LONDON, UK. March 11th, 2025 – Rapsodo, a global leader in sports analytics and data-driven technology, is excited to announce its partnership with the Rose Ladies Series, a premier women’s golf development series founded by Major Champion Justin Rose and his wife, Kate Rose. This collaboration reflects Rapsodo’s commitment to advancing female golf talent by providing players with cutting-edge performance-tracking technology. 

Rapsodo’s MLM2PRO Launch Monitor + Golf Simulator has been named the Official Launch Monitor of the Rose Ladies Series, which will feature five one-day tournaments across England from 28 April to 9 May 2025, each offering a £10,000 prize purse.  

As part of this partnership, Rapsodo will award an MLM2PRO Launch Monitor to all the winners and host demos and activations ahead of the tournaments, giving players the opportunity to experience its launch monitor technology firsthand and see how it can enhance their training and performance.  

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Rose Ladies Series and empower these talented players with data-driven insights,” says Matthew Rigby, Director of International Markets at Rapsodo. 

“By making accurate data and performance analytics accessible, we’re levelling the playing field, ensuring that every player has the tools they need to reach their full potential.”  

Kate Rose, co-founder of the Rose Ladies Series, commented on the partnership. She said: “One of the biggest barriers for developing players is access to high-quality training tools. Through our partnership with Rapsodo, we’re equipping Rose Ladies Series players with the accurate data and insights they need to grow, compete, and ultimately succeed at the highest level.” 

Justin Rose also shared his excitement about the collaboration: “We’re excited to bring on Rapsodo as it’s known for providing precise data that can help all the Rose Ladies Series players play to their best potential through data-driven insights and improvement.”  

This partnership underscores Rapsodo’s ongoing commitment to making professional-level technology more accessible and affordable, helping golfers of all levels improve and play without limits. 

For more information about Rapsodo and its products, visit www.rapsodo.co.uk. 

ENDS

LONDON, UK. November 1st, 2024 – At this week’s 27th General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), Swedish water purification innovator Bluewater issued a powerful call to action urging the Olympic Community to adopt transformative hydration solutions for tackling declining tap water quality and the ongoing damage caused by single-use plastic pollution.

 

The address coincided with the announcement of a new four-year partnership between ANOC and Bluewater, built on a shared commitment to champion advanced technology solutions for water purification to create sustainable, accessible, and health-focused drinking water delivery for sport globally.

 

“Access to clean and sustainable drinking water is fundamentally intertwined with the international sporting community”, said Philip Russell, Chief Purpose Officer at Bluewater Group.  

“Athletes can’t train and compete effectively without proper hydration, and now with the worrying trend of contaminants appearing in municipal tap water supplies and the growing concerns related to the health impacts of micro-plastic pollution, there is an urgent need to evolve our approach by which we provide drinking water for athletes, teams, staff and volunteers.”

 

For over a decade, Bluewater has innovated and pioneered industry-leading water purification systems that remove over 99% of contaminants from locally available water supplies, thereby eliminating the need to ship in pre-bottled water from remote locations. Heavy metals, parasites, viruses, micro-plastics, and toxic chemicals like PFAS are effectively removed by Bluewater’s reverse osmosis technology, before the locally purified water is then remineralised and chilled to create a balanced and delicious water refill solution. Bluewater refillable bottles, constructed from premium stainless steel and warrantied to last a lifetime, then offer the perfect accessory to enjoy high-quality and sustainable drinking water while ending the reliance on polluting single-use plastics.

 

Welcoming the new partnership, Gunilla Lindberg, ANOC Secretary General said: “ANOC is committed to sustainability and to providing a platform for National Olympic Committees to share and exchange best practice on this critical subject. We recognise that technologies are fast evolving and we are excited by the scope of Bluewater’s water purification solutions for athletes, staff events and venues. Our partnership with Bluewater will help us in achieving our own pledge to minimise our carbon footprint while promoting effective pathways to avoid plastic pollution.”

 

Global trust in tap water quality is declining. A 2024 study published in Nature Communications found that more than half of adults sampled across 141 countries anticipated serious harm from their drinking water in the next two years. This declining trust in tap water is driving unsustainable reliance on plastic bottled water. Some 600 billion plastic bottles are consumed around the world annually. 

Yet as reported by the United Nations Development Programme, scientists estimate that only approximately nine percent of all the plastic waste generated globally is actually recycled.  The majority of plastic waste is landfilled, incinerated, or leaches out into the natural environment polluting our lakes, rivers, oceans and food system. Medical researchers continue to also raise alarms regarding concerns over potential health impacts linked to ingestion of micro-plastic particles and associated chemical contaminants.

 

Highlighting these trends during Bluewater’s plenary address at the General Assembly, Philip Russell told delegates that Bluewater’s business mission is to transform access to clean and sustainable drinking water globally by leveraging innovative technology solutions. “We stand at a pivotal moment for the future of our planet and the health of our athletes,” he said.  

“Through this exciting new partnership with ANOC, we can help pave the way for a healthier, more sustainable approach to drinking water delivery that respects both our bodies and our environment.”

 

Bluewater is joined at this week’s General Assembly by Global Bluewater Brand Ambassador Ellie Aldridge, who recently secured her debut Olympic Gold Medal in Women’s Kite at the 2024 Paris Games. Racing across the world’s oceans, Ellie has first-hand seen the disastrous impact of single-use plastic pollution on marine health and now works with Bluewater to raise awareness and drive change for more sustainable hydration practices across all of sport. A showcase of Bluewater purification and dispensing solutions have been installed at the Cascais conference venue in order to allow General Assembly delegates to experience the pioneering solutions in person and to enjoy the locally purified and mineralised drinking water.

 

Through this new partnership with ANOC, Bluewater aims to inspire athletes and sports organisations to adopt more sustainable practices, utilise refillable water bottles, and embrace a culture of mindful hydration. Together, the two organisations will work to change perceptions about tap water safety globally, demonstrating that it can be a clean and convenient reliable source of hydration for sport if first processed with appropriate point-of-consumption purification technologies.

ENDS

TEXAS, US. October 11th, 2024 – Action Apps, the revolutionary sports technology and athlete management solution, today unveiled its reimagined Power AMS platform, setting a new industry standard for team management. The rebrand introduces groundbreaking features including integration of human performance tracking and analysis and advanced Electronic Medical Records (EMR), positioning Action Apps as the go-to solution for forward-thinking and innovative sports organizations worldwide. 

Action Apps’ upgraded platform provides coaches and sports organizations the ability to leverage advanced technology solutions from Microsoft while gaining a better understanding of their athletes’ health and performance. Currently trusted by over 30 teams within professional sports worldwide, Action Apps empowers organizations to elevate team performance, streamline operations, and make data-driven decisions faster and more efficiently than ever before. The additional features and upcoming upgrades reiterate the company’s drive to disrupt and push the boundaries of athlete management solutions, outpacing their industry competitors. 

“Sports is the most competitive and diverse industry in the world with the finest margins,” said Bruce Rioch, CEO and co-founder. “We have taken an innovative approach utilizing the best technology available allowing teams to understand their athletes holistically. These integrated insights align with our goal to empower teams to stay ahead of the curve and provide amazing resources to support their championship journey.

“This is just the start for Action Apps. We have amazing announcements and developments coming over the next few months that will truly redefine the next generation of athlete management. We keep the athlete at the center of everything we do and the amazing people that work with them.”

Action Apps centralizes data into one user-friendly and customized platform, allowing organizations to have full control over its use, setting Action Apps apart in the sports technology market. Sports organizations interested in elevating their performance can learn more about the Action Apps platform and how access to their athlete insights can fuel their team to success through their website. 

PRESTON, UK. September 20th, 2024 – Ribble, the UK’s largest titanium bike brand synonymous with a longstanding heritage in hand-built bikes and innovative British design, has unveiled the new Allroad Ti titanium bike.

Marrying state-of-the-art 3D printing with traditional construction techniques, the company claims the Allroad Ti is the future of titanium bikes.

The bike has been designed to maximise and enhance the unique ride qualities of Titanium – – strength, durability and resilience – combined with an endurance focussed geometry to create a more relaxed endurance style geometry for all-day riding on all road surfaces. 

Made from corrosion-resistant 3AL-2.5V Titanium, the headtube and seat tube clusters are formed via additive manufacturing (3D printing) to create unique profiles, optimised for aerodynamic efficiencies. 

An over-sized threaded T47 bottom bracket increases stiffness and enhances power transfer, while the D-shaped carbon seatpost allows for flex giving additional comfort and features an integrated seat clamp. 

The inclusion of the carbon UB-2 bars with their direct lever mounts and wake generators blends aerodynamics and ergonomics enhancing the overall performance of the bike. The increased tyre clearance (up to 35mm) offers versatility across riding surfaces with concealed mudguard mounts offering year-round riding capabilities.

The additive manufacturing process also allows for full internal cable routing as the key sections of the frame are formed from scratch, creating clean lines to show off the brushed, hand finished titanium frame in its full glory.Each frame is individually crafted and retains subtle traces of the maker’s mark. 

Design features include a modern sleek form, smooth hand polished welds with seamless integration alongside laser etched logos and a debossed head badge (generated as part of the additive manufacturing process). This is combined with a wider profile carbon fork, finished in metallic black gloss and brushed metal logos to further enhance the design. 

Jamie Burrow, Head of Product at Ribble said: “The Allroad Ti project has been an opportunity to push the boundaries of what is possible with titanium beyond basic round tube profiles. 

“The additive manufacturing process has allowed us to take aerodynamic features from our Ultra range and apply them to this bike to create a high-performance titanium road bike with distinctive ride properties. 

“From the initial prototype showcased at a leading industry show last year and launch today the bike has been through thousands of miles testing and multiple iterations to hone the design, ride and performance.” 

The Allroad Ti forms part of the new Allroad platform designed by Ribble to redefine what is possible on a road bike and sits alongside the carbon Allroad SL R, SL and SL R e models.

All Ribble bikes are made to order and the specification can be customised using their configurator tool. The Allroad Ti featured is based on the ‘Hero’ pre-build specification, with additional upgrades via Ribble’s configurator and comes in at £9,799. 

Additional recommended specs in the range include Allroad Ti Hero @ £7,999, Allroad Ti Pro @ £5,499, Allroad Ti Enthusiast @ £4,099 and Allroad Ti Sport @ £3,499

More information about the Ribble Allroad Ti can be found at https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-allroad-ti/

ENDS

GLASGOW, UK. September 17th, 2024 – Richard McKay, Managing Director of Sprung Gym Flooring, warmly welcomes the Scottish Government’s backing of Glasgow’s appointment as the host city for the Commonwealth Games 2026. This significant milestone highlights the city’s ongoing commitment to hosting prestigious international sporting events, further enhancing its status as a world-class sports destination.

Expressing his excitement, Richard said: “Glasgow’s potential appointment as the host city for the Commonwealth Games 2026 is a monumental achievement for the city, and it’s an honour to be a part of Glasgow’s journey towards this prestigious event. As a company rooted in high-quality sports infrastructure, Sprung Gym Flooring is thrilled at the prospect of supporting the development of facilities that will cater to some of the best athletes in the world.”

McKay highlighted the city’s history of hosting major international events, including the highly successful Commonwealth Games in 2014 where his company was the chosen flooring contractor for the Chris Hoy/Emirates Velodrome and the Glasgow Aquatics Centre. He praised the efforts of the local organising committee and government bodies for their dedication to bringing the Games back to Glasgow. “The legacy left by the 2014 Games was transformative for Glasgow’s sports landscape, and I have no doubt that 2026 will be even more remarkable,” McKay added.

Sprung Gym Flooring, a leading provider of premium sports flooring solutions, has been a key player in outfitting world-class gyms, arenas, and training facilities across the UK and internationally. The company is committed to enhancing athletic performance through innovative and durable flooring products, making it well-positioned to contribute to the success of Glasgow 2026.

McKay also emphasized the importance of the Games in fostering community engagement and economic growth. “This event will bring enormous benefits not only to athletes and the sports sector but to the wider community through job creation, tourism, and lasting infrastructure. Sprung Gym Flooring is eager to play its part in supporting Glasgow’s preparations and ensuring that the athletes and spectators experience the very best.”

The Commonwealth Games 2026 is expected to attract thousands of athletes from over 70 nations, competing in a wide range of disciplines. As preparations begin, local businesses like Sprung Gym Flooring will be instrumental in providing the critical infrastructure that will support the Games and its legacy.

ENDS

GLASGOW, UK. 5th September, 2024 – CollabFC, a ground breaking UK-based social media platform, proudly announces its official launch, heralding a new era in football fan engagement. CollabFC introduces a pioneering model where 200 European football teams will each have their own dedicated site within the Fediverse, a decentralized network of interconnected servers. 

This platform allows fans to communicate not only within their team’s community but also to engage with supporters from other teams across the Fediverse. By leveraging the ActivityPub protocol, CollabFC ensures seamless interaction with users on other platforms like Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads. This interconnectedness mirrors the global nature of football, where fans from different clubs often share a mutual respect and passion for the game. 

“We envision CollabFC as more than just a platform; it’s a community where football fans regain control over their digital spaces,” said Diego Rocks, Founder of CollabFC. “By creating interoperable team instances, we’re fostering team spirit while building bridges for fans to connect, discuss, and share their passion for football. We’re not just another social media site; we’re building a football universe where every fan has a voice.” 

One of CollabFC’s standout features is its commitment to community moderation, reminiscent of football forums’ golden days. Each team’s instance will be moderated by volunteer fans, ensuring a safe, spam-free environment where genuine football discourse thrives. This approach not only enhances user experience but also fosters a sense of ownership and community among fans. The moderation system is designed to be inclusive, encouraging constructive debate while maintaining a respectful environment. 

The decision to implement human moderation aims to improve online discourse health and make advertisers feel secure. In recent years, many sports brands have reduced social media spending due to non-football related hate content appearing beside their adverts. By focusing on sports content and stricter, human-led moderation, CollabFC provides a safer advertising environment. This focus on quality content and user experience is expected to attract more brands looking for a reliable platform to engage with football fans. 

CollabFC has launched with 20 English football teams with ambitions to reach 200 teams across Europe. The platform’s goal is to amass 5,000 active fans per instance, aiming for a total community of 1 million fans. This would position CollabFC as one of the largest communities on the Fediverse, with significant potential for advertising revenues. The platform’s growth strategy includes not only expanding the number of teams but also enhancing features like live match discussions, fan polls, and exclusive content. 

Currently, CollabFC is seeking funding to further its expansion, aiming to bring more teams into the fold and enhance platform features. “We’re looking for partners who share our vision of a fan-centric, community-driven football experience,” added Diego. “Our business model is built on sustainability, ensuring that the platform grows with its community, providing value to fans, teams, and advertisers alike.” 

For more information, please visit www.collabfc.com or contact press@collabfc.com. 

LONDON, UK. 28th August, 2024 — Seat Unique, the UK-based premium experience platform and top-ranked in Sifted 100: UK & Ireland 2024, has successfully raised £14.5 million as part of an extended Series A led by Nickleby Capital. This significant investment reinforces Seat Unique’s position as a leader in the premium experience and hospitality market.

 

The experience economy is witnessing unprecedented growth as consumers increasingly prioritise moments and memories over products and possessions. According to Mastercard research from April 2024, 50% of British consumers are expected to spend more on experiences in 2024 compared to the previous year, with 80% affirming that spending on experiences is usually, or always, worth it. Additionally, 40% of respondents indicated that the uniqueness of an experience is a key factor in their spending decisions. Among the top priorities for Brits are travel, food, and live music—areas where Seat Unique is poised to make a significant impact by offering unparalleled access to the best live events.

 

Seat Unique continues to solidify its market position with the backing of some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs. These industry leaders, who have themselves transformed sectors like retail, technology, and finance, are now supporting Seat Unique in its mission to revolutionise the live events and experiential market.

 

Richard Flint; Seat Unique Chairperson shared: “The experience economy is rapidly becoming the backbone of the music industry, as fans increasingly seek out not just live performances, but unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experiences. Given the significance of these occasions, fans want to be certain that they are buying from a trusted and transparent company that only uses genuine sources. We are delighted with the recent growth that Seat Unique has seen, and the knowledge, connections and resources that these new investors bring will help us take advantage of the huge opportunities ahead of us”

 

In addition, Seat Unique has garnered the support of top sports stars who share a deep belief in the power of live events and the importance of delivering exceptional, authentic experiences to fans. This impressive group includes Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, John Terry, Matt Dawson, Ben Stokes, Sam Warburton, and Stuart Broad, to name a few, all of whom recognise the platform’s potential to redefine how fans engage with live sports and entertainment.

 

Seat Unique has also assembled a group of board advisors of exceptional calibre, including Alastair Lukies CBE, Dame Alison Rose, Sir Michael Lockett, Tim Griffin, and Damien O’Donohoe, complementing the wealth of experience from existing board members Chairperson Richard Flint and Saav Shah of Nickleby Capital. This group of board advisors will play a crucial role in guiding Seat Unique as it continues to expand and innovate within the industry.

 

Robin Sherry, CEO and founder of Seat Unique, commented on the successful fundraise: “We are thrilled to have secured this additional investment, which not only reflects the robust market demand for our platform, but also the trust our investors have in our strategic direction. The addition of such distinguished figures to our group of board advisors is a testament to the impact we are making in the industry. This funding will allow us to continue enhancing our offering, ensuring that fans have unparalleled access to the best live experiences.”

 

Alastair Lukies CBE added: “Seat Unique is not just redefining premium ticketing; it is transforming the broader experiential industry. By bridging the gap between rights holders and fans, Seat Unique is creating a more connected and engaging environment where live experiences are more accessible, memorable, and secure. I’m proud to support a platform that is setting new standards for how fans engage with live events.”

 

Stuart Broad, former England Cricketer, said: “As someone who has experienced first-hand the incredible energy and connection that live events bring, I’m thrilled to support Seat Unique in their mission to connect fans with the best experiences. The booming experiential economy is all about creating unforgettable moments, and Seat Unique is leading the way by ensuring that fans can access these opportunities seamlessly. I’m excited to be part of this journey and to help bring more fans closer to the events they love.”

 

The funds raised will be utilised to further develop Seat Unique’s platform, expand its reach into new sectors, and deliver even greater value to both fans and rights holders. The company’s focus on premium experiences goes beyond ticket sales—it is reshaping how live events are experienced. By leveraging its cutting-edge technology, Seat Unique is enabling fans to enjoy seamless access to unforgettable moments, while empowering rights holders with tools to maximise revenue and engagement.

LONDON, UK. 14th August, 2024 – The London Lions Basketball Club, one of the UK’s most prominent professional basketball teams in the BBL, has been successfully sold following its recent and brief administration, to Tesonet, a tech hub and shareholder of Zalgiris Kaunas, a prominent Euroleague organisation. The team, based in Stratford, East London, has been a central part of the British basketball community, with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1977 as the Hemel Hempstead Lakers.

On the 30th July 2024, the London Lions were placed into Administration by its debenture holder, leading to the appointment of Hasib Howlader and Nimish Patel from Hudson Weir, licensed insolvency practitioners regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. The Administrators were tasked with managing the club’s operations and securing a suitable buyer to preserve the club’s future.

Hudson Weir’s efforts to maintain the club’s operations during this challenging period have now culminated in the successful acquisition by Tesonet / Žalgiris Kaunas, for an undisclosed sum, which enables the legacy of the London Lions to continue which it has built over the last 47 years. The marketing process of the Club had significant interest and attracted multi-million-pound offers. As administrators, we were obliged to accept the offer which was in the best interest of creditors of the company. 

Hasib Howlader, Joint Administrator from Hudson Weir, expressed his optimism about the club’s future: 

“We are delighted to report that Tesonet / Žalgiris Kaunas is the new owner of the club, with Hudson Weir managing to complete the sale in less than two weeks from the date the club was placed into Administration. For Nimish and myself speed was crucial regarding this administration to ensure the club did not falter during that period and the players could see a bright future ahead of them, and most importantly have the platform to join the league for the 24/25 season.””

“Our honest approach in communicating the facts surrounding the circumstances of the club attracted a number of eleventh-hours bidders, however, it was Tesonet / Žalgiris Kaunas who were the ultimate winner in this race for the London Lions. We are also delighted with the support provided by Frank Brumby of HCR Law who worked around the clock and over the weekend alongside us”

“As part of the final deal, Hudson Weir was able to save the club, with no loss of jobs, a positive return to creditors, and the London Lions will be playing in the next season of the BBL. This was a very good return for all parties concerned.”

“The new ownership is expected to bring fresh energy and resources to the club, ensuring that the London Lions continue to thrive due to the outcome of this case, as the London Lions are more than just a basketball team; they are a symbol of community pride and sporting excellence. With a history that spans nearly five decades and a deeply passionate fan base, we are confident that under the new ownership, the London Lions will continue to scale new heights.

“The London Lions, originally known as the Hemel Hempstead Lakers, have undergone several transformations, including a relocation to Milton Keynes and subsequent rebranding as the Milton Keynes Lions, where they secured their first British Basketball League trophy in 2008. The team has been a staple in London’s sporting landscape since 2012, playing home games at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The club also expanded its reach by launching a women’s team in the Women’s British Basketball League in 2017.

LONDON, UK. 7th August, 2024 – London Lions, the British professional basketball team based in Stratford, East London, England, competing in the league formally known as the British Basketball League, was placed into administration by a debenture holder of the club.

Hasib Howlader and Nimish Patel, of Hudson Weir, licensed in the UK by the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales, have been appointed as joint administrators of the company and will run the business until a suitable buyer can be found. 

Hudson Weir, an Insolvency Practitioner with years of experience working with both large and small businesses facing financial difficulties, will now trade London Lions whilst the business is being prepared for sale in administration.  

Joint administrator, Hasib Howlader comments:

“This illustrious basketball team was originally founded in 1977 as the Hemel Hempstead Lakers, and following an ownership takeover by Vince Macaulay the team relocated to Milton Keynes, where they were known as Milton Keynes Lions, winning its first trophy, the British Basketball League in 2008. Relocating again to London in 2012, playing its home games at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park the club launched a ladies’ team into the Women’s British Basketball League in 2017.”

 “With such a rich heritage and pedigree, this team has the support of the local community as its backbone and has a loyal fan base. We are now seeking a serious buyer to take the London Lions on the next part of its journey, to ensure this club continues to thrive and grow. The sale will include the assets of the business and all goodwill amassed over the last 47 years.”

“We are interested in talking to serious prospective buyers and whilst our focus is to sell the club to the best bidder, we are open to serious offers.“

For more information regarding the purchase of the business, trading as the London Lions Basketball Club, please contact:

Hasib Howlader   Director   E: hasib@hudsonweir.co.uk

Hudson Weir, 58 Leman Street, London, E1 8EU

T: 020 7099 6086        W: www.hudsonweir.co.uk

Hudson Weir is the trading name of Hudson Weir Limited registered in England and Wales No 09477593. Registered Office 58 Leman Street, London, E1 8EU. Where any insolvency practitioner acts as an Administrator, the affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Administrator who acts as an agent of the Company and without personal liability.