partnership with a National team within Europe and we are looking forward to engaging with the Basketball community at all levels.”
In February 2010 Basketball Ireland put in place a package of financial measures to secure the organisation’s future. Part of this was the suspension of the senior international programme but it is hoped that when the Macron deal is renegotiated that a return to the senior ranks will be on a near horizon.
Earlier this year Macron became the official kit supplier of the Scottish Rugby Union and this increased presence in Ireland could raise interest at the IRFU who are currently seeking a kit supplier to replace Puma who are exiting rugby next year.
Basketball is one of the most equal sports in Ireland when it comes to the Women’s side of the game. Major finals take place with Men’s and Women’s team on the same bill, and University programmes also fully cater for equality. Join us on May 23rd for a major Sport for Business Conference, in association with UCD Smurfit Business School, on A New Approach to Women’s Sport.
Read more of our recent news and analysis of Basketball in Ireland here.
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