Shorts: Surrey 89ers, National Badminton League, Surf London

Surrey 89ers land three-year Nike kit deal

The deal, facilitated by Nike’s teamwear partner for Great Britain and Ireland, KitKing, will see the brand supply the Super League Basketball (SLB) club with game kits, training wear, and off-court team apparel.

The partnership follows the franchise’s debut season, in which they reached the SLB Cup Final and the playoffs. As part of the agreement, Surrey 89ers and KitKing will also launch a retail offering for fans, including game jerseys and other Nike-branded merchandise.

Dan Clark, Co-Founder and General Manager of Surrey 89ers, said, There is a strong connection between Nike and basketball at the highest level, and it’s incredibly exciting to see Surrey 89ers become part of this legacy.”

The National Badminton League is set for major comeback this November

The league has been redesigned with a new identity aimed at engaging existing fans, attracting younger audiences, and raising the sport’s national profile.

Featuring six teams, Loughborough University, Team Skyfall, Bristol Bullets, The Saxons, Manchester Badminton, and the University of Nottingham, the NBL promises to deliver a faster, more dynamic format with new rules, modern venues, and live coverage across multiple platforms.

Under the league’s refreshed format, every point scored will contribute to overall standings, reinforcing the competition’s new slogan: Every Point Matters.

Surf London rides funding wave past £750k

Active leisure destination Surf London has opened its public fundraising campaign, having already surpassed its initial investment target.

The project, which recently received full planning approval, has passed its initial £750k target through a priority investment period with Republic Europe. The campaign is now open to the public with a new aim of achieving circa £2m in investment.

The funds will be used to deliver the final design stages, with the aim of starting construction on the 104-acre parkland site. Surf London, operated by Crest Experiences, will feature a surf lake.

Hazel Geary, CEO, Crest Experiences, said, “The appetite for investment into Surf London at this early stage demonstrates just how keenly anticipated this active leisure destination is. The planning approval is just another level of confidence that this project is destined to bring a hugely valuable experience. A big thank you to everyone who has invested into the priority window and we look forward to bringing all investors on the journey between now and our first waves.”

Gloucester Rugby sign Roveel as reporting partner

The agreement will see the software company provide its data analytics and dashboard tools to support the club’s finance and operations teams. The partnership aims to strengthen data-driven decision making by providing greater insights into financial performance.

The deal also extends to the Gloucester Rugby Charitable Foundation, with Roveel’s platform being used to track and manage charitable resources. As part of the collaboration, businesses that sign up for Roveel’s services can opt to donate their first month’s subscription fee directly to the club.

Mark Donaldson, CEO of Roveel, said, “We’re thrilled to become the Official Reporting Partner of Gloucester Rugby. This club is at the heart of its community, and we’re proud to not only provide reporting solutions but also create a way for fans and businesses to contribute directly to their team. This is about working smarter, making better decisions, and giving back to the communities we serve.”

Matt Mulcahy, Director of Finance and Operations of Gloucester Rugby Club, added, “Gloucester Rugby is delighted to welcome Roveel into our family of partners. Their platform is already helping businesses across the country make sense of their data, and now they’re giving our supporters the chance to make a real difference to their businesses whilst supporting our Club. It’s a partnership that reflects innovation, teamwork, and community spirit.”