New International polo series to be sponsored by Audi

(PRWEB UK) -- For the forthcoming UK polo season (May to September), the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), the sport's governing body, supported by Audi, the premium car company, have together created a brand new series of Polo Internationals to be known as the 'Audi International Polo Series'.

Having sponsored the England Polo team since 2005, it is no doubt a natural progression for Audi to sponsor the Test Match series of international matches which will provide more opportunities for England to play against some of the world's top polo teams.

David Woodd, Chief Executive of the HPA, commented: "Audi and the HPA have been working very closely together with the England team and its increased involvement with this International Series is fantastic news for polo". Jon Zammett, Head of PR for Audi UK, added: "This is a very exciting development. Polo delivers an ideal, high end, yet hard to reach target audience, for Audi. It's also a fast growing sport with both players and spectators rising markedly. In the last ten years, UK player numbers have increased by over a third and the number of polo clubs has almost doubled".

The new extension of existing Audi polo sponsorships will also allow the first ever Audi International match at Chester Racecourse Polo Club in the beautiful setting within the racecourse grounds.

Richard Thomas, Chief Executive of Chester Racecourse, said: "We feel privileged that our Polo Club has been selected as the new venue to host an Audi International for the upcoming season. This will allow a new audience to witness and enjoy the thrills of international Polo – we're confident that it will become a highlight on the Chester social calendar attracting large numbers".

Additionally, the International Series will include the Audi International at Beaufort Polo Club, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire - already a regular fixture on the calendar of Internationals.

The England team, sponsored by Audi too, will also be playing in The St. Regis International Cup, played at Cowdray Park, Midhurst (now in its fifth year) on May 19th where it will take on a team from the USA.

The investment by Audi in the International Polo Series, together with its existing sponsorship of the England polo team, will make the car company the biggest supporter of polo in the UK.

"The additional Audi-supported match days will allow us to organise – for the first time ever – an exciting and more cohesive programme of Internationals during the England polo season up and down the country. We are delighted with the addition of the Audi International in Chester. Audi's investment also gives us the opportunity of providing first class training programmes and facilities not only for the top England professionals but also the young rising stars of the sport via its support for Pony Club Polo", commented David Woodd.

This season, the England polo team will be donning newly designed shirts by the official clothing supplier Joules – a national retailer of country wear with sixty stores nationwide.

Schedule of Internationals for 2012

  •   19th May: The St. Regis International Cup, Cowdray Park Polo Club, Midhurst - England vs USA

  •   16th June: Audi International, Beaufort Polo Club, Tetbury - England vs Commonwealth

  •   22nd July: Audi International (formerly the Cartier International), Guards Polo Club, Windsor - England vs South Africa

  •   8th September: Audi International, Chester Racecourse Polo Club, Chester - England vs South America

The news comes as Team GB continues its preparations for the Games and its bid to secure extra team spots in both the men's and women's competitions, in addition to two automatic spots as the host to the women's and men's competition. Team GB has been represented at the Games on only one previous occasion, at Atlanta in 1996 when the women's team participated.

Under the terms of the sponsorship, Team GB players' kits will carry the Aetna logo as they face a hectic travel, training and qualifying tournament schedule in the lead up to the Games. The sponsorship was brokered by sports specialist Beach Volleyball UK Ltd.

David Healy, General Manager of Europe, Aetna International, said: "We're proud to offer our support to Team GB as they seek to use London 2012 as a launchpad to grow interest and participation in beach volleyball. As an organisation, we are committed to empowering people to live healthier lives through the provision of both insurance and health management services. This partnership is the perfect fit for us, given the fact that volleyball is a sport that can be played by almost anyone, yet it also demands its competing athletes maintain the highest levels of health, nutrition and fitness".

Richard Callicott, President of the British Volleyball Federation, said: "This significant sponsorship with Aetna is wonderfully welcome as an opportunity to intensify our preparations and continuing efforts to both qualify and perform at the London 2012 Games. It gives us particular pleasure to work with a leading company in the global health care industry, given the emphasis of our sport on activity, strength, fitness and high-quality athleticism, in addition to well-being and fun". GB Head Beach Coach, Morph Bowes, added that the sponsorship will allow the Squad to focus on its efforts on the FIVB Swatch World Beach Tour and other Olympic qualifying events in a bid to qualify both women's teams for the Horse Guards Parade event, and to further support the best efforts of a men's team in their bid to represent their country.

Royal gowns, with their luxurious fabrics and exquisite embellishments, always make headlines. A selection of royal ballgowns will be displayed, including a Norman Hartnell gown designed for Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Princess Diana's "Elvis Dress" designed by Catherine Walker (see left) and gowns worn by today's young royals. Dresses worn by actresses and celebrities including Sandra Bullock, Daphne Guinness, Elizabeth Hurley and Bianca Jagger will also be shown.

Coutts is the wealth division of Royal Bank of Scotland Group and serves clients from offices across the world offering tailored wealth management, banking, trust and tax services. It is headquartered at 440 Strand, London with offices in other key international financial centres in Zurich, Geneva, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.

Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950 is part of Fashion 2012, the official fashion industry activity for the Olympic year.

Created by the British Fashion Council (BFC), it is a central platform under which the industry is able to showcase and celebrate British fashion. It will provide a core focus for the industry and a schedule for the major fashion events and activities throughout London's Olympic year.

Managing Director of SEAT UK, Peter Wyhinny, said: "We have experienced some great results over the last two years of the partnership with Fulham, but we are still not at the top of consumers' shopping lists. Being associated with other successful brands such as Fulham helps us to become front of mind for potential customers. We want to grow our awareness and business presence and collect more people who are going to consider SEAT.

"And the culture of Fulham is something that appeals to us to help us achieve this. There is a feeling of intimacy that you don't get with other clubs and that provides great synergy with us as a brand - there's a really elegant way in which our partnership comes together".

Jonathan Gregory, Fulham Football Club Commercial Director, endorsed the sentiment: "We have a set of values at the football club, one of which is service excellence, which we endeavour to deliver throughout the business. The fact that service excellence is as important to SEAT is what makes this such a great partnership for us, and long may it continue".

Photo: Fulham FC Commercial Director, Jonathan Gregory, Managing Director of SEAT UK, Peter Wyhinny and Fulham FC Manager, Martin Jol.