The National Basketball Association (NBA) has agreed a five-year extension of its partnership with Chinese internet service provider Tencent.

The renewed deal will create the league’s largest international digital partnership, which will take effect from July 1, 2015.

Tencent is the Exclusive Official Digital Partner of the NBA in China and will cover a record number of live NBA games and distribute enhanced original NBA content and highlights, including pre-season and regular season games, NBA All-Star and the NBA Playoffs.

“The NBA represents both a widely-followed sport and an active healthy way of life in China,” said Martin Lau, President of Tencent.

“This multi-year agreement enables us to bring substantially more NBA games and content to consumers than has ever been available in the past, and we look forward to working with the NBA league, teams and players to further enhance the sport’s profile and popularity.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. said: “NBA fans in China are among the most passionate and knowledgeable basketball fans in the world, and we are thrilled to expand our partnership with Tencent.

“Tencent is one of the most innovative, leading brands in China, and their extensive reach will give our fans unparalleled access to the league and its teams.”

NBA China CEO David Shoemaker said: “This groundbreaking partnership will reach hundreds of millions of daily users across Tencent.

“As the popularity of the NBA continues to soar in China, our fans will receive unprecedented NBA content, interactive gaming, customized communities, and merchandise on QQ.com, Weixin, Tencent Video and News apps, and other Tencent platforms throughout the year.”

Tencent and the NBA will also jointly manage and operate the NBA’s digital assets in China.

More info HERE.

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Sabrina Zeender has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Zender has been the interim Secretary General since Ingmar De Vos was named FEI President in December.

Read more HERE.

Jockey Club Racecourses has today announced two senior hires from Premier League football clubs.

Phil Hardman (pictured), from Everton FC, will join in the new role of Regional Head of Partnerships for the North West on 6^th October and Claire Fitzsimmons, from Manchester United FC, will join as Regional Head of Sales for the North West on 20^th October.

Phil Hardman has been based at Goodison Park for more than four years as the club’s Head of Partnerships.

As Regional Head of Partnerships for Jockey Club Racecourses in the North West, he will be responsible for developing and securing new commercial partnerships for Aintree, Carlisle and Haydock park racecourses, while managing existing relationships.

Claire Fitsimmons has been at Manchester United for more than four years where she was responsible for Matchday and Non-Matchday Hospitality sales.

As Regional Head of Sales for Jockey Club Racecourses in the North West, she will be responsible for driving admissions and hospitality sales at Aintree, Carlisle and Haydock Park for more than 60 racing fixtures a year and generating conference and events business across the regional venue portfolio.

John Baker, North West Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “I’m delighted to welcome both Claire and Phil to The Jockey Club.

“Claire has sold the experience of Old Trafford and Murrayfield as iconic venues and ensured the success of important events such as Manchester United’s Player of the Year Awards and the United for UNICEF Gala Dinner, which made her a standout candidate for this hotly-contested role.

“She has a fantastic manner and infectious passion for helping to grow racing as well as increasing our non-racing revenues, and I very much look forward to her joining the team.

“Phil brings really strong and relevant experience from working at two top Premier League clubs and a leading agency. Through the recruitment process he proved himself as a starter-finisher and we’re excited about the creative approach he will bring to his role that will benefit our group but, as we reinvest all profits, also our sport as a whole.”

Phil Hardman said: “I’m delighted to be joining Jockey Club Racecourses and look forward to working with the North West team and the wider group.

“Helping The Jockey Club to grow commercially and playing a part in the future development of British racing is a massive honour and the key reason for me joining.”

Claire Fitzsimmons said: “I’m very pleased to take on the role of North West Regional Head of Sales and excited about working with John Baker and the team to further develop the raceday and non-raceday business for the region.

“I have a huge passion for sport, having spent the last five years at Manchester United and 12 years in the sports industry, I am looking to progress my career in racing with The Jockey Club.”

Formula One Group and owners CVC have been ordered to release ‘hundreds of documents’ that relate to the sale of the sport.

The news comes after German media group Constantin Medien claimed they were owed damages of approximately $171m relating to the sale seven years ago.

A report in the Financial Times says that the firm claim the 47% stake held by BayernLB was undervalued when sold in 2006 to CVC.

The FT report said: “At a disclosure hearing in London last month, Mr Justice Vos told lawyers for FOG and CVC their clients must release a number of documents to Constantin Medien. Lawyers for all parties received transcripts of the proceedings last week and are awaiting the judge’s final written judgment about what has to be disclosed.”

“The stake was sold for $820m when CVC completed the purchase of F1 in April 2006. But CVC’s refinancing of F1 a year later implied a valuation of the stake of $2.8bn,” The FT added.

“In the disclosure hearing before Mr Justice Vos, Peters and Peters, Constantin Medien’s lawyers, argued there was no proper valuation and marketing of the BayernLB stake before the sale.

“The lawyers claimed the undervaluation was the result of the $44m payment made by Mr Ecclestone and Bambino, the Ecclestone family trust, to Gerhard Gribkowsky, the ex-BayernLB banker jailed last year for eight and a half years on corruption charges.”

The court case will take place on October 28 and could last for six weeks.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone will be called as a witness.

Location: Staffordshire, UK

Closing date: 14th November 2016

The FA’s Goal:
Win the World Cups in 2022 and 2023 and sustain success thereafter.

To deliver against this inspiring goal we are changing how we work and investing heavily to create a team of exceptional people capable of creating winning England teams at our world-class training facilities at St George’s Park in Staffordshire.

The Role:
The FA is seeking an accomplished leader who will be integral to the Technical team in managing the Women’s High Performance System. As the Head of Women’s Performance the post holder will drive our ambition to be consistently Top 3 in the World at all age groups and a future winning Senior Women’s team. This role is about leading our ambitious strategy into execution. The successful candidate is therefore likely to be someone who has proven success in managing a performance system and who has the drive and ability to lead their team at the highest level.

Key accountabilities:

• To provide leadership and strategic direction for the Women’s High Performance and Talent System
• To manage the WSL and England player development strategy collaboratively
• To build and maintain effective relationships across all FA departments, external partners and stakeholders
• To provide leadership to the Women’s Performance Department to continually raise the performance of players and coaches
• To ensure there are world class support services for the Women’s Performance programmes including sports science, sports medicine and training facilities working closely with Head of Team Strategy and Performance
• To set, deliver and report to the Technical Director on the Strategic and Operational plans and budgets for the Performance, Coaching and Talent teams
• To ensure effective management of the central contracts for England players
• To ensure integration of all FA policy into the Women’s Performance programme, specifically Safeguarding, Anti-doping, Equality and Health and Safety.
• Liaising with the Women’s Super League (WSL) to ensure the licensing, funding and fixtures best support elite player development and implement a working plan

The Person:

• A background and recent experience (at least 3 years) of leading a team operating elite sport at the highest level
• A comprehensive understanding of coaching, sport science and medicine, international competition and talent pathways
• A broad understanding and commitment to safeguarding young people in a talent environment
• A management, sport science or business studies qualification or similar
• Experience of working with multiple partners, stakeholders and volunteers to achieve success including working with public funding agencies
• Full driving licence and strong IT skills
• Experience in Team Sports
• Relevant coaching qualifications would be an advantage

Candidates will also hold the following qualities and competencies:

• Highly developed leadership and management skills
• Strategic thinker – can establish a vision, provide direction and inspire followership
• Strong planning and organisation skills
• Balanced decision making
• Outstanding communication skills – written, verbal and presentation
• Developing and maintaining strategic relationships and the ability to build trust and confidence with stakeholders
• Resilience, stamina and flexibility
• Motivated and results orientated with the drive to take tough decisions and continuously raise the bar and achieve targets
• A team player with an open and consultative style and optimistic approach
• Good self-awareness, emotional intelligence and “political instincts”

What we can offer

• An exciting and challenging role within a changing, dynamic and world-renowned sports organisation.
• Attractive benefits and a competitive salary for the right candidate

To apply:

If you believe you have what it takes to make a difference to England teams, please get in touch and apply using the link shown on FA careers.com

The closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 14th November 2016.

Click here to apply

India’s only digital broadcast network (OTT) dedicated to sports, allergist has announced a partnership with Manchester City Football Club.

The partnership, doctor which is the first of its kind for a Premier League club, will enable football fans in India to enjoy access to an all-new, never before seen content experience.

Fans will now be able to experience the full suite of Manchester City Football Club content on the VEQTA platform, including exclusive training sessions, CityTV’s renowned ‘Inside City’ series, episodes of the ever popular ‘Global City Fans’ and behind the scenes interviews and activities with the players and manager.

The unique alliance will help the Club engage with millions of Manchester City and sports fans in one of the world’s fastest growing football markets, whilst allowing VEQTA to offer a truly global content experience and become the preferred destination for football fans in India.

Speaking on the partnership, Vikram Tanwar, Co-founder & Director of VEQTA, said,

“Football is the second largest and the fastest growing sport in India. We are very excited about partnering with an institution with the kind of history, legacy and success that Manchester City has. Through this partnership, football fans in India will have a truly global sports experience for the very first time. VEQTA is proud to be enabling this experience through its flagship platforms and is another step towards our commitment of offering the best sports content from across the globe.”

Omar Berrada, Chief Operating Officer for Manchester City said,

“Manchester City’s fan base in India is growing rapidly and it is important for us to connect with all of our supporters across the globe. By partnering with VEQTA, who share our passion for sport and our commitment to digital innovation, we have a unique opportunity to engage fans in the region and to provide them with meaningful content that can bring them closer to the club than ever before.

England’s U21 victory over France in the final of the prestigious Toulon Tournament was their first success in the competition for 22 years.

The unique invitational tournament is organised by the Toulon-based Revello family in partnership with London-based Sports Marketing Agency Pitch International.

Pitch International are also responsible for the international broadcast rights, health and this year the Toulon Tournament was shown live in 123 countries across many channels, rx including ESPN.

BT Sport broadcast Gareth Southgate’s young team’s success in the UK, with the final attracting the channel’s largest audience on Sunday and when it was repeated on the UK’s Bank Holiday Monday.

England Head Coach Gareth Southgate was full of praise for the Toulon Tournament, commenting: “It’s very different to a European Championship and it’s the only opportunity that we get to play teams from the rest of the world in this age group.

“It’s been a great experience for the players and staff, and this win should give them confidence, both collectively and individually.”

Pitch International Chairman Trevor East said: “We are delighted at playing our part in re-establishing the profile of the tournament and England’s victory has certainly helped put the Toulon Tournament firmly back on the international map.

“We are also very pleased for Gareth Southgate, who has been a great supporter of Toulon and been brilliant to work with as England U21 Head Coach.”

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