Datagum announced as headline sponsor of University of Nottingham Women’s Rugby team

Datagum will work closely with the University to provide dedicated support for the Women’s Rugby Union Programme, including collaborative opportunities for students to engage with Datagum through events, mentoring, and career development initiatives.

The University’s Women’s Rugby Union team continues to grow in strength, profile and performance, with the club now fielding three teams. This year has seen the team deliver a record-breaking season winning 9 of their 10 matches in the Premier North League to end as deserved champions.

Jo Simpson, Chief Revenue Officer, University of Nottingham, said:

“Our Women’s Rugby Team continues to achieve incredible things on and off the pitch, and this partnership with Datagum will help take them even further. We’re excited to welcome a locally rooted company that shares our passion for excellence and opportunity.

“Datagum exemplifies the innovation and ambition in Nottingham. They are expanding rapidly across the globe and together we will create meaningful pathways for our students in both the UK and internationally. This is a partnership with real purpose behind it supporting our students during their time at the university and into the future”.

Neil Ashmore, Founder and CEO of Datagum, said:

“We’re really excited to partnering with the University of Nottingham and to support a team that embodies excellence, ambition and resilience. Datagum was born, built and our HQ remains right here in Nottingham, so this partnership is a great way for us to invest back into a region we’re incredibly proud of, while helping young people take their first steps into rewarding careers in data and technology.

“As demand for data skills continues to grow globally, we want to develop a pipeline of talent. Through this UoN partnership, we hope to inspire and equip the next generation of analysts and digital specialists as we continue expanding into new markets around the world.”

Tim Westwood, Head Coach, University of Nottingham Women’s Rugby Union, said:

“Having Datagum as our principal sponsor has given UoNWRFC superb opportunities both on and off the pitch. To have a brilliant local business, so aligned with our own values, is amazing. We are a highly ambitious club with a truly holistic approach in developing people and working with Datagum only strengthens this, helping us move closer towards our overall vision, “To deliver the best University Women’s Rugby Union programme in the UK”.

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Notes for editors

University of Nottingham are the top UK University for team sport, placing 2nd in the overall British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) rankings in the 2024/25 season. 

The University of Nottingham boasts a thriving women’s rugby programme that reflects both competitive excellence and community growth:

• 1st XV: League winners this season in BUCS Premier North. The team secured the league title and progress to the Women's BUCS Super Rugby play-off on 18 March.
• 2nd XV: Sitting 2nd in BUCS Midlands Tier 1, demonstrating strong depth across the squad.
• 3rd XV: Positioned 3rd in BUCS Midlands Tier 3, highlighting the club’s broad competitive presence across divisions.

The University is one of only three universities in the UK to field three women’s teams in the BUCS leagues, a testament to the commitment to women’s sport.

Growing the game on and off the pitch

The club’s growth continues at pace:

• The Path2Pitch introductory programme welcomed new players of all abilities, expanding membership from 89 to 130 players in just one year.
• The “Joining the Journey” social media campaign highlighted new players recruited via open days and events, strengthening club culture and visibility.
• An impressive 20 student players are completing their England Rugby Coaching Award alongside their studies and playing commitments - equipping them to coach within the University and inspire the next generation of girls and young women in the community.

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