Press release -
Dodgeball Championships awarded funding boost
The European Dodgeball Championships 2017 - in Wishaw on 18 to 20 August - is amongst 14 forthcoming events taking place across the country which are benefitting from a share of £145,500 in the latest awards round of EventScotland’s National Funding Programme.
The event has been awarded £9,500 which is being used for marketing and TV production to enhance the overall visitor experience.
The European Dodgeball Championships is the qualifying competition for the Dodgeball World Cup 2018. It brings together all the World Dodgeball Association accredited members from Europe for a fiercely contested three-day celebration of dodgeball, with the ultimate prize up for grabs – a qualifying place in the Dodgeball World Cup at Madison Square Garden in August 2018.
Held at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, The European Dodgeball Championship will feature current men’s and mixed World Champions, England, as well as men’s, women’s and mixed squads from 16 countries across Europe including Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden - as well as Scotland - all hoping to become European Champions.
Tom Hickson, President of the World Dodgeball Association, said: “We are extremely grateful for the support The European Dodgeball Championships has received through EventScotland’s National Funding Programme and the funding will help us ensure the event is a resounding success.
“Dodgeball is one of the most participatory sports on the big stage and, with competing squads from all over Europe battling it out in to secure a place in the world rankings during the three days of qualifiers through to the finals, The European Dodgeball Championships promises a fantastic spectacle for all ages and an electric atmosphere.”
VisitScotland Regional Director Annique Armstrong said: “I was delighted to hear that Lanarkshire would be hosting this high-profile event, which will welcome teams from all over Europe, and I’m delighted that it was one of the fourteen events across the country to be chosen as funding recipients.
“The National Funding Programme plays a vital role in maintaining Scotland’s reputation as a great destination for events that celebrate our culture and heritage whilst delivering real economic benefits to their local communities.”
The National Funding Programme supports the strategic delivery of events taking place outside Edinburgh and Glasgow with the aim of driving domestic tourism, delivering economic impact for local communities, and generating media profile for Scotland.
Enabling existing events to expand what they offer visitors, extend their marketing reach and enhance the on-site experience of attendees are just some of the ways that National Funding Programme support is used to help regional events continue to flourish and grow further. This in turn strengthens Scotland’s overall events portfolio – a major contributor to our national economy.
The National Funding Programme plays a vital role in maintaining Scotland’s reputation as the ‘perfect stage’ for events. The programme is key to ensuring that the country has an exciting, vibrant portfolio of annual events promoting Scotland’s cultural heritage and delivering positive for local communities.
The full list of events which received support in the latest (Round 35) awards from EventScotland’s National Funding Programme is as follows:
- British Transplant Games, North Lanarkshire: 27 – 30 July (£25,000)
- MugStock Festival, East Dunbartonshire: 28 – 31 July (£6,000)
- Aberdeen Mela – One World Day ,Aberdeenshire: 30 July (£9,700)
- European Dodgeball Championships 2017, Wishaw: 8 – 20 August (£9,500)
- Scotland’s Salmon Festival, Highlands: 29 August – 2 September (£5,856)
- St Andrews Photography Festival, Fife: 1 – 30 September (£5,500)
- Electric Fields, Dumfries & Galloway: 1 – 2 September (£11,500)
- Skyline Scotland, Highlands: 1 – 3 September (£12,000)
- Bo’ness Revival, Falkirk: 2 – 3 September (£8,500)
- BOWFest, Argyll: 8 – 10 September (£6,000)
- The Highland Military Tattoo, Highlands: 8 – 10 September (£19,000)
- Loch Ness Knit Fest 2017 , Highlands: 13 – 15 October (£10,500)
- The Spree, Renfrewshire: 13 – 22 October (£10,500)
- Colours of Cluny, Moray Speyside: 8 – 19 November (£6,000)
For more information on The European Dodgeball Championships, visit the Facebook page - European Dodgeball Championships 2017 Glasgow - or:
https://planetdodgeball.com/about/competitions/2017-european-championships/
Please note that there are limited tickets for the event so early booking is recommended.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Ellen Drummond, VisitScotland Corporate Press Officer
T: 0141 566 4019; M: 07801 820757; E: ellen.drummond@visitscotland.com
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