McMaster University sports teams will be supplied by Nike for the next five years.

Beginning in the 2012/13 college season, the deal will see Nike provide the Hamilton, Ontario-based Marauders with training and competition apparel, footwear and equipment for all of its sports programmes, including football and basketball. It is the first agreement of its kind between Nike and a Canadian university and will be managed by local distributor T. Litzen Sports.

Jeff Giles, the director of athletics and recreation at McMaster, said: "The agreement with Nike is important for everyone associated with the McMaster family. Our coaches and team members are very pleased with the quality of the Nike product and our fans will be able to show their true colours. This partnership is indicative of the respect Marauder Athletics is earning in a highly competitive marketplace and I truly appreciate the hard work of T.Litzen Sports, to make it a reality for us."

Financial terms of the deal were not released, but Giles added: "The value of this agreement is very substantial. In terms of investment and brand power, this is ground-breaking and I am absolutely thrilled that we are reaching such lofty heights with regard to attracting world-class partners."Jeff Giles

T. Litzen Sports managing partner Ken Kennedy added: "We look forward to working with McMaster and taking our existing relationship to a whole new level. McMaster is in the process of reinventing the role of University Athletics and Recreation and this is something that T. Litzen is very excited to be a part of."