King Eric Cantona Takes the Throne at The New York Cosmos
Global Soccer Icon Eric Cantona Makes Groundbreaking Decision to Join the Legendary Club’s Revival
As part of the revival of the world’s most legendary soccer club, The New York Cosmos today announced that iconic footballer Eric Cantona has been persuaded to come back into the game as Director of Soccer with overall responsibility for all soccer-related matters, which will include the proposed first team.
Despite many attempts by numerous soccer clubs to lure the Manchester United Player of the Century back into the limelight since leaving in 1997 – until now, no one has been successful. Cantona’s new role at The New York Cosmos will see him exercising the innovative leadership and cutting-edge creativity that he is known for, towards implementing the club’s vision and philosophy in all areas of soccer operations. This announcement comes on the heels of the recent signing of Cobi Jones as his Associate Director of Soccer and Ambassador. Together, Cantona and Jones will carry forth the club’s legacy and integrity while developing and attracting world-class soccer talent from all areas of the globe.
Cantona has been credited with making a substantial contribution during his time at Manchester United (1992-1997), which included four Premier League Championships (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997). Today, Manchester United is the most valuable club in the world (Forbes, April 2010).
Throughout Cantona’s 14 years as a professional, he played in France for Auxerre, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier and Nimes. He later went to England to play one season for Leeds United – winning a Championship during the 1991-1992 season – before joining Manchester United, where he would spend the rest of his career until retiring in 1997.
“Three years ago, when I first had the idea of reviving The New York Cosmos, I couldn’t have dreamt that we’d be able to attract an icon the likes of Eric Cantona,” says Paul Kemsley, Chairman of The New York Cosmos. “It’s a personal thrill for me, as he was one of my heroes during the 1990′s and is a further endorsement to the tremendous global attraction and power that The New York Cosmos carries. Our name already resonates throughout the world and so will our football team.”
Says Eric Cantona, “I am very honored to join the legendary club New York Cosmos. It’s a big project, a wonderful project. The Cosmos are very strong, beautifully made, with a great past. It’s kind of a mix between football and art. I will do everything that I can to help us first find our way to regain the #1 position in the United States, and then for us to become one of the best clubs in the world over the coming years.”
New York Jets Tear Up the Pierre to Raise Funds for New Yorkers in Need
ROBIN HOOD and PROS to Receive 100% of the Evening’s Proceeds
Tear Up The Pierre, hosted by Nicole & Damien Woody , as well as Co-Chairs Mark Sanchez & D’Brickashaw Ferguson of the New York Jets, presents an intimate evening on November 29th to celebrate the holiday season and New Yorkers in need. All proceeds will go towards supporting the Robin Hood Foundation and PROS Foundation (People Reaching Out to Someone). Prestigious Uptown hotel, The Pierre, will accommodate the attending guests beginning at 7:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m. at its location on 2 East 61st Street in New York.
“PROS is guided by a simple principle: It is better to give than to receive; we feel this especially holds true during the holiday season,” said Damien Woody, Founder of PROS. “We want to bring the community together to aid those in need and extend a hand to New Yorkers living in poverty with the help of the Robin Hood Foundation. We want this city to become a stronger and healthier environment starting today.”
The fundraiser will entail an intimate cocktail party with the team, followed by a fashion show featuring the players and their family members modeling collections from Sean John , Akoo, Pelle Pelle and Apple Bottoms. The evening will conclude with an auction. Attendees will include the New York Jets, philanthropists, celebrities, media, fashion and entertainment executives, who all share the same passion for New York City and the community.
The involved organizations aid the city in various ways – both make an effort to bring joy to the people in need, especially during the holidays. The Robin Hood Foundation targets poverty in the city by finding and funding the best and most effective programs and partnering with them, while PROS supports the health and well-being of the next generation and inspires positive community action.
For ticket purchase and further information, please visit: www.pros.eventbrite.com. Ticket prices ranges from $250-$2,500+.
The 2010 Churchill Cup Finals International Rugby Tournament Comes to the New York Area
TICKETS NOW ON SALE 6 TEAMS, 3 MATCHES, 1 PRICE SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 19 RED BULL ARENA
World-class rugby takes center pitch when the 2010 Churchill Cup Finals Day kicks off at the new, Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ on Saturday afternoon, June 19. The event is North America’s premier XV-a-side rugby tournament. The first match begins at 12 noon EDT. Start times for the following two matches are 2:30 pm and 5 pm EDT.
Attendees get to enjoy 3 exciting matches for 1 price. Ticket prices for the Finals start as low as $25 for the tripleheader. Other price levels are $35, $45, $60 and the $150 ticket includes VIP hospitality services. Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased via www.ChurchillCupRugby.net or www.redbullarena.us. Packages for groups of 15 or more may request $5 off each ticket (*excludes Club level). These group tickets may be ordered by calling 877-RBSOCCER.
USA Rugby, America’s governing body for the sport, is hosting this event which showcases six world-class, national teams – the USA Eagles, Canada, the England Saxons and tournament newcomers France A, Russia and Uruguay. Attendees will get a unique preview of Rugby World Cup 2011′s opening day match when USA faces off against Russia.
In addition, New York area sports fans will get the chance to experience one of the metro area’s newest, state-of-the-art professional sports facilities when The Churchill Cup Finals make its East Coast debut at Red Bull Arena. The Finals Day follows three earlier rounds of doubleheader matches that will be played on June 5, 9 and 13 at Infinity Park, Glendale, CO.
“The Churchill Cup is a vital part of our international season and offers top-flight international competition, as well as providing increased exposure of the sport to new audiences in the United States,” said Nigel Melville, Chief Executive Officer of USA Rugby. Read more
New York Most Popular City to Run a Marathon
Reasons to run a marathon’ research reveals European minds
The world of running is experiencing an incredible boom, and 2009 heralds the continuing growth in popularity of this sport. As the number of runners (in particular women) strengthens by the day, so does the ever-increasing appeal of marathons around the world. ASICS’ recent ‘Reasons to Run’ research revealed that, of the 85% of Europe’s 80 million runners who have not yet run a marathon, 37% plan to do so in the near future. With the imminent New York marathon in mind (November 1st), it is also worth knowing that this is a marathon in which 15.2 million European runners aspire to run.
2009 also marks the 60th anniversary of Japanese sportswear brand ASICS. Turning 60 is an extremely symbolic event in Japan, and a milestone ASICS is extremely proud to have reached. Sixty years of continuous research and technological innovation has led ASICS to be considered the most valued running shoe amongst serious runners. The New York marathon is a perfect example to highlight this point. Since 2005, around 50% of New York’s participants have run in ASICS shoes. *
The evolution of marathons
The marathon is the most iconic individual achievement of our time, and these days simply being accepted in to a major marathon is a feat in itself. It has evolved from the elite, ‘super-athletes only’ race to a mass phenomenon where the number of marathons and the amount of runners taking part around the world increases every year. In the last decade, the New York marathon itself has seen a growth of approximately 20,000 participants, and is now considered to be the most coveted race to run amongst 19% of European runners.
ASICS’ participation in marathons
No other brand can lay claim to the fact that the majority of marathon participants worldwide wear their shoes. The shoe count at the last two New York marathons alone showed that 55% (2007) and 51%(2008)* chose to wear ASICS. For this year’s event, ASICS has organised yet another ‘shoe count team’ to see just how many hardcore runners choose to run such a demanding race in ASICS shoes.
Providing the best at every level
Since its launch in 1949, ASICS has grown from a small sports-shoe company founded in Japan to a highly regarded, award-winning international sportswear brand. ASICS’ founder, Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka deeply believed in the fact that exercise leads to the development of a healthier body, and that a sound body is the cradle for a sound mind. When it came to naming his company, Mr. Onitsuka opted for the initials of a Latin quote that summarised his belief: Anima Sana In Corpore Sano (a sound mind in a sound body). Nothing epitomises his philosophy more than running a marathon, as this is the ultimate event where body and mind must work together in harmony in order to complete those long and arduous 42.195 kilometres.
But it is not just the body and mind that are tested to their max, as a marathon also stretches sports products to their limit in the most extreme way. And that is why, after sixty years of determination to provide athletes of all levels with the best possible products, ASICS is still so popular at marathons the world over. Whether an elite runner or a first-time finisher, those wearing ASICS can run safe in the knowledge that they’ve put their trust in the most dedicated running brand.
* ASICS employees count one specific brand of footwear each during the 2.5 hours after the winner crosses the marathon finish line. The resulting percentage indicates that ASICS is the preferred brand of footwear among serious marathon runners.
Source: ASICS Europe B.V.
Announcing IKMA Israeli Krav Maga
New York’s First Officially-Recognized Studio Teaching Self-Defense Secrets of the World’s Deadliest Fighters
Classes and Demo Also Available at Jewish Community Center
The Israeli Krav Maga Association (IKMA), the teaching organization founded by Krav Maga creator Imi Lichtenfeld, announced today the opening of the first studio in New York City dedicated to teaching the officially-sanctioned system of hand-to-hand combat of the Israeli armed forces. Once known only to Israeli commandos and secret agents, Krav Maga techniques have been adopted by the Department of Homeland Security (air marshals), metropolitan police departments, the U.S. Marine Corps and Secret Service.
The IKMA studio at Madison Avenue and 33rd Street now offers classes for men, women and children taught by James Sherman, one of only six Americans certified to teach the legendary fighting art. James also teaches at the Jewish Community Center on the Upper West Side. The first 100 people to register at www.kravmagaikma.com will receive a free lesson. See full schedule of classes below.
Krav Maga, which means “close combat” in Hebrew, is ideal for self defense regardless of the student’s size, strength or fitness. Techniques are simple and practical, emphasizing natural reflexes in realistic training scenarios e.g., multiple attackers or defense against a bat, knife, gun or other weapon. Krav Maga teaches simultaneous defense and attack as well as threat de-escalation and avoidance. It’s a great way to get in shape by building awareness, speed, strength, power, endurance, body conditioning, balance, coordination and flexibility.
IKMA Israeli Krav Maga Comes to New York
“This is bad news for street criminals because Israeli Krav Maga is the ultimate form of self-defense,” said James Sherman. “It’s simple, effective and is changing the way people are training — kravists feel fit, confident and deadly.”
James is a four-time graduate of IKMA’s grueling training camps for elite instructors in Israel and was trained by Grandmaster Haim Gidon, who succeeded Krav Maga founder Imi Lichtenfeld as head of IKMA. James is a former investment banker, Boston University football player and New York Sevens Rugby Champion.
The Amazing Story of Israeli Krav Maga
Krav Maga was born on streets of Bratislava in pre-World War II Czechoslovakia when an accomplished boxer, wrestler and gymnast named Imrich “Imi” Lichtenfeld came to the defense of Jewish neighbors menaced by fascist gangs. Lichtenfeld escaped the Nazi occupation and taught combat fighting to the forerunners of Israel’s Special Forces in the Jewish underground army. When the state of Israel was formed, Lichtenfeld became the Chief Instructor for Physical Fitness and Krav Maga at the Israeli Defense Forces School of Combat Fitness.
Over the years, the historic exploits of its practitioners made Israeli Krav Maga famous for deadly efficiency. In 1978, Imi and his top students founded the Israeli Krav Maga Association (IKMA), the Israeli Government’s officially-recognized Krav Maga organization. When Imi died in 1998, Haim Gidon, his student of 28 years and a veteran of the Yom Kippur War, was elected IKMA Chairman and Grandmaster. Today, Grandmaster Gidon and the IKMA continue to develop new techniques and provide training to armed forces, law enforcement and intelligence agencies around the world.
Schedule
At IKMA Association Studio (Madison & 33rd Street: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 PM and every other Saturday at 11:00 AM. At the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan: Tuesdays at 7:00 AM and 9:15 PM and Thursdays at 7:00 AM.
Private instruction also available. The first 100 people to register at www.kravmagaikma.com will receive a complimentary lesson. Note: James will present an interactive demonstration at the Tikkun at the JCC of Manhattan on May 29th.
Contact: Andrei Bogolubov Andrei.bogolubov@newprgroup.com
Source: Israeli Krav Maga Association