Northampton Saints has today announced that Macron will be the club’s new official technical kit supplier from the start of the 2016/17 season.
The historic 10-year deal, the most lucrative in the club’s history, will see the Saints work hand-in-hand with the Italian sportswear firm until 2026 to develop a bespoke match day, training, travel and accessories range fit for one of the biggest clubs in English and European rugby.
As well as kitting out the team, Macron is also creating a specialised range for Saints supporters that encapsulate both the proud history of over 130 years of rugby at Franklin’s Gardens with some of the most advanced fabrics and fashion design associated with one of the world’s most exciting and fast-growing sports.
Macron brings a wealth of experience to the new partnership. Based in Bologna in northern Italy, Macron began providing the kit for Edinburgh in 2010, broadening this to include Glasgow Warriors and the Scotland national teams in 2013 for a partnership with the Scottish rugby union which has recently been extended until 2021.
Macron also supplies the kit for Premier League football teams Aston Villa and Crystal Palace and some of Europe’s biggest football clubs including Sporting Lisbon and Lazio.
Saints chief executive Allan Robson says that he is excited about the new partnership.
“Macron are well established as one of the leading sportswear brands across Europe,” he said. “We are already working well together on an imaginative range of playing and training wear that we believe all our supporters can be proud of, and which will also give the team the edge on the playing field to keep bringing success to Franklin’s Gardens.
“As well as Italian style, Macron will be using the latest fabrics and manufacturing techniques to produce a kit that stands up to the rigours of the game.
“This new deal means that we can plan with confidence for the future and look to work as true partners over the next 10 years.”
Macron’s chief executive, Gianluca Pavanello, echoed these sentiments, adding: “We are incredibly delighted about this new partnership with one of the most historic clubs in England.
“This is our first partnership in the Aviva Premiership, so our designers will work tirelessly and in close collaboration with the Saints to make sure that the new collection is something that the players and supporters will wear with pride.
“Northampton is a famous town, not only for rugby but also for its eloquent footwear fashion and we hope that we can bring some of our Italian style that can also complement the history that makes the club what it is today.
“We see Northampton Saints as a major force in English and European rugby, with a large and dedicated following across the world. Allan Robson has clear ideas about where the club is headed and we are excited by the projects that are coming up, which also gave us the confidence to sign such a long partnership.
“We welcome the Saints and everyone at Franklin’s Gardens to the Macron family.”
The new range of Macron playing, training, travel and leisure wear will be unveiled later in the summer. In the meantime supporters can see the company’s broader range at www.macron.com.