Monday, March 31, 2014

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE (UK) GIVE SA FANS AN EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE

To celebrate the Barclays Premier League Live South Africa event in Johannesburg, title sponsor Barclays treated a group of specially selected football fans to an exclusive match day experience.

 Fans who showed passion and support for their favourite Barclays Premier League teams were rewarded with VIP seats to watch live matches, special coaching sessions with former Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly and the opportunity to take part in the #YouAreFootball Experiment at the BPL Live event at Zoo Lake Sport Club, Johannesburg on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30.

 The #YouAreFootball Experiment monitored the heart rates of fans and ex-players simultaneously in South Africa and the UK on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30 during some of the biggest games of the season – Arsenal v Manchester City and Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur. The experiment was held as part of the Barclays ‘Thank you’ campaign to thank the fans, community heroes, players and managers from around the world who help make the Barclays Premier League what it is.

More than 30,000 fans flocked to the Barclays Premier League Live event over the weekend including Rishan Kulfath (pictured), 31, who was selected as one of the Manchester City super fans.

Mr Kulfath, a Home Loans Consultant from Winchester Hills who attended the event with his wife Samantha and six-month-old son Raohil, said:

“It was fantastic to be selected as one of the #YouAreFootball fans and have my heart rate monitored during the match. I am a huge Manchester City fan and never miss a game, which sometimes gets me in trouble with my wife!

“It was a really fantastic event and to have my heart rate monitored alongside legends like Marcel Desailly and fans in the UK was very special.”

Also being monitored during the 1-1 draw was Arsenal fan Mcgee Gede, 22, a Construction Manager from Edenvale who was selected by the Barclays ‘Thank you Squads’ at the event after showing great support and passion for his team and the Barclays Premier League.

Speaking at the event, Mr Gege said: “I am about the same age as some of Arsenal players like Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott so I feel I grew up with them and I am like them.

“I have followed them through their careers and, despite the fact that they were not playing in the match, to be part of the #YouAreFootball Experiment and represent my team was very memorable.”

 Commenting on the experiment, David Wheldon, Managing Director of Brand, Reputation, Citizenship and Marketing at Barclays, said: “Fans are at the very heart of football and help make the Barclays Premier League what it is. The #YouAreFootball Experiment is a fantastic way to show our appreciation to the fans for their support. South African fans are some of the most passionate and dedicated in the world, so to be able to thank those fans by hosting Barclays Premier League Live and getting them involved in the #YouAreFootball Experiment has been a great way to say thank you.”

Over the weekend an estimated 30,000 fans visited the Zoo Lake site and were treated to five live Barclays Premier League matches, which were televised on a giant screen at the fan park as well as numerous interactive football activities.

For more information visit facebook.com/barclaysfootball and join the conversation on Twitter with #YouAreFootball.




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