Super Rugby’s Sharks Rugby team has announced a new sponsorship deal with Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa.

The agreement kicks off from January 2014 and will bring the company’s tailor-made document management solutions closer to potential customers, not only within Southern African, but also across the world of Super Rugby.

The Kyocera logo will be on the back of the new official jersey.

Wayne Holborn, general manager at Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa, said: “To use the words of the founder of Kyocera Corporation, Kazuo Inomori, we have always “possessed a challenging spirit” and we believe The Sharks mirror our approach. We are excited about our partnership with The Sharks and see great synergy and potential, not only from a marketing perspective but also as a way to associate ourselves with a global winning team.”

“Kyocera is also a global brand known for our tailor-made document solutions. This means that we provide our customers with a perfect blend of premium products, software solutions and professional services. We consistently strive to increase an organisation’s workflow efficiency, enhance employee productivity, minimise environmental impact and significantly reduce operating costs,” says Holborn.

“We strongly believe in the ability of sports to empower, to energise and inspire people to be the best they can be and use that challenging spirit. We’ll be ensuring that we bring our own ethos into play alongside that of The Sharks to bring us closer to our current and potential customers,” says Holborn.

The Sharks CEO, John Smit said: “We are delighted to partner with Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa and look forward to a mutually successful partnership which is based on excellence and foresight.

“Our vision is to take The Sharks brand to new heights and we are delighted to align ourselves with one of the world’s leading manufacturers who share our vision and values.”

The International Modern Pentathlon Union (UPIM) has renewed its partnership with Ram Swiss watches until 2020.

The initial deal, which was signed in January 2012, was to commemorate UIPM’s 100-year anniversary within the Olympic Movement.

The new partnership will bring a fresh injection of sponsorship funds with extra funds made available as well as gifts for all major competitions.

Also at UIPM’s Modern Pentathlon Congress several new Member Federations were welcomed into the Modern Pentathlon family as UIPM continued its development drive with the focus on grassroots programs to grow participation at all levels. Costa Rica, Nepal, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Kosovo were unveiled as the new members whilst the Hong Kong and Peru Federations were re-activated.

British Basketball League franchise Birmingham Knights have announced a new partnership with clothing company Trash-Talk-Tees.

The team at Trash-Talk-Tees have created some exclusive designs for the Knights, and following some consultation with its fans via social media and email have chosen two of the designs to be produced that will be in stock before the Raiders game on December 14th. In addition to the new Knights designs, the game night merchandise stand will also be selling their unique selection of t-shirts and jumpers with exclusive discounts available to Knights fans.  

John Boyle, Director of Trash-Talk-Tees had this to say about partnership “As a relatively young brand on the UK hoops market we are extremely pleased to be working together with the Knights! In supplying fan wear along with our own branded clothing we really hope to have as many of the player and fans keeping involved with all things British Basketball related. Getting involved with such a fast developing BBL program is really exciting and as fans of the game ourselves, we can’t wait to help the Knights in growing basketball in Birmingham.” 

Jo Aldridge, Owner of Birmingham Knights had this to say “We are really pleased to be working closely with Trash-Talk-Tees, their fresh and funky designs are something you rarely see in the current basketball marketplace.” She also added “I love the new designs they have created for us, the feedback we have had from the fans has been very positive and hopefully we can release some more at a later date.”

British Basketball League (BBL) champions Leicester Riders have announced a major sponsorship deal with midlands dealership Sandicliffe. 

The partnership is worth a 5 figure sum to the Leicester Riders and under the terms of the agreement, medstore Sandicliffe will become the Leicester Riders Official Vehicle Supplier  and will have branding at The John Sandford Centre and feature on The Leicester Riders Web-Site.  

Sandicliffe will loan Leicester Riders a Ford Transit Custom Van which will be used to support Leicester Riders work in the Community and 2 Kia cars which the players/community coaches will use to support out work in schools, health colleges and in the community. 

Managing Director of the Riders Russell Levenston commented: “We are thrilled  to be working with Sandiciffe  and this support for us at this time is most welcome. We welcome them to the Leicester Riders family and thank them for their support.” 

Sandicliffe Managing Director Reg Tutt commented “We are pleased to support Russell and his team in this way and hope the Riders continue to develop their community work and develop as a club.”

The new two-year sponsorship deal coincides with a spate of bad publicity over player behaviour this week.

“We may have a hiccup from time to time with player behaviour but overall the boys understand the importance of the image with sponsors and our members,” said CEO Shane Richardson.

“We don’t have leagues club money and I can assure you our owners won’t be putting in any more money.

“We now have a relationship with 220 companies from local businesses to major corporations and they, along with our members, are our lifeblood.”

Richardson revealed part of the decision to play interstate games each year in Perth and Cairns was to give sponsors a more national feel.

Fujitsu’s national marketing manager Marc Cheah said his company saw enormous appeal in the club.

“The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an iconic club and has had an exceptional few years rebuilding its position in the NRL,” he said.

“Like us here at Fujitsu, South Sydney are a performance driven club, which is evident in the results not only on the field, but off the field as well.

“With enviable membership numbers, media ratings, and followers on social media. The club is truly a powerhouse of Australian sport.”

Leading UK sports fashion retailer JD Sports has announced a partnership with boxing promoter Frank Warren to title sponsor the promoter’s three big arena events in November and December.

The first of the three fights takes place on 30th November at the Copper Box Arena in London where Dereck Chisora takes on Ondrej Pala  for The European Heavyweight Title. The following week will see Paul Butler and Ruben Montoya compete for the WBO & WBA Intercontinental Super Flyweight title at The Echo Arena in Liverpool on 7th December.  The third fight, a Dennis Hobson Promoted event run in association with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, will take place on 21st December at the Leeds Arena and will see Stuart Hall take on Vusi Malinga for the IBF World Bantamweight Title whilst Frankie Gavin will battle it out with Joseph Lamptey for the Commonwealth Welterweight Championship.

Commenting on the association, JD Group Marketing Director Stephen White said “This is an exciting partnership for JD, these are three big events on the boxing calendar and we are pleased to support them.   It’s great to see Frank Warren and BoxNation showcasing the UK’s  home grown talent to the masses and we look forward to working closely with Frank and his team to enhance the boxing fan’s, and our customers’, experience.”

In addition to a strong JD presence at each of the events,  the partnership will open up opportunities for JD customers, including chances to win tickets for the fights, signed merchandise, boxer appearances and ‘money can’t buy’ prizes.  JD customers will also receive a special offer on subscriptions to BoxNation.

Frank Warren says: “A partnership such as this underlines the appeal of boxing to the sports fan and we are delighted to have the support of such an aspirational brand like JD on board. Support like this allows us to continue the investment in our great boxing talent which will help the sport and the boxers continue to flourish.”
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Felt Bicycles has decided against extending their sponsorship of the Team Argos-Shimano pro team for the 2014 season.

Team Argos-Shimano is a professional cycling team based in the Netherlands, which competes in elite road bicycle racingevents such as the UCI Women’s Road World Cup.

“After two very successful years together, the decision is one that did not come easily,” a Felt statement said.

Our decision to not re-up with the team is one we toiled over,” said company founder Jim Felt. “But, it is time for us to look to new opportunities. This is in no way to say we do not support road racing at the very highest level — we whole-heartedly do and we will continue to — it is just that we wanted to move some of the sponsorship pieces around. (Team general manager) Iwan Spekenbrink runs a first-class program and we are very proud that we could be part of the team’s rise to the WorldTour ranks and all of the victories that followed. We wish the whole program continued success moving forward.”

The company said it expects to announce its complete list of 2014 race sponsorships before the end of the year.

Olympic Council of Ireland, order the National Olympic Committee for the Republic of Ireland, ed has named New Balance as their official apparel and footwear sponsor in a multi-year deal.

This new sponsorship allows for New Balance to provide the Irish Olympic Team competing in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with custom high performance apparel for use in competition as well as warm up and leisurewear for medal ceremonies, travelling and public appearances.

Patrick Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland, hailed the new sponsorship as a real breakthrough for Ireland’s Olympians. “The look and feel of the Irish team’s competition clothing is a vital element in the Team Ireland arrangements – especially in projecting our image on the world’s greatest sporting stage,” he commented. “With this New Balance sponsorship, I believe that our athletes will be very happy with the results and that this dynamic company will provide the best quality design, fit and clothing textures needed for top Olympic performances.”

Tom Carleo, New Balance’s Vice President, Running/Outdoor said, “When the opportunity arose to sponsor the Olympic Council of Ireland we could not have been more excited. New Balance has a long history with Irish athletics and we look forward to designing product that is both modern and heritage inspired that makes athletes and fans proud.” Carleo further commented “This sponsorship and the significant growth we have experienced in the European market reinforce our ambition to become one of the leading athletics brands in the world.”

Natural mineral water Vittel has renewed its partnership with the Tour de France until 2018. 

As a major partner of the Tour since 2008, Vittel will continue to be a key partner of the Tour de France for another five years. 

Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, said: “This continued support from the Nestle Waters group and the Vittel brand for the Tour de France reflects their attachment to the values and enduring popularity of the race over the years. We are particularly proud that this partnership has been renewed for the long term, demonstrating how the unifying qualities of the Vittel brand and the Tour de France are able to bring competitors and public together.”

Denis Cans, Chairman of Nestle Waters France and Belgium, added: “Nestle Waters’ renewal of this partnership cements its longstanding support of this one-of-a-kind and hugely popular event. For Vitte, it is an extraordinary opportunity to get out and meet its consumers on the streets of France during the month of July, and support the development of the Tour de France.”

Professional services firm, EY South Africa today announced its sponsorship agreement with the South African Football Association (SAFA).

Ajen Sita, CEO for EY Africa, commented on the deal: “We are delighted to be an official sponsor to SAFA. EY’s vision of creating the highest performing teams aligns strongly with SAFA’s vision. Teaming – whether in business or sport – inspires people and communities to have a collective vision; EY is showing its commitment to encouraging an environment where businesses can create lasting economic value in their communities.”

Danny Jordaan, President of SAFA commented: “Corporate governance in sport is a major area of debate in South Africa and the rest of the world. It is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. There is nothing more important to SAFA than good corporate governance; it is the rock on which I want to build this organisation. This decision by one of the world’s top professional services firms supports SAFA’s vision in its strategy to evolve high standards of corporate governance.”

Dr Jordaan further said, “I am really excited that EY has agreed to come on board as a sponsor. It is a testament to EY’s faith in my promise to make SAFA a world-class organisation.”

SAFA CEO, Dennis Mumble said that EY’s sponsorship was a ringing endorsement of the new era at SAFA. “From the beginning of our relationship at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, EY has worked tirelessly to help us operate more efficiently and aid us in our mission of best serving South African football and its millions of fans. I am confident the best is yet to come from this partnership.”

EY looks forward to building strong and mutually beneficial relationships within the communities in which SAFA operates in.