KooGa ends Knights sponsorship agreement

Australian sports apparel designer and manufacturer KooGa have today announced the end of their corporate sponsorship agreement with the Newcastle Knights Rugby League Club to take effect at the end of the current 2010 season.

The current contract saw KooGa as the official apparel partner and major sponsor of the Newcastle Knights club for the past 3 years where the Knights players wore the KooGa pparel proudly.

Both organisations are moving onwards now that the decision to separate has been finalised.

"The Knights were our first venture into the NRL and we have been honoured to be their kit supplier over the last three years" said KooGa Managing Director Brant.

"The Knights fans have a true passion for both the team and the sport and it has been a pleasure interacting with them in person and on the Knights and Energy Australia Stadium forums."

"The Knights Crusade is a wonderful fan club and we will certainly miss them. Special mention needs to go to both Steve Burraston and Glenn Starling for the work they have put into the club. It has been our absolute pleasure and privilege dealing with the Knights football department, especially Warren Smiles and Neville Allen."

"We understand there are commercial decisions that need to be made by both the Knights and KooGa and unfortunately the gap was a little too far on this deal".

"The Knights will always hold a special place in KooGa's history and KooGa are certainly not closing the door on such a fantastic club. We wish them all of the best for season 2011 and beyond" Concluded Mr. Brant.

Newcastle Knights CEO Steve Burraston said that the KooGa relationship has been a most enjoyable one, "It's unfortunate that our formal relationship has to end, but both organisations have to make commercial decisions in the best interest of their business." He said.

"Kooga have been a wonderful sponsor and we wish them every success."

KooGa are paving the way as the 100% Australian sports apparel powerhouse both locally and internationally. The company is soon to announce several new apparel partnerships for the coming seasons.

KooGa staff get on board

In true KooGa style the company’s staff banded together to round up and donate boxes of personal clothing to contribute to the YWam Australia & PNG ship Tour.

KooGa CEO Kim Brant and wife Malinda initiated the clothing drive and staff was quick to follow their lead.

"YWam does a lot of good in the international community and helping out those in need is something very close to my heart and KooGa…" said the KooGa CEO's wife Malinda Brant.

KooGa management came to the party by donating large boxes of new team wear and sample KooGa clothing and merchandise to match and exceed the personal donations of the KooGa team.

YWam representatives collected the Kooga boxes from KooGa headquarters this week expressing their gratitude for such a kind gesture.

The YWam group currently on a 16 port sailing venture around Australia will depart back to Papua New Guinea this week delivery clothing, spectacles and supplies to the countries needy.

The not for profit organizations mission is to help young Aussies get more involved with their communities and raise awareness about PNG and the many opportunities available to help.

KooGa has had a long standing relationship with some of those involved in YWam. The youngest son of the Brant family Greg Brant has played rugby with many of the youth in Fiji and other islands over the past few years.

YWam currently operates in more than 1,000 locations in over 150 countries with a staff of nearly 16,000.

Family run business KooGa located on the Gold Coast donate to many pacific island communities and football associations.

SRU announces successful sponsorship deal

Apia. The Samoa Rugby Union and KooGa are proud to announce an exciting new partnership that see's the globally recognized brand, renowned for its innovative edge in sports apparel, become the official supplier and licensee for replica merchandise for Samoa Rugby. From 2010 Samoa Rugby will take a distinctive new look into the International Rugby Scene, portraying an innovative blend of Samoa's ancient artistic patterns with KooGa's cutting edge designs.

A look designed to not only inspire its players as well as its global fan base, but to also captivate the International audience to a jersey that personifies Samoa's unique playing style and KooGa's innovative approach.

A design embraced by the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, whom recognizes KooGas initiative as an exciting way forward leading into the challenge that awaits the Manu Samoa next year at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Proudly described by KooGa's managing director, Tyron Brant as "an exciting phase for both brands, the new look Samoan jersey boasts the quality and design elements needed to achieve great results on and off the field," The design inspiration behind the new jersey came from the traditional Samoan Siapo (tapa) cloth.

The Siapo cloth is widely used in Samoa for many reasons but customarily it is used to mark cultural and ceremonial events with high chiefs often wearing the cloth on special occasions.

KooGa recognised the significance of the Siapo cloth design as something that truly represented the country instead of using pacific tattoo designs which is a path often used by many other competing teams. Brant further explains, "We are excited about the new partnership and look forward to sharing the successes of the Manu Samoa team. We look forward to seeing the new jersey on the field in the upcoming season".

Added Tyron Brant 'The Samoan Sevens Team has grown in confidence over the last 3 years to become a favourite at every event they compete in. Samoa Rugby has the players, coaching and administrative staff and ability to do some major damage at next year's Rugby World Cup.

With the added benefit of the event being staged in their backyard we are expecting big things from Samoa Rugby and are very proud to have our logo on their national jersey".

Samoa Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer, Su'a Peter Schuster adds, "The SRU is delighted to enter into this relationship with KooGa, an organisation that thrives on excellence, durability and innovation. These are qualities we endeavour to replicate in achieving the desired results for Samoa Rugby. We are very excited about the future with KooGa and look forward to a very successful partnership."

Established in Queensland in 2000, KooGa is 100% Australian-owned-and-operator and is a leading Australian designer and manufacturer of team wear to all three contact football codes - Rugby Union, Rugby League and Aussie Rules.

KooGa is the exclusive team wear provider to an impressive list of top teams including the World Champion NZ Kiwis Rugby League Team, NRL Champions the Melbourne Storm, the Qantas Wallabies, Newcastle Knights, Western Bulldogs, Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies, Samoa Rugby Union and 1,200 other teams across Australia and the world.

The Australian based company has earned an international reputation for innovative design that incorporates the world's leading fabric technologies and its team wear has been scientifically proven to improve player performance, enabled by its unparalleled relationship with players from all three codes in the design and development of its products to ensure optimum results. The company's brand positioning line "Everything Matters" reflects KooGa's passion for perfection in every detail.

Because of the short turnaround time in the establishment of the relationship between KooGa and Samoa Rugby Union the new Manu Samoa KooGa jersey brand will be introduced by the Manu Samoa 7's Team at the IRB World Seven's Series Tournament held in Wellington New Zealand on 5th-6th February 2010.