Paladin Sports

What Paladin Sports does

Paladin Sports is a custom sports apparel manufacturer founded in 2012 and headquartered in Brookvale, Sydney, with operations across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The company designs, manufactures, and supplies teamwear, uniforms, and accessories across twelve sport categories — including rugby league and union, football/soccer, netball, cricket, basketball, hockey, tennis, touch football, Aussie Rules, athletics, and frisbee — plus a general apparel and accessories line (jackets, hoodies, polos, compression wear, socks, bags, balls, scarves). Manufacturing combines sublimation and cut & sew techniques using a proprietary portfolio of high-performance fabrics (Aerolite, Vaporlite, Hexlite, Carvico, Robax, and others), with in-house 3D design and pattern making software supporting bespoke garment design.

Paladin operates a dual go-to-market: an enterprise field-sales motion through regionally distributed account managers (many of whom are former professional athletes) serving professional teams, national governing bodies, and large clubs, alongside a direct-to-consumer e-commerce channel powered by Shopify across four regional storefronts (au/nz/uk/us.paladin.sport) with a self-service Kit Designer tool that allows customers to configure uniforms online. The customer base spans elite professional clubs (London Broncos, Wellington Phoenix, Northern Mystics, Mainland Tactix, Tennis NZ, multiple NZ NPC rugby unions), grassroots and community clubs, schools, and licensed governing bodies (NSWRL, Bowls Australia, USA Touch, NSWTA). Pricing is quote-based with a roughly six-week manufacturing lead time for custom orders.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time custom teamwear sales, merchandise and fan apparel (the Southland Stags partnership alone generated over $500K in cumulative merchandise sales since 2019), licensing and partnership agreements, and accessories. The company acquired Australian sportswear brand Blackchrome in 2023, subsequently rebranding it under the Paladin name in 2025. Leadership comprises Co-Founder and Chairman Mark Donnelly, NZ CEO Ed Harman, and COO of the global group Michael Robertson (former London Broncos), supported by other former NRL professionals in regional operating roles.

Name

Paladin Sports

Legal name

Paladin Sports Technology Pty Ltd

Website

https://paladin.sport

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Paladin Sports designs, manufactures, and supplies custom teamwear and sports apparel across 12 sports for professional teams, national governing bodies, community clubs, and schools in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and USA, using sublimation and cut & sew methods with proprietary performance fabrics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Sports Apparel and Teamwear Manufacturing

NAICS

Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (3152), Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Team & Promotional Apparel Cut & Sew (Screenprint/Embroidery-Ready) (IMAOAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Team Sports & On-Field Performance Apparel (CRAAAEAE), Headwear Manufacturing (Hats/Caps/Beanies) (IMAOAFAA), Workwear, Uniforms & Safety Apparel Cut & Sew (IMAOAEAC), Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAI)

Keywords

• Custom sports apparel
• Teamwear manufacturing
• Performance sportswear
• Sublimation printing
• Athletic uniform supplier

Headquarters

HQ city

Deewhy

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Custom Teamwear Sales: One-time custom manufacturing of sports apparel including jerseys, shorts, singlets, training wear, and accessories. Products are custom made to customer specifications with design, colour and logo customization. Manufacturing lead time approximately 6 weeks.
2. Merchandise and Fan Apparel: Sale of branded merchandise and fan apparel to sports clubs and teams, with some partnerships generating significant merchandise revenue (e.g., Southland Stags surpassed $500,000 in merchandise sales since 2019).
3. Australian Made Socks: Full range of Australian Made custom socks for sports, corporate and casual needs, sold as standalone products alongside teamwear orders.
4. Accessories: Accessories including bags, balls, scarves, training bibs, and other sporting goods sold alongside main apparel products.
5. Licensing and Partnership Agreements: Official licensed apparel manufacturer partnerships with sports governing bodies including Bowls Australia National Merchandise Program and NSWRL/Tennis NZ partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Paladin Sports designs, manufactures, and supplies custom sportswear, team wear, and apparel for sports teams, clubs, schools, and organizations. Using sublimation and cut & sew production methods, the company creates bespoke uniforms, training wear, and accessories across 12+ sports for customers in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In-house 3D design capabilities and a proprietary range of high-performance fabrics support custom apparel programs ranging from grassroots clubs to elite professional teams, supplemented by licensed apparel partnerships with national governing bodies.

Product overview

Paladin Sports is a premium custom sports apparel and teamwear company offering a comprehensive portfolio of products across 12 sports categories (Athletics, Aussie Rules, Basketball, Cricket, Frisbee, Football/Soccer, Hockey, Netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Tennis, and Touch Football) plus broad apparel lines and accessories. Their product portfolio includes sport-specific uniforms (jerseys, shorts, socks) with high-performance fabric options (Aerolite, Hexlite, Vaporlite, Carvico, etc.), general apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, polo shirts, tracksuits, compression wear, swimwear, Hawaiian shirts), and accessories (bags, balls, scarves, socks, training bibs, headwear). They offer both cut & sew and sublimation manufacturing methods, with customization options including embroidery, woven badges, and printed logos. The company also provides a digital Kit Designer tool for customers to create their own designs. Paladin operates across four regions (Australia, New Zealand, UK, and USA) with physical stores and an e-commerce platform powered by Shopify.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Athletics Uniforms Custom singlets, crop tops, shorts, bike pants, and tights for track and field athletes, available in various fits for men, women, and youth squads.
• Aussie Rules Uniforms Custom Aussie Rules guernseys, playing shorts, and socks with short and long sleeve options designed specifically for Australian Rules Football.
• Basketball Uniforms Custom basketball jerseys and shorts using high-performance fabrics including Mid Ventex, Light Ventex, and Aerolite, with extensive embellishment options.
• Cricket Uniforms Custom cricket playing shirts, pants, jumpers, and vests in whites and colours using performance fabrics including Aerolite, Vaporlite, Double Knit, and R7, with reversible options available.
• Frisbee Uniforms Custom frisbee and flying disc jerseys, singlets, shorts, and socks using high-performance fabrics including Hexlite, Aerolite, and Flux.
• Football (Soccer) Uniforms Custom football playing jerseys, goalkeeper jerseys, shorts, and socks for professional and amateur levels, featuring high-performance fabrics including Hexlite, Vaporlite, and Aerolite.
• Hockey Uniforms Custom hockey jerseys, shorts, skorts, skirts, dresses, socks, and goalie smocks for field hockey teams.
• Netball Uniforms Custom netball dresses, skorts, skirts, shirts, singlets, and bibs using high-performance fabrics including Aerolite, Hexlite, Vaporlite, and Elastane, with various fit and collar options.
• Rugby League Uniforms Custom Rugby League jerseys, shorts, and socks as an NSWRL Licensed Supplier, serving professional and amateur clubs.
• Rugby Union Uniforms Custom Rugby Union jerseys, shorts, and socks, supplying five Unions in New Zealand's NPC competition and Tonga Ladies XV, using performance fabrics including Toro, LC Stretch, and RL Light.
• Tennis Uniforms Custom tennis apparel including shirts, shorts, skorts, skirts, dresses, and socks, with sponsorship of Tennis NZ, ASB Classic, and ATP Tour Pro Ajeet Rai.
• Touch Football Uniforms Custom Touch Football jerseys, singlets, shorts, bike pants, tights, and socks as NSWTA Licensed Supplier and Apparel Partner of USA Touch and Cayman Touch, using performance fabrics including Aerolite, Hexlite, Vaporlite, and Carvico.
• Custom Apparel General custom apparel portfolio including Casual T-Shirts (160gsm Cotton Jersey or 210gsm Suede Cotton), Compression Wear (Light Robax or Carvico cut & sew, or sublimated), Contact Tops (Vortex and Taslan fabrics), Hawaiian Shirts (Aerolite/Vaporlite/Hexlite), Hoodies (310gsm Fleece, 220gsm Fleece, Micro Speedo, Sports Fleece, Heavy Robax), Polo Shirts (Poly Cotton Pique, Tech 160, Vertigo, Powerweave, Light Ventex, Aerolite, Vaporlite, Hexlite), Pullovers, Retro Jerseys (350gsm Cotton Blend), School Leavers Jerseys, Singlets (Light Ventex, Tech 160, Interlock 160, Vertigo), Swimwear (chlorine and saltwater-resistant Mako fabric), Tracksuits, Training Shirts, and Training Shorts (Micro-Stretch, Vaporlite, Light Ventex, 2Way Stretch).
• Custom Jackets Wide range of custom jackets including Coach Jackets, Puffer Jackets, Puffer Gilets, Sideline Jackets, Soft Shell Jackets, Varsity Jackets, and Wet Weather Jackets, using fabrics including Vortex, Taslan, Soft Shell, Memory Fabric, and LDR.
• Custom Headwear Custom headwear including beanies (minimum 20 units), bucket hats, custom caps (Adventure, Frontrunner, Map, React, Sideline, Trucker styles), stock caps, and visors with various embellishment options.
• Australian Made Custom Socks Australian Made custom socks including turnover and pull-up footy socks, compression socks, footless socks, ankle socks, quarter socks, crew socks, cotton dress socks, and sublimated socks with silicone gripper options.
• Custom Bags Range of backpacks, holdalls, and travel bags with custom branding options (availability varies by region).
• Custom Balls High-quality customized balls for various sports including Aussie Rules, Netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union, and Soccer in all standard sizes plus gift and novelty sizes (minimum 25 units per size).
• Custom Scarves Custom acrylic knitted scarves with knitted text and logos, embroidered logo options, and optional tassels.
• Custom Training Bibs Adult and youth training bibs available as sublimated or cut & sew options with sublimated or printed logos, using fabrics including Vaporlite, Light Ventex, and mesh.
• Kit Designer Tool Online design tool allowing customers to create their own custom teamwear designs in three simple steps: choose a design, change colours, add text and logos.
• Regional Online Stores (AU, NZ, UK, USA) Shopify-powered online stores for Australia (au.paladin.sport), New Zealand (nz.paladin.sport), UK (uk.paladin.sport), and USA (us.paladin.sport) enabling customers to browse, order, and purchase custom teamwear directly with local currency, sizing, and customer support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Southland Stags achieved over $500,000 in merchandise sales since partnering with Paladin Sports in 2019
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bowls SA (Bowls South Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Paladin Sports announced as Preferred Apparel Supplier to Bowls SA for 3 years. As a locally operated business, Paladin is committed to supporting Bowls SA and member clubs with customer experience and product range not previously seen in the bowls landscape.
• London BroncoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024London Broncos Rugby League club appointed Paladin Sports as official 2025 kit supplier. Paladin will provide premium sportswear and cutting-edge designs for players, staff and supporters with new range of high-quality merchandise. Former London Broncos players Michael Robertson (now COO of Paladin global group) and Shane Rodney (heading Paladin Australia League operations) facilitate the partnership.
• Tennis NZ (Tennis New Zealand)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Tennis New Zealand appointed Paladin Sports as official apparel partner for 2024 and 2025. Paladin supplies apparel for junior and elite national teams including Davis Cup men's side and Billie Jean King Cup women's side. Partnership builds on existing relationship through ASB Classic tournament. NZ CEO Ed Harman leads the relationship.
• Wellington PhoenixcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Paladin Sports supplies playing kit and merchandise for Wellington Phoenix A-League football team. The partnership includes playing jerseys for 2023-24 A-Leagues season with yellow and black colour scheme, plus merchandise range.
• BlackchromecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Paladin Sports acquired Blackchrome in 2023. Blackchrome had built two decades as a national brand delivering high quality products and exceptional service. Blackchrome becomes integral part of Paladin Sports team while maintaining distinct brand identities.
• SBS Bank Southland Stags (Rugby Southland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership since 2019 has generated over $500,000 in merchandise sales and over 10,000 items sold. The dynamic partnership combines top-notch merchandise with clever marketing. Sponsors receive brand visibility on famous maroon jerseys. Jerseys change every season as a deliberate strategy to keep fans engaged.
• Five NZ Unions in NPC CompetitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaladin Sports is supplier to five unions in New Zealand's NPC competition, providing on-field and off-field uniforms. High performance fabrics including Toro, LC Stretch and RL Light are used for rugby union apparel.
• Tonga Ladies XVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaladin Sports supplies uniforms for Tonga Ladies XV rugby union team.
• Northern MysticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern Mystics netball team (ANZ Championship) sourced from Paladin Sports. Paladin supplies both on-court and off-court apparel including dresses, skorts, shirts, singlets, hoodies, polo shirts, and training wear.
• Mainland TactixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMainland Tactix netball team (ANZ Championship) sourced from Paladin Sports. Paladin supplies both on-court and off-court apparel with high performance fabrics including Aerolite, Hexlite, Vaporlite and Elastane.
• Cricket Express NZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCricket Express NZ is supplied by Paladin Sports for cricket uniforms and teamwear.
• T20 Black ClashcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaladin Sports is official kit supplier for T20 Black Clash cricket event.
• Just Hockey NZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJust Hockey NZ is supplied by Paladin Sports for hockey uniforms including jerseys, shorts, skorts, skirts, dresses, socks and goalie smocks.
• USA TouchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSA Touch is an official apparel partner of Paladin Sports, receiving on-field and off-field uniforms for touch football.
• Cayman TouchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCayman Touch is an official apparel partner of Paladin Sports for touch football uniforms.
• AFDA (Australian Flying Disc Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFDA is supplied by Paladin Sports for frisbee and flying disc uniforms with high performance fabrics including Hexlite, Aerolite and Flux.
• NSWTA (New South Wales Touch Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSWTA is a licensed supplier customer of Paladin Sports for touch football uniforms.
• ASB ClassiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASB Classic tennis tournament in New Zealand has existing relationship with Paladin Sports, which created a top-quality merchandise range and supplies apparel for hundreds of volunteers, ball kids and officials. This relationship preceded and built towards the broader Tennis NZ partnership.
• Phillips Group Southland Representative Rugby ProgrammeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhillips Group partnership (including I Hire, Supreme Site Works, Southern Mechanical Service, I Battery and I Signs) with Rugby Southland has distributed over 1000 items annually with over 3000 items worn over three years, all with Paladin Sports apparel.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Canterbury (Canterbury of New Zealand): Heritage rugby-apparel brand strongly associated with New Zealand NPC unions and Australian rugby league — closely comparable to Paladin's rugby union/league kit supply franchise across the same geographies.
• BLK: Custom rugby, league, and team-apparel brand active across Australia, NZ, and the UK — direct head-to-head competitor for rugby union/league kit deals and grassroots custom teamwear.
• Errea: Italian custom teamwear manufacturer serving rugby, football, volleyball, basketball and netball clubs — comparable in product range, customization model, and professional-club kit supply niche.
• Kukri Sports: UK-based custom teamwear and sportswear supplier covering rugby, football, netball, hockey and more — directly comparable to Paladin's UK office expansion and multi-sport custom kit offering.
• Macron: European teamwear manufacturer supplying football, rugby, cricket and netball clubs worldwide with custom kit and merchandise — overlapping Paladin's multi-sport custom apparel model across similar customer types.
• Joma: Spanish sportswear/teamwear brand supplying football, rugby, basketball, and netball clubs globally with custom kits — overlaps Paladin on multi-sport custom apparel and licensed federation deals.
• Hummel: Danish sportswear brand with a strong teamwear and kit-supply business across European football, handball, and Australian rugby league — analogous to Paladin as a specialist team-kit manufacturer serving professional and amateur clubs.
• ISC (International Sports Clothing): Australian custom teamwear manufacturer serving NRL, AFL, and grassroots clubs — a direct competitor to Paladin's cut & sew and sublimated rugby league and Aussie Rules kit business.

Broad incumbents

• Nike Team (Nike Team Sports / Nike Custom): Global sportswear giant with Nike Team Sports custom uniform programs for football, basketball, running and more — addresses the same end-customers but as part of a mass-market portfolio rather than a teamwear specialist.
• Adidas Teamwear: Adidas's custom teamwear and federation partner division covering football, rugby, cricket and beyond — competes for the same professional-team and governing-body kit contracts Paladin targets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/paladinsprts
• Facebookfacebook.com/PaladinSportswear
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/paladin-sports-technology-pty-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Paladin Sports