It was chosen following a selection process carried out by Gold Coast 2018, who sent out invitations for expressions of interest from Queensland-based companies back in September.

Only one unnamed entity from the area applied but then opted to withdraw, forcing organisers to look elsewhere.

Matevents has its headquarters in Adelaide, located in South Australia.

The company, established by two Victorian entities Overland Group and LoCo Sportswear, was formed late last year to specifically to carry out the role for the Organising Committee, a spokesperson for Gold Coast 2018 confirmed to insidethegames.

LoCo Sportswear have vast experience in the industry having delivered retail solutions for over 30 major events around the world, including five Olympic Games and the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups.

Overland Group, established in 1995, has had the license for leading Italian Sports brand Diadora in Australia and New Zealand since 1999.

Diadora was the kit provider for the Australian team at Glasgow 2014.

They have also been involved in other major sporting events such as the Australian Grand Prix and the World Aquatics Championships.

As part of winning the licensing and retail rights tender, Matevents PTY is expected to distribute and sell as many as 1,000 items.

These Games-related products include general clothing such as tee-shirts, headwear, mascots, publications, homewares, pins and sporting equipment.

They will “oversee all aspects of merchandising, including product sourcing, granting of sub-licenses, providing and running shops at venues, celebration site kiosks as well a superstore and other local retail outlets”, according to Gold Coast 2018.

Matevents will also be tasked with overseeing the online sale and distribution of the products.

The agreement between the company and the Organising Committee for the event will create around 300 Games-time jobs, Gold Coast 2018 have claimed.

Organisers also insist all the products included in the range of merchandise will be designed in Australia and sourced by Australian companies.

“The licensing and merchandise programme is an important part of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games brand awareness and community engagement,” Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters said.

“Many Australians still proudly display merchandise and products that they purchased in Brisbane during the 1982 Commonwealth Games.

“By working together with a company with such strong experience in the licensing field as Matevents, we will be able to provide all fans with an accessible and top-quality merchandise range that will remind them of one of Australia’s biggest ever sporting events.”

The 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast is due to take place from April 4 to 15.