World University Kayak Championships sponsorhip request

World University Championships
USSA National kayak team 2008

In September 2008, a South African team of 21 athletes will be travelling to Europe to take part in the bi-annual World University Championships. A stringent trial and selection process was followed to choose the team of students which will be representing South Africa in this prestigious event hosted by FISU.

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The World University Champs

One of the most important sporting events hosted by FISU is the World University Championships. The expansion of university sport in the world necessitated the creation of a series of meetings and competitions to complete the program of the Universiade. The Universiade is an international sporting and cultural festival which is staged every two years in a different city and which is second in importance only to the Olympic Games. FISU supports the competitions which represent the continuity of university sport and allows the federation to be better known.

In 2004, FISU organised 25 World University Championships that attracted 4,845 participants from a total of 186 countries. For 2008, FISU has already sanctioned 33 World University Champs.

These include the following sports: Archery - Badminton - Baseball - Beach Volleyball - Boxing - Bridge - Chess - Cross Country - Cycling - Equestrian - Field Hockey - Flat Water Canoeing - Floorball - Futsal (M & W) - Golf - Handball - Karate - Match Racing - Orienteering - Rowing - Rugby 7 - Slalom Canoeing - Sport Shooting - Squash - Taekwondo - Triathlon - Sailing -Wrestling - Woodball - Wild Water Canoeing - Waterskiing - Weightlifting

Sprint Champs website:
http://www.kayakwuc2008.rs/index.php?language=en

Wild-Water Champs website:
http://www.saus.sk/default.asp?M=M20080414210052100

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FISU

FISU stands for Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire (International University Sports Federation) and was founded in 1949. This Federation was formed within university institutions in order to promote sporting values and encourage sporting practice in harmony with and complementary to the university spirit.

FISU's main responsibility is the supervision of both Summer and Winter Universiades as well as the World University Championships.

FISU is composed of a General Assembly which represents the members (141 National University Sports Federations). It is FISU's main governing body which elects the Executive Committee for a period of four years. The General Assembly takes all the necessary decisions for the smooth running of FISU. FISU is funded through subscription, organising and entry fees, television incomes, and marketing activities.

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USSA

USSA (University Sports South Africa) is a union formed to organise and run inter-varisty sport between affiliated institutions across South Africa. USSA caters for many different sporting codes, each with their own sub-committee. These committees are made-up mostly of students belonging to USSA. Each sporting code has specific regattas within South Africa, that take place throughout the year.

USSA is also responsible for the selection of teams to represent South Africa at international FISU regattas. USSA receive most of their funding through subscription, and cannot afford to fund the international tours. USSA ensures the smooth running of all the national events and selection of teams

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DISCIPLINES
There are three different disciplines in which South African Kayakers are taking part:
Flat-Water Sprint, Slalom and White Water Canoeing. Sprinting and slalom kayaking are both Olympic disciplines.

Sprinting

Flat-Water Sprinting involves all-out sprint races over short distances. These races are held in lanes over distances of 500m and 1000m. Sprinting is an Olympic discipline and raced very competitively throughout the world, especially in Eastern-European countries.

Sprint Team:

Brent Chiazzari Scott Humphrey
Dean Chiazzari Ryan Louw
Lizzy Chiazzari Greg Louw
Chris Couve Christopher Muller
Tiaan De Klerk Hilary Pitchford
Sarah Hook Nick Stubbs
Kelly Howe Natalie Veckranges

Slalom Kayaking

This event is held through rapids. Competitors have to negotiate a series of gates paddling up and down river. Skill, finesse and river knowledge are paramount to success in this challenging discipline.

Slalom Team:

Guy Anderson
Haden Jacobs
Craig Turton

White Water Kayaking

White Water kayaking involves racing down fast flowing water over a relatively short distance. It requires physical strength and quick reactions to negotiate the rapids as fast as possible.

White Water team:

Trenton Lamble
Dylan Scott
Mark Ussher
Richard Van Zyl

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TOUR COSTS:

We are all very grateful to be given the opportunity to represent South Africa at the World University Championships 2008. The team has put in many hard hour of training in preparation for the event. Unfortunately the tour is very costly. Being full-time students it is difficult to raise the necessary funds. Any help your organisation can provide would be much appreciated.

Basic list of costs per person:

Flights R13000
Food & accommodation R3000
Boat hire R600
Racing & team kit R1000
Event entry R140

Total R17740

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EXPOSURE:

Any sponsors will have their logos printed on the team tracksuits and race gear. This kit will be worn throughout the regatta and travels.

Sponsor stickers will be placed on competitor's boats and paddles. These measures will ensure that the sponsors brands will gain maximum exposure throughout the competition and in the media.

The Weekend Witness as well as other local newspapers across SA will cover the event. We will also ensure that sponsors gain as much coverage as possible.

Nine competitors are going to Ireland early and competing in the Liffey Descent. This is a major international race www.liffeydescent.com and receives media coverage worldwide. The competitors will also display sponsor stickers prominently during the race.

Marc Cloete, the editor of SA paddler has booked a 2-page article in the magazine for coverage of the event. Sponsors will be exposed and thanked in the article. SA paddler is distributed to every registered paddler in the country and it is very popular and guarantees coverage for the sponsor among the canoeing fraternity.

We will ensure that the sponsors gain maximum exposure in any other way we can, we really appreciate any interest and would not take it for granted.

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Kind Regards,
Chris Muller
Chairperson: USSA Kayaking