Shorts: Epcr, Quadrant, Celtic FC
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has announced the appointment of Jacques Raynaud to the position of Chief Executive Officer.
Raynaud, currently CEO of sportstech start-up MyTVchain, is an experienced sports and media executive who has previously held Executive Vice-President roles within Sky Group for SKY Italia and SKY Deutschland and Managing Director for Sky Media as well Vice-Chairman of the Eurosport Group.
Regarding his appointment, Raynaud said, “I am delighted to be joining EPCR at such an exciting time. I have been impressed by the Board’s new strategy and vision for the tournaments and look forward to playing my part in delivering this with the team. I am very much looking forward to working with the team at EPCR as well as all stakeholders and playing my part in enhancing the tournaments that form the very pinnacle of international club rugby.”
According to a statement, Raynaud will join EPCR at the end of the season and will work closely with interim CEO Anthony Lepage, who will be moving to the position of Chief Operating Officer, in order to ensure a smooth transition.
Gaming, lifestyle, and esports organisation Quadrant has extended its partnership with gaming controller manufacturer SCUF Gaming.
Quadrant, founded British Formula 1 driver Lando Norris, will retain SCUF Gaming as its official controller partner into 2023.
The two organisations partnership began last year, launching the SCUF x Quadrant controllers and producing several content creator activations.
As the partnership progresses into 2023, SCUF will continue to power Quadrant and provide its Halo and Rocket League teams with controllers.
Jamie MacLaurin, Chief Sporting Officer at Quadrant, said, “After a successful collaboration in 2022, we’re very proud and excited to announce the renewal of our partnership with SCUF Gaming for 2023.
“Their best in class and innovative products have helped our esports teams compete at the highest level. We are very excited to be able to deliver more unique and engaging content in 2023, and to show both our communities how our two brands are pushing the boundaries of content creation, and esports”.
Scottish football club Celtic FC has renewed its agreement with Forbes Bespoke Suits.
The Glasgow-based tailor will continue as the club’s official tailoring partner.
Forbes and Celtic FC have been partners since 2019 and this one-year extension will take the relationship at least to 2024.
The tailors have designed and produced a new, bespoke grey club suit for both players and staff which will be worn at various points across the season.
Adrian Filby, Celtic FC Commercial Director, said, “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Forbes, one of the country’s finest tailors and an organisation which continues to go from strength to strength.
“It has been fantastic to work with Forbes who have a real commitment to quality and service and we look forward the continuation of our hugely positive relationship.”
English Football League (EFL) Championship football club Bristol City will adorn a new back-of-shirt sponsor for its FA Cup with Manchester City on Tuesday 28th February.
The branding that will appear on the side’s kits for its clash with the Premier League is a celebration of its new partnership with Mashatu Botswana.
Mashatu is the largest privately owned and unfenced game reserve in the east of Botswana, where the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers converge.
Wendy Du Toit, Managing Director of Mashatu, commented, “At Mashatu our role is to provide a safe haven for our incredible wildlife, support our local community and provide an incredible experience for all our visitors. We aim to have a sustainable environment where nature and humans can live as one; where looking after one, also means taking care of the other.“We are all so excited to see Mashatu publicised to a global audience and celebrate the work we do. In some cultures, elephants represent good luck so we hope that on Tuesday evening “our” elephant will be a lucky charm for Bristol City.”
