Shorts: Common Goal, Dazn, Canoeing

44 Women’s World Cup players score Common Goal against climate change.

A collective of 44 leading players from four different countries have committed to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their flights to and from the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The players, that include Danish international Sofie Junge Pedersen, Canadian midfielder Jessie Fleming, and Italian defender Elena Linari, are donating money to a combination of climate resilience and carbon offsetting and adaptation initiatives.

The action-based initiative was created by Inter Milan midfielder Sofie Junge Pedersen who was determined to create ‘a meaningful method for players to mitigate negative environmental impacts of travelling to Australia and New Zealand.’

The campaign was facilitated by Common Goal, the social and environmental collective movement in global football, and Football For Future, the UK-based climate advocacy football non-profit.

Sofie Jung Pedersen, Inter Milan and Denmark international, said, “I want to ensure my World Cup experience has a positive environmental legacy. Climate change is the biggest issue humanity faces, and I want to be part of the solution. While there are no current sustainable solutions to aviation, as players we are setting an example, and taking a tangible step in the right direction.”

Elliot Arthur-Worsop, Founder of Football For Future, added, “There’s currently no sustainable solution for the environmental cost of air travel. Governing bodies need to acknowledge the impact that their tournaments have on the natural world and introduce carbon considerations as key criteria in the bidding process for hosting future tournaments.

“The 2026 Men’s World Cup is predicted to be the most carbon intensive event in the history of the beautiful game, with travel representing 85% of total emissions. This trajectory is not compatible with a healthy planet for future generations, let alone the future of football. Things need to change, and the 2030 World Cup host selection is a perfect moment for FIFA to make a meaningful statement.”

DAZN Group has announced a strategic partnership with DAIMANI to launch and develop an integrated global sports ticketing marketplace.

Sports streaming platform DAZN will use Swiss e-commerce firm DAIMANI’s technology to aggregate its user experience and bring all sports-related content, services, and products into a single consumer app.

DAZN will embed a ticket marketplace in the DAZN app and, over time, deliver deeper integration with a shared wallet, one-click purchasing and personalised user journeys whereby individual fans are served relevant events, targeted promotions, and special offers for their team’s matches.

The new ticketing marketplace will initially launch in the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain with a range of ticket-inclusive hospitality packages sold through the DAZN platform.

DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev said, “The sports entertainment space is extremely fragmented with a growing number of apps and content owners. DAZN is building a frictionless super app for sports fans – a single destination platform where they can enjoy the live game and access the full range of sports related products and services on one app, with one account and one wallet to watch, play, chat, transact and bet.

“Partnering with DAIMANI marks our entrance into the ticketing business; it is great for us and, more importantly, great for our customers.”

As part of the deal, DAZN also has the option to acquire equity in DAIMANI.

British Canoeing has partnered with the University of Hertfordshire at the 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, which takes place at the London 2012 Olympic Venue, Lee Valley White Water Centre in September this year.

The strategic partnership will see the University of Hertfordshire become the official social impact partner to the World Championships.

Delivered via the Herts Sport and Physical Activity Partnership, based at the University, a social impact partnership programme will improve the awareness, accessibility and sustainability of paddle sports in the local community, bringing the transformative impact of sports and physical activity to people of all ages.

Gemma Wiggs, Head of International Events for British Canoeing, said, “We are delighted to have the University of Hertfordshire on board as our official social impact partner for the World Championships this September. Not only do we want to provide a fantastic World Championships for fans across to the world to enjoy, but we want there to be a long-lasting legacy from the competition.

“Having the University of Hertfordshire aligned with this, we will be able to provide a fantastic programme of activities which will benefit the local community through environmental and social change.”

Ayr Racecourse has announced that Virgin Bet will be extending its sponsorship of the Ayr Gold Cup for the third consecutive year.

Virgin Bet will sponsor the entire three-day Festival, which gets underway on Thursday 21st September., with the prize money for the Gold Cup being increased to £180,000.

David Brown, Managing Director of Ayr, said, “We’re delighted to be renewing our Ayr Gold Cup partnership with Virgin Bet for a third year and owners and trainers will be excited to hear that the prize money for the race is being increased to £180,000.

“The Virgin Bet name will be associated with the entire 3-day Festival once again and, as well as the Ayr Gold Cup itself, another 8 key contests over the 3-days will be sponsored by Virgin Bet, including the prestigious Firth Of Clyde Stakes for 2 year-olds and the mile and a quarter Doonside Cup.

“Ayr’s Gold Cup Festival is the biggest Flat meeting of the year in Scotland and everyone at Ayr is looking forward to working with the Virgin Bet team to make 2023 yet another memorable 3-days of top-class racing.”