Fennell Communications Releases

Pictured (L-R): Miriam Molly from Azzurri Sport with star players David Kelly, Sligo, Michael Murphy, Donegal, John O’Laughlin, Laois, Noel Connors, Waterford and John Molloy, Managing Director of Azzurri Sport®

Azzurri Sport® - Worn with Passion, Made with Pride

Following introduction of Azzurri Sport® as a GAA licensee, County teams receiving €1.5m per annum better kit deals

Irish Team Sportswear Brand, Azzurri Sport®, has unveiled their 2012 GAA licensed Match Football, Match Sliotars and GAA Approved Hurling Helmets in Croke Park Stadium.

Azzurri Sport® Ltd., is an Irish business, employing over 40 staff in Ireland, which started as a home enterprise in 1985 by John and Miriam Molloy. The Azzurri Sport® range, which was introduced in 1998, is a GAA licensed supplier since 2000, offering the complete GAA approved product range including Playing Kit, Training Wear, Leisurewear, Match Sliotars, Match Footballs and Hurling Helmets to GAA clubs worldwide.

Speaking at the launch, John Molloy, Founder and Managing Director of TeamKit® Ireland / Azzurri Sport® said: “This is our 12th year working directly as GAA licensee.

“I imagine Azzurri Sport® will forever be associated with the GAA, featuring over the last 12 years on teams during glorious victories and heart breaking defeats. In that time Azzurri Sport® has been worn by winners and losers in finals of All Ireland Club Champions, All Ireland College Champions, Provincial Club Champions, Harty Cups, Ashborne Cups, All Ireland Camogie, All Ireland Ladies Finals and more. We have come close, occasionally, but yet to see an Azzurri Sport® jersey worn on All Ireland Senior Champions, hopefully this will come about soon.

“Over those 12 years Azzurri Sport® has played its part in bringing about positive changes within the entire GAA sportswear market, changes that have benefited clubs and counties nationwide and overseas.

“The change I refer to is competition, competition in business leads to improved quality, choice, service and prices for clubs and counties nationwide and overseas. It was reported in earlier years that after the introduction of Azzurri Sport® as a GAA licensee, County teams were receiving €1.5m per annum better kit deals. If this calculation is applied to clubs, schools, and colleges we estimate the benefit brought to the GAA is closer to €3m annually following the introduction of Azzurri Sport®. At the outset 5 Counties acknowledged Azzurri Sport® major role in the changes and improvements in the market and have worked with us since. We sincerely thank those Counties and Clubs who acknowledged and endorsed the change and have worn Azzurri Sport®.

“To date Azzurri Sport® has supplied GAA Licensed Playing Kit and Leisurewear. Now after extensive product developments and field trials we are very proud to offer the complete GAA range including GAA Approved Match Footballs, Match Sliotars and Hurling Helmets. What GAA Approved means is that these products have been extensively tested by GAA against GAA specifications and performance criteria before the products are approved. Thus we can say that each of our new products will perform exactly as current approved/licensed products.

“We estimate that 30,000 GAA Match Footballs are sold annually; Sliotars must be in the 100,000’s. Now customers can select an Azzurri Sport® product, made to the same GAA specifications at significantly more competitive pricing

“We ask clubs, schools, colleges and counties to call us for alternative quotations when considering purchasing any product within the GAA range. We operate a highly efficient sales and supply business, responding to sales enquiries daily and delivering customised kits within 4 weeks.

“Our new Match Footballs, match Sliotars and Helmets are available directly on our website www.azzurri.ie from all major regional and national retailers." 

ENDS

Media Enquiries:
Sinéad Fennell MPRII, MEIC
Fennell Communications
Mobile: 00 353 86 6075266
Email: sinead@fennellcommunications.ie
Website: www.fennellcommunications.ie