Leicester Tigers’ home at Welford Road has been named Rugby Venue of the Year.

The club scooped a win double at the Rugby Expo awards in London with the ‘Tigers Family’ campaign also selected as Marketing Innovation of 2012.

Rugby Expo is the leading global conference and exhibition for both rugby codes and brings together representatives of unions, clubs, rights holders, brands, broadcasters, suppliers and innovators.

Leicester Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen said: “We’re delighted that Leicester Tigers topped the judging panel’s decisions in two categories.

“Welford Road is an iconic home of rugby. It is the biggest dedicated club rugby stadium in the country, with the biggest home crowds in the country, and we take huge pride in the number of world-class players who have played here either for Tigers or with visiting teams from across the UK, Europe and beyond.

“Our supporters were bitterly disappointed to learn that Welford Road would not host matches at the Rugby World Cup in England in three years’ time, not just because it means they miss an historic opportunity to witness Test match rugby at their own home ground, but also because they all appreciate that this is a superb rugby stadium and a great place to watch a game.

“The IRB chose to set its Rugby World Cup criteria based primarily on pitch size and facilities for players and media, whereas the supporters who attend games here prefer to focus on the entire package of matchday.

“From the judging panel’s decision to present us with the award as Rugby Venue of the Year, it seems a lot of people outside the club agree with that standpoint.

“Welford Road is a stadium built exclusively for rugby, the players reach the pitch through the crowd, the crowd are close to the action on all four sides, they generate great noise from the stands and it all helps to produce a top-class rugby venue and occasion here.

“We’ve hosted matches against international teams five times in the last seven seasons as well as welcoming England Saxons and age-group sides in that time, and of course host big crowds in the Aviva Premiership and in Europe week in week out.

“It is entirely appropriate that the award as Rugby Venue of the Year has been presented in the same week that we welcomed an international touring side to play here and enjoyed a top-class fixture with the Maori All Blacks which will live long in the memory of the supporters.”

The Marketing Innovation award recognises the club’s ‘Tigers Family’ campaign, especially in social media.
Tigers head of brand development Chris Rose, who accepted both awards on the club’s behalf at the Rugby Expo dinner in London, said: “There are huge levels of support for Leicester Tigers and we enjoy amazing loyalty from our supporters.

“There is support for Tigers all over the world as well as from our 14,000 season ticket holders and matchday crowds at Welford Road.

“The size of that following continues to grow, with our supporters welcoming new members of the Tigers Family at every home match. With more than 12,000 members in the Junior Tigers Club, we are also in a good place to continue to grow in the future.”

Two more South Africa events have been added to the 2012-2013 European Tour golf schedule making a total of six South African tournaments on the tour.

The Nelson Mandela Championship and the Tshwane Open have been been added to four existing events — the Alfred Dunhill Championship, nurse South African Open, pill Africa Open and Joburg Open.

Hosting six Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned events means South Africa will put on more tournaments than any other country on the European Tour circuit.

The one-million-euro Nelson Mandela Championship between December 6-9 tees off the European Tour Road to Dubai and is likely to be staged at Royal Durban Country Club or Humewood Golf Club in Port Elizabeth.

A course between Johannesburg and Pretoria designed by 2012 British Open champion Ernie Els hosts the Tshwane Open between February 28-March 3 and offers the biggest Sunshine Tour purse of 1.5 million euro.

Sunshine Tour official Selwyn Nathan said: “I am particularly excited that we have another (two) European Tour co-sanctioned events as it shows the confidence one of the two major tours in the world has in us.”

Thanks to the shotmaking skills of the world’s top golfers, health Chevron Corporation’s Eagles for Education program will receive $650, ed 000 in combined financial contributions from Chevron and the United States Golf Association (USGA).

As part of a new, health multi-year partnership announced in June, the USGA and Chevron agreed to contribute a combined $10,000 for every eagle scored during this year’s U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open championships to help fund programs that apply the fundamentals of golf to demonstrate the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in a young person’s educational experience and potential career path. In all, a total of 63 eagles and one double eagle were recorded across the three USGA championships.

“Our USGA Open championships are a celebration of golf, and they present truly unique opportunities to invest in our young people through this great game,” said USGA Executive Director Mike Davis. “Thanks to our new partnership with Chevron and the exciting shotmaking from some of the best golfers in the world, we are helping to inspire young students in considering science, technology, engineering and math as a more appealing part of their educational experience and career pursuits.”

The newly formed Chevron-USGA partnership seeks to encourage students in the academic disciplines that make up STEM. Together, the partners are creating content and unique experiences that showcase the science behind many of the USGA’s core functions, including course setup, equipment testing and soil management/plant sciences research.

“In partnering with the USGA, we have created an opportunity to connect STEM learning to a game that is fun and full of compelling personalities,” said Glenn Weckerlin, director, programs (integration) & partner marketing for Chevron. “The Eagles program has received a big boost from these three world-class championships and we feel it will help carry the program forward in new and more visible ways.”

China will host their first-ever IZOD IndyCar Series race as IndyCar announced four new international destinations for the 2012 season.

The IZOD IndyCar Series will race on a 3.87-mile street circuit in Qingdao, China – the Yellow Sea coastal city of 8.7 million between Beijing and Shanghai that played host to the 2008 Summer Olympics Sailing competition. IndyCar also will sanction 2012 events in Toronto, Ontario, São Paulo, Brazil, and Edmonton, Alberta.

Randy Bernard, CEO of IndyCar, said: “As the world global economy continues to grow and evolve, China, the world’s second-largest economy, has become a top priority with most American businesses and the sponsors that are committed to INDYCAR. Last year, at our sponsorship summit, China was the No. 1 place our sponsors wanted to go outside of the United States.

“We are very excited and truly grateful for the full support of the Chinese Government, Qingdao City Government and related Government Bureaus in providing the opportunity to bring the IZOD IndyCar Series to China. We are committed to doing our part in making this a fantastic race event weekend to be seen on the world stage.”

The race will be contested on a temporary street circuit, with the long-term objective of constructing a permanent racing and entertainment venue. Known for its German and French heritage, Qingdao boasts an almost European atmosphere, with the city often referred to as “China’s Switzerland.” The race is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 19, which coincides with the popular Qingdao International Beer Festival.

Terry Angstadt, Commercial Division President, IndyCar, added: “The China automotive industry is experiencing explosive growth and it is just smart to begin establishing our brand and business roots in the China marketplace. Over the last three years – with full support of the Chinese Government, Qingdao City Government and related Government Bureaus – U.S.-based IndyCar representative ARD, China race promoter Yinxin Investment, as well as major sponsor Qingdao City Construction Investment Group have worked with our team in the realization of this historic race event. We couldn’t be happier for the future Chinese race fans and the extended IndyCar family.”

The event in Qingdao complements two other venues that return to the IZOD IndyCar Series calendar for 2012: the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix on Sunday, June 3, and the Auto Club Speedway oval in Fontana, Calif., for a race under the lights Saturday, Sept. 15.

The 2012 season, which will feature the return of engine manufacturer competition and a new, stylish car, kicks off Sunday, March 25, with the eighth Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 27, with Pole Day on Saturday, May 19.

Bahrain Grand Prix organisers have accepted the eventual decision from the Formula One to cancel the race in the Gulf kingdom this season, after F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone said that the race could not go ahead as teams had objected. 

The race was originally set to open the 2011 season in March, but was postponed due to political unrest before it seemed to have been salvaged following the world governing body of motorsport’s (FIA) announcement last Friday that it would be rescheduled for 30th October.

However, any changes to the racing calendar required unanimous agreement from the race teams and that has not been reached, leading Bahrain circuit chairman Zayed Alzayani to admit: “Whilst Bahrain would have been delighted to see the Grand Prix progress on 30th October… it has been made clear that this fixture cannot progress and we fully respect that decision. 

“We want our role in Formula One to continue to be as positive and constructive as it has always been, therefore, in the best interest of the sport, we will not pursue the rescheduling of a race this season.”

The inaugural Indian Grand Prix, which had been provisionally moved to December to accommodate Bahrain, will now revert to the original 30th October slot.

Alzayani added: “We look forward to welcoming teams, their drivers and supporters back to Bahrain next year.”

Indian Premier League’s (IPL) controversy ridden Kochi franchise unveiled on Saturday, March 12, the new name and logo of its team as ‘Kochi Tuskers Kerala’ following an online voting initiative.

Media reports have quoted Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) officials as saying the new team name has been approved by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL governing council.

KCA, on Saturday, said preparations for the first IPL encounter between Kochi and Royal challengers Bangalore were almost complete and it was fully geared up to host the five matches of the home team here from 9 April.

KCA secretary TC Mathew said the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, the venue of the IPL matches, was quite suitable for conducting the home matches of the Kochi IPL team, further stating that the KSC was prepared to host the two matches now allotted to Indore.

As for the new name, a statement posted by the franchise read: “It was their (the fans) energy and enthusiasm which made this one of a kind special initiative a run-away success. Such an encouraging response made the name process exciting and a memorable occasion.”

German tyre manufacturer Continental has signed a five-year sponsorship deal with German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

The deal, which runs through to 2015, follows Continental’s recently announced tie ups with the German DFB cup, the North American Major Soccer League, the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

Head of the passenger and light truck tyres divisions for Continental, Nikolai Setzer, said: “We are delighted with the attractive possibility our role as exclusive tyre partner offers to link two premium brands, Continental and FC Bayern Munich.

“This adds a further component to our international football sponsoring strategy. Hooking up with Germany’s most successful club and the one best known around the world boosts the image of the premium Continental brand.

“FC Bayern Munich stands for a highly professional and impassioned approach of the playing field, too. These are attributes that perfectly match our products and our brands.”

Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Sporting Kansas City have announced today a partnership with fan engagement technology company Experience.

The parties hope the deal will empower Sporting Kansas City’s fans with the ability to create memorable events by purchasing seat upgrades and one-of-a-kind experiences at Sporting Park, all from their mobile device, beginning with the 2014 season.

Experience’s innovative technology will be seamlessly integrated into Sporting Kansas City’s existing Sporting Club Uphoria mobile application for iOS and Android . Currently, Sporting KC fans can use Sporting Club Uphoria on game day to view video highlights and live stats among other features. The Experience technology will also further enrich Sporting KC’s fan database, allowing the club to better tailor marketing offers.

Robb Heineman, Chief Executive Officer of Sporting Club, stated: “Building on our technology strategy which centers around enhancing the fan experience, Sporting Kansas City chose Experience based on their innovation and sole focus on the fan. Experience’s mobile technology, integrated into our Uphoria app, will be fast for fans to use as well as very simple and intuitive. Sporting KC fans will be further empowered to personalize their game day experience, whether it’s having the ability to purchase an on-field experience or simply enabling a seat move to get closer to the action, our fans will be able to use technology to create a memory and make the most of their visit to Sporting Park.”

Experience President Ben Ackerman added, “Sporting Kansas City has built their brand, their stadium, and the Uphoria app, all with an eye towards the future and how technology plays a key role in enhancing the game for fans. Working with teams like Sporting KC, who embrace technology and leverage it to help fans enjoy the game in new and unique ways, is what we are all about at Experience – we exist to ensure fans have fun at live events.”

The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) has announced today the appointment of two leading international agencies to develop their ongoing strategy in 2014.

They have hired Jon Tibbs Associates (JTA) to deliver brand building and global communications services and MP & Silva, healing who will advise the body on their media rights and will be their events management agency.

On 11 December the umbrella organisation unveiled nine new Commissions and Working Groups tasked with addressing a wide range of priority issues for the NOC family, remedy from engaging youth to diversifying revenue streams. JTA’s role will be communicating the successes of this and other initiatives to ANOC’s stakeholders and the wider Olympic Family. MP & Silva will help deliver a range of special events for ANOC in 2014, apoplectic including the first ever ANOC Gala Awards Ceremony as part of the General Assembly from 5-9 November.

Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al-Sabah said: “I am delighted at these significant new appointments. ANOC is committed to enhancing the level of support we provide to NOCs all over the world by professionalising every aspect of our organisation. With their wealth of Olympic Movement and sports industry experience, and their genuine best-in-class expertise, I am certain that both of these agencies will make a valuable contribution to our objectives. I look forward to a fruitful partnership in 2014.”

JTA is one of the foremost international strategic communications and brand building agencies in the sports industry, specialised in the Olympic Movement.  Their team of international relations experts provide an unparalleled understanding of Olympic Family audiences and a clear focus on client objectives.

Jon Tibbs, Chairman of JTA, said: “It is a real honour to become part of this ANOC family and to be supporting one of the most fundamental stakeholders of the Olympic Movement. This is an organisation brimming with potential, and we are excited about helping to achieve the vision of Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al-Sabah – and sharing some fantastic stories along the way. JTA has decades of Olympic communications experience and an extensive global network: we are ready to draw on all our assets to help ANOC achieve their objectives.”

Peter Hutton, Joint-CEO of MP & Silva, said: “We are extremely honoured to be appointed by ANOC as their media rights advisor and events management agency. ANOC’s plans to develop a brand awareness campaign and new activities in the Olympic calendar are very much welcomed and necessary.

“We look forward to working with ANOC and using our innovative media rights expertise to engage with a new generation of sports fans all over the world.”