Shorts: Matchroom, ECB, FA Cup

Boxing promotions company Matchroom Boxing, founded by Barry Hearn and run his son Eddie Hearn, has welcomed two new appointments, with Daniel Underwood joining to lead global marketing, and Alex Haines leading global content.

Underwood joins from telecoms giant Vodafone, where he spent more than eight years across the consumer and business brands divisions, most recently as Head of Marketing. Haines arrives a diverse background having spent many years within Music tour production, before transitioning into the Advertising world with award winning agencies Anomaly and TBWA.

Matchroom Boxing Chief Executive, Frank Smith said, “We are delighted to announce Daniel and Alex as part of the team, they bring with them a wealth of experience to take our vision forward. Traditionally we have not recruited at senior levels, instead developing from within, but we recognise the importance of these positions. The move demonstrates the commitment to our partners and the level of our ambition as a global sports brand.”

Essex have been fined £50,000 by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after pleading guilty to two charges relating to a racist comment made at a board meeting in 2017.

The club was charged over the comment itself and its failure to conduct an appropriate, or any, investigation, with former chairman John Faragher denying that he made the comment. The written reasons stated that Essex accepted a “racist and discriminatory comment” had been used at a board meeting on 7 February 2017.

Optus Sport has announced it has secured the rights to stream the Women’s FA Cup Final in Australia on Sunday, 15th May. It’s the third season in a row the broadcaster has exclusively streamed the final, which this year will see Chelsea defend the title against Manchester City.

Clive Dickens, VP of TV, Content and Product Development at Optus said, “We’re delighted to once again be the exclusive broadcaster of the Women’s FA Cup Final. Interest in women’s football is sky-rocketing – this is evident in the record-breaking stadium attendance overseas and here in Australia where we have seen a significant increase in viewers of our WSL coverage on Optus Sport.”

Independent creative agency Designwerk UK has created a bold visual identity for the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) new schools football programme, the African School Football Championship. To reflect the Pan-African and grassroots nature of the programme, Designwerk created a brand platform that excites and energises young Africans from a myriad of countries, cultures and contexts — all whilst celebrating football.

Scott Wilson, Creative Director, “It’s not often you get the opportunity to work on such an important initiative that will engage a continent and ultimately lead to changing the lives of millions of young Africans. We’re excited to see how the brand is implemented throughout the year and the impact it will make.”

Basketball Ireland has agreed a five-year deal with OTT streaming platform Joymo to live stream all National League games, which was signed on Wednesday at the National Basketball Arena.

Every game from the InsureMyVan.ie and MissQuote.ie Super League and Division 1, along with the InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup, will be streamed live. The ground-breaking deal will see over 650 games streamed and accessible on the Basketball Ireland website. The InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy and Paudie O’Connor National Cup finals will remain free-to-air with Basketball Ireland’s TV partner, TG4.

The UK Esports Teams Committee (UKETC) has welcomed two new additions, with Guild Esports and Manchester City Esports joining many other top UK esports organisations in a commitment to make positive changes to the UK esports professional scene.

The UKETC is a collective of UK-based esports teams that formed in 2021 as a committee of like-minded individuals, with the aim of progressing and growing the UK esports industry, and representing the voice of teams within wider industry discussions. The addition of Guild Esports and Manchester City Esports will provide enhanced value to the UKETC, as it looks to address key issues including how esports organisations should address toxicity, safeguarding and also the provision of voluntary jobs/work experience. 

UK-based gymnastics and sportswear manufacturer Milano Pro Sport has been announced as an official supplier to the World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022. Milano will feature prominently at the Championships as part of a fanzone open to the whole city of Liverpool, with their newest and most cutting-edge gymnastics collections available.

Gemma Williams Fox, Championships Director of the World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022, said, “I am delighted to confirm Milano as an official supplier for the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool. Based locally, but a world-recognised brand for providing gymnastics attire, we look forward to working closely with them to deliver an innovative event as we welcome the best gymnastics talent to a city defined by creativity, culture, and ambition.”

British Canoeing has announced a new strategic partnership with LifeJacket Skin Protection. Under terms of the new agreement LifeJacket will serve as the national governing body’s official skin protection partner. LifeJacket offer a range of daily moisturisers, high performance sunscreens, nose-protecting sun sticks and UV-blocking fabrics, developed and made in Britain.

Andy Maddock, Head of Performance Operations for British Canoeing, said, “It is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of these products and for our members and partners to be able to benefit from discounts. As an outdoor activity this is a great partnership that enables British Canoeing to benefit from the great LifeJacket Skin Protection products to optimise performance on and off the water and protect the paddlers, coaches and supporters from the short and long-term effects of exposure to the sun.”

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has appointed Jonathan Neill as a commercial consultant. He will be brought in to develop a new commercial strategy for the organisation, responsible for developing and finalizing the strategy that will cover grassroots para sport through to World Championship level.

Neill has over 20 years of experience, having previously held various brand and rights-holder roles within the sports industry, including as a commercial director for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. Most recently he has served as a commercial consultant for the Football Association of Ireland, the national soccer body.