IDA Sports Returns as Official Footwear Partner; O’Neills Named Official Kit Supplier of Women’s Elite Rugby
UNITED STATES — Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is proud to announce the return of IDA Sports as the league’s Official Footwear Partner and a new three-year partnership with O'Neills as the league’s Official Kit Supplier ahead of the 2026 season.
Building on a successful inaugural partnership, IDA Sports will once again partner with WER, making its women’s-specific cleats available to all athletes to support their biomechanics and performance at the highest level of the game. IDA’s continued commitment underscores a shared mission to ensure athletes have access to footwear built specifically for them.
“We are thrilled to welcome IDA back as our Official Footwear Partner,” said Traci Young, WER Director of Operations. “Their commitment to designing footwear specifically for women athletes aligns perfectly with our athlete-centered mission. Providing our players with equipment built for their performance needs is critical as we continue raising the standard of professional women’s rugby in the United States.”
IDA exists to prioritize high-performance, comfortable footwear for athletes who have traditionally been an afterthought in the global sports marketplace. From grassroots to professional levels, the brand continues to advocate for greater choice and access to best-in-class equipment for women and girls stepping onto the field.
Also partnering with WER this season is O’Neills, who will serve as the league’s Official Kit Supplier in a new three-year agreement. O’Neills will supply all on-field and practice apparel across the league, delivering premium, high-performance kits that reflect the identity, ambition, and individuality of WER athletes.
This partnership brings together two organizations deeply committed to growing the game and investing in athletes at every level. With longstanding global roots in rugby and team sports, and a demonstrated commitment to the women’s game, O’Neills becomes a foundational partner as WER continues building a bold, purpose-driven professional women’s league.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Women’s Elite Rugby at such a pivotal time for the sport in the U.S.,” said Kurt Morath, US Business Development Executive at O’Neills. “WER is setting a new standard for the women’s game — creating opportunity, visibility, and a true high-performance and comfortable pathway for athletes. At O’Neills, we share that vision. We’re committed to supporting the growth of women’s rugby across the U.S. and the continued rise of women’s sport more broadly. We’re proud to support that journey by delivering premium apparel that reflects the identity and pride of the athletes and communities it represents.”
Together, WER, IDA, and O’Neills look forward to elevating the standard of performance and presentation across the league while ensuring every athlete takes the field equipped for excellence.
To learn more about Women’s Elite Rugby and upcoming league news, follow @rugbyevolved on social media or visit www.womenseliterugby.us. For media inquiries, please contact wer@lindarothpr.com.
About IDA
IDA Sports prioritizes high performance and comfortable footwear for athletes who have traditionally been an afterthought. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an elite athlete, IDA Sports believes you should have greater choice and access to the best equipment when you step onto the field. Structurally, IDA Sports cleats are designed to accommodate the nuances of the female athlete’s foot. Aesthetically, they're designed with inclusivity in mind. For more information, or to try the products, visit the IDA website here.
About O’Neills
O’Neills is a global sportswear manufacturer specializing in the design, manufacture, personalization, and supply of high-performance rugby and multisport apparel. Established in 1918, the company employs over 1,000 staff and supports teams, clubs, and organizations around the world with premium-quality sportswear.
O’Neills is known for combining innovative sportswear design, advanced fabric technology, and exceptional customer service with industry-leading delivery times. O’Neills’ expertise and innovation are showcased across a wide range of sports and international markets, including Europe, Australia, the United States, and Canada.
Our innovative fabric, product research, and engineering teams put their all into offering highly functional and technical apparel that performs today while planning and building the foundations for tomorrow. Quality is inherent in every aspect of our operations—from the products we produce to the service we deliver. Our teams are dedicated to delivering the very best.
About WER
Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is the first American professional women’s rugby league. The league announced their official launch in 2024 with their inaugural season starting in March 2025 centering six teams in Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, Bay Area, and Twin Cities featuring 180 athletes. The mission of the WER is to be the defining standard of rugby in the United States. WER is structured on the stable foundation of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), a national, amateur pay-to-play model, high level rugby competition established in 2009. With the creation of Women’s Elite Rugby, world-class women’s rugby will be ushered into the next stage of its evolution and will take women’s rugby in the United States to new heights. For further information visit: https://www.womenseliterugby.us/.