A DEAL has been signed by the Cornish Pirates with sportswear manufacturer BLK to become the club’s kit supplier over the next four years.

The Australian-based firm will provide clothing for the Mennaye Field side’s players until 2018, adding the Pirates to a long list of other professional sports clubs they act as sponsors for.

This includes the Samoan and Fijian national rugby union teams and the New Zealand rugby league side.

Chief marketing officer Jason Sintome said the company are delighted to have signed the deal with the Greene King IPA Championship club.

Sintome said: “As a brand we are extremely pleased to have entered into a long term partnership with the Cornish Pirates and look forward to working with the team to assist them in further developing and promoting Pirate rugby through the provision of quality player apparel and supporter ranges.

“The Pirates are proud to represent Cornwall in professional sport and to support numerous community initiatives throughout the Duchy, building not only a legion of proud and passionate local supporters but also capturing the attention of rugby fans around the globe.

“With preparations for the new season already underway, a new board, coaching team and a host of exciting new recruits, we eagerly await the first matches of the year and look forward with confidence to a successful partnership on and off the playing field.”

Tom Magill, the Pirates’ general manager, said the club are happy with the deal and the clothing designs their players and supporters will be wearing in the near future.

“We are delighted to have BLK, a global sports company with high profile teams such as the Natal Sharks, Toulouse and Ospreys, as our sponsor and kit supplier,” Magill said.

“We are really pleased with the design of the shirts and quality of the kit overall.

“We are looking forward to a long term relationship with BLK and seeing the players wearing the kit.”