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COUNTDOWN TO RLWC 2021
Inset: Coming together on the one stage.
League of their own The Rugby League World Cup will kick off in autumn 2021 in England and, for the first time, the men’s, women’s and wheelchair games will come together on the sport’s biggest stage. Riverside Brands has been appointed as the exclusive licensing agent of the tournament and LSB caught up with its founder, Ashley Holman, about the licensing opportunity off the pitch.
fan, as well as those followers who will support it due to the occasion of a World Cup being held here in England. The style guide is being developed through these two strands so we are able to cater for both fully.” The Rugby League World Cup is a natural fit with categories such as apparel, nightwear, homewares, bedding, accessories, footwear, bags and stationery, but also some more tournament specific commemorative, collectable and memorabilia based opportunities. Retail wise, some of the more he Rugby League World Cup 2021 specific tournament-based merchandise will sit is Riverside Brands first foray into within the 21 host venues, sports retailers and the world of sports licensing and online, whereas with others Riverside is aiming its founder, Ashley Holman, is clear as to Above: Riverside to partner with leading mass market retailers. why: “It has been an ambition of ours from Brand’s Ashley Holman. Of course, the tournament extends beyond inception to work across a multitude of the host nation and, tapping into this, Riverside has licensing areas, sports being very much a key one.” plans to build around its global representation. “Once we heard their vision and plans, we knew “With the tournament taking place in England and we wanted to be involved particularly as it will be with there being such a large and loyal following of the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup the sport here, there will naturally be a huge ever, as well as the most inclusive with the men’s, opportunity ‘at home’ in England,” says Ashley. In women’s and wheelchair tournaments all taking addition, there are 21 unique nations taking part in place at the same time,” says Ashley. the tournament and 150 million viewers are set to Rugby League fans, of which there are over 14 watch it around the world, including via the BBC million in the UK, are also dedicated followers so there which will show every one of the 61 matches live in will be a demand for merchandise. To this end, the UK. “We know places like Australia and New Riverside is currently busy working behind the scenes Zealand have very large Rugby League fan bases, on the plans including style guides, retail point of sale and we also have multiple teams making their first and the overarching strategy, aiming to officially appearance such as Brazil, Jamaica and Norway, so launch the opportunity for October this year. there are a range of great opportunities for us,” Ashley explains: “Everything is looking really Ashley concludes. strong and it will cater for the core Rugby League
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LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2020