SYDNEY: Licensed merchandise group Cooper Sports has won the pitch to handle the Australian roll out of a new range of clothing by soccer's world governing body FIFA.
The Sydney-based group will join others across the UK, US, India and Turkey in distributing the branded clothes and merchandise, expected to launch in August.
The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), which groups 208 soccer associations from around the world, said it would initially launch five apparel collections - Code, Editions, Heritage, Trophy and 1904.
The collections, thought to include styles such as T-shirts and shorts, will be shown at trade shows over coming months and launch in-store from August.
FIFA said in a statement it had signed a licence agreement with brand management and licensing company Global Brands Group, which is working with designers and signing up distributors.
"Additional agreements have already been reached in four further markets with deals in three pending and an additional six identified. Global Brands Group is also actively seeking master distributors in a series of other key territories."
The distributors may also be responsible for creating FIFA Official Stores, the first of which opened at Singapore's new T3 terminal at Changi airport in January 2008.
Lane Cove-based company Cooper Sports currently services a client base that includes AFL, rugby union, rugby league, football, cricket and netball clubs. It also boasts a corporate and school uniform arm.