Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) can today announce an exciting new partnership with Canterbury, the official kit partner to Irish Rugby and the British & Irish Lions. This innovative partnership is designed to ensure every player in the league is equipped with three pairs of high-performance Canterbury rugby boots, providing them with the support needed to excel at the top level of the sport.
The unique, trailblazing collaboration is about elevating the experience for every PWR player. Over the course of the current season, more than 450 players across all nine clubs will receive tailored boot-fitting sessions and be offered the latest Canterbury designs, ensuring they’re equipped to play at their best.
Canterbury will supply its signature Elite Speed Infinite, Phoenix, and Stampede rugby boots to meet the diverse needs of each player ensuring all players, regardless of their current contracts, have access to the same elite equipment as their male counterparts.
The boots are just one part of a broader commitment to the growth and visibility of women’s rugby between Canterbury and the PWR, with Frasers Group helping to further drive exposure for the league.
Ellie Kildunne, England women’s international and Canterbury ambassador, said: “I know the difference that good boots can make when playing rugby, I’m proud to see Canterbury and PWR coming together to provide everyone with boots that are built to perform and will take players games to the next level, with the sort of partnership that is crucial for the growth of women’s rugby.”
James Barker, Head of Commercial at PWR, added: “We are a developing league and want to support our players as much as possible. Having recognised that many of our players are currently not on full-time contracts and have to buy their own boots, we were keen to support them where we could.
“We are delighted that Canterbury will ensure our players have the boots they need to support them on the pitch and play to the best of their ability.
“It’s crucial that in our decision-making, we put our players first, whether it comes to their playing schedule or the kit they need to play.”
Finally, Simon Rowe, Senior Vice President of Sports Marketing at Pentland Brands, the brand owners of Canterbury, commented: “For 120 years, Canterbury has been woven into the fabric of rugby, proudly celebrating and empowering players at every level.
“As custodians of the game, it is up to us to identify barriers and find ways to break through them. This partnership strengthens our long-standing commitment to Women’s rugby, focusing on where it’s needed most and using our experience to help the game grow. By working closely with the game’s stakeholders, we aim to constantly evolve our support and ensure every player has the resources to hit their full potential.”