The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) has announced the appointment of Nick Byrom as its Commercial Director, health following the departure of Commercial Manager Alex Anderson earlier this month.

Byrom joins the RPA with a vast commercial track record having started his career with corporate hospitality agent Match Point.

He has since taken on roles at Wembley Stadium, order IMG Hospitality and Thomas Cook and has experience in rugby, having worked on the travel and hospitality programmes at three Rugby World Cups and the last Lions Tour in South Africa.

On his appointment, Byrom said: “I’m delighted to join the RPA at this time. I look forward to developing some new, long term partnerships to compliment the incredible roster of existing RPA Partners.

“We will look to introduce some innovative events and opportunities for both commercial partners and RPA members whilst providing commercial support to the outstanding work that the RPA Player Development Programme currently does”.

Damian Hopley, RPA said: “We are very excited to have someone of Nick’s outstanding pedigree joining the RPA in what is one of the most remarkable eras for sport in this country.

“With RWC 2015 only 3 years away, Nick has been bought in to build on the strong commercial partnerships we have with a number of leading blue chip brands who have been involved with the RPA and our 600 members for a number of years.

“I have every confidence that rugby’s profile will grow significantly in the next few years, so it is imperative that the RPA is in a position to capitalise on this, thus increasing the support we give our past, present and future members.”

Anderson announced his intentions to resign as Commercial Manager earlier in the summer having joined the RPA in 2000.

Soccerex are delighted to announce that African football legend, viagra George Weah has been confirmed as a speaker for the inaugural Soccerex Seminar Lagos, viagra 60mg 27-28 September 2012.

Weah is undoubtedly one of the most successful footballers the continent as ever produced. The three-time African Footballer of the year was also voted World and European Player of the year in 1995. His glittering career featured stints in England with Chelsea and Manchester City and France with Monaco, Paris St Germain and Olympique Marseille, but he is most famous for the five years he spent in Italy with AC Milan.

Since hanging up his boots Weah has devoted his time to humanitarian efforts in his native Liberia, highlighting the power of football for social change and a political career which saw him run for President in Liberia in 2005. He was also chosen to be a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.

Weah’s immense football experience and standing with Africa make him a fantastic addition to the Seminar Lagos and will add weight to a conference line up which will address key regional and international issues such as Football in West Africa, Youth Development, The Business of Football, Doing in Business in West Africa and Social responsibility.

The event will be the first international football business event to take place in Lagos and will provide international delegates with a first look at this exciting, football mad market. Commenting on Lagos, Former FA and Arsenal Vice Chairman and Soccerex regular, David Dein said:

“Nigeria is like my second home – I have been travelling there for over 30 years. The passion and ability that West Africa has for the beautiful game is immense and the economy is now growing rapidly, resulting in increased opportunities around football. In that sense it is perfect timing that Soccerex has decided to come to Lagos”.

For more information on the Soccerex Seminar Lagos please go to www.soccerex.com/lagos.

Gallop left the NRL after 10 years at the helm and while he declined to speak about the league he once headed at his first press conference as FFA chief, he did dismiss criticism from Australian Rugby League chairman John Grant, who described him as being too “reactive” during his tenure.

“Sport is something that throws up issues from time to time that you need to react to,” Gallop said.

“I have no doubt that we can get the balance right, but I believe my track record in dealing with issues and reacting to issues was a good one in rugby league.”

While Gallop did not reveal details about the FFA’s new broadcast deal – reported to be worth $40 million a year for the next four years – he said the announcement is imminent.

“It’s too early to give details, but I am confident that when we do, and it is very close, it will be regarded as a very good deal with a very significant uplift in value reflecting how the game is travelling,” he said.

“It’s not my place to second guess details and how negotiations played out either, but everyone will be comfortable with what will be announced.”

When asked what his priorities will be, Gallop said he intends to make everyone feel a part of ‘the beautiful game’.

“My intention in the first few weeks in this job is to do a lot of listening,” Gallop said.

“My goal is for everyone who plays, watches and works either for wages or on a volunteer basis to feel like they belong in football.”

“I do think we need to make the whole football family feel part of the game and communication in business and in sport is very important.

“Improving communication lines to ensure people feel listened to is part of my priority.”

Friends Life today announces a new partnership with leading sponsorship agency Generate Sponsorship ahead of this year’s Friends Life t20 competition.

With the domestic Twenty20 cricket competition, dosage sale set to begin on 1 June, Friends Life has enlisted the services of Generate to help raise its profile as the leading sponsor of the tournament.

The competition will run throughout June and July with a total of 97 matches being played including the season highlights of the quarter, semi-final and final fixtures set for 25 August in Cardiff.

Peter Foster, Director Corporate Affairs and Brand, Friends Life said:

“I am delighted to have the team at Generate working with us.  I have long admired their work and their reputation within the field of sports sponsorship speaks for itself. I am confident they will do a terrific job in helping promote Friends Life’s association with cricket.”

Andy Muggleton, Managing Partner, Generate Sponsorship added:

“We are very pleased to be working with Friends Life to activate its sponsorship of Twenty20 cricket.  It’s a very exciting time for the brand and there is a great team in place committed to delivering business benefits through sponsorship.  We have a real passion for the sport and look forward to developing a long-term partnership with Friends Life.”

English Championship club, Bolton Wanderers have announced that their debt has substantially increased to £22.1 million in the year ending June 2012, meaning they now owe £136.5 million.

Although the financial results are an improvement on the previous year – when Burnden Leisure, the club’s parent company, lost £26.1 million – they do not take into account any loss in revenue from Bolton’s relegation to the Championship.

In addition to that, the figure includes the sale of Gary Cahill to Chelsea for £10 million in January.

Bolton’s debt in 2006 stood at around £29 million, when they just about broke even, but since then they have haemorrhaged money at an alarming rate. The latest figures show the debt has risen by 368.97% in the space of six years.

However, the club remains in a stable position despite the level of the losses because £125 million is owed to Moonshift Investments Ltd (MIL), which belongs to the club’s owner, Edwin Davies. Bolton and MIL have agreed to refinance the debt into a long-term loan.

MIL recieves interest payments on the debt, which in 2012 stood at £5.517 million. The company is also owed £2.83 million in an unspecified player success fee carried over from 2011.

Chairman Phil Gartside told the club’s official website: “We continue to face a tough economic climate, but we have continued to invest across the business, and for the second year we have reduced our losses.

“Key to this set of figures is the fact Eddie Davies has converted his investment in our club from short-term to long-term debt. It is a huge vote of confidence and underlines the ongoing support and commitment he has for our club.

“To lose our place in the Barclays Premier League was hugely disappointing for all of us – fans, staff and players – and our aim is to return at the first opportunity.”

Bolton did see a rise in revenue from sponsorship, advertising, merchandise and licensing, but there was a drop in gate receipts and turnover fell from £67.7 million to £64.9 million.

Jim Doyle, CEO of the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL), is to step down from his position at the end of the year, after a successful three years.

Doyle was appointed in August 2009 and used his ‘game plan’ to restructure the league, build long term relationships with partners and ensure year-on-year profits were achieved.

In his time as CEO, Doyle has managed to make the NZRL one of the most pro-active national sporting bodies in the country.

Of his departure, Doyle said: “’I really wanted to make a difference and do all I could to help rugby league become a much stronger sport on all fronts and at all levels.

”It has certainly been a very challenging three years and I feel I have done all I can personally to achieve that.”

Scott Carter, NZRL Chairman added his gratitude: “Jim has an exceptional talent for communicating, an outstanding work ethic and a commercial aptitude that is simply first-class.

”We have been extremely privileged to have Jim lead the organisation through a very critical period and he will undoubtedly be missed by everyone.”

Since news of Doyle’s resignation was announced, link suggesting he could become the Chief Executive of the Australian Rugby League Commission have surfaced.

Doyle was quick to reject these rumours and said: “I’ve seen that I have been linked a few times over the previous few months, but definitely not.

“I don’t intend to be moving permanently to Australia.”

Manchester United and England International Rio Ferdinand has confirmed his attendance at the Soccerex European Forum, viagra 28-29 March 2012, therapy Manchester.

Hugely successful on the pitch, generic Rio has also proved himself an accomplished businessman, with eye catching ventures such as #5, the world’s first digital lifestyle magazine, Rosso, his Manchester Restaurant and his hugely successful clothing line.

Attending alongside New Era Sports Management, a UK based football agency he will undoubtedly be taking advantage of the extensive business networking opportunities available.

Over 1,600 delegates are expected to attend this year’s Soccerex European Forum, Europe’s premier football business event, where they will benefit from exclusive business opportunities via an extensive conference programme, packed exhibition and a number of formal and informal networking events. 

Now in its third year in Manchester the event the European Forum conference agenda will feature sessions on UEFA’s move to centralise media rights, player and coach development, the art of management – a master-class with Rafael Benitez, betting, the tricky business of managing England with Terry Venables, financial management of clubs, the relationship between football and the media, and will finish with the Soccerex Supplement, a session with some of football’s biggest names.

Duncan Revie, Soccerex CEO and son of the late great England and Leeds United Manager Don Revie, commented that “We are absolutely delighted to have such an accomplished champion as Rio Ferdinand attending the Soccerex European Forum. It shows his commitment to business life after football, and highlights our ability to provide the perfect environment for business to be done.”

Former National Rugby League (NRL) CEO, medstore David Gallop, ed has been appointed as the new CEO of Football Federation Australia (FFA).

Gallop replaces Ben Buckley who will step down at the end of broadcasting negotiations that are likely to take two months.

The capture of Gallop comes six years after he was first approached to become the FFA’s CEO and three months after he left his position at the NRL.

Frank Lowy, ambulance Chairman of the FFA paid tribute to the outgoing Buckley: “Ben has worked tirelessly for football both at home and abroad and has steered the game through a difficult period of consolidation.

“He has the respect and thanks of the board for his contribution and he will remain a valued friend of the game.

“I wish him well for the future.”