HEAD UK has spent a significant amount of time conducting research and development recently, as well as levering its relationship with the Living Tennis Academy at Bisham Abbey, according to Dave Shaw, HEAD UK general manager.
“We have undertaken research around both the sportswear and footwear ranges,” he said. “Sales of the 2015 sportswear range have more than doubled in terms of year on year growth.”
As part of the brand’s marketing activities two tennis players have been appointed as sportswear ambassadors – Robin Haase, currently ranked world No. 75, is one of those players. Earlier this season, the 28-year-old notched up his fourth Top 10 win of his career defeating Stan Wawrinka in Indian Wells and more recently the Dutchman reached the semi-finals of the Topshelf Open at ‘s-Hertogenbosch. German Peter Gojowczyk, 25, (pictured right) has also been appointed as a HEAD sportswear ambassador.
In the UK, a number of bloggers including Big Brother winner Josie Gibson and TV host AJ Odudu attended a special HEAD event at Bisham Abbey in Berkshire. The event was hosted in partnership with the Living Tennis Academy, a specialist coaching academy based at Bisham, where former British No.3 and Davis Cup player, Martin Lee heads the coaching programme.
The bloggers who were given sportswear and apparel had a coaching session with Judy Murray so they could put the kit to the test. Murray, who is an ambassador for HEAD rackets in the UK, also hosted a masterclass with a group of 9-12 year old performance players as part of Team HEAD – the brand’s global player sponsorship programme which supports young talented players in more than 40 countries.
Shaw said: “It’s great for HEAD to provide this level of support and access to a world class coach like Judy Murray, who has vast experience within the grassroots and elite games. We believe in giving opportunities, like this to our juniors who could certainly become the next Andy Murray or Maria Sharapova. This isn’t only a unique occasion for the Team HEAD players but for their parents as well.”
Bob Brett and Emilio Sanchez are also involved in the global programme offering advice and sharing knowledge with youngsters. Rising star Alexander Zverev was part of the Team HEAD programme. Zverev, now 18, is currently ranked world No.81 and is one of three Germans ranked inside the World’s Top 100.
Commenting on all of the recent brand activity Shaw said: “It has been encouraging to see sales growth and in the UK HEAD continues to have a very high profile. We are confident that the newly extended grasscourt season will be a backdrop for further market growth.”