Shorts: Scottish Fa, Grealish, WTA

The Scottish Football Association has announced a five-year agreement with Scottish Gas.

The deal will see Scottish Gas invest in grassroots football – with funding used to launch 120 new week-long holiday camps. These camps will offer 6,000 opportunities for children to play football and include free lunches to combat ‘holiday hunger’ for those that need it most.

Scottish Gas also becomes title partner to both the men’s and women’s Scottish Cup.

Additionally, Scottish Gas will boost investment in Scottish Para-Football’s disability community initiatives and help to deliver on the Scottish Government’s Net Zero ambitions by 2045 in the wide-ranging partnership.

The company will work with the Scottish FA to explore options to make national stadium Hampden Park more sustainable, as well as designing a programme for Scottish football clubs to help reduce their carbon footprint and create more sustainable communities.

Chris O’Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica, Owner of Scottish Gas, said, “Our partnership with the Scottish FA is the perfect match of energy and passion for Scottish Gas as we team up to support the nation.

“We’re delighted to be investing in our customers’ communities, and I’m particularly excited about the work we will be doing to support holiday camps, Para-Football and the women’s game across Scotland. Looking after our people and the communities we serve is at the heart of who we are, so we are delighted to be tackling key issues like hunger and mental health to drive positive impact through a more diverse and inclusive grassroots game.”

Ian Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish FA, added, “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Scottish Gas on board as a committed multi-level partner and supporter of the Power of Football.

“As part of our 150th anniversary celebrations, they will help us activate the oldest and youngest cup trophies in world football, bringing new and existing fans on that famous Road to Hampden.

“Through this agreement, Scottish Gas will also help reinforce the impact our national game has at grassroots level, especially among those whose need is greatest. We look forward to bringing the partnership to life and highlighting the ways in which, together, we can inspire the nation and transform lives.”

Sport stars Jack Grealish, Gareth Bale, Emma Raducanu and Lexi Thompson are among the first roster of international sports stars to join AirWayzTM – a new subscription-based online content platform which allows sports fans to safely engage with exclusive content from international sports stars.

AirWayz, the brainchild of founder and CEO Michael Murphy, M.D., is a subscription-based service to give fans of all ages access to exclusive content from their sports heroes and to ’empower them to reach their potential without risking exposure to negative, abusive or toxic online behaviour.’

The content that will be available from athletes on AirWayz, including exclusive videos, focuses on three categories: Training and Instruction, Lifestyle and Legacy.

Over 20 athletes have signed onto the platform, other confirmed contributors with content in development, include world-record Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps and others.

Michael Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of AirWayz, said, “AirWayz enables athletes to cultivate relationships with fans who are excited to learn first-hand what makes their heroes the champions that they are. Our platform is unlike anything ever created, providing subscribers the opportunity to select the athletes they want to follow and the type of content that benefits and inspires them most.

“Subscribers will have opportunities to interact directly with the athletes they follow through Q&As, online professional analysis, and personalised videos. There is also an e-commerce component to the platform which allows athletes to feature branded merchandise that they use in their daily lives, from training gear and equipment to sports nutrition supplements. In addition, subscribers will have opportunities to purchase or enter-to-win special one-on-one experiences including live training sessions or coaching, such as golf lessons from a PGA Tour pro.”

Gareth Bale, former footballer for Real Madrid and Wales, added, “There can be a lot of toxicity on social media, so I joined AirWayz to have a safe space to engage with fans and supporters of all ages.”

Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and Hologic have created a new taskforce to advance women’s health worldwide.

Furthering the mission of championing women’s health, the WTA and its lead global sponsor and official health partner, Hologic, have united some of the world’s leading female athletes and healthcare experts to establish the Hologic WTA Women’s Health Taskforce.

Led by the WTA Performance Health team, the taskforce includes six WTA athletes and 19 esteemed medical advisors.

It’s launch comes at a pivotal moment as the WTA celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding with the theme “WTA 50: Just Starting.” This milestone includes ‘leveraging five decades of data and experience about professional athletes to pursue the highest standards of knowledge and resources for women’s health globally.’

Kathleen Ann Stroia, said, “The leadership and discovery from these exceptional women will mutually benefit WTA athletes and active women worldwide, as we deliver new pathways to healthier lives through education, expanded care, and further research and policy standards.”

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced a multi-year partnership with Destination Sport Group.

As part of the agreement, Destination Sport Travel will manage travel for MCC’s touring teams and deliver all their corporate travel requirements.

MCC will undertake several tours throughout 2023 and including upcoming tours to Germany, Greece and Kenya as part of its mission to develop cricket abroad.

Additionally, Destination Sport Group’s specialist youth development tour division, inspiresport, will provide opportunities for schools and groups to train at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. Touring teams will benefit from specialised coaching, plus the opportunity to train at facilities including the Indoor Cricket Centre.

Andy Muggleton, Commercial Director at MCC, added, “The partnership with Destination Sport Group is hugely exciting and will provide benefits to the Club at many levels.

“Alongside the specialist travel support provided to our touring teams, we look forward to welcoming schools and groups to the Ground, and we are equally delighted that our Members shall benefit from the tailored travel packages so they can play and enjoy watching MCC sides around the UK and elsewhere.”

ESL FACEIT Group has appointed Bobby Hare as its new Director, Host City Partnerships & Hospitality.

Hare commented, “When I was first introduced to a live esport event at IEM Cologne, I was truly blown away by the production and how engaged the fans were. So I couldn’t have been more excited to join ESL Faceit Group when the opportunity was presented to me.

“EFG is the culmination of more than two decades of leading the esports and gaming scene. They are genuine pioneers who continue to drive esports and gaming forward, helping make it the fastest growing entertainment choice on the planet.

“I’m thrilled to join an organisation at the forefront of the industry who are doing incredible things. I look forward to building on their amazing achievements the past 20 years and helping shape the future of esports.”