NJCAA Sports Properties has announced that NJCAA TV, herbal | powered by iHigh.com, will provide live video coverage of eight NJCAA championship tournaments taking place throughout February and March.

Since its creation in 2009, NJCAA TV has been the exclusive home for live broadcasts of NJCAA championship events.

A new and improved NJCAA TV, debuted fall 2012 when the organization strengthened its relationship with iHigh.com, which now includes a corporate sponsorship and multimedia rights agreement. As a result, NJCAA Sports Properties was formed to manage the association’s corporate sponsorships, national advertising (print and digital), championship marketing, and radio/television rights in addition to NJCAA TV.

Live coverage of winter championships on NJCAA TV begins Feb. 23rd with the national finals of the 2013 NJCAA Wrestling Championship in Des Moines, Iowa. In addition, the semifinals and finals of the Ice Hockey Championship in Rochester, N.Y., will be showcased live Feb. 23rd and 24th.

Basketball fans will be in hoops heaven as all games from the NJCAA’s six competitive national tournaments will highlight NJCAA TV, beginning with the Division III ranks on March 14th. A complete broadcast schedule is below.

Broadcasts of each event are being made possible through the cooperation of each tournament host and their volunteer staff.

NJCAA TV moved to the iHigh.com platform in August 2011 and drew over 650,000 broadcast views and 370,000 unique visitors for the 2011-12 academic year. Since August of 2012, NJCAA TV has eclipsed 630,000 unique visitors.

Since 1938 the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has been the governing body of two-year college athletics, offering athletic and academic opportunities to college students.

The largest global football follower survey ever conducted has today named Manchester United the world’s most popular club, with 659 million followers worldwide.

The survey was carried out by leading market research agency, Kantar, and gathered 54,000 respondents from 39 countries. The club that Forbes recently named the most valuable in world sport was identified as the favourite team of 659 million followers around the world. Kantar found that football remains the world’s most popular sport, with 1.6 billion followers globally, reinforcing the results of a recent FIFA survey which produced a similar figure.

Richard Arnold, the club’s Commercial Director, commented on the long-term strategy that has made Manchester United the number one club.

“Manchester United has built on a tradition of iconic players, iconic teams and iconic achievements – Beckham, Busby, Benfica ’68. Now our games are broadcast to 1.15 billion households globally, to an audience of over four billion a year, ” he said.

“Manchester United resonates with followers all over the world, and it’s their passion and support that means year after year we can continue doing what matters most to everyone at the club: playing attacking football and competing for trophies.

“The growth in our followers since 2007 correlates with what we have seen as we have rolled out our new approach to reaching fans.  From the increase in TV viewership from two to four billion last season, to the demand from millions of media subscribers in 72 countries through our media partnerships, to the way the footage of Wayne’s overhead kick echoed around the world on social media, we can see that the connections to the club are growing exponentially.

“With the DHL Champ19ns Trophy tour we have seen that passion from our community of followers face to face in 38 cities across the globe, and there does not seem to be a beach or street in the world where you do not see the Aon and Nike shirt.

“This survey shows that our family of followers is going from strength to strength.”

Meanwhile former Director of Marketing at Manchester United Steven Falk has unveiled the new website for Star Sports Marketing  Visit: www.starsportsmarketing.com

British Judo has let go performance director Margaret Hicks as they look to capitalize on their home advantage and reach their medal target at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Hicks will vacate the role of performance director, with Jane Bridge leaving the senior women’s coach post as well.

It follows the decision last week to appoint German Daniel Lascau as the new performance director of British Judo.

British Judo have targeted two medals next year, and wanted a performance director who will strengthen the leadership of the organisation, unifying those involved in the programme to support British athletes ahead of the Games, it is claimed.

On their website, British Judo paid tribute to Hicks for building performance structures and for having a positive impact, whilst they also credited Bridge for her work with the women’s team.

Densign White, British Judo chairman, said: “British Judo can deliver the target of two Olympic medals in London next summer, but we need to strengthen our technical expertise and move more players into the seeded zone of the world ranking list.”

Japan’s preparations to host Rugby World Cup 2019 have been given a further boost after the International Rugby Board announced that the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) will host the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011.

The sixth IRB Pacific Nations Cup tournament, denture now an established event on the annual Rugby calendar with its exciting brand of local rivalry and competitive action, will have an extra dimension as Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga look to gain advantage ahead of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

Samoa will defend the title they won for the first time on home soil last year as the single-host format continues. All six IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011 matches will be played at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo between July 2-13, providing fans with three double-header match days and the ability to see some of the world’s most exciting players in action before they head to New Zealand.

“Rugby in Asia is continuing to go from strength to strength and the IRB is delighted to award this major international tournament to Japan and a Union that has been at the very heart of this growth,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“Japan staged an exceptional IRB Junior World Championship and is preparing to host the first ever Rugby World Cup in Asia. The single-hosting format of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup has proved extremely popular, allowing a greater platform for broadcast and media coverage, attendances, training and legacy programmes. I have no doubt that the 2011 tournament will be a resounding success.”

Tonga will play Fiji on the opening day while hosts Japan take on champions Samoa. Both corresponding fixtures in last year’s tournament produced thrilling matches as Fiji defeated Tonga by just three points – one of half the tournament matches to be decided by a margin of three points or less – and the Brave Blossoms secured a 31-23 victory over the eventual winners.

For the JRFU, the announcement adds to the expanding portfolio of international Rugby tournaments awarded to Japan after they played host to a record-breaking IRB Junior World Championship in 2009.

Hosting the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011 will give a further boost to the exposure of the Game across Asia as Japan looks ahead to Rugby World Cup 2019 and a tournament aimed at bringing together the Asian Rugby family for a unique celebration of world-class Rugby across the continent.

“It is an honour to solo host the very important and prestigious IRB Pacific Nations Cup and we are grateful to the IRB for deciding to hold it next July in Tokyo. We look forward to welcoming the other participating Unions, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga and we would also love to see Rugby fans from all the corners of the globe,” said Vice President and Chairman of the Japan Rugby Football Union Nobby Mashimo.

“We are very confident that it will be a great success and that the players, teams, management and spectators will thoroughly enjoy their stay in Tokyo where tradition and modernism so vividly co-exist.”

“The sixth IRB Pacific Nations Cup is an ideal occasion to showcase the potential of the Rugby market in Japan, the enthusiasm of Japanese rugby fans and the ability of the Brave Blossoms. The Tournament will give the world Rugby family a glimpse of what lies ahead for Rugby World Cup 2019. See you next July here in Tokyo!” added Mashimo.

IRB Regional General Manager for Oceania Will Glenwright added: “The IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011 is set to be the most exciting and competitive to date, with the tournament providing vital international matches for the Pacific Islands and Japan as they prepare for Rugby World Cup 2011 and also for their longer term development towards Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2019.”

“The tournament has become of vital importance to both the Oceania and Asia region and offers a wonderful opportunity to develop players, match officials and structures for all the Unions involved. It was hugely encouraging to see the much-improved performance of these nations during the recent November Test window.”

The tournament will also throw up two tasters for Rugby World Cup 2011 where Tonga will meet Pool A rivals Japan on Wednesday, September 21 in Whangarei before Fiji take on Samoa in their Pool D clash on September 25 in Auckland.

Russian business tycoon Anton Zingarevich will finally take the reins at Reading following the successful completion of his takeover of the newly promoted Premier League club.

Zingarevich agreed to buy 51% of the Royals from Sir John Madejski in January through Thames Sport Investment, viagra owned by Zingarevich.

The deal had hoped to have been completed in March but delays meant approval has at last been cleared on Tuesday, patient exactly six weeks after manager Brian McDermott guided the Berkshire outfit to promotion from the Championship.

A statement released by Reading read: “Reading Football Club are pleased to announce that a 51% acquisition by Thames Sports Investment (owned by Anton Zingarevich) has now been completed, ed complying with all Premier League and Football League requirements.

“Four additional directors have been added to the Reading Football Club board chaired by Sir John Madejski, namely Anton Zingarevich, Christopher Samuelson, Andrew Obolensky and chief executive Nigel Howe. Ian Wood-Smith also remains a director.

“The football club and TSI would like to thank both the Premier League and Football League for their assistance, and we now enter another bright new era for our historic club, back in the Barclays Premier League.”

Former Welsh Premier side Neath FC have been wound up.

They had been under threat for months, seeing off winding up moves brought by the taxman in March — only to come under attack from Barclays Bank.

Neath FC president Peter Hain said he hoped the soccer club would now emerge phoenix-like from the ashes.

“It’s a very sad day,” said the Neath MP. “For Neath FC to have scaled such heights and then come crashing down is a savage blow.”

Neath FC came into being in 2005, when Welsh League clubs Skewen Athletic and Neath decided to merge. But latterly fans became increasingly worried about the club’s future following the financial issues, legal proceedings and chairman Geraint Hawkes’s import business going into administration. In October, the payment of players’ wages was delayed by what the club referred to as “issues”.

Last month, Neath were kicked out of the Welsh Premier League, meaning they could not compete in Europe next season after failing to gain either a domestic or Uefa licence.

The Eagles, who had former Swansea City star Lee Trundle on their books, saw applications for both licences rejected by the Football Association of Wales earlier that month.

Yesterday they were wound up in London’s High Court, two weeks after escaping such action when Registrar Barber ruled that the paperwork in front of her was not satisfactory.

Yesterday, though, lawyers for the bank told her the papers were in order, and she granted a “usual compulsory order” winding the club up.

The court heard in March that Neath had paid its £65,000 debt to HM Revenue and Customs. However, the bank won an order for “substitution”, allowing it to take over the winding-up petition in respect of its undisclosed debt.

The club’s affairs will now be handed over to an Official Receiver.

His job will be to do his best to ensure debts are paid off by selling any assets available and then bringing business to a close.

Mr Hain said: “For the efforts of everyone involved with the club to go up in smoke is desperately sad.

“Let us hope that it can rise phoenix-like in the future.”

Double Olympic judo champion David Douillet begins a new role as the French Sports Minister, it was announced.

The 42-year-old, who won the +95 kilogram at Atlanta in 1996 and +100kg Sydney in 2000, is to replace Chantal Jouanno, who resigned following her election to the French Senate on Sunday.

Douillet had also won a bronze medal in the +95kg at Barcelona in 1992 as well as four world and one European titles.

Douillet, who carried the French flag at the Opening Ceremony in Sydney, was elected deputy to the French National Assembly in October 2009 for the ruling UMP Party of President Nicolas Sarkozy. Douillet moves from his role as Secretary of State for French nationals abroad.

A statement from the President’s office, said: “On the proposal of Prime Minister, the President terminated at his request, the functions of Chantal Jouanno, Minister for Sport. He appointed Mr. David Douillet Sports Minister.”

Douillet’s main responsibility will be overseeing France’s preparations for the 2016 European Football Championships.

Jouanno served less than a year in the role but she did make an impact on the failed bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, helping give it some creditability when several officials wanted to scrap it. She also brought some success when Paris gained the 2018 Ryder Cup.

The International Rugby Board has confirmed that Georgia will host the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2011 from May 24 to June 5.

It is the first time that the hosting rights to a major IRB tournament have been awarded to the Georgian Rugby Union and the selection underlines the outstanding progress that the Union has made in driving the development of the Game throughout the country since Rugby World Cup 2007.

The tournament format will follow the model that successfully delivered a compelling Trophy in 2010. The eight participating teams will be split into two pools of four with two match venues in the capital Tbilisi hosting double-headers on May 24, ambulance May 28, order June 1 and June 5.

Canada, Japan, Russia, Samoa, Uruguay, USA, Zimbabwe and hosts Georgia will all be looking to lift the coveted Trophy and secure promotion to the IRB Junior World Championship in 2012.

“The IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy has grown to become a major fixture on the annual Rugby calendar, providing the participating Unions with an invaluable competition and development platform. Yet the tournament is not all about exposure for the teams, it is also about taking a major international Rugby tournament to new territories, to leave an administration legacy with the hosting Union and to deliver a golden opportunity to grow the Game,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“I am delighted that the Junior World Rugby Trophy 2011 will be hosted in Georgia and would like to thank the Georgian Rugby Union and the Georgian Government for their enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to hosting a tournament that will not just be successful on the pitch, but will leave a lasting legacy for growth and participation off it.”

For Georgia, the awarding of the international tournament is a ground-breaking move and will deliver the platform for the sport to continue to grow – a trend that began with the senior national team’s performances during Rugby World Cup 2007 in France which captured the hearts of the nation.

Last month Lapasset was in Georgia to open the IRB funded state-of-the-art National Academy, a centre that will oversee the development of future international stars, while the Georgian Government has committed £6 million in funding for the growth of Rugby across the country.

“These are certainly exciting times for Rugby in Georgia, which is enjoying unprecedented interest off the back of a tremendous Rugby World Cup 2007 and a successful Rugby World Cup 2011 qualifying campaign. Hosting the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy next year will further accelerate development, administration and legacy programmes,” added Lapasset.

Georgian Rugby Union President George Nijaradze said: “This is a very exciting time for Rugby in Georgia with Rugby World Cup qualification secured for a third successive tournament creating huge interest in the country’s number one team sport. Government and IRB funding have provided two Rugby Academies in Tbilisi and Kutaisi where age grade players can get advice on conditioning, nutrition and professional sport as part of our Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD).”

“We are very pleased to host a major tournament as part of our ongoing development and look forward to welcoming the eight teams here next summer for a wonderful festival of age grade Rugby.”

IRB Tournaments Manager Philippe Bourdarias, in Tbilisi for the official launch, added: “Georgia is a wonderful setting for this key tournament which is essential for the development of players, coaches and match officials. With just 160 days to go until the tournament starts, it is shaping up to be the most competitive IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy to date and has the added incentive of being a little under four months before Rugby World Cup 2011.”

“I am sure the Georgian Rugby Union will deliver a unique festival of Rugby that will help spread awareness and interest in the Game throughout the country, attracting new players, coaches, referees and fans to the Rugby family.”

The venues, pools and match schedule will be confirmed in January 2011.

Italy won the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in 2010 and were promoted to the IRB Junior World Championship 2011 which they will host in the Veneto Region. The Azzurri have already given full international caps to players who won the title, including the exciting outside centre and captain Tommaso Benvenuti who made his full Test debut against Argentina in November. Benvenuti joins an illustrious list of players and match officials who have graduated from both the IRB Junior World Championship and IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy to full international test status.