Shorts: Invictus Games, Arsenal, Bristol Bears
DAZN Group has secured the non-exclusive broadcast rights to show the 2023 Invictus Games globally.
The Invictus Games 2023, which will take place from 9th to 16th September will be hosted in Düsseldorf, Germany, with over 500 competitors from more than 20 countries.
DAZN’s global coverage excludes the UK.
Founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the Invictus Games is a sporting event, designed for wounded, injured, or sick servicewomen and men. The competition features ten sports, including athletics, archery, cycling, powerlifting, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, swimming, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, and golf.
The Invictus Games 2023 begins with opening ceremony on 9th September featuring American singer and songwriter Macklemore and finishes on 16th September with a closing ceremony featuring British singer Rita Ora.
Arsenal Women has announced its first official intelligent automation partnership with AI platform ABBYY.
The muti-year partnership sees the launch of a new campaign, Game Changers, which will see ABBY and Arsenal collaborate on sport, social and education programmes to improve access to technology education and career development, with hopes of positively impacting the lives of young people in local communities.
ABBYY will also become Arsenal Woman’s football match day presenting partner and make an appearance at the woman’s fixtures at the Emirates Stadium and Meadow Park.
Julie Slot, Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer, commented, ‘’We’re delighted to announce ABBYY as the latest partner of Arsenal Woman. Our women’s team has a history of setting new standards in the game, and this is yet another sign of our strong commercial position and our potential as a club.’’
Ulf Persson, CEO at ABBYY, added, “We believe that our strong alignment on values will bring new meaning to leading with a purpose. We look forward to changing the game with this iconic team.”
Gallagher Premiership rugby union club Bristol Bears has partnered with luxury timepiece retailer Watches of Bath.
The club’s official watch retailer will support both the men’s and women’s teams as part of the new agreement and will be clearly visible on the back of the playing shorts across all competitions.
Chief Commercial Officer of Bristol Sport, Sarah Farrar, said, “We are so pleased to welcome Watches of Bath. The combination of the quality of their products alongside their excellent service and passion for their industry helps identify them as one of the most prominent independent retailers in the South-West. Their high standards and business ambition align with our professional sporting values.
“Their support of both our men’s and women’s teams is a huge coup for us and we’re looking forward to them joining us ahead of this season’s respective Premiership and Premiership Women’s Rugby campaigns.’’
London-based marketing agency Redtorch has appointed Sophie Jourlait-Fileni and Mark Thomas to its new advisory board.
Jonny Murch, CEO, Redtorch, said, “I’m really pleased to secure Sophie and Mark for our advisory board.
“Their expertise and passion align perfectly with our vision and mission to make sport more relevant to more people worldwide, and their guidance will be instrumental in shaping the company’s strategic direction to drive the next phase of our growth.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ sports scientist Stephen Gilpin is targeting a £500,000 fundraising milestone for Prostate Cancer UK as the challenge he created five years ago, Prostate United, returns for 2023.
Prostate United has brought together hundreds of members of football club staff to run, cycle or walk every day each November, and has raised an incredible £340,000 for Prostate Cancer UK since its inception in 2018.
Gilpin, who recently joined the ranks at Molineux as Head of Academy Sports Science & Medicine, was inspired to support Prostate Cancer UK in 2018 after sadly losing his grandfather, Norman, to the disease in 2010. A pre-season talk from then-manager Paul Warne, while Gilpin was working at Rotherham United, inspired him to set off on a month-long challenge to run 10 kilometers every day that November.
Five years later, the challenge has grown to involve over 300 members of football club staff from more than 60 clubs and be closing in on raising half a million pounds for Prostate Cancer UK.
Gilpin commented, “Prostate United has grown beyond our wildest expectations. We feel that as a collective now it has a unique place on the football calendar, where we all come together as the Prostate United family to raise awareness and much-needed funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
“In pre-season in 2018, the gaffer actively encouraged the group to discuss inspirational stories or personalities that have impacted our lives. I chose to speak about my grandad, who lost a brave battle with prostate cancer. He played a huge part in my life and the discussion raised a motivation and ambition to emulate this great man in any way I can.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and knowing that has certainly drove us all on over the years and we’re delighted that the football family is coming together once more for a fantastic charity that’s close to my heart.”
For more information on Prostate United, or to sign up, visit prostatecanceruk.org/get-involved/football/prostate-united
Subscribe to the Sport Industry Daily for regular updates on the biggest stories and latest news in the sport industry.
