British Weight Lifting secures sponsorship with Elite Sports Performance Technologies
British Weight Lifting (BWL) has announced a partnership agreement with strength and power training equipment supplier Elite Sport Performance Technologies (ESP). Under the deal, ESP will be an official sponsor of BWL and the exclusive supplier of strength and power training equipment, weights and services. This will include competition lifting platforms, plates and bars for all major English and British events. BWL chief executive, Ashley Metcalfe said: "We are delighted to confirm our new partnership with ESP. "ESP are a great match for BWL; as we focus on growing and professionalising the sport it is important that we form relationships with suppliers who believe in and support our aims and in working with ESP, we are able to provide our athletes and coaches with quality equipment and services that will undoubtedly enhance their training and performances." The partnership was debuted at the recent British Senior Weightlifting and Para-Powerlifting Championships at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on May 10 and 11 and was showcased at BodyPower Expo at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre (NEC) from May 16 to 18, where the staging for both events were supplied by ESP. The Expo in Birmingham was attended by some of Britain's top weightlifters, including British champions Zoe Smith, Jack Oliver, Owen Boxall and Rebekah Tiler, who took part in demonstrations, training workshops and question and answer sessions. Visitors were also given the opportunity to improve their lifting technique under expert guidance and advice from some of the sport's leading coaches. Olympian and British champion Zoe Smith was one of the star names at the BodyPower Expo in the Birmingham NEC earlier this month ©Getty Images Olympian and British champion Zoe Smith was one of the star names at the BodyPower Expo in the Birmingham NEC earlier this month ©Getty Images ESP was co-founded by former America's Cup sailor Dr Vern Neville and former Olympic and Commonwealth Games weightlifter Tommy Yule and its UK base is in Leicestershire. "Elite Sport Performance Technologies is delighted to sponsor British Weight Lifting," said Neville. "BWL's goals and strategies are similarly aligned to ESP and apart from ESP's direct support of strength equipment and Olympic weights to BWL athletes and coaches; the partnership will strategically focus on promoting the benefits of and participation in free-weight training in the UK." BWL is hoping to name a potentially 15-strong squad for this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and will be looking to improve on a disappointing performance at Delhi 2010 which saw the team pick up just a single bronze medal thanks to Smith. Source: insidethegames Gary
