Allianz and GAA extend sponsorship for three more years
Allianz and the GAA have announced the extension of the Allianz National Leagues for a further three years to 2015.  This means the insurers association with the spring competitions in football and hurling will run for a minimum of 22 years having initially been signed in 1993.  It is one of the longest running sponsorships in Irish sport.
Allianz support campaign this year will see additional use of digital media in particular.  In the current issue of Sport for Business Weekly we look at the launch of Allianzleaguespredictions.ie – an online competition for fans to play with prizes for individuals and their clubs.  Facebook, Twitter and You Tube will also be utilised for complementary additional content, information and promotions.
Allianz Leagues fixtures will be spread over Saturdays and Sundays, with many covered ‘live’ by Setanta and TG4.  The GAA has commissioned a new television advertisement and provided specialist promotional toolkits to each of the 32 counties, and London who are participating in the 124 games that will take place between the start of February and April.
“In partnership with the GAA we have aimed to play our part in presenting the Allianz Leagues in the best possible way and to show that we very genuinely share in the passion and commitment for Gaelic Games that can be seen in every single county on this island,” said Allianz CEO Brendan Murphy,
“This extension of the sponsorship is a substantial undertaking at a time of great economic difficulty and underscores Allianz’ commitment, not only to our national games, but also our determination to help maintain one of the mainstays of community life throughout the 32 counties of Ireland.”
“I would like to publicly acknowledge Allianz’s ongoing support, especially in light of the sponsorship extension announced here today, and we look forward to working with them for many years to come promoting what is a hugely important competition for us,” added Páraic Duffy, Director General of the GAA.
Women’s Six Nations Rugby kicks off on Friday night
Most of the rugby focus is on the Men’s Six Nations but the IRU has also been keen to support the Women’s tournament which gets under way in Ashbourne, County Meath on Friday night when Ireland play Wales.
Qualification for the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup will be determined by the aggregate finishing position of countries in the tournament over the next two years which provides an extra edge to the competition.  England and France have already qualified, and there will be two more spots from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy, based on the Six Nations performance.  Ireland finished third last year, but have not played a competitive match together since then.
The Six Nations is supported, like the men’s tournament by RBS and the World Cup 2014, which takes place in France will look to repeat the commercial partnerships that supported to 2010 renewal, including Heineken, Nike, Holiday Inn Hotels and Sky Sports.
“Before now it was one year of a tournament which went towards qualification, said Ireland Captain Fiona Coghlan speaking to Women’s rugby website www.scrumqueens.com, “but this time around it’s right now and again next year which makes it massively important.”
“We will just be focused on one match at a time, but World Cup qualification does add to the interest.”
OCS sponsor Paralympics Awards
OCS, the family owned Irish facilities company is to sponsor the first Irish Paralympics Awards in December of this year.  The awards were announced on Monday by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, TD.
OCS is an official sponsor of the Irish Paralympic team for the London Olympics and the awards will honour performances from athletes and their support teams at the games.
“I am delighted to launch these awards which provide a great opportunity to recognise Irish Paralympic sport.  Last year was another remarkable year for Ireland’s Paralympic athletes and I wish the team continued success at the London 2012 Paralympic Games,” said the Ministe, speaking at OCS’ Dublin headquarters.
Three Irish named in Curtis Cup Squad
European number one Stephanie meadow and the Maguire twins Lisa and Leona have been named in the preliminary GB and Ireland squad for the Curtis Cup match against the USA scheduled to take place at Nairn Golf Club in Scotland from June 8th to 10th.
The twelve named players will take part in a three day trial at the Scottish links course from March 23rd to 25th before the final team is named on March 27th.
Peugeot are long time sponsors of the Ladies Golf Union but there are no sponsors presently listed as part of the amateur Curtis Cup competition.