Emirates Announces Sponsorship of Dubai Hurricanes Rugby Football Club

DUBAI, UAE, 27th September 2010: Local rugby club the Dubai Hurricanes have been given a major boost to mark the start of their new season with Emirates, a key figure in international rugby sponsorships, signing on as Principal Sponsor for the club. The sponsorship will span three seasons commencing this month and will see the familiar ‘Fly Emirates logo adorned on the shirts of the men’s, women’s, veteran’s and youth squads. The new uniforms were proudly displayed for the first time over the weekend during a family focused season opener at 7he Sevens, attended by players from all divisions as well as their families. “Rugby is a core part of our global sponsorship portfolio and we are delighted to be the principal sponsor of the Dubai Hurricanes Rugby Football Club. This sponsorship compliments our existing commitment to the hugely popular Emirates airline Dubai Rugby Sevens as well as our purpose built rugby stadium, 7he Sevens. “Like Emirates the Dubai Hurricanes have shown a great commitment to succeed and we wish them the best of luck for the start of their season, said Richard Vaughan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide. The Dubai Hurricanes have over 400 players as members of the club including very successful junior and women’s divisions. Emirates connection to rugby spans multiple continents starting close to home with the sponsorship of the long running Emirates airline Dubai Rugby Sevens. Emirates has also invested heavily in building 7he Sevens stadium for use by local rugby teams in Dubai. Globally Emirates is a sponsor of USA Rugby, a Worldwide Partner of the 2011 Rugby World Cup and a long term sponsor of the International Rugby Board (IRB) of Referees. In 2009 Emirates was the Principal Partner of the Rugby World Cup Sevens, which took place in Dubai. Other rugby tournaments sponsored by Emirates include four IRB Sevens World Series events in Dubai, South Africa, London and Edinburgh. Emirates is also the shirt sponsor of the Emirates Western Force, England and Samoa sevens teams, as well as both the sevens and XVs US Rugby teams.