Land Rover Joins British Lions Team

Land Rover has announced a new partnership to become an official global sponsor of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2013, continuing a relationship that began in 1997.

As part of the sponsorship, a range of Land Rover vehicles will provide support for The British & Irish Lions operations on Tour, with vehicles being used in the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong and Australia. 

Rover will also look to enhance the fans experience for those touring with The Lions and for those at home.

This deal extends Land Rover’s association with the sport of rugby, which includes long-standing relationships with tournaments across the globe. 

John Edwards, global brand director for Land Rover, said: ‘We are thrilled to be announcing this new partnership today and proud to be a part of The British & Irish Lions family again, who have been touring since 1888.’

‘We have a great heritage with The Lions, supporting them since 1997 and Land Rover’s brand positioning is based on the characteristic of Inner Strength, both physical and mental, so the synergy with the Lions is obvious for all to see.’

‘With the main Tour taking place in Australia, and the first ever match in Hong Kong, it truly reflects the global nature of our business and offers us the opportunity to showcase our vehicles. We look forward to working with this fantastic organisation and providing unique opportunities to rugby fans.’

Charlie McEwen, director of sales and marketing, British & Irish Lions, added: ‘Land Rover has a rich history and heritage of supporting premium rugby events and teams and we are delighted to be a corner stone of their sponsorship programme. Land Rover will act as a vital support to the team in the UK and Ireland and when on Tour in Hong Kong and Australia. The new Lions and Land Rover partnership see us working together for a fifth Tour, a relationship spanning nearly twenty years, and we are confident we can build on the success of previous partnerships to ensure that the 2013 Tour is the best ever.’

Land Rover has supported The British & Irish Lions since 1997 and has toured with them to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The company’s relationship with rugby currently includes Rugby World Cup 2015 in England, Premiership Rugby, Top 14 Orange in France as well as the 2012 Shanghai Sevens and Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens in 2012.

The Lions Tour will also be supported by Microsoft, whose sponsorship will see it review all aspects of how technology can help the Lions prepare for 2013. Lions officials said this will include the use of revolutionary training analysis in the cloud and introducing Skype enhanced supporter sessions with the players.

Charlie McEwen, director of sales and marketing for the British & Irish Lions, continued: ‘The Lions are a uniquely British and Irish institution celebrating the 125th year anniversary next year, but we are always looking for new ways to improve our game. We wanted to bring on board the latest in innovative thinking and technology and we’ve done that with Microsoft.’

Meanwhile, Warren Gatland has been confirmed as the head coach of the British and Irish Lions for the 2013 tour of Australia.

The Wales boss has long been favourite for the job, but his planned appointment in April was postponed after he broke both heels in a fall.

Gatland, 48, is the second New Zealander to coach the Lions, after Graham Henry led the party in 2001.