Kick It Out and Fanatics have partnered to launch Kick It Out’s first-ever club-branded range of merchandise, supported by Everton Football Club, as part of the organisation’s goal to tackle discrimination and promote equality and inclusion in all sports.
Through the partnership, Fanatics has designed, manufactured and will sell a range of high-quality Everton fanwear, emblazoned with Kick It Out’s branding, designed to offer fans the opportunity to show their support for the charity and its mission, which is to call out and end discrimination in sport.
The range, which includes both men’s and women’s T-shirts and hoodies in a variety of sizes, colours and styles, is now available for fans to purchase through both Everton’s official retail outlets, as well as the official Everton Online Store, which is operated by Fanatics.
Nick Humphreys, Senior Lead for Partnership Management at Everton said: “Projects like this really help us drive home the message of inclusion and cement our zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and injustice.
“Through our All Together Now campaign, we strive to be the most inclusive and diverse football club where everyone is respected, celebrated and empowered.
“It’s great to be able to bring this to life through strong partnerships with the likes of Fanatics and Kick It Out.”
This collaboration is the latest step in Fanatics’ ongoing work with Kick It Out as the organisation’s official merchandise partner, which began last August with the launch of a branded range of Kick It Out merchandise. Fanatics also supports Kick It Out's Raise Your Game programme, which provides mentoring and leadership opportunities for people from underrepresented groups who want to work in sport.
As part of its work with Raise Your Game, Fanatics, a leader in licensed sports merchandise and a global digital sports platform which partners with more than 900 of the biggest clubs, leagues and organisations in sport, offers work experience to people from under-represented backgrounds looking to break into the sports industry, with a number of placements planned for this year.
Hollie Varney, Chief Operating Officer at Kick It Out, said: “We're thrilled to be able to offer Everton fans a means to both showcase their pride in their team, while doing their part to call out and end discrimination in sport. Being able to partner with forward-thinking clubs such as Everton, and the support of its passionate fanbase is key to raising awareness and support for our mission.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Everton and the team at Fanatics, which share our passion about making sport inclusive for all, and we are so excited to be able to offer Everton fans everywhere another way to show their passion for both their club and for equality and inclusion in sport.”
Michael Taylor, Head of Marketing for Fanatics’ International Branded Division, added: “Equality, diversity and inclusion is a key tenet of our culture at Fanatics and lies at the heart of both our values and everything we do. Subsequently, we are thrilled to have been able to bring our global reach and expertise to bear in developing this exciting new range of merchandise for Kick It Out, and football fans across the globe.”
To find out more, as well as shop the latest range of Everton x Kick It Out merchandise, please visit https://evertondirect.evertonfc.com/en/
