Swimming South Africa (SSA) could be in financial difficulty as it runs the risk of losing its principal sponsorship months before the start of the London Olympic Games in July.

SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee president Gideon Sam on Thursday said Telkom, which is the financial backer to SSA, might cancel its sponsorship with the swimming governing body.

“They are not sure where they stand, Telkom said ‘we are not going to continue’,” said Sam.

“I spoke to Jace (Naidoo, SSA president) on Monday and they have been there and are re-looking their position.”

Swimming has in the past been one of South Africa’s most successful federations at the Olympic Games,.

World Championship 100m breaststroke bronze medallist Cameron van der Burgh is one of the country’s greatest medal hopefuls.

Naidoo confirmed that SSA were in negotiations with Telkom while funding from the National Lottery Fund comes to an end in March.

“Our sponsorship with Telkom was until the end of 2012, we are currently in negotiations with them,” Naidoo said.

“We had a meeting last week, and again yesterday (Wednesday), and on Friday.

“They are relooking our sponsorship going forward and we are hopeful that they would continue to be partners with us especially because it is an Olympic year.”

Naidoo said Telkom has not cancelled its involvement with the sport as yet.

“They are keen, they haven’t said no outright,” he said.

“They have to go through all their governance structures and there has been a lot of support from various stakeholders in terms of trying to encourage them to continue being part of swimming.

“We understand they are going through a tough time financially as an organisation but we are confident that swimming will do not just South Africa proud but the people who are associated with us too.”

He said the telecommunications group has in recent years come under financial pressure which forced it to adjust its sponsorship from a three-year cycle to an annual one.

“Similarly with the lotto fund we wanted it for a four-year cycle but it was a three-year cycle which comes to an end in March this year,” said Naidoo.

“We are also speaking to a number of other organisations and we are quietly confident that people will see what swimming has delivered over the years and are willing to come on board and support us going further.”

The funding did not solely go towards Olympic Games preparations but was crucial to a number of other projects and events such as World Championships, Common Wealth Games and youth squads.

“Swimming is a long slog, it is an eight year thing, so the team for 2016 we have already selected last year and it is about making sure those swimmers are going to these competitions,” Naidoo said.

“We have a number of plans for them to go forward; we have camps scheduled for the junior squads, so if we don’t have the support it is those programmes that suffer.”

Naidoo said they were still on track despite the financial difficulties in terms of producing competitive swimmers for the Olympic Games.

“In terms of swimmers who have made the A qualifying times we’ve got 11 individual qualifiers, the 4×100 relay has already qualified in terms of the Olympic rules,” he said.

“We’ve never had so many people making the A-qualifying times so early, we are confident but we also know that making the time does not convert into a medal.

“We only have a few swimmers that are in the top eight currently, and even the top eight does not guarantee a medal in some of the races.”

by Ismail Uddin

Jorg Gray, an American watch brand, has announced today its partnership with premier MotoGP racer Ben Spies, Winner of the 2011 Dutch TT race in Assen and the only American since 2006 to secure a MotoGP win internationally.

The Texas-based talent, known for winning at every level of racing, joins the Jorg Gray team just in time for the start of the 2012 racing season, which kicks off with the Commercial Bank Grand Prix on April 8 in Qatar.

With a massive fan following and a reputation for excellence, the Jorg Gray and Ben Spies partnership is prepped for a successful season with several planned Ben Spies guest appearances around the world, including the Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show on March 8, 2012. Fans of Spies and Jorg Gray can anticipate a new, limited edition timepiece celebrating the partnership to be announced in the following months.

“Timing is everything in the racing world,” said Spies. “A partnership with Jorg Gray means that I’m aligning with a stylish brand and a company with the ability to capture every second on the track. I’m proud to be a Jorg Gray ambassador.”

After winning the Rookie of the Year distinction in the 2010 season and a top five overall finish for the 2011 racing season, Spies is primed for success in 2012. With a grueling schedule of 18 races in the championship, Spies hopes for a successful season that will lead to fulfilling his ultimate dream of becoming MotoGP World Champion. Jorg Gray is excited to be the watch brand of his choice on and off the track.

“Ben possesses a superior level of talent, class and maturity,” said Trevor Gnesin, president of Jorg Gray. “His commitment to excellence in his field mirror Jorg Gray’s commitment to creating quality timepieces. We’re looking forward to cheering him on this season and welcome him whole-heartedly into the Jorg Gray family.”

by Ismail Uddin

Brittany Grace Lincicome, allergy a pro golfer at the top of her game has joined the Golf Fuel team in an ambassadorial role.

Brittany had used Golf Fuel products recently for improved concentration and has secured an impressive second place win at the ISPA Hanada woman’s Australian open at Melbourne last week.

On the day of the tournament Brittany felt that her performance could not have been any better but her shots were simply not breaking the way she would have liked on the day. When commenting on one putt that cost her first place in the tournament Brittany said that “I couldn’t have hit it any better”. She went on to say that the shot was struck at “perfect speed” and simply would not sink.

Despite her bad luck Brittany was using Golf Fuel before and after every round on the day of the competition to help give her the mental focus necessary to come in the first 3.

Brittany joins the Golf Fuel team with an impressive track record behind her. In her first year as a professional she was the longest driver in the LGPA competition with an impressive drive of over 270 yards. In 2006 her driving distance increased even further.

Brittany now feels that this move to Golf Fuel will help her to put her career and game into overdrive in the next few years.

The management team at Golf Fuel have been helping a number of professionals like Brittany recently to improve their game and they have high hopes for what she can achieve with them.

The management team at Golf fuel have commentated on how pleased they are to have such a consummate professional on board and they are confident that Brittany will fulfill all her golfing potential while she is a member of Golf Fuel.

by Ismail Uddin

English Southern League team Cambridge City FC has secured a new joint promotional deal with wealth management company Pro-Edge.

It will see the business represented on the club shirts and see the current City Ground renamed the Pro-Edge stadium.

The deal means Pro-Edge will pay a five-figure fee to become first team shirt sponsors with naming rights of the stadium for the rest of the current campaign and for the duration of the 2012-13 season. The contract is initially for 15 months and, bronchi depending on the success of the partnership, it could be extended further.

City chairman Kevin Satchell said: “This new deal is great news for Cambridge City. In terms of sponsorship, it is one of the biggest that the club has secured for a long while, and we are delighted to have Pro-Edge on board as part of our portfolio.”

The company is part of the Probiz network who already have sponsorship links with several Premier League and Championship teams together with a number of rugby league and county cricket club teams. The Lilywhites could also inherit further income over the next 15 months as the club are entitled to commission on any new customers that are introduced to Pro-Edge during that time.

Pro-Edge director Bob Sculthorpe said: “We are delighted to be able to join forces with Cambridge City and assist with their profile to help with their commercial and strategic lanning off the pitch. We have a proven record of success through the Probiz network and look forward to working with the club through until the end of the 2012-13 season.” The deal had been on the cards for the past few days with manager Gary Roberts seeking investment to help move the club forward.

The sponsorship and financial backing is for the business side of the club and the money gained from the deal itself will not be put towards future signings.

Roberts explained: “It’s purely business and the money from the sponsorship deal will not be used as a means to bring players to the club.

by Ismail Uddin

Sargent Security has announced it has become a major naming rights sponsor of the Australian GT series for 2012.

As one of Australia’s leading security companies specialising in all aspects of alarm systems, and guards, cough patrols and CCTV, Sargent Security is a perfect partner to the prestigious Australian GT series.

“Sargent Security was formed 14 years ago as a small security company in Liverpool, NSW and has quickly grown to become one of this country’s leading national security specialist providers” said General Manager, Peter Harris. “It has thrived through good times and bad due to continually providing quality workmanship and high tech value for money equipment but more importantly, due to its single minded work ethic of always delivering good, old fashioned quality service at the right price” 

Category owner and competitor Tony Quinn, co director of VIP Petfoods, added “I am very happy to welcome Sargent Security into the Australian GT series. Everyone needs peace of mind security at some time in their life and Sargent Security are without doubt, the leaders in their profession. VIP Petfoods has received excellent promotional exposure through its motorsport association and Sargent Security are following a very similar path. 

The series is entering one of its most competitive seasons with a mouth watering array of 30 prestige vehicles lining up on the grid for the first round at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 event on 1-4 March. With such marque’s as Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ford, Chrysler, Lotus and more, it promises high speed action from start to finish. 

“I am pleased to be able to secure such a valuable sponsorship partner at the start of our 2012 season” enthused new category manager, Ken Collier. “It is a coup for the category and a real bonus to be able to work with such passionate people. They really do relate to the Australian GT vehicles and acknowledge the high level of commitment and dedication our competitors bring to the series”. 

Sargent Security owner, Mr Ben Robert also commented “Securing this association with the Australian GT series was a natural progression for Sargent Security at this time. Our companies have many similarities and for us, stepping up from an individual vehicle sponsorship last year to a full nationally recognised category sponsorship this year just made sense. We are really looking forward to working with everyone throughout 2012 to ensure it fulfils its promise as one of the most competitive and successful seasons to date”. 

The Australian GT Championship kick’s off a 7 round series in 2012 at the Clipsal 500 event in Adelaide on Mar 1st – 4th featuring a 1 hour twilight enduro and a 30 minute sprint race. 

All events in 2012 are to be televised via highlights packages on free to air TV and a combination of Foxtel, Speed Television and Motor World channels.

by Ismail Uddin

Craters & Freighters’ Florida locations have joined together to sponsor Dave Blaney’s #59 Sprint Car for the 2012 World of Outlaws Racing Series.

Tom Leidig, generic the car’s owner contacted Russ Galik, asthma owner of two Craters & Freighters’ locations including Orlando and Southeast Florida regarding the sponsorship opportunity. Galik, a longtime race fan was thrilled to learn about the chance to support Leidig’s team and knew other Florida Craters & Freighters’ locations would join the effort. In total, there are four Craters & Freighters’ locations sponsoring the car including, Orlando & Southeast Florida, owned by Russ Galik, SW Florida, owned by Gary McKinley, and Tampa-St. Petersburg, owned by Dave Amos.

Craters & Freighters’ trademark purple and yellow logo will adorn the #59 car’s roof wing and will be viewed by over 3 million race fans starting February 16th at Volusia Speedway during the 41st UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

Craters & Freighters provides expert packaging, crating, and shipping services from 70 nationwide locations. Unique to the transportation industry, the company engineers and builds customized shipping containers and wood crates to ensure all shipments arrive safe, damage-free, and on-time.

by Ismail Uddin

iSportconnect, the leading global networking platform for sport business, today announced a new partnership agreement with 1080 Media TV, the specialist online broadcast company, for the prestigious ISportconnect Directors Club event to be staged in London. This is exclusive for the leading figures in the sports industry, where senior decision makers are invited to share high level insight and opinion on business trends, best business practice and relevant industry news.

The event, in partnership with Generate Sponsorship, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP and now 1080 Media TV, takes place on 21st February, and features a high profile panel of speakers including Sir Craig Reedie, Member of the IOC Executive Board, Ed Warner, Chairman UK Athletics, Sally Hancock, Director, Olympic Marketing and Group Sponsorship at Lloyds TSB, Paul Vaughan, CEO of England Rugby 2015. A specially invited audience of premium iSportconnect members will offer questions to speakers through a ‘Question Time’ style panel, followed by a round table networking opportunity and drinks.

iSportconnect CEO Sree Varma said: “We are pleased to have 1080 Media TV as our broadcast partner for our first major London event. 1080 Media is well-known and widely-respected in the sports industry and we look forward to the coverage of our Directors Club in London and future networking events.”

1080 Media TV is known for its experience in managing internet TV channels, and live sports broadcasting, both online and for traditional TV, and offers a service that is economical and efficient across arrange of operations in today’s digital world.

CEO and founder, Clifford Webb said, “I am impressed by what Sree and his team at iSportconnect has achieved since launch, and at the high, international calibre of the members, so it seemed natural to align our online TV broadcast experience with this leading sports internet portal. We’ll cover their events and support ISportconnect’s continued growth and expansion with our video and TV services, and we hope in the future we’ll be able to live broadcast some of their networking events, like the Directors Club series and others, to offer their members an even greater level of interest and communication”.

iSportconnect is a community set-up exclusively for sports business professionals with a strict door policy to ensure that the industry’s high profile executives and professionals gain access to the numerous features and services provided. iSportconnect.com combines business networking, latest sports business news & in-depth editorial (through Featured profiles and Expert’s columns), with Business events and sports professionals job listings among just a number of the services provided.

Three iSportconnect Directors’ Club events are planned in London this year, with further events in New York and Barcelona to be scheduled in the coming months.

Taiwan-based Maxxis International has become an “Official Partner” of the New York Knicks NBA team for the remaining 2011-2012 season.

The company also will be a sponsor of the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals during the 2012 Major League Baseball season. Earlier this year, Maxxis was the official tire of the Australian Open tennis tournament.

With its global headquarters in Taiwan, Maxxis’ sponsorship of the Knicks is especially fitting given the success of rising star Jeremy Lin, whose parents are from Taiwan. He recently was named the NBA’s player of the week, inspiring the slogan “Linsanity” to describe his fan base.

The Harvard graduate only became a starter earlier this month, but in less than 10 days became a celebrity.

During home games, Maxxis signage will appear courtside for 30 seconds of television coverage on an LED board at Madison Square Garden. This placement will provide prominent exposure for the Maxxis brand to the 20,000 spectators in the arena — and millions of fans watching on TV.

The Maxxis logo also will appear on the GardenVision Jumbotron and LED ribbon boards during the “Road Ahead” display of the team’s upcoming schedule. The company also will sponsor game night giveaways, with an item displaying the brands of both Maxxis and the Knicks available to attendees.

by Ismail Uddin

MLS team Columbus Crew and Perio, Inc. announced a major, long-term partnership with the Barbasol brand becoming the new jersey partner for the team, starting this season.

Through the strategic partnership, the Barbasol wordmark will have prominent placement on the front of all Crew jerseys. Per club policy, financial terms of the five-year deal were not disclosed.

All Crew jerseys – game, retail and youth – along with practice jerseys, will be emblazoned with the Barbasol mark. The Crew’s newly designed jerseys will be updated to include Barbasol and marketed by Major League Soccer’s official supplier adidas. They are expected to be available at retail establishments in March.

“On behalf of the entire Crew organization, I am extremely pleased to welcome Barbasol to our family of corporate and community partners,” Crew president and general manager Mark McCullers said in a statement. “Barbasol is a well-known, well-respected brand, and we are proud that it will adorn the front of our jerseys for years to come.”

The partnership also designates Barbasol as the “Official Shaving Cream of the Columbus Crew” and includes field-level LED signage and TV, radio and print advertising, among other assets. Barbasol will also market select cans of Barbasol product featuring the Crew logo within the central Ohio region.

“MLS jersey sponsorship is such a unique opportunity in major-league sports and Barbasol is proud and honored to partner with a championship team and organization like the Crew,” Perio, Inc. president and CEO Thomas J. Murray said in a statement. “Barbasol has a long tradition of connecting with sports, from the early days of Babe Ruth and Knute Rockne to today with partners like ESPN, the Big Ten Network and personalities like Boomer Esiason, Jimmy Jackson, Mike & Mike and Louie Vito. Now we feel like we are bringing America’s shaving cream to America’s Hardest Working Team.”

Prior to 2007, MLS jersey sponsorships were limited to smaller placements on the backs and sleeves and only through national advertising packages. But starting that year, MLS clubs have been able to market advertising space on the front of their team jerseys, where it is more visible and more traditional internationally.

Gaven is perhaps the club’s most recognizable player, partly because he boasts a full beard on a regular basis. Forward Tommy Heinemann also typically boasts a beard, as has midfielder Danny O’Rourke and goalkeeper William Hesmer.

Barbasol becomes the Crew’s second jersey sponsor, after paint manufacturer Glidden sponsored the jersey from 2008 until they decided not to renew their contract in January 2011.

by Ismail Uddin

AMJ Campbell, a Toronto moving company, with locations across Canada, has announced it has been named “Official Mover of Canada’s Olympic Team” by the Canadian Olympic Committee.

For the next five years, AMJ Campbell will provide Canada’s Olympic teams, athletes and families the reassurance of hassle-free moving, wherever they go to compete.

“We are thrilled to once again receive this endorsement as Official Mover,” says Vice President of Marketing Denis Cordick. “The Canadian Olympic Team represents the highest level of sport in the country, inspiring national pride for more than a century. At every Olympic Games, our athletes make history that connects the present with the past.”

AMJ Campbell’s status as Official Mover of Canada Olympics dates to the 1990s. Over the last 20 years, the company has helped move people and equipment to and from venues all over the world. In the process, moving becomes the least of the team’s worries. By easing the stress associated with relocation, AMJ Campbell does its part to support the outstanding performances of Canada’s best athletes.

“There are simply too many stars in our Olympic history to count,” says Cordick. “All of these athletes have extraordinary determination. They make us proud to wear and wave the Canadian Maple Leaf. It’s our honour to serve as their official mover.”

by Ismail Uddin