South African specialist banker Investec Bank was on Wednesday announced by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) as the new naming rights partner for the highly successful Super 14 tournament for the next four years, to the end of the current Sanzar broadcast deal.
The tournament, which kicks off on Friday February 2 2007, will be known in Australia as the Investec Super 14, effective immediately, and is a multimillion-Australian dollar deal over the next four years.
ARU managing director and CEO Gary Flowers welcomed Investec as naming rights partner of the world’s best provincial rugby tournament.
“The quality and intensity of competition between New Zealand, South African and Australian Super 14 teams is without peer in the world. To have Investec Bank as a key partner in the long term with the world’s most successful provincial rugby tournament is wonderful for Australian Rugby,” Flowers said.
Investec Bank (Australia) chairman David Gonski called Investec’s involvement with the Super 14 tournament a watershed occasion in the specialist bank’s development in Australia.
“We are excited the Investec Group has made this significant investment in Australia, one of its future key geographies, underpinning our commitment and belief in the continued growth potential in this region,” Gonski said.
Brian Schwartz, Investec Bank (Australia) CEO said, “We intend to capitalise on this unique opportunity with the Super 14 tournament. We believe it will significantly enhance our brand presence across the country. It is a fantastic platform to make the market aware of our identity, particularly in our emerging Brisbane and Perth offices.”
Flowers added: “The Investec Super 14 is the start of a major year for Australian rugby, with an international quality game every weekend from the 2nd of February to late October. The year 2007 will be a feast of rugby for all our fans.” — I-Net Bridge