Ridley Polocrosse World Cup 2007
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Media Release
New event naming partner marks milestone for PolocrosseThe Polocrosse World Cup is pleased to announce Ridley AgriProducts as the major sponsor for the April 2007 event in Queensland. The Polocrosse World Cup is pleased to announce Ridley AgriProducts as the major sponsor for the April 2007 event in Queensland.Securing an event naming partner for the international event creates a milestone for the sport. Polocrosse, invented in Australia in 1938, is now considered to be a truly international equestrian sport with World Cup competitors coming from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK, USA and Zimbabwe. From today, the event will be known as the “Ridley Polocrosse World Cup 2007.” It is recognised as a perfect fit for Ridley AgriProducts (Ridley). Ridley is Australia's largest stockfeed manufacturer with brand leaders such as Barastoc, Rumevite and Cobber. Through its Barastoc brand, Ridley has long been recognised as a major supporter and sponsor of the equine industry. A joint announcement was made this week in Melbourne by Ridley CEO Mr Sandy Murdoch and World Cup Chairman Mr Les Fraser. Attending the announcement was International Polocrosse Council President Mr Peter Crauford. Mr Crauford is also President of the Polocrosse Association of Australia. Commenting on the deal, event Chairman Mr Les Fraser said, “To attract an event naming sponsor at an international level marks a milestone in the development of Polocrosse. More importantly, we are delighted to have an organisation of Ridley’s fit and reputation, align itself with this event.” In response Mr Murdoch said, “Ridley AgriProducts is pleased to be associated with an international event which attracts audiences with strong linkages to its key brands Barastoc and Rumevite.” Details of the upper-five figure sponsorship package were not revealed other than it represents a combination of cash and in-kind support. The latter is budget-relieving, by way of premium feed for the event’s 200 Australian-sourced horses. This world-class event forms part of the Queensland Events Corporation's major portfolio. The Polocrosse World Cup 2007 will be held at Australia’s premier polocrosse facility, Morgan Park, Warwick on Queensland’s southern downs. Current world cup holders are Australia who defeated New Zealand in 2003. See www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup |
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NOTES:
The 2007 Polocrosse World Cup will be held in Australia, in Warwick on Queensland’s Southern Downs www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup. This event is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Events Corporation. Promotional partners include ABC Radio Southern Queensland, APN Group, Rural Press, Win Television and the country’s largest equine breed organisation: the Australian Stock Horse Society. Fact SheetAbout PolocrosseIn 1938 polocrosse was developed from a combination of polo, lacrosse and netball and is credited as being one of only three true Australian sports inventions. This exciting, amateur contact sport is fast-paced and presents an incomparable athletic challenge involving great skill, speed and stamina for horse and rider. These features have earned it a reputation by some as: rugby on horseback. Polocrosse demands lightning-quick reflexes of both horse and rider. This family sport can be played with mixed teams and each rider/player needs only one horse, making it accessible for lovers of horse sports. About the Ridley Polocrosse World Cup 2007This second Polocrosse World Cup promises to be the sport's most prestigious event ever held. Competition is played in teams as a mixed sport, described further in About Polocrosse. Today the sport actively involves thousands of players across the globe and has a strong, natural following with lovers of outdoor and country pursuits. WhenCompetition will be held 23-29 April 2007, see calendar over page. Competitors and participants will meet on location in Australia from 15 April 2007 for orientation, preparation and horse allocation. |
Where
| Australia will host the 2007 World Cup at the country’s premier Polocrosse facility, namely Morgan Park, Warwick. Warwick is situated on Queensland's beautiful Southern Downs. The historic city is served by two national highways, and is two hours' drive south west of Brisbane and Queensland’s Gold Coast. |
Who
- Players: Nominations have been received from the game’s top eight: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK, USA and Zimbabwe. Each country will have eight players and a team of officials and supporters. Australia will aim to defend its title from the inaugural World Cup in 2003. Expressions of interest have been received from other international polocrosse enthusiasts in China, France, Germany, Norway and Zambia.
- The World Cup coincides with a major Australian Polocrosse Clubs Carnival which will be held concurrently on site and draw competitors from some 4000 players in Australia.
- Horses: the Australian polocrosse faithful will lend 200 proven polocrosse horses for the World Cup pool. Most of these horses will be registered Australian Stock Horses.
- Spectators: In 2003, 25,000 domestic and international visitors attended the competition and in 2007 40,000 are expected on-site. Warwick's location and attractions make it an appealing short break destination for the domestic tourist and provide easy access to major east coast attractions for international visitors.
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World cup chairman thrilled with lucrative sponsorship deal
A RECORD five-figure deal has Les Fraser elated, with Warwick’s 2007 Polocrosse World Cup the first international event in the sport to secure event-naming sponsorship. The World Cup chairman received the good news in Melbourne last week, where a major commercial sponsorship agreement with Ridley AgriProducts was reached. “To attract an event-naming sponsor at an international level marks a milestone in the development of polocrosse,” Mr Fraser said. “More importantly, we are delighted to have an organisation of Ridley’s fit and reputation align itself with this event. “It will help boost the economic benefit for the host town of Warwick, already projected to be at least $2 million.” After Warwick successfully hosted the 2003 Polocrosse World Cup, the Southern Downs capital secured the rights to stage the subsequent April 2007 event. The game, invented in Australia in 1938, is now considered to be a truly international equestrian sport with World Cup competitors coming from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, theUnited Kingdom, the United States and Zimbabwe. Details of the sponsorship package have not been revealed other than it represents a combination of cash and in-kind support, by way of premium feed for the event’s 200 Australian- sourced horses. The major sponsorship benefits to Ridley include a corporate hospitality and ticketing allocation, access to the event’s database, use of the official World Cup logo, incorporation in the event’s merchandise and joint pre-event promotional opportunities. Ridley is Australia’s largest stockfeed manufacturer with brand leaders such as Barastoc, Rumevite and Cobber. Australia will aim to defend its World Cup crown at Morgan Park next year, having beaten New Zealand for the title in 2003.
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Polocrosse marks promotional 'first'
PROBABLY the biggest story since we last wrote is our major World Cup deal with Australia’s largest stockfeed company Ridley AgriProducts Ridley produces leading brands such as Barastoc Rumevite and Cobber and as our official event naming partner the company is a natural fit for a prestigious equestrian event The Ridley team is keen to work with us and welcomes the opportunity of a full 1 2 months’ promotional value for its investment The sponsorship deal marks a milestone for polocrosse which has previously attracted sponsors for national titles but not for the world championships.
Queensland Country Life, Thursday May 11 2006
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