PRESS RELEASE - Issued July 17th, 2006
Molten and Sportserve - new sponsors forGreat Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association
Molten, the world’s largest manufacturer of inflatable athletic balls, and Sportserve, the UK's largest basketball mail order specialists, are to be the new sponsors of the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association (GBWBA), it was announced today, July 17, 2006.
Molten and Sportserve are to provide the GBWBA with product including balls and kit, up to and including the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. The distinctive Molten G-Series basketball is to become the Association’s official game ball at all events including the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships at the NIA in Birmingham in 2010, as well as all national squads and national league competitions for men, women and juniors. As part of the sponsorship deal Sportserve has committed to providing the Association’s international teams with kit including vests, track suits, polo shirts, warm up tops and kit bags and substantial discounts on all products to the national league teams. The sponsorship is valued in excess of £150,000.
Comments Charlie Bethel, chief executive, GBWBA:
“We are delighted that Molten and Sportserve have agreed to sponsor the GBWBA in such a substantial way. I believe this sponsorship is going to be a successful and mutually beneficial three-way partnership. In addition to the support for both the international teams and the national league teams, this sponsorship is going to make no end of difference to us in the lead up to the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Birmingham, taking place in 2010.”
Bob Hope, chairman of Molten Sports, said:
“We are pleased to be able to sponsor the GBWBA in this way and at all levels and thrilled that the Molten G-Series basketball is to be the official game ball at the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Birmingham in 2010. The new G-Series ball is a stunning world class ball. Not only is it approved by FIBA but it is also the official game ball for many high-profile world events including the forthcoming Beijing and London Olympics and Paralympics”.
Andy Evans, managing director, Sportserve added:
“We are proud to be associated with the GBWBA, and provide a world class team with a world class uniform, as it extends our commitment to international and national basketball even further than at present. Hopefully, our basketball kit will not only help them in their endeavours to win the World Basketball Championships in 2010 but also qualify them as one of the best dressed as well!”
ENDS
Digital images of the Molten G-Series basketball and Sportserve kit xxxxx are available on request.
For further information, please contact:
Penelope James
Penelope James Public Relations
Tel: 01303 844555 E-mail: penelope@penelopejamespr.com
NOTES FOR EDITORS
THE GREAT BRITAIN WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
The Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association (GBWBA) is the national governing body of wheelchair basketball in the United Kingdom and is responsible for grass root development through to the three national teams. The sport benefits from an impressive club structure, successful men’s, women’s and junior national squads and infrastructure that supports events such as last year’s World Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championships. The GBWBA recently beat off Paris and Vancouver to host the World Championships in Birmingham in 2010.
Contact GBWA on T: 01509 631671 E: c.bethel@gbwba.org.uk
Web: www.gbwba.org.uk
MOLTEN
The MOLTEN Corporation manufactures a wide range of sports balls from soccer balls and basketballs, to volleyballs and netballs. Established in Hiroshima, Japan in 1958, the corporation boasts unparalleled international recognition of its ball products. Molten Sports is the dedicated distributor of Molten products in the UK and Ireland.
Molten’s G-series basketball, is the new global standard in basketballs. It was heralded by the basketball industry as an inspired technological development when it was launched in 2004 and was immediately approved by FIBA (International Basketball Federation). It has been used in all FIBA competitions worldwide since September 2004.
The radical Molten G-Series basketball is manufactured in 12 panels, rather than the traditional 8. It is packed with ground breaking, Molten patented, technology to enhance player performance including increased rebound speed and playability, as well as improved ball control and shooting accuracy.
Contact Molten Sports on T: 0800 298 8217 E: info@moltensports.co.uk
Web: www.moltensports.co.uk
SPORTSERVE
Established in 1991 for basketball people in the UK, Sportserve is the UK's largest basketball mail order specialist offering the best, and one of the most extensive, range of basketball products from the sport’s leading brands.
Contact Sportserve on T: 0845 230 3322 or 0114 272 7733
E: sales@sportserve.co.uk Web: www.sportserve.co.uk