OVER 200 YEARS IN SPORT
Gilbert Netball's roots date back to 1855 when H. J. Gray established Grays in Cambridge, England. Grays of Cambridge International, the owner of Gilbert, has a storied history intertwined with Gilbert since forming strong connections with Rugby School in 1868. William Gilbert, the boot and shoe maker for Rugby School in the early 1800s, laid the foundation for Gilbert's Rugby balls.
Facing challenges in the 1970s, the Gilbert family sold the business in 1978. Passing through different owners, Gilbert embraced synthetic technologies. Acquired by Grays in 2002, Gilbert rebounded, supplying balls for the 2003 Rugby World Cup and every subsequent World Cup and Netball World Championships. Today, Gilbert stands as a symbol of quality and innovation in sports equipment.
In the years leading up to the new millennium, Gilbert became a prominent supplier of both kit and balls to various clubs and nations, including notable names like England and South Africa. Under Grays' leadership, Gilbert seamlessly integrated its distinctive ball technology and design into the original Synergie netball. In 2005, the International Netball Federation (INF) selected it as the official ball for all World Competitions – a prestigious position it proudly maintains to this day.
As Gilbert's reputation grew, it became the preferred choice for the majority of the world's top nations, supplying netballs to prominent teams. Simultaneously, Gilbert Teamwear emerged as a formidable player in the industry, catering to major teams, including INF umpires and numerous nations, along with the UK Super League champions of 2014, Manchester Thunder
With the introduction. of Gilbert footwear, the brand solidified its status as a dynamic force in the netball landscape, endorsed by an array of international players. Today, Gilbert proudly stands as a comprehensive one-stop shop for all things netball.
