Renault Ireland has been announced as one of the official sponsors of the 2012 Irish Paralympic Team. In a major development for Irish Paralympic Sport, Renault Ireland has become the first major financial investor from the private sector in the organisation's history.
The agreement sees Renault Ireland becoming title sponsor of the Renault Ireland Team 2012 Training Camps programme. This consists of a total of six domestic camps, which will take place in the build-up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Operating out of Limerick, the Renault Ireland Camps will act as the catalyst in building the Irish Team to compete at the second biggest sporting event in the world, the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The camps are each run over four days and provide a unique environment and opportunity for athletes and support staff across all disciplines to come together and solidify the unrivalled spirit that exists within this Irish team. The camps include a series of timetabled training sessions and group information and workshop sessions on various aspects related to the London Games.
A high profile guest speaker usually addresses the entire camp and all the PCI support services such as physiotherapy, massage, video analysis, sports science and sports psychology are available to the participants around the clock.
Announcing the partnership agreement, PCI Chief Executive Officer, Liam Harbison stated: "We are delighted to have a major, ambitious and successful organisation such as Renault Ireland partner the Irish Paralympic Team for what is effectively a home Games in London. Our vision for the partnership is 'Driving Success' with the aim of assisting our Paralympic athletes achieve optimum success for Ireland on the global stage."
Eric Basset, Renault Ireland Managing Director, said the company is very proud to be associated with the PCI and their quest towards London 2012: "The team at Renault Ireland is right behind the Irish Paralympic Team for the 2012 Paralympic Games and we are delighted to support, and be involved with such a fantastic organisation. Beijing in 2008 was an outstanding success for Ireland's Paralympians and we are very proud to be able to assist and support them in driving success for 2012".
The Irish Team is driving for success at the London Games and aiming to improve on the outstanding success of the tally of five medals (including three gold) at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The PCI's ambitious and detailed London plan has been implemented in full to date with many programmes currently ongoing to support the Irish team's development.
A programme that worked very well in the Beijing cycle was the team familiarisation camp. In August 2012 the Irish Paralympic team will hold their Pre-Paralympic Games holding camp at their chosen base in Portugal. In order to familiarise all the athletes and support staff with the facilities and environment of this Pre-Games holding camp the PCI will hold their Familiarisation Camp next Summer 2011 in Portugal, exactly a year in advance of the holding camp.
The PCI has also initiated a Team Manager Leadership Development Programme, and their London Strategy Group is working to develop the local environment strategy for the Games. Over the coming period the PCI will also begin their family and supporter liaison programme for the Games.
At the announcement is Eric Basset, MD of Renault Ireland, with Beijing Paralympians, from left, Double Paralympic Gold Medalist 100m & 200m Beijing 2008, Double World Record Holder at 100m & 200m, Jason Smyth, from Derry, Ellen Keane, from Dublin, swimming, Orla Barry, from Cork, athletics, and Michael Delaney, from Dublin, cycling. Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin.
Picture credit: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE