Category Archives: Sport

Charity & CSR, News, Property, Sport

Wavendon housebuilder supports young footballers at a local club

Two junior teams at Woburn and Wavendon Football Club have netted sponsorship from a housebuilder providing new homes in Wavendon.

The U9 Whirlwinds team has been given a donation of £500 towards club kit by Bellway Northern Homes Counties, which is currently building 168 new homes at Wavendon Chase off Newport Road.

Meanwhile, the U8 Lionesses have been given a matching £500 contribution.

Woburn and Wavendon Football Club is one of the area’s largest and oldest grassroot clubs and provides training and hosts games for nearly 50 teams, ranging from five-year-olds to adults.
The club’s teams play matches across nine different venues in the south and east of Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire.

The kit donations provided by the developer will be sported by the two teams in all future games this season and next.

Chairman of Woburn and Wavendon Football Club, Robert Hill, said: “We’d like to thank Bellway for their generous contributions, which have been a huge help towards funding for our new kits. As a club run entirely by volunteers, we rely on support from local businesses.

“We’re really looking forward to training and playing competitively again, and our Whirlwind and Lioness teams are very excited to kick off the new season in their brand-new kits. As an FA Charter Standard Community Club, we value this opportunity to work closely with Bellway and help integrate new Wavendon residents into our friendly community.”

Bellway Northern Home Counties Sales Director, Luke Southgate, said: “We’re very pleased to be supporting such a wonderful club, and we hope our donation will help to put smiles on the faces of those who have been keen to start training for the new season.”

For more information on the new homes being built by Bellway in Wavendon, visit bellway.co.uk.

Awards, News, Sport

Tottenham Hotspur and Soul Corporations joint winners of Best Customer and Employee Engagement programme 2020 award

Recognised by the International Engage Business Media Awards, the partnership between Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, and Soul Corporations, leadership consultancy that helps leaders drive their business forward with soul, on Thursday 3 December won the Best Customer and Employee Engagement programme 2020 award.

The Spurs Way programme has been designed to fulfil a new vision for the newly opened stadium to become an exceptional home for the team for generations to come, and to create the most digitally advanced stadium in the world, with a vibrant customer-centric culture. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium replaced the club’s previous home at White Hart Lane last year, becoming the third-largest football stadium in England and the largest club stadium in London. The building was designed as a multi-purpose stadium featuring the world’s first dividing retractable football pitch with a synthetic turf pitch underneath for NFL London Games, concerts, and other events.

The joint effort has seen the development of core values, The Spurs Way, to engage the heart and soul of people, mapping out the touchpoints for various types of customers to ensure they receive seamless and excellent service. Soul Corporations supported the design and rollout of a series of events aimed at creating personal connections with the values and the brand, helping leaders and teams to map out, document and track the key processes that would impact the end-to-end customer journey. Facilitating the Spurs Way Action Groups (SWAG), the teams have jointly created over 140 identifiable initiatives, using agile principles to enable staff to drive continuous and sustainable improvements.

“Nicholas and his team helped us get to a high level of performance very quickly. Their level of professionalism across the team has been second to none. They helped us identify and address a number of critical ‘showstoppers’, with some real clarity of thought helping us think differently about our priorities. They filled a gap when we needed extra capability and an independent voice, as well as giving our people a voice.”, said Andy O’Sullivan, Venue Director, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

“The club has won a raft of industry awards and we’re very proud to have helped them achieve this and honoured to win this top award.”, added Nicholas Brice, CEO of Soul Corporations. His team have been previously awarded three joint National Training Awards for their leadership development, change management and learning partnership with Brighton’s football club following their move to their new stadium in 2011.

About Soul Corporations:

Soul Corporations is a leadership consultancy and global movement that aims to connect people with their own soul, the soul of their team, the soul of the organisation. To arrange a masterclass for your team on the key learnings from these projects, please get in touch.

Charity & CSR, Children and Childcare, Sport

Pembrokeshire man takes on Atlantic Challenge with the support of local fostering agency

Gareth Reynolds from Pembrokeshire is currently taking on the ‘Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge’ across the Atlantic Ocean, on a solo rowing adventure to raise money for the MS Society with support from local fostering agency, Calon Cymru Fostering.

Gareth aged 31 who is a seafarer, has decided to take on the solo trip that will truly test his strength as he battles against the strong winds and high waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Gareth shared: “I enjoy challenging myself in everything I do. But I have never done something to truly test myself, to find my true limits, and discover what I am really capable of.”

Gareth has named the boat after Joshua Gardener, a young fire fighter who died in a tragic accident at the Cleddau waterway last year. They were great friends and had shared lots of adventures together.

Local fostering agency, Calon Cymru Fostering have sponsored Gareth’s quest where he will be departing on December 12th alone for up to 60 days at sea, rowing for an estimated and somewhat impressive 20 hours a day. Gareth mentioned his meals will consist of around 10,000 calories per day to help keep his strength and energy up.

Along with raising awareness for the life changing affects that MS can have on people from a young age, Gareth also wants to help raise awareness and support for those struggling with mental health issues. According to the MS Society, each week in the UK 130 people are diagnosed with MS and Mind Charity reported 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in the UK.

Calon Cymru Fostering supports Gareth’s Row and the cause he is advocating for. As an agency that specialises in supporting and caring for young people who have experienced early trauma, they recognise the vital importance that mental health issues can have on young people. The agency also recognises how they may have been affected by a parent or loved one whose lives have dramatically changed because of MS.

Jane Anderton, a Calon Cymru Foster Carer shared “I have known Gareth for a long time.  He is a very inspirational young man and tackles every task with humour and diligence. His affinity with the ocean is hereditary. His father and grandfather, [in fact] the whole family really are very adventurous, and all spend a great deal of time on and in the water; surfing, sailing, power boating and rowing.”

Jane also shared: “I am so proud to know him and know he will be successful and raise the total amount of money he has pledged to MS.”

We are confident, along with Jane and the whole of Calon Cymru Fostering others will support Gareth in his quest. We wish Gareth ‘Fair winds and following seas’ on his journey and will be watching his journey with pride and admiration.

Gareth stated: “I’m very excited about the challenge and could not thank Calon Cymru enough for their sponsorship.”

If you would like to also donate to Gareth’s row then visit www.atlanticdragonrow.com where you can also keep up to date with his progress. To learn more about foster care and how you could support a young person in your local area visit www.caloncymrufostering.co.uk or call 01267 223112/ 029 2081 1173.

Education, Sport

Cardiff Blues partnership comes to Pencoedtre High School to inspire and motivate pupils

A joint initiative between Bouygues UK and Cardiff Blues Community Foundation to engage secondary school pupils in career discussions was launched this week at Pencoedtre High School in Barry.

Cardiff Blues Tackle scheme is a sport engagement programme linked with essential and life skills workshops aimed to engage, inspire and motivate young people through an alternative curriculum experience.

The eight-week course aims to engage pupils from years 8 to 10 initially, through workshops and practical sessions geared towards career aspirations and higher education avenues. It aims to give children the chance to develop their employability skills and develop prospects by learning through rugby values such as teamwork, respect, discipline and passion.

Pupils will also work towards gaining an Agored Cymru award delivered through Cardiff and Vale College and, if Covid-19 rules allow, will be able visit to Cardiff Arms Park, where they will learn about jobs at Bouygues UK and Cardiff Blues.

Bouygues UK is currently building the new Pencoedtre High School. Pupils can look forward to new sporting facilities including a four-court sports hall, an all-weather hockey floodlit pitch and grass rugby and football pitches.

Alison Howe, Social Value Advisor at Bouygues UK who is working at the Pencoedtre High School site, said: “Bouygues UK is really pleased to be joining forces with the Cardiff Blues Community Foundation. It’s a very exciting initiative for us and one that we are really pleased to be bringing to Pencoedtre High school. 

“The programme of fun-filled events and workshops provided by Cardiff Blues has a solid track record and we look forward to working together to help enhance the prospects of children in Pencoedtre High.”

Nadine Griffiths, Cardiff Blues Community Foundation Director, said: “We are both thrilled and excited to kick off this new programme in partnership with Bouygues UK in Pencoedtre High School, which will have a really positive impact on pupils. Now more than ever with the Covid-19 pandemic, physical activity and mental health are significant concerns for young people but we can all work together to inspire, engage and improve opportunities for all within our communities.

“The TACKLE programme has been designed to help young people become more active, to build confidence and learn new skills while gaining qualifications to help build a positive future. As part of the programme former Cardiff Blues professional player and Junior All Black Nick Williams, will act as a mentor to the pupils. Nick is a fantastic role model and is very much looking forward to meeting and working with the pupils, listening to what they have to say and what they want to achieve, so we can all make a positive difference together. We cannot wait to get this programme up and running.”

Mike Baker, assistant head at Pencoedtre High School said: “We are delighted to be working with Cardiff Blues again, given the success of their Raising Aspirations programme that we participated in last year.

“The Tackle programme is a considerate and well thought out means of driving achievement in schools and our pupils can’t wait to get started. We are very grateful to Bouygues UK for facilitating and sponsoring this opportunity.”

Exercise, Health, News, Sport

Series of FREE Virtual Masterclasses hosted by Olympians, Prima Ballerinas and Yogi Masters

From Wednesday 14th October, every second Wednesday at 6pm, Everyone Active will showcase  FREE exclusive workshops live on FB and Instagram. These will be hosted by a range of world-class athletes, professional dancers and yogic experts.

Large scale events and big group workouts may not be allowed due to the pandemic, but Everyone Active isn’t letting that get in the way of some killer Live Stream workout workshops. To celebrate the launch of Everyone On Demand, its brand new virtual workout platform, Everyone Active has teamed up with Olympian and GB Gold Medallist Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Prima Ballerina’s Sleek Technique and the group-exercise gurus at Les Mills to host three FREE live-streamed workout masterclasses, with tips and tricks from the pros themselves.

Starting with the Ballet powerhouse-duo Sleek Technique on 14th October, join Everyone Active’s Instagram or Facebook pages to experience the Prima Ballerina’s best-selling, world-famous ‘Ballet Bootcamp’ class LIVE. As seen on Everyone On Demand’s partner app, Fitness On Demand, Flik and Victoria from Sleek Technique will virtually guide you through this revered workout which specialises in authentic ballet-techniques to help you accomplish the grace and poise of a dancer whilst  developing a gorgeous shapely and elegant physique.

Or if Olympic sprinting is your bag, join the one-of-a-kind special edition Olympic workout with gold-medallist Harry Aikines-Aryeetey on Wednesday 28th October. Thanks to partner app WithU, Harry will put you through your paces with high intensity, sweat-inducing, speed drills, dynamic agility work and skill sets. This LIVE workout will test you and push you to your limits but leave you feeling as unstoppable as the champion himself.

And to round off the series on Wednesday 11th November, Les Mills will be hosting a special edition, National Stress Awareness BODYBALANCE event. Join as a Les Mills Master Trainer guides you through the world-famous workout, which is proven to increase endorphins, help you sleep better and literally, move the stress away.

Working from home may be getting tiresome but working out from home needn’t be. Get involved with these limited edition, high quality workout workshops with true champions and revive your at-home fitness schedule with Everyone Active.

Live stream all three events for FREE via Everyone Active Facebook and Instagram pages. Events all start LIVE at 6pm on 14th October, 28th October and 11th November.

Charity & CSR, Sport

Football club celebrates 10 years of fundraising success with African prison partnership

A POPULAR community football team celebrating 10 years of fundraising success has netted new partnerships in lockdown – including an African prison’s soccer squad.

The North Wales Dragons refused to let the Coronavirus pandemic stand in the way of their drive to support social change and raise much needed funds for charities and health organisations across the UK.

Made up of players aged 16 to 65 years old, the team came together a decade ago for a charity soccer match and have been together ever since, highlighting the importance of sport and exercise in creating a positive environment.

Co-founder Chris Roberts, from Colwyn Bay, said while 2020 has been “hugely challenging” there have been positives for the Dragons.

“Since the turn of the year we have made huge strides, though of course the COVID-19 pandemic has had an effect,” he said.

“We had visited universities, attended charity events and even had the opportunity to attend Celtic Park in Glasgow, to find out more about how a top-flight football club deals with social conscience.

“The team also played in a match to raise awareness of men’s mental health awareness in Leeds and attended a diversity fashion show in Manchester.”

Chris added: “The lockdown period put an end to our plans to be at more events this year, which is a huge shame, but behind closed doors we have continued to be busy.”

Other progress includes a new collaboration with Bangor University Sports Centre, the creation of the North Wales Dragons Women’s team, and donations to local foodbanks, hospitals and cancer and children’s charities.

They even formed a partnership with Hearts of Ruiru Sports FC, a club with players drawn from a prison and community in Nairobi, Kenya, and will be delivering memory workshops to dementia sufferers when it is safe to do so, with social distancing measures in place.

Chris added: “There are many reasons for us to be positive about the future after what has been an unprecedented few months.

“For anyone out there who needs us; if you are struggling, need someone to talk to or want to work together with North Wales Dragons to help make a difference, please get in touch.”

For more information, visit the website www.northwalesdragons.co.uk or email chris@northwalesdragons.co.uk

News, Sport

Round-the-World Sailor uses Medallia Crowdsourcing Platform to Engage with Fans and Gather Advice Ahead of Solo World-Record Attempt

Medallia, Inc. (NYSE: MDLA), the global leader in experience management, today announced that British sailor Pip Hare is using its crowdsourcing platform – Medallia Crowdicity – to crowdsource ideas and advice from the sailing community and engage with fans as she attempts to become the fastest woman to sail solo around the world. Pip is using the Medallia platform to solicit inspirational ideas on how to stay mentally and physically fit – as well as how to maximise performance – as she competes in the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe.

The 24,000-mile Vendée Globe is the ultimate test of endurance. Pip will be on her own from when the race starts in early November 2020, until its expected finish in February 2021. One of Pip’s first challenges will be asking fellow sailors, fans, experts for advice on how to tackle more than 90 days on her own. During the run up to the race, she will issue further crowdsourcing ‘challenges’ to her new digital community and will share video feedback updates to illustrate their impact on her performance.

“The Vendée is the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced, not just because of the dangers and athletic demands of sailing single-handedly around the world, but because of the sheer amount of time I’ll be on my own,” said Pip Hare. “But isolation is something many people have learnt to cope with, be them fellow sailors, other athletes and even people shielding during lockdown, so I can’t wait to hear their inspiring ideas and insights.”

Hare continued, “The Medallia platform will also be a brilliant way for fans to see what I’m up to; both during preparations and during the race itself. Furthermore, I know it will be highly motivating for me to read all their suggestions and messages of support.”

Pip’s Crowdicity community launches ahead of the Royal Western Yacht Club’s (RWYC) ‘Lonely Rock Race’ 2020 starting on August 16, 2020, where she will compete in her newly renamed 60ft IMOCA class boat, ‘Medallia.’

To join Pip’s crowdsourcing community, leave an idea or comment on other people’s suggestions, please visit: https://medalliaxpiphare.crowdicity.com/.

In September, Pip will also start to use Medallia LivingLens, which allows her to upload video and audio footage for automatic analysis. LivingLens uses a machine learning algorithm to scrutinise numerous parameters – including facial expressions, tone of voice and keywords used. These videos will be available for all fans to view, while the analysis – along with data about Pip’s biometrics, the weather and the boat’s performance – will also be available during the Vendée Globe via a single dashboard.

Fans will also have the opportunity to record and upload their own videos with suggestions or motivational messages for Pip. More details will be provided on the Medallia x Pip Hare website in the coming months.

“Pip will be physically on her own when she competes in the gruelling Vendée Globe, but that doesn’t mean she can’t be a part of a vibrant online fan community in the run up to the race,” said Leslie Stretch, CEO, Medallia. “By tapping into the insights and knowledge of enthusiasts and experts all across the world, Pip can feel connected to her many fans, drawing on their support as she chases her dream. Our platform will also give Pip’s supporters an idea of what it’s like to take on such an incredible endeavour with video; and in round-the-world sailing, that’s something they wouldn’t usually get to see.”

Charity & CSR, News, Sport

Lockdown relay ‘Pass the Baton’ attracts over 1,000 runners from 31 countries across all seven continents

Pass the Baton is a virtual global relay which was set up in April by a small group of friends in Nottingham to raise money for UNICEF.

Over the last three months the event has grown exponentially and now attracts 1,200 runners from across the globe and has just had runners join from its seventh continent – Antarctica. The runners who have taken part in the weekly relay are looking for both fitness and a sense of community during these difficult times.

Pass the Baton is one of the many positive initiatives created to alleviate the physical and mental challenges of the Covid-19 lockdown. It began when the group of friends decided to create a virtual marathon relay to replace the cancelled London Marathon which they’d been training for.

The first week was simple – participants ran an equal section of a 26.2 miles marathon route and passed the baton after each leg over a dedicated WhatsApp group. One week later the concept matured – 48 runners from across the globe, all completing 5.2km in 30 min slots, over a 24-hour period – this is when Pass the Baton came to life.

The initiative is now 12 weeks old and the Pass the Baton global community relay occurs every Sunday, with three groups of 48 runners completing 250km over 24 hours. During the week an online group of hundreds of runners between the ages of 6 and 55, from 31 countries, choose a 30-minute slot to run, then the relay starts on Saturday evening.

The event has become more sophisticated since its creation with runners creating Pass the Baton films and soundtracks – with the aim of creating the same sense of fun and community runners experience during real marathons.

UNICEF was chosen as the benefitting charity as it is working globally to improve the lives of children affected by Covid-19.

One of the founding members of Pass the Baton and finance director at Nottingham-based 200 Degrees Coffee, Stephen Fern, said: “We have created a community of runners of all ages and abilities that encourage each other to do their best whilst sharing pictures, stories and encouragement online. The engagement never ceases to amaze us and every Sunday we watch how Pass the Baton provides a space for people to connect –cultivating happiness, joy and a sense of community and belonging.

“When we reached our 1,000th runner and had participants join us from the only continent where we didn’t have any coverage – Antarctica – we were all so excited. As a business we supply 200 Degrees coffee to the British Antarctica Survey (BAS) and through that connection, we managed to have runners in all seven continents. It really is a global community that has grown in only a matter of weeks.

“Participants love the motivation they receive to get fit, push themselves and ultimately improve their mental and physical wellbeing, as part of a global community. It is a big effort to organise every week, but our whole team absolutely love doing it. Our reward is the ever-growing pot of money for UNICEF, seeing people strive to achieve personal bests in their running and the fact that we have created a community with purpose and passion.”

Feedback from runners has included; “Amazing to feel part of such a great community – I feel fitter and am happy to support kids through UNICEF”, “Absolutely love connecting with new friends around the world” and “My PB is down thanks to everyone on this group – thanks!”.

Robert Fern, Stephen’s cousin and fellow founding member, said: “We have been blown away by the response we have had for Pass the Baton and the speed at which it has grown. I think that shows that many people are benefiting from the social interaction and the physical activity of ‘getting out there’, especially during the pandemic.

“The sense of satisfaction in seeing how much people are enjoying taking part, and raising £6,000 and counting for UNICEF is really wonderful. I can’t wait to see where this goes and encourage anyone who’d like to get involved – no matter what level of runner they are – to get in touch and become part of this global community.”

Organisers hope more runners will sign up and be part of the global running initiative and that Pass the Baton continues to grow and inspire others.

If you’d like to donate to UNICEF as part of Pass the Baton, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/pass-the-baton. If you’d like to take part as a runner, please email stephen@200degs.com

News, Sport

Medallia Sponsors Pip Hare to Compete in the Vendée Globe

Medallia, the experience management specialist, today announced its sponsorship of British professional sailor Pip Hare in her attempt to sail single-handed, non-stop around the world as a competitor in the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe. Hare will be the skipper of Medallia, a 60ft IMOCA class boat which she will use to complete in the Vendée Globe in November – a feat achieved by fewer than 80 experienced sailors throughout the competition’s 30 plus year history – and break the current female record held by Dame Ellen MacArthur.

The Vendée Globe takes place every four years, with the ninth edition of the race departing on 8th November 2020 from Les Sables d’Olonne, France. Hare is one of six female skippers registered for the race – out of a total of 35 – and is hoping to make history by being the eighth female ever to complete the 24,000 mile race whilst aiming to beat MacArthur’s time of 94 days, 4 hours and 25 minutes.

“My entire 28-year career has been focused on breaking down barriers to get to this point. More men have walked on the moon than women have completed the Vendée Globe, which is all the inspiration I need to succeed,” said Pip Hare. “It’s been a lonely path to get this far, so I am absolutely thrilled that such a visionary company as Medallia has stepped in to make my lifelong dream a reality.”

In the lead up to November’s departure, Pip will skipper Medallia in a number of warm-up races, including the Lonely Rock Race and the Round The Island race.

“Medallia has a rich history of helping customers and partners achieve excellence and success. We believe this synergy in goals made us the ideal partner to support such a focused, talented athlete like Pip,” said Leslie Stretch, CEO of Medallia. “Her skill, ambition and determination to break down barriers in sport is hugely inspirational and we are proud to be working with her as she competes in what is probably the toughest endurance race in the world, the Vendée Globe.”

FInance, News, Sport

MHA Tait Walker’s Wealth Management team enters into new sporting partmership

MHA Tait Walker’s Wealth Management team has entered into a new partnership with Professional Golfer Garrick Porteous to offer support to the sporting community during turbulent times.

As golfing is now allowed under the new rules as the UK starts to come out of lockdown, the Wealth Management team at MHA Tait Walker felt it was important to support the region’s young, talented sports stars.

Garrick, who originally hails from Morpeth in Northumberland, has been a member of Bamburgh Castle Golf Club since he was young. During his career, he has played golf for England’s under 18s and was offered a golf scholarship with the University of Tennessee. He has since played golf across America, representing Tennessee in three NCAA Division 1 finals.

Garrick has also played for England Men’s team in the Home Internationals and was selected for the England Elite Men’s Squad and the Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) Squad. This culminated in the young sportsman representing GB&I against America in the Walker Cup (2013), against Europe in the St Andrews Trophy (2012) and representing England in the World Team Championships for the Eisenhower Trophy in 2012.

After victory in the British Amateur Championship, he played in The Open at Muirfield and then The Masters in 2014. He turned professional in 2015 which saw him win at The Astbury in Shropshire on the Europro Tour, before earning Challenge tour status in 2015 which saw him win in Prague in 2017. Last year’s highlight saw Garrick qualify for the 148th open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

He is now set to appear at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood at Close House between 22 and 25th July, his first tournament since lockdown began in March.

He said: “The Covid-19 pandemic is the most challenging time the sports industry has ever witnessed, and we have all taken a big hit. However, as we return to a new normal, golf is the perfect social distance sport if the return is managed properly.

“I’m really looking forward to the chance to hone my skills and compete again. I feel very fortunate that I am able to play right now when others can’t.
“It’s been difficult trying to practice from home and I just feel very lucky that I’m able to improve my game.”

Mark Parkinson, Wealth Management Partner at MHA Tait Walker, said: “As a firm, we are delighted to be able to partner with Garrick and look forward to watching his progress in the coming months.

“Garrick and his peers have been totally compromised by this pandemic and it is vital that as a regional business, we continue to support the people and communities in which we all live and work.”

The firm’s 70-strong Wealth Management and Tax teams work together to provide specialist advice for clients.

Mark added: “Many Wealth Management decisions are closely linked to taxes that need to be reviewed with a client’s tax advisor. Our specialism is working with high net worth clients. By working together with the Tax team, we can provide clients with the assurance that we are working in their best interests. Ultimately we hope that this leads to a better client experience.”