Latest issue of Sport for Business Weekly
The latest issue of Sport for Business Weekly is published today.  Among the features this week are:
* The importance of social media in sport;
* What needs to be addressed in rescheduling major sports events?
* How Guinness is activating its partnership with rugby;
* Why milk producers are looking to sport for promotion;
* How clubs need to get it right in Capital grant applications;
* A review of the all the latest major sport business stories
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Tight turnaround for rugby ticket refunds
Rugby fans who travelled to Paris last weekend but are unable to make it back for the rearranged fixture on March 4th have until next Tuesday to return their tickets and claim a full refund.  Tickets need to be returned by 5pm on Tuesday February 21st to IRFU branch offices in Connacht, Leinster, Munster or Ulster or to the IRFU head office in Ballsbridge. The IRFU will then co-ordinate the return of the tickets to the French Rugby Federation and follow through on securing the refunds. It is anticipated this process could take until the end of March.
For those who are able to make the journey, the original match tickets will still be valid for the rescheduled game.
“While the timelines are not ideal for supporters,” said IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne, “we have pushed hard to get this undertaking from the French Federation to refund ticket costs for Irish supporters who are unable to attend the rescheduled match.”
“The team, and the IRFU, hugely appreciate the effort and expense Irish supporters went to in order to be at the match and we hope this gesture will go some way towards making up for the inconvenience they suffered.”
Mastercard expands in Dublin, extends Champions’ League link
Mastercard made two announcements this week.  That it was to create 130 new jobs at MasterCard Labs, its Global Research and Development headquarters in Dublin, and that it was to extend sponsorship of the UEFA Champions’ League to 2015.
“At our core, MasterCard is a technology company that happens to be in the payments space,” said chief innovation officer of MasterCard Worldwide Garry Lyons. “We are building innovative solutions that people and their kids are going to use over time”
For the new cycle of its soccer sponsorship the company will be placing emphasis on the ‘priceless’ nature of sporting history.  In recent years experiences have included parents getting the chance to see their child accompany a sporting hero onto the pitch, or winning exclusive access for their child at special pre-match practices.
MasterCard also worked closely on joint promotions with other UEFA Champions League co-sponsors, showing the power of partnerships within sponsorship where fans can benefit from multiple sponsors at the same time.
New for this cycle, MasterCard will offer bigger and better UEFA Champions League experiences directly for fans with a link to those cities hosting the matches. Cardholders living or visiting these locations around Europe will be able to have direct access to the greatest club tournament and participate in history being made.
Continuing the theme of the moment, there will be a strong emphasis on social dedicated social media sites including facebook.com/witnesshistory with news, updates, and insights from experts as well as opportunities to win prizes.
Electric Ireland to power National Aquatic Centre
Electric Ireland has secured a €400,000 contract with the National Aquatic Centre to service the centre’s strategic energy requirements over the 12 months year.
The centre was the third most popular fee paying attraction in Ireland last year and is preparing to host pre-Olympic international teams including the USA Synchronised Swimming Squad, Olympic Water Polo Champions, Hungary, and the UK water polo squad as they prepare for the London games later this year.
Electric Ireland is the Energy Partner to Ireland’s Olympic Team, and a major sporting sponsor in Ireland.
Energy efficiency is high on the centre’s agenda and its efforts were recently recognised when they were shortlisted for the Sustainable Energy Awards.
Since 2008 electricity use has been reduced by 26% and gas consumption by 11% using specific tools to boost energy efficiency. To date 2.5GWh of energy has been saved.
David Conway, Director of operations for the National Aquatic Centre said: “We have enjoyed working with Electric Ireland over the last three years and are delighted with the energy efficiency we have managed to achieve. We look forward to another mutually beneficial year together in 2012.”
He added;  “It is the policy of the National Aquatic Centre not only to look for a first class supplier but also to ensure that we get the most competitive pricing possible and best value for money – we are getting this and more with Electric Ireland.”
Ulster Bank Junior Cup Final to be streamed live
The Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup Final will be streamed live this Saturday on www.irishrugby.ie.  The game between Monivea and Tullamore is one of the highlights of the club rugby season.  It takes place in Dubarry Park, Athlone.
Tullamore are playing in the final for the third time since the tournament was created in 2005.  They lost to Navan in 2008 and beat the same opponents 12 months later. “It is a great competition,” said Tullamore captain Aaron Deverell. It gives teams a break from the league and you get the chance to play clubs you would never normally meet.  You could get a trip to Belfast or Dublin or Cork and there are always great crowds for our cup games.”
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