I'm wonder how I can be sponsored by yonex? What is the min. skill level or rank? If I'm ranked high does yonex send me a sponsorship?? Thanks
Come in 1st or 2nd when Yonex holds it's sponsorship/funding tournament. At least that's how it goes in the U.S.
In Canada, you probably need to finish top four in singles to get a sponsorship from Yonex. However, you can apply to Black Knight, Wilson, Forza, etc. I myself am sponsored by Victor, have quite a good deal actually. But I wouldn't recommend applying unless you are provincial champion, runner-up, or consistently make quarter/semi-finals in Junior/Senior Circuit Series Tournaments/Nationals.
If you're top in the country, they'll probably ask you. Otherwise, I'd suggest submitting a badminton resume and an application to them.
there are also different levels of sponsorship from some free gear to actually getting paid (not much though). i'd think that you'd have to be pretty good to get sponsored though.
also, keep in mind that the no. 1 and 2 male junior singles players in Canada are sponsored by Forza, not Yonex. But they'd probably go for Yonex if they had the choice.
just because no 1 and no 2 male junior singles players in Canada are sponsored by Forza doesn't make Forza good nor does it make Yonex. it really doesn't make a difference in the type of brand they're sponsored with. but you seem really biased towards Yonex imo.
Sorry, I think you misread... I was pretty unclear about that. I actually don't like Yonex that much... sure, the AT500 and BG-65 and the shoes served me well in the past, but now I'm sponsored by and lovelovelovelovelovelove Victor. However, those two players are good friends of mine, and they would like to be sponsored by Yonex as far as I know, but got a better deal from Forza. So I was just trying to illustrate how difficult it is to get a Yonex sponsorship.
hahahahahahahahahahaha. And no, I'm definitely anything but a pro. But my province has no one in it, which does beautiful things for rankings.
No, I've got Victor. They have various categories of sponsorship which dictate how much stuff you get. I'm not really sure what I'm allowed to talk about or not, though, so it's probably better I don't say much. But basically, their sponsorship style allows you to pick any model of whatever you want from a each kind of item (examples of items being things like racquets, shirts, shoes, bags, etc.), and you can have a certain number of them. Then a 50% discount on further products. Although, the lowest sponsorship levels don't get free stuff, just get a pre-decided package of Victor products for a reduced price.
I see thanks..Let's say I want a sponsorship from victor. Do I have to send an application or they send it to me?
Nope, you send an application to them. With any of the companies, you can go to their website and put together a badminton resume, and send it to them. You can even try local sports outfitters. I'm not sure what your rankings are, but you'll probably need a minimum of provincial quarterfinalist if you're in a well-populated province, or provincial champion in a sparse province, to qualify for a sponsorship from Wilson, Victor, Black Knight, etc.
To get sponsored by YY in Canada you should be at least in the top 5 if you are in the junior age groups and at least top 10 in senior. There are various levels of sponsorship depending on your ranking and the likely hood that you can have a positive effect on sales in your area. If you play out of a club that trains in a gym, have no affiliation with a pro shop, and are not ranked you are in a weak position. If you are a solid enough player and can make a case that can promote sales you just might get sponsored without a high ranking. Good luck to you and make sure your player resume and profile contains a letter of reccomendation from a coach or even a few coaches that YY Canada knows, and a list of your accomplishments and goals. Good Luck to You and any that, after reading this, apply.