
Exeter Chiefs will launch its assault on the 2010/11 Aviva Premiership season with a new look, having signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Samurai Sportswear.
A shining light in the south west for many years, the Chiefs will become Samurai Sportswear’s flagship rugby club after finally realising its dream of reaching the top flight after a convincing win in the championship play-off final over Bristol in May.
Since its launch in 1996, Samurai Sportswear has become one of the leading custom-made sportswear brands in the world.
By challenging established concepts and designs to create new and exciting performance sportswear, it is committed to using the latest technology to supply products of the highest quality within its extensive range of garments.
A truly multi-sport brand, Samurai Sportswear draws on experience in cricket, netball, hockey and rugby to stay ahead of the field. It is also proud to be one of the only custom-made sportswear brands that has its own factory.
Exeter will wear the new ICONIX competition fit Performex jersey, which has been in development for the past 18 months.
The jersey has been designed specifically for Samurai Sportswear’s elite contracted clubs, and the Chiefs will be one of the first teams to wear it. The team will also be Samurai Sportswear’s first in the Premiership.
“We are delighted to have Exeter Chiefs on board,” says Richard Brand, Samurai’s national sales director.
“They are a team with a proud history that are on the up. As a company we are in a similar position, and with over 75 per cent of our staff coming from a rugby background we share many values with this famous club.
“Their promotion to the Aviva Premiership is long overdue and we are delighted to be joining them in this exciting new chapter of their history.”
Tony Rowe, Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club chief executive and chairman, says: “After our elevation into the Aviva Premiership these are very exciting times for our club as we look to move forward, both on and off the field.”
“Securing this three-year deal with Samurai is testimony to the efforts we are making to everyone associated with our great club.
“Samurai are one of the leading brands in terms of rugby sportswear and we are delighted that they have chosen us as the first-ever club they have been associated with in the English top flight.
“We look forward to a long-lasting and successful partnership.”