Sign In
about us
Mission, Vision and Values
At A Glance
History
Where We Work
International Board
Frequently Asked Questions
our impact
Sport for Development
Our Methodology
Program Resources
International Programs Map
Results
Policy
What The Experts Say
the team
Staff
Meet Our Athletes
Volunteers
Funders and Partners
get involved
Donate
Fundraise
Volunteer
Stay Informed
news and media
News
Field Stories
Videos
Photos
Publications
Press
News from the Field
first news
second news
third news
fourth news
News from the Field
fifth news
Sixth News
Donate
international
Right To Play
/
International
/
news and media
/
Specialized teams up with Right To Play
news and media
News
Field Stories
Videos
Photos
Publications
Press
News from the Field
first news
second news
third news
fourth news
News from the Field
fifth news
Sixth News
Specialized Teams Up with Right To Play to Bring Cycling to More Kids
Salt Lake City, CA (September 7th, 2011)
Specialized Bicycle Components is proud to announce a new
global partnership with Right To Play, a non-profit that promotes a healthy and safe world by
introducing children to the power of sport and play.
The partnership is one piece of Specialized’s new program,
First Gear
, which envisions a world where
every child rides a bike. Under the agreement, Specialized will invest €100,000 a year to fund a number
of gran fondo style rides across the world, each a benefit for Right To Play. The two parties will at the
same time explore ways to bring cycling to more kids worldwide through Right To Play programming.
Simon Dunne, Manager of Global Advocacy at Specialized, is thrilled about this new partnership. “We
couldn’t ask for a better partner than Right To Play—they see the power of cycling to change the world,
and the ability of sport to improve the lives of some of the world’s most disadvantaged children,” he
said. “We’re happy to have a platform in First Gear to be able to support this kind of organization and
hope that together we can introduce many new kids to cycling. The big win for us would be to see many
thousands of new kids across the developing world on bikes in five years.”
Three rides will take place in Europe in the Spring of 2012—in the U.K., the Netherlands, and Germany,
with a fourth ride being discussed for the Nordic countries—each with a goal of between 150-300
participants.
Organizers hope that in the first year, the rides will raise a combined $250,000 for Right To Play, and will
become even stronger fundraisers as awareness grows in coming years. Assuming the success of the inaugural rides, the partnership will continue, with the intention of adding both single and multi-day rides throughout Europe, Canada, Australasia, and the U.S. in the next three years.
Martin Barnard, Director of International Business Development for Right To Play, sees great potential in
the arrangement: “For more than 10 years, Right To Play has shown that sport has the power to
fundamentally transform the lives of children, he said. “Specialized shares this vision and has made a
substantial commitment in this partnership to get more kids on bikes and teach them valuable life skills
along the way. We’re extremely pleased to be working together with First Gear to make this happen.”
Representatives from both organizations will be celebrating the partnership with a kick-off in Salt Lake
City, the night before they begin Specialized’s notorious Vegas Ride—a weeklong group ride to Interbike.
About Specialized:
Specialized
is the global leader in the design and manufacturing of high performance, technologically
advanced bicycles, components, and cycling apparel for world champion riders and cycling enthusiasts.
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Morgan Hill, California, Specialized is a global company with
offices around the world.
About Right To Play:
Right To Play is the leading international humanitarian and development organization using sport and
play as tools to effect behavior and social change. Our trained Coaches and community leaders
implement our programs which are designed to develop basic life skills, prevent diseases, teach conflict
resolution and instill hope in children affected by war, poverty and disease. Right To Play implements
programs in 20 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. A pioneer in its field, Right
To Play sets standards for quality sustainable programming, promotes best practices and advances
research on the efficacy of sport-based development efforts. Founded in 2000 by Johann Olav Koss, fourtime
Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur, Right To Play fosters the hope and skills that are
essential to envisioning and realizing a better future.