Shorts: Birmingham City, Spurs, England Hockey

English Football League (EFL) Championship football club Birmingham City has partnered with UK sports media company Eleven Sports Media.

Eleven Sports will become the Blues’ official academy training wear partner as part of the long-term deal and will have its logo feature on all academy training wear.

Blues’ Managing Director, Ian Dutton, said, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Eleven Sports Media, which will not only support the growth and development of our Academy but also provide valuable opportunities for local businesses to thrive.”

“As a club, we are intrinsically linked to our communities and are deeply committed to supporting local business. This partnership is a perfect example of that. We believe in giving back to the community that supports us, and this programme will do just that by providing regional businesses with the tools they need to prosper.”

Tottenham Hotspur Foundation has appointed Marc Leckie as its new Chief Executive.

Marc joins the Spurs’ charitable body with over 25 years of experience working in community sport foundations, most recently at The Harlequins Foundation where he has been CEO since October 2017.

Leckie commented, “Sport has played an integral role in my life and I am an enthusiastic advocate of the part it plays in helping to shape society for the better.

“I am passionate about supporting people who have had challenging experiences during their life, as my own lived experience has shaped both my personal and professional purpose. When I was growing up, I participated in multiple sports and activities, using these experiences to develop the essential skills that have helped me in my adult life.

“My ambition is to make sure people are supported to be happy and to play my part in providing opportunities for as many people as possible, creating sustainable and meaningful impact.”

England Hockey has extended its partnership with Notts Sport, which will remain the governing body’s official facilities partner.

Notts Sport, a synthetic surfaces supplier for sport, has signed the partnership renewal ten years after first partnering with England & GB Hockey. The latest agreement will run until 2026.  

Notts Sport will also be the title partner for the England Hockey Awards, which will take place in July.

Rich Beer, England Hockey Sport & Development Director, commented, “It’s fantastic to see Notts Sport extend its partnership with England Hockey, they have played a vital role in helping schools and clubs with their facilities over the past ten years, and we’re delighted with this partnership extension. They are passionate about the game, get to know who they are working with, understand how the clubs work, and how they can help with their market-leading products.”

English Football League (EFL) League Two football club Forest Green Rovers has extended its partnership with Sumillion.

Sumillion, a UK sustainable IT reseller, has been a partner of Forest Green Rovers since 2021. The business provides the club with expert advice and technology solutions to help the club meet its sustainability ambitions.

As part of this partnership, Sumillion has installed a full set of new display screens in the Gym Bar, to improve fans’ overall match day experience, by showcasing the full range of food and drinks available at The Bolt New Lawn, and reducing the need for printing menus and team sheets. 

Thomas Manners, Director of Sumillion, said, “We are proud to continue our partnership with Forest Green Rovers. Their commitment to sustainability and innovation aligns with our own values, and we look forward to supporting the club in their mission to lead the way in sustainable business practices.”

Mike Bohndiek, the Chief Executive of online brand transformation agency PTI Digital, will be stepping down from his position at the end of March.

He will take up a new role Technology Director at Premier League football club Arsenal.

He recently spent three years at another Premier League club, West Ham United, as Chief Information Officer, before leaving in December 2017 to work full-time at PTI, which he had founded two months earlier.