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Category Archives: Samurai Sportswear Soccer Spotlight

Samurai Sportswear Soccer Spotlight – March 2012

Taking the Game to Every Player

Mick Bowdler is a difference maker and a trendsetter in the game of soccer.  He has repeatedly taken the game he loves to places nearly barren of the sport, starting numerous programs from scratch.  The game in Eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania wouldn’t be what it is without Bowdler and his club, Keystone Soccer Academy.

Keystone Ohio players train with Coach Bowdler in Salem, Ohio

Keystone is 160+ players strong thanks to a focus on the individual. There is a focus on the needs of each player, taking personalities into account when putting a team on the pitch.

“The best coaches recognize the personalities of their players and build their system around that,” Bowdler said. ”It’s not about putting numbers on a blackboard.”

Bowdler, a former professional with England’s Coventry City, has been a coach in the U.S. for over 30 years.  His first coaching gig came in the early 80s, a formulative time for the American game.  It was a time when the NASL was failing and MLS was over a decade away.

Bowdler would set up large programs in the youth soccer wilderness, starting in East Liverpool (Ohio) before moving on to Lisbon (OH) to start the Beaver Local youth program.  He would also coach at one of Pennsylvania’s premier programs, Beadling Soccer Club in Pittsburgh, where he also  played his way to an Over-40 National Championship in 1996.

Growing the game was always a priority for the English native.  However, it hasn’t always been easy.  For a period of time, there was no structured soccer pyramid here in the States and the national team program wasn’t up to par with the rest of the world.  Today is a different story with over 18 million youth players from coast to coast and Jurgen Klinsmann at the helm of the men’s national team program.

“The level of coaching is getting better,” Bowdler remarked. “Coaches are a lot more knowledgeable than they were 20 years ago. They are trying to bring their passion to the kids.”

Bowdler is a big proponent on educating players to become students of the game. His players are encouraged to watch international games on TV, to find heroes in the global game, and to learn more about the beautiful game outside the U.S.

“Most players around the world learn the game by playing in the streets or by pickup games,” Bowdler commented. ”We don’t have any of that.”

Bowdler is a big proponent of a longer club season even though it will take away from the high school game, where he has coached for almost 15 years.

When asked about moves made by Klinsmann and Claudio Reyna, Bowdler replied, “It’s all good news. When you start playing 10 months of the year, you are saying you are committed to this sport.”

He says that the developmental academy system is something to watch in the next few years, but he was quick to point ou that the club structure underneath the academies is still vitally important.

“We both know that soccer is a middle or upper middle class sport,” Bowdler continued. ”That isn’t helping matters.”

He was also quick to share his thoughts on the international game, saying that Harry Redknapp is not his favorite for the English national team coach.

“There’s something about Redknapp,” Bowdler said. ”I watch Tottenham play and they have flair, but he hasn’t done anything.”

“I really believe it should be an English coach,” Bowdler added. ”We have a certain culture. The Swansea coach is doing a excellent job. “

On the club side of things, Bowdler is a fan of Manchester United and has a special affection for a certain player on FC Barcelona.

“Messi is on a different planet than everyone else,” Bowdler remarked. “We ought to be thankful that we are alive to watch him play. I think Messi is the best player I have seen in my life.”

Bowdler has made a huge impact on young coaches like Tim Ewing

That is quite a compliment, coming from someone that has seen a lot of soccer in his life.

Which brings us back to our first observation about Bowdler, that he is a trendsetter and a difference maker in the sport.  With people like Mick Bowdler leading the way, soccer has a bright future in every part of the country.

The Samurai Sportswear Soccer Spotlight is a monthly feature that showcases the best of the best in the world of youth and high school soccer.  This year-round coverage is made possible by the partnership between Samurai Sportswear USA and International Soccer Network, LLC.

The name Samurai has been part of sports industry since 1996.  The globe-trotting Samurai International Sevens Rugby Union team was created by Terry Sands, the ex-England Sevens manager and current Samurai owner/director. We can boast that many famous names have played for the current team over the years and these players are responsible for spreading the word about the fresh, stylish kit they were wearing. Since those early days Samurai International Sportswear Limited has seen rapid growth and is now firmly established as one of the leading global multi-sport brands. We are proud of the fact that we have grown organically, are financially stable, profitable, and secure.  As the brand developed, it started to climb the sporting ladder and this season Samurai is the “official kit supplier” to the Aviva Premiership Exeter Chiefs, Kent County Cricket Club, Glasmorgan CCC, the Loughbrough Lightning Super League Netball franchise, Tunisia Rugby Union, five of the clubs fighting it out in the English Rugby Union Championship, (Doncaster, Cornish Pirates, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans, Birmingham & Solihull), the Welsh Rugby League, Accrington Stanley Football Club and a whole host of other professional and semi-professional clubs.

Samurai Sportswear USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of AthletiCorp Inc. and is the North American distributor for Samurai International. We have experienced an exciting year already with our recent two-year sponsorship renewal with Play Rugby USA and our sponsored rugby clinics presented by Breathe Rugby across the USA and internationally. Samurai Sportswear is devoted to aiding the growth of rugby in the USA and we are doing everything we can to support our youth players, assist the coaches and referees that help cultivate the game and are creating a large impact on the development of rugby in the USA at multiple levels. We supply many of the top clubs across the country including the Chicago Griffins, Penn State University Men’s and Women’s rugby clubs, Xavier High School (NY), the Olympic Club, New York Athletic Club, University of Wisconsin and many more. As we expand our efforts in the United States we continue to provide high quality sports apparel for more sports. This past summer Samurai Sportswear USA sponsored the Samurai Sportswear Soccer Combine for high school soccer players in Canton, Ohio. We expect to have several soccer teams kitted out in Samurai gear in 2012. Like Samurai on Facebook and follow Samurai on Twitter. 

Samurai Sportswear Soccer Spotlight – February 2012

GNA Futbol Club: Opportunities for Every Player

GNA is best described as a “great melting pot” of youth soccer.  Situated in the suburbs of Columbus (OH), their program attracts players from 17 public and private high schools.

Why do they choose GNA? They have something for everybody, from traditional travel soccer to the highest level of competition in the MRL. They provide quality coaching and training for every age.  Simply put, GNA makes good players great thanks to a strong focus on development.  And they get results, collecting hardware at big events for both boys and girls.  The U-17 girls won the championship at the Norcross Nike Cup in Atlanta (GA) while the U-15 boys struck gold at the Nike Cup in Dublin and the Jr. Irish Invitational in South Bend (IN).  All of this comes from a mentality focused on training, training, and more training.

In a crowded youth soccer market, GNA has found its niche.  They grow and develop players for the high school market and beyond.  Many clubs have abandoned the high school game in favor of longer seasons and playing for club, not community.  But Vice President Frank Agin understands that there is something unique to playing for your high school and your school community.

“There’s just something special when you go to your high school reunion and talk about the state championship season,” Agin commented.

The camradery, the idea of playing for the greater good, and the idea of “taking one for the team.”  All things unique to the high school and perhaps things missing from the club perspective to the beautiful game.

So GNA has built a program that caters to players that want to get better for the high school season.  And better high school players make better college prospects.

And the program has plenty of players that have a bright future at the next level thanks to this unique focus.  GNA standout Chelsea Rowe recently signed with Indiana Tech, while several boys should emerge as top prospects in the next two years.

Rather than pushing for a 10 month season for clubs, GNA has embraced the high school game with a focus on making it better and more competitive.  At the same time, club coaches like Derrick Smith have moved to a focus on tactics, teaching an indirect style from a 3 back system.  This system of possession soccer breeds felexibility, which is so important in the collegiate game.  A player that can adapt is a valuable player.

While some clubs have gone the way of kick and chase and run and gun, Smith teaches defense first, saying that a shutout is the best result.

But GNA is about developing players on and off the field. So becoming involved in charities and non-profits is a big plus.

“Coaches like leaders,” Smith said. And GNA has come up big for Jeb Brovsky’s Peace Pandemic, collecting soccer equipment and supplies for youth in India.  The Montreal Impact defender visited the club last year, telling parents and players about his organization that promotes nonviolence to youth worldwide.

As you can see GNA is the total package, producing quality players that excel on the pitch and in life.  Truly a model club that has set a standard for others to strive for.

The Samurai Sportswear Soccer Spotlight is a monthly feature that showcases the best of the best in the world of youth and high school soccer. This year-round coverage is made possible by the partnership between Samurai Sportswear USA and International Soccer Network, LLC.

The name Samurai has been part of sports industry since 1996. The globe-trotting Samurai International Sevens Rugby Union team was created by Terry Sands, the ex-England Sevens manager and current Samurai owner/director. We can boast that many famous names have played for the current team over the years and these players are responsible for spreading the word about the fresh, stylish kit they were wearing. Since those early days Samurai International Sportswear Limited has seen rapid growth and is now firmly established as one of the leading global multi-sport brands. We are proud of the fact that we have grown organically, are financially stable, profitable, and secure. As the brand developed, it started to climb the sporting ladder and this season Samurai is the “official kit supplier” to the Aviva Premiership Exeter Chiefs, Kent County Cricket Club, Glasmorgan CCC, the Loughbrough Lightning Super League Netball franchise, Tunisia Rugby Union, five of the clubs fighting it out in the English Rugby Union Championship, (Doncaster, Cornish Pirates, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans, Birmingham & Solihull), the Welsh Rugby League, Accrington Stanley Football Club and a whole host of other professional and semi-professional clubs.

Samurai Sportswear USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of AthletiCorp Inc. and is the North American distributor for Samurai International. We have experienced an exciting year already with our recent two-year sponsorship renewal with Play Rugby USA and our sponsored rugby clinics presented by Breathe Rugby across the USA and internationally. Samurai Sportswear is devoted to aiding the growth of rugby in the USA and we are doing everything we can to support our youth players, assist the coaches and referees that help cultivate the game and are creating a large impact on the development of rugby in the USA at multiple levels. We supply many of the top clubs across the country including the Chicago Griffins, Penn State University Men’s and Women’s rugby clubs, Xavier High School (NY), the Olympic Club, New York Athletic Club, University of Wisconsin and many more. As we expand our efforts in the United States we continue to provide high quality sports apparel for more sports. This past summer Samurai Sportswear USA sponsored the Samurai Sportswear Soccer Combine for high school soccer players in Canton, Ohio. We expect to have several soccer teams kitted out in Samurai gear in 2012. Like Samurai on Facebook and follow Samurai on Twitter.

Samurai Sportswear Soccer Spotlight – January 2012

Central Ohio’s Classics FC Lead the Way for the Future

The appointment of Jurgen Klinsmann to the head of the U.S. Men’s National Team has meant systematic changes to the youth game so that it can grow and develop from the bottom up. Better youth players mean better national team players, which gives the American game a chance on the world stage. A new U.S. Soccer coaching curriculum, developed by Claudio Reyna, has put a premium on player development and training.

While some clubs cling to a “win at any cost” mentality, Classics FC in Central Ohio leads the charge in delivering this new curriculum using the best coaches at the earliest ages.

One of these coaches, Michael Furlong, has ties to Northeastern Ohio, having experienced great success at both the youth and high school level.

As a player, Furlong was a top ODP player that went on to a successful career at Jackson HS and Mitchell College (CT). Later as a top high school coach, Furlong developed a great soccer program at Perry HS in Massillon, Ohio in addition to his responsibilities at Canton/Cleveland United.

Furlong’s success has continued at Classics FC, where his U-10 Girls squad has collected hardware and lots of it. The Blue squad has won the Dublin Charity Cup twice along with the Cincinnati Fall Ball Tournament. Furlong also led his team to 2nd place finishes in the MASC and MOSSL Tournaments.

But winning isn’t everything. Furlong has turned his focus into developing players for the next level. He values creative players with a high soccer IQ and great vision on the pitch.

“It isn’t kick and chase and it’s not the Kentucky Derby,” Furlong stated in an interview with ISNSoccer.com. “We want to outthink our opponents. An intelligent player is worth their weight in gold.”

An emphasis on foot skills prepares players to be comfortable on the ball. He allows his players to make mistakes as individuals, but to learn from those mistakes as a team. While the team is very competitive, they still value sportsmanship.

“Win with class, lose with class, always act with class” is Furlong’s favorite quote. His players know it well, repeating it often to remind themselves of their real mission. That mission is to take pride in your club and community and at the same time to grow and develop as a player and person.

The team and the club as a whole is actually more like a family than anything else, a family that shares a love for the beautiful game. Furlong tries to make his players aware of the global game and they have listened. After a succession of quick passes turned into an opportunity on the attack, one of the players yelled to the sideline “Coach Mike, we looked like Barcelona.”

Barcelona’s Messi happens to be Mike’s favorite player along with Tottenham’s Luka Modric.

However, Furlong’s knowledge is not limited to the sport in Europe. He has an obvious fondness for the U.S. Men’s National Team and his favorite player growing up, the aforementioned Klinsmann.

“Klinsmann was efficient; there was no wasted movement on the field,” Furlong added.

Many in the soccer world are excited about the possibilities under the reign of Klinsmann. “He will produce a product that will open eyes and raise the awareness of the average sports fan,” Furlong continued.

Placing a premium on the technical development of players and building from the back were positives for Furlong when asked about the current national team program.

Furlong is well aware of the fact that Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, and Clint Dempsey won’t be around forever and we need to start thinking about the future now. He sees Juan Agudelo and Teal Bunbury as leaders of the next generation of American superstars. Both could step into a superstar role in the next few years.

When asked about young Americans leaving college and going to Europe, Furlong called it a “quick fix for a long-term problem.” Simply put, he is in favor of getting the best talent coached by the best coaches and clubs.
Some day because of Furlong and Classics FC, people will be talking about sending players to America to get the best the soccer world has to offer.

The Samurai Sportswear Soccer Spotlight is a monthly feature that showcases the best of the best in the world of youth and high school soccer. This year-round coverage is made possible by the partnership between Samurai Sportswear USA and International Soccer Network, LLC.

The name Samurai has been part of sports industry since 1996. The globe-trotting Samurai International Sevens Rugby Union team was created by Terry Sands, the ex-England Sevens manager and current Samurai owner/director. We can boast that many famous names have played for the current team over the years and these players are responsible for spreading the word about the fresh, stylish kit they were wearing. Since those early days Samurai International Sportswear Limited has seen rapid growth and is now firmly established as one of the leading global multi-sport brands. We are proud of the fact that we have grown organically, are financially stable, profitable, and secure. As the brand developed, it started to climb the sporting ladder and this season Samurai is the “official kit supplier” to the Aviva Premiership Exeter Chiefs, Kent County Cricket Club, Glasmorgan CCC, the Loughbrough Lightning Super League Netball franchise, Tunisia Rugby Union, five of the clubs fighting it out in the English Rugby Union Championship, (Doncaster, Cornish Pirates, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans, Birmingham & Solihull), the Welsh Rugby League, Accrington Stanley Football Club and a whole host of other professional and semi-professional clubs.

Samurai Sportswear USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of AthletiCorp Inc. and is the North American distributor for Samurai International. We have experienced an exciting year already with our recent two-year sponsorship renewal with Play Rugby USA and our sponsored rugby clinics presented by Breathe Rugby across the USA and internationally. Samurai Sportswear is devoted to aiding the growth of rugby in the USA and we are doing everything we can to support our youth players, assist the coaches and referees that help cultivate the game and are creating a large impact on the development of rugby in the USA at multiple levels. We supply many of the top clubs across the country including the Chicago Griffins, Penn State University Men’s and Women’s rugby clubs, Xavier High School (NY), the Olympic Club, New York Athletic Club, University of Wisconsin and many more. As we expand our efforts in the United States we continue to provide high quality sports apparel for more sports. This past summer Samurai Sportswear USA sponsored the Samurai Sportswear Soccer Combine for high school soccer players in Canton, Ohio. We expect to have several soccer teams kitted out in Samurai gear in 2012. Like Samurai on Facebook and follow Samurai on Twitter.

Samurai Sportswear Soccer Spotlight – December 2011

The Quaker Experience: Developing Players for the Next Level

The Salem High School girls soccer  program is certainly a role model for other Ohio teams.   In four years Head Coach Travis Ziegler and his staff have built a  strong program with a focus on player development and transitioning players  into the collegiate game.

Salem  finished the 2011 season with an 8-4-3  record.  It was their first season in the  Northeastern Buckeye Conference.

The Lady Quakers play an aggressive 3-4-3 formation because Zielger  believes it is similar to the style his players will encounter in college. The  players are taught to play possession soccer, getting the ball on the ground  and taking the fight to their opponent.

While Salem HS may not be the biggest name on the national  high school soccer scene, the program has developed and will continue to  develop prospects for the college game.   Seven seniors won’t be around for 2012, but it is the underclassmen that  are creating the most buzz.

The biggest star is freshman striker Marisa Swindell, who  tallied 15 goals and 9 assists in the 2011 fall season.  She also plays with Pennsylvania’s Keystone Academy  on a strong U-15 squad that competes nationally.  Ziegler and many others believe Swindell is a  bonafide D-I college prospect that will find success quickly a the next level.  Swindell exhibits blazing speed, good touch, and a killer instinct when it  comes to scoring goals.  Opposing teams  hope to slow her down and just limit the amount of goals she finishes with  because she is so difficult to defend.

Swindell is joined on the varsity squad by junior midfielder  Anna Wyss and freshman defender Julia Dundon.   Wyss is the Quakers’ field general, known for her ability to see the  whole field and having a strong foot.   Wyss scored 4 goals from beyond 20 yards.

Dundon is an ideal sweeper, leading the Salem D with  tenacity and talent.  She can handle the  ball well and has a good touch for a defender.

“She kept us in a ton of matches,” Ziegler declared.  Salem’s  starting goalkeeper didn’t have to make as many saves because Dundon was there  to repel the attack.

These three players add up to a bright future for Travis  Ziegler Salem HS girls soccer program.   Things look even better with 22 players returning for 2012, meaning the  NBC may have a new frontrunner.

The Samurai Sportswear Soccer Spotlight is a monthly feature that showcases the best of the best in the world of youth and high school soccer.  This year-round coverage is made possible by the partnership between Samurai Sportswear USA and International Soccer Network, LLC.

The name Samurai has been part of sports industry since 1996.  The globe-trotting Samurai International Sevens Rugby Union team was created by Terry Sands, the ex-England Sevens manager and current Samurai owner/director. We can boast that many famous names have played for the current team over the years and these players are responsible for spreading the word about the fresh, stylish kit they were wearing. Since those early days Samurai International Sportswear Limited has seen rapid growth and is now firmly established as one of the leading global multi-sport brands. We are proud of the fact that we have grown organically, are financially stable, profitable, and secure.     As the brand developed, it started to climb the sporting ladder and this season Samurai is the “official kit supplier” to the Aviva Premiership Exeter Chiefs, Kent County Cricket Club, Glasmorgan CCC, the Loughbrough Lightning Super League Netball franchise, Tunisia Rugby Union, five of the clubs fighting it out in the English Rugby Union Championship, (Doncaster, Cornish Pirates, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans, Birmingham & Solihull), the Welsh Rugby League, Accrington Stanley Football Club and a whole host of other professional and semi-professional clubs.

Samurai Sportswear USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of AthletiCorp Inc. and is the North American distributor for Samurai International. We have experienced an exciting year already with our recent two-year sponsorship renewal with Play Rugby USA and our sponsored rugby clinics presented by Breathe Rugby across the USA and internationally. Samurai Sportswear is devoted to aiding the growth of rugby in the USA and we are doing everything we can to support our youth players, assist the coaches and referees that help cultivate the game and are creating a large impact on the development of rugby in the USA at multiple levels. We supply many of the top clubs across the country including the Chicago Griffins, Penn State University Men’s and Women’s rugby clubs, Xavier High School (NY), the Olympic Club, New York Athletic Club, University of Wisconsin and many more. As we expand our efforts in the United States we continue to provide high quality sports apparel for more sports. This past summer Samurai Sportswear USA sponsored the Samurai Sportswear Soccer Combine for high school soccer players in Canton, Ohio. We expect to have several soccer teams kitted out in Samurai gear in 2012. Like Samurai on Facebook and follow Samurai on Twitter. 

Samurai Sportswear Soccer Spotlight – November 2011

The Spectrum Way: Making a Difference, One Player at a Time

You won’t find a better person in the game of soccer than Roman Hubach, Director of Soccer at Spectrum Soccer School in Parma, Ohio.  Through 35 years of coaching and teaching the beautiful game, Hubach has quietly made a name for himself in a highly competitive Northeast Ohio soccer market.

His “no pressure” approach to youth soccer and a focus on development stands out from a “win at any cost” attitude that is so prevalent in youth sports today.  Because of this philosophy, Spectrum Soccer School has become an exemplary program that serves as a model for others.

Hubach emphasizes tactics and technique as well as ball possession and fast decision-making on the pitch.

“I’m a big fan of Barcelona,” Hubach admitted.  He also favors an indirect style of play with lots of slick passing and skillful play.  In the early ages, basic skills are the focus.  Those skills form the building blocks for development in the later years, where competition becomes more important.

Spectrum has earned a fantastic reputation for developing local talent, especially at an early age. It was established in 1984 as an individualized training program for soccer players and was featured on local television as the first such soccer school in the entire country.

Brazilian international Sebastian Dos Santos partnered with Hubach to provide cutting-edge instruction for local players before becoming part of the famed East-West program that produced U.S. Men’s National Team and Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel.  In 1999, Spectrum reinvented itself as a team-oriented program that would play at the highest levels of Ohio youth soccer.

Despite its growth over the years, Spectrum and its coaches haven’t been tainted by dollar signs.  It’s certainly tempting to see all the potential money to be made and focus on winning, forgetting about skills and becoming better players.  While many have sold themselves to the Almighty Dollar, Hubach turns his attention to helping his players improve on and off the field.

Hubach is convinced that money is holding the American game back as those “who can afford it, do it.”  He believes universal access to free soccer will be “the turning point” in America’s growth as a soccer nation.  Soccer in the States still has the reputation of being a game of the middle class, a sport that can cost families thousands a year.  Spectrum understands this and became a non-profit organization with the hopes of minimizing costs for their players.

“A lot of our parents don’t pay a penny,” Hubach commented.

The one word that best describe both Hubach and Spectrum would be dedication.  Spectrum has dedicated coaches who care about the development of each and every player, creating a family-like atmosphere for parents, coaches, and players. Many of the ideas contained in Claudio Reyna’s well-known coaching curriculum have been in practice for years thanks to Hubach, but he is not the only person of note in the program.

Hubach was quick to compliment the work of Coach Kenneth Russo and Club Secretary Margaret Balodis.

“Kenny is my right hand,” Hubach continued. “He is very dedicated, organized, and runs fantastic training sessions.”

There have been many great coaches associated with Spectrum over the years; one even made it to the coaching ranks of the English Premier League with Norwich City before landing a coaching position with the English FA.

Hubach, who also serves as the head boys’ soccer coach at Padua Franciscan High School, knows the Cleveland soccer market better than anyone.  He is concerned that the quality of players has diminished because of the dreaded obsession with winning.

“Some coaches push kids to win instead of thinking about skills and development,” Hubach concluded.   This is a slippery slope when we see American players competing in a truly global sport.

Hubach sees a need for settling on a unified philosophy of play for American players. Developing an American style of play is a hot topic, something mentioned numerous times by Jurgen Klinsmann.   Hubach stresses that this should include training coaches and the enforcement of a coaching curriculum.

One thing is for sure, Roman Hubach and Spectrum Soccer School have left their footprint on the beautiful game in a big, powerful, and positive way.

The Samurai Sportswear Soccer Spotlight is a monthly feature that showcases the best of the best in the world of youth and high school soccer.  This year-round coverage is made possible by the partnership between Samurai Sportswear USA and International Soccer Network, LLC.    

The name Samurai has been part of sports industry since 1996.  The globe-trotting Samurai International Sevens Rugby Union team was created by Terry Sands, the ex-England Sevens manager and current Samurai owner/director. We can boast that many famous names have played for the current team over the years and these players are responsible for spreading the word about the fresh, stylish kit they were wearing. Since those early days Samurai International Sportswear Limited has seen rapid growth and is now firmly established as one of the leading global multi-sport brands. We are proud of the fact that we have grown organically, are financially stable, profitable, and secure.

As the brand developed, it started to climb the sporting ladder and this season Samurai is the “official kit supplier” to the Aviva Premiership Exeter Chiefs, Kent County Cricket Club, Glasmorgan CCC, the Loughbrough Lightning Super League Netball franchise, Tunisia Rugby Union, five of the clubs fighting it out in the English Rugby Union Championship, (Doncaster, Cornish Pirates, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans, Birmingham & Solihull), the Welsh Rugby League, Accrington Stanley Football Club and a whole host of other professional and semi-professional clubs.

Samurai Sportswear USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of AthletiCorp Inc. and is the North American distributor for Samurai International. We have experienced an exciting year already with our recent two-year sponsorship renewal with Play Rugby USA and our sponsored rugby clinics presented by Breathe Rugby across the USA and internationally. Samurai Sportswear is devoted to aiding the growth of rugby in the USA and we are doing everything we can to support our youth players, assist the coaches and referees that help cultivate the game and are creating a large impact on the development of rugby in the USA at multiple levels. We supply many of the top clubs across the country including the Chicago Griffins, Penn State University Men’s and Women’s rugby clubs, Xavier High School (NY), the Olympic Club, New York Athletic Club, University of Wisconsin and many more. As we expand our efforts in the United States we continue to provide high quality sports apparel for more sports. This past summer Samurai Sportswear USA sponsored the Samurai Sportswear Soccer Combine for high school soccer players in Canton, Ohio. We expect to have several soccer teams kitted out in Samurai gear in 2012. Like Samurai on Facebook and follow Samurai on Twitter.