Surfing South Africa (SSA) is delighted to announce that it has signed a sponsorship deal with the iconic South Africa seafood company, Sea Harvest. The sponsorship of R250 000 represents a massive investment in youth and junior surfing in South Africa and is well-timed ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo where surfing will be an official sport for the first time ever.
Sea Harvest and Surfing SA are both completely invested in the sea and the partnership between the two seems an ideal fit. The Sea Harvest Group is a leading internationally recognised fishing business with operations in South Africa and Australia, servicing retail and foodservice customers in 22 countries. The company was established in 1964 in Saldanha Bay on the Atlantic West Coast of South Africa and today is a household brand and market leader in the frozen fish category. Last year, the Sea Harvest brand was recognized as one of the Top 10 Iconic Brands in South Africa.
SSA has its headquarters in Muizenberg, Western Cape, and is the recognised governing body for the sport of Surfing in the country. SSA is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).
With surfing included as a new sport in the 2020 Olympics, SSA will be working hard over the next four years to identify and support the talent that will represent South Africa in Tokyo in 2020. This will be achieved through regular and tough competition, with an increased number of youth and junior tournaments throughout South Africa thanks to Sea Harvest’s sponsorship. The sponsorship will also provide support for the SA Junior Team selection process, a key part of the goal to represent South Africa in the sport at the next Olympic Games.
Sea Harvest’s commitment to the sport will not only allow young South African surfers to hone their competitive skills in surf contests but will also enable SSA to reach and involve surfers from all communities through outreach initiatives, school surfing events and interclub activities.
A key motivation for Sea Harvest’s funding was to contribute towards developing and transforming the sport, which includes supporting SSA’s youth and junior programmes. Sea Harvest will have a significant presence at events such as the annual South African Grommet Games, the 2017 South African Junior Championships in Jeffrey’s Bay and the 2017 SA Junior Team programme. In addition, six Under 18 male and female surfers drawn from SSA’s talent identification programmes will qualify for a share of a generous Surfing Scholarship of R10000 each at the end of 2017.
"We are thrilled with this exciting partnership with Sea Harvest," says Johnny Bakker, President of SSA. "Girls and boys from all parts of South Africa will benefit from Sea Harvest’s fantastic support of the sport they love. In addition, SSA will be able to implement a structured talent identification plan for the 2020 Olympics."
"South Africa is well known as one of the top surf destinations in the world and we are thrilled to support Surfing South Africa in nurturing top talent and developing the sport ahead of its first appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. We believe there is a good synergy between our company, which produces products that promote a healthy lifestyle and sustainability, and SSA," says Sea Harvest’s Sales and Marketing Director, Konrad Geldenhuys. "We are delighted to partner with people that derive as much pleasure from the sea as we do, after all, the Sea Harvest motto is Savour the Sea," concludes Geldenhuys.
Sea Harvest will be the name sponsor at seven events, the presenting sponsor at two more events and the support sponsor at one event. These will take place in six Districts and three Provinces over the next eight months. During this time young surfers, together with Sea Harvest, will savour the sea at venues in Kommetjie, Monwabisi, Muizenberg and Strand in the Western Cape, Victoria Bay near George in the Southern Cape, Nelson Mandela Bay, Jeffreys Bay and East London in the Eastern Cape and St Michaels on Sea and Durban in KwaZulu Natal.
Media Publications:
Sport Industry:
http://www.sportindustry.co.za/news/ssa-confirms-grommet-games-host
http://www.sportindustry.co.za/news/ssa-confirms-grommet-games-host
Surfers Village:
http://www.surfersvillage.com/content/surfing-south-africa-signs-sponsorship-deal-sea-harvest
http://www.surfersvillage.com/content/nelson-mandela-bay-host-billabong-sa-grommet-games
George Herald:
http://www.georgeherald.com/news/Sport/Water-Sports/187437/Surfing-South-Africa-signs-sponsorship-deal-with-Sea-Harvest
Knysna Plett Herald:
http://www.knysnaplettherald.com/news/Sport/Water-Sports/184592/Nelson-Mandela-Bay-to-host-SA-Grommet-Surfing-Games