Travelex announced as major UK tour sponsor Australian Cricket Board - 17 May 2001


Travelex, the world's largest foreign exchange specialist, has become the official sponsor of the Australian cricket team on their forthcoming Ashes tour of the UK.

The major six-figure deal makes Travelex the exclusive partner of the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) for the entire tour, which includes a triangular one-day international series with England and Pakistan and a five-Test Ashes series against England.

The sponsorship is the largest one-off deal for an Ashes tour signed by the Australian Cricket Board.

It secures Travelex extensive branding rights, including its name appearing on the Australian team players' outfits.

Following the acquisition of Thomas Cook's global and financial services, Travelex has become the world's largest retail foreign exchange operator, the world's largest non-bank commercial payments business, the world's second largest issuer of travellers cheques and the world's leading provider of outsourced travel money to banks and financial institutions.

The sponsorship forms a major element of Travelex's rebranding strategy following the acquisition.

Commenting on the agreement, ACB Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said: "It is an encouraging indicator of the health of Australian cricket that Travelex, a new commercial partner, has joined with us to sponsor the UK tour.

"Our partnership is an ideal fit as both the Australian cricket team and Travelex are world leaders in our respective fields.

"And it is also appropriate that a company with such expertise in the area of foreign currency exchange should join with us to sponsor an overseas tour. We believe this is an excellent agreement and we are delighted to be associated with Travelex," he said.

Managing Director of the Travelex Australasia Group, Andrew Want said:"Travelex was keen to partner with the ACB because we see some great parallels between our company's philosophies and the Australian Cricket Team's track record of being great competitors and true world beaters as our company shares the Australian Cricket Team's dedication and resolve to achieve results in a challenging environment. That same competitive spirit commitment has allowed Travelex to grow rapidly around the world, by
consistently offering our corporate and retail customers efficient, innovative solutions to their worldwide money needs and by delivering exceptional value to our shareholders and partners."

Travelex now employs 4800 staff worldwide including 1000 employees in Australia and New Zealand. Further information on Travelex can be found at its website, www.travelex.com.au

This first time partnership was brokered by Atkinson Courage for the ACB and Sportsworld Media Group for Travelex.

The Australian one-day international squad departs for the UK on 26 May from Sydney International Airport and Australia's involvement in the triangular series starts against Pakistan on 9 June at Cardiff. It then plays England at Bristol (10 June), England at Old Trafford (14 June - day-night), Pakistan at Chester-Le-Street (16 June), Pakistan at Trent Bridge (19 June - day-night) and England at The Oval (21 June) with the final set to take place at Lord's on 23 June.

The Ashes series begins with the first Test at Edgbaston on 5 July. The other Tests will be played at Lord's (19-23 July), Trent Bridge (2-6 August), Headingley (16-20 August) and The Oval (23-27 August).

Ahead of the tour, the Australian touring party will gather in Sydney on 25 May for a farewell lunch at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre. Tickets are still available for the lunch from Sporting Frontiers - contact Richard Colbran on 02 9778 7423.


© 2001 Australian Cricket Board