Ellis Rugby Licensing Agreement
The 1953 American All Stars tour of Australia and New Zealand remains one of the most unique stories in Rugby League history. Comprised of 20 American college gridiron players with no prior Rugby League experience, the team travelled across Australia and New Zealand to compete against established Rugby League sides.
Despite being newcomers to the sport, the American All Stars earned widespread admiration for their athleticism, determination, and fearless approach. During the historic tour, the team recorded victories over Newcastle, Ipswich, Taranaki, Wellington, and North Auckland. They also secured a draw with North Queensland and narrowly lost to an experienced Queensland side, 39–36, in one of the tour’s most memorable matches.
In recognition of this extraordinary legacy, Ellis Rugby will produce a heritage-inspired collection that captures the spirit of the original USA Rugby League pioneers, offering supporters and Rugby League enthusiasts around the world the opportunity to own a piece of sporting history.
Ellis Rugby was selected as the ideal partner for the collaboration due to its longstanding reputation for producing authentic vintage rugby apparel that combines historical accuracy with premium craftsmanship. The brand distributes globally through an extensive wholesale network across Europe, Asia, North America, and Australasia, alongside direct-to-consumer sales via its e-commerce platform and leading international online marketplaces.
“We’re incredibly proud to collaborate with USA Rugby League and celebrate such an inspiring chapter in the sport’s history,” said Kevin Ellis,Founder of Ellis Rugby”. He continued “At Ellis Rugby, we’re passionate about preserving the game’s heritage through timeless apparel, and this collection allows fans around the world to connect with the pioneering spirit of the 1953 American All Stars.”
Matt Goschnick, Chairman of USA Rugby League added: “Ellis Rugby’s dedication to Rugby League heritage and expertise in vintage design made them the perfect partner for this project. Together, we’ve recreated an authentic collection that not only honours the achievements of the 1953 team, but also helps us share this remarkable story with supporters and Rugby League fans across the globe.”
The USA All Stars heritage collection will launch later this year, joining Ellis Rugby’s prestigious portfolio of iconic Rugby heritage collections.
Photo
Pictures Matt Goschnick, the Chairman of USA Rugby on the Vegas strip at the recent NRL & Superleague event in Las Vegas in February of this year. Matt is wearing the Ellis Rugby NYRL T-Shirt.
Ellis Rugby is a UK-based heritage sportswear brand inspired by the history of rugby. Founded by former Rugby League professional Kevin Ellis, the company creates premium, story-driven apparel that celebrates the sport’s pioneers and legends.