History/Future
GILBERT is the world’s most established netball brand dating back to 1823 when William Webb Ellis first picked up a GILBERT ball and ran with it. GILBERT has been synonymous with Rugby ever since culminating in being chosen as the official ball for the last 4 world cups.
In 1990’s GILBERT launched their first ever netball range and this was rapidly expanded into clothing and footwear.
After experiencing financial difficulties in 2002, GILBERT was acquired by Grays of Cambridge International – a family business established in 1855 and now controlled by the 5th generation. Grays is best known for its hockey and racquets brand and for the Gray-Nicolls cricket brand – all market-leaders.
Under Grays ownership, GILBERT has adapted its un-rivalled ball engineering experience to Netball, thus producing the best-performing patented grip pattern available. With the advent of new materials, GILBERT has perfected the use of new synthetic technologies as seen with the XACT7 ball. The continued evolution of GILBERT’s netball match ball technology has ensured that it has maintained its position as market leader.
A new marketing team – including former England Netball Captain Hellen Manufor - have now been recruited to ensure that GILBERT are in the very best position to meet the challenges presented in apparel, graphics and ball development and to lead the way in this exciting new era of GILBERT netball products.
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