Shorts: Crystal Palace, SWF, Scottish Rugby
Crystal Palace and Give-Vision have launched a new vision enhancement technology for fans with vision impairment
The GiveVision headset, powered by a private 5G network installed by Shared Access, is set to stream live match footage in real time.
The new system will debut at Palace’s upcoming Premier League game against Manchester United on 21st September, at Selhurst Park.
This private 5G network ensures a lag-free experience, providing a seamless, real-time feed, and covers the entire stadium, allowing visually impaired fans to sit in any seat.
The initiative is intended to make football more accessible for fans with sight loss across the UK.
One in 30 people in the UK are affected by some degree of site loss, and according to UNADEV, 73% of sports fan with visual impairments don’t attend matches due to the lack of accessibility.
Sharon Lacey, Chief Operating Officer at Crystal Palace, said, “We are delighted to have adopted the GiveVision technology, an innovative way we hope to advance our matchday offering which builds on our ongoing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work throughout the club and across our workforce, partner and worldwide.”
Joanna Liddington, Head of Operations at GiveVision, added,“At GiveVision, we are incredibly proud to partner with Shared Access and Crystal Palace FC, the first football club in the world to permanently implement our innovative headsets for fans with low vision.
“ Our goal is to make sure football is an equal playing field for all, creating a more inclusive and immersive experience for every supporter.”
Renewable energy firm ScottishPower has signed a new deal that includes sponsorship of all Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) cup competitions.
The four competitions are open to more than 75 senior female teams from across Scotland, which play in the Scottish-Power Scottish Women’s Premier league.
The sponsorship agreement was secured at Riverside Park in Dundee, where the first ever Scottish Women’s Cup Final was played in 1970, and cements ScottishPower’s prominent role within the women’s game in Scotland.
ScottishPower is already the Principal Partner for Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) and the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL), sponsor of the Scottish Youth Challenge Cups and the first title sponsor of the Scottish Women’s Highlands and Islands League.
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower said,“With over 75 clubs and hundreds of women competing for all four of these prestigious trophies, we’re thrilled to be playing our part in supporting SWF as they ensure that grassroots football for women in Scotland continues to thrive.”
Aileen Campbell, Scottish Women’s Football CEO added, “It’s absolutely wonderful to have our Principal Partner ScottishPower expand into our senior cup competitions. This is the first time in our history that all senior cups have had a title sponsor which underlines the growth in the women’s game.”
World Rugby Vice-Chairman John Jeffrey has exited the race to become Chairman of rugby union’s global governing body.
Jeffrey had been tipped as a leading candidate to succeed Sir Bill Beaumont in November.
The former Scotland flanker said Scottish Rugby’s decision not to support him came as a blow, leaving him”very, very upset” and shocked.
He has criticised the situation, stating that being defeated by his own country was particularly painful and didn’t reflect well on them adding, “Betrayed is not too strong a word. I’m out, I’m back to farming again.”
Following Scottish Rugby’s decision, Jeffrey has stepped down from his roles as president of the Six Nations, and from his positions on the executive board, council, and as vice-chairman of World Rugby.
With his withdrawal, the competition for the role now features former France back row Abdelatif Benazzi, ex-Australia flanker Brett Robinson, and former Italy lock Professor Andrea Rinaldo.
Feldspar Limited, the UK-based technology company, has strengthened its board of directors with three new senior appointments.
Tim Godfrey and Mathew Cole will serve as Board Advisors, while Julia Elliott Brown will become Chair, effective immediately.
The new arrivals will offer expertise across sports business, entertainment, and high-growth strategies.
These moves align with Feldspar’s goal to pioneer the world’s first sensor-enabled high-performance running track and to create immersive experiences for global athletics fans.
“As we advance the development of our modular digital high-performance running track and explore strategic opportunities to radically transform the fan experience at live sports events,” said Alvina Chen, Founder and CEO at Feldspar.
“With these appointments, we are well-positioned to accelerate our cutting-edge technology to the world of athletics, and create new, visually captivating experiences for live sports fans who value high-energy competitions and races full of adrenalin.”
ASICS has become the Presenting Partner for the RunThough Foundation.
The London Ten event, which will place on December 15th and will presented by ASICS, will celebrate diversity in running and aims to inspire individuals from all backgrounds to experience the transformative power of movement.
The event, which is free to enter, seeks to improve diversity in running by offering places through a ballot process that prioritises individuals from lower-income areas and first-time runners.
As part of the partnership, ASICS will be featured prominently in event communications and will host various activations on race day.
Participants will additionally be able to engage with ASICS experts, receive free gait analyses, trial the latest ASICS products, and win branded merchandise, ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees.
Matt Wood, Co-Founder of RunThrough said, “We are excited, alongside ASICS, to focus this event on enhancing diversity in the sport and celebrating the power of movement.”
Lucy Greenhalgh, Marketing Manager at ASICS UK added, “At ASICS, we believe in the unifying and uplifting power of sports. Whether one is an elite athlete or new to running, the essential message is to move.”
CopyBet has unveiled its first venture into horse racing sponsorship by becoming the race weekend Title Sponsor for the November Racing Weekend at Ascot Racecourse on the 22nd and 23rd November.
CopyBet will sponsor three races per day, through the new deal.
The social betting platform’s sports partnership portfolio includes Irish Jockey Jonathon Burke and Queens Park Rangers.
Anton Ivanov, Business Development Manager at CopyBet UK said, “The CopyBet 1965 Chase has been won by plenty of legendary names, and National Hunt fans have witnessed many dramatic finishes at Ascot over the years, so it’s fantastic to put the CopyBet name to such an important weekend in the racing calendar.”
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