Australian Rugby Union (ARU) is delighted to announce that sports manufacturer GILBERT has signed a new five-year contract to be the exclusive Ball and Body Armour supplier to the ARU and the Qantas Wallabies.
This agreement will see GILBERT balls exclusively used in each Test Match, the Gold Coast Sevens tournament and all representative matches governed by the ARU.
GILBERT enjoys an unrivalled history in the game of rugby, supplying product to governing bodies, unions, associations, clubs and schools for nearly two centuries.
The deal, which will last until the end of 2018, extends to GILBERT being the exclusive Body Armour supplier for the ARU and Qantas Wallabies that will see branding on all on-field gear including Headguards and Shoulder Pads.
GILBERT will also supply the ball for the inaugural National Rugby Championship, a new domestic competition involving nine teams that will start in August.
Australian Rugby Union CEO, Bill Pulver, welcomed the announcement.
“We are very happy to extend our association with GILBERT, a brand synonymous with rugby union. We have already had a terrific partnership with GILBERT and look forward to working with them over the next five years.”
Richard Gray, Gilbert Sales & Marketing Director, commented: “We are delighted to renew our successful relationship with the Qantas Wallabies in the run up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup which is sure to be an exciting time for rugby in Australia and for the brand globally”
Jon Clarke, GILBERT Brand Manager, added: “The team at GILBERT are thrilled to be partnering with all the representative teams at the ARU including the Qantas Wallabies. The opportunity to broaden our agreement to include our range of Body Armour was a natural one as GILBERT is worn by many current Wallabies including Liam Gill and Benn Robinson.”
GILBERT currently partners with the Rugby World Cup 2015, SANZAR, English Rugby Union, Irish Rugby Union, Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby Union, French Rugby Union and the South African Rugby Union.
