Volley America, drugs the largest adult outdoor volleyball membership program in the United States, salve has announced a partnership with equipment supplier Spalding, V-Go (a division of The Elevation Group) and Karch Kiraly.

“Volley America’s mission has always been to provide unparalleled benefits to regional Volley America programs throughout the country, including a unique playing experience and top purse and prize packages for the participants,”said Rich Heiles, Volley America Executive Director. “We’ve worked to align ourselves with key individuals who have tremendous experience and resources in the industry. Our new partnership will allow us to grow our programming into the Juniors’ category in 2014.”

Spalding, the first company to introduce the “beach volleyball,” will serve as presenting sponsor for the new effort.

“Spalding’s alignment with Volley America is consistent with our on-going commitment to and passion for the sport of volleyball,” said Paul Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Spalding. “We have long been committed to the core of the volleyball community, so this is a natural fit for us, particularly because of the focus on the future generations of the sport.”

Two-time IndyCar Series Champion Panther Racing has announced an extension of its associate partnership with Lincoln Technical Institute for the upcoming 2014 IndyCar Series season.

Lincoln Tech has been associated with Panther Racing since 2006 and John Barnes, the team’s Managing Partner and CEO, is a Lincoln Tech graduate and a member of the Lincoln Tech Hall of Fame inaugural class.

“I know firsthand the value of a Lincoln Tech education, and having employed several other graduates over the years, I can assure you it’s the best technical school in the country,” Barnes said. “I am proud that we are able to team up again and be an integral part of Lincoln’s 2014 marketing and sales plan.” 

The partnership, designed to promote the Lincoln brand nationally and target future students, is also beneficial to current students. The Lincoln Mentor Program returns in 2014, giving top students and instructors a full race weekend immersion experience with Panther. This behind the scenes opportunity includes engineering debriefs, team mechanic Q&A sessions, and live pit lane interaction, allowing future Lincoln grads an inside look at careers in the IndyCar paddock. 

“At the Lincoln Group of Schools, we offer a broad range of options for people who want to launch exciting new careers,” explains Piper Jameson, Lincoln’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “The professions we train for are the careers that build America-and Automotive Technology has been a cornerstone of our offerings for many years. After witnessing our Panther program flourish even more in 2013, we’re excited to be partnering again with Panther Racing and combining our tradition of automotive training excellence with Panther’s history of excellence on the track and in its marketing programs. It’s a partnership that really embodies everything exceptional about the two organizations.” 

Panther Racing kicks off the 2014 IndyCar Series season on March 30th with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in a season highlighted by the 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 25th. 

For the eighth consecutive year, search First Command Financial Services sponsored the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.

The game, shop won by Navy beating Middle Tennessee University 24-6, therapy took place on Dec. 30 at the Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, the Armed Forces Bowl will feature the U.S. Naval Academy and Middle Tennessee State University. The game will air on ESPN TV and ESPN Radio as well as the American Forces Network to U.S. servicemembers around the world.

As part of First Command’s “Medal of Honor” partnership, the company is expected to host more than 250 wounded warriors who will watch the gridiron action from the First Command Warrior Center at the south end zone of Amon G. Carter Stadium.

“We at First Command are especially aware of the sacrifices America’s servicemembers and their families make in defense of the freedoms we all enjoy,” said Scott Spiker, CEO of First Command. “In our daily work as Financial Advisors, we see examples of the many serious challenges that confront America’s military families. We feel duty bound to step up and give something back. By supporting active duty military members, veterans, and their spouses with the programs and resources critical to putting their personal, professional and financial lives in order, we commit to helping our heroes and their family members get all aspects of their lives squared away.”

Since 2003, the Armed Forces Bowl has supported military charities, including the Airpower Foundation, American Red Cross, Armed Services YMCA, and Military Warriors Support Foundation. First Command and other bowl sponsors donate thousands of tickets annually to veterans and active-duty servicemembers, and the game is dedicated to America’s military capabilities and culture.

With the Armed Forces Bowl, First Command is wrapping up an exciting year of sports-related sponsorships for the nation’s military families.

The company was a major sponsor of the 2013 Marine Corps Marathon, continuing the company’s proud history of supporting “The People’s Marathon.” About 30,000 runners took part in the Oct. 27 race in Arlington, Va. First Command’s $50,000 sponsorship supported several popular elements of the annual event. The company was the presenting sponsor of the MCM Carbo Dining In, the annual pre-event pasta dinner at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, and MCM Forward, the satellite marathon event for deployed military. First Command also participated in the Health and Fitness Expo, a three-day event that attracted more than 100,000 runners and visitors.

First Command also served as a supporting sponsor of the 67th annual Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Thousands of servicemembers and their dependents enjoyed free admission to and special hospitality access at May 20-26 golf tournament held annually at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth. First Command’s generous financial gift made complimentary daily grounds tickets available to all active-duty, reserve and military retirees and up to four dependents. Military ticket holders also received free refreshments at the Patriots’ Outpost hospitality tent overlooking the first tee.

“First Command is honored to offer our men and women in uniform and their families these special opportunities to experience and enjoy some of the nation’s most popular sporting events,” Spiker said. “We view our support of these and other activities as a clear demonstration of the sense of partnership we feel with all of the armed forces.”

NewDay USA, one of America’s leading providers of VA-backed loans sponsored the Military Bowl for the third year in a row as a major sponsor

The game being held at the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on December 27, 2013 saw Marshall University defeat the University of Maryland 31-20.

During the game’s half time ceremonies, Admiral Tom Lynch (USN Ret.), Chairman of the NewDay USA Board of Directors, presented Wounded Warrior Staff Sergeant Sal Callendar with the keys to his completely renovated home, rebuilt through the efforts of the NewDay USA Foundation and its employees, in partnership with Renovating Hope. SSG Callendar, a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, was injured while serving in Afghanistan.

“NewDay USA is deeply appreciative of the sacrifices made by our Soldiers and Veterans on behalf of our country. Attending to the special needs of these dedicated men and women and their families is our duty,” said Admiral Lynch. “SSG Callendar and those with whom he served are the cornerstone of what makes America great. Through the NewDay USA Foundation we do our best to give back to these men and women who have given so much for us. We are humbled by the sacrifice of Staff Sergeant Callendar and grateful for the opportunity to work with Renovating Hope to assist him.”

Milton Keynes Dons have announced a new corporate partnership with thecentre:mk, who are set to become the main sponsor of MK Dons Ladies.

thecentre:mk have had a close association with the English League One club for many years and were one of the original sponsors of the First Team.

Over time thecentre:mk hope to host events with the Ladies team; events which will be designed to promote the great opportunities that football represents for the young and old, advantaged and disadvantaged.

They are also the current sponsors of MK Ice and their temporary home, and both partnerships demonstrate the type of activities that, as an organisation, they believe really can make a difference in the community.

James Waugh, the new Centre Director for thecentre:mk said: “As a regionally dominant retail and leisure destination we believe thecentre:mk will provide a great platform from which to build the profile of women’s football.

“We are proud that thecentre:mk’s sponsorship of the team has provided the financial security they needed to ensure a continuing bright future.”

Opening its doors in 1979 thecentre:mk is now one of the UK’s leading shopping and leisure destinations and a key hub within the city. Attracting people from as far as Birmingham and London the centre represents over 180 brands and attracts a footfall of more than 24 million people a year.

Chairman of MK Dons, Pete Winkelman, added: “We are delighted to announce such a significant partnership in the sponsorship of our ladies team. thecentre:mk is one of the iconic destinations of Milton Keynes and we are privileged to be joining forces as we look to the future.”

HSBC has expanded its commitment to Rugby Sevens by sponsoring global broadcaster CNN International’s first dedicated Sevens TV programme.

As the first ever title sponsor of the International Rugby Board’s Sevens World Series, HSBC has heavily invested in the shorter format of the game. 

Airing for the first time today, CNN’s Rugby Sevens Worldwide aims to educate sports fans around the world about the newest Olympic sport, which will be played at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.  The monthly programme will focus on different stories on and off the pitch.  It will feature interviews with some of the biggest names in both the XVs and seven-a-side games, and look at the growth the sport is experiencing around the world. 

Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sponsorship and Events, HSBC Holdings plc, said: “HSBC is proud to have been involved with the increasingly popular Sevens World Series since 2010, which attracts more than half a million spectators across nine countries and is broadcast to 149 countries each season. Sponsoring this new programme on CNN will complement our sponsorship of the HSBC Sevens World Series, which the IRB is broadcasting internationally.  This regular, feature-led TV programme will be broadcast in more than 200 countries around the world. Given the growing global interest in this exciting sport we hope that Rugby Sevens Worldwide will encourage even more people to get involved with this.  The programme will hopefully introduce the Game and the Series to a broader audience and to educate those not familiar with Sevens as well as showcasing the entertaining nature of the Game.” 

Mike McCarthy, senior vice president of programming for CNN International said: “Rugby Sevens is a fast, exhilarating, and growing sport for both men and women.  It already enjoys enormous popularity in many parts of the world, and given its selection as an Olympic sport for the Rio games, the time is right for us to give CNN’s global audience a closer look at the game.” 

The series will also be supported by a promotional campaign by HSBC in commercial airtime on CNN.