Team Aurora - Proposal

Team Aurora - Sponsorship Proposal Introducing – Team Aurora

Team Aurora is an amateur cycling team whose members aim to raise the profile of women in cycling. Named after the ancient Roman Goddess of dawn, the team train early in the morning around Canberra. Specifically Team Aurora aims to bridge the gap between recreational cycling and racing, providing an atmosphere of challenging training, friendly competition and team racing to women of varying ages and experiences. In 2006 the Team participated in the Canberra Cycling Club Team Time Trial, and individually raced in the Scott 24 hour Mountain Bike Race, the Tour-de-Femme and Brindabella Challenge road races. Affiliated with the Canberra Cycling Club, ACT Veteran’s Cycling and Canberra Off Road Cyclists, members of Team Aurora are planning on continuing to race at local ACT and regional NSW events throughout 2007. Our team members have achieved great individual success in their chosen sports. Team Aurora has former Australian and State representatives (in Mountain Biking and Triathlon), place winners in the 2005 Tour de Femme, the winners of the women’s team of four in the Sri Chinmoy Multi Sport race in 2006 amongst various individuals who were successful in Novice and Age Group Triathlons. Events for 2007 Along with two training rides a week, Team Aurora plan to enter riders into the following events:

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Canberra Cycling Summer Criterium Series – January to March 2007

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Sri Chinmoy Multi Sport in Jindabyne – March 2007

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Canberra Road Tour – April 2007

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ACT Veterans Winter Road Race Series – April to September 2007

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Kowalski Women’s Road Tour – June 2007

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The Scott 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race – October 2007

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The Tour de Femme – November 2007

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The Brindabella Challenge road race and criterium – December 2007

Sponsorship In order to formalise the ‘look and feel’ of the team, we are seeking financial support to help purchase team uniforms for members. The uniforms will provide a visible profile for the team during training and competition, and will also provide a platform from which our financial sponsors can display their logos. At this stage of development (and because the 2007 racing calendar is yet to be finalised), we are primarily seeking to raise approximately $3000 in order to procure the uniforms (for short-sleeved jerseys and windproof vests).

Sponsorship Benefits As a sponsor of Team Aurora we aim to be able to provide the following benefits to your organisation: •

Your company name and/or logo professionally printed out the team uniform. The uniform will be worn during training and at competitions, providing advertising for your organisation.

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Contribution to newsletters or other business publications providing updates on our performance at various competitions.

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Sponsorship mention at any events that attract local television, radio or media attention (such events include the Brindabella Challenge, the Tour de Femme and the Scott 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race).

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Entry in specific events as Sponsors Name/Team Aurora.

Team Members

The team consists of a group of local Canberra riders, who all are members of local ACT cycling clubs. Our riders come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, but have the common goal of cycling and training together as a Women’s competitive team. A brief introduction for each of our team members is provided below. Cheryl Woods (Coach). Cheryl works is an IT Consultant and Outdoor Education Instructor. If this doesn't keep her busy enough she is also studying for a Masters in Project Management at the University of Southern Queensland. A previous state champion in track cycling, mountain biking and road cycling she has placed 4th at the Mountain Bike Nationals (dual slalom) and was also selected to represent Australia in the University Games. Cheryl's passion for cycling has been reignited through coaching Team Aurora and helping them to achieve their sporting goals. She will compete in off-road cycling events and adventure races both nationally and locally.

Bec Barwick. Bec is currently working towards her PhD in Molecular Microbiology characterising a cluster of genes of a bacteriophage. An accomplished athlete and team player she has represented NSW in track and field, played first grade hockey, raced triathlon and is now actively cycling. A competitive Triathlete, in recent years she won the Novice Series Point Score in 2004, and placed well over the 2005/06 Triathlon racing season. Recently she started cycling and completed the 2006 Kowalski Women's and Juniors tour event and is now working towards the 2007 Canberra Tour. Summer will see her racing in the Canberra Cycling criterion series, various road races, triathlons and mountain biking events. Karen Burton. Karen is a Physical Education consultant with the Department of Education and also lectures at the Canberra University in the School of Education. In the workplace, Karen seeks to improve the quality of life for all children, developing skills for life-long activity. Karen enjoys playing competitive basketball, cross-country running and general team sports; however, chronic knee injuries have turned Karen’s focus toward cycling. Karen is passionate about women in sport and would like to see more women recognise the benefits of fun, social and low impact exercise that is great for fitness. Karen enjoys both on and off road cycling. Erica Collins. Erica is currently working as a Business Analyst for Providence Consulting Group and is also an active member of the Australian Army Reserve. She is currently studying Human Movements at the University of Canberra and hopes to put that study to use as a Physiotherapist. A previous ADF National Triathlon Champion (age group) Erica's passion for cycling was reinvigorated after returning to Canberra in 2005. She has competed in both on and off-road cycling events and is keen to continue competing in local and regional events. Anne Cronin. Anne works as a senior manager at the Australian National Audit Office. Road cycling (and racing) have been Anne’s main sporting interests after many years as a bike commuter in Canberra. As evidence of the fun of cycle racing and the altered states it can produce, Anne was delighted in 2005 to have been a 'Veteran' cyclist, a 'Master', a 'women's novice' and even a 'Half Ironman' cyclist. Categories appeal to auditors -

but Anne sees fun in bending some boundaries. Peggy Douglass.

Kate Fitzpatrick. Kate is a member of the Australian Federal Police and works in the Professional Standards Marketing Team. Essentially a trainer, Kate has been involved in training others for many years including in Disaster Victim Identification, horse-riding, swimming and running. In 2003 Kate represented Australia at the Triathlon World Championships in Queenstown, New Zealand. Today she prefers to concentrate on road cycling to ensure a balance of work, sport and play. Her interest in cycling and having a go at most things has led her to participate in team endurance mountain bike races, road racing and more recently in an outing on “freak bikes” Michelle Greenwood. Michelle works as an IT Consultant with the Australian Government and recently started competing on the bike. Coming from a triathlon background Michelle has raced in marathons, completed a Half Ironman, a number of Olympic distance triathlons and most recently she completed a 1,200km cycle tour in South Australia. Michelle hopes to improve her cycling and would like to compete in overseas marathons and eventually an Ironman triathlon. Whilst relatively new to the sport, Michelle’s passion for cycling has been boosted through her participation in Team Aurora. Natasha Mitchell. After a life of bike commuting, last year Natasha became inspired by the Tour de France to take up road cycling and racing. Natasha enters any and every competition or participation event that comes along, but she prefers to show her talents in Individual Time Trials. When not riding she works as a Project Manager for Cancer Australia and is a volunteer bike maintenance instructor for Pedal Power. Natasha is also planning on ‘paying forward’ her cycling training and plans on becoming a Level 1 coach in the near future.

Tanya Saad. Tanya…

Bec Thorpe. A talented Graphic Designer, Bec works for the Parliamentary Education Office in the Federal Parliament. With a background in Mountain Biking she has recently discovered that "Roadies" can have fun too and has enjoyed her maiden year cycling with Team Aurora. Bec and her husband enjoy sled dog racing with their Siberian Huskies and serving coffee from their portable ‘Funky Brew’ coffee cart when not spending time on the bike.