The Aveng Group today announced that it has concluded a major sponsorship deal with the Southern Kings and the Eastern Province Rugby. The terms of the sponsorship deal include the right to display the Aveng logo on the front of the Southern Kings’ super rugby franchise’s jersey as well as the front of the EP Kings’ Currie Cup team’s jersey.
As of this Saturday, 9th March, the Southern Kings will be wearing Aveng branded jerseys in the match against The Sharks, being played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, which was built by the Aveng Group in 2009.
Chief Executive of the Aveng Group, Roger Jardine, said the partnership with the Southern Kings and the Eastern Province Rugby Union is a perfect fit and makes sense for the business. Speaking on the Group’s involvement in the region Jardine said “Aveng Grinaker-LTA has operated in the Eastern Cape since 1941, and has undertaken notable multi-disciplinary projects over the last 70 years, including Port Elizabeth in the west, Mount Ayliff (Kokstad) in the east, and as far as Queenstown in the north. ”
The recent successful completion of a major expansion to the Boardwalk Casino for Emfuleni Resorts is the latest addition to Aveng’s growing legacy in the Eastern Cape. Other projects include work at Aspen Pharmacare in Port Elizabeth, the expansion of the Rehau factory facility in Uitenhage and alterations to Frere Hospital in East London, undertaken for the Coega Development Corporation.
Aveng Group subsidiary Aveng Trident Steel is a leading provider of steel pressed blanks to the auto industry in Port Elizabeth. In 2011 the company commissioned a R160m state of the art blanking press facility to increase its capacity to service the Auto Industry and to create sustainable jobs in the city.
Aside from South Africa, Aveng has a very strong presence in both Australia and New Zealand, which is why a Super Rugby sponsorship is considered to be such a good fit.
Interim Chief Executive of Eastern Province Rugby, Charl Crous, said he was excited about being able to announce Aveng as a sponsor, and was looking forward to building on the relationship between Aveng and the Kings.
“There is already a strong foundation between us and Aveng. We are based at the world class Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, which they built, and they have already supported the Southern Kings through their sponsorship in 2009,” he said.
Crous said it therefore made sense to continue and grow the relationship with Aveng, which already had such a strong presence in the region, as the Southern Kings franchise took part in Super Rugby.
Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union, also welcomed the deal: “A vibrant rugby culture in the Eastern and Southern Cape is vital for the health of the game in South Africa and I’d like to add my thanks to Aveng and particularly to their Chief Executive, Roger Jardine, for his role in concluding this important arrangement. I’m sure both parties will benefit from the partnership.”
Executive Chairman of Megapro Holdings George Rautenbach, who facilitated the sponsorship deal, was delighted about the new partnership and said: “This agreement will serve as another big step forward as the Kings look to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in South African rugby. Apart from sharing the same values, the organisations have both proved their determination to breaking new ground, which makes this sponsorship the perfect fit.”
Jardine added that given Aveng’s history in the region its partnership with the Southern Kings makes perfect sense and also provides the Group with an opportunity to give back to the community.
He concludes: “The Eastern Cape is well known for its proud tradition of rugby and I trust that our sponsorship can play a part in positioning the Southern Kings and Eastern Cape rugby as strong competitors in all of the competitions in which they participate. We did it in 2009 when we sponsored the team in the match against the British Lions and we are doing this again, this time for the 2013 season”
Aveng Group Chief Executive, Roger Jardine, shakes hands with Eastern Province Rugby interim CEO, Charl Crous at the launch of the Aveng Sponsorship this evening. Picture: Gallo Images
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Looks like last Saturday’s win against the Western Force was the tipping point to secure this sponsorship deal for the Southern Kings.