Sky Deutschland Extends Formula One Broadcast Rights

A one-year broadcast rights renewal will see Sky Deutschland air the Formula One across Germany, apoplectic Austria and Switzerland for the 2011 season.

The extension will carry the broadcasting contract into its 16th successive campaign and the company has guaranteed to show all the footage of the three practice sessions, adiposity qualifying and the final race, order without advertising interruptions.

The German F1 fans will be pleased about the deal which will enable them to watch fellow countryman Sebastien Vettel attempt to retain his title as well as legendary driver Michael Schumacher.

“This is a great Christmas gift for motorsport fans in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Only we can guarantee the real Formula One experience to viewers.” said Carsten Schmidt, director of the pay-TV platform’s commercial arm.

Formula One Group CEO Bernie Ecclestone added: “We are very satisfied to continue with Sky, which has been a long-term partner for us.”

FIH Congress brings in statute change

The The International Hockey Federation (FIH) Congress, treatment which took place on 13 November in the Swiss city of Montreux, ailment has proposed to change the FIH Statutes, cialis which was one of the five priorities from the FIH Strategic Plan for 2010-2016.

The proposals were designed to make the FIH a more efficient, streamlined organization that would be able to make clear and effective decisions to aid hockey’s development.

The Congress was attended by delegates representing member National Associations.

The 65 delegates present at the Forum voted unanimously in favour of changing the FIH Statutes.

The decision means that the Executive Board has been restructured to a workable number, enhancing its efficiency. The re-structured Executive Board will continue to have representatives from each of the Continental Federations, which recognizes the hugely important contributions that they make to hockey in their own regions.

The restructuring of the FIH Executive Board required the election of three new members. These are:

Pamela Stuper (USA)

Qasim Zia (PAK)

Marc Coudron (BEL)

They will be joined on the new Executive Board by Michael Green (GER), who has been named as the Chair of the Athletes Committee.

FIH Chief Executive Officer Kelly Fairweather described the decisions as hugely significant for the sport. “I firmly believe that hockey is entering a new era”, said Fairweather. “These decisions show that our sport is taking a bold new direction which will help us achieve the targets that we have set for ourselves in our Strategic Plan 2010-2016.”

The Congress also witnessed a number of Awards being given, below in the order in which they were presented.

The Rene Frank Fair Play Trophy: Belgium Hockey Association

The Etienne Glichitch Medal: Antonio Antonov (Bulgaria) for the promotion of growth in the Balkan Zone

The Pablo Negre Trophy: Argentinean Hockey Confederation

The Theo Ykema Award: Myanmar Hockey Association

The Guust Lathouwers Memorial Trophy: Masako Kamisuki (Japan)

Besides, Venezuela’s Tony von Ondarza (VEN), a Vice President of the FIH, was made a Member of Honour. FIH President Leandro Negre presented the award in recognition of his outstanding services to hockey at National, Continental and FIH level over many years.

London 2012 Ticketshare scheme to benefit ‘Tickets For Troops’

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has confirmed that its Ticketshare scheme has been extended and that London 2012 will be working with the organisation ‘Tickets For Troops’ to provide up to 10,000 tickets for servicemen and women and their families.

The London 2012 Ticketshare scheme was launched last month and will see proceeds from the Prestige ticketing programme used to donate tickets to worthy causes.

The confirmation of the link-up with ‘Tickets for Troops’ follows the news that school children across the UK will receive tickets via the London 2012 Get Set education programme. Full details of how the tickets are to be distributed will be issued in due course.

Samantha Cameron, wife of the Prime Minister and a Tickets For Troops patron, welcomed the news: ‘It is fantastic that so many of our heroic troops will be able to cheer on our sporting heroes at the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012. I am thrilled that 10,000 troops and their families will be able to enjoy this important national event.’

LOCOG Chair Sebastian Coe commented: ‘At this time of year it is especially apt that we take time to think of our servicemen and women so I am delighted that the Ticketshare scheme will include them – and their families. The Games are rightly a source of great national pride – as are those who serve in the forces and I look forward to seeing some of them at the Games in the summer of 2012.’

Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and Olympics and a former Army Major, said: ‘London 2012 will be a time for national celebration and pride and I am delighted that some of our Forces will be able to attend the Games, given their dedication and commitment to our country. As a former serviceman myself, I know that our troops and their families will really appreciate this opportunity to enjoy the sporting spectacle of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games first hand.’

Tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games go on sale in March 2011.

BCCI denies player’s association with bookie

The Indian cricket board Sunday rubbished a media report that it was told by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that Indian cricket player, Suresh Raina was with a woman allegedly linked to an illegal bookmaker during the Sri Lanka tour.

The Sunday Times reported that the Sri Lankans submitted a report to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stating Raina accompanied the woman who was known to be an associate of a man linked to a bookmaker.

The discovery was made by CCTV cameras installed at the Indian team hotel in Sri Lanka.

According to the report, BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan’s reaction led to the International Cricket Council launching a probe investigation into the matter.

Srinivasan influenced the SLC to withdraw the report, the paper said.

“The ICC investigation … is believed to be looking into why the Sri Lankans shared the report with the BCCI first when under ICC anti-corruption rules it should have gone straight to the world governing body,” the newspaper quoted ICC sources as saying.

Srinivasan termed the report as “baseless and false”.

“The BCCI has just learnt that several media outlets are claiming that Sri Lanka Cricket submitted a report on Suresh Raina to it and that no action was taken by the Board.

“The BCCI would like to clarify that it has received no such report from SLC. The claims being made by a section of the media are totally baseless and false,” Srinivasan said.

Raina plays for Chennai Super Kings, an Indian Premier League franchise owned by India Cements. Srinivasan is a vice-chairman and managing director of India Cements.

MotoGP releases 2011 race schedule

The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has released the provisional calendar for next season’s MotoGP, and there will be no race in Hungary.

The 18-race schedule was without a Hungarian MotoGP this year as the venue was not ready, and will miss out again to Aragon, Spain, which stepped in for the race this season.

Spain will now host four races for the 2011 MotoGp championship with Aragon, Jerez, Catalunya and the traditional season finale in Valencia.

The season will start in Qatar on 20 March with the British GP at Silverstone taking place on 12 June.

Provisional 2011 MotoGP Calendar:

  • March 20 Losail International Circuit, Qatar*
  • April 3 Jerez, Spain
  • April 24 Motegi, Japan
  • May 1 Estoril, Portugal
  • May 15 Le Mans, France
  • June 5 Catalunya, Spain
  • June 12 Silverstone, Great Britain
  • June 25 Assen, Netherlands**
  • July 3 Mugello, Italy
  • July 17 Sachsenring, Germany
  • July 24 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, United States***
  • August 14 Brno, Czech Republic
  • August 28 Indianapolis Motor Speedway, United States
  • September 4 Misano, San Marino
  • September 18 Motorland Aragon, Spain
  • October 16 Phillip Island, Australia
  • October 23 Sepang, Malaysia
  • November 6 Valencia, Spain

* Evening Race
** Saturday Race
*** Only MotoGP class

 

Tony Fernandes Sells Caterham Racing GP2 Outfit to Status GP

Status Grand Prix has completed the purchase of the Caterham Racing team securing their entry in the GP2 Series from 2015.

One of the most successful GP3 Series teams of the last five years, Status GP will run the GP2 Series team alongside its GP3 operation. Status GP and Caterham have agreed that the GP2 team will compete as Caterham Racing for the remainder of the 2014 season, before coming under Status GP’s banner.

The current GP2 driver line-up of Rio Haryanto and Pierre Gasly will remain in the Caterham cars for the final round of the GP2 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 22-23.

Before the Abu Dhabi event, the Caterham Racing operation will move to Status GP’s race facility at Silverstone, UK, which is just 30 miles from Caterham Racing’s current base at Leafield Technical Centre.

Status GP team principal Teddy Yip said: “Having been multiple winners in GP3, as well as A1GP World Cup champions with A1 Team Ireland, we have always had the ambition to move further up the motorsport ladder when the time is right. The opportunity to take over an established and highly-regarded GP2 team such as Caterham Racing, allied to a strong season in GP3, makes that time now. The Status GP2 team will be run from our Silverstone base to the same exacting standards as our race-winning GP3 team.”

Caterham Racing Team Owner Tony Fernandes said: “This announcement is very positive for us and Status Grand Prix. We have built a strong GP2 team with excellent personnel over the last four years, and we can be proud of the multiple race wins and podiums we achieved in the series.

“It became clear to me some time ago that, without Caterham F1, we should seek affiliation with a GP3 team to create a more effective ladder for young drivers who aspire to Formula One. Following in-depth discussions with Status Grand Prix, we have reached an agreement that will strengthen and secure the future of the GP2 team.”

GP2 Series CEO Bruno Michel said: “I am pleased to welcome Status Grand Prix to the GP2 Series. They have been in GP3 since the beginning, and have been successful over the past five seasons. I have no doubt that with the help and experience of the current staff, they will be able to achieve the same level of performance in GP2, and will adapt quickly to the demands of the category.”

Since 2010, Status Grand Prix has won GP3 Series races with drivers such as Robert Wickens, Alexander Sims, Antonio Felix da Costa, Marlon Stockinger and Richie Stanaway.

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Jack Wilshere Joins New Sports Agency 10Ten Talent

English businessman Terry Byrne has announced he is starting a new sports management agency 10Ten Talent and has already acquired England midfielder Jack Wilshere as a client.

Wilshere joins Pele, anesthetist Glenn Hoddle, erectile Christian Wade and Geoff Shreeves on the roster already accumulated.

Terry Byrne, a former personal manager of David Beckham who also heads the England players’ representative business 1966, said: “I am very excited to be looking after such a variety of high profile individuals. Having had the pleasure of previously working with both David Beckham and Pele this gave me a valuable insight, unique understanding and vital experience which I can bring to the management of all my clients including the talented Jack Wilshere.”

Wilshere added: ‘”I am looking forward to working with Terry and the team at 10Ten.  Their knowledge & experience in the football industry gives me the confidence to ensure my career goes from strength to strength.”

10Ten Talent will focus on management, marketing, branding, PR and sponsorship of its clients, with Pele managed under the Legends 10 brand, a partner of 10Ten.

Terry Byrne will continue to be the chairman of several companies such as 1966 Entertainment, United Marketing International and Iconic Images, with Jennifer Cox handling the day-to-day management of 1966 Entertainment.

James Madison University Sign Paciolan Ticket Partnership

Ticketing provider Paciolan has announced that James Madison University (JMU) has renewed its 28-year partnership with the company.

With the long-term partnership renewal, JMU will continue to leverage Paciolan’s industry leading ticketing, fundraising and Access scanning systems, and has implemented the company’s email marketing solution. JMU has been a Paciolan partner since 1986. Paciolan is a subsidiary of the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor.

“As our trusted partner with evolving and cutting edge products, Paciolan is the gold standard in college athletics,” said Jeff Bourne, Director of Athletics at James Madison University. “We are excited to further extend our long-term partnership to maintain and expand our business model with a platform that provides our fans and donors with the best solutions.”

JMU continues to utilize Paciolan’s Access management solution that provides the university with the ability to offer digital ticketing for its fans and mobile ticket delivery for students. The university launched the 2D barcodes for smartphones to students in 2013 for football, basketball and baseball events, and has since seen a 53% adoption rate since the implementation.

“We really value the excellent customer support provided by Paciolan and the core group of our client partner and eCommerce operations team members who are dedicated and always proactive in helping us find and utilize solutions,” said Mike Carpenter, Assistant Athletics Director for Tickets and Customer Relations at James Madison University. “Out student body is digitally savvy and Paciolan’s eCommerce tools lets them utilize their smartphones to reserve and download their tickets anywhere, anytime.”

In conjunction with the renewed partnership, JMU recently began utilizing PACmail, Paciolan’s email marketing solution, to enhance communication with its fans and donors. With the added emphasis to market ticket sales and renewals, upcoming events and promotions, JMU staff is empowered with a platform to tailor segmented messages to highlight strategic initiatives and campaigns with the full integration of data and analytics to extend their marketing reach.

“James Madison University has been a long-standing Paciolan partner and we commend Jeff Bourne and his exceptional staff for continuing to embrace all of the tools in the Paciolan toolbox,” said Jane Kleinberger, Founder of Paciolan. “They consistently deliver an exceptional fan and donor experience while simultaneously generating greater revenues and growing attendance. JMU sets the trend for all mid-major college athletics programs.”

Ice Hockey UK Launches Bid to Host 2015 IIHF Women’s World Championship

Ice Hockey UK, the national governing body of Ice Hockey in the United Kingdom, have revealed today they will launch a bid to host the IIHF Women’s World Championship (Division 2A) in 2015 in the UK.

GB Women will be in a group with relegated Kazakhstan, promoted Croatia and this year’s opponents Korea, Poland and New Zealand.

IHUK have held four tournaments in the UK in the last three years, including the Men’s U20s in Dumfries last December and the Men’s U18s at the same venue in March.

Voting for next year’s tournament will take place at the IIHF Congress in Minsk next month and votes are cast by 14 IIHF council members, along with the countries in each group.

Jim Anderson, interim chairman of IHUK, said: “We have a massive desire to host the women’s tournament again.

“We have enjoyed the last four IIHF competitions we have held in the UK and have received high praise from the IIHF for the running of the tournaments.

“Over the last couple of years we have had great backing from Dumfries & Galloway Council and Dumfries Ice Bowl – and we have worked with them on three tournaments now.

“The plan is to return to Dumfries again and we have already held lengthy discussions about bringing the women’s competition to Scotland next year.

“We have a great working relationship and it would be fantastic to work with them again on a prestigious tournament.”

Dumfries & Galloway Council’s events champion, councillor Colin Smyth, said: “Dumfries & Galloway Council are committed to working with Ice Hockey UK.

“We want to do all that we can to build on the great success of the recent World Championship competition held at Dumfries Ice Bowl and to secure future international ice hockey tournaments.”

The Council’s head of community services, Richard Grieveson, said: “We hope to secure the 2015 Women’s World Championship at the Dumfries Ice Bowl.

“The facility has proven to be a fantastic venue to host international events.

“The strength of the Council’s partnership with Ice Hockey UK has ensured that together we have the expertise, commitment and enthusiasm to deliver international ice hockey competition.”

The tournament is likely to take place in late March/early April next year if IHUK are successful in their bid to host the event.

British Cycling Chief Delighted with ‘another bumper year’ as Membership Grows

British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake belives the extraordinary success in 2012 has made it “another bumper year” as the sports governing body announced that its membership has reached 80, buy 000 for the first time with over 40% year on year growth.

British Cycling’s annual report published today, ailment sets out how key successes at elite level – including a second British winner of the Tour de France – are continuing to boost progress at the grassroots end of the sport. 

Successes for British Cycling included achieving their target– one year early – of encouraging one million more people to cycle regularly. British Cycling are also making significant progress at government level with Prime Minister David Cameron pledging to invest on improving cycling infrastructure across eight major cities and four national parks and committing to cycle proof all new roads and junctions.

In his final foreword as British Cycling’s President before replacing Pat McQuaid as the President of world cycling’s governing body, the UCI, Brian Cookson OBE said: “The legacy of our remarkable success at the Olympics and Paralympics, our Tour De France winners and the success of our athletes across all disciplines continues to have a huge impact on all people in Britain being inspired to get on a bike..

“When I first joined British Cycling in 1997 it was on the brink of collapse, had limited resources, no medal record to speak of and a historic low in its membership. I am delighted to be leaving British Cycling with the sport’s governing body being in such fantastic shape and I know that there’s plenty more to come yet.”