About Sportco
Sportco Limited has imported and distributed innovative sports brands to the retail sports trade throughout New Zealand since 1972.
We aim to exceed the highest levels expected by our retail stockists through our commitment to service and our pursuit of excellence in the products we source and sell. Our people have the latest technological support and thorough product knowledge to ensure they are able to deliver first class service and keep stockists up to date with the latest product information via regular in-store technical sessions and hands-on demo days.
For us, it’s about happy retailers and consumers. Our wholesale business is built on a strong foundation of honesty, integrity and valued relationships forged with retailers and suppliers over the past 44+ years.
Our Team
| Jeff Copsey - Director | ||
 |
I entered the sports industry in 2001 when I saw an opportunity to purchase Serve Sports, which had a few good agencies that we were able to add to and with the name change to Sportco Limited have grown the business to where it is today. Our growth has only been achieved by the efforts of a loyal and enthusiastic team, great product suppliers that believe in our vision and our early adoption of the latest IT technology . I consider myself a straight shooting energetic person, always planning and dreaming, hard working and leading by example. If I can be of service, please do not hesitate to call me. Away from Sportco I am an early morning gym person, I have a passion for motor racing and boating, a proud grandfather and happiest at my place in the Bay of Islands. |
|
| Craig Stratford - Sales & Marketing Manager | ||
 |
Since moving from my hometown of Ashburton as a 17 year old to train on a full time scholarship at the New Zealand Squash institute where I obtained my A grade ranking, I then went to work and manage a very successful sports retail store for five years. From there I went on to work as the Sport Co-ordinator at one of New Zealand’s leading Squash & Tennis Clubs. This was when I realised I wanted combine my passion for sport and my job into one and work in the Sports Wholesale Industry. I started working for a small family business in the football market as a Junior Sales Rep. I went from being the companies only Sales Representative to the National Sales and Marketing Manager within 8 years and helping to grow the company substantially. This brings me to my current position as the National Sales & Marketing Manager at Sportco Ltd where I am now able to combine the business skills I have learnt over the years with the sports products I have the greatest passion for. I am an avid runner and cricketer and still try to play the odd game of squash & tennis to keep my eye in. Most weekends I can be found either playing sport, coaching, watching my two daughters playing sport or I can be found on the couch recovering (with ice packs all over my body) watching and supporting New Zealand teams and athlete’s playing on TV. |
|
| Juls Weir - Customer Service & Sponsorship Manager | ||
 |
I joined Sportco not long after Jeff bought the business in 2001 after getting my youngest off to school and thinking a bit of part time work in the sporting field which im passionate about, would be fun. This has proved to be the case with the business and crew steadily growing and we’re lucky to have a great high spirited team that are both entertaining and enjoyable to work with. My main sporting interests over the years were touch rugby, netball, basketball and the odd half marathon [back in my heyday!]. My newest and latest sporting love is tennis which I took up about 15 years ago when I got too slow for the other sports . I play interclub for Kohi Tennis Club and dabble in a bit of Auckland Vets tennis and although very competitive with a will to win , i’m happy to get on the court with anyone with my main aim being to have some fun! |
|
| Chris Kelly (CK) - Sales Representative | ||
|
|
Born and raised in the mighty Manawatu, there was no secret that I was a mad sportsman. I dabbled into almost every sport when I was a junior, but focusing on tennis and rugby where I represented either my province or country. During my youth, I worked for my father who owns a family shoe retail store called Kelly’s footwear, where I developed skills in which I still use today. Post school, I ventured down to Dunedin and attended Otago University where I achieved a BCom degree, majoring in both Marketing and Management. From here I decided to combine my degree, enthusiasm, and passion for sports and became Brand Manager for a rackets company in New Zealand and the UK. During my time working in the UK I was fortunate to be awarded Brand Manager of the year for the Sports Wholesale division. Arriving back to NZ, I became a member of the Sportco Team, November 2012. I have seen a lot of positive changes whilst working here, but it excites me more to envision where the company is heading. Outside of work, I enjoy catching up with friends, playing golf, hitting the gym and spending time with family. |
|
| Stu Jamieson - Sales Representative | ||
 |
I joined Sportco in November 2014 after spending a considerable amount of time in the pharmmaceutical industry. Sport has been a major influence since taking up rugby at the age of 5 and playing competitive tennis from a similar age. My passion for sport has diversified since, but I am still actively involved in both sports. After completeing a degree in Phsical Education, the opportunity to combine my love of sport with a career was too good an opportunity to turn down. We have a variety of leading edge brands and it is great to be involved with a team of motivated people going places!! My main interests outside of work involvefamily and sport. Even though injuries and age are catching up, there is nothing better than getting out there and competing. |
|
| David Murphy - Warehouse Manager | ||
|
|
I was originally born in Wellington but brought up in Borneo, Malaysia for the younger part of my life. Migrated to New Zealand in the early 1970’s and have been here ever since. I still regularly travel overseas whenever I get the chance. I’m quite often mistaken for a South African, courtesy of my accent, when people converse with me over the phone or in person. I’ve dabbled in different sports throughout my life and finally got hooked into motorsports even though I always keep up with what’s happening in the other sporting arenas. My time away from work finds me volunteering at Pukekohe and or Hampton Downs as part of the Motorsports rescue crew on the weekends. I haven’t missed a single year’s race of the New Zealand section of the Australian V8 Supercars Championship for the last 16 years. My hobbies, when the weather permits, are attempting to fly/race my RC vehicles. I have a couple of helicopters, a plane, quad copter and a drift car. I’ve been in the warehousing and logistics environment for quite a few years. I am very driven and tend to lead by example and also believe in working with a great team. |
|
| Matt Church - Customer Services | ||
 |
I am a former sports store owner and have been in the sports industry for a lot of my life, during which I have developed a solid background in customer service and support. I’m also experienced in sports resurfacing and turf laying, having built and resurfaced many tennis, hockey and soccer artificial sports grounds. A competitive tennis player in my younger years, I was twice junior club champion at the Koru Tennis Club in Pakuranga and have subsequently played many sports competitively. I am an avid recreational fisherman and enjoy spending as much time as possible fishing and boating around the Hauraki Gulf. I also enjoy pig hunting with my dog Izzy. |
|
| Justine Lee - Administration | ||
 |
I joined Sportco back in 2004 after working for ten years in administrative support in the retail industry as well as studying veterinary nursing part-time. I look after the company finances, shipments and stock and prepare and organise the printing and production of our promotional material. With my whizz of a husband Mike, we sort out any of the Computer & IT issues that arise. Away from Sportco my husband, two boys and a larger than life dog keep me busy and I love getting out and walking in our beautiful part of the city. |
|
| Annette Copsey - Administration | ||
 |
I joined Sportco in 2003 in a part-time capacity, alongside Jeff and as the back-up and support person in the office and customer service. Previously I worked as a PA in the education sector. Outside Sportco my interests are my family, handcrafts and being outdoors – gardening, spending time in the park or at the beach with our dog. |
|
