Shorts: ECB, Hearts, Para Swimming
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Initial Washroom Hygiene (Initial) have announced a strategic partnership designed to bring period dignity to grassroots cricket.
The primary aim of the new partnership is to ensure that menstruation is not something that holds back women and girls from being involved in sports.
Utilising Initial’s extensive research and expertise in helping to ensure period dignity, In Cubicle Period Dignity Dispensers will be supplied to grassroots clubs with girls’ sections, along with the servicing of period waste bins.
Tammy Beaumont, England Women’s Cricketer and a member of the Women’s Health Group, said, “We want as many girls and women as possible to feel that cricket is a game for them – and in order to do that we need to ensure that everyone is comfortable, and everyone feels supported.”
Jill Rodgers, Area and Marketing Director for the UK, Ireland, Baltics, and SSA, added, “We believe that everyone who menstruates has the right to period dignity, and having access to free period products in the toilet cubicle, plays a crucial part in this.”
Scottish Premier League football club Hearts has announced that Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Scotland will continue as its front of shirt partner for the 2023/2024 season.
MND Scotland was introduced to Hearts’ jersey in 2021 as part of a two-year sponsorship deal with Dell Technologies.
It has strong ties to the Hearts family after the tragic passing of Scottish Cup-winning captain Marius Zaliukas, who lost his life to MND in 2020.
Since the inception of the partnership, over £130,000 has been raised. Most recently, at the club’s designated MND Day, Hearts and Celtic players wore unique MND Scotland warm up jerseys and supporter donations, along with a significant contribution from the Celtic Foundation, helped to raise in excess of £40,000 to support the charity’s work.
Andrew McKinlay, Chief Executive Officer of Hearts FC, said, “We are immensely proud to be able to continue our relationship with MND Scotland. It is a partnership that has captured the imagination of our supporter base and engaged them on an unprecedented scale.
“Our original partnership was an innovative way of securing sponsorship funding from a global giant of the tech industry and I’m delighted to confirm that this new agreement, delivered in partnership with benefactors, will provide the club with an even more substantial source of income.
“The initial link up, when announced two years ago, was very, very warmly received by our fans and their backing of the various fundraising campaigns we have run jointly has been astounding, so we thank them for that and welcome their continued support.
“We recognise that football clubs have the power to make a positive impact in their communities. Our partnership with MND Scotland is one such example of that, and we will continue to use our platform to shine a light on good causes.”
Manchester 2023 Para Swimming World Championships has announced Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport as an official partner.
The university will use the partnership to ‘amplify its research work and heritage in the sport, promote the new Institute of Sport, create networking opportunities with key stakeholders, and engage current and future students and colleagues with the event.’
Tim Cable, Director of Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, said, “We are excited to be the Official University Partner of the Para Swimming World Championships, which is taking place next to the University’s campus in the heart of Manchester. Our work and research in Para swimming has already helped to enhance coaching methods and the performance of the sports’ elite athletes and we look forward to seeing this impact continue at this year’s Championships.”
Katie Chapman, Event Director of the World Para Swimming Championships, added, “Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport has an existing and very successful research-based relationship with the sport. Our partnership will build on this and also shine a light on the world-class Institute of Sport which will continue to develop para swimming for many years to come.”
Beat Media Group has announced the launch of new agency PRTNR Strategies.
Led by Greg McEwan, previously the commercial director at Hibernian Football Club, the newly-launched agency will draw upon the upon the content production and syndication of sister agencies Sportsbeat and Storybeat and has teased at ‘a series of exciting new business wins set to be revealed’ in the coming weeks.
McEwan said, “Being able to combine the unrivalled content and syndication services of Sportsbeat and Storybeat and align them with a more strategic approach to communications, has made for some really exciting conversations with new and existing clients.
“It’s a combined approach designed to deliver intelligent communications, engagement strategies and integrated campaigns. I genuinely believe we can offer our clients a unique proposition, communications and content all in one place, alongside the reach of a unique syndication network.”
Cricket-focused charity Chance to Shine has appointed Tim Score as Chair of the charity from 1st September 2023.
He will replace the outgoing Chair Sir Donald Brydon, who steps down after nine years in the role.
Tim brings vast experience to the role as the current Chair of British Land, Deputy Chair of Pearson and non-executive director at Bridgepoint. He is also an independent non-executive director of the Football Association and a trustee of the National Theatre.
Tim Score, commented, “I am a passionate supporter of Chance to Shine and am thrilled to take up this post. This is about so much more than just getting kids to pick up a bat or ball; the charity plays a vital role in ensuring that cricket is a game for all young people. It’s clear that the sport has the power to aid children’s wider development and we know that this work is now more important than ever.”
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