8 July 2013 -  The bizhub Highveld Lions are thrilled to announce that Aon South Africa has secured the Associate Sponsorship rights of the team for the next two years, with immediate effect. 

The sponsorship will see the Aon brand emblazoned on the official playing kit used in the CLT20 Competition which is broadcast both locally and internationally as well as the domestic Ram Slam T20, Sunfoil Series and the Momentum One Day Cup competitions.  The eagerly anticipated CLT20 Competition kicks off in September, and is likely to see South Africans and indeed the world, glued to their screens. 

As the world’s largest insurance brokerage and risk advisors, Aon is most famously known for its shirt sponsorship of premier league football team, Manchester United.  The latest sponsorship announcement enables Aon to provide a greater level of localisation and home grown relevance through cricket, one of the most loved and supported sports in South Africa.     

“Our Associate sponsorship makes perfect sense in terms of our brand alignment and we’re delighted to be associated with a winning team like the bizhub Highveld Lions.  They have come through some trying times to be top of their game and the leading cricket franchise in South Africa.  The team’s mix of the very best up-and coming youngsters backed by a solid base of more experienced players is a winning combination in delivering the Proteas of tomorrow.  The bizhub Highveld Lions have experienced one of their most successful seasons to date and we’re proud to say that everything about this team echoes our ethos of empowering results around two of the most important issues facing businesses today – risk and people. Whether you’re in a corporate business environment or in the business of professional sport such as cricket – managing risk and people remain common denominators,” says Anton Roux, CEO of Aon South Africa.     

Cassim Docrat, CEO of the bizhub Highveld Lions adds:  “We’re proud to be able to bring an innovative new sponsorship opportunity like this to the table, and even more delighted that Aon has taken it up.  As the largest risk and insurance brokerage in the world, the bizhub Highveld Lions are proud to be associated with sponsors who are also at the top of their game.  

“Our goal is to be the best franchise team in the country and we believe there is a lot of synergy between the two entities.

“We’re working hard to win the hearts and minds of South Africans and part of that task means having to stay on top and constantly push the envelope in terms of innovation.  In this fast-paced game, there is no space for complacency. We’re looking forward to working with Aon and our existing sponsors, Konica Minolta and 94.7 Highveld Stereo, to take the bizhub Highveld Lions franchise to new heights,” said Docrat.

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About Aon South Africa

Aon  South  Africa  is  a  leading  provider  of  risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage,  human  capital  and  management consulting, and speciality insurance underwriting. The company employs more than 1400 professionals in its 15 offices in South Africa. Aon employs over 1750 people on the African continent. Aon South Africa’s head office is based in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Download our corporate brochure:  http://www.aonmarketing.co.za/Emailer/ebrochures/aon-ebrochure/Default.html

Download our speciality area brochures:  https://www.aon.co.za/index.php/en/about-aon/aon-south-africa

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 65,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative and effective risk and people solutions and through industry-leading global resources and technical expertise. Aon has been named repeatedly as the world’s best broker, best insurance intermediary, reinsurance intermediary, captives manager and best employee benefits consulting firm by multiple industry sources. Visit www.aon.com for more information on Aon and www.aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon’s global partnership and shirt sponsorship with Manchester United.

About the bizHub Highveld Lions

The bizhub Highveld Lions (Lions Cricket (Pty) Ltd) is the Johannesburg-based team that operates from Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg and has a second home ground at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. The franchise has two major stakeholders in the Gauteng Cricket Board (NPC) and North West Cricket (NPC). Soweto-born former first-class cricketer, Geoffrey Toyana took over the reins as Head Coach during April 2012 and brought a wealth of experience from his playing and coaching days to the side. Toyana is assisted by Dumisa Makalima (Assistant Coach & Analyst), Gordon Parsons (Bowling Coach), Jeff Lunsky (Fitness Trainer) and Craig Govender (Physiotherapist). The bizhub Highveld Lions’ playing style has been described as gutsy and filled with pride and enthusiasm. A steady team environment and sound leadership has seen this team introduce three more players into the Proteas setup in the past year, proving its worth as a feeding channel to the national side.  It does not matter who the opposition is or what the challenges ahead may be, the team has one vision: To be the best franchise team in South Africa.

The contracted side for the 2013/14 season are:

Temba Bavuma; Gulam Bodi; Stephen Cook; Quinton de Kock; Cliffe Deacon; Dominic Hendricks; Eddie Leie; Pumelela Matshikwe; Neil McKenzie; Grant Mokoena; Chris Morris; Ethan O’Reilly; Brett Pelser; Shaylen Pillay; Dwaine Pretorius; Jean Symes; Rassie van der Dussen; Hardus Viljoen

CSA Contracted Players:

Alviro Petersen; Aaron Phangiso; Imran Tahir; Thami Tsolekile; Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Media Contacts:

Aon:

Teresa Settas Communications
Teresa Settas
(011) 894 2767
teresa@tscommunications.co.za  

bizhub Highveld Lions:

Andra Nel
082 345 0539
andraf@cricket.co.za