Shorts: Saints, Lionesses, Women’s Sport Collective
Southampton FC has partnered with Destination Sport Travel in a deal that sees the sports travel providers becomes the Saints’ official business travel supplier.
Under terms of the agreement, Destination Sport Travel, which already has an extensive sports client portfolio of Premier League clubs, will wort with Southampton on individual movements for players and their families, and wider club operations involving football departments, administrative staff, and directors.
Southampton FC’s Director of Regional Business & Football Partnerships, Mark Abrahams, said,
“Destination Sport Travel is a proven and established leader in business travel. Their experience in providing travel solutions for various Premier League clubs means they already have a strong understanding of the footballing world and our needs as a club, and we’re excited to work with them.”
ITV has signed an agreement with Nationwide Building Society to sponsor its coverage of Lionesses matches.
The new deal marks the financial services brand’s first mainstream broadcast association with the England women’s national football team, following its long-term relationship with the men’s side.
The deal will begin on Thursday 16th February when the Lionesses face Korea in their first Arnold Clark group stage match. The partnership will continue across all matches broadcast on ITV1 and ITV4 until July, including the first UEFA Women’s Finals match at Wembley on 6th April against Brazil.
The publication of The Voice of Women Working in Sport, a new report produced by Sporting Insights in partnership with the Women’s Sport Collective, details the experience of women in the sport industry.
Amongst other insights the report reveals that less than 1% of women working in sport believe there is gender equality in the industry, and more than half believe they are paid less than men for the same work.
Hannah Sprake, Senior Sports Development Insights Manager at Sporting Insights, said, “We would like to thank all the women who shared their experiences of working in sport as part of our research. We hope that the report provides reassurance that they are not facing their challenges alone and encourages the industry to take more notice and action to improve gender equality in sport.”
Sue Anstiss, CEO of the Women’s Sport Collective, added, “We’ll be repeating this research annually in order to track changes for women working in sport. There’s a clear ambition for a gender equal sports industry, and all the benefits that will bring, yet right now, women rate the sector as 4.63 out of 10 in terms of gender equality. We must do better.”
Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, held its Ruby Rugby Ball at the prestigious Landmark Hotel in London on Friday 10th February, raising over £70,000 to support vulnerable children and young people across the UK and Ireland.
The 2023 event saw over 350 in attendance, with a number of renowned rugby figures from the past and present, including former England scrum-half Dewi Morris, Red Rose Sarah Bern, Paralympic wheelchair rugby champions Stuart Robinson MBE and Kylie Grimes MBE and current English Premiership stars Chris Ashton, Alex Goode and Luke Northmore.
Sarah Webb, CEO of Wooden Spoon, said, “Tonight is a wonderful example of the rugby community coming together with a common goal: to raise funds for vulnerable children across the UK and Ireland through the power of rugby. We couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick off our 40th year celebrations and I would like to say thank you to our generous guests tonight who have all contributed to the phenomenal amount raised. These donations will enable Wooden Spoon to continue changing the lives of those vulnerable children who need us the most.”
Warrington Wolves has signed Redwood Bank as a new sponsor ahead of the new Super League season.
Redwood Bank has signed a two-year deal with Warrington Wolves which will see its logo appear on the shirt sleeves worn by the first team, reserves and under 19s.
Gary Wilkinson, CEO and co-founder of the Warrington-based bank, commented, “We couldn’t be more delighted to agree this sponsorship with ‘The Wire’ as they prepare for the start of a new season.”
Warrington Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick, added, “Their commitment to supporting and investing in the local community aligns with our own values, and we are grateful for their support. A great example of this is their generosity in donating 10 memberships to our Help a Child be Part of the Pack scheme, which is fantastic to see. We look forward to working together this year.”
London-based agency CSM Sport & Entertainment (CSM) has appointed Karima Green as its Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI).
Green joins CSM from Three where she was the Global Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & People Engagement.
Green has also been establishing her own DEI professionals’ network, The BRAVE Network, a community focused on defining best practice around organisational diversity and regularly speaks at events for notable organisations such as LinkedIn, Accenture, and EY.
Green commented, “The very essence of DEI work is to turn a challenge into an opportunity. It is why I have always been compelled by new ground, and why I was attracted to this role with CSM. The global nature of the business, its continued success, and its willingness to evolve, is fertile ground for change-making, and industry leading. It also happens to be in a field that I am passionate about and believe deeply in its rarefied ability to shape behaviour and inspire change on a large scale.”
