Vodafone
reveal “Ireland’s Ball” ahead of the Irish Rugby team’s departure to Japan
Win
the chance to present “Ireland’s Ball” to the team this September!
Vodafone Ireland, official sponsor of the Irish
Rugby team, has revealed “Ireland’s Ball” ahead of the team’s departure to
Japan. In partnership with Gilbert, Vodafone has created a world first ball
grip that features the fingerprints of 32 people representing the 32 counties
of Ireland.
Representing Galway on the ball is Matty NíGriofa,
an Irish speaking lobster fisherman from Connemara. Matty is one of the
founding members of An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí which is the only Irish speaking rugby
team in Ireland.
Ireland’s Ball is a unique rugby ball that
celebrates the diverse fabric of modern Irish society. The 32 people selected
to contribute their fingerprint to Ireland’s Ball represent Irish rugby fans
and the #TeamOfUs from every corner of the country.
Watch Ireland’s Ball launch film here –
Vodafone has launched a
search for one lucky individual to present Ireland’s Ball to the Irish Rugby
team before they depart for Japan. The presentation will take place at the
Aviva Stadium on September 6th. To enter visit https://rugby.vodafone.ie/irelands-ball-competition/
Contributors to the ball include Maeve Cox (Meath),
the first baby born in Ireland in 2019; Ciara Griffin (Kerry), Captain of the
Women’s Rugby team; John Burke (Clare), who summited Everest in 2017 and Brian
John Spencer, an artist from Belfast. A full list of participants can be found
at https://rugby.vodafone.ie/irelands-ball/
Commenting on the campaign, Vodafone’s Head of
Sponsorship and Business Brand Gerry Nixon said; “Vodafone’s mission with Irish
Rugby is to create the most interconnected team and fanbase on the planet
through the #TeamOfUs. Our ‘Everyone In’ campaign is an invitation, to everyone
around the country, and indeed every Irish rugby fan around the world, to come
together and connect with Irish rugby in the build-up to and during their time
in Japan.”
“We are conscious that most fans won’t be able to
travel to Japan and we wanted to show the team the level of support that exists
in every corner of Ireland. We identified 32 people from 32 counties to share
their fingerprints via a bespoke App so we could create Ireland’s Ball, a rugby
ball that represents all of Ireland and carries our identity. The ball will
travel to Japan with the team this September as a symbol of our support. Now we
are looking for one person to present Ireland’s Ball to the team on behalf of
the entire nation.”
Over the course of the Guinness Series, Vodafone
will be bringing fans closer to the team via social content, ticket
competitions and exclusive, instant match highlights for all of Ireland’s
international matches on the My Vodafone app. Check out http://rugby.vodafone.ie/
for all the latest #TeamOfUs news.
