Gill North America, asthma a technical apparel and accessories leader in the worldwide marine industry, medstore  has extended its deal as the official technical apparel sponsor of US Sailing.

“We take pride in aligning ourselves with a company that is focused on innovation and developing the best possible products for sailors,” said Jack Gierhart, Executive Director of US Sailing. “We have had a long and successful partnership with Gill, and are grateful for their ongoing support of sailing in the U.S.”

The sponsorship agreement includes direct financial and product support for the organization, including US Sailing Championships for adults and youth, Junior Olympic Festivals, 2013 US Sailing Roadshow, International Women’s Keelboat Championship and Sailing Leadership Forum 2014.

As part of the agreement, a unique US Sailing branded collection will be available for sale on both the US Sailing and Gill NA web sites. US Sailing will organize 14 adult and youth championship events and 21 Junior Olympic Festivals at yacht clubs and other sailing organizations around the country in 2013. 

Dave Pritchard, President of Gill North America said: “Gill is delighted to strengthen ties with US Sailing and their members. Our new multi-year agreement brings the unique and distinct value of Gill technical clothing to US Sailing beneficiaries that only Gill can deliver. We look forward to delivering the great value Gill has to the organization over the next three years.”

Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) banking group have increased their committment to Netball by becoming the naming rights sponsor of Netball Australia’s junior netball program, and NetSetGO!.

ANZ has enjoyed a long association with the sport as the naming rights partner of the ANZ Championship, denture since the competition’s establishment in 2008.

“We’re delighted that ANZ has opted to increase its commitment to netball as the naming rights sponsor to NetSetGO!, no rx ” Netball Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Kate Palmer said.

“The new sponsorship sees ANZ take a broader approach, supporting the newest of netballers through NetSetGO!  to elite players in the ANZ Championship.”

NetSetGO! is the only grassroots netball program in Australia.  Developed for five to 10 year olds, the program incorporates skill activities, minor games and modified matches in a fun and safe environment.

More than 36,500 juniors, an increase of 23 per cent on 2011, participated in the program last year.  The weekly program is coordinated by accredited coaches to ensure a quality experience for all participants.

Karen Donaldson, ANZ’s General Manager Marketing Australia said: “We’re delighted to expand our support of netball in the community. This new sponsorship demonstrates ANZ commitment to supporting netball at all levels to help develop the next generation of netball players.”

In addition to NetSetGO!, ANZ will continue to support local netball clubs through the ANZ Junior Club of the Year program which provides weekly cash and equipment grants to selected junior clubs for each round of the ANZ Championship season.

Australian Rugby League team, Central Queensland (CQ) Cobras have announced they have secured major new partners in the form of Ian Weigh Toyota.

The partnership, which will see CQ Capras CEO Denis Keeffe, coach Jason Hetherington and Operations Manager Walson Carlos driving around in brand new Ian Weigh Toyota vehicles, was described by CEO
Keeffe as a watershed moment for the club.

“To have a strong company like Ian Weigh Toyota on board as one of our major sponsors, and I might add bringing along an international brand like Toyota, is a significant development for our club.” Keeffe said.

Dealer Principal Ian Weigh said that Ian Weigh Toyota is very excited about the partnership for two key reasons.

“Firstly the partnership is great because the CQ Capras is a stepping stone to the CQ NRL Bid and our contribution is a practical way in seeing that we assist in that process. Secondly Central Queenslanders are league lovers and they want a team they can be proud of on and off the field,” Weigh said.

He went on to say that it was Ian Weigh Toyota’s first association with rugby league in the community and that it was a great platform to the CQ NRL Bid.

FLW, the world’s premier tournament fishing organization, and Can-Am, a leading manufacturer of ATVs and side-by-side vehicles, have announced a sponsorship agreement through the 2013 season.

Can-Am will receive exposure across all of FLW’s platforms, including its tournaments and Expos, multiple websites, FLW Bass Fishing magazine and the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show on NBC Sports Network. “FLW” is broadcast Sundays in high-definition (HD) to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.

The world discovered the Can-Am brand more than 30 years ago through ground-breaking motocross bikes. Can-Am is carrying on the tradition by combining industry-leading performance, precision-engineered handling and rider-focused design in all of their ATVs and side-by-side vehicles.

 

Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson has agreed a partnership with Varsity.

Johnson will be the newest member of the broadcast team for the National Championships held in Orlando, Florida and Dallas, Texas. She will also be endorsing the OZONE line of gymnastics apparel and helping to develop a new line of leotards.

Varsity, based in Memphis, Tenn., is the leader in cheerleading and dance team education, events and apparel. Their national events have been televised since 1980, and are currently broadcast on ESPN and CBS Sports.

Shawn Johnson was the 2008 Olympic gold medalist in balance beam and the silver medalist in floor exercise, and is also known to millions as the youngest champion of Dancing With The Stars’ eighth season. Johnson’s design flair was seen in many of the costumes that she helped design.

Varsity has had a long relationship with Johnson, and recently hosted a book signing for Johnson’s second book, Winning Balance. “The entire Varsity organization is excited about working with Shawn Johnson, who is not only recognized as an incredible athlete, but also as a great role model for young people in America,” says Jeff Webb, Founder and CEO of Varsity.

Johnson said: “I’ve attended the National High School Cheerleading Championship several times now, and I’m proud to be affiliated with an organization that does so much to foster self-esteem, a love of fitness and positive energy in the young athletes I see there.”

OZONE, which began producing gymnastics wear in 2010, is thrilled to work with Johnson, and knows that her insight will be invaluable to the design team.

“I am so excited to work with OZONE to promote this beautiful line of leotards and gymnastics apparel,” says Johnson. “As a gymnast myself, I know the value of dynamic colors and design, and am confident that the OZONE line will resonate with gymnasts everywhere.”

Mike Martinez, President of OZONE added: “OZONE is thrilled about the partnership with Shawn Johnson. Shawn’s determination and competitiveness mirrors OZONE’s own corporate drive. With Shawn’s insight and knowledge, we will be launching an exclusive collection of products and look forward to having an exciting year.

National Rugby League’s (NRL) Canberra Raiders have announced a new partnership today with sports nutrition provider Vitalstrength.

Vitalstrength will work closely with the high performance team to ensure all Raiders players receive sports nutrition products to reach individual performance needs. Their extensive range of products includes protein powders, amino acids, performance capsules and bars to maximise training and recovery results.

Vitalstrength Marketing Manager Kain Baker said Vitalstrength is excited about the new partnership with the Raiders and said they are committed to ensuring the Raiders have the highest standards in sports supplements.

“Whilst the 2013 NRL season commenced with significant discussion around sports supplements, Vitalstrength is proud to be providing the Raiders with our trusted, legitimate and 100% compliant sports nutrition brand,” Mr Baker said. “Vitalstrength is an Australian accredited manufacturer and our team have been working closely with the Raiders to ensure players receive the nutrition required for training, recovery and maximum game day performance”.

Raiders Head of Strength and Conditioning Nigel Ashley-Jones said sports nutrition and supplements is a major part of player’s preparation and recovery each week and the club was proud to be associated with Vitalstrength.

“We place a huge emphasis on ensuring our players prepare and recover correctly and this new partnership with Vitalstrength allows us to provide our players with a range of first class products they can trust,” Ashley-Jones said. “The partnership with Vitalstrength allows us to tailor our supplement program to the individual as well as the team, to ensure we’re getting the best out of every player.”

Vitalstrength has a strong reputation as one of Australia’s most trusted sports nutrition brands. With over 16 years’ experience formulating, manufacturing and distributing the highest quality supplements, Vitalstrength is a major player in elite sport.

Road America and Lakeside Pepsi Cola announced today a five-year partnership that names Lakeside Pepsi Cola as the exclusive provider of carbonated beverages and select non-carbonated beverages served at Road America.

Lakeside Pepsi Cola beverages, including iconic brands such as Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and Sierra Mist, plus other beverages such as Gatorade, Rockstar, Lipton Tea, Ocean Spray Juice Drinks, Aquafina Water, Starbucks Iced Coffee and Frappuccino, will be exclusively served at the track, with Pepsi named as the official soft drink of Road America.

“We are very pleased to be adding Pepsi to Road America’s growing list of corporate partners,” said Road America president and general manager George Bruggenthies. “We’ve been very fortunate that we have what we feel are the greatest sponsors in the sport and bringing Pepsi into our family is a perfect fit for where we are and where we intend to go. We are anxiously looking forward to a long and rewarding partnership with what is one of the most recognized and respected companies in the world.”

“Lakeside Pepsi Cola is very excited to partner with a revered venue such as Road America,” said Pete Schueller, vice president of Lakeside Pepsi Cola. “We look forward to working together as we bring our broad product portfolio to race fans at America’s National Park of Speed and develop exciting consumer marketing programs to help grow our businesses together.”

The multi-year partnership between Road America and Lakeside Pepsi Cola also includes a number of shared multi-state marketing initiatives designed to help both entities increase brand awareness and promote their products throughout the area and the racing community.

Road America’s first race weekend will be May 17-19, when it hosts the (SVRA) Spring Vintage Weekend. Two-wheeled action takes center stage when the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Subway SuperBike Doubleheader hits the track on May 31-June 2. One week later, June 7-9, vintage motorcycle enthusiasts will be on track during the AHRMA Vintage Motorcycle Classic, followed by the WeatherTech Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints from June 13-16 – Road America’s longest running annual sports car event.

The NASCAR Nationwide Series and ARCA Series roll into Road America on June 20-22, bringing intense wheel-to-wheel stock car racing action to the nation’s most intimidating road course. A mid-summer classic, The HAWK with Brian Redman, takes place July 18-21, and has quickly grown to become one of the largest vintage racing events in the country. Chevrolet’s Corvette will receive top honors as the featured marque during The HAWK in celebration of Corvette’s 60th Anniversary.

The Hertz Corporation have extended their association with the Arnold Palmer Invitational by signing a four-year partnership for Hertz to be the Official Car Rental Sponsor of the Invitational.

Hertz and Arnold Palmer have been together for 30 years, since 1983.  Hertz has featured the World Golf Hall of Fame icon in print advertisements, radio and television commercials, and other promotions over the years. In addition, Hertz was title sponsor of Palmer’s PGA TOUR event at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge from 1985 through 1988, for what was then known as the Hertz Bay Hill Classic. Hertz has been an associate sponsor since 1996 of the event now presented by MasterCard.

“Hertz has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Arnold Palmer, from our continued sponsorship of the Invitational to our earlier days when Arnold played a prominent role in our advertising,” commented Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “Hertz has a robust roster of sports relationships and our continued partnership with the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard highlights the importance of the sport and the incremental value we receive reaching its loyal fan base.”

“Nothing pleases me more than to know that my long-time association with Hertz continues with the four-year extension of its associate sponsorship of our tournament,” Palmer said. “Hertz has been a loyal and generous supporter of the tournament through most of its existence and has played an important role in raising its stature to the high level the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard enjoys today.” 

Circuit of The Americas, which hosts F1’s US Grand Prix, has announced its sponsorship of The University of Texas at Austin Solar Vehicles Team (UTSVT) participating in the Formula Sun Grand Prix June 24-29, 2013.

The Circuit’s $50,000 sponsorship will cover costs associated with the production of the university team’s solar cars, including the array of photovoltaic cells that cover the body of the car and convert sunlight into electricity which powers the car’s motor. The Formula Sun Grand Prix will be held at the new world-class destination for premier motorsport, entertainment and special events. This is the first time the Formula Sun Grand Prix event will be hosted at an official Formula 1 racetrack.

UTSVT is a volunteer, student-run organization committed to developing solar electric vehicles and representing The University of Texas at Austin in international solar car competitions. The team is comprised of approximately 50 members, most of whom are undergraduate students in the Cockrell School of Engineering. UTSVT will also serve as the local university host for the event and will organize a variety of activities for the participating teams.

“Circuit of The Americas is committed to supporting educational initiatives in the local community, and we are honored to sponsor the local university host team for this event,” Circuit Director of Sustainability Edgar Farrera said. “Our company shares the Formula Sun Grand Prix’s commitment to renewable energy and industries that prioritize environmental stewardship. We hope students’ involvement in this challenge inspires them to seek careers in energy management, aerodynamics, fabrication and high-tech materials.”

“The Cockrell School of Engineering at UT Austin is excited to partner with the Formula Sun Grand Prix,” Dean Gregory L. Fenves said. “This race will engage science and engineering students across the nation in the application of solar energy technology, and it is an opportunity for our engineering students on the solar vehicles team to showcase their innovations and problem-solving skills.”

The Formula Sun Grand Prix is an annual collegiate solar car track event. Before arriving at the host track, teams design and build a solar-powered vehicle in accordance with the event regulations.