Medibank Private, Australia's largest health fund, has secured the naming rights sponsorship of Australia's biggest combined ATP/ Sony Ericsson WTA TOUR tennis tournament in a three year agreement.
Following a successful partnership in 2005, Medibank Private reaped the rewards of the association with ATP/ Sony Ericsson WTA TOUR and continued the sponsorship.
The Medibank International will be held from the 8 - 14 January 2006 at Sydney Olympic Park and is set to once again attract some of the biggest names in tennis.
Managing Director of the Medibank International's Commercial Partner, IMG, Mr Martin Jolly, said he was delighted to welcome Medibank Private back to the event and onboard as the title sponsor for the next three years.
"By supporting this iconic sporting event, Medibank Private is supporting the development of tennis in NSW from a grass roots level to an elite level." Mr Jolly said.
Medibank Private, Managing Director, George Savvides, commented that supporting events that promote the benefits of sports such as tennis was a responsible space for Australia's largest health fund to be in.
"The Medibank International offers benefits that are two-fold to Medibank Private - it's a cost-effective way to communicate to millions of Australians about the value of our private health insurance and it's an opportunity to encourage our increasingly inactive population, especially kids, to get out there and be active. Tennis is one of the few sports that can be done at almost any age.
"Improving awareness of the value of private health insurance and potentially attracting a broader membership base is but only one factor in Medibank Private's commitment to offer affordable health cover and value to our members." Mr Savvides said.
"It makes sense for Medibank Private to encourage members to embrace a healthy lifestyle and improve their health and wellbeing, to lose weight, to exercise - qualities effectively promoted by elite athletes - but remembering that you don't have to be an elite athlete to pick up a tennis racquet," he said.
Mr Jolly went on to say, "The fact that Medibank Private has chosen Australia's biggest ATP/WTA TOUR tournament to promote their health message to millions of Australians enforces the popularity of tennis in Australia."
"We congratulate Medibank Private on their naming rights sponsorship and look forward to developing the relationship over the next three years - the Medibank International will be an iconic Australian sporting event." Mr Jolly said.
Mr Geoff Pollard, President of Tennis Australia and the Medibank International Management Committee Chairman welcomed Medibank Private's involvement.
"Tennis is a wonderful sport providing millions of Australians with a family based activity, it is one of the most participated sports in Australia.
"We are pleased that Medibank Private has teamed with us to spread the message of health, wellbeing and the importance of being active throughout Australia," he said.
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The Medibank International is one of Sydney's biggest annual sporting events and receives over 35 hours of national television coverage on the Seven Network.
Medibank Private is Australia's largest health fund with nearly three million members.
Tickets are available from October 6th 2005 through Ticketek 02 9266 4800 or www.ticketek.com
For further information please visit www.medibankinternational.com
For media queries please contact:
Libby Woolnough, Media Relations Adviser, Medibank Private
PH: 03 8622 5181 / 0411 659 060