Seeing South African athletes posting competitive international standard times on local soil or, better yet, featuring on podiums on an international stage has become the driving force behind the formation of the Nedbank Running Club's Green Dream Team.
To this end, the National Nedbank Running Club made it clear that they are not only serious about road running in South Africa but also serious about developing the sport and grooming future champions. The Team consist of a mixture of the top South Africa athletes competing in all of the Athletics South Africa and International Association of Athletics Federations recognised race distances, plus the traditional South African ultra marathon space.
This elite squad has been individually selected after consultation with experienced managers and coaches, many of whom are world class runners in their own right. The selection panel chosen from the Nedbank Running Club ranks includes the likes of Zetulele Sinqe, Lungile Rado, Mark Struwig, Gerrie Coetzee, Bruce Fordyce, Johan Brits and Hendrick Ramaala.
Deciding factors when selecting the team were talent, commitment, youth and most importantly the ability and potential to produce internationally competitive running times.
"For too long now South African Athletes have not featured on the international stage and we want to make a meaningful contribution to changing this," says Nick Bester, Nedbank Running Club National Manager.
The Green Dream Team is being supplemented by a talented squad of promising athletes that will also be nurtured by the Nedbank Running Club. An existing pool of talented athletes, ranging from 14 to 22 years of age, know as the Mzansi Talent Squad, are being supported through the base of the Nedbank Soweto Running Club and under the careful considered leadership of Mark Struwig and Zetulele Sinqe. It is anticipated that the Mzansi Talent Squad will form the backbone of the Nedbank Running Club's development programme.
It was also announced that Nike South Africa has thrown their weight behind the team. Nike will start off their sponsorship as technical supplier to the team, by providing their most technologically advanced training & race footwear for the athletes. Based on production timing, Nike will also supply the team's apparel kit in the 2nd half of 2010.
Greg Lewthwaite, Nike SA Running Brand Manger said that Nike was particularly excited to be a part of the Nedbank Green Dream Team, as there is a wealth of talent and experience with the team, which is headed up by Nick Bester a "legend" within the athletics sphere. Nike is arguably the worlds leading sports apparel and footwear supplier and we believe in supplying superior product to superior athletes in order for them to achieve their goals and dreams. We are expecting great things from this amazing group of athletes in 2010."
Nedbank reaffirmed their support of the club, athletes and management team as well. "As title sponsors we are delighted to see the Nedbank Running Club kick up another gear and establish itself as South Africa's top running club. We are especially pleased to have Nike put their weight behind the club's elite runners and we are confident that the benefits of this relationship will cascade down to the broader membership base of 2400 members," says Patrick Baransky, Nedbank Sponsorship Portfolio Manager.
"The quality of the Nedbank Green Dream Team is unquestionable and I commend Nick Bester, National Manager, and his management team on the team they have assembled for the 2010 season. We are quietly confident of seeing many classy performances and podium finishes, and hopefully some international standard performances from the team, which all help to inspire our multitude of members of all abilities to beat their personal bests" says Baransky.
20/1/2010
