Arsenal Football Club has today, 12th August 2011, announced Carlsberg as the Club’s Official Beer Partner for the next three seasons.

This significant new partnership grants Carlsberg exclusive marketing rights on a global basis, enabling the Danish brewer to promote their association to millions of Arsenal fans across the world, in support of its ambition to be the fastest growing global beer company.  As a major player in the Asian market, a key area of Carlsberg’s focus will be on engaging with Arsenal’s large and rapidly growing fanbase in that region, following on from the Club’s successful pre-season tour to Malaysia and China.

As part of the partnership, Carlsberg’s own-brand and licensed beer, ale and cider products will be exclusively poured within Emirates Stadium, allowing Arsenal fans to enjoy the wide portfolio of products that Carlsberg produce as well as distribute.  On match days, Carlsberg will also create a bespoke ‘Carlsberg Lounge’, offering a special experience for its invited guests and competition winners before and after each home game.

Vinai Venkatesham, Arsenal’s Head of Global Partnerships, said: “We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Carlsberg, a truly global brand with real history and heritage within football.  Following our Asia Tour, as we focus on further engaging with our international fanbase, Carlsberg are a perfect brand to be partnering with given their strength and reach in over 140 different markets worldwide.  We look forward to working closely with Carlsberg in the years ahead on joint initiatives, and warmly welcome them to our growing family of Official Partners.”

Keld Strudahl, Carlsberg’s International Marketing Director, added: “Arsenal and Carlsberg have much in common. Both are well known, established brands, recognized around the globe. In the run-up to next year’s European Championships, at which Carlsberg has been an official sponsor since 1988, it is great that we have partnered with another international football club which has a strong following, not only in Europe, but also in Asia – Carlsberg’s target markets.”

Caroline Hipperson, Director of Brands & Insight at Carlsberg UK, added: “Carlsberg are delighted to be partnering with Arsenal, a Club like our own company, with a rich heritage and history.  Connecting with Arsenal’s large and loyal fan base across the world is a key part of this new partnership, as well as serving our products to fans at one of the world’s leading grounds, the Emirates Stadium.  This new partnership will significantly strengthen our existing sponsorship portfolio, and is part of a wider strategic intent to be seen as THE beer brand of football”.

The 2013 Rugby League World Cup is open for a sponsorship tender whether it may be from a hotel chain or airline partner according to the Rugby Football League (RFL).

The event will take place in England and Wales and kicks off in October 2013. As hosts, The RFL, on behalf of the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), is looking for operators to supply accommodation and flights for the event.

The 2013 Rugby League World Cup will see the 14 best nations in World Rugby League compete in 28 matches over five weeks. The tournament’s accommodation and travel requirements will be substantial, with over 10,000 rooms required during the tournament.

The nations competing include Australia, Cook Islands, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Scotland, Tonga and Wales. They will also be joined by one qualifier from The European Qualifying Group consisting of Italy, Lebanon, Russia and Serbia and one qualifier from The Atlantic Qualifying Group consisting of Jamaica, South Africa and the USA.

“We are seeking partners who will share in the excitement of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and assist in delivering services to the highest profile Rugby League tournament. The global event will attract in excess of 500,000 spectators and be televised throughout the World, being broadcast in over 120 countries, reaching a worldwide audience in excess of 20 million.” said Paul Kimberley, commercial director at the RFL, said

“The 2013 Rugby League World Cup is a key part of the UK’s ‘Golden Decade of Sport’, and will present an opportunity for other areas of the UK to become involved in a national sporting event post the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“With 14 nations represented and fans traveling thousands of miles to support their international stars, we are looking for hotel and airline partners that can meet the requirements set by the RFL and be part of what is set to be the best Rugby League World Cup in history.”

The tournament’s structure will consist of two groups of four, with England drawn against major rivals Australia, Fiji and Ireland in Group A and World Cup holders New Zealand facing Pacific Island rivals Papua New Guinea, Samoa and France in Group B. Scotland will face the feisty Tongans and the European qualifiers in Group C and joint hosts Wales have been drawn against the Cook Islands and the Atlantic qualifiers.

Sport England and Thomas Cook have joined in a partnership to offer $820,500 to the Inspired Facilities fund for the improvement of sporting opportunities for disadvantaged youngsters in the UK

Inspired Facilities is part of the Places People Play legacy programme, which aims to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to communities across the country, investing $82 million from the National Lottery through five rounds of funding.

Thomas Cook have given local sports clubs and facilities the chance to apply for investment.

“We are proud to be working in partnership with Sport England and have allocated £500,000 of our charitable funds to help invest in our sports stars of the future.” said Vice-chairman of Thomas Cook Children’s Charity Pip Tyler

“As Thomas Cook is one of the key sponsors of the 2012 Olympics, we are keen to nurture home grown talent and ensure sporting opportunities are accessible in the most deprived areas of England.”

Sport England chair Richard Lewis added: “We are really pleased to be working with Thomas Cook Children’s Charity to deliver improved sporting opportunities for disadvantaged young people across the country.

“Building partnerships, like this, are essential if we are to create a world-leading community sport system and deliver a lasting grassroots legacy from London 2012.”

There is a possibility of funds up to $57 million of the funds available will be going directly to community and voluntary organisations with grants ranging from $33,000 – 82,000 available, and the remainder of the money will be open to a wider group of councils, schools and similar organisations for up to $246,000 per grant.

The investment can help to renovate tired facilities, making them more cost effective and easy to maintain, as well as restoring the clubs to the heart of their communities.

Hugh Robertson, the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, said: “This £50 million fund is a huge boost to community sport.

“It will transform local sports facilities up and down the country and leave a lasting legacy from London 2012 at a local level.”