Premiership Women's Rugby announces league-wide Canterbury boot initiative

Premiership Women’s Rugby has announced a new partnership with Canterbury that will equip the league’s players with three free pairs of high-performance boots.

As part of the deal, which was unveiled on Monday, more than 450 players across the nine PWR clubs will be able to undergo tailored boot-fitting sessions and pick from the latest Canterbury designs.

Having been made aware that the vast majority of PWR players pay for their own boots, the manufacturer has committed to providing its signature Elite Speed Infinite, Phoenix, and Stampede designs, depending on the needs of the individual player, to ensure they “have access to the same elite equipment as their male counterparts”.

Harlequins and England star Ellie Kildunne is already a Canterbury ambassador, and she believes access to high-performance boots could prove transformative.

“I know the difference that good boots can make when playing rugby," Kildunne said.

"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."

According to the league, the boot deal is part of a wider agreement with Canterbury to increase the visibility of PWR and women’s rugby. Frasers Group, meanwhile, have agreed to help “further drive exposure”.

James Barker, Head of Commercial at PWR, said: "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.”

Simon Rowe, Senior Vice President of Sports Marketing at Pentland Brands, the brand owners of Canterbury, added: "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."