Triathlon Ireland and car rental company Europcar Ireland have signed a two-year partnership deal. Under the agreement, Europcar will provide its fleet support to the national governing body for triathlon in Ireland and will create a Europcar series of triathlon events.
The deal provides two Skoda Yetis for Triathlon Ireland (TI) staff to use at triathlon events around the country and transport support for athletes in Triathlon Ireland’s elite programme. The Europcar Mini Series will include the following events:
- Carrick-on-Suir Triathlon, Co Tipperary;
- Brian Boru Triathlon Killaloe, Co Clare; and
- Fingal Triathlon, Blanchardstown
Europcar will also be present with its distinctive green branded vehicles at many other triathlons over the course of the forthcoming tri season.
“The Europcar sponsorship deal is fantastic for Triathlon Ireland,” said Chris Kitchen, CEO of Triathlon Ireland. “We want to offer a service that is second to none to our TI members, clubs, elite athletes, coaches, officials, event organisers and sponsors and this involves a huge amount of travel and logistics. The Europcar partnership will provide our key staff and elite athletes with an efficient and effective way to manage our vehicle requirements.
“The vehicles themselves demonstrate Europcar’s thought and understanding of our requirements being supremely practical for our purpose. The vehicle wrap too is a great advert for Triathlon Ireland and our sponsors and will make a positive statement and focal point at any event.”
Europcar has nine locations around the country in towns and cities such as Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Kerry, Knock, Galway and Navan.
“Triathlon has shown massive growth in Ireland over the past few years,” added Europcar CEO, Colm Menton. “Its growth trajectory mirrors that of Europcar’s business in Ireland and we have a number of staff who regularly compete in tri events around the country. We believe that there is a strong synergy between our commitment to customer satisfaction and Triathlon Ireland’s track record in delivering top class athlete focused events.”
He continued, “Our domestic business through fleet management, replacement car hire and weekend rentals are all showing growth. Some of the key decision makers in Irish business are out competing in tri events every weekend and we see this as a positive association as it gives us an opportunity to increase awareness while supporting a great sport.”
In tandem with growth across the age group spectrum, triathlon at an elite level in Ireland continues to pick up speed. At London 2012, Gavin Noble became the first ever Irish male triathlete to compete at the Olympic Games, while in the same year Aileen Reid had the best ever finish in the World Triathlon Series in Madrid. Ireland’s first ever Para Triathlon National Championships took place in Athlone in June, marking a significant step in the development of triathlon in Ireland.
www.triathlonireland.com
www.europcar.ie
