Rugby Australia announces STH Wallaby Travel Partnership

Rugby Australia and STH Group partner to offer fans once-in-a-lifetime experience to be a Wallabies Travel Bolter for the first game back.

Rugby Australia and STH Group have joined forces to reignite a love of rugby travel amongst Aussie fans, announcing a new long-term partnership and launching Wallabies Travel. To celebrate, they will be offering fans a unique opportunity to connect with the Wallabies on a level never seen before.

The new partnership sees STH Group, the world’s leading provider of sports travel, hospitality and one-of-a-kind fan experiences, establish operations in Australia to expand its global footprint beyond its existing offices in the UK, Japan and New Zealand.

The six-year deal for STH Australia as the Official Travel Partner of Rugby Australia will run until the end of 2025, including the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and Lions Tour in 2025. STH Australia will be the exclusive wholesale and retail travel provider for Rugby Australia’s travel programme, offering travel packages to Wallabies matches via its dedicated Wallabies Travel website, as well as other teams like the Wallaroos and AU7s.

STH Group General Manager ANZ, David Caldwell says: “We are thrilled to secure a long-term partnership with one of the most recognisable sporting brands in Australia, especially as our research indicates there is a huge opportunity to engage the rugby fanbase. The team at Rugby Australia have continued to astound us with their commitment to Aussie fans and reigniting their passion of rugby. That’s why we are focused on building a long and successful partnership with Rugby Australia that benefits both organisations.”

“STH’s purpose is to make the memorable unforgettable and I know we’ve got the global footprint and unrivalled expertise to deliver unparalleled experiences for Wallabies fans.”

Rugby Australia announced the new partnership on Monday, with Chief Commercial Officer Cameron Murray stating that he was looking forward to working with a global sports travel specialist that can cater for levels of rugby fans.

“STH approached Rugby Australia with an innovative and broadminded approach to providing Australian Rugby fans with exceptional event experiences. STH become our worldwide exclusive travel partner for a six-year period and while Covid19 has impacted our inaugural year their enthusiasm in having to reshape our initial program shows their capability and willingness to provide exception experiences. STH will market Wallaby travel opportunities through their extensive global customer base and we look forward to welcoming them to our events.”

Covid19 has meant Wallabies Travel packages cannot go on sale for launch. However, they will be offering two lucky fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience what it is like to be a ‘Wallabies Travel Bolter’. The winners will have access to privileges only players tend to have by getting up close and personal with the team, going over game previews with the Wallabies coaching team, and sitting pitch-side for the national anthems. Fans can enter by visiting https://www.wallabiestravel.com.au/campaign/bolter.

STH Group is a joint venture between Sodexo – one of the world’s largest multinational corporations listed in the world – and the Mike Burton Group, a specialist sports travel and hospitality provider based in the UK. They partner with some of the world’s biggest sporting brands and events including the ICC, World Rugby, UEFA, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, IAAF, UCI, NFL and Team GB. They have been NZ Rugby’s Official Travel Partner since 2012, and have also run the Official Travel & Hospitality Programmes for the past four Rugby World Cups. For more information, visit https://sportstravelhospitality.com/

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