Expected to attract around 650 of the world’s best swimmers from 50 countries, the sixth staging of the Championships will take place at Montreal’s Parc Jean Drapeau Aquatic Complex between 11th – 17th August 2013.

The British Gas GBR Disability Swimming Team has a strong history at the event and won 52 medals at the 2010 Championships in Eindhoven.

Xavier Gonzalez, the IPC Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very excited about Montreal staging the IPC Swimming World Championships as it is a city with an excellent track record for staging major international sporting events.

“Many of the swimmers who competed at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, breaking 148 world records, will compete in Montreal.

“Just like in London I expect them to thrill spectators and TV viewers around the globe with their sensational performances.”

Branding agency SME Branding has been selected to create a new identity for the GRAND-AM Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series merger.

A key component in the merger of GRAND-AM Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron was announced today, with world-class branding agency SME Branding selected to develop the new identity for the combined sports car series.

“Scott Atherton and I both believe our mandate, since announcing plans to merge GRAND-AM and ALMS, has been to ensure that we get it right the first time,” said GRAND-AM CEO Ed Bennett. “We think we’re well on our way to doing that from an identity standpoint with SME Branding on board.”

The New York-based agency’s client list includes NASCAR, the NFL, NHL, UFC, the New York Yankees, Kentucky Derby, and Madison Square Garden. In this assignment, SME will conduct stakeholder research, develop positioning strategy and produce the name, logo and brand identity for the new series.

“We are honored to be part of this historic moment in motorsports,” said SME Branding Senior Partner Ed O’Hara. “Our process will include key stakeholders from the merged series so that we can get to one holistic concept representing both the excitement and prestige of the series.”

The new branding is expected to be revealed in early 2013.

Mark Pieth, the man appointed to investigate corruption at FIFA has said the organisation has “skeletons in the cupboard” and that he has encountered resistance to his work.

Pieth was brought in to chair FIFA’s Independent Governance Committee (IGC) by Sepp Blatter, the president of world football’s governing body.

He told the BBC he believed some members of the organisation were resisting his investigative efforts, saying: “We’ve introduced this new, independent judicial system but I think they need to look at the past.

“They have skeletons in the cupboard, that’s true. There are some, usually older people, who don’t agree with what is happening.”

The IGC was set up in 2011 after a series of corruption scandals and claims. In March, it published a report that said past allegations of corruption had been sufficiently investigated.

Blatter set up an ethics committee in response, but Pieth, a 59-year-old Swiss professor, believes much more work remains to be done.

Harrow Council has given its approval for English League team Barnet to move to a new stadium in Edgware for 2013/14.

The Bees are leaving Underhill, medicine their home of 106 years, buy order at the end of next season and will relocate seven miles away at a new purpose-built stadium at The Hive.

Chairman Tony Kleanthous told the club website: “We appreciate the tremendous support shown to us by Harrow Council throughout this whole process.

“Now that we know our immediate future is secure in the area we will continue to do our utmost to respect the views of local residents and be the good neighbours everyone knows us to be at Underhill.

“We will also begin consultation with our fantastic supporters to ensure that we fully encapsulate their views in any stadium development.”

The New Zealand Men’s Sevens team and New Zealand Maori are to be officially referred to as the All Blacks Sevens and Maori All Blacks respectively, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) announced today.

The changes take effect for the next IRB Sevens World Series beginning later this year for the men’s Sevens team and for New Zealand Maori on their Northern Hemisphere tour later this year.

“This change recognises a commonly held perception the world over, whether it be fans, sports media and at times even other rugby unions and tournament organisers,” said NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew. 

“Both teams already wear a black jersey and the identical silver fern; this name change simply catches up with how many people already see these teams as being linked to the All Blacks.”

The NZRU already has another national team similarly named in the Junior All Blacks.

“Significantly, this name change will expand the commercial and partnership opportunities available to us so providing much needed funds for all layers of the game in New Zealand.

“We need $100 million a year to sustain our national game, to produce and retain the best players in the world and to keep making the community game attractive to young players, but opportunities are more limited in New Zealand and the economic climate also makes it very challenging.

“This change allows us to create more reasons for international companies to associate with the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby by convincing them that the brand has real global reach. 

“The All Blacks Sevens and Maori All Blacks can do that by flying the All Blacks flag virtually around the world throughout the year. They are both wonderful ambassadors for our game.

“From Las Vegas to Dubai, the Sevens team plays in more places, more often than the All Blacks. The next season extends from October to May and will be longer in coming years as more tournaments are added. As well, the Olympics provides a fantastic new opportunity on the biggest sporting stage in the world.

“Imagine the All Blacks silver fern proudly on the chests of our Sevens team at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016. There is no greater place to showcase to the world the All Blacks style of rugby.

“Likewise with New Zealand Maori. We see them as also carrying the All Blacks message around the world. We are now working on securing sponsorship and support to put in place a regular overseas touring programme.”

Steve Tew said the change was carefully considered and it did not alter what it meant to be an All Black.

“The definition of an All Black will not change. To be capped as an All Black you must take the field in a fifteen aside Test match. Becoming an All Black will remain the pinnacle of rugby achievement and the dream of youngsters across the country who lace up their boots each weekend.

“But by taking these steps, we can better sustain the game we love, continue to produce winning All Blacks and ensure New Zealand rugby continues to be the powerhouse of world rugby.”

Saracens has partnered with UK’s leading insurer Aviva to promote the London club’s derby match against Harlequins at Wembley on Saturday 31 March.

Premiership title sponsors’ Aviva will work closely with the innovative London club to promote the top-of-the-table clash that will also see a host of additional entertainment, pills | led by the chart topping band Mcfly.

Nigel Wray, health Saracens’ chairman, patient said: “Saracens at Wembley has become recognised as a fantastic family day out offering great rugby and great entertainment at a great venue for a great price, and we are looking forward to working with Aviva on making the game on March 31 our most successful yet.”

The Aviva support will include a range of marketing initiatives designed to connect with and excite its key customers, business partners and staff across the UK.

“These Wembley games have proven to be a great success with supporters,” said Kevin Peake, Director of Brand, Sponsorship & CR at Aviva UK.

“As well as being able to watch the most exciting and competitive club rugby anywhere in the world, the high profile venue, music acts and other entertainment help the occasion attract a much broader audience than simply rugby fans.”

“There has been huge appetite amongst our customers, business partners and staff, so we will be using this game to help us continue to deliver more business benefit alongside Aviva’s title sponsorship of the league.”

Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of Formula One Management, has rubbished renewed reports of a possible breakaway in the world’s leading motorsport championship.

Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo raised new speculation at a media lunch where he had stated that teams would not want to be “locked in an F1 prison” ahead of the discussions in place to extend the Concorde Agreement. The current deal will expire at the close of the 2012 season.

The CEO told Reuters: “It’s what he (Montezemolo) says every time he goes to Monza every year. ‘We need more money’. It’s all nonsense.”

Ecclestone added: “They’re not going to break away. They’ve tried it all before. Luca’s a lovely guy but he likes to say these things and then he forgets what he is saying.”

The PGA Tour have announced a five-year marketing partnership with United Continental Holdings Inc. revealed on Wednesday 8 December. The deal will aligns both carriers to the PGA Tour, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour as of 2011.

United Continental Holdings is the holding company for Continental and United as the carriers complete the integration process to create the world’s leading airline. The Official Airline designation will be handed to United as the integration process develops.

Tom Wade, chief marketing officer for the PGA Tour stated: “We are extremely pleased to announce this new long-term agreement with United Continental Holdings and are very excited about the consumer and player programs that will be initiated through our partnership

“The combined hub system and route network align extremely well with our Tour schedules, which is very beneficial to our members, as well as to the frequent fliers who might take advantage of the special PGA TOUR promotional programs.”

The new partnership will last for an initial four-years providing both airlines’ frequent flier members the opportunity to obtain special benefits related to the PGA Tour including: Unique PGA TOUR player experiences as well as private and semi-private hospitality areas at selected tournaments.

Jim Compton, United’s executive vice president and chief revenue officer added: “We are thrilled to partner our brand with an organization that receives great global attention. This partnership will offer exceptional benefits for our customers and the PGA TOUR’s membership base of players from around the world. We’re proud to be the ‘Official Airline’ of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.”

Members of the PGA Tour, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour will now receive significant travel benefits such as complimentary access to over 50 airport lounges throughout the world.