Welsh Rugby Scores Landmark Deal
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has announced multi-year partnership with Vodafone, which sees the British multinational telecommunications company become the founding principal partner of women and girls’ rugby in Wales.
The agreement also sees Vodafone named as the official digital transformation partner to Cardiff’s 75,000-capacity Principality Stadium, the national stadium of Wales.
Vodafone will work with the WRU to support the continued growth of women’s rugby, with the aim of reaching over 10,000 female players in Wales by 2026 through continued investment in grassroots clubs and programmes.
The partnership will allow the WRU to further develop its elite female pathway, through expanded talent identification, development initiatives and by supporting the Wales Women U20 and U18 programmes.
As part of the deal, Vodafone will become the front-of-shirt sponsor for Wales Women, with its logo appearing on the team’s new Macron kit which will be worn for the first time in the 2023 TikTok Six Nations.
The tournament kicks off in Cardiff on Saturday 25th March at the Principality Stadium when Wales will face Ireland.
Vodafone’s role as a digital transformation partner to the national stadium will see the brand use tech solutions and its 5G capabilities in an attempt to make the Principality Stadium ‘the most connected stadium in the world.
Vodafone UK’s Consumer Director, Max Taylor, said, “It is such an exciting time for women’s sport and with the Women’s Rugby World Cup just around the corner I am incredibly proud to announce our new partnership with the WRU.
“We’ll work with them to support the growth of Welsh rugby from the grassroots up. This is only the first step in our partnership with the WRU. We can’t wait to get started and for what’s to come.”
WRU Performance Director Nigel Walker, said, “Women’s rugby in Wales is going from strength to strength, and we’re delighted to have a partner that shares our commitment to the continued growth of the women’s and girls’ game.
“Vodafone are supporting Welsh rugby to make further significant progress at all levels of the game for women and girls in Wales as well as growing the performance pathway, including our U18 and U20 programmes
“The support will also enable further developments within the full-time, international programme and of course significantly add to the growing profile of Wales Women.”
WRU CEO Steve Phillips, added, “This partnership and the initiatives it will support will have a directly positive impact on participation levels in community rugby, where we aim to produce over 10,000 players by 2026. It will provide significant help to the development of the next generation of female players.
“We are also looking forward to seeing how Vodafone can work with us to create unique experiences for supporters at Principality Stadium, with the aim of bringing fans even closer to the action than ever before in what is an incredibly exciting time for us.
“Finally, we will also take a moment to thank Cazoo for their partnership over the last year – and look forward to continue working with them in the men’s game.”
The announcement follows Vodafone’s recent role as the official connectivity partner of the Wimbledon Championships tennis and lead partner to the British & Irish Lions for the 2022 Tour to South Africa.
