Shorts: Toyota, Extreme E, Scottish FA

Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) and Toyota have launched a new fund, which is aiming to provide greater support for the charity’s athletes and volunteer coaches.

The Toyota Coaching Fund is also intended to enhance the level of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities across the country.

Special Olympics GB’s roster of more than 3,800 volunteers will be able to access coaching corses and qualifications across the orgnanisation’s 27 competition sports. 

Online applications are now open, with registered athletes and volunteers eligible to receive funding for their sporting qualifications.

Toyota first teamed up with Special Olympics GB last July, signing a two-year agreement that includes official mobility partner designation.

Laura Baxter, CEO of Special Olympics GB, said, “We’re very grateful to Toyota for backing Special Olympics GB as a corporate partner, and for enabling the charity to provide greater support to the coaches who work with our athletes at grassroots clubs across the country.

“Providing funding to these coaching courses, which will all be endorsed or delivered by the respective National Governing Body, will enable our coaches to upskill themselves and take more steps towards achieving their coaching goals.

“Alongside this, it ensures that our athletes receive an even greater level of coaching and hopefully allow them to grow in their respective sports.”

Extreme E will return to Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland for the 2024 season, the all-electric off road racing series has announced.

After debuting in 2023, this year’s Hydro X Prix race will take place on 13th and 14th July, and will kick off the series’ European leg of the current season.

To mark its return to Scotland, Extreme E will continue to implement its legacy initiatives at the Hydro X Prix, including the planting of more than a thousand trees.

The series will also continue its ‘long-term transformation’ of the River With area, as it aims to preserve salmon stocks, which are integral to local industries.

Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, said, “It was a hugely successful event last year and we cannot wait to return to such a dramatic location for our action-packed racing series, but also one which has sustainability values at its core. 

“Scotland is a strong voice in the adoption of a clean energy future and renewable energy sources, and our Hydro X Prix marks a great opportunity to highlight these important issues that are happening so close to home.” 

Football equipment manufacturer and supplier Forza has agreed a new two-year deal with The Scottish FA, signing as the national governing body’s preferred goal post and training equipment supplier.

Sam Williams, Sales & Commercial Manager at Forza said, “We at Forza are thrilled to join forces with the Scottish FA. We look forward to supporting the development of football throughout Scotland, not just for the national teams, but also through grassroots community initiatives. We wish the men’s national team the best of luck in their upcoming Euro 2024 campaign!”

BRIT and Ivor Novello-nominated singer-songwriter Tom Grennan will perform at the upcoming AIG Women’s Open golf tournament on Saturday 24th August.

On his announcement, Grennan said, “I absolutely love my golf, so it’s going to be class performing at the AIG Women’s Open this summer at St Andrews. I spend way too much time out on the course so it’s nice to be able to put those two passions together. St Andrews is the one too – the most historic course in the world. It’s going to be epic.

“The women’s game is in a really exciting place right now with the likes of Nelly Korda, Rose Zhang [below] coming through and Charley Hull representing the UK all in the top 10. I can’t wait to watch the best in the world competing at St Andrews. If I wasn’t performing I’d be there watching or glued to my TV anyway!”

Kent Cricket has agreed a three-year partnership with sports memorabilia brand MatchWornShirt.

MatchWornShirt provides fans with direct access to match-worn and signed football shirts but has since expanded to offer an extensive range of collectibles from cricket, rugby, hockey and many other sports. 

As per the new deal with Kent Cricket, MatchWornShirt will give fans opportunities in each cricket season to get their hands on the match-worn and signed shirts of their favourite players via online auctions.

James Flude, Head of Business Development at MatchWornShirt, said, “We are delighted to welcome Kent Cricket to our growing portfolio of partners in the UK. Tradition is at the heart of the game, but we are also seeing new and innovative trends throughout the sport – and we are delighted to be playing a part in that through this latest partnership with Kent.”

Andy Griffiths, Director or Partnerships, added, “Match-worn shirts are very popular within our supporters and membership, therefore to sign this partnership is very exciting for us. Our new partnership with MatchWornShirt will provide supporters with even more chances to get their hands on truly unique items of memorabilia, enabling them to own a piece of history from the Kent players.”

Degen Distillery has been announced as the presenting partner for Goodwood’s Three Friday Nights, which begins on 7^th June with Grammy Award winner Craig David kicking off the event.

The event will see a sell-out crowd of 11,500 enjoy an afternoon of racing on the Sussex Downs, followed by an evening of music at Goodwood’s parade ring, which will be transformed into a laser-lit dance floor. 

Web 3 disruptor Degen is launching its 721 Vodka as part of a three-year deal as presenting partner and will also be the vodka of choice at all Goodwood race meetings over the period. 

Degen Distillery CEO and Co-Founder, Sammy Verghese, said, “We are thrilled to be the official presenting partner of Three Friday Nights, where we proudly launched our new 721 Vodka for the first time. This partnership marks a significant milestone for our business, as we introduce a unique blend that embodies the spirit of celebration and innovation.”

EFL League Two football club Bradford City has extended its long-term partnership with Smith Butler.

The Bradford-based accountant firm will continue as an associate club partner and executive box holder at the University of Bradford Stadium for the 2024/25 season.

Bradford City’s Commercial Manager, Michael Shackleton, said, “We are delighted to be taking our partnership with Smith Butler into another season.

“As close friends of the club, they have been affiliated with us for well over 10 years, representing their commitment and dedication to supporting us as much as they can.

“Partnering with Bradford-based businesses is something which forms a huge part of our commercial strategy, and we welcome the backing from such a successful organisation. I would like to thank Jason and Sally for their continued support, and am looking forward to the next year of our partnership.”