Under Armour have announced another sporting star to their exciting roster, welcome England international and Saracens rugby player Maro Itoje, a partnership developed with Roc Nation Sports.
This partnership signifies impact beyond the playing surface as Under Armour and Itoje are passionate about removing barriers for youth to engage in sport.
That shared determination and purpose towards equal opportunity will come to life in the form of a £1 million sports performance apparel donation from Under Armour to UK-based KIT US OUT.
The donation will include products from Under Armour’s UA RUSH™ and UA RECOVER™ collections, which use technological innovations to assist in performance and recovery.
Itoje is no stranger to utilising his significant influence to support young people. Tackling sporting inequality via the KIT US OUT donation follows on from his work to reduce educational inequality in the UK, where he mobilised media, social platforms, and corporate business to highlight the ‘digital divide’.
KIT US OUT works with grassroots sports initiatives across the world through the provision of kit and equipment.
Under Armour’s donation will reach those most in need of performance apparel in the UK, in Itoje’s ancestral home of Nigeria and many other countries with athletes and young people in need of kit to enable them to participate and perform.
The donation is part of Under Armour’s global community impact programme. Societal, financial, and cultural barriers keep too many young people on the sidelines, unable to participate in sports and unable to recognise their full potential.
Under Armour – through its communal work – focuses on bringing young people from all backgrounds onto the pitch or court by expanding their access and opportunities.“My decision to join Under Armour was driven by my desire to be the best I can be on the field. That being said, having a partner with a global platform that can be leveraged to do good was obviously an attraction. I’m excited for this new chapter of my career with Under Armour.”
– Maro Itoje
“Lack of funding or resources to buy sports kit is a significant barrier to participation in communities, both in the UK and across the globe,” says KIT US OUT founder Alex Mitchell.
“We are excited to be working with Under Armour and Maro, their donation will make a really positive, significant and lasting impact to thousands of young people from underrepresented regions in the UK and overseas, enabling them to participate in sports.”
Itoje has been utilising Under Armour’s newest apparel innovations in his intense training regime, including UA RUSH™.
UA RUSH™ gives Itoje the energy he needs when it matters most. The benefits of being on UA’s roster don’t stop there; he also uses Under Armour’s athlete Recovery sleepwear, giving him an around-the-clock advantage as he recovers from the intensive impact of playing international rugby.