The Guinness PRO14 is switching balls with the news that Gilbert is to replace Rhino as an official supplier. This completes a clean sweep of Irish rugby interests for the brand which also has deals with the Six Nations and the European Champions’ Cup.
The new long-term agreement will see all teams from the Guinness PRO14 using the Gilbert MATCH-XV ball for every game in the Championship.
In addition, Gilbert will sponsor the PRO14 Golden Boot honour which is awarded to the Championship’s most accurate goal-kicker at the end of the season.
“The Gilbert ball is an icon of rugby with over 180 years of heritage and we believe it is the perfect fit for Guinness PRO14 where we have almost 300 international players competing in our Championship,” said PRO14 Rugby Commercial Director Dermot Rigley. Gilbert have been perfecting the rugby ball year on year and it is only right that the world-class talent in our Championship should use the best equipment available.
“Gilbert have been perfecting the rugby ball year on year and it is only right that the world-class talent in our Championship should use the best equipment available.”
“We are immensely proud of the ambitious style of rugby that our teams produce and the proof of that is in Positive Play statistics produced in the 2016/17 season, which will only develop with the addition of the Toyota Cheetahs and Southern Kings from South Africa.”
“We are delighted to resume our relationship with PRO14 and are excited by the opportunity not only to support such a forward-thinking organisation, as shown with its expansion into South Africa this year but also to work closely with the iconic Guinness brand,” added Richard Gray, Sales and Marketing Director of Gilbert Rugby.
“We are proud that both the Championship and its players have chosen to endorse the unique performance of the Gilbert ball.”
“In addition to our role as official match ball partner, Gilbert will also be responsible for all ball-related merchandise for the Championship and will be working with PRO14 Rugby to create new initiatives to promote the game.”
Gilbert is the third commercial deal for the expanded league, alongside Guinness as the main partner and Specsavers.
Last year’s Finals Series brought on board additional partners including Mazda and Energia and with that series expanding this year and the final returning to Dublin it is likely to be another opportunity to bring fresh sponsors on board.
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