Global logistics and shipping company GAC has been appointed the official logistics partner for the Gulf 12 hour race for the second consecutive year.

The intense two-part endurance motor race will see a range of international teams with specially-designed sports cars competing at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit.
It is organised by Driving Force Events, a UK based company that aims to bring endurance sports car racing to a new audience. The first run was held earlier this year, and the second will be held on 14 December, 2012. This year, 19 teams are taking part in the event, an improvement over last year’s total. 

As the logistics partner, GAC Abu Dhabi will handle the sea freight for 26 cars, tyres, accessories and other equipment – working with its sailing logistics specialist arm GAC Pindar. GAC Dubai will handle the clearing of shipments as they arrive at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, and arrange land transportation to Yas Marina Circuit, in coordination with GAC Abu Dhabi. Some cars will arrive by air, again with GAC taking care of their delivery. The GAC team will also be responsible for providing the equipment to offload the cars at the Yas Marina Circuit, and shipping them back to Europe, once the race is concluded.

Ronnie Knowles, Managing Director of GAC Abu Dhabi says, “GAC has years of experience in the management of complex logistical operations and strong sporting links.

“We are delighted to bring our expertise to bear and ensure the Gulf 12 hour race runs smoothly, as official logistical partner for this exciting event for the second year running,” he adds. “Our team will see to it that all vehicles and supplies are available to the teams on time and in optimal condition at the Circuit, so they can focus on the serious business of racing for twelve hours.”

Andreas Ficarelli, Director of Driving Force Events Limited, says: “The Gulf 12 hour race is an exciting event that we hope will bring the thrills of endurance sports racing to a new audience. We are delighted to have the support of GAC handling the logistical elements, as it has proved to be a transparent, reliable and expert partner with whom we look forward to a continuing relationship.”

The Futsal Malta Association has reached an agreement with FXDD Malta Ltd, erectile a leader in online Forex Trading to sponsor the Futsal National League for the coming two years.

FMA President Donald Spiteri said: “I am delighted to announce that for the first time in the twelve year history of futsal, sale the national competitions will be sponsored. On behalf of all the 40 teams participating in the FMA futsal league I would like to thank FXDD for believing in our project and for the enthusiasm they showed during the negotiations. Without this financial backing, pill it wouldn’t be possible for FMA to continue working towards achieving set goals. I also wish to thank Ms Fiona Soler for her continuous help and support.”

During his speech, the FMA president outlined some of the changes FMA has implemented in its first six months since it took over the national futsal leagues. “We have since created a FMA council were each club participating in the FMA League has a voice through its council member. FMA has been working towards improving the quality of the futsal competition structure, promoting the sport through better branding and improving our communication with the media whilst also launching our own website and Facebook page,”  he said. “This sponsorship will help us create a more professional setup for our association, that which is the second biggest sports association in Malta. It will help us meet the demands of the 40 participating teams, whilst also helping us promote futsal by encouraging more players to join the game sport especially at grassroots level,.” Donald Spiteri President said.

“FXDD Malta Limited is proud to be the first sponsor ever of The Futsal Malta Association (FMA)” said Ms Fiona Soler, FXDD Malta Ltd Finance & Operations Manager. “We are extremely enthusiastic to support this association and to see it grow and achieve its goals. Since its incorporation, in July 2011, FMA has built a structure which has proven to be solid in overcoming all obstacles. We shall strive to support and work hand in hand with the FMA to keep the growing momentum it has established. I would like to thank all key officials of the FMA for the opportunity they have given us, FXDD Malta Limited, to be their official partner. “

Spiteri went on to explain that for the remaining months of this season as well as next season all FMA competitions will carry the title of “FXDD Futsal League”. 

FINA has renewed it’s partnership with Malmsten AB as an exclusive Official FINA Supplier for the period 2013–2016. 

Malmsten AB has been the exclusive Official FINA Supplier of Racing Lanes for Swimming & Open Water Swimming, Water Polo Field of Play Markings, Goals & Nets, Referee Catwalks and Ball Release Systems since 2009.

“FINA is extremely happy to renew this partnership with Malmsten. The quality of their products and their efficiency are certainly well appreciated by our athletes and decisively help in the success of the FINA events,” said FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione.

“Malmsten AB is proud to continue as an Official FINA Supplier and is confident of the quality its equipment, which meet all of FINA’s Rules & Regulations and the expectations of the competitors and coaches participating in FINA competitions around the world,” added Margareta Malmsten, CEO of the company.

European club champions Chelsea have announced a new partnership with Orient Corporation (Orico), which becomes our official Japanese financial services partner.

The partnership will see co-branded payment cards, featuring the club logo, become available to Orico customers within Japan, with usage benefits including entry into exclusive prize draws and a free Chelsea postcard each month.

This is the latest development in Chelsea’s growth in the Asian market, following on from our 2011 Here to Play, Here to Stay tour which saw the team play games in Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong and the club launch a series of innovative Blue Pitches (Soccer Schools).

The club launched its own Japanese language website in September, and visit the country next week to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Japanese site joined local-language sites in Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese and Thai, along with our extensive English-language presence.

Baltimore-based sporting goods manufacturer STX has signed a three-year agreement to become the supplier of both the men’s and women’s NCAA Lacrosse Championships events.

Under the agreement, STX will provide balls and nets for the event. It will also supply equipment used in interactive displays around the stadium, and will bring athletes sponsored by the company, including Baltimore native Kyle Harrison — to meet with fans and the media.

“It’s a complicated agreement, but really one of the goals is the help grow the awareness of the sport and ensure everyone involved has a positive experience,” said STX director of marketing Ed Saunders.

Saunders arrived at the company last year after working with hockey equipment supplier Bauer. He’d developed a relationship with the NCAA and hoped to extend it to STX. This agreement, he said, is unique in the sport of lacrosse.

STX grew out of the Wm. T. Burnett & Co. when workers began experimenting with using synthetic materials to make lacrosse sticks in the 1960s. Until then, sticks were handmade and therefore both expensive and inconsistently made. By 1970, when the NCAA first sponsored an NCAA championship, all 18 goals scored in Cornell’s 12-6 win over Maryland were scored with STX sticks.

So a return to what Saunders called “the sport’s pinnacle” was only natural.

“No one has ever been the official lacrosse equipment supplier of the NCAA before,” he said. “Everyone here is very excited.”

Saunders said increased interest in the sport of lacrosse, especially in the South and Midwest, has helped fuel what will be STX’s best year, with growth of 20 percent. Interest in lacrosse is growing at about 5 to 10 percent rate across the country, he said.

Next year’s NCAA men’s championship will be hosted by Philadelphia, but the event returns to Baltimore in 2014 for a sixth time since 2004. The Division I women’s championship will also be in Philly next year, but Division II and III will be hosted by Stevenson in Owings Mills.

The Rapha Condor team today confirmed the JLT Group, an international group of risk specialists and employee benefits consultants, as its new co-sponsor for the 2013 season.

Now it its sixth season in the sport, the team says its partnership with JLT will underline its significant commitment to developing young British talent.

The first meetings between the team management and JLT took place when Charlie Pearch, a senior partner at the company, saw the opportunity for the company to sponsor the squad.

Pearch said: ‘‘Our participation in this venture with Rapha Condor fulfills our desire to help sport at grass roots level, particularly where our involvement can deliver meaningful value. We not only want to encourage the younger generation to live a healthy lifestyle but to be a voice of mutual respect between all road users.

“Our expectation is that the Rapha Condor JLT team will continue to perform well under the most respected of Directeur Sportifs but it is as important for us that the team races with style and panache and in its own well-loved and inimitable style to represent the very best of British cycling.”

Team manager John Herety added: “I am delighted that JLT share our enthusiasm about the way that this team aims to work with young riders.”

Rapha CEO Simon Mottram commented: “After a successful season with the team it is wonderful to have attracted another global company to cycling and to help us continue our journey developing younger riders.”

Today’s announcement follows the end of a three-and a-half-year partnership between the team and Sharp. The electronical goods company has stepped up its commitment to cycling sponsorship by backing the WorldTour Garmin-Sharp squad.

Berger Lewis, a full-service accountancy corporation has extended it’s association with San Jose State University Athletics, for two years through the 2014 school year.

Berger Lewis seeks out opportunities to connect with its local community, and Spartan Sports Properties, San Jose Athletics’ multimedia rights partner, works closely with the firm to ensure a strategic, quality affiliation with its hometown college program.  In addition to many SJSU alumni serving on Berger Lewis’ staff, tax partner Todd Robinson is the coach of the University’s powerlifting team that competes under the umbrella of the United States Powerlifting Association (USPA).

As part of its corporate partnership with San Jose State Athletics, Berger Lewis receives hospitality assets during football season and will serve as the designated men’s basketball game sponsor on February 16, 2013, when San Jose State hosts the University of Denver.  Berger Lewis will receive temporary signage, logo recognition in the print program and overall visibility inside the arena and among Spartan fans.

“Many of our partners and staff were educated at San Jose State so we are delighted to give back to the University as a sponsor of Spartan Athletics.  It is all part of our community involvement.  As a local CPA firm, we feel strongly about this relationship,” says Robinson.

“Berger Lewis and San Jose State Athletics enjoy a good relationship, and we’re happy to see it continue to grow and expand,” says Spartan Sports Properties’ Account Executive Patrick Purcell – Jones.  “Berger Lewis is a reputable company throughout the state, with a home office in San Jose and undeniable ties to the University, making a formal partnership invaluable for both parties.”

Volvo’s long association with Dun Laoghaire Regatta (VDLR) is set to continue into 2013 with the car marque taking the Title sponsor package for the event next year.

Dun Laoghaire Regatta has announced Volvo Car Ireland will sponsor the 2013 event in association with Spirit Motor Group, the dealership for Volvo in South Dublin.

“Sailing is a global platform for Volvo with our global involvement in the sport including the Volvo Ocean Race and we are proud to continue our association with this superb inshore regatta organised by the 4 waterfront yacht clubs in Dun Laoghaire” commented Adrian Yeates, Managing Director Volvo Car Ireland.

Given the challenging economic environment this announcement illustrates the confidence of Volvo Car Ireland in the ongoing recovery in the Irish economy and the belief in the regatta as a marketing platform for the brand.

“We at Spirit Motor Group are delighted to work with Volvo Car Ireland and the Dun Laoghaire Regatta Committee to ensure a winning partnership for customers and the important sailing community that participate in the event” commented Alan Moore, Dealer Principal, Spirit Motor Group.

Adam Winkelmann, Chairman of the 2013 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Committee added: “Like all events we rely enormously on the support of our sponsors to run the event. The regatta relies heavily on sponsorship and an army of volunteers to deliver a quality event at an affordable price. We are really delighted that Volvo Car Ireland, our long-standing title sponsor, continues as our primary brand partner in that regard. We welcome once again Spirit Motor Group as a very important addition to the mix.”

The biennial Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta will attract in the region of 400 boats and 3,000 participants along with families and friends to Dun Laoghaire in July next year. The sailors come mainly from Ireland, UK, Wales and Scotland from where we expect at least the same number of visitors as 2011. The event promises an important boost to the local economy of Dun Laoghaire town in the middle of the summer season. The regatta prides itself in delivering quality racing along with a wonderful festive atmosphere across the Dun Laoghaire waterfront.

This announcement is timed to coincide with the launch of the 2013 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta official Notice of Race and Online Entry available here.