- Partnership renewed for all FIR teams and championships.
- A collaboration that has lasted for more than 10 years.
East Sussex, England, October 2024 – Gilbert has announced the renewal of its partnership with the Italian Rugby Federation, as the official supplier of balls for all levels of the game.
The renewal consolidates Gilbert's position as the number one ball brand in Italy and global rugby. Under the new agreement, Gilbert will continue to supply its balls, renowned globally for their excellent performance, to the Italian Rugby Federation and national championships, and will continue to offer its innovative and patented products to Italian athletes and fans around the world.
Founded in 1823, Gilbert celebrated its first bicentenary last year. Its history is intertwined with that of rugby: William Gilbert provided the first balls to Rugby School when William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and began running. Even today, the Gilbert iNNOVO match ball is the first choice of major national teams and has been the official match ball of the World Cup for eight consecutive years.
Italian Rugby Federation Commercial Director Carlo Checchinato said: "Our relationship with Gilbert is one of our Federation's longest-standing partnerships, and we are thrilled to continue providing our national teams and the wider community with the game's most distinctive tool, ensuring top-notch quality standards across all categories, from mini-rugby to international rugby."
Gilbert Rugby CEO Richard Gray added: "We are truly delighted to continue our partnership with the Italian Rugby Federation. Just as we support and invest in rugby worldwide, we are delighted to be able to contribute to the growth of rugby in Italy. This is thanks to the success and continuity of our collaboration with the FIR. Next season, we will be launching an innovative and completely new range of FIR balls."
"We are delighted to announce the continuation of our long-standing partnership with the Italian Rugby Federation," said Francesco Pellizzari, Director of Gilbert Italia. "This agreement is a testament to our commitment and passion for Italian rugby. We are proud that such a prestigious federation has chosen to continue its partnership with us."
Official Gilbert FIR balls are available online at gilbertrugby.com and in major sporting goods stores.
About Gilbert
Gilbert Rugby is a legendary brand with 200 years of experience in manufacturing high-quality rugby balls. From its beginnings in the 1820s, Gilbert Rugby has become the official match ball of the world's most important rugby competitions. Known for innovation, reliability, and quality, Gilbert Rugby is a symbol of excellence in the rugby world. Since 1995, it has been the official match ball of every World Cup and the official supplier of the world's most important competitions, including the Guinness Six Nations, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, and European Professional Club Rugby. In addition to balls, Gilbert successfully manufactures and distributes rugby footwear, apparel, and accessories.
