Premiership Women's Rugby and Clinique seal new partnership and Player of the Match award confirmed

PREMIERSHIP WOMEN'S Rugby can today confirm an exciting new partnership with Clinique as they launch the second year of their GameFace campaign.

This groundbreaking project - run with the help of creative sports and lifestyle agency MATTA - brings together the worlds of rugby and skincare, through their common role of promoting confidence in young women and girls.

The campaign is fronted by four Premiership Women’s Rugby players: Sadia Kabeya (Red Roses & Loughborough Lightning), Abi Burton (Double GB Olympian & Trailfinders Women), Akina Gondwe (Saracens) and England star Claudia MacDonald (Red Roses & Exeter Chiefs) - above.

Each ambassador has their own skincare story to tell, and has experienced first-hand the inner strength, bravery and character that rugby can build in young women through teamwork, camaraderie and empowerment. Grassroots clubs around the country will be invited to apply for a support package to improve their equipment and kit facilities, as well as receiving expert skincare advice and products.

Last year four clubs received these support packages, to the delight of the management and players, who know full well the disparities in funding and facilities for women’s and girls’ sport.

Additionally this year, the ambassadors - alongside a wider cohort of elite female rugby players - will have access to the Estée Lauder Companies’ internal leadership programme Open Doors that will gives them tools to lead with confidence both on and off the pitch, setting them up for career success outside of rugby, a key consideration for female athletes juggling sport and careers. MATTA, who are also the agency behind the Red Roses and PWR re-brands, led the project, from initial investment conversations to bringing together Clinique as an official partner of Premiership Women’s Rugby; while also managing the ambassador programme and delivering the social content, which will see a five-day takeover of Clinique’s TikTok and Instagram, for the campaign launch.

As part of this exciting new partnership between Premiership Women's Rugby and Clinique, the Player of the Match at each Premiership Women's Rugby game shown live on TNT Sports will be presented with a luxury package of Clinique products and named Clinique GameFace Player of the Match.

Karen Ehrlich, General Manager at Clinique UK & Ireland, said, “Last year, Clinique created this groundbreaking campaign celebrating how rugby can help women and girls find their inner confidence - something that’s very close to our hearts at Clinique. I’m delighted to say that we’re back again for a second year.

"This time, with four amazing Premiership Women’s Rugby ambassadors, who each have unique experiences with rugby, skincare and confidence, both on and off the pitch. We’ll also, again, be supporting a series of grassroots clubs so together, we can help more women and girls be part of a team that supports them to feel confident in every way.”

James Barker, Head of Commercial at Premiership Women’s Rugby, said: “This announcement is a great way to kick off the 2024-25 season, and reiterates Clinique’s commitment to women’s rugby. When global, market-leading brands choose to invest in women’s sport, it not only highlights the incredible talent and dedication of our athletes, but also sends a resounding message about the value and potential of Premiership Women’s Rugby.

"The coming season is one of the most important in the history of women's rugby, with the World Cup taking place in England, kicking off in August 2025. Commercial partners like Clinique will be crucial in our journey to grow the game at all levels, and to inspire the next generation of rugby players. We can't wait to start working with them."

Flo Williams, Director of Women’s Sport at MATTA, said “Women’s sport is fundamental to the future empowerment and equality of women everywhere and having brands like Clinique both invest and platform these messages, reaching audiences beyond traditional sport is more powerful than we know. This campaign particularly, is one that’s close to my heart, having played rugby at both the grassroots level and for my country knowing first-hand the impact this support will provide.”