Shorts: Somerset, British Swimming, Openbet
Somerset County Cricket Club (SCCC) has extended its partnership with Kukri Sports for the next two years.
SCCC and Kukri Sports have partnered since 2011 and the renewal will see the international sportswear manufacturer remain as the club’s official kit supplier until the end of 2024.
Kukri will be the exclusive supplier of all SCCC’s playing kit and training wear in a deal that includes SCCC Women, SCCC Academy and SCCC Pathway.
SCCC Commercial Director, Caroline Herbert, said, “We are extremely pleased to have extended our relationship with Kukri Sports for at least two more years.
“Lloyd Alley and his team go above and beyond in delivering excellent service combined with cutting edge, bespoke design.
“The 2023 player and training kit is innovative, comfortable and eye catching. We hope it will continue to be popular with fans of all ages.”
British Swimming has appointed Drew Barrand as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Barrand – who is currently Commercial & Sales Director at global organisation Laureus – will provide ‘strategic and business leadership to take the organisation forward’, following successful performances at the Tokyo 2020 Games and the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games less than 18 months away.
Barrand will join from May 2023, when he will take over from Interim CEO Ash Cox, who has been in the position since May last year.
Speaking on his appointment, Barrand, commented, “I am very proud to be appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer at British Swimming. Taking on a leadership position in British aquatic sports is a truly exciting opportunity. Thanks to the dedication and passion of the Board and the entire team at British Swimming, there is a solid platform in place with performances in the pool across all disciplines showing success and great promise as we look forward to the next cycle of major events.”
Sports betting entertainment company OpenBet has signed a new long-term partnership with OPAP.
The deal, which concerns OPAP’s online sportsbook, will see OpenBet provide the leading gaming company in Greece with its suite of its betting technology, trading and sports content.
The partnership marks the first for OpenBet in the Greek market where the company operates one of its largest hubs globally.
Jan Karas, CEO of OPAP, commented, “At OPAP, we always look to offer our customers the highest quality of innovative and entertaining gaming products. Therefore, we are very pleased to be partnering with OpenBet and we are looking forward to leveraging their expertise and high-end technology solutions, in order to upgrade customer experience and take our online sports betting activities to new levels”.
Jordan Levin, Group CEO of OpenBet, added, “We’re delighted to have partnered with OPAP to help them deliver a best-in-class online sportsbook. The technology, content and services we provide, combined with our flexible and tailormade solutions has made us the leading sports betting partner for WLA members. It’s another huge milestone for OpenBet and we’re looking forward to working with Jan and his team at OPAP.”
The Manchester 2023 Para Swimming World Championships has announced a sponsorship agreement with global investment bank Citi.
The announcement follows the global bank’s recent title sponsorship of the Para Swimming World Series in a two-season partnership from 2023 to 2024.
It also forms part of the organisation’s ‘long-standing commitment to Para sports, focused on helping people with disabilities engage more actively with sport whilst improving inclusivity.’
Craig Nicholson, Head of World Para Swimming, said, “We are delighted to have Citi as our partner for the World Championships. Their commitment to Para swimming is fantastic. The partnership is having a real positive impact in Para swimming at all levels of the sport and it’s great to have their continued support for Manchester 2023.”
James Bardrick, Citi Country Officer, United Kingdom, added, “We are hugely honoured to partner with the 2023 World Championships in Manchester, deepening our commitment to Para Sports and the ambition to change the perception of disability.”
The Manchester 2023 Para Swimming World Championships will be held at the newly refurbished Manchester Aquatics Centre from 31st July to 6th August 2023.
Professional Rugby league club Salford Red Devils has formed a partnership with New Zealand-based rugby league club, Ponsonby Ponies.
The new partnership will allow the Red Devils to ‘share and nurture player development and ‘boost the pathways for young talent to progress.’
Ian Blease, Director of Rugby and Operations, commented, “I am delighted that we have agreed to create a new relationship and partnership with a forward-thinking club in New Zealand, the Ponsonby Ponies.
“Implementing another new partnership in another country is further establishing our worldwide connections as a club and is giving us more brand awareness in the Southern Hemisphere, alongside our partnership with the Ipswich Jets.
“I look forward to now growing the relationship and working alongside Martin and his staff at the club.”
