- Extraordinary opportunity: Defender selected two deserving junior players for a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity as Defender Ball Carriers at this weekend’s Rugby Premiership Final
- Capacity crowd: Nine‑year‑olds William Pangbourne and Ben Lort‑Philips carried the match ball onto the pitch for each half at a sold‑out Twickenham
- Defender support: Youngsters were nominated by their family and rugby coaches before being selected by Defender, as part of its role as Official Vehicle Partner of Premiership Rugby
Two deserving youngsters were given an extraordinary opportunity to feature as mascots at Premiership Rugby’s showpiece event thanks to Defender. The boys were selected to carry the match ball onto the pitch at the beginning of each half, in recognition of their own sporting journeys.
As Official Vehicle Partner of Premiership Rugby, Defender was tasked with choosing the ball carriers for the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final – a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience. William Pangbourne, nine, ran onto the field at Twickenham before kick‑off on Saturday 8 June, when Northampton Saints took on Bath in front of an 80,000‑strong crowd. After half‑time it was the turn of Ben Lort Philips, also nine, to step onto the pitch before play resumed.
William and Ben were selected from a large pool of passionate junior rugby players and fans, after being nominated by their coaches, friends and family.
William’s passion for the sport and inspiring attitude and determination saw him chosen as a Defender Ball Carrier. He has defied the odds by playing rugby at his local club, after suffering a stroke and then sepsis at only three weeks old, resulting in a form of cerebral palsy. Having undergone lengthy rehabilitation William plays rugby for Wimbledon RFC’s Inclusive team despite limited use of his left arm. He also cycled 100km around Richmond Park during the pandemic, raising £4,600 for the charity Small Steps.
William and Ben are incredibly deserving of this opportunity with Defender, and I know the boys will absolutely running out onto the pitch at Twickenham. It’s not often you meet two boys of their age who have already achieved so much and I can’t wait to watch them have their moment thanks to the efforts of Defender and Premiership Rugby to make this happen.
David Flatman
Defender Ambassador and former professional rugby player
Ben has autism and struggled socially during his younger years. That changed when he joined Wimbledon RFC’s Inclusive team, and he has become one of the team’s most enthusiastic, encouraging and motivating players. It is Ben’s care for his younger sister, who has cerebral palsy, that earned him a spot as a Defender Ball Carrier. He feeds and gives her medicine every morning and has raised more than £1,600 for a related charity., He also campaigns for cleaner streets in his neighbourhood.
Trailblazer; Ben Lort Philips
Ball Carriers, Ben Lort Philips (left) and William Pangbourne (right) at Twickenham for the Rugby Premiership Finals
Trailblazers: Left to right: David Flatman, Ben Lort Philips, Freddie Steward, William Pangbourne and Chris Robshaw at Twickenham for the Rugby Premiership Finals 2024
