Shorts: Yellow Panther, BUCS, Playtomic

The International Skating Union (ISU) has launched a new dual-module mobile app, developed in partnership with digital agency Yellow Panther.

Building on the collaboration that previously delivered the ISU’s official website, the new application features two distinct modules designed for fans and athletes. The fan-focused section includes personalised content, a match centre, and athlete profiles, while the secure, athlete-only module provides content distribution tools and a media hub.

The launch is part of the ISU’s wider digital strategy in the build-up to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Future updates are planned to include gamification and loyalty programmes for fans, alongside content upload functionality for skaters.

Stuart Cope, Founder at Yellow Panther, said, “ISU is a world leader in international sport, and we’re honoured to continue supporting their digital journey. By extending our work from web to mobile, we’re delivering a single app that serves both fans and athletes to enhance engagement while equipping skaters with the tools they need.”

British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) has added flag football to its competition programme, starting from the 2025-26 season.

The new discipline will launch as the BUCS Regional Flag Football Series, a project co-designed with the British American Football Association (BAFA) and NFL UK. The introduction comes as the non-contact format of American football prepares for its debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

During its initial probationary season, the series will feature five standalone regional competitions for Open and Women’s teams, with no BUCS Points awarded. Following a data-led review, a successful series will be fully integrated into the BUCS programme for the 2026-27 season. This will see the regional events act as qualifiers for a National Finals, with BUCS Points awarded from that season onward.

Neal Kington, Head of Competitions, BUCS, said, “We’re thrilled to welcome flag football into the BUCS programme. We’re excited to be working with BAFA and NFL UK to deliver this new discipline, which provides students further diversified options to engage in the BUCS programmes. Thanks to our refreshed competitions framework, BUCS is now more dynamic and agile in responding to the changing student demand.”

Racket-sports app and booking platform Playtomic has launched its first community investment campaign on Crowdcube, inviting its players to become co-owners.

The initiative invites the platform’s 4.7 million global players to become co-owners in the business. This is the first time the company has opened ownership to its community rather than traditional investors, offering users the chance to share in its growth. The investment will support enhancements to its technology, international expansion, and its entry into new sports such as pickleball.

The move follows a successful $70m fundraise earlier this year for the sports-tech scale-up. Playtomic connects more than 18,000 clubs across 66 countries and sits at the centre of the global boom in padel, the world’s fastest-growing participation sport, which is adding an average of 50 new clubs every week. As of September 2025, the platform has processed over €346m in transactions, generating a net revenue of more than €29m.

Félix Ruiz, co-founder and CEO of Playtomic, said, “This campaign is about more than investment in a company, it is about expanding our reach, enhancing our technology, and building a truly global racket sports community together. Our users are not just players or clients, they are the heart of Playtomic, and now they have the opportunity to become co-owners and grow with us.”

Gallagher Premiership club Bath Rugby have announced a partnership with recovery technology specialists MBST UK.

The deal will see MBST’s cell regeneration devices installed on-site at the club’s Farleigh House training ground, making Bath Rugby the first professional rugby team to introduce the technology as part of its players’ ongoing performance and recovery programme.

The club’s sports medicine team will integrate the non-invasive technology into player recovery plans to help accelerate rehabilitation timelines, manage joint and soft tissue injuries, and maintain long-term musculoskeletal health. The treatment works at a cellular level to support the body’s natural repair processes.

Rory Murray, Head of Medical Services, Bath Rugby, said, “Having MBST devices on site to enhance our injury rehab and management is hugely exciting. Injury is a big part of our sport, and how you handle each player’s recovery can really determine success.

“Training can only get us so far, now with MBST, we can integrate this modality into the healing and waiting time, allowing our players to get more from their integrated recovery plans. MBST gives us something different to support the recovery process, and we can’t wait to put it to the test.”

Fintech brand ClearScore has appointed The Space Between as its sports marketing activation agency for its new multi-year FA Cup partnership.

Following a competitive pitch process, the agency will lead on the activation of ClearScore’s new partnership with both The Emirates FA Cup and The Adobe Women’s FA Cup. The remit covers partnership management, strategy, creative development, content production, and media amplification.

The partnership aims to align ClearScore’s mission of improving financial wellbeing with the FA Cup competitions’ focus on community, accessibility, and levelling the playing field.

The Space Between was named ‘Young Agency of the Year’ at the 2022 Sport Industry Awards.

Marina Wong, Head of Global Marketing, ClearScore, said, “As a disruptive brand with a strong consumer focus and data-driven model, The Space Between is a natural agency partner. They impressed with their strong strategic and creative thinking, whilst also understanding how to ensure that our activation gets the reach it deserves via their digital amplification service Cascade.”

Lisa Parfitt, Co-Founder, The Space Between, said, “FA Cup competitions are dream makers – where small clubs get their big moment and ambitions can become reality – which is the perfect platform for ClearScore and their mission to help everyone, no matter what their circumstances, achieve greater financial wellbeing. We’re delighted to add a new purpose-led challenger brand to our roster of exciting brands disrupting the status quo.”

Forest Green Rovers have extended their long-standing partnership with meat-free food brand Quorn for another year.

The collaboration between the EFL club and the UK meat-free brand first began in 2015. The renewed agreement will see the two organisations continue to develop planet-focused menu options to enhance the match day experience for fans at The New Lawn stadium.

As part of the deal, Quorn will also continue its sponsorship of the club’s Star of the Month award, where a player is selected as a winner each month by the club’s fans on Twitter.

Lucy Grogut, Marketing Director at Quorn, said, “Working with like-minded partners is important to us to ensure we’re driving our sustainability mission forward in everything we do. We want to make sure that delicious and sustainable food options are available whenever and wherever people are eating. Our partnership with Forest Green Rovers continues to help us effect change that will have a lasting positive impact on the planet.”

Forest Green Rovers CEO Dane Vince added, “Quorn have been a valued Partner of FGR for 10 years, helping us to have innovative food options here at the New Lawn, and creating some great food initiatives to showcase how great plant-based food can be, like the fan favourite Q-Pie. Dynamic and forward-looking organisations like Quorn are an important part of FGR’s sustainability drive and our journey to our new multi-use site at EcoPark.”

Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen have appointed Lutz Pfannenstiel as their new sporting director.

The 52-year-old German will begin his role on 10th November, joining from Major League Soccer (MLS) club St Louis City where he also served as sporting director. Pfannenstiel will be responsible for all football and performance areas at the Scottish club.

His previous experience includes nine years at 1899 Hoffenheim as head of international relations and scouting, and two seasons as sporting director for Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Dave Cormack, Chairman, Aberdeen, said, “In particular, his technical knowledge, academy development experience and global recruitment network were key factors in the board selecting him for this critical role.”

Lutz Pfannenstiel said, “Having spent time getting to know the club over the past two years, I’m inheriting a very strong infrastructure and team of staff.”

Castleford Tigers have increased their partnership with official travel partner TJ’s Travel for the 2026 season.

The travel company has provided travel for all of the club’s squads for the past few seasons. The new agreement for the 2026 season, which marks the club’s centenary, will see TJ’s Travel sponsor new overseas recruit Semi Valemei. The partnership also includes perimeter advertising and matchday sponsorships.

Craig Jeffels, Commercial Director, Castleford Tigers, said, “Firstly, I would like to thank Jamie and the team at TJ’s for providing us with a faultless service this season. Regarding our partnership, it’s great to see them backing Castleford Tigers in our special year and committing to significantly increase their sponsorship of the club. We are building a great relationship with everyone at TJ’s Travel, and we look forward to celebrating our Centenary with them in 2026!”