Australian Rugby legend Mark Ella has added a new role to his impressive CV as the first brand ambassador for leading SUV brand HAVAL.
The Australian Rugby Immortal and International Hall of Fame member took delivery of his H9 SUV from Lansvale HAVAL last Friday.
"I've been impressed by the quality of HAVAL vehicles since I first saw one early last year. I have a soft spot for SUVs, so I was delighted when HAVAL approached me about being a brand ambassador," said Ella.
HAVAL Australia Chief Marketing Officer Tim Smith said it was an exciting day for the brand.
"We've been working hard on our brand ambassador program and we couldn't be happier with having one of Australia's finest ever sports stars as our first."
Arguably Australia's greatest rugby player, Ella enjoyed a stellar career that spanned 25 Tests between 1979 and 1984. In 1982 he was named captain of the Wallabies, becoming the first Indigenous leader of an Australian national sporting team.
Alongside brothers Gary and Glen, they formed a lethal backline trio for Randwick Rugby Club (where they won six premierships), NSWRU, along with Glen the Australia Sevens Team (winning three Hong Kong Championships) and Australia.
Ella starred in his final Wallabies tour as a member of the famous 1984 tour of the UK and Ireland. They became the first Australian team to secure a Grand Slam – winning against all four home nations – with Ella scoring a try in each of those famous wins.
He was recognised nationally for his sporting prowess by being named Young Australian of the Year in 1982 and named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
He retired from international rugby after that tour, commencing a new career in public relations and marketing, championing the cause for young Indigenous sports stars.
Today Mark is an Executive Producer, Internal Productions and Sport for NITV, Australia's free to air Indigenous television station.