Shorts: Mudryk, World Rugby, Saints

Sports marketing agency B-Engaged has signed up Premier League footballers Mykhailo Mudryk and Mateo Kovacic to its client roster.

B-Engaged will represent the two players of Chelsea and Manchester City respectively, for all off-pitch endeavours across brand building, public relations and philanthropic initiatives. 

23-year-old Mudryk joined the Blues from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 for a fee of £89m and has 18 national caps for Ukraine.

City midfielder Kovacic, 29, is a former four-time Champions League winner with Chelsea and Real Madrid.

London-based B-Engaged’s athlete portfolio also includes Bayern Munich stars Alphonso Davies and Serge Gnabry, Arsenal talisman Kai Havertz, and Real Betis defender Hector Bellerin.

Ehsen Shah, CEO of B-Engaged, said, “To have Mateo and Mykhailo, two players of incredible talent but at different stages of their careers, come to us at the same time gives us great pride in the work we are doing.”

World Rugby has announced Wiz-Team as the official supplier of its Tournament Management System (TMS).

As per the multi-year partnership, events management company Wiz-Team will power the ‘fully integrated event and data management solution’ behind the operational delivery of World Rugby competitions worldwide.

The deal spans all World Rugby events, including HSBC SVNS and the U20 Championship.

World Rugby Director of Events Services, Mark Huddleston, said, “We are delighted to welcome Wiz-Team onboard as the official supplier of our Tournament Management System for our major events.

“These data management services will play an integral part within World Rugby’s operations as we transition to our new hosting model for future tournaments and streamline our operational and implementation mechanism. We strive to take our event delivery experience to the next level for all our clients, including the players and teams who are at the heart of our sport, and we look forward to working with Wiz-Team to achieve this.”

Southampton FC has announced a new partnership with online card and gift retailer Moonpig. 

The deal will see the Moonpig logo sit on the back of the EFL Championship club’s men’s shorts for the rest of the season. 

The new addition to the kit will make its debut on Friday 29^th March as Saints take on Middlesbrough at St Mary’s. 

Southampton FC Chief Commercial Officer, Charlie Boss, said, “We’re delighted to partner with a renowned brand like Moonpig. 

“For more than two decades they’ve been connecting people across the world, and we’re excited to have them on board as we enter the business end of the season.” 

England Squash has announced a new partnership with national charity StreetGames.

The pair will launch a pilot project that will see 14 community organisations deliver squash activation sessions to hundreds of children aged 4-16 who are eligible for free school meals as part of the Birmingham Holiday Activity and Food programme this Easter.

Participating organisations will be given free training and squash equipment including a squash rebound net, rackets and balls as well as tickets to the prestigious British Open.

Following the Easter programme, further support will be provided to help these organisations run regular and sustainable squash activities, and link young people into existing local squash facilities.

Asma Ajaz-Ali, Community Engagement Manager at England Squash, commented, “We’re thrilled to team up with StreetGames on this fantastic new initiative to make squash more accessible for young and diverse audiences in Birmingham.

“Sport has the power to make a real impact on communities and enrich lives, and this squash programme will provide an enjoyable way for young people to learn new skills, get active and improve wellbeing.

“Squash offers something new and different to young people, and best of all, you don’t need a squash court or sports facility but just ample space to knock a ball around.”

St Andrews Links Trust has appointed James Ralley as the organisation’s new Commercial Director.

Ralley joins from World Rugby, where he served as Director of Partnerships and Brand. His resume also includes stints with the All-England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), and the Football Association (FA).

Ralley said, “I’m very much looking forward to working with the team and excited at the opportunity to support the continued development of St Andrews as one of the most recognisable and iconic sporting venues in the world.”

St Andrews Trust CEO, Neil Coulso, added, “James has exceptional credentials and experience in commercial sport and I am delighted he has joined our team.

“We have ambitious plans for the future including expanding our commercial activities and reinvesting into our world-famous Links, to enhance the experience we deliver and raise awareness of St Andrews Links globally.”