Stadium and big events
specialists such as managing
the new PE Stadium
About the power of sports
marketing and the success
of our clients
Representing great brands like British and Irish Lions
Representing top athletes
like Cameron van der Burgh,
Jaque Fourie and
Oscar Pistorius
Consulting to federations, creating
and finding the right solutions
Looking after clients sponsorships
and contractual rights

ABOUT

 

Cutting Edge Sport and Entertainment Specialists

 
The Board of Accelerate comprises a diverse mix of directors, all with tremendous experience and expertise in the sports industry and indeed the commercial world.

Chaired by Gideon Sam (currently the President of the South African Sports & Olympic Committee), the other directors, Rian Oberholzer, Gary Grant and Songezo Nayo – they have all been successful in their respective roles in the administration of SA Rugby and major sporting bodies both locally and on the international stage.



Directors

 

Rian Oberholzer

 
As Tournament Director RWC 1995, Rian oversaw a successful World Cup in South Africa. He was subsequently appointed Managing Director SARFU 1998 - 2003 and served on the Board of SANZAR 1997 – 2003. In addition to serving on the Council of the International Rugby Board, Rian was also a member of the Board of Directors of Rugby World Cup Limited from 1999 to 2004.

 

Gary Grant


An MBA graduate of the University of Cape Town, Gary specialises in Marketing and Communications. Before joining Accelerate, Gary was SA Rugby's Marketing Director for 8 years between 1996 and 2004. He was solely responsible for developing and designing SA Rugby's Marketing and Communications Strategy to grow the game in traditional and non traditional sectors, to improve the image of rugby in SA. Gary's other key responsibilities whilst at SA Rugby included Sponsorships, Licensing and PR. Gary played Provincial Rugby in South Africa for Transvaal (now called the Lions) and Western Province.


Songezo Nayo

 
Songezo was a senior manager in the National Sports Council of South Africa. He later joined SARFU as General Manager in 2000, He was later promoted to the position of Deputy Managing Director of SA Rugby in 2002. He was later appointed Managing Director in 2004. Songezo is an MBA Graduate of the University of Cape Town and specialises in strategy development and creating operational efficiencies. Songezo was recently on contract to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee in heading up operations of Soccer City.



Shareholding


Accelerate Sport has shareholding in three other sports and events related companies, namely: In-Site Athlete Management (ISAM), The Entertainment Group (TEG) and Access Facilities & Leisure Management Company.


ISAM is a well-established player agency which offers athlete management services to several sports people, from a variety of different sporting codes.
In-Site Athlete Management website


The Entertainment Group (TEG) is a multi faceted Events Company, which includes several components required for the staging of an event including, but not limited to, selling of the event to sponsors, marketing and promotion, ticketing and hospitality, as well as logistical and administrative management of events.
Oktober Bierfest website


Access is a facilities and leisure management company which manages and administers major sports facilities/stadia, as well as sourcing, developing and staging matches, events, etc for federations and/or facility owners.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium website