07/01/2004

Stagecoach and the Great Britain Men’s National Fastpitch Team announced today that the international transportation group is to sponsor the GB Men’s Team during the forthcoming 2004 World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Having gone from foundation to the World Championships in five years and with its second top-three finish in European Championships play and qualification for the 2004 Worlds, the GB Men are one of Europe’s and the World’s top ranked teams.

Stagecoach Group is a leading international transportation company and is the biggest operator of scheduled bus services in New Zealand.

Steve Stewart, Head of Media and Public Affairs for Perth-based Stagecoach Group, said: “We are delighted to be able to help the GB men with their special transportation requirements during their World Championship tour of New Zealand.

“Stagecoach New Zealand is the biggest bus operator in the country and a key part of the community. We hope our transportation expertise and background support will help GB do well at the World Championships and we wish them all the best.”

GB National Team Manager Mark Berman said: “We have a challenging itinerary during our time in New Zealand and world championship play demands that our players not only be in the best possible shape and turn in peak performances, but arrive on time and be refreshed. We’ve teamed up with Britain’s and one of the world’s leading transportation companies in whom we have complete confidence.”

The World Championships are staged between 29 January and 8 February.

ENDS

For more information on Stagecoach Group, please contact: Steve Stewart at 01738 442111, fax 01738 580407 or steven.stewart@stagecoachgroup.com.

For more information on the GB Men’s Team, please contact: Mark Berman at 0208 458 0152 or berman@baseballsoftballuk.com.

Notes to Editors:

STAGECOACH: Stagecoach New Zealand operates buses in the country’s two largest metropolitan areas, Auckland and Wellington. The company also runs Fuller’s Ferries, which operates services off Auckland.

GB NATIONAL MEN’S TEAM: In five years, the GB Men have recorded top three finishes at the 2001 and 2003 European Championships and qualified for the 2004 Worlds at Christchurch. In 2003, the GB Men recorded a 19-4-1 record and outscored their opponents by a margin of 191 runs to 45 runs. The GB Men qualified for the 2004 World Championships at the 6th Men’s European Championships in July 2003 at Choceò, Czech Republic.