London, March 4 2010. The Jaguar Academy of Sport was launched
at a ceremony in London today by Sir Ian Botham, Gareth Edwards
CBE, Dame Kelly Holmes DBE, Denise Lewis OBE, Sir Steve Redgrave
and supported by David Beckham OBE by video message. These legends
of British sport are the Patrons of the Jaguar Academy of Sport,
which aims to recognise, celebrate and inspire the very best of
British sporting talent and success.
The Jaguar Academy will fulfill this aim through a Bursary Fund
which will support new British sporting talent, a prestigious
annual Awards Ceremony, a unique club of the best of British sport
which will be used to inspire the next generation and a vibrant
website celebrating British sporting talent and achievement.
www.jaguaracademyofsport.co.uk
At the heart of the Jaguar Academy is a Bursary Fund that will
support the development of young British sporting talent. All
sports will be considered and the beneficiaries will be those who
demonstrate the greatest potential, real dedication to their sport
and an outstanding desire to succeed. The Jaguar Academy will work
closely with charity SportsAid using their proven process and
expertise to ensure the very best talent is identified and
supported. The final decision on the successful athletes nominated
for a Bursary will be made by the Patrons of the Jaguar Academy of
Sport, some of the nation's most successful sportsmen and women.
Over time it is hoped this fund will help to develop the next
generation of British sporting champions. The first beneficiaries
of the Jaguar Academy Bursary Fund will be announced in the next
few months.
The Jaguar Academy will also feature a prestigious annual Awards
ceremony celebrating the best British sporting achievements of the
year and will also recognise rising stars from across British
sport. Each winner will receive a Trophy which was unveiled at the
launch today. It is a bespoke design created specifically for the
Jaguar Academy by Jaguar Chief Designer, Giles Taylor. In addition,
the best performing Jaguar Academy Bursary winners will be invited
to the Awards, supporting the mission of the Jaguar Academy to
recognise, celebrate and inspire the next generation of British
sporting talent.
Day‑to‑day the Jaguar Academy will be represented by a news
website, www.jaguaracademyofsport.co.uk The site will showcase
British sport and its greatest performers past & present. It
will commemorate our many successes and anticipate events and
tournaments where we expect our competitors to make the nation
proud. It will also leverage social media to engage visitors and
encourage comment and opinion.
The Patrons were joined in London at the launch by Jaguar Academy
of Sport Ambassadors, Jamie Baulch, Dave Brailsford CBE, Martin
Brundle, Tasha Danvers, Jessica Ennis, Mark Foster, Colin Jackson
CBE and Michael Vaughan OBE. The Patrons and Ambassadors represent
a unique group of the best of British sport that have represented
our country with great distinction. They will share their
knowledge, experience and guidance to inspire the next
generation.
Geoff Cousins, Managing Director, Jaguar UK: "This is a long term
commitment by Jaguar to support British sport and contribute to the
creation of the next generation of British sporting talent. Over
the past few years Jaguar has been re‑inventing itself to become
the modern, sporting company it used to be. With the launch of the
flagship XJ completing the transformation of the Jaguar brand, it
is the perfect time to develop an even closer relationship with
British sport. It's a natural fit for us and with our sports cars
and sports saloons, which are all about the best of British."
David Beckham, OBE: "I'm so proud to represent my country, whether
it's on the football pitch, or helping with the 2012 Olympic or
2018 World Cup bids. The Jaguar Academy of Sport is all about
supporting the next generation of British talent. I'm delighted to
contribute to this initiative and, together with the other patrons,
to make sure sport in this country continues to thrive."
Sir Ian Botham: "British sport has come a long way in the last
decade. Just look at the success we are now achieving in so many
different fields. However we can never be complacent and need to
build on this and drive higher standards and success. I am pleased
to be part of the Jaguar Academy of Sport and help contribute to
its mission. This is a great initiative."
Gareth Edwards CBE: "I'm lucky enough to travel the world as part
of my continuing involvement in the sport of rugby. No matter where
I watch the home nation sides play, I am always amazed by the
support that they receive. No other nation follows its sports teams
and individuals as passionately as the British. I'm very proud of
our sporting nation, and as such am delighted to be a figurehead
for the Jaguar Academy of Sport."
Dame Kelly Holmes DBE: "I am delighted to be part of this
initiative. Jaguar is a great British brand and its range of sports
cars and sports saloons are real world‑beaters ‑ which being a bit
of a speed girl is something I can relate to! Just as importantly
the Jaguar Academy is all about helping young people to reach their
sporting potential that is an area close to my heart. As such I
intend to take an active role in the Jaguar Academy of Sport
Bursary Fund"
Denise Lewis, OBE: "I am proud to be a Patron of the Jaguar
Academy of Sport and use all the knowledge and experience I gained
from my success to help inspire the next generation of athletes.
That's what the Academy is all about and it is good to see one of
Britain's most famous brands and exports getting behind British
sport."
Sir Steve Redgrave: "I am proud to be a Patron of the Jaguar
Academy of Sport. I have had a long association with Jaguar dating
back to my Olympic medal successes and I am delighted that they are
now stepping‑up their involvement in British sport and creating the
Academy. Clearly the most important aspect of this is going to be
the support and inspiration we can give to the next generation. The
next few years are going to be a halcyon period for British sport.
I look forward to working with Jaguar and my peers to make this
into a lasting legacy."
Geoff Cousins, Managing Director, Jaguar UK concluded: "We are
honoured to have support from our Patrons and Ambassadors who are
true living legends of British sport. They will work with us to
help recognise, inspire and support the next generation. British
sport has come a long way in recent times and we believe this
should be recognised, celebrated and used to help inspire the
talent of the future. We are keen to make a difference as soon as
possible and will shortly announce the first recipients of the
Jaguar Academy Bursary."
Image caption: Back row, L ‑ R: Michael Vaughan OBE (Ambassador),
Jamie Baulch (Ambassador), Gareth Edwards CBE (Patron), Denise
Lewis OBE (Patron), Jessica Ennis (Ambassador), Mark Foster
(Ambassador), Geoff Cousins (Managing Director, Jaguar UK), Sir
Steve Redgrave (Patron), Dame Kelly Holmes DBE (Patron), Sir Ian
Botham (Patron), Tasha Danvers (Ambassador), Colin Jackson CBE
(Ambassador) and Martin Brundle (Ambassador) with a group of
promising young British athletes
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