MARIA SHARAPOVA Pairs With ‘SPEEDMINTON’ As Newest Extreme Sports’ First Spokesathlete
3/22/2004
MIAMI – Maria Sharapova, one of the most exciting players in women’s tennis, has paired with the newest extreme sport, “Speedminton,” to introduce the high-energy racquet sport at next week’s NASDAQ 100 Open in Miami at the Crandon Park Tennis Center. The NASDAQ 100 event marks the official launch of this new sport to consumers as demonstrations and contests are held for the more that 250,000 fans expected to attend the two-week event.
The game’s unique equipment, which enables participants to strike unique “speeders” in excess of 180 mph, will be demonstrated by a hand selected group of the ball boy staff as they hit these new breed of badminton-like Speeders from the Crandon Park center court into the stands.
Sharapova, the 16-year-old, #24th ranked player in the world, recently shot a TV commercial at Carlsbad, California’s La Costa Resort and Spa which will also be shown on giant TV screens throughout the venue. This commercial focuses on the playful element of Speedminton and how it is “hard to resist”.
“It’s a great new sport, and I know kids and adults will have fun with Speedminton,” Sharapova said. “There’s something for everyone, from being the latest addition to extreme sports to a great workout. “I’m looking forward to introducing the game to the people in Florida. I know they’ve never seen anything like it,” she added.
Speedminton can be played indoors, outdoors, even at night. The Speedminton racquet is generously oversized with string tension set to maximize the acceleration of the speeder off of the racquet face. The patented “speeders,” much like a badminton shuttlecock, are where the magic of the game lies. Material innovations and the advanced aerodynamic shape create the rhythm and flow of the exchange.
Volleys between players are low and fast. In competitive play, opponents position themselves in “speedcourts,” boxes that are eighteen feet square and positioned forty-two feet apart. A tennis court can also be easily modified for competitive play. Easy play can take place on the beach, in a park and event at night. A casual volley is easy to learn and not as difficult to master as the more competitive play, which is ultimately what makes the sport addictive.
Players see immediate results from their practice and quickly move from recreational players to extreme Speedminton enthusiasts. Night play is the element that takes this activity into a whole new realm. There are three different speeder models available for the different methods of play; Fun Speeder, Match Speeder and Night Speeder. The Night Speeder comes with a Speedlight that can be inserted into the Speeder cap. Night time play without lights differentiates Speedminton from other racquet sports as well as almost all other sports and activities.
Speedminton Product Demonstrations will take place in the Speedminton Demo Area located in the USA Tennis Area adjacent to the Grand Stand Court.
The demo hours are as follows:
Wednesday March 24 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. A segment of the Kids’ Day program
Friday March 26 noon – 3:00 p.m.
Saturday March 27 noon – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday March 28 noon – 3:00 p.m.
Monday March 29 noon – 3:00 p.m.
SPORTS EDGE magazine, a sporting goods industry publication, named Speedminton as a top semifinalist for the “Sports Product of the Year” award. Speedminton will be available at select specialty and sports retailers in spring 2004 as well as online at
http://www.speedminton.com. The product will be offered as a Speedset with everything needed to play: one Speedbag, two Speedracquets, one EasyCourt Set, four Speedlights, a three pack of Speeders and a Speedbag for carrying and storage.
About Pro Performance Sports
Founded in 2001, Pro Performance Sports (PPS) is a San Diego based company focused on bringing innovative sports products to market. Through the ability to source, sell, market and distribute, PPS turns winning ideas into winning products. The initial product success was Hit-A-Way, a batting training aid. Several successful products have been added to the portfolio as PPS continues to support them with direct response marketing efforts.
For more information:
Victoria Cabot 858-675-3350 x32
Victoria.cabot@properformancesports.com
http://www.properformancesports.com/news032204.aspx
