Simon Shaw Neon Flex Rugby Ball The All-Round Training Ball | Size 5

This is a training ball rather than a size-specific matchball, designed as an all-rounder for every player on the pitch, from junior beginners to seasoned club players. It suits mixed-ability squads where one ball needs to work for everyone rather than being matched to a single age group. The suggested age range starts from around 6 to 7 years upward. If you are equipping a full squad or club session rather than one child, this is built for that shared use.

ShawGrip is a texturised surface finish developed as part of the ball's design, intended to give confident handling in wet or dry conditions. The Neon Flex is built to perform across all weather conditions, which matters for outdoor training that cannot be rescheduled around rain. This grip works alongside the two-layer backing rather than replacing it. It is one of the specific features Simon Shaw included when developing the Roots Collection.

The Neon Flex uses a premium latex bladder, chosen for reliable bounce and consistent pressure retention over repeated use. This matters for training balls that get pumped up, kicked, and stored week after week, since a poor bladder loses pressure quickly and needs constant reinflating. The outer construction is a blend of natural and synthetic rubber with silica reinforced technology. Together these are the parts of the ball you cannot see but will notice if they fail.

The ball has a two-layer backing made from PolyViscose and cotton cloth, sitting beneath the outer rubber surface. The outer itself blends natural and synthetic rubber with silica reinforced technology for durability. This layered construction is designed to hold up under the kicking and handling demands of a full training ball, not just casual play. It is described as offering outstanding performance at an outstanding price, aimed at clubs, schools, and coaches equipping several players at once.

It was developed by Simon Shaw, the England rugby legend, as part of his Roots Collection. The stated aim was to make great rugby accessible to everyone, from junior beginners through to seasoned club players, rather than producing a ball aimed at one narrow level. The Neon Flex is positioned as combining kicking distance and handling precision in one all-round ball. It carries distinctive Neon Roots styling as part of that collection identity.

Yes, the Neon Flex is designed to perform across all weather conditions, which is a stated feature rather than a general claim. The ShawGrip texturised surface is specifically there to support confident handling, and the premium latex bladder is built for reliable bounce and pressure retention over time. Combined with the two-layer PolyViscose and cotton backing, the ball is constructed for regular outdoor training rather than occasional fair-weather use. This makes it suited to clubs and schools that train regardless of forecast.

The suggested age range for this ball starts from around 6 to 7 years, and it is described as working for every player on the pitch, from junior beginners upward. It is pitched as an all-rounder rather than a specialist ball for one age band, which suits families or clubs with children at different stages. Seasoned club players are also named as suitable users, so the same ball can carry a player from early training through to more advanced sessions. There is no separate junior-specific version mentioned.

It is described as ideal for clubs, schools, and coaches equipping a full squad, as well as for individual training. The combination of all-round performance and outstanding price is aimed at situations where several balls are needed at once rather than a single premium matchball. It works for every player on the pitch regardless of level, which reduces the need to buy different balls for different squad members. This makes it a practical choice for group or team training budgets.