Mastercard and World Rugby Mark One-Year Countdown to Rugby World Cup by Announcing Mastercard’s Newest Global Brand Ambassadors and Youth Unstoppables Content Series

As the one-year countdown for Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand begins, Mastercard is strengthening its commitment to women’s rugby. Maggie Alphonsi, Portia Woodman and Safi N’Diaye are joining the all-star roster of athletes who serve as Mastercard Global Brand Ambassadors in recognition of their advocacy for advancing women in the global sport, as well as their talent on the pitch.

“This partnership is all about breaking boundaries. Together with Mastercard, we will build Priceless opportunities for women’s rugby and inspire the next generation of female players and fans,” shared World Rugby Hall of Fame English player Maggie Alphonsi.

“As a Mastercard Global Ambassador, I’ll have a voice and influence with a global brand that is a key supporter of women’s rugby,” explained legendary French player Safi N’Diaye. “We share a common goal of fostering passion for the game and inspiring rising talent.” 

Mastercard’s commitment to women’s rugby goes beyond sponsoring players and events. As part of the transformational Women in Rugby marketing campaign, Mastercard and World Rugby are launching Youth Unstoppables, a unique digital content series championing inspirational young female athletes from around the world. The series aims to inspire more women and girls to play and watch the sport by showcasing women’s rugby as the ultimate and most diverse team sport - on and off the pitch - and how, through the power of togetherness and strong unity, a team is greater than the sum of its parts. The first episode of the series will be released on Monday, October 11 in celebration of International Day of the Girl 2021, and can be streamed on women.rugby and across World Rugby social platforms.

“Youth Unstoppables illustrates the unique values, diversity and inclusivity of women’s rugby,” said Katie Sadleir, World Rugby Women’s Rugby General Manager. “We are excited to work together with Mastercard to continue building on the sport’s incredible growth and increase visibility for the game around the world.”

Star New Zealand player Portia Woodman said, “When I was younger and first getting involved in rugby, a series like Youth Unstoppables would have shown me what was possible and fueled my passion for the game. I’m thrilled that this program exists for today’s youth players.”

Following the release of each Youth Unstoppables episode, World Rugby and Mastercard will be curating Priceless Experiences and content for young women who are inspired and want to get involved in the sport, giving them the opportunity to grow their passion. Mastercard will also be rolling out Priceless Experiences with Alphonsi, Woodman and N’Diaye in the future.

“Mastercard and World Rugby are united by our unwavering commitment to the advancement of women in sports and business,” said Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing and communications officer, Mastercard. “Through Priceless Experiences and inspiring content, we have the opportunity to foster connections to the game with audiences around the world, encouraging young fans to follow their passion and become involved with this empowering sport.”

Mastercard has developed one of the most well-rounded women’s sports portfolios globally over the past decade, with investment spanning players, teams and competitions. This includes partnerships across tennis, golf, esports, football and rugby, as well as sponsoring players, teams and events, such as Crystal Dunn, Naomi Osaka, Kadeisha Buchanan, Pernille Harder, Ada Hegerberg, Sam Kerr, Saki Kumagai, Wendie Renard, Alex Scott, Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere, Brooke Henderson, Annika Sorenstam, Chanel Alberts, Piwokuhle Nyanda, Arsenal WFC, Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) Women’s Football Team, Olympique Lyonnais Women’s Team, CONMEBOL Women’s Copa America 2022, Australian Open and The AIG Women’s Open, among others.

VIDEO: Youth Unstoppables Trailer

About World Rugby

World Rugby is an international federation and a global movement comprising more than 500 million fans and 10 million players within 128 national member federations affiliated through six regional associations.

Located in Dublin, Ireland, World Rugby’s purpose is to grow rugby by making it more relevant and accessible, with a vision of a global sport for all, true to its values. The driving force behind the sport’s significant growth has been World Rugby’s portfolio of major events, from the flagship men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups and U20 Championship, that celebrates the future stars of the sport, to the excitement of the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens and HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series which are instrumental in attracting new fans.

The financial success of the men’s Rugby World Cup enables World Rugby to invest record sums in the development and growth of the sport from the playground to the podium, ensuring that the sport is as accessible and enjoyable for as many people as possible. Between 2020-23, the international federation will invest more than £565 million in the sport, representing a 22 per cent uplift on the previous four-year business cycle.

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

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