Is Women’s Rugby Next for Hollywoodbets After Cricket and Football Success?

In a significant move to elevate the profile of women's sports, Hollywoodbets is deepening its commitment to investing in women's cricket, football, and potentially rugby, following a year of successful partnerships and sponsorships. 

The brand's involvement in women's domestic cricket has proven to be a catalyst for growth in the sport, and Hollywoodbets is now exploring opportunities to extend its reach to other female-dominated sports, signalling a new chapter in its corporate strategy.

Investing in Women’s Cricket

Hollywoodbets’ partnership with women’s domestic cricket marks one year of support for the sport.

The past season saw the introduction of the ProSeries, an inaugural domestic competition that featured both 50-over and T20 formats. 

The venture has already exceeded expectations, with Hollywoodbets Brand Manager Devin Heffer praising the high quality of cricket played.

"The first ProSeries with the Hollywoodbets Pro20 and Pro50 was fantastic. The standard of cricket was truly outstanding, and it surpassed our initial expectations," Heffer said, reflecting on the success of the inaugural season. 

"The performance of the Proteas Women’s side has been remarkable, reaching two World Cup finals consecutively. This success bodes well for the future."

Heffer added that the company’s main goal is to help turn domestic women’s cricket professional, ensuring that players receive the recognition and resources needed to thrive. He sees the partnership as a stepping stone to even greater growth in the years to come.

"Our aim is to make the domestic game more professional, and I believe we are on the right path. The quality of cricket is only going to improve."

Extending Support to Women’s Football

Hollywoodbets has not limited its support to cricket; they’ve also made a notable impact in women’s football through their sponsorship of the Hollywoodbets Super League (HSFL). 

The league has become a vital platform for South African Women's football, and the results speak for themselves. Just a year and a half into their involvement, Banyana Banyana, the national women's football team, clinched the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), a monumental achievement in the history of South African football.

"The progress we’ve seen in women’s football has been outstanding. When you invest in a sport and provide that professional boost, players get more exposure, and the level of play improves. It’s a new experience for the ladies, being referred to as professionals, but as the partnership grows, so will the standard of play," Heffer told SportsBoom.com. 

Potential Move to Rugby Investment

With Hollywoodbets having already secured a significant presence in both women’s cricket and football, the question now arises: will the company invest in women’s rugby? 

At present, women’s domestic rugby is without a major sponsor, but Hollywoodbets’ growing footprint in women’s sports suggests that rugby could be the next area of expansion.

Heffer addressed the possibility of entering the women’s rugby space.

"We’ve made significant investments in community-level rugby across South Africa. We sponsor kits and equipment for club teams, and female rugby clubs have been a major focus for us."

Hollywoodbets is already involved with the Sharks Ladies, but Heffer envisions a natural progression to professional women's rugby in the future. 

"We started at the club level with cricket and football, and we’ll take the same approach with rugby. There’s room for growth, and we’re eager to play a role in that."

National Sports Sponsorship and the Future

Looking ahead, Heffer also expressed an interest in further expanding Hollywoodbets’ involvement in South African rugby, specifically with the national teams. 

While the company is not yet involved with the Springboks, he sees potential in the future.

"It would be great to get more involved with the Springboks, both the men’s and women’s sides. Some of our competitors have already secured that space, and that’s fine. We’re determined to get there."

Hollywoodbets has long been a strong advocate for sports sponsorship across various levels, from grassroots to the professional arena. 

Heffer’s comments underscore the company's ambition to broaden its involvement in national sports sponsorship, with a specific emphasis on women’s representation.

The Role of Competitors and Betting Companies in Sports

As a major player in the betting industry, Hollywoodbets is not alone in its desire to shape the future of sports sponsorship. 

Companies like Betway and World Sports Betting have also recognised the importance of investing in sports, particularly in women’s leagues. While betting companies have traditionally faced scepticism, Heffer is optimistic about the positive change these investments bring.

"I believe the growth of sponsorship from betting companies benefits the entire sports ecosystem," Heffer noted. 

"It’s not about ownership; it’s about expanding the opportunities for more players to get exposure. The more betting companies get involved, the better."

He also highlighted that the gaming industry is heavily regulated, and Hollywoodbets is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability. 

"Betting is not as taboo as it once was. We are fully licensed, and we employ a large team to ensure everything operates above board."