British Canoeing In Big Sponsor Push
British Canoeing has linked up with Lee Valley White Water Centre to launch a new range of commercial opportunities designed to support the growth of paddle sport in the UK.
The national governing body unveiled its ‘Big Idea’ package to an industry audience at the London 2012 legacy venue with the help of sports broadcaster Laura Winter.
Partners are being sought for British Canoeing’s elite competion teams in Olympic and Paralympic disciplines as well as for grassroots participation programmes and for events including the 2019 ICF Slalom World Cup and the 2020 ECA European Slalom Championships, to be held at Lee Valley White Water Centre. Overall naming rights for the venue itself are also being put on the market.
Commenting on the programme, Shaun Dawson, chief executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority said: “Lee Valley White Water Centre has a seven year track record as a successful world class venue that has attracted over two million visitors.
“It has already delivered an enduring London 2012 legacy with vast amounts of community use, great opportunities for first timers, hugely popular commercial rafting and ever changing leisure activities, seamlessly blended with a stream of major events, a proven athlete development programme and being the home of GB’s canoe slalom team.
“We own three London 2012 legacy venues which between them have hosted 20 major international events since the Games. The Big Idea presented today creates the chance to work with commercial partners to take the development of the centre and our relationship with British Canoeing to the next level.”
David Joy, chief executive of British Canoeing added: “We are delighted to be launching the Big Idea with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and presenting a range of exciting opportunities for commercial partners to engage in a growing sport.
“From encouraging more people to take up paddling through Go Canoeing, to supporting our highly successful British Olympic and Paralympic teams and backing international events being hosted in the UK, the Big Idea provides a broad range of opportunities for partners.
“This unique offer that we have created with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority is fully in line with our strategic plan and is a classic example of ‘Stronger Together’ working in practice.”
British Canoeing says two million adults and children take part in paddle sport each year in the UK.
The organisation’s 35,000 members grew by 9% in 2017, with plans to achieve membership of 75,000 by 2021.
An international events strategy has so far secured four international events across three competition disciplines to be hosted in the UK between 2019-2021. British Canoeing is also in the process of bidding to host the 2023 World Slalom Championships at Lee Valley.
