By Duncan Mackay

Team GB Kazan 2013 kitMay 25 - Britain will wear kit with the Union Flag emblazoned on the front at the 2013 Universiade in Kazan after it was unveiled by Kukri, the team's official teamwear provider.


Britain are expected to compete in artistic gymnastics, badminton, fencing, football, judo, rugby sevens, shooting, swimming and tennis at the Games, which are due to take place between July 6 and July 17. 

Controversially, UK Athletics has decided not to take part in the Games, which is due to feature 13,500 competitors from 170 countries.

But Britain still expects to be represented by a team of 175, which is due to be announced at the beginning of next month.

Those selected will receive their kit during a special day at Loughborough University on June 8. 

"We are really proud to be able to present the kit, designed by Kukri, that the Great Britain team will be wearing at the World University Games in Kazan later this year," said Kareh Rothery, chief executive of British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS).

"We are delighted with the design of the bespoke kit and know our athletes will be very excited and proud to wear the GBR colours."

Among the athletes to model the new kit were Tom Mitchell, a rugby player from Oxford University, Stephanie Cornish, a tennis player from University of Bath, James Davis a fencer from Middlesex University, and Sarah Mckenna, a rugby player from University of Befordshire.

Tom Mitchell wearing Team GB Kazan 2013 kitOxford University student Tom Mitchell, modelling the Team GB kit for Kazan 2013, hopes to be picked for the rugby sevens team

BUCS, the National Governing Body for Higher Education sport, and Kukri have a long standing partnership which has been extended to design and supply the teamwear for the athletes competing at the Universiade this summer.

Preston-based Kukri, which was founded in 1999, is best known for its work in rugby union and currently works with 14 national teams, along with several top club sides, including two-times Heineken Cupwinners London Wasps.

But last month they replaced Adidas as the kit supplier for England's Commonwealth Games team.

"We're so very passionate that the athletes who wear our kit love it and we believe we're the natural choice to kit out an elite multisport team," said Phil Morris, the group managing director of Kukri.

"University sport is close to our core and we're proud to be so involved in the World University Games.

"We know the British Athletes will look amazing."

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