Paladin confirmed as official merchandiser
The ASB Classic today announced Paladin Sports as the official apparel provider of the tournament for the next two editions. Paladin bring a wealth of experience in the New Zealand sports apparel market and are official partners of a range of professional teams, including the Wellington Phoenix and several NPC rugby and Premiership netball sides.
“We’re pleased to partner with Paladin to deliver a great range for our officials, volunteers and spectators alike to enjoy. Paladin provide top quality apparel for many professional teams in New Zealand, and the same level of care and attention to detail was really important for the ASB Classic as well.” Said Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin.
Paladin will provide uniforms for tournament officials, ball persons and volunteers as well as delivering a cutting edge range of merchandise available to purchase on-site during the tournament. The official ASB Classic merchandise range includes caps, visors, t-shirts, polos, hoodies, jackets and the traditional tennis staple -the Panama hat.
Grant Jackson of Paladin Sports is excited by the partnership. “We’ve been working closely with the ASB Classic team to design a unique, high-quality range for the tournament. For the first time in many years fans will be able to take home their own piece of the ASB Classic in the form of official merchandise, which will be available daily from the Paladin store at the tournament site. With the return of such an iconic event, and the tennis market in NZ continuing to expand, this is an exciting opportunity as we look to launch our own tennis playing range early next year.” Said Jackson.
A feature of the range will be a special collaboration with renowned Kiwi artist Otis Frizzell, who has provided artwork that will feature on several limited-edition items, based on designs from ASB Classic creative agency TRUE. “I was stoked when I was asked to contribute to the merch range for the ASB Classic. I wanted to make it very graphic but somehow reference fine art. I took inspiration from Mattise’s dancing figures and broke down the shape and colours of the tennis courts. It’s chunky and funky.” Said Frizzell.
Limited edition ASB Classic official merchandise will be available for sale exclusively at the Paladin store within the Yock Plaza precinct of the tournament site, daily during the tournament.