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A LEADING Australian apparel company that supplies kit to the Gold Coast Titans, the Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns and a host of other sporting clubs has gone into administration.
The Gold Coast company’s financial plight will have widespread ramifications across the entire Australian sporting landscape.
An extract from the ASIC database reveals World Rugby Specialists, the parent company of BLK Sports who supply training and playing gear to the Lions, Suns, Titans and Queensland Reds, has been placed under external administration.
The Titans are in limbo as they sweat on the arrival of their playing strip for 2017.
Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said the NRL-controlled club is exploring contingency plans after already placing an order with BLK for next season’s kit.
“I have been made aware of the situation regarding BLK,” he said.
“We are currently dealing with the NRL through their own merchandise division to determine our next steps.
The Gold Coast Titans are concerned their 2017 strip may not turn up. Picture: Regi Varghese
“As far as we know, our jerseys for next season are being shipped. The NRL are going to help us co-ordinate what we do with our apparel and merchandise.
“All our gear for next year has been ordered (with BLK).
“Most of it is a contra arrangement so it’s not so much that we are out of pocket. It’s just whether our gear turns up or not.
“If we get the gear, we could get through next season. The most important thing is to get the gear.”
According to BLK’s website, they sponsor the Adelaide Crows, GWS Giants and Richmond Tigers.
It is understood they have recently reached an agreement with St Kilda also.
A Suns spokesman said they did not know yet if there would be apparel supplied for next season.
The AFL will be involved in negotiations on behalf of the clubs.
In Australian rugby BLK is associated with the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force.
The site also lists its relationships with netball’s ANZ Championships and the Australian Diamonds and international sporting teams such as the England rugby league team.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...f57659d20fd096
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I wonder if this will affect the arrival of 2017 merchandise, if so it will be a huge shame not to have it out before Christmas when everyone is spending cash.