Gilbert (sports equipment)
Encyclopedia
Gilbert is a sporting goods manufacturing company, specialising in ball
s for rugby union
and netball
. The company was established by William Gilbert
in 1823, who along with his nephew, James, developed the first rugby balls, having previously made football boot
s before the game of rugby had been invented. In 2002, after experiencing financial difficulties following a management buyout, Gilbert was purchased by Grays International
.
Gilbert is the official ball supplier of the Rugby World Cup
and the International Federation of Netball Associations
.
Their products include the Gilbert Synergie
rugby ball.
Ball
A ball is a round, usually spherical but sometimes ovoid, object with various uses. It is used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used for simpler activities, such as catch, marbles and juggling...
s for rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
and netball
Netball
Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. Its development, derived from early versions of basketball, began in England in the 1890s. By 1960 international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball ...
. The company was established by William Gilbert
William Gilbert (Rugby)
William Gilbert established Gilbert company, the manufacturer of sports equipment, in 1823. Gilbert had a boot and shoemakers shop in the high street next to Rugby School and started making balls for the school out of hand stitched, four-panel, leather casings and pig bladders.It is the shape of...
in 1823, who along with his nephew, James, developed the first rugby balls, having previously made football boot
Football boot
Football boots, called cleats or soccer shoes in North America, are an item of footwear worn when playing association football. Those designed for grass pitches have studs on the bottom to aid grip...
s before the game of rugby had been invented. In 2002, after experiencing financial difficulties following a management buyout, Gilbert was purchased by Grays International
Grays International
Grays International is a sporting goods manufacturing company, based in Cambridge, England. The company was founded in 1855 by rackets champion H. J...
.
Gilbert is the official ball supplier of the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
and the International Federation of Netball Associations
International Federation of Netball Associations
International Federation of Netball Associations is the governing body for netball. The organisation has five regional areas: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Leadership meets every two years. IFNA is responsible for world rankings, maintaining the rules for netball and organising the...
.
Their products include the Gilbert Synergie
Gilbert Synergie
The Gilbert Synergie is a rugby union rugby ball produced by Gilbert. The Gilbert Synergie was the official match ball of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, replacing the Gilbert Xact used in Australia during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The ball was introduced in time for the 2006 Autumn internationals...
rugby ball.