In what hopes to be the beginning of more to come, the National Capitals Volleyball Club recently announced its first line-up of corporate sponsors.

Soloway Wright, a community-based law firm with offices in Ottawa and Kingston and  50 years experience in all areas of law, has signed on as a CAPSClub Gold Sponsor.  In addition to a cash contribution, Soloway Wright will provide NCVC with legal assistance for its incorporation, by laws and policies.  In addition to a host of sponsor benefits, the Soloway Wright corporate marking will be placed on all CAPS game and warm-up jerseys.

"Soloway Wright is proud to be a sponsor of the National Capitals Volleyball Club", remarked Gregory Sanders, a Partner at the firm. "Encouraging youth participation in sport and competition is a wonderful way for our firm to contribute to the community, to the future of young athletes and, hopefully, future Olympians."

A second CAPSClub Gold sponsor, InSites Web Design has come on board to provide its expert web construction, installation and hosting services to the NCVC.  InSites has been instrumental in helping the NCVC produce one of the most impressive volleyball club web pages anywhere!

"All of us know that we're going to need to donate our services from time to time on projects where volunteers are involved," said InSites President Zac Gribble. "Installing and hosting the site was our pleasure - especially for such a professional group as the NCVC."

The 18 & Under girls team has been successful in attracting a CAPSTeam Gold sponsor, Itex, an Ottawa based IT infrastructure technology provider.  In a creative approach, Itex offered the team either a cash contribution or several digital computer items.  In a nice conversion, the team opted for the topside potential of the equipment and ended up selling the items for twice the amount of the cash offer.  The Itex logo will be featured on the 18U team's game and warm-up jerseys.

"Being a local technology provider in Ottawa, we believe in contributing to the community where we live and work", said Debbie Wolfenden, VP, Sales and Marketing with Itex Inc. "Sport is important to developing and maintaining health at any age, and supporting a local sport organization such as the National Capitals Volleyball Club, is more important than professional sport sponsorship.  We view this as an investment back into Ottawa."

The CAPS have enlisted their first Founding Patron in the form of law firm, Borden Ladner Gervais.  BLG is an integrated national law firm that provides a broad range of legal solutions to its clients.  BLG has contributed to a capital fund entitled the CAPSFund of Excellence, the goal of which is to support activities above and beyond normal=92 volleyball club operations that will nurture and support the pursuit of excellence, enhance personal and athletic achievement, and establish the CAPS as one of the most competitive and athlete-centered clubs in North America.

The CAPS have embarked upon an ambitious marketing program to attract Patrons, Sponsors and Friends.  "We believe we have a product that companies and benefactors would be proud to be associated with and receive return business value", commented Imants Lauks, NCVC Vice President, Sponsorship & Fundraising.

The Club has structured sponsorship possibilities and efforts on a club and team basis, patron categories in support of a CAPSFund of Excellence, and a Friends of the CAPS category.

"There's something for every willing benefactor, company or supporter", added Lauks.  "As a new club with lofty aspirations, we need to help try and offset the costs to families and to provide some special activities that will set our teams above any other club.  We have come up with the program, and with everyone's help, we are optimistic that this great start is only the beginning."

The NCVC has also developed a targeted approach to foundations.  One submission just completed, was to the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport.  Quite happy to bolster the CAPS application to their Women in Sport Encouragement Fund, Caroline Sharpe, director general of Volleyball Canada, penned these words.

"Volleyball Canada is pleased to provide a letter of support for the National Capitals Volleyball Club's application for a CAAWS Wise Fund grant. In addition to fulfilling a need for competitive volleyball in the region, the club is playing a role in youth outreach programs to help spread technical and inspirational messages for the sport of volleyball.  The club's female athletes will be staging 'CAPSClinics' in schools and communities to promote volleyball in the region as well as provide leadership development to its current club athletes."

Go CAPS go!  Thank you Soloway Wright, InSites Web Design, Itex  and Borden Ladner Gervais!!