The Twickenham Stoop, the home of Harlequins, one of Englands top rugby teams, got a taste of the Emirates when it hosted the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Day, in association with Shangri- La and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) on Sunday 4th May. The event saw the ‘Quins entertaining Sale Sharks in the Guinness Premiership League in front of a capacity crowd, for their last home match of the season. Sale Sharks were the winners of the game, after a toughly-fought match.

Etihad Airways is the main sponsor of Harlequins. Due to their successful relationship with Harlequins, Etihad Airways aimed to create an exciting Arabic experience to showcase all the delights of the Middle East for all fans attending the match. A traditional Arabic welcome in the shape of authentic Arabic coffee and dates was offered to all the hospitality guests upon arrival, followed by a Middle Eastern menu for lunch. The whole crowd was then entertained with a live falconry display at half-time and fans also had the chance to have their photographs taken with the falcon on their arms before the match.

Harlequin Honeyz handed out thousands of ‘bang bang’ sticks to contribute to the carnival atmosphere on the day and they also promoted a competition to experience Abu Dhabi in person by winning a weeklong holiday for two. The winners, Barry Mackleston and his wife, will fly to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways and stay at the Shangri-La Hotel. Whilst in Abu Dhabi, they will partake in a city tour and have dinner in the desert, courtesy of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. Etihad Airways, who also sponsor the Ferrari F1 team, also gave away two grandstand tickets to this year’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone in a competition aimed at Harlequins hospitality guests. The winner was Peter Hawksworth from Siemens.

Etihad Airways have also been actively involved in junior rugby throughout the season through the Etihad Airways Curtain Raiser Cup Competition hosted by Harlequins on matchdays. Abu Dhabi Day witnessed the climax to the seasonlong ‘Under 12 Most Improved Player’ competition with each selected player from each club winning four tickets to the game. Abu Dhabi comes to The Stoop A random live draw then took place at half-time to determine the lucky player to be rewarded with a week long holiday for four to Abu Dhabi staying in the Shangri-La hotel, all courtesy of Etihad Airways. In this case, the winner was Alice Garrett from Farnborough RFC.

Following Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Day, in association with Shangri-La and ADTA, Harlequins sponsorship manager Laura Oakes commented: “I’d like to thank Etihad Airways and their two partners for all their efforts in making Abu Dhabi Day such a success at the Twickenham Stoop. Bringing a taste of the Middle East to the Stoop was a great idea and a very innovative way to raise awareness of Abu Dhabi and of Etihad Airways as the main sponsorship of ‘Quins. The atmosphere in the ground was fantastic in the ground and, although results didn’t go our way, I hope all the fans had a memorable day out.”

Speaking before the match, Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ executive vice president marketing and product, said: “Etihad Airways and Harlequins have enjoyed a hugely successful first season together and we are thrilled to be hosting Abu Dhabi Day at the Twickenham Stoop for the final home match of the rugby season.”

Etihad Airways signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Harlequins in July 2007, the airline’s first major sponsorship deal in Britain and the largest in the history of Harlequins, which was founded in 1866. Said to be a ‘seven figure deal’, the agreement includes the inclusion of the Etihad logo on Harlequins’ famous quartered shirt as well as on the Twickenham Stoop stadium in south west London.

Etihad, also the official airline of Londonbased Chelsea Football Club, also hosted a special “Abu Dhabi Day” at the English premier league side’s final home match of the English Premier League season against Bolton Wanderers on 11th May.