BC Rugby is delighted to announce a new multi-year partnership with O’Neills Sportswear, marking the beginning of an exciting and dynamic collaboration that will extend through 2024 and beyond. 

Founded in 1918, O’Neills is renowned for its commitment to quality and innovation across the globe, and will serve as BC Rugby’s Official Playing Kit Provider and Official On-and-Off-Field Sportswear provider, further elevating the province’s Rugby community to new heights. 

This multi-year agreement reflects a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and the growth of Rugby in British Columbia. O’Neills, a global leader in sportswear and Ireland’s leading sportswear manufacturer, will bring its expertise and passion for the game to support BC Rugby’s initiatives, both on and off the field. 

O’Neills will manufacture and supply playing kit for all BC Rugby Provincial Representative Teams, the BC Bears, ensuring our athletes are equipped with high-performance gear that meets the demands of the sport. 

In addition, O’Neills will provide a comprehensive range of on and off-field sportswear, allowing athletes, coaches, and fans alike to showcase their pride for BC Rugby in style. BC Rugby merchandise will be sold both online and at BC Rugby events throughout the year. A further update on this will follow soon.   

This exciting partnership is a result of an extensive RFP process undertaken by BC Rugby over the past six months.  

BC Rugby CEO David Newson expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying: “We are thrilled to welcome O’Neills as an Official Partner to BC Rugby. O’Neills is a historic brand, with over 100 years of experience, and we believe that our athletes and community will benefit greatly from the quality and innovation that they bring to the table.” 

Business Development Manager for O’Neills Sportwear Canada, Philip Murphy said: “It is a privilege to partner with BC Rugby over the coming seasons and to expand our presence across Canada with an association that has such a strong infrastructure and commitment to its province.” 

“We are excited to utilise our unique position of being an Irish-based manufacturer to provide BC Rugby with the flexibility and creativity to deliver for their players and fans new products more frequently than ever before.” 

The BC Rugby and O’Neills partnership will officially kick off in 2024, and both organizations are eager to embark on this journey together, shaping the future of Rugby in British Columbia. 

ABOUT BC RUGBY

The British Columbia Rugby Union, commonly known as BC Rugby, is the governing body for Rugby in British Columbia and is a Provincial Union of Rugby Canada, the national governing body. Representing over 7,500 individuals registered through around 60 Member Clubs and Associations across the Province, BC Rugby leads and manages the sport with the aim to grow participation and develop excellence in all games of Rugby and in all facets of the sport.  

ABOUT O’NEILLS 

O’Neills was founded in 1918 as a manufacturer of Gaelic footballs and it is now the largest sportswear manufacturing company in Ireland. We are proud suppliers to county teams and clubs throughout Ireland, the UK and across the globe. Currently over 7000 clubs, associations, schools and universities in 100+ countries wear our garments across a wide range of sports including Gaelic Games, Soccer, Rugby, Boxing, Basketball, Athletics, Special Olympic Athletes, Hockey, Netball and more.