Artistic spearchucker offers services to masters
USATF Masters has been inviting athletes to fill out a skills survey. But some folks just skip the middleman and do their own thing to promote our sport. A good example is Roald Bradstock, the artist and M45 javelin thrower. He wrote me early this month: “I met with Phil Raschker. . . . I talked with her about a new series of images I want to create on Masters, Olympic and Paralympic athletes. These images will celebrate the various sports and promote key athletes from the past and the present. The name of this new series will be called Collaborations. The idea behind this new series is to work together with other Master, Olympic and Paralympic athletes and artists to create a unique, exciting and varied set of contemporary images in different media. . . . Phil has graciously agreed to be my first official collaborater and subject matter.”
I wrote back to Roald asked if this project could be monetized to the benefit of masters track, and he replied:
The masters images first of all need to be created. To what use could they be put? . . . Selling product like T-shirts, posters, limited/signed edition prints. etc. or as a fund-raising tool or as political and corporate appreciation gifts which could also create press and photo ops.
I want to promote the sport, the events and the key figures to a much larger audience. I want to create numerous sponsorship opportunities in various “win win” promotions for companies.
My plan is to promote Masters Track and Field and at the same time generate money to help finance masters events and masters athletes in a very unique way.
Not sure whether Roald has been in touch with masters leadership, but this kind of effort deserves cheers and encouragement. Hope somebody exploits Roald’s artistic talents to the max.
