Press release -
FIRST SARACENS PREMIERSHIP GAME AT ALLIANZ PARK IS A SELL OUT!
Allianz sponsored Saracens Rugby club will host the first ever Premiership game played on an artificial surface at their new home, Allianz Park, in Barnet, on Saturday 16 February and it’s a complete sell out!
Second placed ‘Sarries’ will face seventh placed Exeter Chiefs in what the club’s Director of Rugby, Mark McCall describes as a “dream come true” for the club now that they have their own ground after years of being the ‘nomads’ of Premiership rugby.
Allianz Park is truly a state of the art stadium holding 10,000 fans. In addition to the artificial surface, supporters can order their half time food and drink and have them delivered to their seats, and fans will be able to watch action replays of the action on giant hi-tech screens at each end of the ground.
A test game was held at Allianz Park in January to great acclaim from the players and coaches from both the Saracens and Cardiff Blues teams as any fears there may have been about playing on an artificial surface were quickly replaced by post-game discussions about the surface making for a faster more exciting game and no reported injuries as a result of the new surface.
The fans reaction to the new ground was also overwhelmingly positive as they assembled on the pitch at the end of the test game and played impromptu games of rugby with the families.
The pitch and stadium will be available seven days a week, 52 weeks per year, and will create something unique in UK sport – an elite sports stadium seen on television at the weekend and then used by local people on the Monday morning when youngsters turn up at Allianz Park and use the same changing room as England stars Chris Ashton and Owen Farrell.
Clem Booth, member of the Allianz Board of Management said: “Allianz Park is a genuine community sports hub that combines the very latest technology with the familiar warm Saracens welcome. The state of the art facilities redefine spectator involvement creating a unique match day experience reflecting a modern, progressive and innovative approach.”
Nigel Wray, Chairman of Saracens said:
“Allianz Park is the brand new home of what I believe is the most dynamic nnovative and exciting rugby club in Europe. We now have somewhere we can truly call ‘home’. “
Ends.
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Media Notes
1. Allianz and Saracens
On 24 July 2012, Allianz, one of the leading financial services providers worldwide and Saracens rugby club announced that they had entered into a long-term partnership agreement that represents a landmark for club rugby in England.
2. Allianz in the UK
The sponsorship deal with Saracens involves the following Allianz Group companies based in the UK: Allianz Insurance, Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty, Allianz Global Assistance, Allianz Global Investors and Euler Hermes.
In the UK, the Allianz Group companies:
· employ approximately 6,700 people
· achieve £2.5bn of gross written premium
· have assets under management on behalf of UK clients of approximately £68bn
3. Allianz Group Sports Sponsorship Programme
The Allianz Group supports top-class sporting events at both the national and international levels. For example
The Allianz Arena in Germany and the Family of Stadiums
The Allianz Arena is Germany’s best-known football stadium and recently hosted the European Champions League final between FC Bayern Munich and Chelsea. Allianz has been partner to this stadium since its opening in 2005, and is proud that the venue is extremely modern, both from a customer-friendliness and safety point of view. There are special support systems for people in a wheelchair or for blind fans.
In February 2012, the Sydney Football Stadium was officially renamed Allianz Stadium. The stadium is an internationally recognised sports and entertainment facility which caters for hundreds of thousands of spectators who come to see Rugby League, Rugby Union, Football and concerts.
On 23 July 2012, it was announced that the future sports stadium in Nice will be called the Allianz Riviera. The stadium will have a45,000-seat capacity in concert layout and will host several matches in the Euro 2016 championships. The stadium will also offer an extensive and varied program with sporting and cultural events, concerts and shows and will be home to the National Sports Museum.
Formula OneTM Allianz has been involved in Formula OneTM motor racing since 2000 and the company stepped up a gear in 2007 to become “Global Partner of Formula1”. For the world’s largest car insurer in the world, F1 is an excellent platform to reach millions of motor fans throughout the season with the “Drive Safely” message. Allianz is the first company to have branded the Safety and Medical Car in F1.
ParalympicsAllianz is the first International Partner of the Paralympic Movement and supports athletes all over the world on their way to the Paralympics. There are currently ten Allianz cooperations with National Paralympic Committees. Working with Paralympic athletes is highly motivational, and Allianz brings them into the organization regularly to meet staff, agents or clients.
Golf
In 2009 Allianz agreed a unique, global partnership with St Andrews Links Trust, also known as the ‘Home of Golf‘. Golf has been played at the Links on the east coast of Scotland for 600 years, and the courses have been the setting for some of the sport’s most memorable moments. Allianz also works with a number of top professional golfers, including Ryder Cup winner, Paul McGinley.
4. About the Allianz Group
Allianz was founded in Munich in 1890 (nearly 125 years ago).
Together with its customers and sales partners, Allianz is one of the strongest financial communities. Around 78 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz's knowledge, global reach, capital strength and solidity to help them make the most of financial opportunities and to avoid and safeguard themselves against risks.
In 2011, around 142,000 employees in some 70 countries achieved total revenue of 103.6 billion euros and an operating profit of 7.9 billion euros. Benefits for our customers reached 86.5 billion euros. This business success with insurance, asset management and assistance services is based increasingly on customer demand for crisis-proof financial solutions for an ageing society and the challenges of climate change. Transparency and integrity are key components of sustainable corporate governance at Allianz SE.
