Industry Shorts: Birmingham 2022, Halfspace, Courtney Lawes

Organisers of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have appointed three new Sport Competition Managers who will deliver the 19 able-bodied and eight para sports which will make up the biggest sports programme in Commonwealth Games history.

Dom Elsom, Angus McKenzie and Martin Bridgwood have all joined Birmingham 2022, and will be responsible for the planning and delivery of the competition for each of their designated sports (gymnastics, athletics and cycling respectively), ensuring that it is organised in accordance with the international federation’s rules and regulations. 

The roles will also see the three new starters being tasked with ensuring that athletes, team officials, and technical officials are provided with all the facilities and services they require at the Games’ training venues, as well as the official competition venues for each sport.

Halfspace Group have announced US side Orange County Soccer Club as a new client.

The UK-based agency will work across data, audience, and commercial services for the team, which recently expanded their international reach by partnering with Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers as well as appointing former British diplomat Daniel Rutstein as VP, International Projects.

Halfspace Group will be providing the team with an enhanced data analytics package to create a wealth of information and analysis on commercially important audiences to support its commercial, marketing, and editorial teams.

Antiviral cleaning company Hycolin has announced England and Northampton Saints player Courtney Lawes as a brand ambassador.

The England international made his return to the national team in the opening round of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations, where his side lost to Scotland at Twickenham.

Hycolin says the player’s tenacity and responsibility make him a natural fit to represent the brand.

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 has unveiled New Zealand legend Honey Hireme-Smiler as an International Ambassador.  

Having retired in 2020, Hireme-Smiler has remained in the game, coaching women and girls’ teams, providing commentary for Sky Sport NZ, and becoming an advisor for inclusion in sport for people with disabilities.

She joins dual-code legend Jason Robinson as an International Ambassador, and also the likes of Adam Hills, James Simpson, Jodie Cunningham, Kevin Sinfield, and Robbie Hunter-Paul on the roster of ambassadors for the event.