Gilbert to Supply Netball New Zealand

Netball New Zealand has signed a new long-term contract with Gilbert Netball as their official and exclusive ball supplier.

Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Raelene Castle, store said: “Netball New Zealand is very proud to announce its long-term renewal of our partnership with Gilbert. I am delighted to emphasize that this new agreement involves not only Netball New Zealand’s national teams, but also the development of the game at all levels throughout New Zealand. Our global partnership with Gilbert draws its strength both from the quality of the products and the trust that has built up over many years between Netball New Zealand and Gilbert.”

Gilbert Brand Manager, Jon Clarke, said “We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Netball New Zealand. The Silver Ferns continue to be a leading force in global netball and we are very proud to be associated with the team and also their inspirational captain, Casey Williams. The fact that Netball New Zealand have chosen to continue to use the Gilbert ball is a testament to the performance of the product and the fact that the players prefer the Gilbert ball. We are now looking forward to continuing our excellent relationship and helping further develop the game of netball in New Zealand. We would like to wish the New Zealand netball teams every success for the future”.

Gilbert, is the official ball of the International Netball Federation, including the Netball World Cup 2015 and Fast5 Netball World Series, Netball Australia and the ANZ Championship.

Emirates Extends Arsenal Shirt Sponsorship & Naming Rights Deal

English Premier League giants, advice Arsenal have announced a major £150 million shirt sponsorship extension with Emirates Airlines until the end of the 2018/2019 season while also securing the naming rights to the stadium until 2028.

As well as being one of the biggest deals ever struck in the game, viagra usa the agreement, worth £30 million a year for five years, extends and deepens one of the strongest and most recognisable partnerships in sport.

The new agreement was formally concluded today at Emirates Stadium by Arsenal chief executive, Ivan Gazidis and Emirates divisional senior vice-president, corporate communications, Boutros Boutros. 

“This is an exciting day for Arsenal Football Club and all our supporters,” said Ivan Gazidis. “This agreement is a testimony to Arsenal’s approach and to the capabilities we have developed in recent years as well as the strength of our partnership with Emirates.

“The original deal with Emirates was a key facilitator of our move from Highbury and this next phase of our relationship will be just as critical to keep us at the top of the game in England and Europe.

“Emirates is the perfect partner for Arsenal and we are delighted to have agreed a new partnership. Emirates is a world-class brand and by flying to more than 120 destinations across six continents has a truly global reach. This reach will play an important role in our own ambitions to further extend the depth of our following around the world. The fact this partnership will continue for many years to come underlines how much both organisations value and benefit from the relationship.”  

As part of the deal Arsenal’s home will continue to be known as Emirates Stadium up to 2028.

The Emirates brand will also continue appearing on the front of Arsenal’s playing and training kits and the new agreement contains a number of marketing rights, which come into effect immediately, to ensure Emirates can engage with Arsenal fans in the UK and abroad. 

“Arsenal’s strong appeal around the globe and ambitious approach to the game parallel our own approach to business, making them a valuable partner for our brand,” said His Highness (HH) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group. 

“We continue to see immeasurable value in our global sports sponsorships and our sponsorship with Arsenal is no different. The Club has been an important enabler of the growth of our business over the last decade and we are confident this will continue as part of our extended deal.

“This partnership remains a perfect combination of two truly global brands. Through our global network and carefully-selected sports sponsorships Emirates is able to unite and engage fans, and coupled with Arsenal’s worldwide fan following this makes for a strong match,” added HH Sheikh Ahmed.

As part of the partnership agreement the Arsenal soccer school in Dubai, which launched in 2010, will also continue. Since the school opened more than 4,000 youngsters have trained there and are often visited during the term by Arsenal’s first-team players.

Emirates first signed its sponsorship agreement with Arsenal in 2004, providing the airline with naming rights to the stadium until 2021 and a shirt sponsorship that began in the 2006/07 season.

Aside from European football club sponsorships, Emirates is also an Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup, the Official Airline of a number of golf tournaments internationally and supports a range of high-profile horse racing, tennis, rugby, sailing and cricket events across the globe.

Matrix Fitness Becomes Official Supplier of Fitness Equipment to Red Bull Racing

Johnson Health Tech’s commercial division, see Matrix Fitness, has today been revealed as the official supplier of fitness equipment to Red Bull Racing Formula One team.

As part of the 3 year contract, Matrix Fitness has equipped an on-site gym, in Red Bull Racing’s HQ, which will be used by drivers, the race team and team employees to develop and maintain health, fitness and physical condition.

Top of the range Matrix Fitness cardiovascular and strength-training products will benefit the Milton Keynes based team which includes two of the most popular and successful drivers including 2010, 2011 world champion driver Sebastian Vettel. The team also reign as 2012 Constructors’ World Champions, having built up an unassailable lead in the championship.

Bernie Shrosbree, Red Bull Racing’s performance coach, commented: “Experience has taught me that success and excellence are a result of combining first rate coaching with quality kit. It therefore made perfect sense to select Matrix Fitness as our official gym equipment supplier, as their commitment to excellence is reflected in their strong product range, their attention to detail, and their service back-up.”

As the gym is based within the Red Bull Racing factory, all employees will be encouraged to use the equipment, putting into practice Team Principal Christian Horner’s vision to promote health and fitness in racing drivers and support staff alike.

Daniel Clayton, Vice President of Global Development of Johnson Health Tech, said: “Supplying the Red Bull Racing team is hugely exciting for Matrix Fitness and we look forward to supporting their ongoing success. We have developed a very strong association with high-level sports and performance, so we see our endorsement by Red Bull Racing as a natural step but also another significant milestone.

“We have developed some great partnerships in a number of sports, including soccer and cycling. We recognised the global reach and appeal of the Red Bull Racing Team and brand so we are delighted to be selected as an official supplier.

“We hope this partnership will enhance our brand development not just in the UK but in our key international markets where Formula One is very widely supported. We hope our innovative product range benefits everyone involved in the team from employees to world class drivers.”

Paddy Power Named Official Betting Partner of Welsh Rugby Union

Online and land-based sportsbetting operator Paddy Power has signed a deal to serve as the official betting partner for the Welsh Rugby Union.

Dublin-based Paddy Power stated that the two-year agreement will see it ‘strive to provide Welsh rugby fans with unrivalled value’ while ‘continuously offering fun and innovative promotions’ around every major game played by the Red Dragons.

“Paddy Power has an established reputation in the United Kingdom and the Welsh Rugby Union is delighted to welcome it as our official betting partner, pills ” said Craig Maxwell, arthritis Head of Sales and Marketing for the Welsh Rugby Union.

“Like Welsh Rugby Union, Paddy Power is a synonymous brand in its field. This, along with the company’s enthusiasm for rugby, is why we chose to align ourselves with Paddy Power and we are looking forward to a successful partnership.”

To coincide with the launch of the partnership, Paddy Power is running a special promotion that will see it award all new customers placing a minimum bet of ten pounds with a bonus valued at £20. In addition, the bookmaker is doubling its odds on the Wales versus New Zealand try-scorers market including first, last, a try in 80 minutes and first and second half scorers.

“We’re thrilled to be working alongside the Welsh Rugby Union as the official betting supplier,” said Rory Scott from Paddy Power.

“Not only do we share a host of common values including passion and commitment, we each strive to entertain our fans and customers with a dab of flair and dollop of match-winning creativity and excitement. Paddy Power specialises in surprising and delighting punters and we can’t wait to share our unbeatable betting value with Welsh rugby fans.”

TaylorMade Continues Darren Clarke Sponsorship

TaylorMade has extended it sponsorship of golfer Darren Clarke who will continue to wear theTaylorMade logo on the front of his headwear and use a TaylorMade staff bag.

The contract will go through to Darren Clarke’s 50th Birthday. 

“TaylorMade-adidas Golf has been influential in what I have achieved and I’m excited to continue my career with them and be an ambassador for the brand, erectile ” Darren said. “Having the best equipment is obviously very important given the different places I visit during the year, anabolics and I always know that the highly skilled TaylorMade team is on hand to take care of everything I need”.

With 14 European Tour victories to his name, Clarke captured the Open Championship in 2011, realising a lifelong dream of hoisting the Claret Jug after delivering a virtuoso performance at Royal St. George’s. Following on, after a successful vice-captaincy role at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor Resort where the European Team regained the Ryder Cup, Clarke was again selected as Ryder Cup vice-captain for the 2012 Ryder Cup, bringing a wealth of experience and success to the team.

“We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with Darren Clarke”, said Ian Watts, Director of Sports Marketing for TaylorMade-adidas Golf Europe. “Darren is a great ambassador for the brand after many years and is very influential within the game. His passion and commitment shine through. We look forward to further success together”.

Elche Gets Sports Betting Brand as Shirt Sponsor

Spanish gaming firm Codere SA has announced that its Codere Apuestas sports betting brand has signed a one-season sponsorship deal with Alicante-based second division side of Elche CF.

The shirt sponsorship agreement will run for the duration of the current domestic season with Elche currently lying top of the table with 32 points from 14 games.

“We are delighted and proud to have reached this agreement with Elche as it is in line with our values and hopes that this new union will bring us a lot of joy, capsule ” said Pablo Baquera, see Marketing Director for Codere.

“At Codere, ed we live football and sports in general as a unique experience that gives us excitement and allows us enjoy the moment to the fullest with the illusion of live sports brining even more emotion if possible.”

Codere Apuestas currently operates 70 gaming halls and over 700 terminals in Valencia and will have its logo displayed across shirts worn by Elche players. In addition, Codere stated that the sportsbetting brand will ‘undertake several sponsorship actions with the squad throughout the season’ that may include its use of club images and symbols across ‘various media’. Finally, the team’s 38,700-seat Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero will see its scoreboards joined by a pair of branding advertising boards.

“For us, it is very important to establish agreements with companies like Codere as its support is very important for our organisation and is a clear reflection of Elche as a prestigious and highly attractive business,” said Jose Sepulcre Coves, President for Elche.

Coca-Cola Re-Enters F1 Market with Lotus F1 Deal

The Coca-Cola Company will return to Formula 1 in January 2013 through its global energy brand “burn” in a multi-year sponsorship of Lotus F1 Team.

Details of the sponsorship will be revealed in 2013 when the partnership officially launches.

Emmanuel Seuge, capsule Group Director, ampoule Worldwide Sports & Entertainment Marketing, The Coca-Cola Company, said: “The creativity of teams and the passion for speed and energy that fuel the sport of Formula 1, make a partnership with this iconic sporting property a compelling proposition for the burn brand. Lotus F1 Team, as the number one emerging challenger in the sport, has demonstrated exceptional creativity in their approach to Formula 1 racing and their collaborations with partners – an approach that mirrors the philosophy of burn. We will bring that same creativity through burn, incorporating art and music in a way that will break the conventions of traditional Formula 1 sponsorship marketing.”

Burn is available in more than 80 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Eric Boullier, Team Principal, Lotus F1 Team: “We are proud that The Coca-Cola Company has chosen Lotus F1 Team as the best vehicle to represent the burn brand in its most high profile partnership. We are excited to partner with burn to build a new and innovative model for sponsorships that will combine experiences, content creation and social media ; an area in which our team has been at the cutting edge in Formula 1 for the past 18 months, recording the highest growth rate amongst fans this year.”

Airtricity Renews Title Sponsorship of Irish Soccer’s Premier League

The Football Association of Ireland and energy provider Airtricity have announced a two-year extension of its title sponsorship of the Airtricity League.

Airtricity will also become official energy partner to the association and international teams.

Airtricity has been title sponsor of the Airtricity League since 2010 and added title sponsorship of the new Airtricity U19 league in 2011.

Airtricity boss Stephen Wheeler said: “We are very proud to support the domestic game in this country which is producing more and more top stars of the future like Shane Long, Kevin Doyle, James McClean and Seamus Coleman to name just a few.”

FAI CEO John Delaney said: “Airtricity’s decision is a big endorsement of our sport and the passion and interest it generates in every household in the country.”

Milka Ends Bart Brentjens Mountain Bike Racing Team Sponsorship

Milka, a milk chocolate producer, has terminated its sponsorship of the Bart Brentjens Mountain Bike Racing Team after three years.

Brentjens, the first Olympic mountain bike champion, runs the squad, which will be called the Superior Brentjens MTB Racing Team in 2013.

Superior, a Czech based bike manufacturer, will stay onboard as the team’s official bike supplier for 2013.

“It was an honour to have been working with Milka the last three years. We shared the same goal, which was [having] two participants at the London 2012 Olympic Games. With Annie Last and Marek Konwa, we succeeded in reaching this goal,” said Brentjens.

“Due to another company strategy by Milka, it decided to back out of [sponsorship of] the team, which I sincerely regret. Now I am working hard to find another partner who wants to share our goals and join us on the road to Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”

Andreas Gollhofer, Manager of International Event Marketing at Milka said, “After three years of very good cooperation with Bart and his team, we are sorry that we have to stop this sponsorship.”

“Bart was a valuable partner and both sides appreciated this close cooperation very much. Due to a reorientation of Milka’ sponsorship strategy for the summer months, we had to come to this decision and we wish Bart and his team many successes and all the best for their future.”

Rugby League Stars James Roby & Ryan Hall to Endorse Rhino Rugby

Rhino Rugby, the world’s leading supplier of contact and training equipment for rugby, have recruited James Roby of St Helens and Ryan Hall of Leeds Rhinos as their Rugby League brand ambassadors. 

Managing Director of Rhino Rugby League, and former Saints CEO Tony Colquitt commented on the deal: “I am delighted to welcome two world class English players to the Rhino Rugby League brand. Both Ryan and James will be working with Rhino Rugby League to activate our plans within the game. 

“The players will feature in promotional materials and in store activation programmes with Rhino Rugby League’s key trade partners. 

“The players will also be developing their own range of balls. Rhino Rugby League is committed to delivering world class bespoke products to the game and the signing of Ryan and James signals our intentions.” 

James Roby commented, “I am delighted to sign with Rhino Rugby League and very excited by some of the plans that they have in place. 

“It’s great that a famous brand such as Rhino is now committing to League.” 

Ryan Hall commented, “Rhino is a world class brand and I am delighted to be working with them. 

“I know fans and clubs alike will be delighted with the plans in place.”