AIG Launches Rugby Safety Awards

AIG, (American International Group), the official insurance partner of New Zealand Rugby, has committed US$50,000 to help improve rugby safety with the launch of a new global awards programme, the AIG Rugby Safety Awards.

The awards programme, which launches today Wednesday 20 August 2014, across six global regions (Europe, North America, Australasia, South America, Asia and Africa), invites all rugby players, from primary schools to the premiership, to submit videos and photographs showcasing how they are improving safety at their rugby club.

Whether teams run an out of season conditioning program or seasonal first aid training, or they have just installed slip resistant tiles in the clubhouse – AIG want to hear about it.

The public have until Friday 31 October 2014 to enter. The rugby safety entries submitted via the website - www.AIG.com/SafeRugby - or using the hashtag #AIGSafeRugby will be hosted on the site. The website will act as a crowd-sourced platform for individuals to share and source safety initiatives to replicate at clubs globally.

The AIG Rugby Safety Awards Committee, which includes three current All Blacks players and former captain Sean Fitzpatrick, will select six clubs, one from each market, to be awarded with US$5,000 to help develop the safety procedures at their club. The six entries will then go head-to-head in the public vote to win an additional USD$20,000 worth of safety equipment or training for their club.

Speaking about the launch, Daniel Glantz, Global Head of Sponsorship at AIG commented, “The combination of our expertise in safety with New Zealand’s profile in rugby enables AIG to use the power of two global organisations to make a difference. The link between insurance and safety is evident, and we feel AIG can provide a platform to encourage safe participation for everyone involved in the sport.”

AIG is committed to growing the game of rugby around the world by taking the sport to new territories and encouraging young people to participate whenever possible.  AIG, who also support USA Rugby, the Japanese Rugby Federation, and youth programmes such as Play Rugby USA, is aiming to highlight the importance of safe practice, to help ensure safer rugby globally.