Castore is to become the official outfitter for the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS teams – and their fans, from the start of next summer.
In a new six-year deal beginning from next October, the UK-based apparel firm will outfit the WHITE FERNS white balls squads, and the BLACKCAPS short-form and Test squads, as well as supplying replica gear for New Zealand cricket supporters.
Castore is a fast-growing player in the sports apparel market, including among their clients the England cricket team, Formula 1 racing teams Red Bull and McLaren, English Premier League side Newcastle United, and Scottish Premier League team, Rangers.
Chris Smith, NZC GM Commercial, said Castore was an exciting, growing brand with global ambitions based on innovation, challenging the status quo, and being leaders in a digital-first world.
“There is significant alignment between the values and objectives of NZC, and Castore,” said Mr Smith.
“A partnership with Castore presents opportunities for NZC to better serve the high performance needs of our players, to build on the NZC, BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS brands, and to meet the changing preferences of fans.
He said the feedback from the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS was overwhelmingly positive.
Castore spokesman and co-founder Tom Beahan said his organisation was beyond delighted to announce the partnership with NZC.
“The team play the sport the right way, positive, authentic and with humility, which is everything we strive for as a brand,” he said.
“There is a further similarity with the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS, as those teams are not afraid to take on the supposed big players in the sport, much like ourselves.
The new agreement will mean NZC’s long-standing international apparel partnership with Canterbury of New Zealand (CCC) will officially conclude at the end of September 2024.
Mr Smith said he wanted to take the opportunity to thank CCC for their long-running partnership.
“CCC have been with us since 2008 and we’ve very much appreciated the close relationship, the creativity and design, and the goodwill they’ve brought to the table.
“We part company on very good terms.”
The new agreement with Castore means they will be NZC’s third official international apparel provider, after W-Star (2000-2008) and CCC (2008-2024).
Name of Author: New Zealand Cricket
The New Zealand national cricket team, known as the Black Caps, made their Test debut in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth nation to play Test cricket. After waiting 26 years for their first Test win against the West Indies in 1956, they also played their first ODI in 1972–73 against Pakistan. New Zealand are the inaugural World Test Championship champions (2021) and have won the ICC Champions Trophy (2000). They have reached the Cricket World Cup final twice and the T20 World Cup final once.
