XBlades
 | |
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Clothing |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Headquarters | |
Area served | Australia, United Kingdom |
Key people | Leighton Richards (XBlades Australia CEO) Lee Jenkinson (XBlades UK CEO) |
| Products | Sporting apparel |
| Website | xblades |
XBlades is an Australian multinational corporation engaged in the design, development and selling of sporting apparel, primarily related to footwear for rugby and Australian rules football. It is the original creator of the bladed sole football boot designed to minimize injury for athletes.[1] XBlades was established by David Miers, a biomechanist who was listed with Australian Football League club Collingwood in the 1980s. He suffered many knee injuries throughout his career, which he attributed to his studded boots, leading him to create a rubber-soled shoe with X-shaped 'blades' as an alternative.[2]
The company was established in 1989 to make footwear for athletes who played native Australian sports such as Rugby and AFL.[3]
In 2016, XBlades was acquired by former Callaway Golf director Leighton Richards and former AFL player Jimmy Bartel.[4]
XBlades’ United Kingdom division, located in Doncaster, was established in 2012. In 2018 it was renamed Elite Pro Sports [5][6][7][8]
Sponsorships
Australian rules football
Rugby league
Rugby union
Major League Rugby (all teams)
Association football
See also
References
- ^ "Aussie brand revamps logo after record year". Internet Retailing. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ Waterworth, Ben (22 November 2017). "AFL draft 2017: Gryan Miers looms as one of AFL's next big cult heroes". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
- ^ "THE XBLADES STORY". XBlades. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Aussie brand revamps logo after record year". Internet Retailing. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "XBlades | Latest News - New CEO Joins XBlades". www.xbladessports.com. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- ^ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/footy-form/semi-radradra-major-sponsor-already-looking-to-tap-into-french-rugby-market/news-story/2adf0e96cdde0e809fba10665927c72c
- ^ http://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/gloucester-rugby-unveil-new-shirt-to-be-worn-for-remembrance-day/
- ^ http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/business/new-appointments-chief-executive-appointed-at-doncaster-based-xblades-sports-1-7900312