The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has entered into a partnership with MatchWornShirt, a company that allows fans to own match-worn and autographed kits.
As part of the five-year agreement, fans will have the chance to own signed, match-issued and match-worn French rugby shirts. This deal comes amid the start of the Six Nations tournament, meaning supporters can obtain kits worn during the tournament through auctions.
The first auctions are for kits worn in France’s games against Wales and England. All net proceeds of these auctions will go towards au Cœur, a foundation established by the FFR, dedicated to supporting rugby in local communities across France.
Following on from the Six Nations, this deal will include shirts from the Women’s XV, Men’s Sevens, and Women’s Sevens teams.
Alexandre Anginot, Director of Marketing and Commercial Assets at the FFR, stated: “This partnership with MatchWornShirt offers rugby fans the chance to own one of the three shirts prepared for each of our players on match day, keeping the connection to the French national teams alive.
“Beyond owning a piece of history, each purchase gives these shirts a second life while also supporting the grassroots of the sport and its clubs. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the ‘Rugby au Cœur’ endowment fund, which helps finance educational and community rugby projects across France.”
This deal, brokered by the FFR’s licensing agency IMG Licensing, marks MatchWornShirt’s first in international rugby. However, the brand has already established its presence in the country’s domestic rugby scene.
Before this deal, MatchWornShirt partnered with ASM Clermont and LNR, alongside working on projects with clubs including RC Vannes, Bayonne and Stade Français. It has also collaborated with several football clubs, such as the Premier League’s Chelsea.
Sports organisations, like the FFR and Chelsea, view partnerships with MatchWornShirt as a way to engage with fans.
James Flude, Head of Business Development at MatchWornShirt, commented: “This is an enormous milestone for us, as the FFR become our first long-term partner in International Rugby. We have already seen first-hand the incredible global demand for our domestic Rugby partners in France, and the response to the first FFR auctions at the end of last year was incredible.
“France are one of the great teams in world rugby and we’re delighted to be bringing their match-worn, issued and signed shirts to fans around the world for the next five years.”
Last November, Flude was featured in Insider Sport’s Matchday Programme feature. In the edition, he shared how his love for collecting sports memorabilia started, describing the night Wigan’s Salomon Kalou threw him his shirt.