As their 2012 FIVB World Tour beach volleyball season nears, Courtenay’s Maverick Hatch and his pro beach volleyball partner Sam Schachter have begun searching for sponsors.
“Finding monetary sponsors is very difficult, which is why we've decided to fundraise unused Aeroplan miles instead,” Hatch explains. “By donating Aeroplan miles you will be helping us cover the most expensive part of our season – which lands us all over the world, with a majority of events in Europe.
“Please become a mini-sponsor, by donating 1,000 of your unused Aeroplan points to each of our Aeroplan accounts. That's 1/15th of a short-haul flight and a big opportunity to help a Canadian national team," Hatch said. The duo won a silver medal at the 2011 Canadian national championships.
“With the points we accumulated last season we should have secured our spot in the first five FIVB events, two of which are Grand Slams; Brazil, Poland, China (Shanghai Grand Slam), China (Beijing Grand Slam), and Czech Republic. Following Czech Republic will be all Grand Slam events, which will be dependent on our results from those first five events,” explained Hatch.
“The reason we're sharing this with you is we think we have a legitimate chance to qualify for the 2012 Olympic games, an important piece towards Olympic gold at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics,” said Hatch, noting there are several ways to become a sponsor:
• Go to Aeroplan website or: http://www1.aeroplan.com/use_your_miles/share_miles/launch.do
• Donate to:
Samuel Schachter 966-774-234; e-mail: promotions@hatch-schachter.com or Maverick Hatch 984-463-786; e-mail: promotions@hatch-schachter.com.
"We will be tracking your donated miles on www.facebook.com/Hatch.Schachter and on my Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/maverickhatch," said Hatch.
"We need 400 mini-sponsors, so please pass this on to anyone you know who is willing to sponsor Olympic hopefuls Schachter and Hatch," said Hatch, adding he is pleased to have three major sponsors.
"Carlos A. Simon designed my website and is currently designing our new team website hatch-schachter.com. His company name is SpixYYZ (www.spixyyz.com/spix-main.html).
"Voolii Lifestyle – a progressive lifestyle line featuring apparel, accessories and décor. Partnered with top pro beach and indoor volleyball players (www.vooliiboom.com).
"Advantage 4 Athletes – Dr. Ryan Scott is my trainer and his gym is Advantage 4 Athletes. This is one of the best elite athletic training facilities in the GTA. Many NHL players train here as well," Hatch said.
sports@comoxvalleyrecord.com