Shorts: WTA, The British & Irish Lions, Silverstone

The WTA has teamed up with London-based fashion label Duke + Dexter to launch a limited-edition womenswear collection

This exclusive capsule, featuring both footwear and apparel, has built on Duke and Dexter’s reputation for styling and has marked the WTA’s first fashion collaboration since unveiling its refreshed brand identity earlier this year.

The collection has launched as some of the WTA’s top athletes have taken to the court in London for the HSBC Championships — the first WTA tournament held at The Queen’s Club in over 50 years.

The WTA x D + D collection has included two pieces: a custom edition of Duke and Dexter’s women’s penny loafer in contrasting off-white and black, designed in London, featuring hand-drawn artwork by D+D’s in-house artist, Jess.

WTA athlete Priscilla Hon has fronted the campaign, marking Duke and Dexter’s first-ever womenswear launch.

Sarah Swanson, Chief Brand Officer, WTA, said, “This year more than ever, tennis is at the centre of the cultural conversation with a distinctive style, attitude and a generation of players who are connecting with fans around the world.

“Our collaboration is a perfect way to mark the WTA’s return to London, celebrate the relationship between tennis and fashion, and reach out to new fans.”

The British & Irish Lions have partnered with STATSports, a provider of GPS athlete monitoring technology, ahead of their 2025 Tour of Australia.

STATSports has provided wearable tracking technology and performance analysis support to the Lions, equipping the team’s players and coaching staff with data insights to optimise performance, manage load, and minimise injury risk throughout the Tour.

The partnership has reinforced the Lions’ commitment to innovation and preparation, ensuring players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are equipped with the tools needed during the Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Series 2025 to Australia.

STATSports technology is already used by rugby unions and clubs worldwide, including New Zealand’s All Blacks, South Africa, Irish Rugby and numerous teams across the URC, Gallagher Premiership, Top 14 and Super Rugby.

Ben Pollard, British & Irish Lions Sports Scientist and Strength and Conditioning Coach, said, “The cutting-edge STATSports technology will play a crucial role in ensuring our players are physically ready for the unique challenges of a Lions Tour.

“Preparation and performance are at the heart of everything we do and partnering with a brand like STATSports will allow us to deliver the highest standards of support and care to our players.”

Silverstone Festival has confirmed Race Against Dementia as its Official Charity Partner for its 2024 edition, marking 75 years of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

The partnership has coincided with ongoing celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Formula 1, which held its first-ever World Championship race at Silverstone in 1950.

Sir Jackie Stewart, a three-time Formula 1 World Champion, launched the charity after his wife Helen was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.

Race Against Dementia funds research teams worldwide, applying methods inspired by Formula 1 innovation and engineering to accelerate progress in dementia science.

Funds raised during the festival will support the charity’s work in advancing research into prevention and treatment.

Dementia currently affects more than 55 million people globally. According to current projections, one in three people born today is expected to develop the condition without further breakthroughs.

Sir Jackie Stewart, said, “Helen would be truly proud of what we’re doing to challenge her illness – and the broader challenge dementia presents to society.

“We’ve already made exciting breakthroughs, and I believe more are just around the corner if we continue accelerating our ground-breaking research in the race for a cure. A big ‘thank you’ to Silverstone and its passionate supporters.”

Sport England has reserved up to £16m from its Movement Fund to support environmental sustainability projects within the UK’s sport and physical activity sector.

Sport England has set aside 10% of its £160m Movement Fund to help sports clubs and physical activity groups in England reduce their environmental impact and adapt to climate-related challenges. Eligible organisations can apply for grants ranging from £300 to £15,000.

The investment is aimed at improving the sector’s resilience, with example projects including solar panel installation, electric battery use, waste reduction, and flood mitigation on sports pitches.

Sport England has also planned a partnership with BASIS (British Association for Sustainable Sport) to provide training, tools, and support to organisations applying for or implementing environmental projects. BASIS currently works with sports organisations across the UK to improve sustainability practices at both grassroots and elite levels.

This targeted funding stream is part of Sport England’s broader strategy to help create a more environmentally sustainable sports.

Chris Boardman, Sport England Chair, said, “Today’s announcement represents the biggest ever package of support for the sports sector as part of our ambition to create the greenest sports industry in the world.

“There are two big reasons why our sector must lead the way. First, extreme weather and environmental pollution – whether that’s to our pitches, courts or waterways – is having a devastating impact on physical activity levels. It’s damaging our nation’s health and productivity.

“Second, sport has a unique global megaphone and influence on wider society. By leading the way and advocating for change, we can inspire wider society to act.”

Rugby Australia have agreed a multi-year partnership with Irish ticketing technology company Tixserve to provide a custom digital ticketing solution for the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour.

This marks Tixserve’s first major expansion into the Australian sports events market.

Tixserve has developed the RugbyAU Tickets app, a standalone white-label event app for Rugby Australia.

The app will manage digital ticket delivery for all travelling and hospitality guests during the Lions Tour, including the three Test matches against the British and Irish Lions. Following the tour, Rugby Australia plans to use the app for international and franchise matches.

The Rugby AU Tickets app delivers digital tickets designed to be secure from fraud while offering enhanced fan engagement features.

The digital-only approach aligns with Tixserve’s commitment to environmental sustainability by eliminating paper waste and aims to significantly reduce fraud and scalping through advanced security features.

Patrick Kirby, Managing Director, Tixserve, said, “Having successfully powered ticketing distribution for England’s RFU, the Welsh Rugby Union, and the Scottish Rugby Union, we’re thrilled to bring our proven technology to Australian rugby union fans for what promises to be the sporting event of the decade.”

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