Flyhawk brand ambassadors Stacey Francis, Jade Clarke and Natalie Haythornthwaite in Flyhawk sportswear.
Published: January 7, 2021 | Updated: 9th January 2021
An innovative new sportswear and equipment brand is looking to make waves across the globe.
Bournemouth-based Flyhawk is the brainchild of Stephanie Essex, a former superleague netballer.
The 32-year-old was previously Creative Director at Diamond Sporting Group and Bournemouth 7s festival and MD of Viper 10 Sportswear.
Flyhawk, which was officially launched on January 6, says it will challenge the status quo and build a market-leading brand for the global netball community.
Already some of the biggest names in world netball have endorsed the new business as ambassadors.
They include Serena Guthrie MBE, Natalie Haythornthwaite, defender Stacey Francis and Jade Clarke, one of the most capped international players of all time.
Between them they’ve played for 17 clubs, taken part in 11 World Cups, nine Commonwealth Games and have 402 international caps.
Stephanie, pictured left, said: “After well over a year out from the sportswear industry, watching from the sidelines so to speak, I realised how underrepresented our sport is when it comes to team apparel, often nothing more than a bolt on for many brands or a tick box to win larger contracts.
“The netball community is a special one made up of so many inspirational characters; the go-getters, the team players, those that empower others and those that challenge the status quo.
“It’s time there was a truly aspirational brand for our sport – a brand that represents the 20 million people that play netball worldwide.”
Flyhawk is offering a fully bespoke clothing range – on and off the court – from netball dresses, shorts and two-pieces to hoodies, leggings and jackets.
It is using the best performance fabrics available and says it will “offer athletes and sports teams innovation, imagination and a brand to call their own”.
Other products include three different styles of custom made netball to cater for all playing abilities.
Serena Guthrie MBE, pictured right, who won a gold medal in the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal, said: “I’m so excited to be part of a new brand for our sport.
“Empowering women and girls has always been important to me and helping build a market leading apparel brand for the global netball community is a great fit.”
Stacey Francis, who won two bronze medals at the Vitality Netball World Cup – in 2011 and 2015 – and another bronze at the Commonwealth Games in 2010, added: “To be asked to be a part of a brand that is dedicated to raising the bar specifically for women’s sport and netball apparel is a privilege.
“It isn’t just another sports brand, it’s a community.”
Viper 10 was founded in 2010 by Stephanie and Roger Woodall, Founder and CEO of Diamond Sporting Group and Bournemouth 7s festival.
Both saw a gap in the market at that time to create a colourful, vibrant and head-turning sportswear brand.
Viper 10 was acquired in 2018 by Stevensons, an independent and family-owned business formed in 1925 and specialising in school uniform.
Craig Mathie, MD of Bournemouth 7s festival, pictured right, said he was “properly proud”of Stephanie for launching Flyhawk.
He added: “I was fortunate enough to work alongside Steph for eight years and see first-hand her incredible talent and unrivalled commitment to excellence.
“I have absolutely no doubt that her brand will be known across the UK in no time at all.
“Another amazing enterprise proud to be based in Bournemouth but making waves across the globe.”
