HSBC

In November 2007, HSBC became the first official partner to be appointed by the British & Irish Lions Committee for the 2009 tour to South Africa. As the Principal Partner, HSBC will be the shirt sponsor for the tour to the home of the world champions.

HSBC will be working closely with the British & Irish Lions to develop a comprehensive programme of business-to-business, consumer and grassroots activity during the build-up to the tour.

HSBC is a major sponsor of sport around the world - with a broad portfolio of sponsorships in Rugby, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Sailing, Ice-Hockey, Baseball and Australian Rules Football. Running throughout all these associations is a major commitment to the development of sport for young people in the local community. Sport plays a major part in the development of life skills and values in society and HSBC is proud to support a wide range of programmes locally that bring opportunities and learning to young people around the world.

For more information please visit http://www.hsbc.com/

adidas

adidas is immensely proud to once again be the official kit supplier to the British & Irish Lions - the most inspirational rugby team there is. This is the fourth successive tour for which adidas has provided the all important kit and we are confident that the players will be better equipped than ever.
2009 will bring adidas full circle back to South Africa, where the sportswear company began it's journey with the Lions, but with a vastly different kit.

Two years after the 1997 Tour, adidas was the first company to introduce tight, non-cotton shirts into rugby and over the years the technical developments have not stopped. The new playing shirt for the 2009 South Africa Tour will be the most advanced rugby jersey available and incorporates all of adidas' leading technologies to help players perform at their best. Most importantly, the shirt will stand up to whatever the World Champions throw at British & Irish Lions. Thermally bonded seams strengthen the shirt at crucial 'rip' points and it has been put through countless bursting strength and tear tests.

For more information on adidas, please go to http://www.adidas.com/

FirstCape

In February 2008 FirstCape proudly became an Official Sponsor of the British & Irish Lions for the 2009 tour to South Africa. After its inception only five years ago, FirstCape has grown to become one of the most popular wine brands in the UK and is now available in Sainsbury, Tesco, Thresher, Asda and Morrisons. After moving into the UK's top 15 light wine brands last year, FirstCape is now looking forward to further promoting its brand in partnership with the British & Irish Lions. As well as providing the wine for Official British & Irish Lions functions, FirstCape will be unveiling some exciting products and promotions in the coming months. This will include a Limited Edition Lions Gift Pack inspired by a Lions Legend from each of the Home Nations. FirstCape are hugely excited about working with a brand as historic and unique as the Lions, and are hoping to add to the enjoyment and excitement of this fantastic occasion for supporters both in South Africa and at home. For more information please visit http://www.firstcape.com/

GUINNESS

Once again the brewers of GUINNESS are delighted to sponsor the British & Irish Lions as they travel to South Africa and continue the perfect fit of rugby union and a pint of the black stuff. This activity will build upon our sponsorship of the previous Lions tour in New Zealand and continues our long standing support of rugby union across the globe. GUINNESS is the current title sponsor of the GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP in GB, the GUINNESS Series in Ireland, the Chinese national team alongside partnerships with Irish Rugby, London Irish, Munster, Leinster and the Hong Kong Sevens. We have also launched GUINNESS Club Together in GB to help amateur rugby clubs with kit redeemed for keg caps and a once in a lifetime chance to play at Twickenham before this year's GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP Final.

The main activity for this tour will be seen throughout the UK and Ireland with a significant amount of effort being undertaken in South Africa to ensure that the many thousands of travelling fans will be able to enjoy a pint of GUINNESS in the sunshine. Other markets including Europe, Hong Kong the US and Canada will also use the Lions sponsorship to be able to reinforce the relationship at such a key time in the rugby calendar.

2009 is also a fantastic year for GUINNESS as we celebrate the brand's 250th anniversary with a number of celebrations all year long globally.

For GB & Ireland the Wednesday night and Saturday afternoon match kick off is perfect to head down to your rugby pub to make sure you can enjoy the atmosphere that only a Lions tour can create. We know it wouldn't be the same without a pint of GUINNESS in your hand and we look forward to toasting a winning tour.

For further information about our 250th celebrations and all of our rugby activity please visit http://www.guinness.com/

British Airways

British Airways will be the official airline of the British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa in 2009. The partnership will see British Airways fly the squad and coaching staff to South Africa and provide domestic flights within the country through its branded franchise carrier, Comair.

British Airways has a strong rugby tradition supporting the Lions during the 2005 Tour of New Zealand and England in the triumphant World Cup campaign of 2003. The airline also has a long association with supporting British talent including previous sponsorship deals with the RFU and Scottish Rugby Union, as well as the England football team. British Airways is also the official airline of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, recently taking Team GB, ParalympicsGB and their equipment on their successful journey to Beijing.

Luisa Fernandez, British Airways global sponsorships manager said: "The British & Irish Lions Tour is a hugely popular sporting occasion, and we are very proud to be the official carrier for the Tour. It's an honour to transfer the players, support staff and the many fans to South Africa for the Tour, helping them arrive as well prepared as possible."

For more information on British Airways, please go to http://www.ba.com/

Trafigura

International commodities trader Trafigura is proud to sponsor the British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa in 2009.

Trafigura trades commodities, such as crude oil, refined products, concentrates and refined metals and provides the ships and facilities to store and transport them. It is the world's third largest independent oil trader and the second largest independent trader in the non-ferrous concentrates market with 1,900 employees and 54 offices in 37 countries worldwide

Trafigura's involvement with the Lions will also include close collaboration between the Lions Trust and the company's community investment vehicle, the Trafigura Foundation. Like the Trust -The Trafigura Foundation supports many employee-driven projects around the world, and during the tour it will be seeking to assist the Lions Trusts activities in South Africa.

Trafigura's Head of Fuel Oil Andy Summers, who is responsible for the company's rugby sponsorship activities commented:

"The Lions tour is always one of the most exciting series in world rugby; particularly as 2009 will see the tourists take on the world champions in their own backyard,

We are already extremely proud of our rugby ties and are delighted to be sponsoring such an historic event. We wish the players and management the very best of luck".

For more information on Trafigura please go to http://www.trafigura.com/

For sponsorship enquiries contact Essentially

Charlie McEwen | Head of Consulting | Essentially Group
eMail: charlie.mcewen@essentiallygroup.com

14th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP
Tel +44 (0) 20 7820 7000
Fax +44 (0) 20 7820 7001

Website: http://www.essentiallygroup.com/