The Federation of International Polo (FIP), the international governing body of the sport of polo in over 80 nations worldwide, today announced that USPA Global Licensing (USPAGL) will assume the role of official global apparel provider of FIP. The partnership will be launched in Berlin, Germany September 4, 2016 at the FIP European Championship. The U.S. Polo Assn. will outfit FIP Officials and teams with U.S. Polo Assn. produced jerseys, pants, jackets, caps and equipment bags.
“FIP represents polo associations around the world from Argentina to Zimbabwe, and we are delighted with our new partnership with USPA Global Licensing, a leader in international apparel,” said Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, President of the Federation. “We believe that there is great synergy between our two brands and we look forward to a bright future together.”
“FIP made great strides by standardizing the rules of polo internationally, which was vital for the continued growth of our game, both on and off the field. We look forward to our extended relationship and expanding the exposure of our U.S. Polo Assn. brand,” added David Cummings, President & CEO, USPA Properties, Inc.
U.S. Polo Assn. brand products are authentic and officially sanctioned by the United States Polo Association (USPA), the governing body for the sport of polo in the U.S. since 1890. USPA Global Licensing Inc., a wholly owned, for-profit, tax-paying subsidiary of the USPA, the sport of polo in the U.S., manages its licensing program in more than 135 countries through more than 730 U.S. Polo Assn. brand stores, as well as independent retail, department and e-commerce platforms.
“We are excited to activate the U.S. Polo Assn. brand by connecting our licensees with the sport of polo internationally with FIP in their respective markets. This allows us to bring polo full circle on a global spectrum, both sport and brand,” stated Matthew McCartin, SVP Global Marketing for both the sport of polo and the USPA Global Apparel brand. “USPA Global Licensing effectively manages licensing programs throughout the world, which makes this partnership a natural fit. FIP players will now be outfitted with the ‘best of the best’ gear and take our level of professionalism to the next level,” added Charles Ward, Idea Works President, partner of FIP.
Dr. Richard Caleel, former FIP President and FIP marketing committee chairman, spearheaded the initiative with USPAGL. “In observing the amazing growth of USPA GL over the past two decades, I knew we could count on a mutually beneficial relationship together,” said Dr. Caleel.
In preparation for the World Championships of Polo in Germany (2016) and Australia (2017), FIP, together with Idea Works, Inc., are developing category exclusive rights to develop partnerships for luxury brands with for the federation of polo clubs with 19,000 members. For more information, visit www.fippolo.com
About the Federation of International Polo
FIP (Federation of International Polo) is the international federation representing the sport of polo, officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. It was created in 1982 by representatives of eleven national polo associations. FIP’s principal aim is to enhance the image and status of the great game of polo internationally. FIP’s mission is to promote the practice of the sport of polo worldwide in order to defend and ensure the spirit of fair play and moral fortitude, with the objective of forming the sporting attitude of gentlemanly behavior during and after the game, on the playing fields and wherever polo players should meet, so as to form one great world polo family.
About the United States Polo Association®
The U.S. Polo Association (USPA) was organized and exists for the purposes of promoting the game of polo, coordinating the activities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players, arranging and supervising polo tournaments, competitions, and games, and providing rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, and games including the safety and welfare of participants and mounts.
Founded in 1890, the United States Polo Association (USPA) is the national governing body for the sport of polo. USPA is currently comprised of almost 300 member clubs with thousands of individual members, and oversees 40 national tournaments. For more information, please visit uspolo.org.