Sport for Business and the IRFU hosted a session last week for commercial partners on the positive momentum behind Women’s Rugby.

The research from Onside Sponsorship, which pointed to the growing awareness and willingness to support the sport among the general population, was backed up in fine style by the Ireland Women’s side against Australia on Saturday.

This was the opening fixture of the IRFU’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations, and what a start.

The 36-10 win was the first over one of the Top Five countries in the World Rankings since 2017, and it will give confidence to the squad travelling to Vancouver this month for its first appearance in the WXV tournament, which is now a key element of the Women’s Rugby season.

Ireland will open their tournament against reigning World Champions New Zealand in the early hours of Monday, September 30th, before facing Canada and the United States on Saturday, September 5th, and Friday, October 11th. All the coverage will come on Rugby Pass TV.

Ireland will host England and France in the Guinness Six Nations in the spring before taking their place at the Rugby World Cup, which will be staged in England between the 22nd of August and the 27th of September.

IRFU CEO Kevin Potts addressed last week’s session alongside Senior Commercial Manager Ben Mulligan, Ireland star Béibhinn Parsons, and Kim Kirwan of Onside Sponsorship.

Among the key numbers in the research were that 40 per cent of the population on the island of Ireland said they thought more favourably of brands that support Women’s sports through sponsorship and that this number rose to 55 per cent in the important 18-24 age cohort across both male and female respondents.

The number within that cohort who said they would like to see more brands engage in sponsorship of Women’s Rugby rose to 66 percent.

The key elements in the perceived success of a partnership include the activation of the brand but also the success of the team. Saturday’s win, as well as its style, have come at a great time.

 

 

 

Sport for Business, in partnership with Allianz, will hold the 2024 Sport for Business Sport for Social Good Conference on Thursday, October 24th. This is one of ten events currently planned for the remainder of 2024.

Register your interest to attend a Sport for Business event here.

 

The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies. 

Find out more about joining us today.