In addition to sponsoring professional MTB outfit, team dormakaba and its performance director Dr Mike Posthumus, dormakaba South Africa also has an innovative ambassador programme in place designed to support talented MTB cyclists who have the potential of turning professional.
Currently comprising Derrin Smith, Matthew Stamatis, and recently joined Wessel Redelinghuys, this initiative sees the organisation provide these cyclists with kits and cover their race fees for a year amongst other things.
“Our ambassador programme helps nurture the talent that exists in the South African mountain bike scene by giving these cyclists a much-needed support infrastructure in their pursuit of joining the pro ranks. We want to give them that final steppingstone they need to turn cycling from an enthusiastic pursuit into one that becomes their full-time passion,” says Shaun Frayne, MD of dormakaba South Africa.
For Stamatis who has been part of the programme for the past several months, this is a much-needed initiative in a country well-known for its cycling talent.
“Being part of the ambassador programme has been an awesome opportunity and experience for me as a person and as a rider. It has opened doors as well as allowed me to be a part of a professional setup associated with great brands and people who have the same passion for the sport as I do. I can only thank Shaun and the rest of the team for bringing me on to this brilliant programme,” he says.
He says that having access to the professional cyclists mean those part of the ambassador programme gets invaluable insight into the sport.
“There is no shortage of knowledge and experience to tap into and they are always willing to share their tips and help you out. The support from dormakaba has been amazing and it is incredible to see how they back the team and us ambassadors. The time and effort Shaun and dormakaba put into cycling in South Africa and especially woman’s cycling in our country is wonderful and such a great initiative.”
Team Dormakaba is one of the premier MTB teams in South Africa and has been instrumental in promoting women’s mountain biking. Team Dormakaba will line up with two women’s teams at Tankwa Trek and Cape Epic presenting an elite mix of talents. The women’s team consists of star athletes Amy McDougall, Samantha Sanders, Sabine Spitz and Robyn de Groot. Adelheid Morath will line up in Dormakaba strip to battle it out for Tankwa and Cape Epic titles with Robyn deGroot. In an industry which see’s individual female athletes receive sponsorship but not teams, it is a huge step in the advancement of women’s cycling to have the benefit of a sponsor for a significant team of athletes. Kudos must go to Dormakaba for their continued support of young talent and women’s cycling. It is only through exposure and opportunity that athletes are provided the opportunity to show their talent and gain experience.
article adapted from http://marketingspread.co.za/2019/09/12/dormakaba-cycling-ambassador-programme-grows-mtb-in-sa/
All images fro Dormakaba Facebook.
