The stadium at Hartpury University and Hartpury College has been renamed the ‘4ED Hartpury Stadium, with Vodafone’, to support the 4ED Foundation, a charity set up in honour of former Gloucester Rugby player Ed Slater who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in July 2022.
For the next three seasons, 50p of every stadium ticket sold will be donated to the 4ED Foundation that provides financial support to individuals living with MND and their families.
The renaming of the stadium is part of a wider multi-year partnership with Vodafone who have thrown their support behind reigning Women’s Rugby Champions - Gloucester Hartpury Rugby, and defending Women’s BUCS Super Rugby Champions - Hartpury University and Hartpury College WRFC.
Vodafone will work with both teams as a Performance Innovation Partner, supporting the well-established talent pathway that enables Hartpury University and Hartpury College players to progress and step up from university rugby to the elite level. Through the partnership both teams will receive access to Vodafone PLAYER.Connect, Vodafone’s landmark mobile-first platform that gathers data on players' performance and recovery, menstrual cycle phases, and mental and physical wellbeing. The platform will allow both teams to tailor training programmes to each player’s specific needs. Alongside access to Vodafone PLAYER.Connect, this support will include guidance from nationally accredited sports psychologists and nutritionists and mental health support from Vodafone’s charity partner, LoosHeadz.
Mick Axtell, Chief Operating Officer at Hartpury University and College, said: “We’re very excited to see Vodafone investing in the sport and supporting our prestigious women’s rugby pathway at Hartpury University and Hartpury College. We’re also honoured to have a chance to support the 4ED Foundation that is doing so much good work to support individuals living with MND and their families. It feels like a hugely positive partnership for our community and the 4Ed Foundation, as well as the future of women’s rugby.”
Speaking about the partnership, Maria Koutsoudakis, Chief Brand Officer, Vodafone UK said: “At Vodafone we are committed to supporting the growth of women’s rugby in the UK. We are thrilled to announce this landmark partnership with two of the nation’s most exciting women’s rugby teams ahead of what is set to be a momentous year for women’s rugby in the UK with the 2025 World Cup taking place on home soil. As Performance Innovation Partner we’ll be providing teams with access to groundbreaking technology such as our PLAYER.Connect platform which will support players development and performance and help to provide crucial pathways for the next generation of players.”
