We all make mistakes. But in recognising them and making things right it can show a strength that might otherwise not have emerged.
When Canterbury launched the Irish Rugby kit back in the summer they had Irish Men’s senior team players modelling the new look but they chose paid models to show the Women’s version.
It was a tone-deaf action which took away from the progress of creating a specific shirt for the team and making it available to the public. In this year above all others though we need to be kind and a little more forgiving. Then when there is a genuine apology and repentance it can all be seen as a positive step forward again.
Yesterday Ciara Griffin, Dorothy Wall and Beibhinn Parsons were revealed as being among the players who will star in the campaign to promote the new jersey, which can be purchased now in Elvery’s stores nationwide, at IrishRugby.ie and at Canterbury.com
This is the first time that supporters can buy a replica version of the Women’s Rugby Home jersey in a non-world cup year.
The campaign, ‘A New Horizon‘, embodies Canterbury’s recent pledge to level the playing field by supporting talented female rugby players and supporters. The brand is actively working to develop the women’s game through sponsorship of the IRFU initiative Canterbury ‘Give It A Try‘, which has so far seen clubs across the four provinces host sessions helping girls aged 8 to 14 learn how to play rugby in a safe and fun environment.
The new home jersey will be worn for the first time as Ireland face Italy in Energia Park on Saturday 24th October. The jersey will be worn for the 2020/21 season, as Ireland conclude the 2020 Six Nations Championship and beyond to December’s Rugby World Cup 2021 European Qualifiers and the 2021 Six Nations Championship.
Committed
“As a brand, we’re committed to learning and growing by listening to the talented women in our rugby community,” said Sean Kavanagh, Global Director of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship at Canterbury of New Zealand.
“This is a principle which has been at the front of our minds as we officially launch the Women’s Rugby Home Jersey, and one which we intend to continue during the 2020/21 season and beyond, as we move towards ‘A New Horizon’ in Irish Rugby.”
“We’re also proud to be offering a complete range of kit for our dedicated players and fans and to be working closely with women at both an elite and grassroots level through initiatives such as ‘Give It A Try’.”
“The players and backroom team are all very excited to get back to International rugby and to represent their country in the last two games of this crucial Women’s Six Nations campaign and they are really looking forward to wearing the new jersey,” added IRFU Commercial Director Padraig Power.
“The IRFU is delighted that Canterbury has made this range of women’s kit available to supporters. We are very optimistic that this will have a really positive impact on the visibility of the women’s game.”
When you purchase the new home or alternate jersey from Intersport Elverys, in-store or online, €5 will be donated to their new charity partner, The Irish Youth Foundation – which is entirely committed to levelling the playing field between children living in disadvantage and their peers in Ireland.
All’s well that ends well.
Intersport Elverys and the Four Provinces of Irish Rugby are members of the Sport for Business Community
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