Team England Appoints Mark England OBE As Chef De Mission For Birmingham 2022

Team England has appointed Mark England OBE as Chef de Mission to lead the team to the next Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.

Mark is Team GB’s Chef de Mission for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and brings a wealth of experience to the role, having led the British team through the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where they finished second to Team USA in the medal table, collecting gold medals across a greater range of sports than any other nation.

Mark was appointed Chef de Mission of Team GB in 2014 and his first major event leading the team was the inaugural European Games in Baku in 2015. He was previously Deputy Chef de Mission at six Olympic Games, including London 2012, and Chef de Mission at several Olympic Youth Festivals.

In 2016, Mark was awarded an OBE for his services to Olympic sport following the success he and the team enjoyed in Rio, where Team GB’s 366 athletes made history by becoming the first ever to win more medals at the Games immediately after playing host.

Team England will be the host team for the Games in 2022, which take place on the 10th anniversary of London 2012, a Games in which Mark was heavily involved. Using his experience, Mark will be responsible for ensuring everything runs smoothly for Team England athletes before and during the Birmingham 2022 Games, creating the best environment to perform on home soil in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

At the last Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018, Team England sent 390 athletes to Australia in what was England’s largest ever team to represent the nation in an overseas sporting event. The team competed in 18 sports, including 38 para medal events and placed second on the medal table behind the hosts, Australia, with a total of 136 medals, including 45 golds.

Birmingham 2022 will be the first opportunity for Team England athletes to compete at a Commonwealth Games in front of a home crowd since Manchester 2002.

Mark England OBE said: “It is always special to lead a nation into competition, but to be able to do so at a home Games is an absolute privilege. My thanks to both the British Olympic Association and Commonwealth Games England for the opportunity.

“The athletes and team will get a wonderful reception in Birmingham and across the Midlands, and I hope we can make England proud through their performances in 2022. In the meantime there is a lot of hard work to do and I’m looking forward to working with the team to deliver the optimal performance support to the athletes.”

Commonwealth Games England CEO, Paul Blanchard, believes Mark has the experience to help deliver further success for Team England. He said: “We’re so pleased to announce the appointment of Mark England as Chef de Mission for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Mark has a wealth of experience in multi-sport planning and delivery and his record is exemplary. He will bring an exceptional level of insight, understanding and quality to Team England and we believe that we have made the strongest possible appointment for the role.

“I’m excited and very much look forward to working with him. I’d like to thank the British Olympic Association for their full support in this appointment, which shows the positive, collaborative and joined up approach to the high performance sport system in this country.”

Accountable to CEO, Paul Blanchard, Mark will work alongside the existing Commonwealth Games England team and additional Games delivery staff to provide leadership and direction to Team England before, during and after the 2022 Games. The Chef de Mission has overall accountability for all team members during the Games.

Arsenal Names Science In Sport As Official Supplier

Arsenal FC has named Science in Sport (SiS) as our Official Sports Nutrition Supplier.

SiS will supply the club with sports nutrition products throughout the season, whilst also providing analysis on which products can help improve performance.

“We are delighted to be working with a club with the history and stature of Arsenal,” commented SiS’ Head of Football, Simon Freedman.

“SiS have built up over 25 years’ expertise in professional football. We will be using our sports nutrition knowledge and world-class product range to fuel and hydrate Arsenal’s first team during the 2019/20 season.”

NHL Cheers Up With A Boston Beer Partnership

The Boston Beer Company and the National Hockey League (NHL) have announced a new multiyear U.S. partnership, naming Truly Hard Seltzer the official hard seltzer of the NHL.

Launching at the start of the 2019-20 NHL regular season, the new five-year agreement marks the first national sports league partnership for The Boston Beer Company and Truly Hard Seltzer.

Throughout the NHL regular season, Stanley Cup Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final, Truly Hard Seltzer will receive exposure to NHL fans in numerous ways, including the opportunity to try new flavors as they are released.

“As the official hard seltzer of the NHL, we’re offering the best-tasting hard seltzer to the greatest sports fans out there,” said Dave Burwick, CEO of The Boston Beer Company, maker of Truly Hard Seltzer. “As a category leader, we’re seeing record demand for Truly year-round, not just during the summer months. Many NHL fans are already Truly drinkers and that’s why this partnership is a natural fit heading into fall. NHL fans can cheer on their favorite team with a refreshing Truly in hand at a game or watching from home or a bar with friends.”

“As the beer category continues to evolve, we’re thrilled to become the first national sports league partner of The Boston Beer Company,” said Keith Wachtel, NHL Chief Business Officer and Executive Vice President. “With a thriving business across multiple categories, they are an ideal partner to engage with our avid fan base. We’re excited to develop fun and unique activations across their portfolio of brands.”

Nigeria Football Federation And AS Roma Sign A Collaborative Partnership

The Nigeria Football Federation has agreed a multi-year partnership with top Italian football club, AS Roma.

The partnership will see the NFF and Roma collaborate together on and off the pitch, with one long term objective being for the club to help further grow and improve all levels of football in Nigeria.

Under the terms of the understanding , the two parties will share football, business and media expertise, with Roma offering the NFF technical and operational support and advice in the areas of youth coaching, player development, football administration and digital media best practices.

In return, the NFF will also collaborate with the AS Roma in their projects and development Initiatives in Nigeria.

In the coming months, senior NFF officials will travel to the Italian capital to observe Roma’s award-winning youth academy. As technical advisors in player development, Roma will work with the NFF to help introduce best practices for developing elite talent in order to improve the quality of players available to our domestic clubs and indeed national squad at all age groups.

Roma will also host knowledge-sharing sessions on football business and administration in Rome and set up digital and social media workshops in Nigeria for local clubs and officials.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick said: “We have put in a lot of work to move our federation into a globally recognized space in-spite of the avoidable distractions and the fact that Roma chose to partner with Nigeria over any other federation in Africa is an indicator of how much respect our brand and this country has in the world of international football. Roma is one of the most respected football clubs in the world, with a very good reputation for consistently developing talented young players.

“We feel that this partnership can be incredibly beneficial for the Nigerian national team at all age levels and Nigerian football as a whole. Roma have shown an incredible support for the Super Eagles and have fully embraced Nigerian football fans, even launching a Pidgin Twitter account, and we look forward to unveiling the exciting projects and initiatives this partnership will unlock.”

Manolo Zubiria, Chief Global Sport Officer at AS Roma, added: “This promises to be an exciting and ground-breaking partnership for both parties. This club is known throughout football for having one of the most accomplished youth development programmes in the world and in recent years, Roma has developed more players who’ve gone on to play professionally than any other club in Italy. Nigeria is a real football nation and we’re looking forward to sharing best practices in elite talent development and football business and administration with the Nigerian Football Federation. We’re also open to working with the NFF and their partners to assess the feasibility of one day opening an official AS Roma academy in Nigeria.”

The two parties have also agreed to explore the possibility of AS Roma playing an exhibition match in Nigeria – something that club president Jim Pallotta has championed for some time.

LA Clippers Signs Multi-Year Partnership With Tech Company Honey

The L.A. Clippers and L.A-based technology company Honey have entered into a multi-year partnership that launches with the renaming of the newly-renovated “Honey Training Center: Home of the L.A. Clippers.”

The Clippers recently completed full-scale renovations of the team’s state-of-the-art training center, and this concrete example of the Clippers’ commitment to success, both now and for the long-term, provided the ideal platform for Honey to launch its partnership with the Clippers and underscore its commitment to Los Angeles. Honey’s investment in the Clippers begins this season with the newly-renamed Honey Training Center: Home of the L.A. Clippers and displaying Honey’s logo on Clippers practice jerseys.

“L.A. is home for Honey. The company was founded here and we’re currently building out our new headquarters in the Arts District,” said Honey co-founder and CEO George Ruan. “We’re deeply invested in the success of this city and are proud to be partnering with the L.A. Clippers, because of their commitment to making a positive impact on L.A.”

Added Honey President Joanne Bradford, “We wanted to partner with a team that aligned with how we think about building a brand and a company. We’re two like-minded organizations that share the same belief that if you stay hungry and work hard, you can win.”

“We are proud to reveal the Honey Training Center, our renovated facility that represents the hard work and determination that drives our players every day. Just like Honey, the Clippers are committed to making L.A. a better place by putting our fans first and working hard for each and every one of them,” said Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker. “We’re partnering with Honey because their ambitious vision and humble approach match our own and we’re looking forward to growing and succeeding together in Los Angeles.”

Renovations to the Honey Training Center: Home of the L.A. Clippers, already considered among the best practice facilities in the NBA, include: a completely renovated player locker room, increasing the size of the weight and performance room by 25 percent, and new state-of-the-art equipment for everything from the weight room to the media center, which provides the team and coaching staff with every possible amenity to help them plan and prepare for wins on the court.

 

Formula E To Hit The Streets Of Jakarta For The First Time In 2020

The ABB FIA Formula E Championship will race in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta for the first time ever on June 6, 2020.

Alongside Seoul and London, Jakarta joins the ABB FIA Formula E calendar as a brand new race city in the 2019/20 season of the all-electric street racing series.

On June 6, a full grid of 24 cars and the most competitive line-up in motorsport, including new manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, will navigate their way around the National Monument in Merdeka Square in the centre of the city – subject to circuit homologation and approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

“The calendar for this coming season of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship was already shaping up to be something special, but to add another race in Asia and Indonesia in particular is incredibly exciting,” said Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief Championship Officer of Formula E.

“Indonesia already has an affinity with motorsport – hosting races and events in the past and developing drivers who’ve progressed up the ladder – as well as having an extremely engaged and growing fan base.

“On top of that, it’s also an emerging market for electric vehicles, with increased investment already being made to push production and clean up the air around the cities. Formula E wants to play a part in that positive change and with the most competitive grid of manufacturers in motorsport, I can’t wait to go green in Jakarta on June 6 next year.

“Thank you to both Ikatan Motor Indonesia and the city of Jakarta for making it happen and collectively supporting the wider electric movement.”

“We are delighted that ABB FIA Formula E is finally coming to Jakarta. With the recently signed regulation on Electric Vehicles by Indonesia’s President, Joko Widodo, the ABB Formula E event in Jakarta will certainly raise public awareness about electric vehicles which can reduce emissions and make a positive impact on the environment, said Chunyuan Gu, ABB’s AMEA Regional President.

“As an expert in electrification and the world leader of EV charging solutions, ABB is proud to present the Jakarta E-Prix as an example of what’s achievable when it comes to e-mobility. So today we start the countdown to next year’s Jakarta E-Prix.”

European Tour Refreshes Brand Identity To Attract New Fans

The European Tour has launched a creative new brand strategy, with the aim of broadening the Tour’s appeal to new and existing fans and commercial partners.

Golf’s global tour has unveiled its new identity, which includes a modern, fresh logo alongside a new website and App, all underpinned by the Tour’s guiding principles of Innovation, Inclusivity and Globality.

The brand refresh focuses on ‘Driving Golf Further’, the strapline which features underneath the new logo, as the Tour seeks to build on its strong, established reputation for award-winning content, innovative tournament formats and immersive technology.

The European Tour’s new identity was unveiled at the Tour’s recently refurbished, state-of-the-art headquarters during the BMW PGA Championship, the fourth event in the Tour’s Rolex Series – an alliance of its eight premium events. It will be rolled out on October 1, coinciding with the launch of the Tour’s revamped website and App.

Designed to stand out from the rest of the busy golfing category whilst retaining its golf context, the bold, simple aesthetic is modern and flexible, suitable to be used across all platforms. It comprises a suite of assets, with a new logo, avatar and a range of graphic devices.

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “It is an exciting time for us to unveil our new brand strategy. While we continue to celebrate our traditions and our core audience, the Tour has a strong desire to innovate and broaden the appeal of our sport”

Max Hamilton, Head of Commercial Partnerships said, “Golf remains the sport of business, with 90% of CEOs playing our sport, however we believe golf has to modernise and appeal to everyone to thrive. We hope our bold new creative and brand strategy will attract new partners who align with our new brand ideals.”

 

PGA TOUR To Create Chat Platforms With GameOn Technology

The PGA TOUR and GameOn Technology have announced a new multi-year content and marketing relationship.

Available for Facebook Messenger users at the start of the 2019-20 PGA TOUR Season, the TOUR chat platform and newly launched TOUR Chatbot allow fans to ask questions and get information about tournaments with instant access to leaderboards, video highlights, FedExCup standings, statistics, season schedules, news and tournament pages.

“We are excited about GameOn’s ability to help us deliver interactive content in a convenient and timely manner to PGA TOUR fans around the world,” said Scott Gutterman, Vice President Digital Operations at the PGA TOUR. “The PGA TOUR has vast amounts of content and a diverse global audience looking to access that content around the clock, and this relationship with GameOn will help us provide that access.”

In developing the official TOUR Chatbot, GameOn will allow fans to tailor an experience around their favorite players, opting to receive player specific news, tee times, real-time highlights, pre- and post-tournament video, scoring data and editorial recaps.

“For a league that’s always on, the TOUR Chatbot enables fans to stay intimately connected year-round no matter where they are,” said Kalin Stanojev, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer with GameOn Technology. “Our collaboration with the PGA TOUR represents a huge step towards addressing the evolving content delivery model of sports leagues and the changing habits of their fans, giving the PGA TOUR a new and unique way to authentically and creatively connect with fans across the world.”

To engage with the TOUR Chatbot, fans can simply message the PGA TOUR Facebook page or search for PGA TOUR within the Messenger platform.

 

Eleven Sports And Onefootball Partner To Show European Football

Eleven Sports and Onefootball have partnered to bring live streaming of top European football fixtures to football fans in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The partnership will begin this weekend with the Derby della Madonnina – AC Milan v Inter Milan being made available on the Onefootball app as well as the Eleven Sports platform.

Onefootball, a leading football media platform, provides the new generation of fans with breaking news, live scores, stats, features and videos in multiple languages on its own app. Eleven Sports Belgium holds the rights to broadcast LaLiga, Serie A and the Bundesliga, and in this new partnership it gives Belgian football fans another unique way to access its premium football offering.

Eleven Sports and Onefootball have joined forces for the pay-per-view live streaming of 20 football matches throughout the season. Fans can watch a match of their choice for only €4.99 per game, both in Dutch and in French, directly in the Onefootball app.

Lucas von Cranach, CEO of Onefootball said: “Offering live football matches on the Onefootball app is a next step in the evolution of our platform. Eleven Sports and Onefootball share the same vision about a dynamic and innovative fan experience of live football and how to engage with modern fans. We are therefore delighted with this partnership.”

Guillaume Collard, Managing Director of Eleven Sports in Belgium and Luxembourg, added: “This partnership responds strongly to the demand of the viewer. Fans are increasingly looking for flexible ways to watch live sports. This collaboration with Onefootball meets that need and also allows us to reach an even wider fan base with our live matches.”

The opening match of the Onefootball partnership will take place on Saturday 21 September, viewers in Belgium will be able to watch AC Milan v Inter Milan on the app.

Facebook Partners FC Barcelona To Develop ‘Fan Subscription’ Service

FC Barcelona and Facebook joined forces to develop innovative product that offers users access to exclusive contents and experiences

FC Barcelona is Facebook’s chosen sports club for the development and use of its new Fan Subscription service, a digital fan club whereby subscribers can access a wide range of exclusive contents. The Silicon Valley based technology firm has joined forces with Barça to define the new product that will take the club closer to its fans all around the world and offer them a series of unique experiences.

Facebook chose FC Barcelona as its initial ally in offering this service, which is now operational, because of its innovative digital strategy and huge worldwide fan base of more than 340 million supporters.

The Fan Subscription service works by monthly subscription and offers unique interactive contexts and experiences, including the chance to join a Facebook group made up of fans only, where users can view special contents published by FC Barcelona and interact with each other. They will also be able to associate their accounts with the Barça logo, which will appear alongside their Facebook posts.

Via this service, users will also be able to access such experiences as Watch Parties and Facebook Live sessions presented by key FC Barcelona hosts and personalities, and will have the right to discounts on special merchandising and on-demand video products.

Barça fans will be able to subscribe to this innovative service via the FC Barcelona Facebook page and can enjoy the different exclusive contents in a variety of forms. They will also be able to choose either to access the exclusive fan content via their walls, where it will be published in the same place as their news feed and the other typical Facebook contents, or otherwise via the Facebook group for Barça fans.

The Barça Facebook page will also feature a For Supporters tab, where users will find all of this content in the same place, and will receive notifications whenever the club publishes any new exclusive content.