Basketball Ireland announced this week a deal with leisurewear suppliers Macron for their international programmes. The deal ensures eight underage international teams will continue to participate over the next three years.
Speaking at the announcement Basketball Ireland, Secretary General, Bernard O’Byrne, said “It is an excellent partnership for Basketball Ireland and a vote of confidence in the positive direction that the sport continues to take in Ireland.”
The partnership will also see the National Basketball Summer Camp in Gormanston branded as the Basketball Ireland Macron Kits National Camp.
Bernard O’Byrne outlined his excitement about the new venture by saying that “It is the perfect time to announce the deal as our international teams that are preparing for European Championships enter the final stages of their training programmes. We look forward to seeing them play this summer against some of the best in Europe, kitted out in Macron gear.”
Commenting on the partnership, John Fallon, Director of Macron Store Dublin said, “Macron is delighted to be teaming up with such a well-run and professional body as Basketball Ireland. We are excited as this is the first time Macron has formed a partnership with a National team within Europe and look forward to engaging with the Basketball community at all levels. We are confident the Macron kit and leisurewear will meet the high performance standards of the Irish International Programmes.”
Under terms of the agreement, Macron will become the title sponsor of each International team as they compete in the FIBA European Basketball Championships. This summer in particular they will support the U16 boys and girls teams as they prepare for the 2013 U16 European Championships.
The boys will travel Sarajevo, the capital city in Bosnia and Herzegovina from August 8th-18th as they take on England, Switzerland, Slovenia and Romania. Meanwhile the girls will face a tough task when they meet Germany, Portugal and Denmark when they travel to Portugal from August 1st – 11th.
Basketball Ireland and Macron will work together to create both International and grassroots relationships in the basketball community over the next three years.
About Basketball Ireland
Basketball Ireland (B.I.) is the national governing body for the sport on the island of Ireland. As part of FIBA Europe, the European Governing body, and of FIBA, the World Governing body, B.I. is responsible for the promotion and administration of basketball throughout Ireland and for Irish international participation. Basketball is Ireland’s number one indoor sport and is currently the third most popular sport for Irish teenagers as per the recent ‘Census At School’ survey.
About Macron
Macron is an Italian company with a strong international vocation and is now one of the main European players, combining exceptional qualities and skills typical of products made in Italy. The company supports many teams across Europe with its unparalleled products & services including Italian Serie A basketball clubs Sutor Monterganaro and Virtus Bologna, French Orleans Loiret Basket and Irish SuperLeague side DCU Saints. Macron is also official kit supplier to a host of well-known professional football clubs throughout the UK such as West Ham Utd, Leeds United, Sheffield United and in Rugby, both Scottish National Team and Edinburgh Rugby.
