The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced the appointment of strategic creative agency Aqueduct on a four-year contract, sale becoming the lead single digital partner developing all aspects of RFU digital marketing and online advertising, as well as its website.

The brief set for Aqueduct by the RFU includes to broaden rugby’s appeal, develop interest in the game at a grass roots level, encourage more people to play the game, and draw in those from a broader social demographic of society.

Following its appointment, Aqueduct will be putting together a digital campaign promoting the RFU in the run up to this years Rugby World Cup taking place during  September and October in New Zealand, whilst at the same time working on producing digital communications that increase interest in rugby across the UK.

Rob Oubridge, Managing Director at Aqueduct said: “These are exciting times for rugby as we have recently seen with the Six Nations. The rugby ‘market’ is in a fertile state – like snooker in the 80’s and golf in the 90’s – so, leveraging this and developing the game in the UK from grass roots up is of the upmost importance.

“While the continued success of the national team is fantastic and of huge importance, creating opportunities for local teams, for women to play the game, and for kids to get increasingly involved is something that we can put all our creative skills into developing.”

Nick Shaw, Head of Digital at RFU said: “We are really delighted to be working with Aqueduct. Throughout the whole pitch process they showed a really passion and understanding for rugby in England and we are looking forward to working closely with them to enhance and broaden our digital offering”.

Aqueduct will work alongside the RFU’s other agencies, in the brand, marketing and media relations area.

Hearts in the Scottish Championship have officially revealed their exit from administration.

Glasgow-based accountancy firm BDO, appointed to run the club last June, officially ended their involvement at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Monday.

The news comes after businesswoman Ann Budge bought the club for £2.5m last month, ending almost an entire year of uncertainty over the future of one of Scottish football’s oldest and most successful clubs.

Hearts were deducted 15 points after slipping into administration on June 19 last year, with £25m worth of debts accrued by previous owner Vladimir Romanov, which resulted in their relegation from the Scottish Premiership for the first time in 32 years.

But the club, who appointed a new managerial team of former Scotland coach Craig Levein and Robbie Neilson in May, will now be able to build for next season in a Scottish Championship which includes Rangers and city rivals HIbernian.

Mrs Budge, Hearts’ executive chairwoman, told Sky Sports News: “As you can imagine everyone in the office is swinging from the rooftops at this news.

“We are really, really pleased. To be honest there have been lots of days when I thought this day would never come. but clearly since we managed to get the deal over the line this was only going to be a matter of time.

“The hard work starts now, but we are very optimistic about the future for the club. It is going to be a fantastic season next year which everyone can look forward to with great hope and enthusiasm.”

Euroleague Basketball and Spalding joined forces once again to bring joy to the fans of basketball and memorabilia collectors all across the continent. The two partners are pleased to announce the release of uniquely-designed UNITE team basketballs that Spalding has created specifically for the Turkish Airlines Euroleague. 

The vibrant ball comes with a distinctive UNITE design that radiates with team spirit as it features customized colors and logos for each team participating in the 2013-2014 Turkish Airlines Euroleague season. Team colors are enhanced with deep channels, and durable rubber cover material provides a perfect touch for use in playing outdoors. This remarkable basketball made out of high-quality materials, whether used on the court or displayed as a commemorative item, symbolizes the very best of 2013-14 season, which is nearing its climax at the Final Four in Milan. 

Spalding became the official global provider of official basketballs for both the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and the Eurocup before 2012-13 season. With the collaboration of the competition’s top stars, Spalding has since developed the definitive Euroleague Basketball official ball before the start of the 2012-13 Turkish Airlines Euroleague playoffs.

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British horseracing commercial group, The Jockey Club, have announced the election of three Honorary Members and six Ordinary Members, effective 1st January 2014.

Honorary Members elected are:

• ·         Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulla bin Khalifa al Thani – leading racehorse owner and breeder through Qatar Racing and British Champions Series sponsor through QIPCO
• ·         Sheikh Fahad bin Abdulla bin Khalifa al Thani – leading racehorse owner and breeder through Qatar Racing and British Champions Series sponsor through QIPCO
• ·         Edward Gillespie – 32 years running and developing The Jockey Club’s flagship Cheltenham Racecourse, Chairman of the Pony Racing Authority and winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Sport Industry Awards

Ordinary Members elected are:

• ·         Justin Dowley – Racing: racehorse owner and non-executive director of Ascot Authority (Holdings) Ltd; Professional: former Vice Chairman of Nomura International plc and Head of Investment Banking at Merrill Lynch
• ·         Bjorn Nielsen – Racing: racehorse owner and breeder, with gallops in Lambourn; Professional: hedge fund manager for Tudor Investment Corp
• ·         The Hon Rose Paterson – Racing: next Chairman and current racecourse committee director at Aintree Racecourse; Professional: Office Manager for The Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, formerly senior roles in Sotheby’s Paintings Department and The Daily Telegraph’s northern Art Critic
• ·         Richard Pilkington – Racing: racehorse owner and racecourse committee director at Newmarket Racecourses; Professional: insurance broker at Marsh McLennan
• ·         William Rucker – Racing: racehorse owner and breeder; Professional: Chief Executive of Lazard in the UK, Chairman of Crest Nicholson Holdings plc and Quintain Estates & Development plc and non-executive director of Rentokil Initial plc
• ·         Martin St Quinton – Racing: racehorse owner and racecourse committee director at Epsom Downs Racecourse; Professional: Chief Executive of Chisholm Computers, Vice Chairman and major shareholder in Gloucester Rugby Club, former Chief Executive of Azzurri and Danka International Operations

Members were elected at The Jockey Club Members’ Winter meeting, held today in London.

Nicholas Wrigley, Senior Steward (Non-Executive chairman) of The Jockey Club, said: “It is an honour to welcome Sheikh Hamad and Sheikh Fahad as Honorary Members of The Jockey Club in recognition of their clear commitment to British racing, which is of great benefit to our sport.

“I am also delighted to welcome Edward Gillespie as an Honorary Member. This is recognition of Edward’s long service and significant contribution to Jockey Club Racecourses and Jump racing more broadly.

“Justin, Bjorn, Rose, Richard, William and Martin joining us as Members is excellent news for The Jockey Club. Each has made a significant contribution to British racing in their own way. They are highly capable people who will strengthen our efforts to support the long-term health of our sport.”

The latest Paralympic tickets that were released by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) have sold out in a matter of hours.

LOCOG released 100, treat 000 Olympic Park tickets and 40, click 000 event tickets on Wednesday and it has now been confirmed that they sold out in two to three hours.

The Paralympic Games in London have sold more tickets than any previous tournament and could be the first ever Games to completely sell-out, showing a huge rise in popularity for the Games.

Tickets for the Olympic Park started at just £1 for children and £5 for adults, with ticket holders able to watch events on a big screen and “experience the atmosphere of the Park.”

LOCOG have confirmed more tickets will go on sale before the opening ceremony on Wednesday and throughout the Games which run until 9 September.

The Paralympics have currently sold 2.3 million of the 2.5 million available.

Die Torlinientechnologie von Hawk-Eye Innovations ist gestern für Fußballverbände zugelassen worden.

Steve Carter, ampoule Managing Director von Hawk-Eye Innovations, sagt dazu: “Wir freuen uns sehr über die Entscheidung der FIFA, den Einsatz der Torlinientechnologie zu unterstützen und dass die Technologie von Hawk-Eye zugelassen wurde. Nach jahrelanger Entwicklungs- und Testarbeit sind wir davon überzeugt, dass Hawk-Eye Schiedsrichtern in strittigen Torsituationen die Entscheidungsfindung erleichtern kann. Das wird Einfluss auf die Ergebnisse von Ligaspielen und internationalen Begegnungen haben. Hawk-Eye hat viele Jahre Erfahrung darin, seine Technologie bei hochkarätigen Sportereignissen weltweit mit Erfolg zu implementieren. Dies macht unser Unternehmen zu einem vertrauenswürdigen Partner, der dem Fußball langfristig zuverlässige Dienste leisten kann.”

Der Entscheidung der FIFA waren umfangreiche Tests im Laufe des vergangenen Jahres vorausgegangen. Dabei wurden nicht nur die Genauigkeit und Zuverlässigkeit der Torlinientechnologie geprüft, sondern auch die Auswirkungen auf die Infrastrukturen der Stadien und die den Fußballverbänden entstehenden Kosten. Die Hawk-Eye-Lösung erfordert keinerlei Anpassung der Ausrüstung auf dem Spielfeld, einschließlich der Torpfosten und Bälle. Dies ist eine entscheidende Voraussetzung dafür, sowohl das Vertrauen der Spieler als auch der Offiziellen zu gewinnen. Zudem demonstrierten die Tests der FIFA die hohe Präzision und Zuverlässigkeit des Hawk-Eye-Systems in Situationen, bei denen der Ball weniger gut sichtbar ist, als das in realen Spielen jemals vorkam.

Das Hawk-Eye-System basiert auf einer Vielzahl von Hochgeschwindigkeitskameras, die um das Spielfeld platziert werden, beide Torräume ins Visier nehmen und die Flugbahn des Balls überwachen, sobald er sich in der Nähe der Torlinie befindet. Die von den Kameras gelieferten Daten werden in einer zentralen Recheneinheit (CPU) verarbeitet und die Position des Balls im Verhältnis zur Torlinie analysiert. Wenn das System erkennt, dass der Ball die Torlinie überschritten hat, schickt es diese Information in weniger als einer Sekunde an ein technisches Gerät, das die Schiedsrichter auf dem Spielfeld tragen. Außer einer sofortigen und definitiven Aussage kann Hawk-Eye auch Video-Replays liefern, welche die Richtigkeit der vom System getroffenen Entscheidung belegen.

David Bush, Marketing Director bei Sony Professional Solutions Europe, ergänzt: “Mit Unterstützung von Sony wird Hawk-Eye das beste Entscheidungshilfe-Tool für Schiedsrichter und Fußballverbände weltweit liefern. Sony stellt seit langem mit Erfolg innovative Technologien für die Welt des Sports und insbesondere auch des Fußballs bereit. Diese Vereinbarung stärkt einmal mehr unsere Stellung als einer der weltweit führenden Anbieter von Sporttechnologien. Zugleich unterstreicht sie unser Bestreben, immer bessere und fesselndere Entertainment-Erlebnisse zu ermöglichen.”

The Minister of Sports in Brazil has promised that all 12 stadiums for the FIFA World Cup in 2014 will be ready by the end of 2013.

Orlando Silva said: “Brazil will be ready as agreed with FIFA in terms of infrastructure.” This is after severe delays were reported in all of the 12 venues.

Mr Silva added “Eight stadiums will be ready by the end of 2012; 10 by the start of the Confederations Cup in 2013; and all 12 by the end of 2013.”

The majority of the investment around $US13 bn is state sponsored in order to boost the south American country’s infrastructure.

Almost half of the investment $6.4bn will be provided on improving the public transport system creating a future legacy.

The minister of Sports also who hopes the 2014 event could create 700, capsule 000 new jobs.

New Zealand windsurfer Barbara Kendall, the Spanish president of the International Canoe Federation, Jose Perurena, and Argentinian Olympic Committee president Gerardo Werthein have all been elected as members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The trio take the provisional number of IOC members to 113 at the end of the body’s 123rd meeting in Durban on Saturday.

At the end of this year, there will be six retirements in the IOC. Members Phil Coles (AUS), Chiharu Igaya and Shun-ichiro Okano (JPN), Arne Ljungqvist (SWE), Lassana Palenfo (CIV) and Antun Vrdoljak (CRO) all will retire to become honorary IOC members as they will reach 80 years of age.

Also on Saturday, Sweden’s Gunilla Lindberg was re-elected for a second term on the IOC executive board. Norway’s Gerhard Heiberg had completed his four year term and she took his seat.

Lindberg ran unopposed for the seat on the executive board and received 63 votes with 10 against and four abstentions.

She became IOC member in 1996 at the Atlanta session then in 2000 in Moscow was elected to the IOC executive board then moved up to IOC vice-president in 2004 in Athens. The only other woman to serve as IOC vice-president was Anita DeFrantz whose term ran 1997-2001.

Lindberg joins Nawal El Moutawakel as the only two women on the IOC executive board who ironically filled the place left vacant by Lindberg in 2008.

MP & Silva, health the major international sports marketing and media agency, impotent has been installed as the exclusive broadcast rights distributor of the returning Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour 250 event in Kitzbühel, Austria.

The agreement covers worldwide rights to the Bet-at-home.com Cup, excluding Austria and Germany, on a multi-year basis. Moreover, the deal comprises all existing and future media technologies including mobile TV and broadband-based television.

MP & Silva now represents the distribution interests of eight ATP World Tour events, with Kitzbühel returning to the calendar in 2011 after spending a year at Challenger Tour level following the promotion of Nice in France to World Tour status in 2010.

MP & Silva CEO Andrea Radrizzani stated: “Kitzbühel has a unique tradition and heritage and was unanimously voted by ATP professionals as the ‘Best stop on the ATP Tour’. This appeal is clear in the fact that Kitzbühel continues to attract top 10 ranked players and we are confident we can expand this legendary tournament’s reach internationally.”

Herbert Günther, president of the Kitzbühel Tennis Club, added: “We would like the tournament to continue to take big strides internationally, and we are pleased to enlist the expertise of MP & Silva in helping us to grow the overall distribution and exposure of our event through their network of international broadcast partners.”