Baltimore-based STX, prostate a global sporting goods leader, announced that it has signed an agreement with current Team USA Field Hockey Player Katie O’Donnell to represent and advise the brand on field hockey products through 2016.

O’Donnell appeared in the 2012 Summer Games for Team USA and is the most decorated field hockey athlete in the nation, with commendations that range from College All-America to being named the Sportswoman of the Year by the Women’s Sports Foundation in 2010, a title she shares with the likes of Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach and Serena and Venus Williams. O’Donnell, a native of Blue Bell, PA, has been at the forefront of the most recent resurgence in American field hockey, having led the team to a Gold medal at the Pan Am Games in 2011.

“We are so excited that Katie has decided the STX brand of equipment is the right choice for her as she begins preparations for her run up to and through the 2016 Summer Games,” said STX Field Hockey Brand Manager Emily Hughes. “To have an athlete and person of Katie’s caliber make a deliberate and thoughtful decision about aligning her playing future with our products is an incredible validation of the work our product team is doing here. Nothing short of an honor,” continued Hughes.

O’Donnell will work closely with the STX product management and R&D groups, located in Baltimore, in developing the next generation of STX field hockey products. While STX is already the US market leader in field hockey market share, the company has, of late, expressed a renewed commitment to driving further innovation in the category, something that appealed to O’Donnell in her decision-making process.

“Having had the opportunity to see the energy and effort that is being poured into field hockey at STX is really amazing,” said O’Donnell, “It is clear that STX recognizes the true potential in our sport and the athletes who participate in it. I am really excited to get behind their efforts to advance the game here in the US and abroad.”

The PGA TOUR, buy tournament host organization Copperhead Charities and EverBank Financial Corp announced today a one-year agreement whereby EverBank will be the presenting sponsor of the TOUR’s upcoming Tampa Bay Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.

The Tampa Bay Championship presented by EverBank is scheduled for March 14-17 at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course.

“We are extremely pleased that EverBank has agreed to become presenting sponsor of the 2013 Tampa Bay Championship and thank the company for its commitment, ailment ” said Andy Pazder, pills Chief of Operations for the PGA TOUR. “With only a couple of weeks before the tournament, we are focusing all of our time and energy on helping EverBank to become fully integrated, including development of on-site signage and the broadcast presentation and implementing a full-scale customer engagement program.”

The tournament represents the second major sports sponsorship for the Jacksonville-based company. Since 2010, EverBank has held the naming rights to EverBank Field, home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.

“EverBank is extremely proud to partner with the PGA TOUR to sponsor this premier tournament here in our home state of Florida,” said Blake Wilson, EverBank’s president and chief operating officer.  “Like the TOUR and its players, EverBank is committed to excellence and we share a considerable passion for the game and its fans.  We’ve had a great experience for several years as supporters of THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass and we believe now is the right time for us to step up our PGA TOUR sponsorship with the Tampa Bay Championship. We’re looking forward to some exciting golf, and we’re particularly pleased the tournament will help support the Copperheads and their efforts to build a better community in the Tampa Bay area.”

“We are delighted to welcome EverBank as our presenting sponsor this year and look forward to working with them to ensure a highly successful tournament that will have a profound impact on the Tampa Bay region,” said David Robbins, General Chairman of the Copperheads. “Copperhead Charities is proud of our history of excellence with the PGA TOUR and what the tournament continues to do for the local economy and charitable giving.”

Triathlon Ireland and car rental company Europcar Ireland have signed a two-year partnership deal.

Under the agreement, there Europcar will provide fleet support to Triathlon Ireland and create a Europcar series of triathlon events.

The deal provides two Skoda Yetis for Triathlon Ireland staff to use at triathlon events around the country and transport support for athletes in Triathlon Ireland’s elite programme. The Europcar Mini Series will include the following events – Carrick-on-Suir Triathlon, Co. Tipperary, Brian Boru Triathlon Killaloe, Co Clare and Fingal Triathlon, Blanchardstown.

Europcar will also be present at many other triathlons over the course of the season.

“The Europcar sponsorship deal is fantastic for Triathlon Ireland,” said Chris Kitchen, CEO of Triathlon Ireland.“We want to offer a service that is second to none to our TI members, clubs, elite athletes, coaches, officials, event organisers and sponsors and this involves a huge amount of travel and logistics. The Europcar partnership will provide our key staff and elite athletes with an efficient and effective way to manage our vehicle requirements.

“The vehicles themselves demonstrate Europcar’s thought and understanding of our requirements being supremely practical for our purpose. The vehicle wrap too is a great advert for Triathlon Ireland and our sponsors and will make a positive statement and focal point at any event.”

“Triathlon has shown massive growth in Ireland over the past few years,” said Europcar CEO, Colm Menton. “Its growth trajectory mirrors that of Europcar’s business in Ireland and we have a number of staff who regularly compete in Tri events around the country.  We believe that there is a strong synergy between our commitment to customer satisfaction and Triathlon Ireland’s track record in delivering top class athlete focused events.

“Our domestic business through fleet management, replacement car hire and weekend rentals are all showing growth. Some of the key decision makers in Irish business are out competing in tri events every weekend and we see this as a positive association as it gives us an opportunity to increase awareness while supporting a great sport.”

Rajasthan Royals have announced the extension of the team’s association with Valvoline Cummins Limited for the 2013 season of the Pepsi Indian Premier League.

The extension will see the company continuing as Associate Sponsor for the second consecutive year, apoplectic sporting its logo on the Non Leading Arm of the players.

Valvoline is the world’s first and most enduring lubricant brand. More important, ampoule it’s evidence of the values the company upholds, and proof of the value it continues to deliver. Valvoline not only evolved, but also launched many groundbreaking innovations that are credited to have changed the industry. In India, Valvoline Cummins Ltd is a JV between Valvoline International INC USA (100% subsidiary of Ashland Inc. USA) and Cummins India Ltd.

Mr. Raghu Iyer, CEO, Rajasthan Royals, said: “Since last year’s association, Valvoline has been a very valuable partner of Rajasthan Royals. We are delighted to be extending our association with the brand and look forward to helping them create ever-growing value and achieve the best possible exposure through the partnership.”

Commenting on the association, Mr. Sandeep Kalia, CEO, Valvoline Cummins, said: “Valvoline takes great pride in partnering with excellent sporting teams across the globe. Our relationship with the brand during the last season has been very rewarding. We are excited to extend our partnership with such a strong and dedicated team as Rajasthan Royals.”

Market-leading electric trolley brand, cough PowaKaddy (PK), has announced that it has signed a new three-year agreement with The PGA.

The deal sees PowaKaddy continue as the ‘Official Supplier’ to one of golf’s leading governing bodies through to 2016, cementing a strong relationship that began in 2009.

Built on the foundation of growing the game at all levels, the partnership, that encompasses electric golf trolleys, cart bags and accessory categories, ensures PowaKaddy’s cutting-edge equipment and first-class service support will be available to the ever-growing network of PGA Professionals.

Buoyed by the recent launch of PowaKaddy’s all-new Freeway Family, the company’s Chairman, John deGraft-Johnson sees deal as integral to the continued growth of the brand across all facets of the game, “Our relationship with The PGA has been extremely important and beneficial to both parties and we are very pleased to continue our support for a further three years.”

“The PGA has a wide international network of members and branded venues around the globe and we want to continue working with both current and next generation PGA Professionals to promote the wider benefits that PowaKaddy can bring to the table in terms of health and fitness. Our reputation has been built on delivering quality, functionality, innovative technologies and performance, all geared to making the game more enjoyable and accessible for golfers of all ages and abilities.”

The key to PowaKaddy’s continued success has been its ability to lead the market with ‘best in class’ products at key price points and influence consumer preferences to keep the electric trolley market moving forward. The continued strategic alliance with the PGA will further strengthen PowaKaddy’s position as the pioneers of the electric trolley market.

Robert Maxfield, PGA’s Property and Commercial Director, said: “We are delighted that PowaKaddy has extended its partnership with The PGA and is a much valued member of our Official Supplier programme.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with PowaKaddy at not just PGA branded facilities but on a commercial level with our members and on a wider level in the wider context of making the game more enjoyable to all.”

Belgian watch brand Ice-Watch has agreed a deal to become Premium Partner of BMW Motorsport of the DTM Series.

For the 2013 season, herbal Marco Wittmann of BMW Team MTEK will take to the track at the wheel of the Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM, which bears the start number 21.

“Time plays a vital role in the DTM. The difference between victory and defeat comes down to mere fractions of a second in qualifying, the race, and during pit stops. We are now picking up on the subject of time in the form of our partnership with Ice-Watch,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “We are delighted to team up with a partner like Ice-Watch, which sets trends in its industry and therefore carries a dynamic image. That suits BMW Motorsport and Marco Wittmann very well. After all, Marco is our youngest driver. A look at the BMW Motorsport watch collection proves the licence partnership between BMW and Ice-Watch in the lifestyle segment is a winning project for both sides from the word go. I’m sure we will see these stunning models on many wrists in the DTM paddock in the 2013 season.”

Within the framework of the partnership with BMW Motorsport, Ice-Watch has also developed a dedicated BMW Motorsport watch collection. “We are looking forward to our new licence partner Ice-Watch – and the appearance of these sporty watches in the classic BMW Motorsport colours at the DTM race tracks,” said Dr Thomas Goerdt, Head of BMW Group Lifestyle Collections.

Marco Wittmann said: “The Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM looks fantastic. The very first time I saw the design of my DTM car for 2013, I fell in love with it. I also really like the watches. They are very practical and also look sporty.”

Jean-Pierre Lutgen, CEO of Ice-Watch, added: “BMW embodies innovation, design, cutting-edge performance and robustness, as well as excellent after sales service and accessibility. This partnership is further proof the Ice-Watch brand is seen as a sound and credible partner. It offers the brand the chance to further consolidate its position among the leading names in ‘fashion watches’, acquired thanks to a new vision of watches, affordable prices, a wide range of colours and models, and constant innovation.”

cityfitness have announced their sponsorship to the Chiefs Investec Super Rugby team.

The fitness chain is a relative new-comer to the Waikato market with their Te Rapa Straight club opened in March 2012.

Sean Austin, impotent Chiefs Commercial and Marketing Manager said: “The Chiefs success is built on training to be the best they can be. We are therefore thrilled to be entering into a partnership with cityfitness, search to provide our players access to their fantastic facility to give us an extra edge in helping physically prepare for the toughest rugby competition in the world.”

The sponsorship arrangement will enable Chiefs players and cheerleaders to utilise both cityfitness gym and its subsidiary hot yoga and Pilate’s studio, allergist Abundance, which is located inside the club.

cityfitness Managing Director Dominic Rogerson added: “we’re thrilled to be involved with the Chiefs and happy that they have chosen our services and facilities to further enhance their training routines.”

“Over the past year, we’ve introduced a number of new initiatives to many of our clubs including ‘Training Zones’ which are a separate ‘user pays’ area of the gym incorporating three new fitness programmes; TRX Suspension Training, Boxmaster and CrossFit. As well as this we’ve developed and implemented time efficient ‘membership inclusive’ workout programmes including citycircuit and R30 – two 30 minute, intense, results based workout alternatives.”

cityfitness is a New Zealand based, family owned company beginning with one club in Porirua in 2000 and has steadily grown to 21 clubs nationwide over the last 12 years.