To get the best performance from you Gilbert rugby ball and to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus when rugby returns, please follow our rugby ball care guide below. 

To get the best performance from you Gilbert rugby ball and to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus when rugby returns, please follow our rugby ball care guide below. 

RUGBY BALL CARE GUIDE 

CLEANING

Before each training session or match, you should clean your rugby ball to remove any mud or residue. Do this with a soft cloth, a light detergent and warm water to ensure the grip is kept in its optimum condition for the maximum length of time.  

Following the Covid-19 outbreak, we have consulted with World Rugby’s Chief Medical Officer Eanna Falvey who advises that 

Soapy water effectively kills all types of Coronavirus so standard hand soap based products are perfectly adequate and should be used at every possible opportunity with a rugby training or match scenario”. 

World Rugby confirm that Gilbert’s current advice is adequate however, players should be reminded that hand hygiene is also important part of this process. 

The Key 4 Point Process:  

  • Soapy water effectively kills all types of Coronavirus. 

  • Personal hand hygiene is the priority. 

  • Do not handle your mouthguard once it has been in your mouth. If you must, clean your hands before handling your mouthguard. 

  • Teams should clean balls with soapy water before and when possible during play. 

CLEANING

Before each training session or match, you should clean your rugby ball to remove any mud or residue. Do this with a soft cloth, a light detergent and warm water to ensure the grip is kept in its optimum condition for the maximum length of time.  

Following the Covid-19 outbreak, we have consulted with World Rugby’s Chief Medical Officer Eanna Falvey who advises that 

Soapy water effectively kills all types of Coronavirus so standard hand soap based products are perfectly adequate and should be used at every possible opportunity with a rugby training or match scenario”. 

World Rugby confirm that Gilbert’s current advice is adequate however, players should be reminded that hand hygiene is also important part of this process. 

The Key 4 Point Process:  

  • Soapy water effectively kills all types of Coronavirus. 

  • Personal hand hygiene is the priority. 

  • Do not handle your mouthguard once it has been in your mouth. If you must, clean your hands before handling your mouthguard. 

  • Teams should clean balls with soapy water before and when possible during play. 

INFLATION AND PRESSURE 

All balls should be inflated to the correct pressure of 9.5 psi. 

For optimum performance from Gilbert match balls, do not overinflate balls and then reduce the pressure down to 9.5psi – this can cause balls to lose their shape and affect performance. Once a ball has been overinflated, it will never return to its original, intended and optimal shape. 

Before use, check the pressure and adjust accordingly as slight variations of ball pressure can occur due to the natural materials used in the bladder and changes in external climate. 

We recommend only using the stirrup pump (or another hand pump) to inflate the balls - inflation using a compressor or airline is not recommended as it can lead to over inflation, which can cause the properties of the ball to change. 

INFLATION AND PRESSURE 

All balls should be inflated to the correct pressure of 9.5 psi. 

For optimum performance from Gilbert match balls, do not overinflate balls and then reduce the pressure down to 9.5psi – this can cause balls to lose their shape and affect performance. Once a ball has been overinflated, it will never return to its original, intended and optimal shape. 

Before use, check the pressure and adjust accordingly as slight variations of ball pressure can occur due to the natural materials used in the bladder and changes in external climate. 

We recommend only using the stirrup pump (or another hand pump) to inflate the balls - inflation using a compressor or airline is not recommended as it can lead to over inflation, which can cause the properties of the ball to change. 

STORING

After a wet winters game, your ball needs to be stored in the optimum conditions to prolong its life. This means keeping your ball in a dry environment. Even though the ball is waterproof, if left in a damp setting, tiny amounts of water will accumulate inside and eventually increase the weight of the ball. This will ultimately affect your performance on the field and the ball will not last as long! 

STORING

After a wet winters game, your ball needs to be stored in the optimum conditions to prolong its life. This means keeping your ball in a dry environment. Even though the ball is waterproof, if left in a damp setting, tiny amounts of water will accumulate inside and eventually increase the weight of the ball. This will ultimately affect your performance on the field and the ball will not last as long! 

RUGBY BOOTS CARE GUIDE

STORING

To keep your boots performing at their best, follow these simple care steps after every game or training session:

Brush off any mud or dirt stuck on the boot after use

Wipe off with wet cloth to ensure boots are clean, then use dry cloth.

News paper can be inserted into the boots to remove any moisture/dampness or water.

Dry upside down so that water/moisture drains from the boot and not settle in the sole unit. (This will cause stitching and glue to weaken.

Let dry in well ventilated area out of direct sunlight (drying boots in direct sunlight will damage the upper fabric especially if not cleaned after use)

Do not leave in bag after a match. 

STORING

To keep your boots performing at their best, follow these simple care steps after every game or training session:

Brush off any mud or dirt stuck on the boot after use

Wipe off with wet cloth to ensure boots are clean, then use dry cloth.

News paper can be inserted into the boots to remove any moisture/dampness or water.

Dry upside down so that water/moisture drains from the boot and not settle in the sole unit. (This will cause stitching and glue to weaken.

Let dry in well ventilated area out of direct sunlight (drying boots in direct sunlight will damage the upper fabric especially if not cleaned after use)

Do not leave in bag after a match. 

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