Norwich Union and UK Athletics announced today that the UK’s largest insurer is to extend its commitment to athletics until the end of 2012 in what is the largest UK sports sponsorship deal outside football, worth nearly £50 million to the sport over the next six years.
- Biggest sports sponsorship deal in UK history outside football
Norwich Union and UK Athletics announced today that the UK’s largest insurer is to extend its commitment to athletics until the end of 2012 in what is the largest UK sports sponsorship deal outside football, worth nearly Ł50 million to the sport over the next six years.
The new agreement commences on 1 January 2007 and places more emphasis on the preparation of future champions. Athletics is the key Olympic sport and with London set to host the Olympic Games in 2012, all eyes will be on athletics and aspiring athletes looking to represent their country on home soil.
Patrick Snowball, executive chairman of Norwich Union, said: “We are very proud to announce the extension of our highly successful sponsorship of athletics and we are extremely proud to be able to play a central role in the preparation of British athletes as they aim for success in the 2012 Olympics. We already engage over a million children each year through our grassroots athletics schemes, and have helped many of our elite athletes prepare for competition. Our extended commitment can only help prepare more.”
David Moorcroft, chief executive of UK Athletics, said: “We have been thrilled with the support Norwich Union has given the sport of athletics since 1999 and are delighted they are to continue the partnership. The current crop of very talented juniors is testament to the long term foundations provided at the grassroots level and due to Norwich Union’s long term commitment announced today, the sport will be able to build on this platform by boosting participation, increasing the talent pool and preparing future champions to reach our medal targets in 2008 and 2012.”
Richard Caborn, minister for sport, said: “I welcome this new investment by Norwich Union. The legacy of winning the Olympic Games last July is that serious investment is being channelled into sport, both from government and others. It shows the increasing recognition of what sport at every level can achieve."
Norwich Union has been supporting athletics since 1999 and the next phase of the sponsorship will look to build on this to make the brand intrinsically linked with athletes’ preparations for 2012. Through-the-line support of the sponsorship – with a mixture of events, advertising, broadcast initiatives, promotions and PR – together with extensive use of athletes will ensure that Norwich Union maximises the impact of this important sponsorship.
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Media Contacts:
Norwich Union
Tanya Veingard – 020 7662 3616 / 07800 695 269
Lorna Wiltshire – 020 7662 1013 / 07800 695 150
UK Athletics – Helen Wyeth 0870 998 6700
Notes to editors:
About Norwich Union
- Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer. With a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses, Norwich Union insures one in five households, one in seven motor vehicles and around 800,000 businesses. Norwich Union insurance products are available through a variety of distribution channels including brokers, corporate partners such as banks and building societies and Norwich Union Direct.
- Norwich Union is also a leading provider of life, pensions and investment products and one of the largest financial adviser (FA) providers. FAs provide over 70% of the company's long-term savings business in the UK.
- Norwich Union is part of Aviva, the world’s sixth-largest insurance group.
- The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company and product information and a news release archive.
- For more information on these initiatives and how to get involved, visit www.ukathletics.net or call UK Athletics on 0870 998 6800.
- Norwich Union is also committed to ensuring those children with disabilities are able to enjoy a fun, active lifestyle. Through its partnership with WheelPower, Norwich Union is funding a series of events throughout the UK to engage children in wheelchair sport. To find out more visit www.wheelpower.org.uk.