Macclesfield Rugby Union Club is competing in the 2015/16 season with the benefit of sponsorship from a local textile print specialist and Mimaki reseller, R A Smart of Bollington, just outside Macclesfield.
As an ex-Macclesfield RUFC player himself, R A Smart director Magnus Mighall is all too well aware of the important role that the club plays in the local community; “Sport provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to extend and develop themselves in all sorts of positive ways and the club has always believed passionately in nurturing players throughout their journey from Mini to Junior and Youth Rugby and eventually into the senior game from where the National stage beckons. Here at R A Smarts, we’re delighted to be able to play our part by becoming sponsors of the first team kit.”
R A Smart now operates what is regarded by many as the country’s leading digital and screen print facility for the textile industry, utilising a substantial collection of Mimaki printers alongside other digital print hardware and working with some of the biggest names in sportswear and fashion. In recent years the company has been one of the real pioneers of digital print technology for textile, installing state-of-the-art systems for customers throughout the UK, covering a vast array of applications. As a major reseller of Mimaki textile print equipment, Mighall is keen to acknowledge the additional involvement and support of the club from one of its largest dye sublimation customers; O’Neills, one of Ireland’s leading sportswear manufacturing companies.
“O’Neills was one of the earliest adopters of digital print technology in sportswear production, operating a significant number of Mimaki machines in its factories. We are fortunate to work with such a dedicated and professional operation in developing this technology further in the sector – it’s really exciting to be able to jointly support Macclesfield RUFC,” he states. The Mimaki dye-sublimation printers favoured by O’Neills are extensively used as production machines in the sportswear and fashion markets. Such is O’Neills’ increasing demand; additional Mimaki printers are currently on order with R A Smart to add further capacity during 2016.
The development of digital textile print has heralded a new era in sportswear personalisation, creating the opportunity to produce ever more colourful, eye-catching and creative team apparel without the need for labour-intensive weaving, stitching or embroidery of the custom elements.
O’Neills provides a kit to the first, second and third teams at Macclesfield with a strong matchday presence through pitch-side advertising.
Commercial Director at the club, David Wilkinson is delighted to have the support of two such enthusiastic and committed sponsors, commenting; “Both R A Smart and O’Neills have made a tremendous contribution to the club. We really appreciate the support from Magnus and his company, especially with his long-standing affiliation to the club, and we’re particularly proud to have O’Neills on board given their well-deserved reputation at the forefront of branded sportswear production.”
For their part, this was clearly an appealing opportunity for O’Neills to further raise its profile at a grassroots level outside the company’s Irish homeland where its dominance in the sector is almost legendary. From its origins in the early 1900s as a manufacturer of Gaelic footballs, O’Neills now supplies kit at the very highest levels to champions across a wide range of sports including Gaelic Games, football, rugby, boxing, cricket, basketball, athletics, the Special Olympics, hockey, and netball.
Commenting further on the relationship with R A Smart and Macclesfield RUFC, Paul Houston from O’Neills adds: “The relationship which we have developed with both Mimaki and R A Smart and the long term support provided by both companies has allowed us to grow with confidence and develop new market opportunities. We are equally delighted to be associated with Macclesfield Rugby Union Club and wish them success as they head into this season and in the future.”
Mighall concludes, “It seemed extremely appropriate to harness the power of digital print as part of our sponsorship of the club and we look forward to enjoying a successful season together.”
