First Ever Pty Ltd. is an Australian manufacturing company located in

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

. The company was established in 2018, and was the official manufacturer and supplier of

sportswear Sportswear or activewear is clothing, including footwear, worn for sport or physical exercise. Sport-specific clothing is worn for most sports and physical exercise, for practical, comfort or safety reasons. Typical sport-specific garments ...

and

clothing Clothing (also known as clothes, apparel, and attire) are items worn on the body. Typically, clothing is made of fabrics or textiles, but over time it has included garments made from animal skin and other thin sheets of materials and natural ...

for the National Basketball League during the 2018–19 and 201920 seasons, and is the current manufacturer for

Softball Australia Australia's softball history began in 1939 when Gordon Young, Director of Physical Education in NSW, began to promote the game in schools and colleges. In 1942, during World War II, US army sergeant William Duvernet organised softball as a recr ...

. The company is also known for its production and distribution of "ath-street" clothing inspired by the culture and heritage of Melbourne.

Company history

In a first for a major sporting league, the National Basketball League launched its own sports apparel brand in 2018 in an attempt to continuously grow basketball across Australia. The "First Ever" brand began producing basketball related apparel in 2018, as well as supplying uniforms to both grassroots clubs and elite NBL teams across Australia. The company's ultimate objective was outlined by owner Justin Kestelman, who stated the company would donate a portion of every uniform jersey to programs to ensure the future development of Australian basketball. Kestelman, who co-owns the National Basketball League and

Melbourne United Melbourne United is an Australian professional basketball team based in Melbourne, Victoria. United compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at John Cain Arena. The team made their debut in the NBL in 1984 as ...

with his father Larry, identified a gap in the market for an innovative Australian ath-street brand that was not just influenced by basketball culture, but connected with the broader community. Kestelman stated that the "...aim for First Ever asto inspire, style, create and collaborate with iconic fashion and sporting brands including the NBL." In August 2019, the company unveiled their new project, "FE Custom", where customers could fully customise and order their own basketball gear, fully branded with the "First Ever" logo and shipped within 10 days. On 12 March 2020, it was announced that First Ever would be replaced as official apparel partner of the National Basketball League, with major American apparel brand

Champion A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and world championships, an ...

being named as their successor for the 2020/21 season.

Merchandising licensed manufacturer

The following is a list of the sporting organisations the company is licensed as the official manufacturer for: * National Basketball League – all teams - 2018-2020 *

– national teams - 2019–present

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:First Ever Manufacturing companies based in Melbourne Sport in Melbourne Clothing brands of Australia Sportswear brands Clothing companies established in 2018 Culture of Melbourne 2018 establishments in Australia Sporting goods manufacturers of Australia National Basketball League (Australia)