Shorts: Kitlocker, Parkrun, Scottish Professional Football League

Kitlocker has secured a £2m funding package from HSBC UK to support its expansion into the professional sports market.

The Sheffield-based sports apparel supplier, founded in 2005, designs and supplies bespoke kits to amateur sports teams, universities, colleges, and schools. The new funding will enable the company to work with professional football clubs including AFC Wimbledon, Carlisle United, Grimsby Town, and Cambridge United.

Kitlocker will also invest in improving warehouse operations through new robotic distribution lines to support increased order volumes. As part of its growth strategy, the business is supplying both on-pitch kit and merchandise for club shops and supporting the reintroduction of brands such as Lotto and Samurai to the UK sports market.

Kitlocker currently works with brands including Nike and adidas and has projected its turnover to reach £27m in 2025, with an expected increase to £30m by March 2026.

Vickie Clarke Brown, Financial Director at Kitlocker, said, “HSBC UK’s support comes at a very exciting time for Kitlocker. Our growth ambitions have taken us into the professional sports market, which requires significant investment.

“This funding allows us to build on the rich legacy of recreating memorable sporting kits, while introducing fresh designs that we can’t wait for players and fans to see. It also enables us to strengthen relationships with our suppliers, offer greater flexibility to our customers, and continue delivering the exceptional service we’re known for.”

Parkrun has appointed Rachel Robinson as Global Head of Digital and Data Transformation.

In her new role, Robinson will oversee parkrun’s global digital strategy and data infrastructure, supporting the organisation’s mission to make physical activity accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Robinson joins at a time when parkrun continues to expand its presence across the UK and internationally, with over 1,200 weekly events now taking place in the UK alone.

Her appointment reflects parkrun’s focus on strengthening digital engagement and improving user experience for its growing global community.

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has distributed £42m to clubs, the highest total in its history.

The total group distribution increased by £4.1m (11%) from the previous year’s £37.9m, while overall group income rose to £50.4 million, surpassing the £50m threshold for the first time. Fees paid to clubs by the SPFL grew by £1.4m to £35.1m.

The rise in distributions was primarily driven by an increase in broadcast income. This includes revenue from the SPFL’s ongoing contract with Sky Sports and its five-season agreement with Premier Sports to show live William Hill Premiership matches in the UK and Ireland. The Premier Sports coverage, which began with 20 matches per season, has since increased to 22.

Additional revenue growth came from licensing, match data, and sponsorship deals, including the first full season of a five-year partnership with bookmaker William Hill, the league’s title sponsor.

Group distributions cover payments to clubs based on league position, parachute payments, funds for ScottishPower Women’s Premier League teams, prize money for the Premier Sports Cup and KDM Evolution Trophy, and facility fees for televised William Hill Premiership fixtures.

Murdoch MacLennan, SPFL Chairman, said, “Our latest results once again underline the strength and ambition of our game here in Scotland.

“Our small but dedicated team at the SPFL is focused on driving forward the league for our 42 member clubs and we will now look to build on this momentum in the months and years ahead.”

The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) has renewed its partnership with the International Sports Convention (ISC).

The new agreement will see the two organisations continue to collaborate ahead of the next ISC event. As part of the long-running partnership, ESA members have benefited from an exclusive lounge space at the convention.

Karen Fan, General Manager, ESA, said, “We’re delighted to continue our collaboration with the International Sports Convention in 2026. As the essential and inclusive community for all professionals working in sponsorship, ESA sees this as a valuable platform to connect the industry, share insights and inspire more successful sponsorships.”

Nigel Fletcher, CEO, International Sports Convention, added, “Excited to be once again working with the ESA. Like all partnerships, one key sign is that year on year we renew with the European Sponsorship Association. It’s a partnership based on mutual trust, shared clients and working together to maximise networking opportunities for everyone. It’s a win-win situation.”