Rugby Journal launches ‘Our Rugby Towns’ series with Vodafone
In partnership with Vodafone, Rugby Journal has launched a new multi-platform content series focused on the communities behind players in the Wales women’s rugby squad.
The first edition of ‘Our Rugby Towns’ focuses on Wales centre Meg Webb and her hometown of Bridgend. It tells the story of the Bristol Bears player’s upbringing on and off the pitch, as well as the support she has received from friends, family and the local community.
Launched in both print and digital, the ten-page feature appeared in the recent edition of Rugby Journal, followed by video content across social and digital channels, including therugbyjournal.com. Across all formats, the content sees Meg share stories about the people and places that have helped her make the journey from Bridgend Athletic to the Wales international set-up, and the most recent Rugby World Cup.
“It’s about celebrating not just the player but the communities that have surrounded them throughout their rugby lives,” explains Alex Mead, Editor-in-Chief, Rugby Journal. “Meg was the perfect player to kick the series off because Bridgend and the people of Bridgend, mean so much to her. They have been, and continue to be, pivotal in her journey – especially her Nan!”
“We couldn’t wish for a better partner than Vodafone who have been truly ensconced in women’s rugby in Wales and pivotal to its growth in the professional era. They care about the game from grassroots right up to the elite and what’s more, they appreciate the stories that have helped to shape the players, which is really what the Rugby Journal is all about.”
Mark Huckerby, Head of Sponsorship, Vodafone UK, said: “Women’s rugby is experiencing incredible growth and, at Vodafone, we’re passionate about supporting this – from the game itself, to the players and the communities that surround them.
It’s a real pleasure to use our partnership with the Rugby Journal to celebrate the players within the Wales Women’s team. Women who are not only fantastic athletes, but also role models, with stories that will inspire the next generation and help to shape the future of women’s rugby.”
Vodafone is the Founding Principal Partner of Women’s and Girls’ Rugby in Wales and is supporting the Welsh Rugby Union to develop their elite female pathway and grassroots game, with the aim of reaching more than 10,000 female players by 2026.
For the next instalment of ‘Our Rugby Towns’, the Rugby Journal will be visiting North Wales to tell the stories of sisters Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs.
The latest edition of Rugby Journal, featuring Meg Webb, is available to order here, and you can watch the full ‘Our Rugby Towns’ video here.
Rugby Journal is published by Sporting Eric, a multi-platform sports marketing and content agency.
Notes to editors
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Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.
Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. Vodafone is the largest provider of full fibre in the UK – our superfast broadband services are now available to nearly 12 million homes across the UK.
Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do: as of 1 July 2021, 100% of the grid electricity we use in the UK is certified to be from renewable sources.
For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk