Women's Rugby World Cup Gains Late Partner -- Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR) The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 has a new sponsor just over a month before the tournament kicks off in Ireland.

World Rugby is welcoming EY into the fold.

"This year’s tournament promises to be the biggest and best yet and we look forward to working with EY toward further promotion and engagement within Ireland and around the world," World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said in a statement.

"As women’s rugby goes from a grassroots level all the way to the top of the sport, it’s exciting to have global organizations like EY realize the human capital potential of the players and the values they bring including teamwork, tenacity, hard work and discipline."

EY’s global efforts for the advancement of women athletes is highlighted by the Women Athletes Business Network. The network was established to create an environment that supports elite female athletes as they seek to develop their leadership potential and transition from sport to careers in business.

"EY shares common values with rugby and has long been a proponent of the sport worldwide. The leadership skills, motivation and resilience developed through playing rugby are incredibly beneficial in a business environment," said EY Global Vice Chair of Talent Nancy Altobello.

Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 will be held from Aug. 9-26. The pool stages will be played in Dublin with the finals stage in Belfast.

Eurosport Adds Marketing Agency

Ketchum, the communications consultancy, will help market Eurosport’s coverage of the next four Olympic Games.

The deal was signed this week, with Ketchum helping to drive business for the Olympic broadcaster. In turn Eurosport will lean on Ketchum’s expertise in the Olympic movement, according to a release.

Eurosport secured the Olympic broadcast rights in 2015 in a deal between the IOC and Discovery Communications. The arrangement was a landmark one for the IOC, which traditionally had never dealt with a pan-European rights agreement. Eurosport will broadcast the Olympic Games through 2024 as part of the deal.

Michelle Russo, executive vice president of global communications at Discovery said in a statement the arrangement will help "bring the Olympic Games to more people, across more screens than ever before."

"Our partnership with Discovery Communications will focus on inspiring, engaging and informing fans that Eurosport is the home of Olympic sport, both in the lead up to, and during the Games themselves," Steph McDonald, Ketchum Sports & Entertainment’s London practice director added in a statement.

Birmingham Bid Backed by University

The University of Birmingham officially has backed its namesake city for 2022 Commonwealth Games host.

Birmingham is competing with Liverpool for the right to be the English city vying to host the 2022 Games. England last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002 in Manchester.

Victoria, British Columbia is the candidate city from Canada. Australia and Malaysia have also shown interest in hosting the Games. Afast-tracked selection process has been put in place after Durban, South Africa was stripped of its rights to host earlier this year.

If Birmingham were to secure the Games, the University would host squash and hockey competition. Different athletics facilities around the university would also serve as training grounds for athletes competing. Both the squash and hockey facilities are currently being upgraded; an added benefit for the bid, university officials say.

"Although our facilities weren’t designed primarily for major events, the combination of facilities were planned six years ago to fill strategic gaps in the city’s provision," Zena Wooldridge, University of Birmingham director of sport, said in a statement. "So we are delighted those plans are able to contribute to a bid which can already deliver 95% of the Games’ facility needs, and provide exceptionally high quality venues."

Written by Gerard Farekand Aaron Bauer

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