McCain Announces £5 Million Sponsorship of UK Athletics
McCain announces a five year sponsorship deal to become Principal Partner of UK Athletics and Title Sponsor of the McCain Young Athletes League and McCain UK Challenge events. Over the next five years, McCain's sponsorship will also play an integral role in helping to find and nurture the champions of tomorrow by inspiring more people to get more active.
London, UK (PRWEB) July 24, 2008
23rd July 2008, McCain announces a five year sponsorship deal to become Principal Partner of UK Athletics and Title Sponsor of the McCain Young Athletes League and McCain UK Challenge events.
McCain's £5 million sponsorship over the next five years is a long term commitment to the sport that will have a significant impact on the development of athletic talent in the UK and will increase the opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in the sport.
McCain (http://www. mccain. co. uk/) has partnered with UK Athletics (http://www. ukathletics. net/welcome/) to develop Britain's raw athletic talent through sponsorship of grassroots athletics. As Title Sponsor, McCain's backing will support young UK athletes as they work to achieve their potential via participation in the McCain Young Athletes League and the McCain UK Challenge events.
Over the next five years, McCain's sponsorship will also play an integral role in helping to find and nurture the champions of tomorrow by inspiring more people to get more active. In September 2008, Olympic champion Sally Gunnell will launch McCain 'Track & Field' (http://www. mccain. co. uk/trackandfield/): a nationwide campaign that will make athletics more accessible to more people.
Sally Gunnell comments, "I believe in balancing an active lifestyle with enjoying good food. As a busy mum with three growing boys, I know all about the pressures that parents face in getting their children to eat healthily and get active and am delighted that McCain has joined forces with UKA to help support them and encourage everyone to get into the sport I love."
Commenting on the sponsorship, Gerry Sutcliffe, Sports Minister in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport says, "I fully support this partnership between McCain (http://www. mccain. co. uk/trackandfield/) and UK Athletics (http://www. ukathletics. net/welcome/), which I hope will encourage those who would not normally consider athletics to get involved in the sport. I hope it succeeds in finding and nurturing the champions of the future and developing grass roots talent in UK athletics in the run up to the Olympics in 2012."
Ed Warner, Chairman of UK Athletics comments, "UK Athletics is delighted to announce this principal partnership, which will have an immediate impact on the development and nurturing of UK grassroots athletics talent. This is a partner that shares the same vision as UK athletics - that of a healthier Britain."
Nick Vermont, Regional CEO at McCain comments, "Our consumers understand that we make good, simple food. We feel we have a role to play in promoting a healthy balanced lifestyle to our consumers, ensuring that they are leading an active life as well as enjoying good food."
'Track & Field' Roadshows
McCain 'Track & Field' Roadshows will visit city centres across the UK, providing a fun taster of athletics whilst sharing information about local athletics clubs and inviting people to their nearest 'Track & Field' Day.
'Track & Field' Days
Hosted by Sally Gunnell, McCain 'Track & Field' days will provide an opportunity for families to be introduced to and take part in different athletics disciplines. McCain 'Track & Field' days will be open to all - whether you are a talented runner or if you've never won a race in your life, everyone will have a chance to have a go.
'Track & Field' Club Sessions
In 2009, McCain will introduce introductory sessions at athletics clubs around the UK where people of all ages will be welcome to visit and find out where their talent lies. McCain 'Track & Field' Club Days will provide access to athletics to many families that may not have known what facilities are available.
Additional Details
McCain's sponsorship runs across five years with £1million per year being spent supporting grassroots activity and promoting UK athletics to a wider audience
The McCain Young Athletes League is run at local athletics club level and provides training and support for over 150,000 competitors and supporters. The McCain UK Challenge is 56 annual events enabling 15,000 athletes to compete against their peers.
McCain 'Track & Field' Roadshows and Days will take place in the following locations:
London
McCain 'Track & Field' Roadshow, Battersea Park, Sunday 31st August
McCain 'Track & Field' Day, Battersea Park, Saturday 6th September
Birmingham
McCain 'Track & Field' Roadshow, Victoria Square, Sunday 7th September
McCain 'Track & Field' Day, Alexander Stadium, Saturday 13th September
Sheffield
McCain 'Track & Field' Roadshow, Fargate, Saturday 13th September
McCain 'Track & Field' Day, EIS, Sunday 14th September
Cardiff
McCain 'Track & Field' Roadshow, Oval Basin, Saturday 20th September
McCain 'Track & Field' Day, Cardiff International Stadium, Sunday 21st September
Sally Gunnell will attend all four McCain 'Track & Field' Days
Selected Team GB athletes will attend McCain 'Track & Field' Roadshows and Days
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