FAI announces partnership with Energise Sport and Ballygowan Mineral Water

Energize Sport, the number 1 Irish-made sports drink, and Ballygowan Mineral Water, Ireland’s number one bottled water brand, both owned by Britvic Ireland, are pleased to announce a four-year deal as the Official Drinking Partner of the Football Association of Ireland.

The exclusivity of this partnership comes at an exciting time in the Irish sporting scene. They are now joining forces with Britvic Ireland, the largest producer of soft drink brands in the Republic of Ireland, and the FAI, the governing body of Irish football and national teams, to build and strengthen communities and connections in the country. This is a perfect fit as Energize is 100% made in Dublin, Ireland and Ballygowan Water is bottled at source in Newcastle West Limerick. Both brands are part of Love Irish Food.

The agreement sees Energize Sport and Ballygowan Water supporting both the Ireland men’s and women’s national teams, with the men’s national team starting their qualifiers for the 2024 UEFA European Championship and the women’s national team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Ireland will compete in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

Ireland men’s national team players Jamie McGrath and Jason Knight took a break from training to help launch the new partnership at the FAI National Training Center in Abbotstown before Ireland play their much-anticipated Euro qualifier at the Aviva Stadium this Monday night begins against France. The Ireland women’s national team prepares for a double header against world No. 1 USA as they continue preparations for the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

March 20, 2023; FAI Chief Executive Jonathan Hill, Republic of Ireland Manager Stephen Kenny, Jason Knight, xxx, and Jamie McGrath during the launch of the Britvic/FAI partnership at the FAI National Training Center in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***

As part of this partnership agreement, Energize will ensure that Ireland national team players are provided with the optimal balance of water, carbohydrates and electrolytes to hydrate faster for training and competitive endurance.

Ballygowan will support the partnership with 190,000 bottles of Ballygowan water each year to ensure players have the optimal water intake to maintain normal hydration levels during training and matches. All bottles are now made from 100% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable.

Ireland fans will see this new partnership at the Aviva stadium during Monday night’s Euro qualifier against France and over the next few years with Energise’s ambition of the ‘Energise your Everything’ campaign rolling out through key advertising, digital and social over the coming months Media is driven activations, PR and execution by the retailer.

Kevin Donnelly, Managing Director of Britvic Ireland, pictured at the recent Ireland training, described FAI as an excellent partner for Britvic Ireland. “We are proud to partner with the FAI and support our national football teams, men’s and women’s, with Energize and Ballygowan, trusted quality brands from Ireland delivering hydration and energy in fully recyclable packaging.”

Commenting on the partnership agreement, Jonathan Hill, Chief Executive Officer of the FAI said: “We are delighted to partner with Britvic Ireland for the Energize Sport and Ballygowan brands at an exciting time for Irish football. Britvic has a solid reputation in Ireland as a well-established soft drink manufacturer and will help our national team players stay hydrated and in peak condition as they play some big games in both men’s and women’s football.”