The International University Sports Federation (FISU) has officially launched the bidding procedure for the 2021 Winter and Summer Universiades.

The FISU Member Associations interested in bidding for the 30^th Winter Universiade 2021 or the 31^st Summer Universiade 2021 have time to send in their application until 1 March 2015. The Universiade is attributed six year ahead of schedule to give its host plenty of time to prepare for this major multi-sport event.

By March 1, 2015 the bidders are expected to have submitted the form and payment of bidding fee. From 1 April to 30 September there wil be Working sessions and Observers’ programme which will lead to a submission of a bidding book by interested parties. 

USA Canoe/Kayak are searching for a new Chief Executive Officer after current CEO Joe Jacobi revealed he will step down from his position later this year.

“I gave deep consideration in making this decision and remain firmly committed to a strong and healthy USA Canoe/Kayak anchored in Oklahoma City,” said Jacobi.

“But there are important calls to both my personal life and professional endeavors about which I am excited to pursue, including projects and initiatives that directly and indirectly support USA Canoe/Kayak’s mission. The goal is not to leave, but to create space in order to contribute more to national and international paddlesports objectives.” 

“Joe and I have worked closely together over the last 3 years and I can honestly say that he was always positive, earnest, professional and most importantly had USA Canoe/Kayak’s interest first and foremost,” said Bob Lally, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “This announced transition comes at a time when USA Canoe/Kayak has a coordinated and seasoned staff, a strong, and diverse board of directors, and our enterprise is exceptionally well positioned strategically. I have full faith the candidate we select will be well qualified, have a demonstrated track record of success and will lead USA Canoe/Kayak to continued growth and development.” 

Jacobi, a 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist in Canoe Slalom, took the helm of USA Canoe Kayak in 2009 facing challenges of a stagnant sport, diminishing USOC investment and low visibility at its Charlotte, North Carolina headquarters. Since then, Jacobi oversaw the move to the current headquarters in Oklahoma City, a more vibrant city and one that nobody would have expected to be a center for paddlesports. But Oklahoma City’s community chemistry made for a perfect match in developing the vitality of high performance paddlesports. 

Jacobi worked diligently with USA Canoe/Kayak’s Board to streamline the leadership and governance structure of the organization. And as leader, he and his small, hardworking office and coaching staff generated substantial “do more with less” outputs, never accepting failure as an option. 

“Working with minimal resources, our Board and staff came together to create a spirit of ‘we can/we will,'” said Jacobi. “Our athletes, coaches, clubs and programs who stepped up and took action, helped us move the needle towards better results, a more diverse organization and alignment with our mission as well as the mission of the United States Olympic Committee.” 

The International Eventing Officials Club (IEOC) has become the third of the former FEI Associate Members to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

The IEOC was formed in 1998 by Dr Bernd Springorum (GER), allergist supported by Jean Mitchell MBE (IRE), to give a voice to Eventing Officials.

The independent organisation now has over 1,000 members including FEI Judges, Technical Delegates, Stewards, Course Designers and Organisers based around the world.

“The International Eventing Officials Club has been a vital link between the FEI and Eventing officials for fifteen years”, said Ingmar De Vos, FEI Secretary General.

“During this time, the number of Eventing competitions at all levels has grown rapidly – last year alone, there were over 560 competitions globally, which since 2004 represents a massive 77 per cent growth in this sport.

“As Eventing continues to expand, the role of the International Eventing Officials Club and its members is key to the FEI, the National Federations and Eventing Organisers.”

“The IEOC, which is free for our members, is firmly focussed on developing Eventing at every level internationally”, said IEOC Chairman Andy Griffiths (GBR).

“This Memorandum of Understanding with the FEI is testament to the continued worldwide popularity of Eventing, and the magnitude of the growth of this sport as it continues beyond its traditional heartlands and into new territories.

“These are exciting times for Eventing, and we are all very much looking forward to continuing our work with the FEI, the National Federations and Eventing Organisers this year and beyond to help build a solid future for our sport.”

Rising amateur golf star Jordan Smith has appointed MB Partners for worldwide, mind exclusive management and marketing representation.

Smith, cialis who has been selected for the 2013 Walker Cup team, cialis the highest level of amateur golf competition in the world, is currently ranked 16th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and establishes himself as one of the world’s best amateur players.

Explaining his decision to sign with MB Partners, Smith said, “I’m looking forward to being part of the team and having a bright future with MB Partners. I really like how the company works. Everyone is a close knit team and will do their very best to get you to where you need to be, so I’m excited with what lies ahead.”

Duncan Maxim, who will be managing him, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Jordan to MB Partners and believe he has a very bright future ahead of him. He has a great amateur record, a fantastic golfing ability and with his personality and charisma will be very appealing to strategic partners.”

Smith will be playing in the Walker Championship, September 7-8 at the National Links of America in Southampton, N.Y.

A-League’s newest side Western Sydney Wanderers have revealed their Parramatta Stadium is set to see a capacity increase to around 25,000 by 2015 as part of a $29 million upgrade.

The venue, home to the Wanderers and NRL club Parramatta Eels, currently holds 19,000 but new Federal Sport Minister Don Farrell has announced the government will commit $20 million towards the project.

In addition to increasing the capacity, the redevelopment will include improving the changing rooms and hospitality facilities and the lengthening of the adjacent 70-metre training area to a full-sized field.

Football Federation Australia chief executive, David Gallop, said: “This is a significant moment in the phenomenal journey of the Wanderers. Only one season in the competition and they have sold out this stadium three times.

“The fans got behind the club and became part of the most sensational atmosphere that you’ll see in Australian sport and they are being rewarded with a stadium upgrade.”

Parramatta also hailed the works, with CEO Ken Edwards saying the Eels previously had to prepare in the worst training facilities in the NRL.

Edwards said the upgrade would allow Parramatta to compete on a level playing field with other clubs and coach Ricky Stuart also acknowledged their significance.

“It’s a big part of elite sport today to have modern facilities – it’s a very very big part of preparation,” Stuart said.

“It’s something the players have lacked here for a number of years.

“I’m glad we’ve got an opportunity to move forward with modernised facilities.

“You don’t need the best facilities in the world – we’re not that precious.

“It’s just a matter of being realistic about the environment and the training facilities around the players.

“We put a lot of pressure on the players to be at their best. It’s our job to give them the best training environment and resources.”

Major League Baseball (MLB) team, Cincinnati Reds have announced an exclusive partnership with Brand Affinity Technologies, Inc., the experts in engaging, activating, and monetizing fans. 

The Reds are the latest of several MLB franchises to sign on for Brand Affinity’s fan photography services, in which Brand Affinity will deliver personalized fan photography services for the Reds and fans attending home games at Great American Ball Park during this season to preserve their game day in-venue experience.

The Reds, expected to contend for the National League pennant this year, were ranked fifth in the MLB on ESPN’s 2012 list of “Ultimate Team Rankings.” By partnering with Brand Affinity the Reds are extending a fun in-venue experience that will last well past game day through Brand Affinity’s FanPhotos photography platform.

“We’re a company filled with baseball fans, so we’re thrilled to partner with one of baseball’s most storied franchises by providing an engaging and compelling service to help capture and share a Reds fan’s in-venue experiences with their friends and family,” said Ryan Steelberg, CEO of Brand Affinity. “We look forward to working with the Reds throughout the season at every home game to leverage our FanPhotos photography platform to further promote this winning MLB franchise and truly capture and activate fans’ passion and excitement for Reds baseball.”

Throughout each game, Brand Affinity photographers will be on site to capture photos of the attendees. Reds fans will easily be able to view, download and share the photos taken during the game by visiting the FanPhotos site and entering a specific code provided to them.

IMG and Caddiemaster have formed a strategic alliance to develop caddie services in China.

The new agreement calls for Caddiemaster, prostate the leading caddie services company in the world, cialis to provide caddie training at IMG managed clubs in China. In turn IMG will use its resources and reputation to market Caddiemaster and help establish its business in China.

“We are excited to offer this enhanced service to IMG managed clubs in China, anesthetist ” said Paul Burley, Vice President, IMG Golf Course Services. “Caddiemaster is renowned as the premier provider of caddie management services in the world, and we are confident this new agreement will add further value to our management business and consolidate our position as the market leader in China. We also look forward to using our network and brand recognition to create additional business opportunities for Caddiemaster in China”.

“First and foremost, we look forward to helping IMG managed golf properties to further establish themselves as the premium golf facilities in China,” said Michael Granuzzo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Caddiemaster. “The alliance with IMG provides an exciting opportunity for Caddiemaster to grow in the caddie market with the greatest potential in the world. International growth is a long-term strategy of our Company and the alliance with such a prestigious and experienced partner as IMG will allow us to provide our services to and grow in this very important market.”

Caddies are an important part of the golf experience in China, with every club offering caddie services. Over 50,000 caddies are employed in the industry and the vast majority are female. Golf Clubs spend a lot of time and effort recruiting and training caddies, and at busy 18 hole golf courses it is not unusual to have over 130 caddies on the books.