Fiji has scored it best financial try, thanks to the partnership with world sporting brand icon, Nike.
Nike’s marriage with Fiji Rugby is expected to give birth to a boom in sales of its national teams’ apparel.
Nike’s worldwide distribution channels will soon see Fiji Rugby Union smiling to the bank coupled with the recent announcement of Fiji’s inclusion of the annual Super Rugby competition against Australia and New Zealand.
The Fijian Drua’s Super rugby inclusion is expected to rake in $15 million annually to the Fijians economy.
Nike’s inclusion is expected to double that.
Fiji Rugby general manager commercial Brian Thorburn said great times loomed for Fiji. He said the FRU would support the marking campaigns for Nike.
“The great advantage of Nike is that we can explode our distribution to many other countries around the world,” Thorburn said.
Nike is one of the globe’s leading brands has partnered with Fiji Rugby to become its official national team’s training/playing jersey and kit supplier.
The Fiji 7s and Fijiana 7s teams will be the first to wear the uniquely designed Nike Fiji rugby jersey during the PacificAus Sports Oceania Rugby Sevens in Townsville, Australia from June 25-27.
“We have been operating in somewhat a difficult environment with COVID-19, so getting the jerseys in the team environment has been a challenge. It will be delivered to the Fiji 7s and Fijiana 7s teams in Townsville and also be given direct to the Flying Fijians in New Zealand in coming weeks.
“Over the course of the next several months, we will slot in opportunities for players to do advertisements. We will certainly be doing some photo shoots in the coming weeks.”
The Fiji Rugby Nike apparel will exclusively be available at Tappoo outlets in the country. Thorburn revealed that non-branded Fiji Rugby Nike apparel will be sold in other outlets.
“Tappoo has been the exclusive provider of Nike product for the past 25 years. They have also been the exclusive outlet for Fiji Rugby apparel for the past five years and that will continue.
“Having said that, when we are talking about team wear, the non-branded apparel will be sold by other outlets, but for replica team wear it will be exclusively for Tappoo.”
Fiji Rugby chief executive officer John O’Connor thanked Tappoo for supporting the Fiji retail program.
