Vodafone Becomes Our New Official Connectivity Partner
Mental health leads at rugby clubs across the UK will receive free mobile connectivity, keeping them connected to club members when they need it most.
Vodafone has announced a new partnership with LooseHeadz, rugby’s mental health charity focussed on tackling the stigma around discussing mental health and providing dedicated leads for UK clubs to support mental fitness.
As Official Connectivity Partner, Vodafone will be supporting LooseHeadz in its mission, by providing every mental health lead in the UK with SIM cards and free mobile connectivity through its everyone.connected initiative so they can stay connected to club members when they need it most on Vodafone’s reliable, award-winning network*.
To mark the launch of the new partnership, LooseHeadz ambassadors and Welsh Internationals, Hannah Jones and Gwen Crabb delivered a training session to the women's team at the Old Penarthians RFC. The aim of the session was to introduce LooseHeadz to the rugby club members, giving them valuable insights and education on mental health, while emphasising the importance of building a supportive club culture. To see the footage from the session, click here.
As the Founding Principal Partner of Wales Women and Girls' rugby and Principal Partner to the Wales Men's senior rugby team and pathway teams, Vodafone is committed to supporting the development of rugby at all levels. This latest partnership builds upon the continued investment in grassroots clubs and programmes, helping to develop the next generation of talent.
Vodafone believes that connectivity is essential and that everyone should benefit from the opportunities it provides.
All LooseHeadz partner clubs in the UK can apply for free Vodafone SIM cards through LooseHeadz, via the everyone.connected initiative.
Max Taylor, Chief Commercial Officer at Vodafone UK said: "I'm very proud to be supporting the crucial work LooseHeadz do in building mental health resilience and breaking down stigmas within the rugby community across the UK. Their mental health leads play a key role in this, and we are thrilled to be keeping them connected to players, coaches and staff through our everyone.connected programme on Vodafone's reliable award-winning network."
Rob Shotton, Co-Founder at LooseHeadz said: “Teaming up with Vodafone is a game-changer for LooseHeadz. It's more than a partnership; it's a commitment to using the power of connectivity with the strength of rugby to champion mental health, whilst emphasising the importance of staying connected and looking out for one another. We're especially thrilled to focus on women and girls' rugby in Wales, supporting their health and wellbeing. LooseHeadz is immensely proud to start working with Vodafone to make a lasting impact in rugby.”
Emma White, Team Manager at Old Penarthians RFC said: “Through this partnership with LooseHeadz and Vodafone we’re focussing on the importance of being connected to the mental wellbeing of players and staff. The fact [Vodafone] is giving away these SIM cards to our mental health leads, means we can all make sure we stay in touch and check in on people. There’s a lot going on in people’s lives other than just rugby so [this] is going to really help.”
Vodafone also announced the launch of sports.connected, part of Vodafone’s everyone.connected campaign, which is working with Sported to give sports clubs across the UK the connectivity and skills, they need to stay connected and participate fully in an increasingly digital society.
