Sport For All
Supporting the Johan Cruyff Foundation’s quest to promote activity for children–with and without disabilities–ensuring they play, grow and develop together, the BWA Yachting Pentathlon is certainly one for the diary this March. A fun filled event that incorporates some of the children who benefit from the program, it is not too late for your crew, team or company to sign up!
Hosted at the Club Natació Barcelona on 24th March, the annual BWA Pentathlon promises to be a thrilling day of sporting endeavor, fun and fundraising for participators and spectators alike. Teams from around the marine industry will compete in the seventh edition of the BWA Pentathlon, a sporting charity event that raises funds for the foundation of legendary Dutch soccer player and manager Johan Cruyff. Entry places for crewmember and yachting industry professional teams are still available for this unique experience, while sponsorship opportunities are also being offered for those companies seeking to express social responsibility and support a worthy cause.
Each year to date the occasion has proven to be the success one would expect from a winning combination, one that comprises the world’s leading superyacht service provider and one of soccer’s most celebrated stars. Cruyff, a three-times ‘Ballon d’Or’ winner, is credited with inventing the philosophy of Total Football, making it a fitting collaboration with BWA who offer true 360-degree supplies and service to their clients. Competing in five action packed events the teams will comprise of representatives from crew belonging to different yachts docked in Barcelona and surroundings, joined by a number of the disabled children the foundation benefits.
The program starts at 1pm at Club Natació Barcelona with a presentation and briefing, where all competitors collect their souvenir t-shirt. Following a warm-up action begins in earnest at 3pm. In the pool an imaginative collection of aquatic challenges awaits, with inflatable obstacle courses, rowing events and swimming races ensuring the event gets underway with a splash. Simultaneously, land-based activities will take place, utilizing some of Barcelona’s word-renown sports and beach facilities. Free refreshments are supplied throughout to ensure participants remain hydrated, while the day rounds off with the highly anticipated Prize Giving Ceremony, Raffle Draw and closing party with open bar.
As an event, the Pentathlon couldn’t be a better analogy for organizer BWA Yachting’s own company–it requires the application of expert skill across a variety of disciplines, the determination and stamina to continuously surmount a variety of challenges, and yet while highly competitive it retains the elements of fun, enjoyment and ultimate satisfaction.
Speaking of the months of work the Barcelona office has put into organizing the day, Antonella Della Pietra, BWA Yachting Spain’s Managing Partner told us:
“The entire team and myself look very much forward to this event and are glad to be able to bring together the yachting community for such a special day. We have seen the children growing year after year, and warmed to each one of them. Their smiling faces at the end of the day are priceless.”
The list of prestigious supporting companies and organizations attests to popularity and goodwill generated by the event, with committed support from within the yachting industry and well beyond. Long-standing sponsors including Club Natacio Barcelona, OneOcean Port Vell, H10 Hotels, Circuit de Barcelona, Villanova Grand Marina, Port Adriano, Ibiza Magna, Port Tarraco, Astilleros de Mallorca. A number of opportunities for those wishing to contribute still exist however, with promotion and participation packages tailored to fit a wide range of budgets.
More than simply a football player, manager and technical director, Cruyff was a visionary whose genius just happened to be expressed in football. His foundation, with the contribution of benefactors like BWA Yachting, ensures that each week over 200,000 children with and without disabilities participate in sport. As we look forward to attending the BWA Yachting Pentathlon on the 24th March, perhaps it is fitting the final word goes to the past master himself. “Disabled people who participate in sport, they don’t think about what they don’t have, but try to get better with what they do have. That is the same for me.”
BWA Yachting Pentathlon
Date: 24th May 2018
Venue: Club Nautico Barcelona
Timings: 2pm – 10pm
Email: operations.spain@bwayachting
Tel: +34 667 440 059
Social Media: #BWAPentathlon2018
“Choose the best player for every position, and you’ll end up not with a strong XI, but with eleven strong 1’s.” Johan Cruyff
By Craig Barnett
