Sporting partnerships - Group - Gaz de France

The aim of these sports partnerships is to promote values that are fundamental to the Group and to contribute to the spread of these sports. In pursuit of this goal, Gaz de France has undertaken to be:

• a loyal and lasting partner to sports men and women and to sports federations,
• a sports promoter, enhance its visibility at local, national and international level,
• a local presence, fostering the development of sport in the regions.

Sponsoring France's tennis and athletics federations: total commitment

Gaz de France is an active partner of the French Tennis Federation (FFT) and tennis leagues. In addition, the Group has a partnership agreement with the French Athletics Federation (FFA) and the French Athletics Team.
The Group supports these federations at different levels:

• national level by supporting front-line athletes and female players,
• local level through involvement in local events. 
  

Sports sponsorships: the Team Gaz de France

Gaz de France provides vital backing for some thirty top-level athletes.

Working within Team Gaz de France, these athletes – whether top performers or promising youngsters – are sponsored by the Group throughout their careers. By way of example, Gaz de France has sponsored Amélie Mauresmo since 1997.

Supporting and setting up events

Gaz de France contributes to the creation and promotion of many sporting events in France and abroad. The aim is to promote sport and its values.

Within this dynamic, the Group is the lead partner of competitions:

• in tennis:
  • Gaz de France created the Gaz de France Open in 1993. This tournament is now France's top women's tennis event after Roland Garros.
  • in partnership with the Rumanian Federation of Tennis, the Group is involved in setting up an international tournament in Bucharest
• in athletics:
  • The Gaz de France Paris Saint‑Denis Meeting, at the "Stade de France" in Paris
  • The Gaz de France Pas-de-Calais Meeting (Liévin).

Enlivening the local scene: sponsorship in the regions

Contributing to regional dynamism is one of Gaz de France's priorities. To reflect this, the Group has extended its sports partnership policy at local level.

Through programmes conducted by Gaz de France's local units and taskforces, the Group is able to express its love of sport in the four corners of France.

Proof through results

Gaz de France's partnership policy has borne fruit. The flowering of women's tennis in France is an excellent example:

• France is the European country that stages the largest number of international women's tournaments,
• it is No.3 in the world for the number of women's tennis tournaments held, 
• For the last 10 years, GDF has sponsored Amélie Mauresmo.