VOL 16 ISS 149 £3.50 sportsSPORTS OUTDOOR CYCLING RUNNINGinsight FITNESS TRADE sports-insight.co.uk INTERVIEW OUTDOOR FITNESS TYPICALLY INDOOR CLIMBING: HOW CAN A PT THOMPSON P.36 FUTURE TRENDS P.25 BUSINESS THRIVE? P.18 Reydon Sports Product Range Catalogue 2019/20 now available! Reydon Sports PLC: UK and Irelands premier wholesaler of industry-leading sports & leisure brands. [email protected] 0115 938 6444 THE ONLY THING THAT HURTS MORE THAN RUNNING IS NOT. #WeWhoRun Follow us at SauconyUK FOR THE PLAYERSFOR THE FANS Ricoh Arena FOR THE 11th - 12th July 2020 therugbyshow.com GAME The_Rugby_Show CHARITY MEDIA TheTHE BEST COVERAGE FROMRUGBY ALL THE WEEKEND’S RUGBY Paper PARTNER PARTNERS TRS_Advert_Apr19_SinglePage.indd 2 21/5/19 9:22 pm 4 WELCOME Joshua Buatsi signs with Everlast to this month's Sports Insight Everlast Worldwide, the to win the prestigious British title. world’s leading manufacturer, Buatsi received high praise from the marketer and licensor of highest sections of the boxing media boxing, MMA and fitness following the victory and has been equipment, has signed heralded as the best fighter at 175 an exclusive equipment pounds since the legendary John agreement with British boxing Conteh - arguably Britain’s finest sensation Joshua Buatsi. ever at the weight. The agreement will see the Buatsi is thrilled to be joining newly-crowned British Light- the #TeamEverlast elite roster of Heavyweight Champion become global boxing talent that includes a global brand ambassador as he Carl Frampton and Lee Selby in the continues on his quest to become UK as well as Deontay Wilder, Errol a World Champion and beyond Spence and Daniel Jacobs in the US. Well the dust has settled on with Everlast in his corner. He said: “I’m buzzing to be joining both the domestic football and Under the agreement, Buatsi the team. Everlast’s gear is the best rugby seasons. will compete using Everlast in the business and their heritage However, interest will continue gloves and train exclusively with speaks for itself. The partnership as we head into the rest of the year Everlast equipment. In addition, feels like the perfect match and I in the shape of the Nations League Buatsi will spearhead Everlast’s can’t wait for what’s to come.” finals and the Rugby World Cup advancement in the UK market in Japan – a chance for a boost in through content generation and sales and some upselling. direct to consumer and retail Editor: MARK HAYHURST And let's not forget another marketing initiatives. Tel: 01206 508618 opportunity – a home-grown Chris Zoller, vice president Email: [email protected] Cricket World Cup and England of marketing and product the values of Everlast and we’re knockouts, capturing his first title Advertising Manager: slated as favourites. Hopefully, a development for Everlast, proud to be in his corner.” in just his seventh fight to win the KEITH MARSHALL few great performances will see said: “We’re delighted to be Buatsi, 26, from Croydon, WBA International belt. Tel: 01206 505947 another rise in support for the welcoming Josh to the team. London, won bronze for Team GB In his last fight against Liam Email: [email protected] home nations. He’s undoubtedly one of the in Rio at the 2016 Olympics and Conroy, in March, Buatsi underlined Advertising Sales And someone who knows a bit brightest talents in world boxing turned professional the following his undoubted potential as a future 21-23 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Rd, about the country getting behind and a fantastic ambassador year. He has built an unblemished World Champion when he stopped Colchester, Essex CO2 8JY him is Olympic gold medal winner outside the ring. He embodies record of ten wins and eight Conroy inside three pulsating rounds Daley Thompson. We speak to Group Advertising the decathlon champion about his Manager: SAM REUBIN memories of the sport and what he is doing now. 1000 Mile Sportswear welcomes Group Editor: In a changing retail market EMILY SEDDON place, Paul Sherratt takes a closer back Warren Smith Tel: 01206 505983 look at the future of sales agents Having previously enjoyed experience within the sports Publisher: MATTHEW TUDOR within the sporting goods industry. a 12 year stretch as Area market, but the lure of returning Do you want your business to Manager for Northern England to the brands under the 1000 Mile Art Director: LEE WHITEFORD have the Red Bull effect – well and Scotland at 1000 Mile umbrella, the unique family unit Advertisement Art Fiona Bugler has a seven-step Sportswear, Warren Smith of 1000 Mile Sportswear, plus Director: KEVIN DENNIS guide to help you give your sporting returns to the company on May the added opportunity to develop content wings. 1 after a year away. my own sales strategy for the Reproduction: I hope you enjoy this issue of Smith said: “I have enjoyed company, were just too good ACE PRE-PRESS. Sports Insight! widening my distribution to resist.” Tel: 01206 797541 Photography: CLIQQ PHOTOGRAPHY www.cliqq.co.uk ASICS continues to grow in Direct-to-Consumer channels Twitter: @CliQQphoto Accounts: SUE CARR. ASICS continued to see strong in ASICS branded environments to make running further, easier. holistic view of the marketplace. Tel: 01206 505903 growth during Q1 2019 in Direct- with key retailers. METARIDE’s unique curved sole is Alistair Cameron, CEO of Published by Maze Media (2000) to-Consumer (DTC) channels. A new category management designed to propel runners forward ASICS EMEA, said: “Our priority Limited, 21-23 Phoenix Court, Sales in ASICS retail channels programme delivered successful and create a more efficient stride. is to win in Performance Running. Hawkins Rd, Colchester, Essex increased on a currency neutral results in owned stores and In early 2019, ASICS made Running is our heartland and we CO2 8JY basis by 17 per cent and in for wholesale customers. As a changes to its EMEA organisation will continue to focus on developing All contents © Maze Media (2000) ecommerce by 130 per cent year result, the category management to reflect a global, category breakthrough innovations, such Limited. The views expressed in on year. Sales in key emerging programme will be rolled out in management approach. It as METARIDE, to give all runners this magazine are not necessarily markets also increased, although DTC and wholesale stores across also made changes to its sales those of the publisher. Every effort access to the best and most is made to ensure the veracity and consolidated net sales in EMEA EMEA in 2019. organisation by combining its DTC advanced gear available. integrity of the companies, persons, in Q1 2019 declined on a currency In February 2019, ASICS and Wholesale businesses into one “I am encouraged by the growth products and services mentioned in this publication and details given neutral basis by nine per cent. launched METARIDE, the latest Commercial organisation. we are continuing to see in direct are believed to be accurate at the ASICS continued to generate innovation from the ASICS Institute The organisational changes, channels and we are committed to time of going to press. However, no responsibility or liability whatsoever strong results from the expansion of Sport Science in Kobe, Japan. The including a new management team, rolling out programmes that make it can be accepted for any consequence of its DTC footprint through revolutionary new shoe features will enable ASICS to drive category- easier for runners to find their perfect or repercussion of responding opening own stores and investing GUIDESOLE technology designed led strategies and take a more to any information or advice running gear across all channels.” given or inferred. No part of this publication may be copied, broadcast, interpreted, or stored, in any form, for any purpose, without the written IN PARTNERSHIP WITH permission of the publisher. Sports Insight has a current The official publication of the Sporting Goods Industry Association ABC certified circulation of 5,281 (audit period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017). The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) is an independent audit watchdog that verifies magazines’ circulation figures, providing accurate and comparable data for advertisers. ABC Certification demonstrates a media owner’s integrity, in their willingness to be audited and to conform to industry standards. UK/ROW subscription: £25/£42.50 for one year (10 issues). @SportsInsightUK BREAK YOUR LIMITS REVOLUTIONISING THE SPORTS INSOLE MARKET. REDUCING PAIN FOR 91% OF PEOPLE - INCLUDING PLANTAR FASCIITIS. Enertor’s groundbreaking innovation is revolutionising the insole category, and not just for runners. Worn for years by pro athletes and the military, our performance insoles are now launching in the consumer market and are made for all foot impact sports. Powered by patented technology, ENERTOR™ insoles recycle 36%* of every stride’s energy, and reduce shock by 44%* to reduce the risk of injuries. ENERTOR™ are the only insoles Usain Bolt is endorsing and wearing. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT APOLLO LEISURE Tel: 00 44 1202 812000 *as validated by a leading Email : [email protected] independent test house ENE9694_Trade_Ad_265x360mm v9.indd 1 26/04/2017 13:06 All the very latest in the NEWS sports industry... POLAR TEAMS UP WITH Boobuddy scores US sales TRIATHLON STAR LUCY thanks to LA partnership CHARLES- Boobuddy – the breast support “We estimate that we’ve already band – is set to become a major sold 150,000 Boobuddy products BARCLAY player in the United States to consumers in the US, however Polar, the leader in after teaming up with a Los thanks to the partnership and wearable sports and fitness Angeles marketing company. campaign with GiddyUp this could technology, has partnered Boobuddy, the pioneer of a double to as much as 300,000 over with the two-time Ironman band that prevents pain caused by the next 12 months.