Eurostar, the official international rail provider of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, has announced agreed a new partnership with the French National Paralympic Committee, which will see the high-speed rail operator becoming the Official Carrier of the French Paralympic Team.

Over the summer, Eurostar will carry the majority of the French Paralympians including the blind football, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball teams to London on a specially chartered service on the 25 August and then again on their celebratory, homecoming journey to Paris on the 10 September. Eurostar recently announced a similar partnership with the Belgium National Paralympic Committee, and will carry the Belgian Paralympic team to London on another specially adapted train on the 26 August and back to Brussels on the 10 September.

Central to this is a project being carried out by Eurostar’s fleet engineering team at its depot in Stratford, next to the Olympic Park in East London. After consultation with the Paralympic committees and following their feedback and advice, two Eurostar trains will undergo a series of unique modifications designed to accommodate the requirements of the teams. Once completed, the modifications will for the first time allow the trains to carry up to 18 wheelchair users and other Paralympic athletes many with special travel needs.

Nicolas Petrovic, Chief Executive of Eurostar, said: “It was an honour for us to announce bringing Belgian Paralympians toLondon this summer and now to be able to carry the French team as well is incredibly exciting. Working closely with Paralympic Committees in both countries we appreciate how important it is for the individual Paralympians to travel together as one team, which is why every area of our business has played a part turning this project into a reality.

“The London 2012 Paralympic Games are set to be the most successful and inspiring to date. This represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for sports fans from across Europe to share in the excitement and we are proud to play a role bringing many of them as well as the French and Belgian teams to London this summer.”

Utilising the specially adapted train, the cross-Channel high-speed passenger rail operator will bring to London over 170 French Paralympic athletes, competing in a total of 16 different sports, along with the National Committee officials and other members of the team delegation. In addition, some team members will travel to London on other services in order to accommodate their training and Games time schedules.

Gérard Masson, President of the French National Paralympic Committee said commented: “We are delighted to establish this partnership with Eurostar, which will undoubtedly help our Paralympic team achieve their sporting ambitions. This special adapted Eurostar train will invaluably allow our team to travel to London together, quickly and comfortably.”

Elonex Sport has agreed a five-and-a-half year partnership with Worcestershire County Cricket Club (WCCC), ed becoming the Official & Exclusive: LED Supplier and LED Advertising Agent.

On Sunday 17 June, Elonex Sport installed a new state-of-the-art 30-square metre Jumbo LED scoreboard near the new Graeme Hick Pavilion at the Friends Life t20 (FLt20) match versus Gloucestershire.

The new scoreboard currently provides up-to-the minute match day scores and the club hopes replays, highlights and stats can be shown in the future.

WCCC Chief Executive, David Leatherdale said: “We are delighted to be working with Elonex Sport and hope that our new association and introduction of a new LED screen as our primary scoreboard, will over time, allow us to enhance the spectators experience at all forms of cricket, whilst creating additional revenue generating opportunities.

“Elonex Sport comes with a wealth of experience in the digital world and we look forward to working with them over the coming years as we continue to develop our New Road ground.”

Richard Everton, Business Development of Elonex Sport said of the deal: “We are absolutely delighted to have agreed this partnership arrangement with Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

“It demonstrates the driving ambition that Elonex Sports possess to be involved in the whole sporting life and community within our home Three Counties and beyond.

“We are really excited about building our relationship with this famous, forward thinking and picturesque Cricket Club over the next few years.”

This initial investment will expand Elonex Sport’s investment in Worcestershire County sport to more than £400-thousand for the 2012 season alone.

Clothing and footwear brand, vcialis 40mg Iron Fist Clothing, bronchi has announced it has signed Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Ryan Roberts to the Iron Fist Athletic team.

A fan favorite and regular on the nightly highlight reels, Roberts’ tough never say die attitude and passion for the game represent the core values of the Iron Fist Athletic line.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Iron Fist family,” Roberts said. “The brand’s edginess reflects my own sense of style and makes the partnership a perfect fit.”

“Ryan is a dynamic individual both on and off the field,” said Travis Anderson, Iron Fist CEO. “His never say die attitude and DIY spirit embody the Iron Fist attitude towards sports and competition. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to a great 2012 season.”

Ryan, known by fans as “Tatman” had a breakout 2011 season, establishing career highs in home run, RBI and runs, and his clutch hits helped lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to the National League West title. He was also selected after the season to play in the MLB All-Star series in Taiwan. 

Nike has become ‘Presenting Sponsor’ of Skateboarding Australia’s (SbA) Pro/Am Invitational Tour. The Pro/Am Tour is a series that the determines the ‘Australian Champion’. The series is in its second year.

Mark Rusher, Nike Pacific’s Action Sports Director said: “SbA has created an exceptional platform for Australian skateboarders to grow, excel and achieve the recognition they deserve. Nike is committed to supporting the Australian skateboarding community and is extremely proud to partner with SbA on the series. We look forward to a massive year and witnessing the next generation of skateboarders continue to rise.”

Each Pro/Am Tour event hosts a $(AU)10,000 prize purse, with $(AU) 4000 for first place. A $(AU) 5000 bonus for the Australian Champion is awarded at the end of each year.

As part of a three-year contract, Nike will continue as the ‘Presenting Sponsor’ of the SbA Am Series, which travels state-to-state each summer, resulting in a Grand Final that awards an Australian Junior, and Open Amateur Champion.

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The Principal Financial Group has renewed a three-year agreement, prostate through 2015, ambulance to remain the title sponsor of The Principal Charity Classic presented by Wells Fargo, anesthetist teeing up continued benefit to children’s charities in Central Iowa.

“We’re extremely proud of the meaningful impact The Principal Charity Classic has had on Central Iowa over the last five years,” said Larry Zimpleman, chairman, president and CEO, The Principal. “Year after year, we continue to be impressed with the incredible support from the ever-growing list of sponsors, volunteers, community partners and fans who help us make this tournament a can’t-miss event. We are pleased and excited to renew the tournament for another three years.”

From 2007 to 2011, The Principal Charity Classic, the only Champions Tour event in Iowa, has distributed over $3 million for local children’s charities, funding efforts that have benefited thousands of children in Central Iowa. The 2012 charity amount has not been announced.

“Each year we hear new and inspiring stories about how children and their families have benefited from the programs supported by this tournament,” said Mary O’Keefe, senior vice president, The Principal and chair of The Principal Charity Classic Board. “These stories remind us of how important this event is to the Central Iowa community and beyond. It renews our commitment to make The Principal Charity Classic an event that offers more than golf, and to never forget the bottom line – helping kids.”

According to the PGA TOUR, The Principal Charity Classic is among the top two of all Champions Tour events in terms of tournament-generated proceeds raised for charity. The tournament has been recognized as the Best Event on the Champions Tour and the number one tour stop as voted by Champions Tour professionals.

Mike Stevens, president, Champions Tour, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with The Principal through their title sponsorship of this tournament and to bring some of the greatest legends in golf to fans in Iowa. The Principal has been an incredibly engaged sponsor and a driver of community support in Iowa. We look forward to three more years of an exciting event.”

In addition to benefitting local charities, the PGA TOUR and an Iowa State University study estimate the tournament generates an economic impact of $20.8 million for the region, including increased business for area hotels, restaurants, shopping establishments and other entertainment venues. The event also showcases Des Moines to an international television audience and to more than 80 Champions Tour golfers.

LondonWasps have become the first professional sports team in the UK to include theirofficial Twitter handle @waspsrugby on their playing shirt. 

London Wasps will include their Twitter handle, @waspsrugby on their new Kukri Sports playing shirts for the 2012/13 season.

London Wasps join a prestigious group of global clubs who have enhanced their playingkit by incorporating elements of social media.

In March this year, the NBA released a rangeof merchandise with players’ twitter handles on the back in place of their names,while Spanish football side Valencia have also used their twitter handle ontheir shirts, printing it on the front of their jersey while they searched fora main sponsor in September 2011.

Rugby players are well known for their appreciation ofTwitter, responding to fans questions and keeping them informed about the lifeof a pro-athlete. London Wasps currently have 28 players actively usingTwitter.

Russell Athletic and Florida Citrus Sports announced an agreement to rename the Champs Sports Bowl after the apparel manufacturer.

The game will now be know as the Russell Athletic Bowl and take place Dec. 28 at 5:30 p.m. ET at the at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium.

“As a brand whose heritage is so deeply rooted in college football, it is a natural fit for Russell Athletic to partner with FCSports for the Russell Athletic Bowl,” Gary Barfield, executive vice president, Russell Brands, LLC said in a statement. “We are also excited to extend our “Together We R” brand campaign in new ways and reach even more consumers through all the channels that FCSports provides as part of this relationship.”

This year’s contest will match opponents from the Big East and Atlantic Coast Conference. The future conference agreements could be changing, however.
According to a release announcing the four-year sponsorship agreement through 2015, both sides committed to negotiating new agreements that will boost the profile of the game.

Florida Citrus Sports already also runs the Capital One Bowl that features teams from the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference.

Springfree Trampoline, ailment a trampoline manufacturer in the US, today announced its sponsorship of brothers Steven and Jeffrey Gluckstein, members of the USA Gymnastics team competing in Trampoline.

The Gluckstein brothers are currently the top two American contenders for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and are vying for the only spot on the U.S. Olympic Trampoline team.

“These brothers have an undying enthusiasm and dedication for the sport that captivated our team the first time we met,” said Steven Holmes, Chief Bouncing Officer of Springfree Trampoline. “Their dedication to trampoline safety, from people jumping for fun in their own backyards up to athletes at the Olympic level, was a natural fit for us.”

Steven, 21, and Jeffrey, 19, have won four U.S. Trampoline Championships combined. The brothers will be competing in the final Olympic trials in late June, to determine who will compete for the gold medal on behalf of the U.S. in the 2012 Olympics.

“This is the perfect partnership for us and for our young fans,” said Steven Gluckstein. “Springfree Trampoline shares our love of the sport and offers families a way to experience the fun of trampolining at home while staying safe.”

According to the brothers, the point of trampoline safety is a critical message they want to share with families across the country.

“We depend on hours of training and the safest equipment to help us achieve our goals,” said Jeffrey Gluckstein. “Springfree Trampoline proves there is a way for trampolines to be safe while still having fun, right in your own backyard.”

The agreement with Steven and Jeffrey marks an expansion of Springfree Trampoline’s growing roster of Olympic trampolinists, which already includes Canadian contenders Karen Cockburn, Rosie MacLennan and Jason Burnett.

Triathlon Ireland and Kinetica Sports have announced a renewal of their current sponsorship deal.

The agreement will see Kinetica Sports, thumb part of the Carbery Group receive naming rights of the Sprint and Olympic Distance National Championships which are set to attract over 3000 participants. Kinetica Sports also have a strong presence at various races around the country enhancing competitor’s experiences through sampling recovery product at the finish area.

“We’re delighted that Kinetica Sports have expanded their sponsorship with Triathlon Ireland. They have been involved in triathlon since 2010 and have grown their operations and range of products as Triathlon Ireland has also grown into a much larger, allergist sustainable and professional Governing Body.” Commented Triathlon Ireland CEO, Matt McKerrow.

The sponsorship is seen as a great fit with Kinetica Sports being a fast growing Irish owned company supporting Triathlon Ireland, the Governing Body of one of the fastest growing and most exciting Olympic Sports.

“Kinetica Sports is committed to providing athletes with best quality, best tasting nutrition. In this respect Triathlon Ireland are an extremely valuable partner for our products especially the Endurance and Recovery category. We believe we can assist in improving performance and therefore enjoyment of multi discipline races.” Commented Brand Manager, Hugo Youngman.

“The fact that the products are both great quality and made in Cork is an added bonus as it’s great to be sponsored by an Irish company who employ local people and is part of the Irish triathlon community.” Commented McKerrow.

Kinetica Sports have also continued their sponsorship of Cork man Bryan Keane, who was on hand to launch the agreement at the state of the art UCD Campus Sport and Leisure 50 meter pool which is set to open for membership in late June.

English League club Huddersfield Town FC has expanded it’s partnership with South Yorkshire based ICT Company CBC Computers for another year.

CBC Computers is one of the biggest providers of ICT infrastructure services in the region and the extension of its partnership with the Club will see its brand feature prominently around the Stadium throughout the 2012/13 Championship season. 

CBC has provided IT support to the Huddersfield Town Academy for a number of years and over the last couple of seasons has increased its involvement with the Club and its fans. In Town’s season opening fixture of the 2010/11 campaign against Tranmere they kindly sponsored a set of free vuvuzela horns in the Club’s Family Stand and more recently CBC employee Paul Denial became a vital member of Town’s Support Team during the Club’s ‘Pedal for Pounds’ bike rides. 

Town’s Commercial Director Sean Jarvis and Advertising Manager Mark Jacobs are pictured with Ben Mitchell and Mark Goodwin of CBC Computers in the home dugout at the Stadium, which is sponsored by the computer specialists. 

Sean Jarvis, Commercial Director at Huddersfield Town commented: “CBC is a proud Yorkshire-based company who like ourselves are focused on being leaders in their respective industry. We are delighted that they have not only continued their support for the upcoming season but also upped it”

He added: “The CBC brand has featured heavily around the Stadium over the last couple of seasons and has prime spot in the home team dugout. Hopefully they will continue to turn Town orange for the seasons to come.

“As ever we look to support the companies that support us and recently CBC installed a new server at the Club. I can’t speak highly enough of the level of support and professionalism that they gave us and I would recommend them to anyone.”

Mark Goodwin, Managing Director at CBC added: “We are delighted to continue for the third year with HTAFC we have seen the real benefits of a marketing partnership on and off the field.

“It’s a terrific club with a true community spirit that the town of Huddersfield can be proud of – good luck in the Championship.”