The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) have signed a strategic partnership with the Australian Turf Club (ATC) that will see the two parties work closely across future events and activations.

The alliance will kick off during the Bledisloe Cup Festival, arthritis when the Bledisloe Cup Festival Race Day takes place at Royal Randwick on Saturday, abortion 9 August.

The iconic trophy will be on display for the public during the day and at a VIP function in the ballroom of the Queen Elizabeth II Grandstand.

The ARU has partnered with the ATC to stage an Australian/New Zealand-themed race day that celebrates the great rivalry that exists between the two countries on the race track and on the Rugby field. Race-goers will also directly benefit from the new partnership, with those who already have tickets to the Bledisloe Cup clash at ANZ Stadium (16 August) gaining free entry to the course.

The partnership will also extend to Australian Rugby’s night of nights, the John Eales Medal with Royal Randwick set to host the prestigious awards ceremony for the first time on Thursday 23 October. The event recognises the players and members of the Rugby community that have excelled in 2014.

Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver said: “The ARU is delighted to be partnering with the ATC, a brand that enjoys an iconic status across the Australian sporting community. There are natural synergies between both organisations that we will look to exploit and leverage over the months – and hopefully years – to come.”

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer Darren Pearce was excited about the new partnership.

“The Bledisloe Cup is one of the truly great events in Trans-Tasman sport and to be hosting a game in Sydney gives us a great chance to get up and close with the stars of the game,’’ Mr Pearce said.

“At the same time fans will also see the other stars on the turf – the magnificent Australian and New Zealand thoroughbreds that Sydney highlights each week.

“Sydney racing is renowned as the strongest and most competitive in Australia, and each week features some of the home-grown stars of the sport in trainers Gai Waterhouse, the Snowden and Cummings families, as well as jockeys Nash Rawiller, Tommy Berry and Hugh Bowman, just to name a few. 

“And with the likes of Sydney’s champion trainer Chris Waller, one of the all-time great Group 1 jockeys in Jim Cassidy, star jockey James McDonald on the verge of a Sydney premiership, and Bjorn Baker from that famous New Zealand racing family all holding their Kiwi heritage very dear, I am sure we will see some patriotic battles on the track as well as the footy field.’’

The two parties have also agreed to investigate future opportunities to develop the partnership beyond 2014.

Sprint have unveiled a new TV advertisement with NBA star Kevin Durant which begins airing tonight in the US across network and cable TV.

Durant is the first athlete to star in the new episodic Frobinsons campaign for Sprint. In this latest 30-second spot, ailment the Frobinsons’ teenage son Zack gets the chance to talk to a larger-than-life version of the Oklahoma City forward.

In addition to TV, rx Durant will be featured in digital extensions supporting the Sprint Framily Plan.

“We’re proud to introduce Kevin Durant as the newest member of our Frobinsons campaign” said Jeff Hallock, chief marketing officer-Sprint. “Kevin is an ideal role model for any kid to dream of having as a part of their Framily.”

This is the third TV ad in which Durant has starred for Sprint and is the third year for Sprint as the official wireless telecommunications provider to the NBA.

In the near future, four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon will become the next celebrity athlete to make an appearance with the Frobinsons.

The campaign was created by Figliulo&Partners in partnership with DigitasLBi and MediaVest.

Queens Park Rangers (QPR) have announced they have secured planning permission to build a new training complex on Warren Farm in Southall.

Ealing Council have signed a development agreement with the Sky Bet Championship club, resulting in planning permission for a new multi-purpose community sports complex that will provide a base for both the Hoops first team and academy.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes said: “We are committed to building the club in the right way and putting in place the foundations for future success.

“The academy is an important part of this, and this agreement is the next step in strengthening the long-term prospects of QPR.

“We are delighted to partner Ealing Council and are particularly excited about playing our part in providing fantastic new sporting facilities for local residents, and to build on the excellent work of our Community Trust to strengthen our ties with the community and provide opportunities for all.”

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, added: “Warren Farm is in dire need of redevelopment, so it is fantastic that QPR has committed to such a huge investment into the site.

“Signing this deal is the next step towards bringing Warren Farm back into use and transforming it into a thriving hub of community activity and sport. QPR’s plans have a strong focus on community involvement and I’m looking forward to seeing it all come together.”

Work on the facility is expected to be completed in time for 2016.

American Stock Car Racing’s ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will return to Mobile International Speedway in Mobile, Alabama on March 22, 2014. 

Defending ARCA Mobile 200 champion and Fairhope, Alabama native Grant Enfinger led a star-packed media event Wednesday in Mobile.

“It is my honor as a Mobile International Speedway driver and the defending ARCA Mobile 200 champion to announce that the ARCA Series is coming back to Mobile in 2014,” Enfinger said.

ARCA Week will begin on Saturday, March 15 with an open practice for ARCA teams and culminate with the third running of the ARCA Mobile 200 on Saturday, March 22.

“The combined efforts of everyone associated with the ARCA Mobile 200 have clearly created a winning formula for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards,” said ARCA President Ron Drager. “For the third consecutive year, we will bring the series directly from the season opener at Daytona in February to Mobile in March for the second race of the season. The ARCA Mobile 200 is now talked about all season long by the entire ARCA community-race teams, fans, media and officials. We’re pleased and proud our series has found a home on the Gulf Coast.”

Local Mobile, Alabama driver Thomas “Moose” Praytor, who finished ninth in 2013 ARCA championship standings, said, “Mobile International Speedway has been a launching point for each level of my racing career, my first stock car start, my first ARCA start and this year our effort at Mobile led to 19 more races with Hixson Motorsports in the Realtor car. After all the new tracks this year I’m really happy ARCA is coming back to my home track.”

Local Mobile drivers Enfinger and Cale Gale have provided story book endings to the first two ARCA Mobile 200s, winning in front of the home town fans. While the ARCA series has raced at over 200 different tracks since its inception in 1953, the 2014 ARCA Mobile 200 marks only the third appearance at Mobile International Speedway.

“The community has embraced the ARCA Series and the ARCA Mobile 200 has become much more than a race; it’s a happening,” said ARCA Mobile 200 Promoter, Tommy Praytor. “The Mobile Sports Authority, Mobile Convention & Visitors Bureau and Alabama’s Tourism Department all realize the importance of this race to Mobile and it takes everyone to make it happen.” 

Opened in 1964, Mobile International Speedway is Alabama’s fastest half mile and is currently host to the Sunoco Southern Super Series and Miller Lite Super Late Model Series along with a regular schedule of Saturday night racing. Lee and Ida Fields purchased the Speedway in 1972 and for almost 40 years the duo produced “The Fastest Fun Around”. The track is currently being managed and promoted by Tim Bryant who is also the owner/promoter of Pensacola’s 5 Flags Speedway, the home of the Snowball Derby.

Troon Golf  has announced a corporate partnership with Digital Caddies, Inc., a market leading tablet-based golf course navigation and content platform.

Troon operates nearly 200 public and private golf facilities throughout the United States and 27 other countries and is the largest golf management company in the world.

“We’re extremely impressed with the Digital Caddies Players Network and the company’s sound business strategy — we see where this is heading,” said Scott VanNewkirk Senior Vice President, Global Business Development for Troon. “Through this agreement, we’re now able to leverage advanced technology to even further improve the service experience we offer to our golf properties and our customers.”

Earlier this year, Digital Caddies launched The Player’s Network — a tablet-based technology platform installed on golf carts that connects to the Web through Sprint’s high-speed wireless network and improves guests’ experiences by providing instant and accurate yardages, real-time interaction with the clubhouse, and other content golfers demand.

The platform is also a powerful tool for golf course operators to build guest loyalty, increase course revenue and lower operating costs. The content on the platform is specifically designed to promote interaction between the golfer and the device throughout their round and thus provides an excellent opportunity for golf course operators and advertisers to interact directly with golfers in ways that have never been possible before.

“The addition of Troon and their portfolio of exceptional public and private courses will contribute to both the quality and growth of the Digital Caddies Players Network,” said Digital Caddies President Mike Loustalot. “This is a big step toward gaining the critical mass of quality golf courses and golfers that makes the Players Network an attractive vehicle for digital advertisers, both locally and nationally.”

“Sprint is delighted to see how The Players Network value proposition is resonating with the golf industry and especially with a major leader like Troon,” said Kimberly Green-Kerr, Regional Vice President, Sprint. “We’re proud to provide nationwide 3G connectivity for one of the most innovative experiences in golf today.”

Sussex County Cricket Club have announced their financial results for the year ending October 31 2012.

The club revealed an unchanged operating income of £5.2million, sale pills an operating surplus of £227, viagra buy 775 (a significant improvement on 2011’s £12, ailment 026) and an accounting deficit on £325,375 (compared to £123,718 in 2011).

Sussex treasurer Simon Crundwell said: “Whilst a £227k operating surplus is a credible outcome, it was boosted by the one-off receipt of £133k in respect of the settlement of a legal claim.

“Alongside continuing challenging economic conditions, the unseasonal weather in 2012 contributed in part to our match income being 22% down on prior year.

“However, alongside the legal claim, income from our home Clydesdale Bank 40 semi-final and home Friends Life t20 quarter-final was vital. Encouragingly, our non-match day revenue continues to grow, 28% ahead on the prior year, which is an important cornerstone of our medium-term business plan.

“The deficit of £325k recorded is after charging increased depreciation of £553k, reflecting the completion of our ground redevelopment. Importantly however, the club remains cash positive at an operating level with £95k generated from continuing operations after interest and before non-repeat income and depreciation.”

Sussex chairman Jim May said: “The county club business model is marginal and without our success in one-day competitions, Sussex would have made an operating loss. However, it is pleasing that, whilst the playing side remains strong, we are making progress year on year on the business front.

“Sussex is a stable club with no borrowings and cash reserves of around £1m. Having invested nearly £10m in our wonderful ground at Hove in recent years, a major focus for our new chief executive, Zac Toumazi, is to increase attendances both at cricket and other events.”

Geoff Cousins, erectile Jaguar Global Director, Sponsorships and Brand Partners, is the latest panellist to join the iSportconnect Directors’ Club London taking place on 3^rd October.

 

Cousins will join other high profile speakers Roger Draper, Chief Executive of the Lawn Tennis Association, and Barry Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport, the Professional Darts Corporation, World Snooker and Leyton Orient Football Club at the event, in partnership with Generate Sponsorship and Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP.  The event returns to London following the successful inaugural event in February, with the Directors’ Club also returning to Munich on 17^th October and New York for the first time on 5^th November.

 

“I am really looking forward to taking part in the panel debate on 3rd October,” said Cousins.  “It is actually my first interaction with iSportconnect Directors Club but given everything I have read and heard from people, it promises to be an interesting and lively debate with a great opportunity to network in the right environment.”

 

Founder and CEO of iSportconnect, Sree Varma, said, ‘We are pleased that Geoff is able to join us at our second iSportconnect Directors’ Club in London. We received an excellent response from the first event, attracting high profile speakers from across the industry.   We’relooking forward to making further speaker announcements in the coming weeks.”

 

iSportconnect Directors’ Club is an exclusive event for sports industry leaders to share market insight and best practice and invites senior decision makers in the sponsorship industry to share high level insight and opinion on business trends and relevant industry news.

 

A specially invited audience of premium iSportconnect members will offer questions to speakers through a ‘Question Time’ style panel, followed by a networking opportunity in a relaxed environment.

 

Further panelists will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

To register interest contact xavier@isportconnect.com

Steffi Graf ist von einem dauerhaften Aufschwung im deutschen Frauen-Tennis überzeugt. Die ehemalige Weltranglisten-Erste erklärte im Gespräch mit der “Rheinischen Post”: “Nach viel harter Arbeit darf es das deutsche Tennis besonders freuen, viagra 100mg dass unsere Damen solch beeindruckende Ergebnisse in Wimbledon geliefert haben. Das lässt auf viele weitere Erfolge hoffen.”

Insgesamt sei das Frauen-Tennis athletischer geworden. “Viele Spielerinnen haben einen starken, therapy aggressiven Zug in ihrem Spiel, shop und die Leistungsdichte in den Top 10 ist bemerkenswert”, sagte Steffi Graf, “da sticht konsequent eigentlich nur Serena Williams heraus.” Ihren Abschied vom Profi-Tennis habe sie überhaupt nicht bedauert, “weil ich mich sehr auf die Zeit danach gefreut habe. Der Tennissport nimmt einen elf Monate des Jahres völlig ein. Neben der emotionalen und physischen Anstrengung bleibt sehr wenig Zeit für Familie, Freunde und Hobbies. Ich habe mich am meisten auf mehr Gleichgewicht in meinen Leben gefreut. Heute stehen für mich meine Rolle als Mutter und Ehefrau und die Arbeit für meine Stiftung “Children for Tomorrow” im Vordergrund.”