Bangkok--3 Aug--Total Quality PR Etihad Airways, The National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, which operates highly popular twice daily flights from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi and onwards to 45 destinations around the globe, has signed a three-year deal to be the main sponsor of English premiership rugby union team, Harlequins. The ‘seven figure’ deal is Etihad’s first major sporting sponsorship deal in the UK and the biggest in Harlequins’ history. It will see the airline’s logo emblazoned on Harlequins’ famous quartered shirt as well as on the Twickenham Stoop stadium in south west London. The deal was announced at a press conference held at the Twickenham Stoop which was attended by James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, Mark Evans, Harlequins’ chief executive, and Dean Richards, Harlequins’ director of rugby. James Hogan said: “This new partnership with Harlequins will provide Etihad Airways with an ideal international platform to connect with our customers in the UK and around the world.” “Etihad shares the same ambitions and aspirations for success as Harlequins and we look forward to building a long-lasting relationship with the club.” Among the highlights of the partnership will be the branding of the stadium roof, which is placed under the London Heathrow airport flight path, in Etihad livery. The East Stand of the Twickenham Stoop will also be renamed the Etihad Stand. Mark Evans, Harlequins’ chief executive, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Etihad Airways has chosen to become Harlequins’ main sponsor for the next three years. The deal is the biggest in the club’s history and we are greatly looking forward to working closely with them over the coming seasons. “These are exciting times at Harlequins and as we build further and push towards the biggest prizes in club rugby we all look forward to a fruitful partnership with Etihad Airways.” Photo caption: 1. England and Harlequins winger Dave Strettle on the roof of Harlequins’ new ‘Etihad stand’ with Twickenham rugby stadium in the background 2. Etihad Airways is the proud new sponsor of English premiership rugby union team, Harlequins About Etihad Airways Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad offers flights to 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. Etihad flies twice daily from its Abu Dhabi home base to London Heathrow and daily to Manchester. For further details: Etihad Airways Corporate Communications: Tel: 02 253 0099 or visit www.etihadairways.com For more information as well as pictures, please contact: Tom Van Blarcom / Ruthaiwan Tanwongwan Total Quality PR (Thailand) Co., Ltd Tel. 02 260 5820 Fax 02 260 5847 — 8 E-mail : [email protected] About Harlequins Harlequins RFC are one of the highest profile rugby clubs in the UK. Based next to the Rugby Football Union at Twickenham, the ‘Quins’ were formed in 1866 and play in the Guinness Premiership. Many England players past and present have worn the famous quartered Quins shirt including former captain Will Carling and World Cup winners Jason Leonard and Will Greenwood. For more information please contact Harlequins’ sponsorship manager Laura Oakes. Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)20 8410 6039 Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net