Small Businesses Across the UK Urged to Join Medal Quest
26 Jul 2010
A new and innovative fundraising programme has today been launched to help meet the £25million fundraising target set for Team 2012. Designed exclusively for SME’s across the UK, Our Team 2012 provides smaller businesses with an opportunity to support high performance Olympic and Paralympic sport as we enter this most exciting phase in the build up to London 2012 while raising vital funds to equip our athletes with the best training and equipment required to compete at the highest level.
With just two years to go until the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, the journey is already well under way for over 1200 of our most talented sports men and women across 47 different sports and disciplines. And to reach their full potential and win as many medals as possible for our nation on home soil, they need our support now more than ever.
Our Team 2012 will raise funds by creating a unique opportunity for smaller businesses to share in the excitement at the coming of the London Games while providing a catalogue of business benefits. Described as a “once in a life time chance to be part of making history” by Duncan Bannatyne, who has volunteered his time to champion the cause as a Team 2012 Ambassador, the programme provides SMEs with opportunities for staff engagement as they join athletes on their inspiring journey, access to hospitality events at prestigious venues including the House of Lords and tickets to major sporting events across the UK. SMEs will also enjoy networking opportunities in their own region, seminars, insight and training. At a cost of under £10,000 per annum for the two year programme it is designed to be accessible.
Attending today’s launch at the headquarters of the British Olympic Association in London, the Minister for Sport and Olympics, Hugh Robertson said:
“Sports funding has always come from a mixture of exchequer, lottery and private sources. As Government, we have committed substantial exchequer and Lottery funding for our elite athletes in the run up to 2012 - but it has never been more important, given the difficult economic situation we’re in, to have business behind our athletes. Supporting the Olympics is not just something the big multinationals can do – it is within the reach of every small and medium business in the UK and I’d encourage as many as possible to get involved. With just two years to go until the Games begin, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support the UK’s Team 2012 athletes on their home turf.”
Paul Deighton, CEO of LOCOG also commented “Our Team 2012 is another example of how the London Games are bringing opportunities to companies throughout the country. With a maximum capacity for 750 SME’s, Our Team 2012 will be reserving 30 places in each of the UK’s nations and regions for a limited time to safeguard widespread representation. Our aim is to empower SME’s to play an important role in ensuring our athletes are best prepared by helping Team 2012 reach its £25million target, a total to which Visa as Presenting Partner has already made a significant contribution.”
Andy Hunt, British Olympic Association CEO said: “Across the UK athletes are now entering the critical phase in their journey towards Olympic and Paralympic qualification and selection. The vital ‘Our Team 2012’ funding from SMEs will help to ensure that our athletes are fully resourced and provided with the tools that will give them the edge in an increasingly competitive international environment. With the help of ‘Our Team 2012’, British athletes will aim to deliver the inspirational performances that will unite the nation with pride and excitement in two years time.”
John Steele, CEO of UK Sport, added: “With two years to go our Olympic and Paralympic ambitions are firmly on track, and the level of our support for sports at an all time high – in coaching, sports science and medicine, research, equipment and travel. Achieving our ambitions, however, requires substantial investment and programmes like ‘Our Team 2012’ are crucial alongside existing Lottery and Exchequer funding if we are to maximize this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Phil Lane, British Paralympic Association CEO said: “Our Team 2012 will help ensure that as Paralympians and Olympians head toward London, they are properly resourced to do the job and make Britain proud”
http://www.team-2012.com/support/sme/
Notes to editors:
About Team 2012
Team 2012 presented by Visa is a programme designed to provide our UK athletes with the tools and support to reach their full potential and win more medals at European Championships, World Championships – and of course at the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. It is a joint venture between the British Olympic Association, British Paralympic Association, UK Sport and LOCOG. Alongside the vital role played by the National Lottery and government funding, Team 2012 will help fund our athletes over the next two years. The vast majority of funds raised through Team 2012 will be distributed by UK Sport through its World Class Performance Programme which ensures that the UK’s most talented athletes have every chance of reaching their potential. Having run their Programme since 1997, UK Sport has developed a highly successful “No Compromise” approach, which ultimately means taking no short cuts in resourcing the best athletes to realize their medal ambitions. Funding is provided to athletes via their sport’s governing body, in support of a performance programme that includes coaching, training and competition support, medical and scientific services and equipment and access to the best facilities.
Visa are the Presenting Partner for Team 2012 and have a made a major contribution to the £25 million target. Together with Visa, Team 2012 is announcing the programme for SMEs in an effort to raise further funds and help reach the funding target.
For more information on:
Team 2012:
www.team-2012.com
Visa:
www.lifeflowsbetter.com
UK Sport and the World Class Performance Programme:
www.uksport.gov.uk
BOA:
www.olympics.org.uk
BPA:
www.paralympics.org.uk
LOCOG:
www.london2012.com
How an SME can join Our Team 2012
To become a Follower of Our Team 2012 requires a contribution of £9,900 + VAT per annum for two years. Only SMEs may apply and Team 2012 defines an SME to be a company with fewer than 500 employees and an annual turnover of less than £50m at the time of purchase.
To join Our Team 2012 SMEs can fill out the on-line form at
www.team-2012.com/sme . Alternatively companies may call the customer service line on (+44) 020 7227 0965 or e-mail
follow@team-2012.com
For more information on Our Team 2012 log on to team-2012.com/sme
Media enquiries:
Angharad Gibbs: Communications Director, Team 2012
www.team-2012.com
DD: 020 7227 0972
Mobile: 07833 043749
Email:
angharad.gibbs@thesportsbiz.co.uk