Rugby Athletic to Distribute BLK

MINNETONKA, Minn.  – Rugby Athletic has announced it will start distributing the brand BLK (#BeyondLimitsKnown) starting immediately.

“After 12 years, we have decided that a new direction will be refreshing,” Rugby Athletic’s Chris Babiash said. “We started this business based on service and transparency and in order to continue that RA tradition, we will now be working to launch custom BLK apparel to all teams in North America.”

BLK operates with the attitude that nothing new ever comes from the known; that real innovation, real design and real improvements in performance come only from operating outside the boundaries of everything that’s gone before.

This philosophy was instilled in BLK from its early beginnings as KooGa Australia. Today, that philosophy is reflected in the ground-breaking training gear and performance apparel worn by over 4,500 teams around the world, including the NZ Kiwis, Connacht, Stade Toulouse, Sharks, Melbourne Rebels, QLD Reds, Western Force, Wellington Lions, Tasman Makos, Manu Samoa Rugby Union, Fiji Rugby Union and Canterbury Rugby Football.

“There’s a reason why so many of the top rugby teams are wearing BLK,” Babiash added. “They have the best product for the best prices and we can’t wait to introduce the apparel to our North American teams.”

BLK’s innovative approach to its apparel, in addition to its commitment to giving back to the game has really this partnership a no-brainer for both companies.

“We are very excited to have Rugby Athletic become our distributor in the USA. Our companies share the same values and it’s crucial to find a company in line with our goals,” said Tyron Brand, BLK CEO.

For more information on BLK, feel free to visit http://blksport.com/. If you wish to learn more about the products available to your team or club, please contact Rugby Athletic at sales@rugbyathletic.com or via phone at 952-542-1725.

For more information on Rugby Athletic, please visit http://www.rugbyathletic.com/ or email Sara at swright@rugbyathletic.com

Rugby Athletic Partners with Max Rugby

MINNETONKA, Minn.  – Rugby Athletic has announced that it is an official partner of Max Rugby. Max Rugby was created by award-winning photographer Max Haynes and centers around the notion that rugby is the most beautiful sport in the world.

In addition to heavy cross-promotion between the two entities on Facebook, Max Rugby will also be accompanying Rugby Athletic to Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Invitational and USA Sevens event.

“We are very excited to have this official partnership with Max Rugby,” said Chris Babiash of Rugby Athletic. “We already have been working with him for a while and really admire his talent. It makes sense for us to join forces as we share similar values and a love of rugby. This partnership will definitely prove beneficial for both entities.”

Having just confirmed that it will be the official vendor for the Las Vegas Invitational, Rugby Athletic looks to have a strong presence at this year’s event in late January. In addition to the LVI, Rugby Athletic and Max Rugby will also be attending the “San Diego Rugby Party” held Friday night at The Ainsworth, the premier upscale sports lounge in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and will be hosting various promotions and contests throughout the weekend.

“Max Rugby is energized by the announcement of this partnership,” Haynes said. “This will expand opportunities for both companies and I am looking forward to working with some of the best professionals in the business.”

For more information on Max Rugby, please visit www.maxrugby.us or follow Max Rugby and view photos at www.facebook.com/maxrugby.us.

If you wish for Rugby Athletic to consider partnering with your company, please contact Chris at cbabiash@rugbyathletic.com or via phone at612.590.0065.

For more information on Rugby Athletic, please visit http://www.rugbyathletic.com/ or email Sara at swright@rugbyathletic.com

San Francisco Bay Area Rugby Business Network meetup tonight

Credit: Hear Comes The Guide

The San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Rugby Business Network are holding their monthly meetup this evening in San Francisco.

Hosted by good mate Kevin Sullivan, the event takes place at the Thirsty Bear Brewing Company, 611 Howard Street (between 3rd and Hawthorne streets) from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

First $150 of beer is on Rucking Insurance Services

In Kevin's words (not mine!): "Attend, or you will be listed as an Australian Athletic Supporter!"

Rugby Professionals Network NYC Meetup, Wednesday August 10th, 7pm

This Wednesday the monthly gathering of the NYC based Rugby Professionals Network will be meeting from 7pm onwards at Dorian Gray in the East Village (205 East 4th Street).

With a common love of rugby, this informal event is your opportunity to network with like minded business professionals.  One of the hot topics this month will be the Rugby World Cup, so come on by to learn more and here about some of the exciting opportunities going on.

If you do plan to attend, please feel free to drop me a line and I'll look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Rugby Professionals Network NYC meeting, Wednesday July 13th, 7pm

Tomorrow night the monthly Rugby Professionals Network gathers again from 7pm onwards in Manhattan. The event takes place at Dorian Gray, 205 East 4th Street, New York (East Village) and all are welcome.

I'll be at the event and if you plan to attend, please free to drop me a line.  See you tomorrow!

Inaugural Rugby Professionals Network meeting tonight in NYC

A few friends and I enjoying a spot of rugby at Dorian Gray

This evening the Rugby Professionals Network kicks off their first meeting in New York city.   This event is scheduled to take place on the second Wednesday of every month to bring together professionals who share a passion for the game of rugby on and off the field.

Tonight's event will run from 7pm to 10pm and takes place at Dorian Gray, 205 East 4th Street, New York (East Village).  

I'll be at the event, so look out for the guy in the photo on the far right (yep, that's me).  See you tonight!

Podcast Episode 13: Kevin Sullivan (TRY Donation Program)

For the first episode of 2011, I sit down with Kevin Sullivan to talk about the TRY (Tomorrows Rugby Youth) Donation Program.  Kevin shares how he, along with an all-star cast of rugby folks, are helping get old rugby kit and equipment to young rugby players in need.

As well as learning about TRY's short and developing history, Kevin talks about his early rugby days and his business, Rucking Insurance, providing health coverage to rugby platters Nationwide.  Plus, listen out for a special announcement from yours truly!

You can listen to the podcast on our Podcast Page, iTunes, our  Facebook page, or via our RSS Feed. 

And to find about TRY visit our dedicated TRY Page here and don't forget to check out TRY's facebook page (remember to Like it!)

Podcast Episode 12: Adam Kopp & Chris Babiash (Rugby Athletic)

Back with another podcast for your listening pleasure, this time with not one, but two guests.

I catch up with Adam Kopp and Chris Babiash, the lads behind Rugby Athletic, a growing full service wholesale rugby company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

We talk about the duos college playing days, the origins and services of Rugby Athletic, and there other including their mascot, Ruckie The Moose, who heads up their charity and youth foundation.

You can listen to the podcast on our Podcast Page, iTunes, our Facebook page or via our RSS Feed.

And to find about and follow Rugby Athletic and Ruckie, check out the follow links:

www.rugbyathletic.com

www.facebook.com/rugbyathletic

twitter.com/rugbyathletic

ruckiethemoose.com

Podcast Episode 10: Rob Schnabel (Bakline)

In this podcast episode, I talk with Rob Schnabel, President & Co Founder of Bakline, Inc., a designer sportswear company headquartered in NYC.  We chat about Rob's early rugby days at New York Rugby Club, the beginnings of Bakline, and the helping to rebuild Haiti campaign, a grassroots relief effort done in partnership with students from New York University. 

You can listen to the podcast player below, via our Podcast Page,  iTunes, or by RSS Feed