Brightness Media to Provide Media Training to FA

The English Football Association (FA) has announced a partnership with media training company Brightness Media.

The agreement will see FA personnel, administrators, coaches and players at all levels of the game receive guidance and media training as well as education on The FA’s media policies and practices.

Brightness Media will also provide training for specific FA Learning courses, including the UEFA Pro-Licence.

Working closely with The FA’s commercial team at St. George’s Park, Brightness Media will provide a unique insight to the workings of the modern media as well as develop social media training for The FA and its clients.

Chairman of St. George’s Park, David Sheepshanks, said: “We have been through a vigorous tender process to identify the ideal partner for our media training, and we are delighted that Brightness Media, with their excellent stable of professional journalists and trainers, have come to the fore.

“As well as training our own people, we have worked with Brightness Media to develop an exciting offering for corporate clients and executives.”

Gavin Scovell, of Brightness Media, said: It’s a great honour for Brightness Media to be chosen to work as official media trainers to The Football Association. Having worked closely with hundreds of sportsmen and women and improved their media skills, both on screen, in print and in social media circles, we are looking forward to this challenge.”

Brightness Media’s James Pearce also added:  “During my 20 years at the BBC I’ve conducted hundreds of interviews with many high profile figures, from footballers to Prime Ministers.

“The modern media is changing so fast, and it’s very important that individuals, particularly those in sport, have a good understanding of it. For sportspeople, the aim is to give them all the knowledge that they need to perform as well off the pitch or track as they do on it.”

Tim Reddish Re-Elected as British Paralympic Association Chairman

The National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Great Britain has re-elected Tim Reddish OBE as Chair of the British Paralympic Association for a further four years.

A further five Board members were elected, three of whom were re-elected: Richard Callicott (President of England Volleyball, Chair of British Volleyball and Vice President of British Wheelchair Basketball), Paul Masters (Treasurer of Disability Snowsport UK), and Annamarie Phelps (Chair of British Rowing). They were joined by David Hadfield (Chair of GB Boccia and Chair of Boccia International Sports Federation) and Geoff Newton (Executive Director of the Tennis Foundation).

Tim Reddish commented on his reappointment

‘I am delighted to be reappointed as Chair of the BPA for a further four year term. The London Games have put Paralympic sport on a new platform and we are all determined to make the most of this to further develop the organisation and the movement in the UK.’

The Board composition was changed following a review of Governance by Deloitte in 2010 which led to a thorough review of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the organisation, a task supported by law firm Hogan Lovells. The final Board will now comprise of six elected Board members, including the Chair and up to four Non-Executive Directors. The Non-Executive Directors will be appointed later this year, following a review of the skill set of the newly elected Board.

Read Tim Reddish’s previous interview with iSportconnect here>>

Madrid 2020: Our project, Our Reasons for Success

Madrid, viagra 100mg January 8, 2013: The reasons why Madrid should host the 2020 Games are set out in 360 pages, three volumes and 14 themes. Having submitted the Candidature File at the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne yesterday, the Mayor of Madrid Ana Botella and Madrid 2020 Bid President Alejandro Blanco today unveiled the document at the assembly hall at Madrid’s Palacio de Cibeles, an event that marks the start of the international promotion of the Bid. Ahead lie eight intensive months through to 7 September, when the members of the IOC meet in Buenos Aires to elect the Host City of the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the former to be held on 7-23 August and the latter on 11-22 September. Two key events in the build-up to that announcement are the arrival of the IOC Evaluation Commission on 18-21 March and the presentation of the Bid to IOC members in Lausanne in July.

The unanimous government and public support enjoyed by the project was once again made clear during the presentation. Botella and Blanco, who is also the President of the Spanish Olympic Committee, were joined by the leading representatives of the other government institutions backing the project, namely Jose Ignacio Wert, the Spanish Minister for Education, Culture and Sport, and Ignacio Gonzalez, the President of the Autonomous Community of Madrid. Also in attendance were Miguel Carballeda, the President of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, and Victor Sanchez, the CEO of Madrid 2020, who gave a presentation of the project.

Among the many benefits offered by the Bid are the regeneration of green areas, improvements in transport, the development of renewable energies, the construction of new sports facilities, the enhancing of Madrid’s image worldwide and the creation of new opportunities for the future, particularly among young people.

The File states that the Games will be staged at two main sites: the Campo de las Naciones, where the Olympic and Paralympic Village will be situated, in the Olympic Park, and Manzanares, located less than 15 minutes away and home to nine of the venues.

Strategic venues

The following events will be held elsewhere in Madrid, at strategic locations highlighting the city’s rich historic and cultural heritage: beach volleyball (to be staged at El Retiro Park), volleyball (the Palacio de los Deportes), the finals of the football tournaments (Estadio Santiago Bernabeu) and basketball (Las Ventas Bull Ring).

The close proximity of the venues to each other and the resulting reduction in travel time are both core factors of the project. The Olympic Village is only ten kilometres from the airport, ten minutes from the city centre and a three-minute walk from the Olympic Stadium, while ninety percent of the athletes will stay in accommodation situated less than 15 minutes from venues where they will compete.

In terms of development the project has reached an advanced stage, with 28 of the 35 competition venues having already been built. Only four permanent venues and three temporary ones need to be constructed.

The upshot of this strategic planning process is that $1940.41m (€1516m) remains to be invested in the project, to which must be added $192m (€150m) in operating costs (security, health, etc ).

“A Games for All”

“A Games for All”: that is the strategy being pursued, one that encompasses ticket prices that give everyone the opportunity to live and share the Olympic dream at the various venues. Over 38 percent of the tickets will cost less than $50 (€39) and nearly 60 percent will cost less than $80 (€62.5), while a large number of tickets for high-demand events will be allocated through lotteries at a price of only $40 (€31.2).

According to a survey conducted last September public support for the project is estimated to be 80 percent, and in tribute to all those who are backing the Bid we are committed to staging a Games for the people.

These Games will promote the Olympic Movement around the globe and enhance its prestige. This objective will be achieved by attracting capacity crowds to the venues and by harnessing the many wonderful assets that Madrid has to offer, such as its rich cultural heritage, great food, fantastic climate and the passion of its people, all of which combine to make it one of the world’s great tourist destinations. No less important in making this goal a reality are the large audiences the Games will attract thanks to the time zone Madrid is situated in, the implementation of a SMART management model and the creation of a long-term legacy offering major economic and social benefits.

Some 425 copies of the File, which provides an exhaustive account of Madrid’s Olympic dream, have been published in English and French. Of these, 100 have been delivered to the IOC, with the remainder being forwarded to IOC members and international federations etc, while a further 500 copies have been printed in Spanish and English. In addition to the 100 copies of the File, the IOC was also presented with two sets of guarantees. In all, the documents submitted to it comprised of 62 files and more than 20,000 pages, packed in 29 boxes weighing a total of 660 kilograms.

For further inquiries, please contact:

Sandra Serrano

International Communications Department

Madrid 2020 Bid Committee

Phone: +34 91  1922020

aserrano@madrid2020.es

www.madrid.es

www.facebook.com/madrid2020

@Madrid2020ES

USOC confirms BMW sponsorship

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has confirmed a six-year multi-million dollar deal with German car manufacturer BMW.

BMW has been named as official mobility partner of USOC and will also work with four national governing bodies, USA bobsled and skeleton, speed skating, swimming and track and field.

USOC chief marketing officer Lisa Baird said: “All of our research shows that our fans really respect Olympic sponsors, because they know that’s the way we bring the team to the Games.”

In addition to providing financial support, BMW will also use its expertise and facilities to improve the Olympic and Paralympic teams’ training and performance, including at the BMW Energy & Environmental test centre in Munich.

Vice president of marketing for BMW of North America, Jack Pitney, said: “We can replicate any weather environment, even the most gruelling winter conditions.”

BMW has supported American athletes before as a sponsor of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

 

Radio Mirchi Secures Radio Rights to Inaugural Hockey India League

Radio Mirchi has partnered with the Hero Hockey India League (HIL) as the official radio partner for the inaugural edition.

The station will provide listeners the opportunity to connect with players along with live analysis, medicine interviews with the players, allergist pre-game, medstore postgame and intermission reports throughout the tournament. 

Radio Mirchi VP and cluster head North Vivek Modi said: “HIL is the perfect platform to nurture budding talents which in turn will help us enhance our overall standard of the sport. Being the most vibrant youth brand of the country, we shall be effective in spreading the buzz about HIL.”

The inaugural Hero Hockey India League will be held from 25 January to 23 February, 2014, involving six teams. Delhi Waveriders, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Mumbai Magicians and Ranchi Rhinos will compete at six venues across Delhi, Mumbai, Punjab, Ranchi, Uttar Pradesh and Kalinga.

Castleford Tigers Lose Commercial Director Nick Fozzard

Castleford Tigers have lost another senior executive after commercial director Nick Fozzard left the Super League club a week after chief executive Steve Ferres quit.

Fozzard, whose long playing career included a spell with the Tigers, was appointed to the role only last March.

A short statement on his Twitter page read: “It is with regret that I have resigned from the Castleford Tigers Rugby League Football Club.”

Fozzard’s announcement follows Ferres’ decision to resign, citing differences with the board, and his wife Sarah has also left an administrative position at the club.

Castleford’s acting CEO Steve Gill said: “It is with disappointment that we confirm the departures of Sarah and Nick from the club. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them both for their efforts.

“Nick’s transition from player to commercial manager was amazing to see. We hope that his next venture in life is prosperous and one that gives him fulfilment.

“The aim of all remaining staff is to roll our sleeves up and ensure the backroom team are in a position to make the most of the positive start to the season made by the players and coaching staff.”

Tokyo 2020 Games to be Built on Delivery, Celebration, Innovation

Tokyo, 8 January 2013 – The Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee revealed its vision for the Olympic and Paralympic Games today, promising Games built on Delivery, Celebration and Innovation. Driven by a “forward-thinking” approach both to hosting and Games legacy, Bid leaders promised Tokyo will use sport to help continue the creation of a sustainable society and deliver a full range of positive physical and social Olympic legacy initiatives.

Tokyo 2020’s three key pillars are:

Delivery: Tokyo will provide guaranteed quality and maximum benefits. Certainty in delivery will be assured by the financial strength, world-leading infrastructure and hosting experience of one of the world’s safest and most welcoming cities. Delivering early will allow focusing on the crucial ‘extra’ elements that will help set Tokyo’s celebration apart.

Celebration: Tokyo will stage an exciting and welcoming celebration that will inspire the youth of the world. The Games will take place in the very heart of a truly dynamic global capital, fully-integrated with the life of its 35 million people. 

Innovation: Tokyo will use all the creativity of the world’s most forward-thinking city to benefit sport and the Games, and take the Games to the capital of the future – the city that continually sets global trends in everything from fashion to technology. 

Tokyo 2020’s Candidature File was unveiled by IOC Member and President of both the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and Tokyo 2020, Tsunekazu Takeda; Governor of Tokyo and Tokyo 2020 Chairman, Naoki Inose; Japan’s newly appointed Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Hakubun Shimomura; Tokyo 2020 Sports Director and member of Japan’s Montreal 1976 Games gold medal-winning Volleyball team, Yuko Arakida; three-time Olympic 55-kilogram Freestyle Wrestling gold medallist and Tokyo 2020 Bid Ambassador, Saori Yoshida; and five-time Paralympian and Tokyo 2020 Bid Ambassador, Wakako Tsuchida. 

Takeda said, “The Bid is highlighting its ability to deliver Games in the heart of the city with guaranteed quality and maximum benefits. Many of our venues are in place; most of the Games infrastructure is in place; the USD 4.5 billion dollars budget to complete these tasks is already in the bank. This means we can focus our energies on ‘the extras’ that will ensure the best Games experience possible for athletes, Olympic and Paralympic Families, and spectators alike. Tokyo will create a legacy for the city, the country and global sport.”

Governor Inose followed by emphasising the city of Tokyo’s rock-steady backing: “The Games plan Tokyo proposes encompasses all of Tokyo’s assets as one of the world’s most forward-thinking cities. More than anything, the city of Tokyo will be in the centre of all activities to ensure a successful Games.” 

Shimomura underscored the fact that Tokyo’s Bid has full government support. “The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Bid enjoys unanimous cross party support, and newly elected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s first direct order to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology was to realise our goal of hosting the 2020 Games, and continue in our aspiration to further promote Japan as a sports nation.”

The redevelopment of the Kasumigaoka National Stadium, built for the Tokyo 1964 Games, will be a vivid demonstration of Japan’s cutting-edge technology; with a capacity of more than 80,000, the stadium will offer athletes and spectators state-of-the-art facilities and a breath-taking atmosphere.

The stadium will first serve as the main stadium for the 2019 Rugby World Cup to be hosted in Japan, and will be positioned as the centre of sports and culture not only for the country, but for all of Asia. Shimomura added: “It will be an all-weather facility with a retractable roof. In addition, the stadium will exemplify Japan’s propensity for high technology with cutting-edge audio equipment, and movable seats depending on the competition or performance.” 

In Tokyo, philosophically and geographically, athletes will be at the centre of the Games. Athletes will live and compete in downtown Tokyo, and will take centre stage. 85 per cent of the Tokyo venues and all Olympic Family accommodation will be within eight kilometres of the Olympic Village. 

Tokyo’s Candidature File details a range of ‘winning assets’ as well as both tangible and “soft” legacies that the city, the country and global sport can expect if the Games are hosted in Tokyo in 2020, including:

– International Exchange Plaza (IEP), the part of the new Olympic Village development, devoted to sport in legacy. It will house national and global cultural, education and sporting institutions, ensuring the legacy of Tokyo 2020 will be a hub for international exchange research, events and cooperative projects.

– Tokyo Bay Zone: Tokyo will see the birth of a new sports and entertainment district in one of the city’s most desirable waterfront areas. It will be the focus of a plan that will see 11 permanent venues built, including the Aquatics Centre, the venue for Swimming, Diving and Synchronised Swimming competitions, and Ariake Arena, the Volleyball venue. The new venues will help regenerate this prime area – and deliver sports facilities that will serve residents in the very heart of the city for decades to come.

– Heritage Zone: Tokyo is demonstrating a strong commitment to its Olympic Legacy. Fifteen other venues, including several from the 1964 Games, will extend their legacy for another 50 years. Examples include the Kasumigaoka National Stadium, site of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Athletics, Football and Rugby, and Nippon Budokan, the birthplace of Judo set to host the competition again in 2020. 

– Tokyo Vision 2020: The 2020 Games plan is fully aligned with Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s (TMG) long-term urban and environmental transformation plan that will turn the city into a showcase of urban sustainability. Tokyo Vision 2020 includes initiatives for green technology, transport and sport, especially for the younger generation, as part of meeting the city’s long-term development needs for new homes, offices, transport and green space. For example, regardless of whether Tokyo is selected as Host City, over the next eight years, 537 hectares of green areas and corridors will be created in the city.

Yesterday, Masato Mizuno, accompanied by Homare Sawa and Takayuki Suzuki, handed over the Candidature File to the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne. This was an important step in the run-up to the final vote in Buenos Aires, on 7 September 2013, that will decide the host city of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad and the XVI Paralympic Games in 2020.

Three new Tokyo 2020 Bid Ambassadors were also announced today: Shingo Kunieda, men’s single wheelchair tennis gold medallist at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games; Mikako Kotani, bronze medallist for solo and duet synchronised swimming at the Seoul 1988 Games; and Hiromi Miyake, London 2012 Games weightlifting silver medallist in the 48-kilogram division.

For futher inquiries
(Mr) Masa Takaya
Communications Manager, Japanese Olympic Committee
Acting Communications Director, Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee

(Ms) Nao Miyawaki
Head of International Communications, Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee

(Ms) Hiromi Sato
Manager, International Communications, Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee
Phone: 81-3-6279-0049 / Fax: 81-3-6279-0157 / pressoffice@tokyo2020.jp

Businesses urged to give financial backing to UK 2012 athletes

Small and medium businesses have been urged to give their financial backing to UK athletes for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

‘Our Team 2012’ is a joint venture launched by the British Olympic Association, the British Paralympic Association UK Sport and the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) and aims to raise £15 million (US$23 million).

The initiative is encouraging businesses to invest £20,000 (US$30,000) into the development of potential competitors ahead of the Games in two years’ time.

Employees of the firms will then get the chance to meet the athletes, get access to hospitality events and tickets to sporting events across the UK.

Sports and Olympics minister Hugh Robertson said: “Sports funding has always come from a mixture of exchequer, lottery and private sources.

“But there is a record amount of exchequer money in the London 2012 process and we’ve already raised the percentage of National Lottery money going towards the sport.

“When it comes to private funding, that is what Our Team 2012 is all about. This is a fantastic opportunity for small or medium sized businesses, who cannot access tier one sponsorship but who want to get involved in these Games.

“With just two years to go until the Games begin, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support the UK’s Team 2012 athletes on their home turf.”

BBC Sport Seal New GB Davis Cup Broadcast Deal Until 2016

BBC Sport have announced today a new three-year broadcast deal to show all of Great Britain’s Davis Cup World Group matches until 2016. 

The GB Davis Cup Team has returned to the elite World Group of the competition for the first time since 2008.

They face the USA on clay in their first round tie on 31 January – 2 February in San Diego. The matches will be broadcast on BBC Two and BBC Three with commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra.

BBC Director of Sport, Barbara Slater, commented on the new deal: “2014 has the markings of a fantastic year of sport and I’m pleased that we can now add Great Britain’s Davis Cup matches to our coverage on the BBC. These ties are a welcome addition to our existing sport portfolio which this year includes the Winter Olympics, the World Cup, Wimbledon, Commonwealth Games, The Open, ATP World Tour Finals and Formula 1.”

ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti added: “This new agreement will guarantee that British tennis fans have widespread access to our premier team competition, and sees a return of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas to free-to-air television in the UK for the first time since 2008.”

McLaren Mercedes Appoint Tim Goss as Technical Director

McLaren Mercedes have announced that Tim Goss, formerly the team’s Director of Engineering, has been appointed to the position of Technical Director, with immediate effect. 

Tim joined McLaren in 1990 as a Development Engineer, and has been a central and successful stalwart of the team’s engineering and technical function ever since, leading car design operations since his elevation to Director of Engineering in January 2011. 

Tim Goss said: “I’m delighted to have been offered the Technical Directorship of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – one of the most prestigious positions in global sport – and I’m greatly looking forward to making a significant contribution to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’ ongoing success in that role. 

“As before, I’ll be leading our car design operations, while continuing the process of evolving and improving our technical and engineering function in collaboration with Martin [Whitmarsh], Jonathan [Neale], Sam [Michael], Neil [Oatley] and the rest of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’ hugely experienced technical and engineering team.”

Martin Whitmarsh added: “I’d like to offer my congratulations to Tim on his new position, which, after more than 20 years of exceptional service for McLaren, he richly deserves. 

“His quiet and unassuming persona conceals a fierce competitiveness and a wealth of experience, coupled to an unrivalled level of expertise in the field of Formula 1 car design and engineering. 

“It’s a little-known fact, for example, that over the past 23 years he’s made crucial technical and engineering contributions to the winning of five of McLaren’s 12 Drivers’ World Championships and three of McLaren’s eight Constructors’ World Championships, and that he’s been the principal definer and developer of McLaren’s F1 car design function for more than five years. 

“In line with what Tim has said, I firmly believe that our technical and engineering team is the best in the F1 business, and that its strength in depth has always been and will continue to be an important element of our on-track success. 

“Moreover, I’m certain that, in his expanded role, Tim will continue to lead it very capably indeed, and will evolve and improve it. That’s his brief, and it’s already clear that he’s prepared to embrace it with energy and enthusiasm.  

“In truth, though, this is a natural evolution in Tim’s already very successful career, and the fact that the decision to offer him our Technical Directorship was so straightforward for Jonathan and me demonstrates two things: the robust and logical succession-planning that underpins the senior engineering personnel structure within Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, and the commitment we have to developing our people, over many years, allowing their talent and expertise to flourish in a collaborative and collegiate environment. 

“That’s good work practice, and it’s worth lap-time.”

This follows speculation that Paddy Lowe, the previous Mclaren Technical Director, may have a position in Mercedes for 2014 clearing the way for Ross Brawn to exit the team.

“Paddy [Lowe] will be performing a different role within McLaren until the end of the year. He’s been a good and successful F1 Technical Director, and we wish him well when he embarks on a fresh challenge in 2014.”