Chapman new Canterbury GM

Robert Chapman joined Canterbury SA recently (February 1) as new general manager.

Chapman is very happy to back in the sports industry after a few years’ involvement in an eco-friendly industrial absorbent company.

Prior to that, he and his brother distributed and marketed footwear brands like Mizuno, Vans, Nevados, Avia etc. through the Aztec Sports agency.

Robert left the company in 2001 after being offered a position in an advertising agency, which was subsequently closed due to corporate restructuring. He joined the MC Sports Agency, handling Wilson golf and tennis wear, and then worked in the industrial absorbent company, producing carbon absorbents from sunflower husks.

Chapmans’ career in the sports industry started in 1981 when he joined Pentagon Sports, where his brother Nigel was a director, as an agent. This subsidiary of Lemkus Sports handled brands like Hi-Tec, Zero, Houtcraft and Arrow Marketing).

In 1983 Chapman established Aztec Flock Designs, manufacturing flock transfers and die-cut lettering for sports trade & apparel manufacturing until he moved to the US in 1986, where he ran an import/export agency.

Until his return to South Africa in 1990, Nigel managed the family business with branches in Durban and Cape Town.

In November 1995 they opened Aztec Sports to distribute Mizuno footwear. In July 1997 they also acquired the brands Vans, Nevados outdoor/hiking; Avia women’s athletic footwear and Sof-Sole replacement insoles.

After Robert left in 2001 to pursue a career in the advertising industry, Nigel continued to import Vans, Nevados and Avia on an indent basis, and later also for wider distribution through Chappers Sports Direct. He has now also acquired the Airwalk brand.

Robert Chapman says he is very excited to be associated with a brand like Canterbury , riding on the crest of the Springbok replica crest, which is now also on the brink of expanding into other sporting codes.

Internationally, Canterbury has already made inroads in soccer in the Spanish and Italian leagues and in golf, with sponsorships of stars like Michael Campbell, Jim Furyk and Jim Frost.