British Gymnastics Foundation Releases Seated Activity Programme For Free To Encourage Elderly Activity During COVID-19

The British Gymnastics Foundation’s popular seated activity programme, Love to Move, has been made available online for free and expanded to help older people stay physically and mentally active at home.

The programme is designed to get older people moving and functioning better, integrating the use of gymnastic foundation skills, cognitive stimulation therapy and social interaction activities. The majority of the programme is based on movement patterns which work the left and right sides of the brain separately, benefiting older people and particularly those living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment.

The Foundation, partner charity of national governing body, British Gymnastics, has published the first session online and will be making additional sessions available on a regular basis. With those likely to benefit most currently isolating at home the programme, which has also been adapted to allow for social interaction ‘to screen’, can now benefit more lives than ever before.

Patrick Bonner, Head of the British Gymnastics Foundation, said:

“We have seen the positive impact Love to Move can have on the physical and cognitive aspects of older people in the last few years and we want to get the programme out to as many of those self-isolating as possible. This will mean that more people can feel the benefits and keep moving. We have already released the video of Kim Hall, our lead deliverer, so people can take part in sessions from their own home and will continue sharing resources online in the coming months.”

Love to Move started as a pilot project in 2015 and was trialled in care homes and community settings across the UK. The programme uses seated activities to help older people with their memory, balance, flexibility and finger dexterity, and it has already seen a marked improvement in many of its regular participants. It has since been rolled out across the UK but due to the current situation and requirement for the vulnerable and older people to remain in their homes, British Gymnastics Foundation made the decision to release the resource for free online. Former British Olympic gymnasts Kristian Thomas and Craig Heap are ambassadors for the programme.

Steve McFadyen, Sport and Leisure Programme Partnerships Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, said:

“We welcome the British Gymnastics Foundation’s decision to find creative ways to reach even more people affected by dementia, to encourage them to move a little bit more and feel the benefits of being active at home. Around 95% of people with dementia are over 65, and as an ‘increased risk’ group they are being advised to be particularly careful of the ‘stay at home’ rules.

“We know that people with dementia are finding it tough in these unprecedented times, with 80% of calls to our Dementia Connect support line around issues related to coronavirus. Keeping active at home both physically and mentally with fun and engaging seated activities can have a big impact on the health and wellbeing of people with dementia as well as their families or carers. It can help them connect with others through a shared experience, maintain or improve balance and put a much-needed smile on people’s faces. It’s free and accessible programmes like Love to Move that will be hugely beneficial to people living with dementia wherever they are.”

Kim Hall, the Lead Deliverer of the programme, added:

“The best thing about delivering Love to Move is seeing people’s quality of life improve. To see someone moving again, feeding themselves and re-engaging with their loved ones, and to see them visibly appear younger, brighter, more confident and happier is such a privilege.”

PGA Tour Set To Resume Schedule In June Without Fans

With additional time needed to ensure PGA TOUR tournaments are staged in the most safe and responsible manner possible given the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the PGA TOUR is announcing further schedule modifications for the remainder of the 2019-20 season, as well as plans for the opening portion of the 2020-21 PGA TOUR Regular Season, the restart of the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour season and updates regarding the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada schedule.

“The health and safety of all associated with the PGA TOUR and our global community continues to be our No. 1 priority, and our hope is to play a role – responsibly – in the world’s return to enjoying the things we love,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Today’s announcement is another positive step for our fans and players as we look toward the future, but as we’ve stressed on several occasions, we will resume competition only when – working closely with our tournaments, partners and communities – it is considered safe to do so under the guidance of the leading public health authorities.”

The PGA TOUR had previously targeted the week of the Charles Schwab Challenge (May 18-24) as the restart of the TOUR season, which has been suspended since THE PLAYERS Championship was canceled on Thursday, March 12. For health and safety reasons due to COVID-19, today’s announcement delays that timeline three weeks – to June 8, starting with the Charles Schwab Challenge – with additional tournaments being repositioned between then and the season’s conclusion, which is the TOUR Championship, ending on Labor Day (September 7).

At this time, the TOUR plans to resume play with the first four events closed to the general public but will continue to monitor the situation and follow the recommendations of local and state authorities in order to determine the most appropriate on-site access in each market. As such, the TOUR will continually review available COVID-19-related protocols that could be implemented at PGA TOUR events to ensure the health and well-being for all involved.

All three events that were previously scheduled between May 18 and June 8 – the Charles Schwab Challenge, Rocket Mortgage Classic and the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide – have been moved to later dates in the calendar.

The RBC Heritage, originally slated for this week (April 13-19) but canceled on March 17, has been added back to the PGA TOUR schedule in the week formerly occupied by the U.S. Open, which – as previously announced – has been postponed to September.

The RBC Canadian Open, originally scheduled for the week of June 8, has been canceled. Click here for a statement from the RBC Canadian Open. The Barbasol Championship, originally scheduled for July 13-19 opposite The Open Championship, has been canceled.  The Open Championship was canceled on April 6.

Three invitationals on the updated schedule, the Charles Schwab Challenge (120 players), RBC Heritage (132 players) and the Memorial Tournament (120 players), will see their respective field sizes increase to 144 to provide additional playing opportunities for PGA TOUR members.

Bianchi Becomes Official Sponsor Of The Giro D’Italia

Bianchi’s iconic celeste and La Gazzetta dello Sport’s pink are now united in an exciting new international partnership. For three years starting from 2020, Bianchi will be the official sponsor and exclusive bike brand of the Giro d’Italia, the most famous and iconic Italian race on the international stage, organised by RCS Sport and La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The collaboration between Bianchi and RCS Sport springs from shared intents and a common vision, which aims at internationalising Italian excellence through sporting events like the Giro d’Italia. The race reaches more than 800 million people in more than 200 countries around the world.

The three-year agreement between Bianchi and RCS Sports also includes other important fixtures of the WorldTour calendar. Along with the Giro d’Italia, Bianchi is also Official Sponsor of the UAE Tour, the only WorldTour stage race held in the United Arab Emirates, Il Lombardia, ‘the race of the fallen leaves’ and one of cycling’s five Monuments, as well as the amateur sportive, the Gran Fondo Il Lombardia. In addition, from 2021 the partnership will be further enriched by a unique event in the picturesque Tuscan hills, Strade Bianche. As part of the agreement with RCS Sport, Bianchi will supply the bikes for the technical assistance service operated by Shimano.

The collaboration with Giro-E is another strategic asset for Bianchi. Bianchi is Official Partner of the event with Bianchi Lif-E, cycling’s very first electric intelligence mobility programme. Bianchi will supply the event with the Aria e-road carbon model.

Bianchi will also be official sponsor of the new-born Giro Virtual, taking place from April 18th until May 10th where professionals and amateurs will have the chance to ride the best stages of the Giro d’Italia 2020.

Salvatore Grimaldi (Bianchi Owner and Knight of Labour): “This partnership between Bianchi and the Giro is a dream come true. At this dramatic and important moment around the world, we felt the time was right to realise the partnership – because now more than ever, the people of Italy and those around the world need a reason to dream, a way of looking forward to the coming rebirth. It is a historic agreement between two big Italian names, both born in Milan and able to export the best of Italy through one of the most exciting and popular sports in the world, cycling”.

Fabrizio Scalzotto (Bianchi CEO): “We believe that the bicycle – used both for racing and non-competitively – will be fundamental to the resumption of normal life after Covid-19. The Giro is more than a bike race, it is a cultural phenomenon, it is a shared piece of human heritage. That’s why we have decided to announce our collaboration now, when Italy needs a reason to get back in the saddle.

Bianchi is a market-oriented company, and with this in mind we will adopt an innovative approach compared to traditional sponsorships. We are looking to develop activations and collaborative marketing projects to get even closer to our customers in Italy and all over the world, not only with our products, but also with our values of innovation and inspiration.

RCS Sport and La Gazzetta dello Sport’s events and communication platform will provide effective support in pursuing our strategy across the more than 60 countries worldwide where Bianchi is present.”

iSportconnect And Extreme E To Host Special eMasterclass On Eve Of Earth Day

iSportconnect and Extreme E are delighted to announce that we will be holding a joint event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on Tuesday, 21 April, 2020 at 2pm BST.

Climate change is a subject which affects us all and Extreme E, with the help of iSportconnect, will take a look at how the powerful voice provided by sporting organisations can be used for good as we move forward in creating a better and more eco-friendly planet.

On the day we will host a special iSportconnect and Extreme E eMasterclass surrounding ‘Using Sport as a Platform for Climate Action’.

This live online event with iSportconnect will focus on how the world of sport has a responsibility to protect the planet, what organisations can do in terms of reducing their carbon emissions, how Extreme E intends to be at the forefront of sport’s climate initiative and much more…

The line-up for this eMasterclass will include Alejandro Agag, Founder of Extreme E, racing driver Jean-Éric Vergne, the double Formula E Champion and Extreme-E team owner, and renowned ocean scientist Dr Lucy Woodall. 

Prior to this event, Extreme E will announce a sporting first; confirming the members of its Scientific Committee. This group of international recognised climate scientists will work with the electric motor racing competition’s management to lead its science education, research and legacy impact programmes.

Sign up to the eMasterclass by following this link or using the banner below – https://event.webinarjam.com/register/26/n7v6nb75

Formula E Partners With UNICEF To Support Global Coronavirus Appeal

Formula E has today announced it is teaming up with UNICEF to support the global coronavirus appeal, protecting vulnerable children and families most at risk during the coronavirus pandemic.

The partnership will focus on keeping children around the world healthy and learning in the face of coronavirus, with funds being directed to projects such as those contributing to remote learning programmes and the supply of essential protective equipment for hospital staff and care workers on the frontline.

Like UNICEF, Formula E has a vision of a brighter future for children and young people, growing up on a cleaner and safer planet. As a global sport with a purpose to counteract climate change by accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles, Formula E is naturally placed to use its platforms to raise awareness of UNICEF’s work to protect children against the effects of coronavirus.

Working in partnership with UNICEF, Formula E will launch initiatives to raise funds in support of the global coronavirus appeal. These efforts will build upon an initial donation to UNICEF from Formula E, to make an immediate impact on the charity’s work.

UNICEF’s comprehensive response to the coronavirus pandemic includes tackling both the primary health and wellbeing of children and young people across the world, and a secondary impact of lost educational opportunities, as well as the discrimination and stigma which come from widespread misinformation.

The impact of coronavirus on children so far has been huge. Already, a staggering 1.5 billion children are missing out on education due to school closures. With major disruptions to the global economy, many families risk losing their livelihoods and falling into poverty. This situation is unlike any the world has ever known.

Formula E’s donations, fundraising and support in raising awareness of UNICEF’s mission aims to change the lives of children across the world for the better.

Alchimie Launches Brand New Original Sports Channel ‘Unbeaten’

Alchimie, Europe’s leading OTT content aggregator and dynamic distributor announces the launch of Unbeaten. The brand-new sports channel has been created exclusively for passionate sports fans around the world, and following its launch today on UK’s OTT platform TVPlayer, Unbeaten will be distributed on a variety of OTT platforms internationally.

Unbeaten is an English language sports news and entertainment channel showcasing engaging, existing and original programming featuring high-profile sports stars, news, highlights, and developments across a spectrum of major international sports. The subscription channel is not only compulsive viewing but offers a rare opportunity for OTT operators to carry a dedicated linear sports channel, an asset that is in high demand and short supply in the OTT space.

Daily original news shows, Life’s a Pitch, Sport Confidential, The Football Review, FIBA World Basketball, Combat and The Inside Line will provide fresh round-ups and provide viewers with an appointment to view, with each day’s show focusing on a different sport. Additionally, Unbeaten has access to a vast catalogue of recent and historical series, and will roll out over 1,000 hours of content, across football, Formula 1, basketball, golf, tennis, combat and e-sports, as well as a collection of other lifestyle sports. Future programming will include Olympics, European championship football, FIFA World Cup, and other global championship events in topical magazine-style preview and review shows.

Nicolas d’Hueppe, CEO and founder of Alchimie, said “We have created Unbeaten to super-serve the voracious appetites of sports fans around the world. The OTT channel, which is available on a wide range of digital platforms, is carefully curated and allows armchair sports addicts to access some of the best existing sports shows as well as new content specifically created for Unbeaten viewers.”

The first platform to distribute Unbeaten is Alchimie owned OTT platform TVPlayer in the UK. Alchimie UK’s managing director, Barry Llewellyn, said: “TVPlayer is delighted to be the inaugural launch platform for Unbeaten. This channel is an excellent addition to our line-up of vertical content channels, dedicated to the various passions of our diverse audiences.

“It is interesting timing for the launch of this channel, given that live sports events are currently on hiatus around the world, but the enormous appetite of fans for sports content remains totally intact and Unbeaten is perfectly positioned with a great collection of news updates and video magazine formats both now and when live sport returns to action.”

Dates Confirmed For World Athletics Championships Oregon 2022

The World Athletics Championships in Oregon have been rescheduled to 15-24 July in 2022, following the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Oregon World Championships were originally scheduled for 6-15 August, 2021, but have been rescheduled to the following year to avoid a clash with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The World Athletics Council approved the new dates this week after extensive discussions with the sport’s stakeholders including organisers of two other major championships due to take place in July-August 2022, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and the multisport European Championships in Munich.

The new schedule will prevent a direct conflict between any of these major events and, with careful programming, will ensure athletes can compete in up to three world-class competitions.

In an extraordinary international season for athletics, all three events will be held across an unprecedent summer of sport. The World Championships will begin a unique celebration of the sport, followed by the Commonwealth Games and the European Athletics Championships as part of the European Championships.

“This will be a bonanza for athletics fans around the world,” World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said.

“They will be treated to six weeks of absolutely first-class athletics. More than 70 of our Member Federations are part of the Commonwealth and more than 50 of our Member Federations are European so our guiding principle in rescheduling the World Championships was to ensure enough space was created around the centrepiece World Athletics Championship for athletes to choose other major events to compete in. We were also very mindful that we did not want to damage the other major championships in 2022, because they are also very important to our sport.

“We believe we have found a solution that will allow athletes who are eligible for the other two events to compete in them with the Commonwealth Games Federation planning to stage the athletics programme towards the end of their event. This will showcase our sport to its best advantage in the circumstances and we will continue collaborating with all competitions on the detailed programming.

“We would not have chosen to have three major championships back-to-back but it will give us a unique opportunity to promote our sport and its stars around the globe over a six-week period.

“I want to particularly thank Oregon 21 LLC and all its stakeholders for their collaboration and flexibility as well as all World Athletics’ partners and broadcasters who are so critical to delivering the Games and taking it into the homes of millions of fans.”

Niels de Vos, Executive Director of the World Athletics Championships Oregon 22, said: “I should like to thank Oregon’s stakeholders for committing so early to the postponement, allowing maximum flexibility on dates for our friends at World Athletics, just as they have been flexible with us in ensuring our plans can remain on track despite the 12 month postponement. Oregon 22, as we must now get used to calling it, will be kickstarting a global festival of international track and field championships in the summer of 2022 that will be a fantastic experience for athletes and fans alike.”

CGF President Louise Martin said: “I would like to thank the leadership of World Athletics for a hugely constructive approach to working with the CGF. Our collective objective has been to ensure that, in this unprecedented time of global upheaval in all our lives, as well as its impact on the international sports calendar, the interests of athletes are at the centre of all decision-making. We will continue to work together to create space within our schedules to provide athletes with the opportunity to safely compete to the best of their abilities at multiple world class events.”

Libor Varhaník, Interim Chair of the European Championships Munich 2022, said: “On behalf of all the stakeholders of the multi-sport European Championships Munich 2022, I would like to thank World Athletics for working constructively and collaboratively with us in finding a new event date that respects the major events already scheduled in 2022. The international sports calendar has been hugely impacted as we battle this terrible global health crisis, and in discussions with World Athletics and the Commonwealth Games Federation our mutual goal has been to put the interest of our athletes at the forefront of our thoughts.

“The European Championships will continue to work closely with World Athletics and the Commonwealth Games Federation to ensure that athletes, media and sports fans are able to enjoy an amazing summer of sport across three world-class events in 2022, from Oregon to Birmingham and culminating in Munich in August on the 50th anniversary of its hosting of the Olympic Games.”

Eleven Sports Extends Free Offering In Italy And Portugal

ELEVEN SPORTS is continuing to offer housebound sports fans free access to its programming in Italy and Portugal.

All subscriptions have been frozen in Italy until 3 May, with Portugal making its full archive of content available free to fans until 31 May.

In addition to a packed archive of premium sports content, ELEVEN fans can enjoy new programming in both Portugal and Italy.

Portugal are re-airing Champions League matchdays with fresh analysis from ELEVEN presenter Pedro Pinto, and are live broadcasting regular interview shows with well-known stars from Portuguese sport.

In Italy, ELEVEN has launched a new Eleven at Home show with daily interviews from fans favourites from Serie C and D and new football and cycling programmes.

ELEVEN SPORTS Group is working with the World Health Organisation to promote vital health messages across its network during this unprecedented time. ELEVEN SPORTS Portugal have also launched a funding appeal on behalf of UNICEF to support its relief efforts in Portugal.

Cyber Tech Company Develops Digital Health Passport To Help Restart Sports

VST Enterprises Ltd (VSTE) the British cyber security company founded by tech entrepreneur Louis-James Davis (31) has today announced a ‘sports health passport’ style app to help kick start attendance at all British sporting events over the coming months as Britain emerges and recovers from Covid-19.

VSTE and its partner Redstrike are committed to working alongside the Government and other major stakeholders to ensure that the technology can be deployed responsibly whilst fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Using its VCode® cyber technology it intends to support the economic recovery of Great Britain and kick start the UK sports economy and be part of the solution in helping to move everyone out of isolation as soon as possible.

The ambitious and bold solution comes after all sporting events and fixtures across the UK were cancelled as part of the Governments lockdown procedure to tackle COVID-19. The lockdown has decimated the sports industry and the future of many football and rugby clubs in particular hangs in the balance. Many major golf tournaments and major sporting events like the F1 Grand Prix are left with lost revenues and sponsors threatening to withdraw financial support. It is feared that hundreds of millions of pounds in revenues, sponsorship and advertising rights will be lost across all sectors of British sport with catastrophic losses in revenue and income. Such catastrophic losses across British sport events could take years to get back to normal.

The concept was conceived by Louis-James Davis CEO of VSTE and REDSTRIKE the sports marketing agency founded by former Manchester United Football Club International Managing Director Mike Farnan, Collaborating together Louis-James Davis and Mike Farnan have formulated a digital app to get the British sporting industry back on track as it recovers from the virus lockdown when the phased lifting of restrictions takes place over the coming weeks. The passport style app can be used at all major sporting events including football, golf, tennis, rugby and F1.

VSTE CEO Louis-James Davis said; “The ‘V-COVIDTM’ digital health passport is a truly unique way in which all football and rugby clubs, major sporting events and sports governing bodies can implement a simple and highly effective universal system to ensure fan safety at sporting events following the gradual phased lifting of restrictions. Using the health app in conjunction with an official Government /Department Of Health sanctioned Covid-19 testing kit, a series of authentications and permissions are acknowledged to validate the test results. In doing so it will not only allow the safe and gradual return of sports fans to sporting events but it will do so in a safe and controlled way. Most importantly it will help all clubs, sporting organisations and events to re build after this unprecedented event.”

Football and rugby clubs in the Premier and Football League can issue the ‘V-COVIDTM’ digital health passport app (or an App that uses the VCode® technology for the purposes of the Health Passport) to all fans through their existing fan database channels and social media, signing up for the app which would be free. This will in turn get fans back attending key fixtures and events in a gradual and staged process, with the emphasis on safety at all times. “

Redstrike MD Mike Farnan said; “The Premiership and Football league as one example have been decimated by this unprecedented event. Major sporting events such as the F1 calendar are also thrown into disarray and hundreds of millions of pounds potentially lost in sponsorship and revenue streams. The survival of Premiership and Football league clubs – which are great British institutions, part of the community and every day British life – is vital. The ‘V-COVID’ digital health passport app will become an important passport and interaction tool between fans and their football clubs or sporting events. It will also ensure that fans return to sporting fixtures and events in a safe and controlled manner. Let me make this clear, we are not claiming a magic solution here or expecting to fill stadiums, it will be a gradual and phased return for fans attending sporting events. But we do need to have a plan that revives the British sports calendar and its key events. British sports contributes £24 Billion to the UK economy every year. However we are fully conscious that it is vitally important for us to balance the desire for sporting fixtures to resume in the UK, but with all sports clubs, sports event organisers and governing
bodies taking a serious and responsible approach to public health and safety with this life threatening virus.”

THE FAN JOURNEY 

The ‘V-COVIDTM’ digital health passport app (powered by VCode®) would be issued by the sports club, sporting organisation, event organiser or governing body as an officially recognised digital health passport. 

The app would be used in conjunction with a Government/Department Of Health approved COVID-19 testing kit administered by a Doctor or healthcare professional that confirms and validates whether the holder has been tested “negative” or “positive” for the Corona Virus or has the antibody present. In the future it will include confirmation that they are vaccinated. 

Once the test has been completed, the results will be updated to the fans digital passport. Once vaccinated it will be permanent proof of being virus free and protected. 

Providing the fan has tested negative they will be allowed to proceed and purchase a ticket for the event by validating their ‘V-COVIDTM’ digital health passport. This 

VCode® is unique to the fan and authenticated using its various security permissions, protocols and authorisations. 

EMBARGOED 08:00 Thursday 9th April 2020 UK RELEASE 

The fan attends the event observing the 2 metre social distancing safety guidelines where an event official scans their smart phone or Printed VCode®. The technology however can give an optimal scanning distance achievable from 100 metres (80:1 distance to size ratio). 

The social distancing will be reduced over time as the phased lifting of restrictions takes place. 

Uniquely the ‘V-COVID’ digital health passport is not just confined to the sport of football, but can also be used across all other major sporting events including golf, rugby, tennis, Formula 1, to horse racing. Both Mike Farnan and Louis-James Davis also plan to approach the IOC (International Olympic Committee) to help with getting the 2021 Olympics and Paralympics back on track by using the ‘V-COVID TM’ digital health passport. 

Many football and rugby clubs are in serious financial trouble with gate receipts for matches non existent, advertisers and sponsors withholding rights income from major events and there are grave concerns that many clubs could collapse. Already the ‘V-COVID’ digital health passport app has been welcomed and is being hailed as a lifeline to help revitalise the British sporting calendar. 

The groundbreaking VCode® and VPlatform® technology which powers the ‘V-COVID TM’ digital health passport works as a secure digital passport within a scannable app. The technology can be integrated into existing sporting and healthcare apps using the software development kit but will also be rolled out alongside Corona Virus (Covid-19) testing kits. 

VCode® and VPlatform® the operating technology which powers ‘V-COVIDTM’ digital health passport represents the gold standard and next generation of code scanning technology – an evolutionary step forward from traditional barcodes and QR Codes. Using military grade encryption it has over 2.2 Quintillion variations of codes. The codes become ultra-secure as user login, time, facial recognition, touch ID, geo-fences, handset brand and number of scans are just some of the factors that change what information the VCode® links to at the point of scanning. 

VCode® in its own right has an infinite range of applications and capabilities from secure identification and ID, to geo location and geo fencing, asset tracking, authentication and permission based authorisations. It’s unique technology means that the ‘V-COVID TM’ digital health passport can also be used for the same validation and authentication process to be used in tests for other viruses such as Ebola, Sars and Mers. It will also help strategically to ensure that with regular updates and testing there is a reduced chance of a second wave of Corona Virus infections. 

VSTE is currently using the same technology to work with the UNITED NATIONS as part of their SDG Collaboratory (Sustainable Development Goals) program – to provide a wide range of technology services to 9 Billion people by 2030 and which will be announced in the coming weeks.

Aser Ventures Enters Strategic Partnership With Corrum Capital

Agreement will also see Aser become a shareholder and strategic partner of OTRO

Global investment company Aser Ventures and US based investment fund Corrum Capital Management have entered into a strategic partnership, to share management expertise and investment opportunities across their respective portfolios.

The strategic partnership will see Corrum help Aser expand its financing opportunities for its portfolio of sports, media and entertainment properties. The agreement will also see Aser Ventures become a shareholder and strategic partner of OTRO.

OTRO, which launched as a subscription service creating and delivering content with some of the biggest names in football including Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane, has successfully transitioned to a new business model as a premium content studio.

In close partnership with Aser Ventures, OTRO will now focus on creating original premium long-form and short-form content with its portfolio of star names, for third party streaming platforms, broadcasters, operators and telcos. OTRO will also collaborate with leading figures from a range of sports and lifestyle verticals, in addition to their current football-focused partnerships.

OTRO’s creative team led by Managing Director, Claire McArdle, will work in partnership with Aser Ventures on OTRO’s future plans. Anouk Mertens, who is COO of Aser’s ELEVEN SPORTS Group, will support the OTRO team operationally in this transition period while Aser Chairman and Founder Andrea Radrizzani will join the OTRO Board.

The close working relationship between OTRO and Aser has already resulted in an agreement between OTRO and Asers’ global sports platform ELEVEN SPORTS, with ELEVEN set to broadcast OTRO programmes to fans in Belgium, Portugal and Italy.

Andrea Radrizzani, Founder and Chairman, Aser Ventures, said:

“We are living in a moment of unprecedented challenges. At Aser we want to use our network to support the vital work of the World Health Organisation and others in any way we can. We also want to be positive in our approach to business and press on and forge new opportunities.

“This new partnership has lots of potential for all parties. Aser Ventures will use our management expertise and global network of media partners to drive value for OTRO and its key stakeholders including Corrum Capital. In return, Aser will have an excellent new strategic partner in Corrum Capital and the opportunity to support the growth of an exciting and ambitious company in OTRO. We can also work with OTRO to share great sports and entertainment content with fans around the world at a time when people need some distraction and fun more than ever.”

Jonathan Mandle, Co-Founder & Partner, Corrum Capital Management, said:

“We are pleased to be working with Andrea and the Aser Ventures team to build OTRO’s premium content studio and more broadly across Aser’s portfolio of other investments.  We feel strongly that OTRO‘s renewed focus and structure, combined with Aser’s industry skills and adjacent businesses, will help OTRO accelerate its success.”

Claire McArdle, Managing Director, OTRO, added: 

“OTRO has worked closely with its strong and supportive investment partners since its foundation, and bringing Aser Ventures into that mix with its sports industry expertise and portfolio of sports and sports media properties provides us with the strategic depth we need to leverage our strong content and talent partnerships as we execute our business model.”

Aser Ventures is an investment platform specializing in sports, media and entertainment properties. Aser is focused on opportunities where its management expertise and network can drive value for the companies it invests in and their end users. Aser’s portfolio includes Championship club Leeds United, the multi-national sports network ELEVEN SPORTS, the innovative technology start-up Sport Data Labs and the media and entertainment brand Whistle. Whistle already has a strategic partnership in place with OTRO that goes back to September 2019.