English fourth-tier soccer side, Southend FC have revealed today that their chief executive Gary Lockett has resigned with immediate effect but will remain as a non-executive director.

Lockett only took the position with the League Two club on March 1 but he admits he has struggled to balance the demands of the job with his own business interests.

Lockett told Southend’s official website: “The role is more demanding than I first appreciated and I have had to juggle my other responsibilities.

“The chairman, quite rightly, is very ambitious for the club’s success, as I am. And although Ron (Martin) originally described the role as 24/7 I perhaps did not appreciate that that is precisely what is required, and to balance my other business interests and meet the club’s needs also is simply not practical.

“Nevertheless the chairman has invited me to remain as a non-executive director which I am very happy to do and look forward to helping him and the rest of the board advance the club, including its move to the new stadium.”

Lockett took over from Tara Brady following his resignation earlier this year and Southend have now started their search for a third chief exec in the space of eight months.

Leeds based PR, health sports sponsorship and events agency, Hatch Communications, has been appointed by Triathlon England, the National Governing Body in England to promote their Triathlon England – National Championship events in one of the most exciting years in the history of the sport.

The Hatch team has won a competitive pitch, tasked with raising Triathlon England’s profile around the Triathlon England – National Championship events, whilst capitalising on the growth of the sport.

The brief will see the sports specialist agency raise awareness of Triathlon England as an aspirational leader in the sport, whilst also delivering the message that triathlon is accessible for all through the series of targeted events.

The Triathlon England – National  Championship events provide all ranges of age and ability the chance to race in a triathlon whilst crowing the winners: ‘England Champions’, a prestigious title to receive in a year highlighted by sporting achievement.

Tom Goldspink, communications manager at British Triathlon, said: “We are looking forward to working with Hatch Communications, who impressed us with their creativity, enthusiasm and knowledge of the sport.  Triathlon is a fast growing, modern and dynamic sport and we are keen to raise the profile of Triathlon England and the opportunities available to take part in the sport.”

Hatch Communications managing director, Jason Madeley, added: “It is fantastic to be chosen to work with such a well respected organisation. Triathlon has been a sport of interest within our organisation, so it’s great to be able to put our passions to the test in what is a very exciting year for sport.”

Malaysian based sports marketing company Total Sports Asia (TSA) has brokered a deal with MediaPro, buy the Spanish distributor and production company representing FC Barcelona for their Official Club Channel, health Barca TV.

TSA will be the exclusive distributor in the Asia Pacific region for the current La Liga Champions. Barca TV produces two weekly programming blocks of three hours for the international market.

Content on Barca TV includes full delayed coverage of all of FC Barcelona’s matches played in La Liga, Copa Del Rey and the UEFA Champions League, together with exclusive reports, interviews and other exclusive, behind the scenes footage from the club.

Julian Jackson, TSA’s Chief Content Officer, said: ”TSA are honoured to be working with such an icon in world sports as FC Barcelona. We are really excited to be able to bring global superstars Messi, Neymar, Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas and Pique to Asia Pacific living rooms, not only for all of the games they play but also to see what they are like off the pitch. Broadcasters will get the chance to be associated with the most attractive to watch side in world football.”

The Football Association have suggested they will support a move by David Benstein to stay as chairman even beyond the age-limit which stands at 70.

Bernstein turns 70 next May and the FA board have agreed to support a move for him to at least stay on for an extra year until after the 2014 World Cup. 

That however would require an agreement from the FA shareholders to change the statutes.

A proposal is expected to go forward to allow the chairman to stay beyond the age of 70 but only if they were 69 or under when their final three-year term of office started.

It is understood Bernstein does not have any ambition to go on to stand for a FIFA or UEFA position afterwards.

He will campaign for David Gill, the Manchester United chief executive who is also an FA board member, when he stands for election to UEFA’s executive committee next May.

The FA are well aware that Gill’s senior position with the most famous club in the world could be a factor for some of the officials from UEFA’s 53 member countries who will vote, and Gill and the FA will aim to tackle that issue during the campaign.

Now in it’s 7^th year, the all new Future Sponsorship 2012 will move to Istanbul, the European Capital of Sport for 2012.    

Supported by host partners, Turkish Airlines and Euroleague Basketball, Future Sponsorship will address the major challenges in the sponsorship world and will gather high level brands, rights holders and agencies to shape the future of the sponsorship industry.

“Euroleague Basketball and Turkish Airlines are delighted to support Future Sponsorship as it’s the perfect place to share experiences and learn from each other in a time of economic challenges. Our current economic climate has made it essential for the sport industry to come together and ask itself questions in regards to its product offering. We believe the time is right to put our social value at the center of our business.” commented Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball CEO and President.

Turkish Airlines’ CEO, Temel Kotil, Ph.D. commented; “Turkish Airlines is proud to be hosting the conference of Future Sponsorship together with our partner Euroleague Basketball here in Istanbul. We offer a warm welcome to all participants and companies.”

“More than ever, we believe that good business can be GOOD business. We are thankful that Future Sponsorship is committed to be part of this message“

Future Sponsorship is the leading European sponsorship conference, established in the sports calendar.  2011’s event saw over 200 participating companies including; Yingli Green Energy Europe, Deloitte, Diageo, Randstad Deutschland, FIFA, IEG, ING Group, O2, Paddy Power, The FA, Cirque Du Soleil, Lloyds Banking Group, IMG, Turkish Airlines, Euroleague Basketball, The Premier League, Fulham FC, AVIVA, Lawn Tennis Association, Heineken, Adidas and more.

“We are delighted to have Turkish Airlines and Euroleague supporting Future Sponsorship for this year.  Istanbul is attracting more and more sports events and has a rapidly increasing sport sponsorship market.” commented Sally Nastys, Conference Director for Informa Sports Group. “It will be a fantastic location to host this year’s leading sponsorship conference and we look forward to working closely with our partners.”

New features are being added to the event for 2012 including high level, engaging and motivating speakers presenting within the programme, as well as interactive sessions and new networking formats to ensure participants get the best value across the two days.

Future Sponsorship will take place on 28-29 November.  Please visit www.future-sponsorship.com for further information.

Manchester United has today announced it is to travel to Sydney to play a friendly match against the Australian A-League All Stars as part of its 2013 pre-season tour.

This will be only the fifth visit the club has made to Australia, the first being in 1967. The team last played there as Treble winners in 1999.

Announcing the game, United chief executive David Gill said: “The game and training camp that will take place in Sydney will be an important part of the team’s preparation for the 2013/14 season. We are delighted to accept the invitation from the New South Wales Government and the Football Federation Australia to visit one of the world’s truly great cities.

“There are three main reasons we go on pre-season tour. First and foremost is the team’s preparation for the season ahead. But the tour also allows us to engage with our global fan base and network of commercial partners. It has been a while since we last visited Sydney and we are looking forward to renewing our relationship with our loyal and enthusiastic Australian fans.”

The whole Manchester United first team will train in Sydney for six days, playing the game on 20 July at the Sydney ANZ Stadium.

International Ice Hockey Federation president Rene Fasel has been re-elected to the post, the sport’s governing body announced Wednesday.

The 62-year-old was chosen for another four-year term in the absence of other candidates at the IIHF general congress in Tokyo.

Fasel has been at the helm of the organization since 1994 and another term should see him eclipse his predecessor Gunther Sabetzki as its longest-serving president.

The German held the post for 19 years from 1975.

Since becoming president, Fasel, also member of the International Olympic Committee’s executive board, has played a key role in forging closer ties between the IIHF and the NHL.

He has vowed to do everything in his power to ensure as many NHL players as possible participate in the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.

The 2012 IIHF General Congress also elected the new IIHF Council for a four-year term. Bob Nicholson, Thomas Wu, Zsuzsanna Kolbenheyer, Vladislav Tretiak, Luc Tardif, Igor Nemecek and Henrik Bach Nielsen join the IIHF’s executive body as of 1st October.

Vice= President roles wera also allocated to Kalervo Kummola who was re-elected as Vice President representing the European and African members.

Bob Nicholson was elected as new Vice President for the Americas to succeed Murray Costello, who retired.

Thomas Wu was elected as new Vice President for Asia and Oceania. He replaces Shoichi Tomita, who retired.