Shorts: Netball, West Ham, Team GB

England Netball and Gilbert Netball have extended their partnership for a further four years.

As per the agreement, Gilbert will continue as the official ball and equipment supplier of England Netball, the Netball Super League (NSL) and all recognised and partnered events.

In addition, Gilbert will continue as the official ball supplier for Bee Netball, a programme for five to nine-year-olds which introduces children to netball ‘in a way that supports their personal development on and beyond the court.’

The news comes just over a week after the Vitality Roses made history reaching their first ever Netball World Cup final in Cape Town where Gilbert was also the official ball supplier.

Fran Connolly, Chief Executive Officer of England Netball, said, “Gilbert is synonymous with netball and has been at the centre of many great events for us over the years.

“They continue to innovate our sport with incredible products, serving those at the elite level through our international and domestic game, to those rising up through grassroots. I look forward to seeing more of what we can do together to help drive the game forward over the next few years.”

Richard Gray, Chief Executive Officer at Commercial Gilbert Netball, commented, “Following a fantastic Netball World Cup, we are delighted to have renewed our long term, successful partnership with England Netball.

“We are particularly excited by the new opportunities it creates for us to work together to further develop the sport in England, including the Bee Netball programme and in promoting our new Gilbert Netball footwear line.”

West Ham United has announced a multi-year extension to its partnership with Jeton, which will see the brand continue as the Premier League club’s official e-wallet partner. 

The partnership, which began in 2020, will see Jeton branding continue to appear across the club’s LED pitch-side perimeter advertising system. The company is also set to benefit from a variety of digital and matchday rights.

Nathan Thompson, Chief Commercial Officer at West Ham United, said, “We are pleased to have agreed a multi-year extension with Jeton. Since we forged a relationship with them in 2020 the partnership has grown considerably, and I look forward to working together to impact change as their commitment to innovation across the digital landscape gains pace.”

Mr Saaly Temirkanov, Company Director at Jeton Wallet’s, added, “We’re pleased to have extended our partnership with West Ham United. Demand for our products internationally is increasing rapidly and this Partnership has really supported our growth.”

Team GB has announced VOW Nutrition as an official nutrition product and licensee for Paris 2024 Olympics.

The deal also sees Olympic medallists Matt Richards and Daryll Neita signed up as athlete ambassadors to the nutrition brand.

As part of the dela, Team GB and VOW Nutrition will join forces to introduce a ‘brand-new collection of official product accessories.’

Simon Stevens, Chief Executive Officer if VOW Nutrition, said, “We are immensely proud to collaborate with Team GB in anticipation of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. All our products are made in Great Britain, currently available in over 1400 Boots stores and 758 Holland & Barrett stores. Moreover, our packaging is produced domestically and is 100% recyclable. We are excited to work with Team GB and look forward to a successful Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

Matt Richards, Olympian and new VOW Nutrition ambassador, added, “The Paris 2024 Olympic Games is as close as it gets to a home Games, so we anticipate an electric atmosphere. While winning gold in the 4x200m freestyle event in Tokyo was an incredible experience, I am determined to surpass my previous performance and strive for even more medals in Paris for the team. I am constantly seeking marginal gains, so partnering with VOW Nutrition is an exciting opportunity to explore what we can accomplish together.”

UK Sport has today confirmed an additional £2.4million of funding for winter Olympic and Paralympic sport.

The boost is designed to support athletes preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milan-Cortina, and follows a successful 2022-23 season.

Last season, the first in the Milan-Cortina cycle, was the most successful on record for British winter athletes. They won nine world championships medals across five Olympic sports (including four gold medals), and another nine medals in three Paralympic sports. 

Two sports, Bobsleigh and Skeleton, will each receive more than £850,000 in additional funding for their programmes after Britain’s four-man bob finished second at the World Championships, the nation’s first medal in the event in 84 years and stood on the World Cup podium in seven of eight four-man races. While in Skeleton, Matt Weston won individual World Championship Gold and there were two medals in the new mixed team event.

The updated total investment by UK Sport across Winter Sports has been increased to £31,901,983.

Dr Kate Baker, Director of Performance at UK Sport, said, “Today’s announcement of additional financial support for five of our Olympic and Paralympic winter sports recognises the incredible potential of our current crop of athletes.

“They delivered several extraordinary sporting moments last season, and we are excited to see them back in action later this year as we continue to pursue our ambition to become an ever-greater force in Winter Olympic and Paralympic sport.

“Of course, we wouldn’t be able to continue to invest in these talented young athletes without the incredible support we continue to receive from National Lottery players who power Olympic and Paralympic sport in this country.”

Gloucester Rugby has extended its partnership with Hartpury University and Hartpury College, the club’s official education partner. 

Hartpury’s logos will continue to feature on the left and right collarbones of the Gloucester Rugby men’s home and away shirt for the next two seasons. 

Gloucester Rugby Sales Director, Huw Warren, commented, “Hartpury have been an important partner at the club for a number of years, and we are delighted to extend that. 

“We recognise the important role that Hartpury University and Hartpury College plays for the development of men’s and women’s rugby in Gloucestershire, and that’s something we’re extremely passionate about supporting.” 

EFL Championship football club Southampton FC has renewed its partnership cybersecurity company Acronis and begun a new partnership with new build company Bargate Homes.

As part of the collaboration, Bargate Homes will become the principal partner of Saints Soccer Schools, supporting the programme across mainland UK.

Mark White, Managing Director of Bargate Homes, said, “Becoming a partner of Southampton Football Club marks a milestone in our own growth journey. As a regional housebuilder who chooses to exclusively build in this area, and with a team who also choose to live where we build, we share Southampton Football Club’s commitment and passion to supporting and enhancing opportunities for our local communities.”

Saints has also secured a three-year extension with existing partner Acronis.

Ronan McCurtin, Vice President of Sales Europe, said, “We are proud to be renewing our partnership with Southampton FC, a household name in professional football. We are thankful that the team shares our vision and passion for cyber protection, and we are excited to work with Tailor Made Technologies who will deliver our first-class cyber protection solutions to protect the workloads of the club.”

Mark Abrahams, Director of Partnerships with Southampton FC, added, “Both of these new partnerships are crucial elements in driving Saints forward. With Acronis’ unwavering dedication to digital security and Bargate Homes’ commitment to creating vibrant communities, we are positioning ourselves to not only excel on the field but also to make a meaningful impact off it.”