Steeden return to British rugby league

Steeden will become the official match ball supplier to Super League, Championship, League 1, Challenge Cup and England Rugby League programmes.

Steeden is currently the official match ball of the NRL, New Zealand Rugby League, Queensland Rugby League and New South Wales Rugby League amongst many others and the Symmetry match ball will be reintroduced at the professional level in the UK this season ensuring continuity and familiarity for players.

Steeden match balls will be in use from early January for all pre-season games and will feature in Round 1 of the Challenge Cup over the weekend of January 26-27.

The three-year agreement sees the Rugby Football League move away from Rhino Rugby League, who have been a partner since 2014, but will continue to provide branded equipment in 2019.

Rugby Football League chief executive Ralph Rimmer said: “We’re pleased to have entered in to a new partnership with Steeden which will see them become Official Ball Supplier across the various levels of elite Rugby League here in the UK.

“It’s fantastic that such a well-recognised brand will be supplying our players with the best equipment and we look forward to working with Steeden over the next three seasons.”

Super League chief executive Robert Elstone commented: “We are delighted to welcome Steeden as our Official Ball Supplier for the next few years.

“We would like to put on record our thanks to Rhino Rugby League and look forward to continuing to work with them.

“2019 will see a number of on field changes and we are looking forward to watching our players showcase their amazing skill levels for fans.”