p4,6,8,9 Business news 8/15/08 12:34 PM Page 8
BUSINESS - Sports News SGB
Sports and Outdoor w w w. s g b - s p o r t s . c o m
Kippax named Squash Mazda celebrates
Championships successful triathlon
ambassador
Mazda Motors UK today announced that its first year as
headline sponsor of the London Triathlon, the world’s
largest swim-bike-run event, has been a huge success. This
Rising British squash star Sarah Kippax has been year’s event, held on 9 and 10 August at ExCeL in
appointed as an official ambassador for The Hi-Tec World London’s Royal Victoria Dock, was bigger than ever with
Squash Championships – Manchester 2008. Kippax, 25, over 13,000 competitors.
who is from Chester and trains twice a week at the “Mazda wanted to add to the experience of taking part
National Squash Centre in Manchester will help to in the Mazda London Triathlon,” explained Mark
promote the event to a younger audience. The partnership Cameron, Marketing Director for Mazda. “So we
will also run into 2009 with Kippax’s ambassadorial role introduced a theme to the event,‘Heroes’, and created
also encompassing the 2009 British National Squash activities as part of that theme, which we hope made the
Championships, to be held at the same venue next weekend even more memorable for competitors and their
February. families as well as other spectators.”
Kippax, who has risen to 31st in the world rankings, has Triathlon hero and Ironman legend Dave Scott was
had an impressive start to 2008 with three tour titles one of many speakers who appeared in the new
already under her belt as she gears up for the all important ‘Ambassadors Theatre’ to share experiences with others
World Championships this October. Kippax commented, at the Mazda London Triathlon. The Theatre was created
“I am delighted to have become an ambassador for The and run by Mazda to provide information and
Hi-Tec World Squash Championships – Manchester 2008. inspiration for all triathletes, whether experienced or
Coming from the north-west myself it is a fantastic novice, and give visitors a chance to ask questions of
opportunity for me to be involved in the promotion of a some of triathlon’s greatest and most talented
major international squash event which can create a individuals.
legacy for the sport for years to come.” “Mazda believes that everyone who competes in the
“Squash does not always get the profile it deserves and I Mazda London Triathlon is a winner, whatever their level
hope that my involvement will play some part in taking of ability,” added Cameron. “Triathlon is about the
the sport to a new, younger audience who can carry individual challenge and sense of achievement when
squash towards its goal of becoming an Olympic sport for crossing the finish line, which Mazda is reflecting through
2016.” the ‘Heroes’ theme.”
Puma's pink Thistle strip delights retailer
Greaves Sports has been forced to order extra stock of the August 5th, worn by players during the 4-3 victory over
new Partick Thistle pink away kit after a “phenomenal” Forfar in the Co-op Cup. It then received widespread
response to the shirt’s launch. media coverage all week including a mention on BBC
The Jags new Puma kit was unveiled at Firhill on breakfast news.
The strip went on sale at the Thistle club shop at
Firhill before the game and generated record-breaking
takings for the club that night, four times the number of
sales made prior to the Dunfermline league opener the
following Saturday.
The pink and grey hooped jersey then went on sale at
Greaves and, within an hour of being made available on
the firm’s online store, orders were taken from Australia,
Belgium, Canada and all across the UK.
Sandy Greaves, managing director of Greaves Sports, is
now taking delivery of extra strips and said: “It’s easily
our best ever kit launch – the level of interest and uptake
has been mind-blowing.
“All well as online orders from all around the world,
there has been constant traffic to both our stores with the
kit being snapped up by Thistle fans of all ages, both
male and female, as well as the occasional non-Thistle
fan.
“Add to that the amazing sight of queues at Firhill at
5pm on Tuesday with record-breaking sales that night
and it’s been quite a first week for the new away strip. It
seems like the whole country is talking about it.”
8 JUNE 2008
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