Shorts: Newcastle Falcons, Middlesex Cricket, Luton Town

Newcastle Falcons have announced a partnership with Grand Hotel Gosforth Park that hopes to promote local sports and strengthen regional engagement.

Located near Kingston Park Stadium, Grand Hotel Gosforth Park offers accommodations, a fitness centre, a pool, a spa, and 23,000 square feet of event space. It is a recognised venue for conferences, weddings, and community events.

As part of the agreement, the hotel will also sponsor first-team player Cameron Neild.

Rebecca Thompson, Commercial Director at Newcastle Falcons, said, “We’re excited to partner with another fantastic local business in Grand Hotel Gosforth Park.

“This collaboration is a great opportunity for us to connect with our community in new ways and we’re looking forward to seeing what it will bring for our fans and the region.”

Middlesex Cricket has appointed Jon Fish as Commercial Director at the club.

Fish joins Middlesex with experience in senior commercial roles in the leisure, music and entertainments businesses, with over 10 years at Merlin Entertainments, and most recently at Deliveroo and ‘ABBA Voyage’.

Fish will join the club’s Senior Management Team, overseeing the club’s commercial operations and partnerships.

Andrew Cornish, the club’s CEO commented, “We are thrilled to have Jon on board and I look forward to working with him in what is an exciting period for Middlesex Cricket and the wider game.”

Luton Town have agreed a partnership with Luton based Quinn Groundworks and Construction.

The local based business has had its branding situated on the top of the Kenilworth Road stand for the past four years and became an associate partner of the club in the 2023/24 Premier League season.

Quinn Groundworks and Construction now becomes an official partner of the club and will also have its branding on the upper tier of the David Preece stand for the 2024/25 campaign.

Kyle Quinn, Managing Director at Quinn Groundworks and Construction, commented, “We have been part of the sponsorship journey with Luton Town for several years and have enjoyed watching the great progress being made by the club, it really has been a great story, we are honoured to be part of the club and look forward to a bright future on the upcoming seasons.”

British Judo has partnered with FabLittleBag to make this year’s British Championships the first-ever period-supportive edition of the annual flagship competition.

This partnership, which aims to normalise conversations around periods, will look to ensure that fighters, coaches, and spectators have ‘the support they need to fully engage with the sport they love.’

Andrew Bowly, Head of Inclusion, Safeguarding, and Wellbeing at British Judo, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with FabLittleBags to make this year’s British Championships, the first Period-Friendly edition of our annual flagship competition.

“We would like to remove the stigma around periods in the sport, with the hope that clubs, coaches and fighters make carrying these bags as normal as a first aid bag, with the bags regularly topped up and available at all training sessions and matchdays.

“We are confident that this will reduce the pressure on fighters who feel they cannot attend train or compete as they have either no or limited access to Period products with it also helping female coaches and spectators who get ‘caught short.’

“Having a FabLittleBag also means that disposal becomes an easy and confident experience which will give women and girls a more positive experience within grassroots judo.”

Bath Rugby have confirmed the appointment of Dr Claire-Marie Roberts as a Non-Executive Director on their Board.

Dr Roberts is currently Performance Director at Coventry City FC and a Research Fellow in Sport Psychology at the University of West England.

Her previous roles include nine years with the Premier League where she advanced from Head of Elite Development to overseeing an Elite Referee Development Plan. As a psychologist with the British Olympic Association, she prepared Team GB athletes for the London 2012 Olympics.

She joins Bath Rugby’s Board alongside owner Bruce Craig, chairman Nick Varney, fellow non-executive directors Dr S. Jane Craig and Chris Potter, and CEO Tarquin McDonald

Roberts said, “It is a huge honour to join the Board of this prestigious Club, in my home city. I am looking forward to playing a part in helping the Club realise its ambitions, continue to inspire fans and communities and to build positively on the exceptional work that has already undertaken under the current ownership.”

Essex Cricket and Southend United Football Club have announced a new partnership aimed at strengthening ties within the local community.

The collaboration will see both clubs working together to deliver joint initiatives, cross-sport events, and opportunities that promote health, well-being, and inclusivity for fans of all ages.

The partnership’s first initiative is the ‘On the Ball! Networking Event,’ an gathering for Essex businesses scheduled for 11th February 2025.

Daryl Townson, Commercial Manager at Essex Cricket, said, “Essex Cricket takes immense pride in engaging with our community, and building strong relationships with the region’s sports clubs is an important factor.“

Newport County have collaborated with Newport-based rock band Skindred.

The partnership will see Skindred feature on the front of the kit for Newport’s League Two match against Carlisle United on Saturday, 7th December 2024.

Designed by Neal Heard, the club’s new Creative Director, the kit pays tribute to Newport’s Caribbean community with a distinctive design.

In support of the initiative, Skindred will sell the limited-edition shirt through their social channels, boosting the club’s visibility internationally.

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