International healthcare brand Bupa has signed a new deal to remain the Official Health Insurance Partner of UK Sport.

The partnership means Bupa is continuing its support of UK Sport’s highly successful Athlete Medical Scheme (AMS), stomach which provides extensive medical insurance to support elite athletes in their recovery from illness and injury, ailment delivered alongside the English Institute of Sport, nurse UK Sport’s science, medicine and technology arm.

As part of the partnership, two-time cycling world champion Becky James will become an official Bupa ambassador. James, who missed the London 2012 Olympic Games while recovering from surgery on her appendix, said: “As an athlete, knowing we’ve got the medical support and expertise from Bupa is incredible. It allows us to stay completely focussed on our training and performances knowing we’ve got access to some of the best medical treatment around.

“I have witnessed first-hand the benefits of the Bupa partnership. After missing London 2012 through illness, the expert treatment allowed me to focus on my recovery and come back better than ever to become world champion.”

Patrick Watt, Corporate Director, Bupa Health Funding said: “We know how crucial it is for athletes to get their injuries and health problems diagnosed and treated quickly to enable a speedy recovery. We’re proud that the UK’s elite athletes have continued to trust us to provide them with top quality healthcare.”

Liz Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Sport said: “UK Sport’s continued partnership with Bupa demonstrates the importance of injury prevention and fast recovery in the world of elite sport. The care Bupa provides our athletes compliments the world class medical care provided by the home country sports institutes.

“With just over two years to go until the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this renewed partnership is sure to provide fantastic peace of mind for athletes and coaches alike so they can concentrate on their performances and get to the start line fit and healthy.”

The Chicago Bulls have announced an expanded multi-year agreement with Downers Grove, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care, the largest integrated health system in Illinois and one of the nation’s leading health systems.

As part of the agreement, the team’s new training facility will be named the Advocate Center.

“Advocate Health Care is an incredible partner of the Chicago Bulls. Advocate’s leadership team is strong, creative, and committed to quality, and they have built an organization that embodies the characteristics we look for in long-term sponsor relationships,” said Michael Reinsdorf, Chicago Bulls President and Chief Operating Officer. “Advocate shares the Bulls’ passions for athletics, health and wellness, and the communities in which we live and work. As we enter the third year of our partnership and this exciting new chapter, the Bulls look forward to finding more ways to come together with Advocate to make a difference in the City of Chicago.”

“The Chicago Bulls have been a great partner to Advocate over the last two years and we are looking forward to advancing our partnership,” said Jim Skogsbergh, Advocate President and Chief Executive Officer. “We applaud the efforts of the Chicago Bulls Charities over the last 30 years and their focus on youth education, health and wellness and violence prevention and we look forward to working more closely together to improve our communities.”

The Advocate Center is scheduled to open before the 2014-15 season and will be located across from the United Center on South Wood Street between Monroe and Madison Streets. The facility is approximately 60,000-square-feet in size.

Advocate Center branding will be incorporated throughout the new facility. Exterior signage will be located on the north, east and west sides of the building. Interior branding will be featured in the video room and basketball court area.

The firm, 360 Architecture, is the lead project architect for the Advocate Center, and McHugh Construction serves as the General Contractor.

The Bulls and Advocate share a commitment to improving the lives of those in need, and a significant aspect of the expanded partnership will be exploring new opportunities to build a stronger Chicago community.

Advocate Health Care will also sponsor a 2014-15 pre-season game in October to highlight its support of Breast Cancer Awareness month and its successful initiative, “Stories of the Girls.” This will be the second consecutive year Advocate will sponsor a Bulls pre-season game focused on Breast Cancer Awareness, and both organizations are working on plans to use this unique platform to increase the positive impact this game can have on women’s health.

US car manufacturer Ford has extended its partnership of New Zealand Cricket by sponsoring the Blackcaps.

As part of the deal, the Ford logo will feature prominently on the Blackcaps playing shirts for all matches in New Zealand and abroad.

In addition, Ford’s increased sponsorship under the new agreement will also be acknowledged on the playing uniforms of the White Ferns, NZA and NZ Under-19 teams.

The increased sponsorship continues a trend that has seen the global car manufacturer’s support for cricket in New Zealand deepen at all levels. Ford has been the Official Vehicle Supplier to NZC since 2009 and, since 2011, also the naming rights sponsor of the Ford Trophy, the country’s premier domestic one-day competition.

Chris Masterson, Marketing Director of Ford NZ, said Ford enjoys being part of the cricket community in New Zealand. “We recognise the widespread passion for the game in New Zealand and the dedication of people at all levels to keep the sport robust and thriving.

“Ford is proud to be the driving force behind New Zealand sport. In addition to the BLACKCAPS and New Zealand Cricket, we are also long standing partners, 20 years in fact, of the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby. We are proud sponsors of Hockey New Zealand, and we’re also involved in motorsport, supporting John McIntyre in the V8 Super Tourers.

NZC Chief Executive David White said “Ford’s consistent and deepening support helps to create opportunities for cricketers at all levels. With Ford now as team sponsor, we’re looking forward to the BLACKCAPS continuing their great start to the year as they commence the first Test against the West Indies this Sunday in Kingston, Jamaica.”

Super Bowl runners up Denver Broncos have agreed to a multi-year partnership with Noble Energy.

Noble Energy, generic one of the largest natural gas and oil producers in the state of Colorado, will work with the Broncos on numerous community initiatives and charitable programs.    

“We are very pleased to add Noble Energy as an official partner of the Denver Broncos,” Broncos President Joe Ellis said. “Noble Energy shares the Broncos’ commitment to making a difference in the community, and we are excited to welcome Noble Energy to our team.”

“Our partnership with the Denver Broncos is directly aligned with our commitment to Colorado and our purpose — energizing the world and bettering people’s lives,” said Ted Brown, Noble Energy Senior Vice President. “Together, we will positively impact the community while delivering a unique gameday experience for Broncos fans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.”

Under the agreement, Noble Energy will be the naming rights partner of the Sports Legends Mall, a fan interactive experience just south of the Ring of Fame monuments and Gates 9 & 10 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

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SportAccord has confirmed the the Association of the IOC Recognised International Sport Federations (ARISF) has become an official partner of the SportAccord Convention.

Raffaele Chiulli, store President of ARISF met with Mr. Marius Vizer, advice President of SportAccord. Mr. Vlad Marinescu, General Director of SportAccord and Mr. George Yerolimpos, Director of the Multi-Sport Events Unit at SportAccord on May 31st 2014 in Budapest to discuss the collaboration.

As part of the agreement,  ARISF’s logo will be present on all advertising material and ARISF will get a booth and the necessary delegate passes, rooms and meeting facilities. Finally, SportAccord agreed to pay to ARISF 10% of the dividends received from SportAccord Convention. ARISF agreed to commit to promote the SportAccord Convention on its web site, press releases and all media.

The meeting and the signing of the Memorandum was also attended by Prof. Fabio Pigozzi, President of the International Sports Medicine Federation (FIMS). On that occasion, discussions took place between ARISF, SportAccord and FIMS and it was agreed that these organisations will work closely together on their common goals, namely the protection of the health of athletes and the fight against doping in sports.

Sunderland AFC have extended their partnership with Asian betting and gaming partner TLC188 for a further three years. 

The Black Cats’ partnership with one of Asia’s biggest online betting companies will continue until 2017, ambulance following a successful two years since the original partnership was agreed in 2012, allergy offering supporters a range of online activities such as football betting and online games.

Speaking about the extended partnership, Sunderland AFC commercial director Gary Hutchinson said: “We are really pleased to extend a strong partnership and we look forward to exploring new areas of innovation with TLC188 and Sunderland AFC in the future.”

“We are continuing to build on our relationships throughout Asia and the club is becoming very popular with a growing worldwide fan base, which we have seen in recent years.”

Mike Chong, Asia Pacific Strategy Director for TLC88.com added: “We are delighted to extend our very successful partnership with Sunderland AFC for another three years. Excitement for Premier League football teams such as Sunderland AFC has grown fast in Asia since we signed our original contract and with frequent promotions, we expect to grow both TLC188 and Sunderland AFC’s international fanbases.”

This announcement follows Sunderland renewing their partnership with shirt sponsor Bidvest yesterday.

PGA Tour golfer Brooks Koepka has secured a new sponsor with Paylocity Holding Corporation agreeing a partnership with the two-time ACC Player of the Year.

Koepka turned professional in July 2012 after a successful career at Florida State University. As a professional, Koepka caught immediate attention with a victory in just his eighth start on the European Challenge Tour. In 2013, he claimed three wins in his first 10 starts and finished the year with starts at The Open Championship and the PGA Championship. In addition he tied for third in his PGA Tour debut at the Frys.com Open. This year he will compete on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour.

Koepka, just 24 years old and ranked 100^th in the Official World Golf Rankings, said: “My expectations have always been to be one of the top players in the world, and that matches well with Paylocity’s mission. They are changing things in their industry just like I want to make a mark on professional golf.”

Michael Haske, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Paylocity, added, “We knew we wanted to sponsor a PGA professional moving into the 2014 and 2015 season. But it had to be someone who modeled our commitment to innovation, drive and results. At Paylocity we are doing what no one else is – taking Payroll and HR professionals from the backroom to the boardroom with our cloud software. We believe Brooks is the perfect PGA professional for our organization. His talent, openness to taking the road less traveled, and enormous potential excite us and fit our mission. We see in him a great future and we welcome him to the Paylocity family.”

Koepka will play this week at the FedEx St. Jude Classic and has qualified for the US Open Championship.