WST is excited to announce a pioneering five-year partnership with global sports giant Castore. The relationship will see Castore become the Official Technical Partner of the World Snooker Tour until 2029.
Castore, whose current partners include McLaren F1, Oracle Red Bull Racing, Athletic Bilbao, Rangers FC and many more were placed second on the Sunday Times list of the UK’s fastest growing companies in 2023.
As official technical partner, Castore will work with WST and in consultation with the players to develop performance garments to be worn at selected events over the five-year period. The two events to feature Castore technical wear this season will be the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker 4-6th March and the World Mixed Doubles taking place at Manchester Central 30-31st March.
A main objective of the partnership will be to develop the innovation and technical performance elements of the sport, whilst respecting its unique heritage.
The partnership will also see the launch of a brand-new online store, with a range of exclusive products to be developed in the coming seasons.
WST and Castore are committed to continuing the evolution of the sport as its popularity and global appeal continues to grow, through providing industry leading technical wear and retail experience for its players and fans.
More details on events in the 2024/25 season which will feature Castore technical wear will be announced over the summer.
Peter Wright – Chief Commercial Officer – World Snooker Tour
“We are really pleased to be able to announce such an innovative and exciting new chapter for the sport in collaboration with Castore. Their rapid rise as a business is inspiring and ties in with our current resurgence and long-term ambitions for the game. We can’t wait to work with the players to develop technical wear which will allow them to continue to excel in their performances and attract a new audience to the sport. We have also listened to fans comments about our retail offering, and we know working with Castore will elevate this to a whole new level”
Sam Lucas – Chief Sports Marketing Officer – Castore
“We are thrilled to announce our latest partnership with World Snooker Tour. The collaboration marks Castore’s first venture intothe world of Snookeras we continue our multi-sport expansion, and the relationshipcomes atan exciting time for the highly respected sport. We look forward to joining forces with World Snooker Tourand being a part of an exciting future ahead for Snooker fans.”
Tom Rowell – Chief Marketing and Communications Officer – World Snooker Tour
“Snooker has a clear and distinct style which is globally recognised, the aim with this partnership is to evolve without losing our heritage. The idea is to adapt the attire for the events that already have a more relaxed dress code, we are sure this will enable players to carry on with the continual improvement in the standard of play and high scoring which fans love”
Shaun Murphy, world number six and Player Director of the WPBSA Governance Board
“I have spoken for many years, on behalf of the players, about the necessity for us as a sport to examine our dress code and consider how it affects our performance in the arena, without forgetting our heritage and the importance of keeping traditions for certain historic events.
“This new partnership with Castore is a fantastic development as it will allow us to create new garments which look modern and help maximise performance. I look forward to working in consultation with the Castore team and the players on this process.”
Judd Trump, world number two
“It’s something I’ve been trying to get into the game for nearly ten years now, so it is nice it is finally coming in. Snooker is really heading in the right direction now.
“I think it is good for the fans, there has never been that merchandise that there is in other sports, it makes it exciting
“I certainly feel in the events we do have a more relaxed dress code it certainly helps, just having the freedom. It is exciting for snooker to be heading in this direction”
Mark Allen, world number three
“I think it is important to try and move with the times, if they keep the majors the same and traditional and experiment with the rest that is a good way forward.
“I think it is important the players will get a chance to practice in it and give feedback. It is good WST are trying new things and hopefully a sign of things to come”
Hopefully there will be a few more “joyful” colours and designs on offer too. I like the old waistcoats and Gary Wilson’s ones. If really this is part of an attempt to attract the youth … don’t be so serious!
Neil Robertson and Mink Nutcharut will defend their World Mixed Doubles title when the unique tournament comes to Manchester Central next month.
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Showcasing snooker as one of the few major sports where men and women can compete together on an equal footing, the two-day event runs on the weekend of March 30th and 31st. It features four teams, each with one man and one woman.
The draw for the event has been made and the teams are:
Defending champions Neil Robertson and Mink Nutcharut
World number two Judd Trump and current World Women’s Champion Baipat Siripaporn
World Champion Luca Brecel and 12-time World Women’s Champion Reanne Evans
World number three Mark Allen and women’s world number four Rebecca Kenna
The event was staged for the first time last season, with Robertson and Nutcharut beating Kenna and Mark Selby in the final. The format sees all teams facing each other once in the group stage, before the top two go through to the final.
The event will have extensive live television coverage from ITV and a range of broadcasters worldwide.
WST’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Tom Rowell said: “This event is a fabulous innovation, it brings variety to our tour and helps give our four women professional players the chance to shine on the big stage.
“Last season’s inaugural Mixed Doubles was a great success. Perhaps the highlight was Mink Nutcharut’s 74 clearance at a crucial moment in the group stage. That video alone has 9 million views on our Facebook page, helping us as a fully inclusive sport to reach out to new fans and inspire the younger generation to get involved with snooker.
“We have an exceptional venue this time, Manchester Central which is in the heart of one of the UK’s biggest cities, and we are expecting the arena to be packed in every session. This is a great opportunity for fans to see the biggest names playing in an exciting format, and also for families to come along and introduce children to snooker.”
Ronnie O'Sullivan 