Shorts: Bolton Wanderers, ATP Tour, Paddle UK

Bolton Wanderers FC has signed a two-year extension of its sleeve sponsorship agreement with Whites Beaconsfield.

As per the renewal, the teeth whitening company’s logo will be visible on the sleeves of the men’s kits, as well as the club’s newly integrated women’s team.

Whites Beaconsfield first partnered with the League One club in February this year, with the company’s branding featuring on the men’s shirts for the final 17 games of the 2023/24 season.

The UK-based company will receive pitch side LED screen promotion at Bolton’s Toughsheet Community Stadium home for the next two seasons.

Carl Sanderson, Head of Commercial at Bolton Wanderers, said, “We know they are a young and ambitious brand who are keen to engage with our supporter base, emphasised by a number of exciting initiatives that will be rolled out across the next couple of years. 

“Their support continues to expand with us, demonstrated by their sponsorship of our newly integrated Women’s team. We are hugely appreciative of their backing in what is set to be a groundbreaking season for Bolton Wanderers Women.”

Global men’s tennis circuit the ATP Tour has appointed Chris Dix as its Chief Technology Officer.

Dix will report directly to the tour’s CEO Massimo Calvelli, and will be based at the organisation’s London office.

In the newly created position, the new CTO will preside over the ATP Tour’s digital product offering, as well as internal systems and fan data.

Dix has been handed the brief of driving innovation and helping optimise the tour’s products and services.

Paddle UK has inked a one-year supplier agreement with UK-based mouthguard specialist brand Opro ahead of this summer’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The company will provide all kayak cross athletes with custom-fit mouthguards, with the head-to-head format set to make its debut at this year’s Olympics.

Through the new partnership, Paddle UK members will also receive a 20% discount on Opro orders.

The deal marks Opro’s first partnership in water sports, as the company expands its partnership portfolio that includes England Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Great Britain Hockey, and UFC.

Daniel Lovat, Commercial Director at Opro, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Paddle UK as their official mouthguard provider for the Kayak Cross World Class Programme, supporting their athletes with the most breathable and protective mouthguards.

“As our first water sports partner, we are incredibly excited to see kayak cross debut on the Olympic stage and the impact this will have for the sport going forward.” 

Edinburgh council has approved plans for a new 8,500-capacity arena on the outskirts of the city.

Known during the planning stage as the ‘Carlton Arena’, AEG hopes to start work on the £80m project in 2025 with the first acts potentially taking place as soon as 2027.

AEG Europe executive vice president, Alistair Wood, said, “Having worked closely with City of Edinburgh Council, we strongly believe the arena will deliver huge benefits to the city throughout every stage of the building’s life cycle from development to completion, for years to come when we’re bringing the world’s best artists to the Scottish stage.”

Council Leader, Cammy Day, added, “We’ve been concentrating on developing our cultural offering and transport links in recent years to better connect the city, and the moment is right now to build on that.

“We’ve been crying out for a mid-size indoor arena but we have to make sure the infrastructure is in place for that and it has to be the right site. 

This arena at Edinburgh Park offers the answer and the planning application received unanimous support from Councillors.”

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