The University of Derby and the Union of Students are proud to announce a new partnership with Kukri Sports
The University of Derby and the Union of Students are proud to announce a new partnership with Kukri Sports, which will see Kukri as their official kit supplier, providing high quality, market leading bespoke sportswear.
As well as providing competition kit for Team Derby, Kukri will also provide a variety of training and leisurewear for use throughout the academic year. Sportswear will also be provided for staff across a variety of subjects, including Sports Science and for the University’s Performance Unit.
Josh Beal, Sales Director at Kukri Sports, said: “We are ecstatic with our new partnership with the University of Derby and Team Derby. We are excited to bring Kukri’s bespoke capabilities to encapsulate the University, its colours and its brand. Supporting Union sport, academic courses, the high-performance unit and scholars is a real privilege and we looked forward to launching the range in the new academic year.”
After a period of consultation and tender presentations, it was decided that Kukri had the perfect balance of customer service, quality and values that aligned with that of the University and the student body.
Union of Students’ Vice President (Activities) Beth Baxtrem said: “I am really excited about Kukri being the new kit provider. I have been part of the process from the start and have made sure student input and feedback has been implemented throughout. The kit that the students have chosen is amazing, and I can't wait to see how it looks on the pitch next season!”
Ollie Shearer, Director of Sport & DSRL, said: “We are delighted to partner with Kukri; we are passionate about working with organisations who understand student sport and what matters to our students when it comes to their sports clothing and performance kit. Sport at Derby continues to grow and we look forward to welcoming Kukri, as a partner, on the next phase of our journey.”
Sustainability was a huge priority when selecting a new kit provider. Kukri is in support of and compliance with the UK Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment to reduce overall environmental footprint. The company is part of the JD Group’s “Purchase Green” scheme, which provides 100% of UK operations with “Green” energy from renewable sources. Plastic or cardboard (its major packaging constituent) is all recycled by being baled before being collected by our recycling partner for reprocessing.
Kukri also partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative to source from cotton farms globally, using farms where production follows more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable methods. The aim is to reduce the use of Virgin Polyester and increase use of Responsibly Sourced Cotton. The company’s recycled polyester is made from rPET (recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate). The process entails the melting down of existing plastic and re-spinning it into new polyester fibre with five soda bottles providing enough fibre for one XL T shirt. rPET is considered to be comparable with Virgin polyester but uses less resources. Production requires 59% less energy compared to Virgin polyester and estimates are production reduces C02 emissions by 32% as well as using less crude oil and reducing landfill.
As well as this, Kukri utilise sea freight over air freight as standard to reduce emission levels from shipping and aim to keep the amount of packaging to a minimum; developing an eco-packing method by removing individual garment bags and consolidating into one larger bag.
While the recognised ‘blorange’ colour way will remain at the heart of the Team Derby kit – the designs are to be reinvigorated and refreshed, along with a huge choice of training and leisure wear, and will be available from Autumn 2022.
Kukri is also partnered with:
- Team England (who are competing at the Commonwealth Games)
- Team Canada (as above)
- British Gymnastics
- England Athletics
- EIS
- Scottish Gymnastics
- Welsh Gymnastics
- Netball Northern Ireland
- England Lacrosse
- Bowls Scotland
- British Fencing
- British Wheelchair Basketball
- Yorkshire Country Cricket Club
- Lancashire Country Cricket Club
- Somerset Country Cricket Club
- Ulster Rugby