Shorts: Netball Super League, Aston Villa, Weplay

Ahead of the Netball Super League (NSL) semi-finals this weekend (22nd June), the league has announced a new partnership with beauty brands Collection Cosmetics and Witch Skincare.

According to a statement, the partnership aims to ‘shine a spotlight on the range of inspirational female athletes competing across the NSL’ with both brands set to receive ‘visibility’ across both semi-finals and the 2024 Grand Final on 29th June.

In 2025 the NSL will launch a revamped competition with a view to becoming fully professional, with new teams Nottingham Forest Netball and Birmingham Panthers set to join the competition following an eight-month tender process.

On announcing the new partnership, NSL Managing Director, Claire Nelson, said, “We’re delighted to announce this partnership which will see Collection Cosmetics and Witch Skincare join us on the road to the NSL Grand Final 2024. As a proudly female-focussed sport, working with an iconic beauty brand loved by millions across the UK like Collection Cosmetics is a natural fit.

“Our league is full of the most formidable athletes who demonstrate strength, power and resilience both on and beyond the court and, with our shared ambition to champion women’s sport and tell the stories of these incredible female athletes, we’re excited to work with Collection Cosmetics in the lead up to and at the NSL Grand Final 2024.”

Angharad Griffith, Marketing Manager at Collection Cosmetics, added, “We are thrilled to be partnered with the Netball Super League and eagerly anticipate the Grand Final next week. Our collaboration feels like a natural fit, as we share the same goals to empower women and boost their confidence.

“We’re looking forward to capturing ‘real life beauty’ moments both on and off the court and sharing these with our growing online community. We can’t wait to meet the fans and players and introduce them to our fantastic range of makeup and skincare products.”

Earlier this month, Wasserman’s women-focused impact and advisory subsidiary, The Collective, agreed a new partnership with the NSL to support the league’s brand strategy, creative output and product development, in order to maximise engagement with new audiences.

Photo credit: Ben Lumley

Aston Villa has extended its partnership with ticketing platform SeatGeek in a deal covering both the men’s and women’s teams.

Peter Joyce, Managing Director of SeatGeek, said, “We are delighted to have extended our partnership with Aston Villa after what has been such an historic season, one which maintains their upward trajectory. It is our pleasure that we are able to continue our journey together.”

Chris Heck, Aston Villa President of Business Operations, added, “We are extremely happy to be aligned with SeatGeek with our new global vision for this great club. SeatGeek have been a trusted partner and we look forward to continuing our off-field growth alongside an internationally-recognised partner.”

Dundee United has announced haulage contractor Norman Jamieson as its new back-of-shirt sponsor for the upcoming 2024/25 football season.

Norman Jamieson Managing Director, Stuart Jamieson, said, “We are excited to support Dundee United as their back-of-shirt sponsor. Seeing the club thrive once more and having our name featured on the back of United’s Premiership jerseys is a proud moment for us as long-standing partners and we are looking forward to a successful season ahead.”

Head of Commercial and Sponsorship, Mark Cunningham, added, “We are delighted to welcome Norman Jamieson as our new back-of-shirt sponsor. Stuart and Lynne are longstanding supporters of the club and we are excited to have them on board for the upcoming season.  By securing this partnership agreement we continue to demonstrate our commitment as a football club to build a strong local partnership community.”

Next season Dundee United will play in the Scottish Premiership, the top division of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) system, after finishing top of the second division Scottish Championship.

The Asian Tour has appointed London-based sports marketing agency WePlay as its creative partner.

In a LinkedIn post the men’s professional golf tour indicated the new appointment would focus around the production of ‘engaging brand campaign celebrating its core values’ with a campaign set to launch later this summer.

EFL League One football club Exeter City has extended and expanded its partnership with sports retailer Pro:Direct.

The new agreement will see the Newton Abbott-based company continue to supply all Exeter City teams, including the academy and the Exeter City Community Trust, with playing, training and replica kit.

Adam Parker, Category Leader Clubhouse and Partnerships at Pro:Direct said, “Pro:Direct are proud to extend our relationship with Exeter City, after a highly successful first season we are excited to launch this year’s kits and enjoy another successful year.

“Supporting the Training Kit has been a natural progression for the relationship and we are proud to see our Logo alongside the club crest. We will be enhancing our community initiatives this season with the Club, watch this space for how to get involved.”

Jeremy Tipper, Exeter City CEO, added, “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Devon-based Pro:Direct, which includes their well-respected brand on our training kit.

“Pro:Direct have been fantastic supporters of the club during the partnership so far, providing kits for our Para Sports teams and have really brought into the community aspect of our special club.

“Feedback and sales of the new kits for the 2023/24 season was fantastic and we are excited to show the fans the new away and third kit for the 2024/25 season.