High performance sports apparel manufacturer BLK has signed a two-year partnership with the Ba Rugby Union to kit out the province’s three main teams – Vinod Patel Ba, Ba Women and Ba Juniors – as well as provide a significant level of off-field apparel.

“This partnership will help Ba Rugby go up to the next level,” BRU Director of Rugby Vilimoni Delasau said. “This is the first time for our union to benefit from such an esteemed brand of sports apparel.”

“I know our players will feel the difference on the field with the high performance  features that BLK includes in its uniforms, and off the field we will look the smartest side around.”

BLK General Manager, Asesela Serau, welcomed Ba’s decision to choose BLK, noting that he had been keeping an eye on Ba since last year’s Vanua Championship.

“At BLK, we pride ourselves on quality and teamwork – and I believe that’s the exact same philosophy that coach Delasau stresses to his players.”

“BLK is very proud to be able to become partners with Ba as they make their debut in the Skipper Cup later this month. We appreciate that this is an historic moment in the long history of Ba Rugby, and BLK is delighted to be part of it.”

The deal runs through to the end of 2025 with BLK also becoming Ba Rugby’s official apparel and luggage merchandiser.

“BLK has shops in Ba, Labasa, Lautoka and Suva, and we will soon be opening a fifth one in Sigatoka,” Serau said.“This means fans of Ba Rugby will be able to pick up official supporters wear across the country.”

Delasau, who led Ba to promotion from the Vanua Championship last year in his first year at the helm, spoke of the difference a professional kit can make a player feel.

“I played professionally for 12 years in France, Japan and New Zealand, winning the old Super 12 with the Crusaders and the first Super 14. At Toulouse, we won the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup.”

“When a team invests properly in equipment and apparel, it can give the players a huge morale boost. I know Ba is a newcomer to the Skipper Cup but we want to announce our arrival in style, and BLK will help us do that.”

“When you wear the best jersey, you can’t even feel it.It’s like your skin.”

The Ba Women’s team will also be kitted out in BLK uniforms as they take on Malolo, Serua and newcomers Kadavu in the Royal Tea Ranadi Cup with an eye on promotion to the ANZ Marama Championship.