Etihad Airways partners with Team England for the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Etihad Airways, the national flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, is set to fly Team England to the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline is synonymous with sport, having flown thousands of elite athletes, coaches and supporters around the globe from Manchester City’s first-team squad to England Cricket’s T20 2016 runner-up team.

Team England Chef de Mission, Sarah Winckless, said: “Team England strives to facilitate the very best preparation for our athletes to deliver their best on the Gold Coast. It’s fantastic to know that with Etihad, Team England will be in best possible hands on our journey to Australia.

“Etihad is renowned the world over for the quality of its service so we can be sure that our Commonwealth Games will get off to the best possible start the second the athletes begin their journey.”

Commonwealth Games England Chief Executive, Paul Blanchard, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Etihad Airways to the Team England family. Etihad’s support shows that there is a real appetite amongst the most prestigious companies in the country to get behind England at the Commonwealth Games.

“With the potential of hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham as well as the Gold Coast Games just months away, this is a really exciting time to be involved with Commonwealth Games England and our athletes.”

James Harrison, General Manager for Etihad Airways in the UK, commented: “Etihad Airways is proud to be the preferred airline for Team England. The UK market is very important to us.”

Etihad Airways will be transporting over 650 Team England athletes and support staff to Australia next year. Team England preparations begin in Brisbane with a holding camp from 19 March and the Games themselves get underway on the Gold Coast on 4 April 2018.

iSportconnect signs off on 2017 in style at London Directors’ Club

iSportconnect, the largest global private network of sport business executives, signed off on 2017 in style at the London Directors’ Club.

Over 100 high-ranking delegates were present at Jellyfish‘s Shard offices, which offered superb views over the capital’s Christmas skyline.

Guest speaker Andrea Radrizzani kicked off proceedings with an engaging discussion on his previous achievements – and future aspirations. The Italian businessman also shared expertise on Eleven Sports’ strategies before evaluating the current digital media rights landscape.

Audience engagement led to further debates on iFollow – the EFL’s new streaming service – Leeds United and Italian Football. Conversations continued throughout a series of networking sessions, which were complimented by Shake ‘N’ Serve cocktails, while Global Infusion Group provided a selection of canapés.

Guests reconvened to hear Rory Anderson, CEO of 12BET, discuss the future of the betting industry, plus new innovations such as personalisation and machine learning, both of which are set to have a big impact in the near future.

Delegates were delighted with the level of attendees in the room, leading to plenty of valuable discussions, new connections and potential business partnerships.

Bob Hope, Commercial Director, British Basketball League: “I thought it was really excellent with fabulous guests and I’ve enjoyed the whole experience. I’ll definitely be back.

“The speakers were great – I spoke to Andrea afterwards – he has something that suits our sport and we’re going to have further meetings – so it’s been excellent for us.”

Dave Barton, Head of Communications, British & Irish Lions: “I thought it was a fascinating event. It was great to come to an impressive venue like this but also to gain insight into part of the sport business that perhaps you’re not normally exposed to.

“To listen to Andrea talk about his career and involvement at Leeds United and to hear from Rory about 12BET and their involvement in sport was really interesting. There was a nice blend between a couple of speakers with enough time to meet different people, chat and network in between. It was really worthwhile.”

Rory Anderson, CEO of 12BET: “As always there were great networking opportunities at the Directors’ Club. The evening was both informative and enjoyable – it was really good to see so many sporting bodies represented in the room.”

A stellar lineup of iSportconnect events have been planned for 2018, starting with February’s Broadcast Masterclass.

Please contact Chris Edbrook (chris@isportconnect.com) to register your interest in future iSportconnect events.

The Jockey Club extends sport’s first ever mini-bond after five years, retaining 96% of original investment

Investors in The Jockey Club’s highly popular Racecourse Bond – which was the first ‘mini bond’ issued in British sport – have chosen to retain more than £23.6 million (96%) in the financial product after they were offered the opportunity to rollover or extend their investment in the scheme.

The Jockey Club, which stages several of the most popular events in British sport, including the Randox Health Grand National, The Cheltenham Festival and The Investec Derby, raised nearly £25 million from issuing its Racecourse Bond – almost £10 million more than its original target – and won a series of awards when it was launched in 2013.

This was used as capital towards state-of-the-art development at its flagship Cheltenham Racecourse, which centred on the creation of the highly-acclaimed The Princess Royal Stand.

The Racecourse Bond was initially issued for a period of five years, which concludes in June 2018. After The Jockey Club decided it is working so well they would be happy to continue to support the mini bond, bondholders were given three options: firstly, to sign up for a further guaranteed three years, secondly to allow their investment to rollover until they give notice to withdraw or The Jockey Club closes the scheme or, finally, to withdraw their funds at the end of the five-year minimum term.

Bondholders chose to extend £14.61 million for a further three years, rollover £9 million and redeem just £1 million when the original term ends. The Racecourse Bond instrument is not transferable or tradeable, therefore this extension offer was not open to new investors.

The Racecourse Bond provides quarterly cash interest payments at a rate of 4.75%, as well as a further 3% interest in the form of Rewards4Racing points.

The nature of the product is such that bondholders have increased their frequency of visit to and spend at Jockey Club Racecourses, which helps to fund the scheme, while they are being provided with excellent returns on their investment.

Nevin Truesdale, Group Finance Director of The Jockey Club, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to offer investors the opportunity to extend our relationship. The response has been fantastic as a result of the experience we’ve been able to provide, the excellent returns we have delivered and the continued trust in The Jockey Club as a good partner.

“It really is win-win because as well as those positives for bondholders, we as the issuer have enjoyed increased loyalty and them spending with us as customers, helping towards the financial equation involved.

“Bondholders were a huge part of our £45 million development at the Home of Jump Racing and I’m delighted both they and British Racing will continue to benefit from their investment with us.”

British Triathlon signs partnership with safeguarding experts

British Triathlon has today announced a new partnership with the UK’s leading provider of essential duty of care and safeguarding training, EduCare.

The agreement will see all the National Governing Body’s staff, including the Home Nations and the Triathlon Trust, commit to undertaking online training courses including Child Protection, Safeguarding Young People and Equality & Diversity.

In addition, all British Triathlon Affiliated Club Welfare Officers will be offered access to 14 different training courses, free of charge. British Triathlon qualified coaches and permitted event organisers are among those who will also be able to access training at a discounted rate.

Andy Salmon, British Triathlon Chief Executive, said: “As a national governing body, we have an obligation and a desire to ensure the highest possible standards around essential governance topics such as welfare and accessibility and, here at British Triathlon, we want to show we are leading the way in best practice.

“The support of EduCare will be invaluable in meeting these objectives.”

Keir McDonald MBE, founder of EduCare added: “Safeguarding participants is vital and club staff need to know how to spot the signs of abuse, and equally importantly, how to report concerns.

“Governing bodies need to lead on this and EduCare already work with other leading NGBs to do so. We are delighted to be developing this programme with British Triathlon and trust that it will help deliver our ultimate mission to keep sport safe.”

Host cities for 2020 and 2021 European finals to be appointed simultaneously

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) have announced that they will appoint host cities for both the 2020 and 2021 EPCR finals weekends together next year after unprecedented interest in staging the events. An announcement is expected in summer 2018.

The pan-European appeal of the showpiece matches in the Champions Cup, Challenge Cup and Continental Shield was highlighted earlier this year with 18 expressions of interest received from across Europe for the 2020 finals.

The next two editions will be held in Bilbao and Newcastle respectively, with more than 48,000 tickets already snapped up for next May’s Finals weekend at San Mamés Stadium.

EPCR Marketing and Commercial Director, Carsten Couchouron, said: “A range of cities have engaged with our robust and detailed bidding process in recent years and we have been innovative with our decisions for venues which have helped to continually develop the footprint of our competitions.

“We welcome submissions for venues in both traditional and emerging rugby markets and hope that by running the 2020 and 2021 bids together, we will have the chance to engage with a range of cities to provide the very best venues for fans to enjoy European club rugby’s blue riband event.”

The simultaneous bidding and assessment processes will again be conducted with The Sports Consultancy. Parties who have already expressed an interest have until early 2018 to formalise their applications.

Continental becomes official partner of the Tour de France

Continental AG has agreed a five-year partnership with the Tour de France.

The German tyre brand will put all its technology and expertise at the service of the prestigious cycling competition from 2018 to 2022.

As part of the agreement, fleet vehicles used by ASO will be fitted with Continental tyres while the brand will enjoy significant visibility around the course.

Serge Bonnel, Managing Director of Continental France, said: “We are honored to become the Official Partner of the Tour de France. Among all the international cycling events, the Tour de France remains the most popular event, putting the best riders in the world but also the tires to the test.

“It is a privilege to partner with ASO, and to share our technology with one of the most prestigious events in the international sports arena. By becoming Official Partner of the Great Loop, Continental affirms its will to continue to develop on the territory, history which began already for more than 125 years.”

Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, added: “Welcoming Continental on the Tour de France is an honor. That a company of international stature, whose know-how endures for 145 years, and which remains at the top in its sector of activity and in its know-how wishes to be associated with the biggest race of the bicycle of the world is a beautiful symbol for cycling.

“ASO’s commitment to safety on cycling races combined with Continental’s research to develop ever-improving tires confirms the merits and logic of this partnership. The tire is the first and only point of contact between a bike and the road, it is therefore a key element in the practice of this sport.”

Premiership Rugby to be shown on terrestrial TV for the first time

Premiership Rugby has confirmed that history will be made at Twickenham Stadium later this month with Harlequins vs Northampton Saints set to be the League’s first match to be broadcast live on terrestrial TV.

In a landmark move for the sport, the match will be simulcast on BT Sport and Channel 5, the first of five matches to be shown by the terrestrial broadcaster this season.

The fixture comes as part of a new four-year deal, which includes a Sunday evening highlights programme showcasing the best of Aviva Premiership Rugby.

Channel 5’s coverage will be presented by Mark Durden-Smith and former England prop David Flatman, who said of the upcoming game: “There’s always a huge buzz during the festive period when the fans turn out in big numbers at Twickenham.

“It’s a privilege to see in the New Year with some of the top performers in a head to head battle.”

The Big Game, hosted annually by Harlequins as one of their regular home games, takes place each December at Twickenham.

Channel 5’s coverage at Twickenham Stadium will be produced by Sunset + Vine who has been producing live coverage of the Premiership since 2009.

Commonwealth Games Federation ‘close’ to 2022 host city decision

Birmingham could face an extended wait until next year to find out if it will be chosen to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said today that they are “confident” a city will be chosen within four weeks before adding the decision deadline is flexible.

Louise Martin, President of the CGF, said in a statement: “When the CGF General Assembly took the difficult decision to reallocate the 2022 Commonwealth Games, it delegated the Federation’s Executive Board the responsibility to award the Games.

“It is essential that we have fully examined all aspects of the cities’ bid submissions and expressions of interest, and that we are fully satisfied that the ultimate host for 2022 is capable of staging a Games that fully delivers for Commonwealth athletes and host communities.

“The CGF is close to making a decision to select the host city of the 2022 Games. We thank all nations who have participated in the process. We are also close to achieving significant Games legacy objectives, however we have been asked to provide a little more time in order for these to be realised, and in the interest of good partnership we have decided to allow this.

“The CGF is confident that we will make a final decision regarding the selection of a host city for 2022 before the year-end, but we will continue to remain flexible and collaborative in a true sense of partnership with potential hosts so that, above all, we have a decision that the entire Commonwealth can get behind.”

The bidding process has been plagued with problems after the South African city of Durban was originally awarded hosting rights before being stripped of the event for not meeting the CGF criteria.

Birmingham’s subsequent bid was also deemed to have failed to meet criteria, leading the CGF to extend the deadline for bids. Last week, the CGF confirmed it had received updates from Australia, Canada and Malaysia – but stopped short of confirming any official bids.

Sony extends title sponsorship of PGA Tour event in Hawaii

The PGA TOUR and Sony Corporation (Sony), which enters its 20th year as title sponsor of the Sony Open in Hawaii, have agreed to extend their partnership by another four years, through 2022.

The new agreement will commence following the 2018 tournament in January. The upcoming Sony Open in Hawaii will mark the 20th year of Sony’s sponsorship, tying it for the third-longest tenured title sponsor on the PGA TOUR.

Kazuo Hirai, President and CEO, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Sony Corporation, said: “2018 will be the momentous 20th anniversary of the Sony Open in Hawaii.I am proud to announce that Sony has decided to renew its sponsorship once again, through 2022.”

To us, the Sony Open is not just a golf tournament; it has allowed us to provide continuous support to the local Hawaiian community. Together with everyone involved in organizing the tournament and our charitable partners at The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, we hope to continue contributing to the people of Hawaii.”

PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan, said: “As we approach the 20th anniversary of Sony’s sponsorship of the Sony Open in Hawaii, it’s important to recognize the impact Sony has had on the tournament’s stability, success and growth since 1999.

“We congratulate Sony for reaching this milestone in 2018 as one of our longest continuous tournament sponsors, and we thank them for extending this outstanding partnership for another four years.”

The tournament has been held at Waialae Country Club since its debut in 1965. In 1999, Friends of Hawaii Charities, Inc., became the host organization and Sony became title sponsor.

The following year, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc., became the Sony Open’s charity partner. Since 1999, approximately $17 million has been distributed to 350 Hawaii not-for-profit organizations. More than $1 million has been raised annually since 2005.

Sony extends title sponsorship of PGA Tour event in Hawaii

The PGA TOUR and Sony Corporation (Sony), which enters its 20th year as title sponsor of the Sony Open in Hawaii, have agreed to extend their partnership by another four years, through 2022.

The new agreement will commence following the 2018 tournament in January. The upcoming Sony Open in Hawaii will mark the 20th year of Sony’s sponsorship, tying it for the third-longest tenured title sponsor on the PGA TOUR.

Kazuo Hirai, President and CEO, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Sony Corporation, said: “2018 will be the momentous 20th anniversary of the Sony Open in Hawaii.I am proud to announce that Sony has decided to renew its sponsorship once again, through 2022.”

To us, the Sony Open is not just a golf tournament; it has allowed us to provide continuous support to the local Hawaiian community. Together with everyone involved in organizing the tournament and our charitable partners at The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, we hope to continue contributing to the people of Hawaii.”

PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan, said: “As we approach the 20th anniversary of Sony’s sponsorship of the Sony Open in Hawaii, it’s important to recognize the impact Sony has had on the tournament’s stability, success and growth since 1999.

“We congratulate Sony for reaching this milestone in 2018 as one of our longest continuous tournament sponsors, and we thank them for extending this outstanding partnership for another four years.”

The tournament has been held at Waialae Country Club since its debut in 1965. In 1999, Friends of Hawaii Charities, Inc., became the host organization and Sony became title sponsor.

The following year, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc., became the Sony Open’s charity partner. Since 1999, approximately $17 million has been distributed to 350 Hawaii not-for-profit organizations. More than $1 million has been raised annually since 2005.