Cadbury boosts long-term commitment to the Wallaroos

[Burgs]

Mon, Apr 22, 2024, 5:57 AM
Rugby Australia

Cadbury and Rugby Australia are proud to announce the iconic and highly trusted brand is strengthening its long-term partnership with Australia's national Women's Rugby team, the Wallaroos.

The new deal will see Cadbury become the 'Principal Partner' of the Wallaroos for the next six years, through Australia's home Rugby World Cup in 2029.

Cadbury has been a major partner of the team since 2021 and has elevated its commitment, with the iconic logo to now feature prominently across the front of the Wallaroos' jerseys.

Cadbury has a long history of supporting Australian sports, both at elite and grassroots levels. The brand has particularly been committed to driving visibility and equality for women in sports through partnerships that aim to inspire the next generation of Australian female athletes and encourage participation in sport.

"We know Australians are passionate about sport on the world stage, and Cadbury's values of creating connections, generosity, and community spirit resonate with our partnership with Australian Rugby and the Wallaroos", said Kathy De Lullo, Director of Marketing Excellence at Mondelēz International, custodians of Cadbury.

“Through our commitment, we want to support the Wallaroos at the elite level and promote visibility and equality for women in sports.”

Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said Cadbury's new commitment is a watershed moment for Women's Rugby in Australia.

"Cadbury has been an invaluable partner to Rugby since 2021, and we are proud to announce together, the brand's expanded commitment to Women's Rugby for the next six years,” Waugh said. "The 2029 Rugby World Cup promises to be an inspiring moment for the game, and to be able to enjoy the support of such a prominent brand in the lead-up to that major event is a huge boost to the Wallaroos program.

"In February, Rugby Australia announced it will invest more than ever before into its Women's Rugby program in 2024, with higher player payments, a full-time head coach, our first dedicated women's high-performance manager, and an increased Wallaroos schedule.

"We still have work to do, however, we are seeing the flow-on at the community level too - Women's Rugby is the fastest growing area of the game at the grassroots level, we saw a 16% increase in female participation in clubs in 2023.

"This major partnership with Cadbury will be a significant factor as we strive to continue growing our financial commitment to Women's XVs, and especially in driving greater visibility of our athletes and the team."

History of Cadbury's Commitment to Women's Sport: In addition to supporting athletes and sport at the highest levels, Cadbury has had a long-standing commitment to grassroots programs, including the 2022 national Women in Sport program, which funded uniforms designed specifically for female athletes, 2023's Cheer & a Half community grants, which celebrated the generosity of volunteers in local grassroots clubs, and a re-design of the iconic Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate block, which featured four Cadbury Women in Sport ambassadors, filling supermarket aisles with inspiring images of these exceptional athletes.

As the Wallaroos set their sights on the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cups in 2025 and on home soil in 2029, there will be many opportunities to support the success of Australian Women's Rugby.

"Over the last decade, we have invested $50 million into Australia's leading sporting codes. We want to encourage Australians to get more involved in Rugby at a local club, in the stands, or as part of the global competition, and we are seeing pleasing growth in women's participation figures across the board from the elite through to the grassroots. As a leading brand, together with a leading sports code, we are thrilled to boost our partnership with the Wallaroos and are excited about the journey to come," said Darren O'Brien, President Australia, New Zealand and Japan at Mondelēz International.

The partnership between Cadbury and the Wallaroos extends until 2029.

[shasta]

Roy & HG will be chuffed that the "Old Gold Fruit 'n' Nuts" are getting an extention.

[Burgs]

Roy & HG will be chuffed that the "Old Gold Fruit 'n' Nuts" are getting an extention.

I'm just stunned opposition media and disgruntled supporters haven't made more of the chocolate side of Wallaby sponsorship.
Braced for it when first announced but so far nothing.

Massive news for Wallaroos though.

[Burgs]

Wallaroos ready to back up support after landmark Cadbury deal

Mon, Apr 22, 2024, 1:35 PM
AAP and Nathan Williamson

Wallaroos backrower Piper Duck is ready to let the rugby do the talking after Rugby Australia (RA) on Monday announced a landmark six-year sponsorship deal with confectionary company Cadbury.

The deal will take Cadbury through until the 2029 World Cup as the Principal Partner of the Wallaroos.

Duck and the Wallaroos will head to May's Pacific Four Series with former England international Jo Yapp at the helm as the team's first-ever full-time coach.

With the investment growing in the game, Duck is eager for the side to embrace the pressure as a privilege after a much-publicity statement criticising the state of the women's game midway through 2023.

"(I'm) definitely feeling that they've listened. There's been such an increase in investment into the Wallaroos," Duck said on Monday.

"It's now time for us to really back up what we're putting down.

"We're absolutely stoked to show Rugby Australia and the world what we can achieve.

"The girls have so much pride in what they do. We are here to perform. We're here to play some good rugby."

RA has yet to write out a timeline on its aspirations for full-time women's players, but chief executive Phil Waugh has indicated the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup in Australia could be a target.

They announced an additional $3 million of funding towards Women's Rugby for 2024, with Waugh eager to reap the benefits in time for the home World Cup, if not earlier.

"We saw the power of a home World Cup in another sport last year and going deep into the tournament," Waugh said on Monday.

"It's hard to put dates on those sorts of things (but) we know that you need to perform now and invest now to get the benefits in 2029."

Duck will lead the NSW Waratahs into a Super Rugby Women's grand final against the Fijian Drua on Sunday before heading off with the Wallaroos to take on Canada in their first Pacific Four Series match.