The Rugby Football League (RFL) has announced today a partnership with CRM data agency 4Sight Sport & Leisure.

The Leicestershire based agency will support their continued focus on fan engagement and customer relationship management (CRM) strategies to further capitalise on the success of Rugby League World Cup 2013 (RLWC2013).

4Sight were the CRM & Data Marketing Agency partner for the RLWC2013 delivering data driven fan engagement activities which were an integral part of the overall marketing strategy for the tournament.

Following the success of RLWC2013, drugs 4Sight will now focus on a series of data led initiatives to build on the momentum generated by the tournament to ensure that new fans are aware of the many opportunities to become more actively involved with the sport via their Extraordinary Rugby initiative. This will involve an increased focus on data analysis and insight to better target new fans with information that they are more likely to be interested in and engage with.

RFL Chief Operating Officer, Ralph Rimmer said: “We are in a strong position to capitalise on the fantastic success of the RLWC2013 and have developed plans to build a future legacy.  A major part of those plans involves the increased use of data and CRM which are techniques of increasing importance within sport and we are looking forward to working with 4Sight who will provide their expertise and support in these key areas.”

Garry Adamson, 4Sight Sport Managing Director also commented “The Rugby League World Cup has been fantastic in encouraging many new and previously lapsed fans to engage with this fantastic sport in its full glory.  We are looking forward to supporting the RFL with their plans to build on the buzz that has been generated in building a successful legacy for years to come.”

Port Macquarie-Hastings will host the Ironman Australia event for the next five years, decease New South Wales (NSW) Minister for Sport and Recreation Graham Annesley announced today.

The event was secured thanks to a partnership between Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, USM Events, Australia’s leading event management company (owned by Ironman brand owner World Triathlon Corp (WTC)) and Destination NSW. A significant AU$8 million is reportedly injected into the local economy by the event; and the economy will continue to benefit until 2018.

Mayor Peter Besseling said the agreement represents a significant benefit for the Port Macquarie-Hastings community over the next five years, with flexibility built into the contract for future route options.

“The ongoing support that Ironman has received from the broader community was a major factor in the event remaining in the area and is a credit to the many volunteers who give up their time to make the event a success,” he said.

“Along with the support of the volunteers, local businesses and community groups, Council is determined to capitalise on the economic and social benefits that Ironman brings to our region.”

Port Macquarie-Hastings has hosted the Ironman Australia event since 2006, drawing competitors from across Australia and key international tourism markets including New Zealand, Japan and Europe.

Minister Graham Annesley said securing the event for NSW, and more particularly Port Macquarie, has been a priority and forms a key part of a strategy to attract and increase mass participation sporting events across regional NSW.

Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chitchase said Port Macquarie is a natural home for Ironman in Australia with its great community support of more than 2100 volunteers.

The 2013 Ironman Australia – Port Macquarie takes place this Sunday 5 May.

Thailand teen golf sensations Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn are now both taking their games to the professional ranks and have signed with IMG, medic the world’s leading sports, view fashion and media company, viagra for worldwide management and marketing representation.

Moriya Jutanugarn turned professional earlier this year, and her younger sister, Ariya, joined her as a pro last month. The Jutanugarn sisters gave golf fans an idea of the impact they can have in women’s professional golf as Moriya finished tied for first place last month at LPGA Tour qualifying school, securing her card for the 2013 season, while Ariya won qualifying school for the Ladies European Tour by an impressive five-shot margin.

“Playing golf professionally on the LPGA Tour has been a lifelong dream for me, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Moriya. “Many of my golf heroes growing up were represented by IMG, and as a company with such a strong presence in golf around the world, my family and I knew that they were the right fit for us.”

“It’s a very exciting time for my sister and me,” said Ariya. “We look at how many strong young players, from all parts of the world, are helping make women’s golf so popular, and we will be thrilled to be a part of it. We know that IMG will play a very important role in helping us become the best professional players we can be.”

Moriya, 18, created history in 2008, at 14 years of age, when she became the first female to win the British Junior Open.  She earned low amateur honors at the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open where she finished tied for 33rd.

Ariya, 17, won her second consecutive AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year honors last year. In 2011 she earned low amateur honors at the Kraft Nabisco Championship when she tied for 25th place.

“Moriya and Ariya have been generating excitement for years at the amateur and junior levels, and golf fans around the world are eagerly looking forward to seeing them compete as professionals,” said Grant Slack, Senior Vice President, IMG Golf. “They will both be global superstars in women’s golf, and we’re sure will inspire many other future stars of the game. IMG is thrilled to represent the Jutanugarn sisters and help them become the most successful professionals they can be.”

Perform at St George’s Park, the world-class sports and exercise medicine, human performance and rehabilitation centre at the heart of The Football Association’s (The FA) new national training home has unveiled it’s opening.

The centre is part of Spire Healthcare’s growing sports medicine portfolio.  It will play an important role in the preparation of England football teams at all levels.  Visitors to St George’s Park, be they elite sports people or the general public, are offered access to superb, state-of the-art  sports science and training facilities, with the aim of helping them reach their physical and mental potential. 

St George’s Park is the FA’s £100m development in Burton-upon-Trent, England, which will be the national centre for coach education.  A multi-sports facility, it will act as the training home for Club England and its 24 representative teams, as well as a number of other world-class teams and individual athletes as they prepare for major competitions.   

The Perform centre at St George’s Park combines the latest cutting-edge technologies and leading sports physicians. It is designed for elite athletes but accessible to anyone, including corporate groups, individuals, schools and sports teams.  Whether it’s helping people achieve and maintain optimal performance, rehabilitate from injury, improving overall levels of health and fitness, or encouraging behavioural change in the workplace, the team at Perform can create a personalised programme to suit the needs of any visitor.   

Included amongst the centre’s cutting-edge facilities are: An anti-gravity treadmill, An altitude centre, An under-water treadmill and dedicated hydrotherapy suite, Biomechanical assessments and Applied GPS and heart-rate monitors.

Commenting on the opening of Perform at St George’s Park, David Sheepshanks, Chairman, St George’s Park, said: “Perform at St George’s Park combines elite medical expertise with the latest cutting-edge technologies with the aim of enabling anyone to perform at their very best.  The centre will be home to the England medical teams and I have no doubt that it will help England football teams of all age groups maximise their performance, both on and off the pitch.”   

“I look forward to Perform becoming an internationally renowned centre of excellence and a hub for sports performance experts, innovation and thought leadership.” 

Perform at St George’s Park is centrally located near Burton-upon-Trent, which makes it easily accessible from anywhere in the UK.  40% of the UK’s population live within a two hour drive of the centre, which is also only 90 minutes away from London by train.   

Ruth Paulin, Business Director, Perform at St George’s Park, said: “Perform at St George’s Park can offer a complete service to any visitor, with state-of-the-art facilities all available under one roof.   Whilst the centre is designed with elite athletes in mind, any client can have access to our elite level sports physicians, therapists, trainers, sports scientists and of course, our advanced exercise equipment, allowing us to create a specialised, personalised programme to help everyone maximise performance or recover from injury or surgery.”   

Perform at St George’s Park is part of Spire Healthcare’s growing network of elite sports medicine centres and clinicians.

The ABC consortium have submitted a revised bid for financially striken Bradford Bulls.

The Rugby Football League rejected the initial bid from the ABC consortium because of the strings attached, but revealed that the same group had re-submitted a modified offer and it was being considered.

Meanwhile, Brendan Guilfoyle, the joint administrator in charge of the Bulls, said he would extend Friday’s deadline to find a buyer if the RFL agree to find the money to pay the next monthly wages, thought to be in excess of £200,000.

Guilfoyle, who was appointed on June 26, originally gave himself a fortnight to avoid liquidating the club but put the deadline back to July 10. After receiving firm interest from the ABC consortium, Guilfoyle then agreed to set a new deadline of July 27 on condition that the RFL agreed to advance money to cover the monthly wage bill which they did.

Guilfoyle, partner at Leeds-based P&A Partnership, said: “The only way I can take the Bulls into next month is if the RFL help by paying the wages bill. Today is the administrators’ deadline to save the Bulls and I don’t have an offer for the club which is acceptable to the RFL. If the RFL can help me to buy a little more time then I can try to bring an acceptable deal to the table.”

The RFL have yet to consider the latest request but have consistently said they would do all in their power to ensure the club see out the rest of the Super League season.

However, they have also maintained they are not in a position to guarantee the Bulls’ place in Super League from 2013 and have not agreed to sell back the lease to the Odsal Stadium – the two conditions laid down by the ABC consortium. A statement issued by the RFL on Friday afternoon hinted at a relaxation of the stance adopted by the consortium.

The statement read: “Whilst the RFL remains hopeful that new owners for the club can be found and is receptive to constructive approaches from interested parties, the governing body is still unable to consider conditional offers.

“The RFL will continue to work with the administrator to achieve our shared aim of finding new owners for Bradford Bulls and will continue to be flexible in its approach to discussions with prospective owners.”

The RFL have yet to receive details of a rival bid fronted by Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe, a former sports minister.

iSportconnect, herbal the world’s leading sports business networking platform is delighted to announce the London 2012 Networking Tool is now live. 

iSportconnect members attending the event across London will be able to log in to dev.isportconnect.com/london2012 and see who else is attending what event and arrange meetings with them. Members will also be able to keep up to date with all the latest business news coming from the global event and also the latest discussions. 

Chairman of UK Athletics Ed Warner said “This is a great idea and tool, and having a place to connect the businesses attending the prestigious London Olympics will be invaluable to sports business executives across the globe” 

If you are lucky enough to be attending this year’s Olympics in any capacity then why not log in to your iSportconnect account and join the London 2012 Networking Tool. 

If you are not yet signed up to iSportconnect then get on board for around the clock news, discussions, job listings, business events listings and of course fantastic networking

Lucozade are looking to exploit possibly one of the most watched sporting events this season by launching a new TV spot, allergist advertising the latest phase of its ‘Faster. Stronger For Longer’ marketing campaign during tonight’s Premier League title decider between Manchester United and Manchester City.

The advertisement will be starring England and Manchester United forward Ashley Young talking about what drives him to train and the mentality needed to succeed as a top athlete.

Lucozade aims to capitalise on the mounting interest around tonight’s match, pill which is being billed as one of the biggest sporting events in the world. The English Premier League predict that the showdown between the intercity rivals will attract more than 650 million viewers in over 190 countries when it kicks off at 8.00pm.

The TV spot is the first in the series to promote the brand as official sports and energy drink supplier to the England team. Other adverts in the series have starred Team GB athletes Mo Farah, Phillips Idowu and Louis Smith as Lucozade owner GlaxoSmithKline looks to promote its sponsorship of this year’s Olympic Games.

by Ismail Uddin

The PGA event at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor will be looking for a new title sponsor next year after Transitions Optical informed the PGA it will not renew its four-year contract when it expires after the 2012 tournament in March.

Tour spokesman Ty Votaw, said: “We are in discussions with several prospects as a replacement sponsor. We have a number of companies we talk to about opportunities all the time. We are in those discussions now. We are fully sponsored for 2012 and we anticipate that to be the case in 2013 and beyond.”

Innisbrook has had a revolving door of sponsors since it became a PGA event in 2000. The PGA Tour sponsored the 2000 and 2002 tournaments (2001 was cancelled due to the terrorist attacks). Chrysler was the title sponsor from 2003-07. Then PODS stepped in for 2008 but exercised an option to back out after one year. Transitions signed a four-year agreement at the last moment and took over in 2009.

Now the search begins for yet another sponsor. Transitions Championship tournament director Kevin Krisle said they will look locally and nationally to secure a title sponsor. The title sponsorship for the tournament has been reported to be worth $7 million per year.

“We’ll work in synch with the PGA Tour to try to find a title sponsor,” Krisle said. “The search process has begun. In coordination with the PGA Tour, we are in discussions with prospects at this time.”

While there has been no time frame set to find a sponsor, the next season’s schedules come out every year in the fall. If there is no title sponsor by the fall of 2012, the local tournament may be in trouble.

Votaw would not speculate on when a sponsor needed to be secured.

“That’s too premature and hypothetical to even talk about,” he said.

Krisle said his focus is making sure the 2012 tournament goes off without a hitch. That and finding a sponsor.

“We’re not speculating on the future of any of it,” Krisle said. “Our primary goal right now, in addition to the 2012 tournament, is finding a replacement sponsor to take the place of Transitions.”

Next year’s tournament is March 15-18 at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course.