Sportradar has agreed a multi-year data partnership with the Russian Football Premier League (RFPL).

As part of the deal Sportradar will become the league’s “Official Sports Data Partner” as of the upcoming 2015/16 season.

Full story HERE. 

England Hockey has announced the appointment of Royston Hoggarth as its new chairman.

Huggarth will be taking over from Philip Kimberley who will be stepping down in the autumn after 12 and a half years in the role.

Full story HERE.

World Rugby has signed a strategic partnership with the United Kingdom Gambling Commission in order to ensure the sport remains free of corruption.

World Rugby Head of Legal and Legislative Affairs Susan Ahern said: “This is an important step forward for rugby.

“The Gambling Commission collects information and develops intelligence about potentially corrupt betting across a range of sports in Great Britain and has access to the sort of information that will be very beneficial for us as we seek to protect Rugby World Cup and other tournaments against corruption.

“While we do not believe rugby has an issue with match-fixing or other forms of betting-related corruption, viagra order we are not complacent and we have a duty to our game and the wider global sporting community to remain alert to any possible threat.

“We will do everything possible to keep the level of risk to a minimum.”

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SportAccord Convention announced today that PwC will be a Gold Partner for this year’s World Sport & Business Summit taking place from 19-24 April 2015 at the Sochi Expocentre, Sochi, Russia.

The agreement marks PwC’s third year as a Gold Partner. “SportAccord Convention is important to us as a platform for connecting with sport industry decision makers and speaking with them about the issues critical to their success.

“It gives us a chance to engage with delegates in an open, constructive atmosphere,” said Robert Gruman, who heads PwC’s Global Sports Mega-Events Centre of Excellence.

“This year, we are proud that our colleague Hazem Galal, PwC’s Cities and Local Governments Consulting Global Leader, has been asked to deliver the keynote address on Legacy.

“In connection with that, we also plan to carry out a Sporting Leaders Survey on Legacy in partnership with the SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit organisers.”

The PwC delegation to the Convention includes people from key territories across their global network – from Switzerland to the Middle East, and from the United States to Russia.

“Our Gold Partnership with PwC continues to be of great value to us as an organisation and we are delighted to have PwC deliver the keynote address.” said Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention.

“We are very pleased that the partnership is continuing and that we are able to provide a platform for PwC to meet its business objectives.”

PwC’s Sports Mega-Events Centre of Excellence comprises a network of professionals experienced in bringing value at all phases of the sports mega-events lifecycle.

The SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit is a unique opportunity for key decision-makers in sport to engage with business leaders across 25+ industry sectors.

The 6-day event features a dynamic exhibition, LawAccord, City Forum, the SportAccord Convention Village and Sports Demo Zone, as well as hosting the annual general meetings of governing bodies of world sport.

Sports marketing firm Octapixx Live has announced the creation of Protocol Sports Marketing Ltd., allergy which is a new company that will focus on the marketing of boxing to television broadcasters.

Read more HERE.

Andy Murray’s management team XIX Entertainment has joined forces with Globosport to form XIX Globosport, with the intention of signing more commercial endorsements in India and the Middle East.

Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment has managed Murray since 2007 and tennis agent and former ATP player Ugo Colombini will also join Murray’s team.

In a statement, the firms said the partnership would provide Andy Murray “with the global resource, media expertise and strategic skills of Fuller’s XIX Entertainment, and the credibility, drive and specialist tennis skills of Globosport.”

Murray commented: “Simon’s experience and Mahesh’s understanding of the sport will create the perfect team for my off court interests and will allow me to continue to dedicate myself and focus on my goals on the court”.

Globolsport founder Mahesh Bhupathi won 12 Grand Slam titles in his career and is regarded as one of the of the best doubles players in the world.

Bhupathi has a strong background in sports management and TV and film production in India.

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English Premier League side AFC Bournemouth have declared their intention to build a new stadium.

The Vitality Stadium, current home to the south coast outfit, has the smallest capacity in the Premier League at 11,460.

Bournemouth Chief Executive Neill Blake has made the following statement on behalf of the club’s board of directors, which can be found below:-

 

Much has been written and spoken about AFC Bournemouth since the club were promoted to the Premier League in the summer of 2015.

 One recurring theme has been the Vitality Stadium, its limited capacity and its future.

 Earlier this year, the club submitted an application to redevelop the South Stand, which is due to go before planners later this month for approval.

 It has always been the board of directors’ preferred option to buy the stadium back from Structadene and develop a Premier League-standard stadium on the current site at Kings Park.

 However, following discussions over a number of months with both Structadene and Bournemouth Borough Council’s planning department, it has become apparent that this will not be possible.

 Firstly, we are not going to develop a stadium we do not own and will not be held to ransom over a price to purchase the existing site.

 And secondly, the council’s planning department have made it clear that they would not welcome a significantly bigger stadium in Kings Park, meaning we are severely constricted in what we can achieve on this site with regards to size, capacity and facilities.

 Therefore, we feel we have no other option but to find a new site and are working closely with Bournemouth Borough Council to identify a suitable location.

 The board and shareholders have given great thought to meet not only the needs, but also the expectations, of supporters.

 It is crucial that we have a capacity that meets the ever-growing demand for tickets, that we are able to provide access for disabled supporters that meets new government guidelines, that we can improve and increase our hospitality offering and that we have a stadium that is used throughout the year by the community, and not just on matchdays.

 We are working tirelessly to identify a site and it is our ambition that a new stadium would be built in time for the start of the 2020/21 season.

 The shareholders want to create a legacy of AFC Bournemouth becoming an established Premier League club in a stadium which is befitting of our status, and we believe that building a new stadium on a new site will allow us to deliver that.

Location: Southampton, sick UK

Closing date: 27th November 2016

Southampton Football Club is a Premier League club competing at the highest level of professional football with a culture which promotes respect, unity, accountability, creativity and aspiration – this is The Southampton Way.

We look for people with integrity, compassion and support for those around them; people who take pride in what they do with an honest approach, who embrace a challenge while also being accountable for their decisions; people who have the energy and passion to bring an innovative approach to their role and strive to be different from the rest; people with the aspiration to lead the way and become an example to others.

At Southampton Football Club you’ll be given the platform to work in a vibrant, intelligent and challenging work environment with the potential to develop and become the best at what you do. 

We don’t stand still, we are constantly moving forward.

What is the role?

This is an exciting opportunity to join us in the role of Retail Development Manager, delivering the buying plan for the retail business of Southampton Football Club. You will be responsible for driving the successful sale of products, by developing and delivering a comprehensive marketing plan and online strategy to ensure the Southampton FC retail business remains at the forefront of sports retailing. 

You will manage all product development and ordering to deliver the long term growth strategy of Southampton FC. Supplier and industry relationships will need to be managed efficiently, and you will use your strong negotiation skills to reach agreements to procure products. With responsibility for the Retail Administration Apprentice, you will ensure that invoices and regular sales/stock reports are administered effectively in line with KPIs.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with significant experience of retail buying and marketing who will be able to identify future business development opportunities. Excellent communication skills are essential as you will be liaising with store teams to monitor and maximise product sales performance. E-development will be a key focus in this role, so knowledge and involvement in improving online sales will be crucial.

The competencies which are required include:

Experience Essential
• 3 years’ Buyer experience.

Experience Desirable
• Sports Retail Experience.

Qualifications (incl. certifications) Essential
• Educated to Degree level.

Qualifications (incl. certifications) Desirable
• Procurement/Buying qualification.

Skills Essential
• Excellent commercial and financial acumen.
• Strong, proven negotiation skills within a competitive retail market.
• Strong influencing and communication skills.
• Self-starter.
• Entrepreneurial.
• A creative marketing flare.
• E-development experience.
• Customer focused.

Skills Desirable
• Supervisory Experience

What do you get in return?

If you are successful you can look forward to a healthy benefits package;
• A competitive salary.
• Two Season Tickets.
• 26 days’ holiday per year 
• Life Assurance Cover of 2x salary.
• Contributory Pension Scheme.
• Incentivised Private Medical Insurance Scheme.
• Child Care Vouchers.
• Free onsite parking.
• Discounted Southampton Football Club merchandise.

Please click here for the full job description.

Please be aware that a criminal disclosure and identity check will be carried out for this opportunity.

Please click here to apply, and submit your CV and cover letter plus your current salary.