Investec buys into Super 14

[Bull]

Johannesburg - South African specialist banker Investec Bank (INP, INL) was on Wednesday named the new naming rights partner for the highly successful Super 14 tournament for the next four years by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU).
The tournament, which kicks off on February 2 2007, will be known in Australia as the Investec Super 14, effective immediately, and is a multi-million Australian dollar deal over the next four years (to the end of the current SANZAR broadcast deal).

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.

Excited, mate

Investec Bank Australia's chairperson, 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) Ltd's 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.

Executive chairperson of Investec Bank (Australia) Ltd, Geoff Levy said: "We have avidly supported international rugby, being involved with the players, sponsoring teams in South Africa and the Investec Twickenham Challenge in the UK, and now the Investec Super 14, the eminent tournament in the Southern Hemisphere."

Flowers added: "The Investec Super 14 is the start of a major year for Australian rugby, with an international quality game every weekend from February 2 to late October. The year 2007 will be a feast of rugby for all our fans."[/b]

http://www.fin24.co.za/articles/default/di...18-1786_2020251