Sports chain Elverys Intersport is the new sponsor and retail partner of Connacht Rugby. A new three-year deal was signed for an undisclosed amount. The club just had its best season by winning the Guinness Pro12 and its first trophy in 131 years. Seven Connacht players joined Ireland’s tour to South Africa with games in Capetown, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
Five Connacht players also played their part in this year’s Ireland U20’s campaign, with the team coached by the province’s academy manager, Nigel Carolan. The club’s PRO12 success saw Connacht qualify to play in the European Champions Cup. Pat Lam’s men will face Toulouse, Wasps and Zebre in Europe while fighting for back-to-back success in the Pro12.
Connacht previously had shirt deals with LifeStyle Sports and Mazda.
Elverys, first established in 1847, is Ireland’s oldest sports store, and has 58 stores countrywide. Currently, the business employs almost 800 people. In 1995, Elverys became part of the Intersport group, one of Europe’s largest sporting goods buying groups. This year, Elverys Intersport opened four new stores and refurbished four flagship stores.
Last year the company acquired Maher’s Sports in Cork and the rights to the The Athletes Foot franchise with one store opened and three more to follow later in the year – and with further plans for expansion next year. Brands stocked include O’Neills, Nike, Adidas, Puma, Canterbury and BLK. The new Connacht gear will be launched later this month.
