Sportswear

Tender description

Queen’s Sport, which sits within the Student Plus Directorate, through its relationship with the Students’ Union, supports over 50 Sports Clubs representing approximately 3000 members. These clubs represent the University in regional, national and inter-varsity competitions. Queen’s Sport also supports elite teams and individuals involved in High Performance Sport which includes 5 Academies (Rugby, GAA, Rowing, Hockey and Soccer), Elite Athlete Programme and Sports Bursaries which act as a major recruitment driver for the University. There are approximately 100 Athlete Scholars and over 100 coaches and staff at Queen’s Sport. Student Plus is seeking to further enhance the services offered to members of associated departments, staff, student clubs and elite sporting programmes through the appointment of a sole supplier for the provision of the supply and delivery of high quality branded performance clothing/sportswear/games kit. Queen’s Sport requires a provider for high quality branded performance branded clothing to service student sports clubs, staff and elite performance programmes. Sport is an important area for the university aligned to the corporate values and brand in terms of profile, recruitment and service provision. It is also used to provide staff and students with a platform to enhance personal development along with physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Queen’s Sport are launching a new strategy in 2018 which will aim to provide “a world class support system and environment for students, staff and the community that unlocks sporting potential, maximises personal performance and enhances health and well-being”. This will be achieved through leveraging the expertise of our staff with the provision of excellent facilities, delivering a dynamic programme of activities that encourage participation and support our students’ ambitions to fulfil their sporting potential. The provider in high quality branded performance clothing should also aspire and align to the ambition of Queen’s Sport through the quality of product and a level of service provided to customers and through a new retail and online provision, all of which can be developed as the partnership grows. We would expect applications from companies with a proven track record in the delivery of high performance clothing working with fabrics and technology to improve performance on areas such as moisture management and comfort whilst retaining styles. A retail position for Queen’s Sport has not been fully explored but has real potential in terms of profile and brand awareness, service and revenue. We would hope that through a new partner for high quality branded performance clothing could also establish an online and on campus presence to mainly target students, staff and public with a range of high quality university branded clothing with clear and concise reporting on sales. Student Club orders are normally placed with contracted suppliers through Queen’s Students’ Union Finance with many transactions made through the university purchase card facility.