AVK UK partners with Macclesfield RUFC Women’s XV

AVK UK is the primary sponsor of Macclesfield RUFC Women’s XV for the 2024/25 season. 

The coming season will be the first in which the Macclesfield RUFC Women’s XV will be competing in the National Challenge 3 League. In the 2023/24 season, the team participated in the Allianz Inner Warrior League losing only one game, remaining undefeated at home.

England’s Women XV, the Red Roses, currently lead the world rankings ahead of Canada, New Zealand and France. Their success is just one of the reasons that women’s rugby continues to grow in popularity. Macclesfield has a committed pool of thirty-five players and actively encourages any women wanting to try rugby for the first time to come along.

Sophie Barnett is the Treasurer of the Macclesfield RUFC Women’s Division, as well as an elusive full-back and winger:

‘The 2024/25 season represents a huge step up for our Women’s XV. AVK UK’s sponsorship means that, for the first time, we will have a dedicated women’s kit rather than wearing men’s sizes. Feeling comfortable in the kit you wear can make a huge difference to performance.’

At the recent AVK Management Conference in Nottingham, Paul Hubbard opened the event by remarking that only four or five years ago there would have only been a handful of women in the room, whereas this year almost 20% of the audience were women:

‘There is no doubt in my mind that workforce diversity brings many advantages. Firstly, it means we are recruiting from a deeper pool of qualified candidates. Secondly, the broader variety of thinking, analysis and creativity makes us more effective as an organisation. Thirdly, I am sure diversity also delivers a more harmonious and cohesive workforce.

As part of AVK UK’s arrangement with Macclesfield RUFC we will be sponsoring one of their match days, when both the Men’s XV and Women’s XV will be playing. I encourage anyone who can, to come along and support the teams. You never know, you might want to give rugby a try – pun intended!’

Further information on AVK UK’s involvement with Macclesfield RUFC Women’s XV, including match reports, will be provided when the season gets underway this month.

Come on The Blues!

Would you like to try playing rugby union?

If you think rugby is a sport you would enjoy, contact your local club and get involved. To find clubs local to you, click on this link: https://www.englandrugby.com/find-rugby. If you are a woman and have questions about whether rugby is for you, you can email Sophie at Macclesfield Rugby Club: sophie-barnett@hotmail.com.

AVK UK, a leading manufacturer of valves, hydrants, and innovative smart flow control solutions for water, wastewater, gas, and fire protection, operates four businesses across the UK: AVK UK Ltd, Glenfield Invicta Ltd, Atplas Ltd, and Fusion Group Ltd. These businesses span nine sites across the country, from the North to the South. Through this sponsorship, AVK UK will partner with the team to promote inclusivity and the empowerment of women in traditionally male-dominated environments.