One of Europe’s top sportswear brands, Kempa, has signed a new four-year-deal with England Handball and the British Handball Association to further boost growth of the sport in the UK.
The deal, which was rubber stamped this week, will see Kempa provide products from its dedicated handball range to England Handball, as well as offering exclusive discounts on kit and equipment to clubs across England.
In line with the partnership, new branded kits will also be manufactured and provided to teams across the various GB age categories, supporting all male and female squads.
The GB men’s team will wear the new Kempa kit for the first time during two upcoming international matches against Finland (2 November) and Kosovo (13 January). Tickets for both games will be available shortly.
Kempa was established in Germany in 2002 and has grown to become one of the leading suppliers of handball clothing and training shoes in Europe. The brand also supports other sports including volleyball and basketball.
To celebrate the new partnership, a special Kempa giveaway offer is set to be launched across social media this week. Registered handball clubs or schools that play in the England Handball National Schools Competition will be eligible to enter and should keep an eye on England Handball’s official social media channels for more information.
Mike Bain, CEO at England Handball and a member of the British Handball Association board, heralded the partnership as another milestone for the growth of the game.
“This is an exciting long-term partnership that we’re delighted to announce,” said Mike.
“As part of this deal, Kempa are making a significant investment into handball in Britain and we believe it will provide a real boost in our efforts to continue spreading awareness of handball and getting more people playing our sport, which is a core part of our strategic plan.
“The fact that England Handball and BHA have worked together on this deal is also an important aspect. It means that from grass roots and primary school ages right through to the international and elite level, the partnership will cover the full spectrum of handball in Britain and benefit players at every level.
“Kempa is also a brand with a fantastic handball heritage, and we are excited to see the partnership flourish. They already have a well-established supply chain in Europe and here in Britain, so our clubs will have direct access to Kempa products, which was an important part of the agreement for us.”
Scotland-based RJM Sports has been confirmed as the official distributor and supplier for the partnership and will manage the logistical element of orders across Britain. The family-run company was established in 2003 and has a strong track record of supporting UK-based sports.
With the deal now in place, England handball members can take advantage of a 30% discount on all Kempa products. Visit https://rjmsports.com/handballclubshop/ to see the full range.
Melanie Steinhilber, Director Markets and a member of the Executive Board at uhlsport GmbH, said: “Handball is a huge sport in Europe and we’ve been watching it grow in Britain for a while now, so we’re pleased to be linking up with England Handball and the BHA with this new deal.
“GB teams have been putting in some impressive performances on the international stage and that has not gone unnoticed. This is an important deal for us because it gives us access to those players at the top level, but also young players in school who may be looking for clothing or equipment.
“Kempa as a brand has grown hugely since 2002 and is now one of the most well-known handball brands in the world. This new partnership will allow us to apply everything we know in Britain and support the continued growth of the game.”
English