Since 1971
1971 – A Flash is Born
The core mark of Power Athletics is born – the Flash. Bata launches its athletics branch. The Power flash is first applied to athletic footwear in the United Kingdom.
1970s – The Bata Bullets
These are classic basketball shoes, featuring a white toecap. Made and sold in the USA. Bullets are currently sought as popular vintage shoes. Bullet wrestling shoes also follow.
1974 – UK Track Spikes
The flash appears on specialized performance track spikes.
1976 – Bata + Wilson Tennis Shoes
Bata partners with Wilson to create the lightest tennis shoes ever. So light on the court, they floated!
1977 – John Wooden Basketball Shoes
Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden requests custom designed basketball shoes from Bata. Wooden is well known for instructing his players on how to put on their shoes and socks! Coach Wooden is the first person to be inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and coach. Wooden coached NCAA champions in 1964, 1965, 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975.
1979 – Fred Brown
Fred “Downtown” Brown wears Bata Bullets as he leads the Seattle Sonics to a National Basketball Association championship win over the Washington Bullets. Ironic.
1979 – Power Brand is Born
The flash is now accompanied by the name Power, rather than Bata, and a new brand is born.
1980s – Shoes for Lloyd Moseby
Playing for The Toronto Blue Jays from 1980–1989, Moseby amassed the highest career run (106) and RBI (96) totals of his career in 1987 while wearing Power shoes.
1980 – Court of Champions
Jahangir Khan owns the squash court around the world. He does so wearing technologically cutting-edge court shoes provided by Power.
1981 – Boxer Shawn O’Sullivan
Power developed specialty shoes for this boxer, Canada’s Athlete of the Year. O’Sullivan defeated Cuban Olympic gold medallist armando Martinez twice, the second time en route to winning the gold medal in the World Amateur Championships. In the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, after totally dominating his earlier opponents, he won the silver medal. He turned pro immediately after, and by September 1987 his record stood at 16–1.
1982 – Success Spreads
Initial success and fame with football shoes spreads across Europe. Now Power is found in more than 20 countries.
1982 – Official Shoe of the World Professional Squash Association
Power develops Pro-level performance court shoes with top squash pros Clive Caldwell, David Talbott, Pat Richardson, David Johnson and Charlie McKnight. The design team creates a revolutionary asymmetric slip and anchor system lacing system to hold the foot in place.
1983 – The 20 Minute Workout
Jayne, Samantha and Louise bend stretch and flex as Power’s Aerobic team in Canada’s #1 TV exercise show.
1983 – Ed Werenich
This Canadian curler wore Power shoes at the rink. Ed Werenich was nicknamed “the Wrench” because he ratcheted up the pressure on the ice, and often abraded other players and curling officials off the ice. At the World Curling Championships of 1983, Werenich defeated Keith Wendorf’s team from Germany in the final. Werenich returned to the Brier (the annual Canadian men’s curling championship) in 1984 and again in 1988 before winning for the last time in 1990.
1984 – Swim, Bike, Run!
Power teams with 8-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion Paula Newby-Fraser to develop triathlon-specific footwear. Paula is considered the greatest triathlete of all time.
1984 – Squash – Jahangir Khan, The Conqueror
Exclusively endorsing Power, Jahangir enjoys the longest unbeaten run in professional sport, amassing 6 World Open and 10 successive British Open squash titles. In the five years from 1981 to 1986 he is unbeaten in competitive play, winning 555 consecutive matches.
1986 – The World Cup of Football
Power is chosen as the official sports shoe of the FIFA World Cup of Football, held in Mexico City.
1986 – Power-sponsored Athletes Excel
Mike Yellen – The highest ranked racquetball player in the USA at that time.
Jahangir Khan – See above.
John Howard – World bicycle speed record holder at 153 mph
Michael Shermer – World class ultra-endurance cyclist
1991 – Power comes to Toronto
Global business activities are centralized in Toronto, Canada in 1991 when Power International is formed to strengthen and focus the brand’s product, sales and marketing activities.
1992–1993 – Shoes Designed Specifically for Baseball Hall-of-Famer Dave Winfield – Toronto Blue Jays win Major League Baseball World Series.
The Toronto Blue Jays bring the MLB Pennant to Power Athletics’ new home city. The Jays make baseball history in game six, winning the Series with a 4–3 victory in 11 innings. The key hit is Dave Winfield’s two-out double down the left field line, wearing Power shoes. Two days later, Winfield unveils the banner the city and team had been waiting 16 years to see: Toronto Blue Jays, 1992 World Series Champs. The Jays repeat the feat in 1993!
1996 – US Beach Volleyball Champion Mike Dodd strikes Olympic Silver
Power Athlete Mike Dodd wins silver in beach volleyball at the 1996 Olympic summer games in Atlanta. Mike is honoured as the 1996 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour’s most inspirational player.
1996 – Tim Hovland joins the Power Team
Tim Hovland, “The Hov,” a winner of 57 US domestic beach volleyball titles, joins the Power team.
1997 – Triathlete Lynne McAllister
Power-sponsored, McAllister is top Canadian ultra-distance female triathlete for three years prior, and one of the top seeds internationally.
1997 – Sharon Mann
Sharon Mann has been a fitness guru since 1987. “Sharon Mann’s body tech” is broadcast nationally across Canada. Her choice is Power for fitness shoes.
1997 – Power develops Anthro.
Anthro technolgy is ahead of its time. Built around replaceable cushioning cassettes, Anthro provides superior, customized cushioning and support.
1997 – Cheerleading
Power Cheer shoes are introduced in the US market.
2003 – Professional Choreographer Wade Robson
Wade Robson and Power combine forces to create an amazing new dance shoe. Wade wants to create a shoe that is light weight, flexible and supportive but doesn’t look like your average dance shoe.
Wade Robson is a major creative force with 19 years of experience in only 24 years of life. He has choreographed and directed music videos, commercials, award shows and world tours for recording artists such as Britney Spears, NSYNC, Usher, Mya and Pink. He created, produced and starred in MTV’s hit series, The Wade Robson Project. Since then he has written, choreographed and directed commercials for Sirius and Power Shoes, his own line of footwear, an award winning short film and has a three-picture deal with Disney as a director/choreographer. www.waderobson.com
2000 – Cheer Industry Firsts
One of the first US brands to offer a GWP to cheerleading – sandals and a bag.
Pioneer in combining cheer and dance in one shoe – Rhythm.
Among the first to launch light weight shoes in the industry – Edge series launched.
2001 – Power Ventures into the Global Skate Business
Power starts to venture into skate, servicing a selected number of countries, with styles designed by an exclusive design team.
2002 – PAL
In July 2002 Power International becomes a fully registered Canadian company and officially changes its name to Power Athletics Ltd.
2003 – The First Power Skate Team
Power lines up a team of pro riders, including Dayne Brummet and Mike Crum. Brummet has a record number of broken bones and has remained among the top 10 for several years in many national and international events. Crum, one of the best Vert skaters, has been a pro since 1995.
2004 – Signature Skate Shoe
The first Power signature shoes are launched, including Brummet and Crum.
2005 – The Eagle Package
Power has huge success with the Eagle Package series for soccer. Launched in South America prior to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the Eagle Packages are supported through a Fox Sports advertising campaign.
2005 – Power Skate Empire Spreads
Jesse Landen and Josh Evin join Power pro team. The Power Skate website www.power-skate.com is launched.
2006 – Willy Santos
Skate legend Willy Santos joins Power’s roster and for the first time ever Power has a photo (of Willy) on the cover of Transworld skateboard biz magazine.
2006 – Skate White North Tour
First of the Skate White North tours take place in different cities across Canada. www.skatewhitenorth.com
2007 – Cheer Best Seller
“Cheer” cheerleading shoe best seller on record – ever – since its launch in 1997.
2007 – Ryde
Power Athletics launches its premium Ryde technology. This dramatic technology provides both cushioning and support.
2007 – Long Beach Grand Prix
Power co-sponsors skate demo event with Red Bull at the Long Beach Grand Prix, California, USA.
2007 – Skate White North 2
Second Skate White North tours take place in four cities across Ontario, Canada.
2007 – James Craig
James Craig joins roster of pro riders and is the first Power rider to be in the King Of The Road skate contest.
2007 – Divinity Series
Power launches a series of Fitness shoes specifically designed by women, for women.
2008 – Plazma
Power launches its Plazma series of premium running shoes with a heel cushioning insert that helps improve runners' comfort and performance.
The core mark of Power Athletics is born – the Flash. Bata launches its athletics branch. The Power flash is first applied to athletic footwear in the United Kingdom.
1970s – The Bata Bullets
These are classic basketball shoes, featuring a white toecap. Made and sold in the USA. Bullets are currently sought as popular vintage shoes. Bullet wrestling shoes also follow.
1974 – UK Track Spikes
The flash appears on specialized performance track spikes.
1976 – Bata + Wilson Tennis Shoes
Bata partners with Wilson to create the lightest tennis shoes ever. So light on the court, they floated!
1977 – John Wooden Basketball Shoes
Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden requests custom designed basketball shoes from Bata. Wooden is well known for instructing his players on how to put on their shoes and socks! Coach Wooden is the first person to be inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and coach. Wooden coached NCAA champions in 1964, 1965, 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975.
1979 – Fred Brown
Fred “Downtown” Brown wears Bata Bullets as he leads the Seattle Sonics to a National Basketball Association championship win over the Washington Bullets. Ironic.
1979 – Power Brand is Born
The flash is now accompanied by the name Power, rather than Bata, and a new brand is born.
1980s – Shoes for Lloyd Moseby
Playing for The Toronto Blue Jays from 1980–1989, Moseby amassed the highest career run (106) and RBI (96) totals of his career in 1987 while wearing Power shoes.
1980 – Court of Champions
Jahangir Khan owns the squash court around the world. He does so wearing technologically cutting-edge court shoes provided by Power.
1981 – Boxer Shawn O’Sullivan
Power developed specialty shoes for this boxer, Canada’s Athlete of the Year. O’Sullivan defeated Cuban Olympic gold medallist armando Martinez twice, the second time en route to winning the gold medal in the World Amateur Championships. In the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, after totally dominating his earlier opponents, he won the silver medal. He turned pro immediately after, and by September 1987 his record stood at 16–1.
1982 – Success Spreads
Initial success and fame with football shoes spreads across Europe. Now Power is found in more than 20 countries.
1982 – Official Shoe of the World Professional Squash Association
Power develops Pro-level performance court shoes with top squash pros Clive Caldwell, David Talbott, Pat Richardson, David Johnson and Charlie McKnight. The design team creates a revolutionary asymmetric slip and anchor system lacing system to hold the foot in place.
1983 – The 20 Minute Workout
Jayne, Samantha and Louise bend stretch and flex as Power’s Aerobic team in Canada’s #1 TV exercise show.
1983 – Ed Werenich
This Canadian curler wore Power shoes at the rink. Ed Werenich was nicknamed “the Wrench” because he ratcheted up the pressure on the ice, and often abraded other players and curling officials off the ice. At the World Curling Championships of 1983, Werenich defeated Keith Wendorf’s team from Germany in the final. Werenich returned to the Brier (the annual Canadian men’s curling championship) in 1984 and again in 1988 before winning for the last time in 1990.
1984 – Swim, Bike, Run!
Power teams with 8-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion Paula Newby-Fraser to develop triathlon-specific footwear. Paula is considered the greatest triathlete of all time.
1984 – Squash – Jahangir Khan, The Conqueror
Exclusively endorsing Power, Jahangir enjoys the longest unbeaten run in professional sport, amassing 6 World Open and 10 successive British Open squash titles. In the five years from 1981 to 1986 he is unbeaten in competitive play, winning 555 consecutive matches.
1986 – The World Cup of Football
Power is chosen as the official sports shoe of the FIFA World Cup of Football, held in Mexico City.
1986 – Power-sponsored Athletes Excel
Mike Yellen – The highest ranked racquetball player in the USA at that time.
Jahangir Khan – See above.
John Howard – World bicycle speed record holder at 153 mph
Michael Shermer – World class ultra-endurance cyclist
1991 – Power comes to Toronto
Global business activities are centralized in Toronto, Canada in 1991 when Power International is formed to strengthen and focus the brand’s product, sales and marketing activities.
1992–1993 – Shoes Designed Specifically for Baseball Hall-of-Famer Dave Winfield – Toronto Blue Jays win Major League Baseball World Series.
The Toronto Blue Jays bring the MLB Pennant to Power Athletics’ new home city. The Jays make baseball history in game six, winning the Series with a 4–3 victory in 11 innings. The key hit is Dave Winfield’s two-out double down the left field line, wearing Power shoes. Two days later, Winfield unveils the banner the city and team had been waiting 16 years to see: Toronto Blue Jays, 1992 World Series Champs. The Jays repeat the feat in 1993!
1996 – US Beach Volleyball Champion Mike Dodd strikes Olympic Silver
Power Athlete Mike Dodd wins silver in beach volleyball at the 1996 Olympic summer games in Atlanta. Mike is honoured as the 1996 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour’s most inspirational player.
1996 – Tim Hovland joins the Power Team
Tim Hovland, “The Hov,” a winner of 57 US domestic beach volleyball titles, joins the Power team.
1997 – Triathlete Lynne McAllister
Power-sponsored, McAllister is top Canadian ultra-distance female triathlete for three years prior, and one of the top seeds internationally.
1997 – Sharon Mann
Sharon Mann has been a fitness guru since 1987. “Sharon Mann’s body tech” is broadcast nationally across Canada. Her choice is Power for fitness shoes.
1997 – Power develops Anthro.
Anthro technolgy is ahead of its time. Built around replaceable cushioning cassettes, Anthro provides superior, customized cushioning and support.
1997 – Cheerleading
Power Cheer shoes are introduced in the US market.
2003 – Professional Choreographer Wade Robson
Wade Robson and Power combine forces to create an amazing new dance shoe. Wade wants to create a shoe that is light weight, flexible and supportive but doesn’t look like your average dance shoe.
Wade Robson is a major creative force with 19 years of experience in only 24 years of life. He has choreographed and directed music videos, commercials, award shows and world tours for recording artists such as Britney Spears, NSYNC, Usher, Mya and Pink. He created, produced and starred in MTV’s hit series, The Wade Robson Project. Since then he has written, choreographed and directed commercials for Sirius and Power Shoes, his own line of footwear, an award winning short film and has a three-picture deal with Disney as a director/choreographer. www.waderobson.com
2000 – Cheer Industry Firsts
One of the first US brands to offer a GWP to cheerleading – sandals and a bag.
Pioneer in combining cheer and dance in one shoe – Rhythm.
Among the first to launch light weight shoes in the industry – Edge series launched.
2001 – Power Ventures into the Global Skate Business
Power starts to venture into skate, servicing a selected number of countries, with styles designed by an exclusive design team.
2002 – PAL
In July 2002 Power International becomes a fully registered Canadian company and officially changes its name to Power Athletics Ltd.
2003 – The First Power Skate Team
Power lines up a team of pro riders, including Dayne Brummet and Mike Crum. Brummet has a record number of broken bones and has remained among the top 10 for several years in many national and international events. Crum, one of the best Vert skaters, has been a pro since 1995.
2004 – Signature Skate Shoe
The first Power signature shoes are launched, including Brummet and Crum.
2005 – The Eagle Package
Power has huge success with the Eagle Package series for soccer. Launched in South America prior to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the Eagle Packages are supported through a Fox Sports advertising campaign.
2005 – Power Skate Empire Spreads
Jesse Landen and Josh Evin join Power pro team. The Power Skate website www.power-skate.com is launched.
2006 – Willy Santos
Skate legend Willy Santos joins Power’s roster and for the first time ever Power has a photo (of Willy) on the cover of Transworld skateboard biz magazine.
2006 – Skate White North Tour
First of the Skate White North tours take place in different cities across Canada. www.skatewhitenorth.com
2007 – Cheer Best Seller
“Cheer” cheerleading shoe best seller on record – ever – since its launch in 1997.
2007 – Ryde
Power Athletics launches its premium Ryde technology. This dramatic technology provides both cushioning and support.
2007 – Long Beach Grand Prix
Power co-sponsors skate demo event with Red Bull at the Long Beach Grand Prix, California, USA.
2007 – Skate White North 2
Second Skate White North tours take place in four cities across Ontario, Canada.
2007 – James Craig
James Craig joins roster of pro riders and is the first Power rider to be in the King Of The Road skate contest.
2007 – Divinity Series
Power launches a series of Fitness shoes specifically designed by women, for women.
2008 – Plazma
Power launches its Plazma series of premium running shoes with a heel cushioning insert that helps improve runners' comfort and performance.