It seems like forever since we sat down and wrote one of these features, but here we are. After 2 years of many postponements and COVID-19 dramas, we FINALLY got there. WE ARE BACK! Bigger and BETTER!
The “It’s More Than Just Sneakers” event tour is finally back on the road, with the first stop in the hometown of The Kickz Stand, Sydney. The last event, funnily enough, was held in Sydney back in October 2019, and here, we start again.
Whilst the Sydney event was watched closely, it felt like it was a return to normal with the events. Even with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 swirling around Sydney, we saw a record number of vendors and guests come to the event and show the support we had been missing for the past 2 years.
The community came out in full force and supported the event. At around 10:30am there was a huge line up outside PCYC Auburn that wrapped around the venue about 200 deep.
The first 200 guests were able to grab free giveaways from our sponsors, a Monster Energy pack (contained 2 x Monster Energy cans, stickers, and a can holder, key chain or wristband), Crep Protect Sport and Comfort Insoles, Crep Protect White Markers and Indomie keychains. There were huge smiles from everyone who received these free giveaways and definitely got more value than the $5 entry that they paid for to be at the event.
This year we have 22 sponsors… Yes, you read that right, 22! Our sponsors are not just in Australia but also overseas. We are going global! With their support for this year and also going forward, our events get bigger and better every time.
Here are the brands/businesses that have come on board for 2022.
Afew Goods (Germany) – @afewgoods_
ASICS Sportstyle Australia – @asics_sportstyle_au
CARNIVAL (Thailand) – @carnivalbkk
Cosmonauts Spacewear (Indonesia) – @cosmonautsspacewear
Crep Protect Australia – @crepprotect_au
Curry Brand – @currybrand
Ebay Australia – @ebayau
Foot Locker Australia – @footlocker_au
G-Shock Australia – @gshockoz
Indomie Australia – @indomieau
Kicks Kase – @kickskase
LaceSpace – @lace.space
Limited Edt (Singapore) – @limitededt_sg
Mizuno Australia – @mizunorunningau
Monster Energy – @monsterenergy
Rhypla Builds – @rhypla
Saucony Originals Australia / New Zealand – @sauconyoriginalsaunz
Secret Fresh (Philippines) – @secretfreshph
Stance (USA) – @stanceofficial
Starter Australia / New Zealand – @starter_anz
Sunlight Station Australia – @sunlightstationaus
2K Australia / New Zealand – @2k_anz
There were a variety of vendors on the day that sold a huge range of things, not just sneakers and streetwear. We had vendors that sold toys/cards/comic collectibles, Korean skin care products, supplement drinks, artwork, pins, stickers and vinyl records. And of course, FOOD. Burgers, loaded fries, pop waffles, snow cones and more.
The main highlight of our event (and what makes it so unique and special) is our Raffle Draws. Each person who attends our events receives a raffle ticket. They can purchase more raffle tickets to increase their chances of winning so many prizes from our awesome sponsors. For our Sydney event, we had so much to giveaway that we had to do 6 draws, and each draw had 5 prizes to be won.
A new addition to our event is the Ryugi All Style Dance Battles, in which 30 competitors were able to compete in an all dance styles battle. The winner received a Ryugi trophy, a $250 Foot Locker voucher and a Cosmonauts t-shirt pack. The runner-up received a Carnival skate deck and a Cosmonauts t-shirt pack.
Overall the event was a huge success. It was good catching up with friends and making new ones as we head into a full tour season (fingers crossed) and ramping up community awareness of what The Kickz Stand is all about.
A BIG thank you to everyone that came and supported the event. To all our guests, vendors, volunteers, PCYC Auburn, food trucks and our sponsors… THANK YOU!
Next stop for the “It’s More Than Just Sneakers” event tour is Melbourne on the 5th of March at PCYC St. Kilda. For more details, vendor bookings or entry tickets, head to our event website https://www.thekickzstand.com.au/imtjs. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter, so you can stay up to date! For other It’s More Than Just Sneakers or other Event features, click HERE.
