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For England U20’s Star Tori Sellors Family Is Everything

21 September 2023 by

And now, the 19-year-old flanker turned scrum half is repaying that debt – paying it forward by coaching the younger girls – the players of the future.

Tori started her rugby journey alongside her twin brother, Ben, at Sevenoaks RFC, aged just six.

Her dad, David, used to play for the club while Tricia – who had played rugby at university – helped in the shop and her older brother worked in the kitchen and “I just enjoyed it from the start,” said Tori.

 “I loved the family aspect to the club, the teamwork and the sportsmanship” – all of which came into play when the time came to separate from the boys and David actually set up a girl’s rugby section at the club so she could continue and encourage more girls to play.

Not that she confined herself to rugby, trying her hand at other sports such as trampolining, football and handball.

She competed nationally in trampolining. In handball, she reached international status where she was selected to represent Great Britain U17 and England.

However, it soon became apparent rugby was where her future lay. She represented Kent in rugby at U15 and U18 level, before continuing in the pathway with the regional Centre of Excellence.

Aged 16, she left home for Hartpury College where she was selected for England U18. The following year, she was selected to play in England U20s, where she is now one of the team’s most senior players.

“My position is one of the most aerobically challenging,” she says, “and my speed of play is good. I’m good at recycling the ball and in defence and although I’m not big, my tackle technique is effective.”

Currently, she is pursuing a rugby career at Worcester Warriors, Women alongside representative honours with England U20s, while also studying MSci Sports Therapy. at the University of Worcester.

And, when not going out with her friends – “we tend to go for a lot of brunches and coffees” – her family and dog, Stanley, she can be found coaching the next generation.

“Sevenoaks RFC helped me get into rugby and it helped me progress in the sport,” she said.

“They created a girls’ side so I and other girls could keep playing, they put me on their honours board and they have supported me throughout.

“So, by coaching younger girls, I am closing the circle and giving something back to the sport.”

Meet Tony Orrell, the Simon Cowell of the cycling world…

17 August 2023 by

Since former professional cyclist Tony Orrell formed the Torelli Women’s Professional Cycling Team eight years ago, he has created four World Tour riders, numerous national champions and helped more than 60 women take the leap from amateur to professional status.

And some of his current and former protegees were among those taking part in the Championships (until 13 August) – billed as the biggest cycling event in the world.

Among them are New Zealand’s Niamh Fisher-Black, current Under 23 World Road Race Champion, recent winner of the final stage of the Tour de Suisse Women and lead rider for Team SD Worx in the women’s Giro d’Italia, South Africa’s Hayley Preen and British cyclist Kim Baptista.

His current team comprises 16 riders including women’s national champions from as far afield as Morocco, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, France, Sweden, Norway and South Africa.

Picture caption: The Torelli Women’s Cycling Team at the start of stage 2 Princess Anna Vasa Tour of Poland.  Left to Right Francesca Selva, Camilla Ranes Bye, Bronwyn MacGregor, Hayley Preen, Amalie Winther Olsen, S’annara Grove

But when Tony, from Manchester, decided to form the Torelli Women’s Cycling Team back in 2015, even he could not have foreseen just how integral to the development of the sport it would become.

Or that his ability to spot emerging talent would create so many cycling stars – not just in the UK but throughout Europe and the rest of the world.

A former professional cyclist himself, Tony, 60, comes from a cycling dynasty. “Both my parents were cyclists at the highest level,” he said, “and so I grew up in that world. It’s all I’ve ever known.”

When Tony stopped cycling professionally, he started organising sportive cycling events, before a chance conversation with a coaching company led to the formation of the Torellli team.

“We started off with four riders,” he said, “And it just grew and grew. We’re very much a development team. We take young cyclists who are starting out in their careers and nurture them.

“We help them improve every aspect of their sport – from the cycling and training to nutrition and mindset. Thet get the whole package from us.”

Every year around 200 female cyclists apply to join the team and Tony relies almost entirely on instinct when deciding who has “that special quality, that X-factor, if you like, to go all the way in the sport.

“In some instances, I don’t even have to meet them,” he said. “We took on one Norwegian girl Camilla Ranes Bye and I knew just from talking to her on the phone that she had something special; she had potential.

“She’s now the Norwegian Under 23 road race champion and has just won the opening stage of the Princess Anna Vasa Tour of Poland. She is also one of the favourites for next month’s European Road Race Championships.

“Someone in the same business as mine once told me that when you’re looking for the next champion, you’re actually looking for yourself in that athlete and I think that’s probably true.”

In the cycling world Torelli Women’s Professional Cycling Team is very much punching above its weight – competing at international level despite still holding amateur status.

“Unfortunately, though, that means that although I produce the best riders, I can’t keep them,” said Tony. “They get poached by bigger teams.

“So my next goal is to make us bigger – and that’s a completely achievable goal.”

Martin Perry, the Scottish table tennis champion aiming for a more sustainable planet

6 August 2023 by

Why are you passionate about sustainability?

I was unaware of the impact of climate change and the effect of living a more sustainable life had on the world until I started competing for Great Britain and was privileged to travel the world playing table tennis. It was an eye opening experience for me as I was made aware of just how much waste we pollute and the impact it has on people’s lives, particularly in deprived countries and areas. It’s only now that I’m able to look back on my upbringing and understand the cost effective lifestyle my parents had to live by, but now I am able to see the damage such a lifestyle and lack of available alternatives leaves not only on us as people but the environment and the world around us.

Do you lead a sustainable lifestyle?

I can’t for one second claim to lead the most sustainable lkifestyle, who can? But what I can claim to be is an active lifestyle changer. What I mean by this is that I actively look for products that I use regularly and see what changes can be made to become more sustainable. For example, the tupperware I use for meal prep for all of my training and competition, has now been switched to glassware, the cleaning products I use in my home are no longer single use spray bottles that upon finishing get put in the recycling or bin, now I use refillable bottles that can easily be replaced with cleaning tablets that simply pop into the bottle filled with water and it is good as new. It’s the little changes that can make a big difference, they feel less daunting than changing your entire lifestyle.

How is your sport of table tennis addressing the sustainability issue?  

The International Table Tennis Federation has set up a sustainability board in order to tackle issues that occur in our sport. One issue is that in the elite level of the game, so many balls were being discarded as they were deemed too low in standard by the players so they would be discarded. In order to combat this the sport introduced a multi-ball system where a number of balls are selected for the match and rotated point by point similar to tennis. This in turn has resulted in less waste as the balls that are available for selection are all used regardless of the deemed quality. Another initiative is that at the ITTF Para 2023 European Championships in Sheffield, the entire British contingency will be provided with reusable water bottles for the duration, and of course able to continue using them after the competition has finished. Another great table tennis initiative is the brand Toucan Table Tennis which creates table tennis bats from FSC-certified wood, uses organic cotton in it’s apparel collection and ships it’s products in sustainable packaging.

What sports are doing the most to combat climate change?

The main gamechangers trying to combat climate change tend to be those that are in and around the water. Sail GP have made it their ambition to become the world’s most sustainable sport and are making massive steps forward in achieving that ambition by having their clean energy roadmap. Sail GP also work with each host city to provide at least one positive impact project at each event which ties into their strategy to highlight the positivity and enable change to providing clean energy. Another sport near water that is making headway into a more sustainable future is the UK Beach Tour, beach volleyball. They have partnered with Preventeed Ocean Plastic to provide their plastic products which ensures the plastic that is used at these events is sourced from plastic that would have otherwise polluted our waterways and oceans. However it’s not only those in and around the water trying to make a difference, Extreme E motorsport racing successfully committed to a net-zero carbon footprint in it’s first season.

How have you used your platform to support sustainable sport?

I post about my lifestyle changes on social media as well as using my voice online to try and incite change. I was recently a member of the UK Sports’ panel – Environmental Sustainability in High-Performance Sport where I was able to discuss the impact leading a more sustainable lifestyle has on high performing athletes. 

Do you have any brand partners in the sustainability space?

I am very fortunate to be a brand ambassador for Prevented Ocean Plastic which allows me to spread the word of the incredible work that they do as well as leading conversations to living a more sustainable lifestyle within elite sport.

How do you use your platform to support POP?

Prevented Ocean Plastic invited me along to it’s recycling factory in Dumfries which was an incredible experience to be able to see and understand how the plastic they collect is cleaned, processed and turned into something better that can keep going through the same process eliminating the need for virgin plastics to enter our ecosystem. I have been able to use my social media platform to support the annual World Oceans Day campaign as well as post about my shopping experiences. Supermarkets such as LIDL are heavily stocked with Prevented Ocean Plastic which is fantastic to see as it shows that big brands are taking the sustainability crisis seriously.

Are there any sustainable charities you support?

I support the Big Plastic Pledge which is led by athletes and supported by the International Olympic Committee which as well as having lots of valuable and insightful information on their website, it has lots of fun little sustainable pledges that you can sign up for. This not only gives you a goal to achieve but also allows you to start small in your own quest to live a more sustainable life.

What next for Martin Perry in the sustainability space?

Next up for me is the pursuit of reusable baby products. My wife and I are expecting our first child and talking to many parents we’ve came to the conclusion that “you just chuck it away when they grow up”. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to recycle, reuse or pass on our products to those in need when we are done with them as they are not only expensive but often very hard to recycle due to the mixing of materials.

Amputee athlete Walid Saleh sets his sight on the Paralympics…

5 August 2023 by

Walid Saleh, originally from the Sudan, was only 14 when he had to have his right leg amputated after getting caught in the crossfire between fighting forces in 2013.

But now, after making his home in the UK, determined Walid is making his name as a track and field athlete, with the aid of a special running blade.

Training with Walid at Lee Valley Athletics Centre on the 15th February 2023. Photo Credit: Sam Mellish

And along with working towards 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, Walid has also another ambition – to support other people who have lost a limb.

Walid remembers little from the day he was shot, other than the fact he woke up in hospital and had to be told he had lost a leg.

“I had never seen anyone who had lost an arm or a leg before, I thought I was the only amputee in the world,” he said.

The surgery left young Walid suffering from acute depression, with him not wanting to even leave the house.

“I stopped everything, I didn’t go to school, I just didn’t want to see anyone,” he said.

Training with Walid at Lee Valley Athletics Centre on the 15th February 2023. Photo Credit: Sam Mellish

It was while looking at YouTube that Walid came across the man who would help change his life – British athlete and double amputee, Richard Whitehead MBE.

“I just went on to YouTube and put in the word amputee to see if there was anyone out there like me and I saw a video on Richard Whitehead,” said Walid.

“And I just thought he was amazing and I realised then I wanted to be like him.”

In 2015 Walid was able to come to the UK as a refugee, hardly able to speak English but with two ambitions – to become an athlete and to learn about prosthetics so he could help other people.

“A prosthetic limb should be made especially for you but the one I was given in the Sudan had belonged to someone else and was too big,” he said.

“It was attached with a waist band and a shoulder strap and really difficult to wear. It wasn’t until I got to the UK that I also realised that I hadn’t been walking properly so I had to learn to walk again.”

With running still very much on his mind, Walid applied to the Richard Whitehead Foundation which was set up to help disabled young people fulfill their aspirations.

Under its Nissan Possibilities Project, the Foundation wanted to help four young people with limb loss by funding running prosthetics – and Walid was lucky enough to be a recipient.

“It has made a massive difference to me, having a running blade,” he said.

Training with Walid at Lee Valley Athletics Centre on the 15th February 2023. Photo Credit: Sam Mellish

Walid is a 100 metre sprinter currently training four days a week with his eye very much on the prize of the 2028 games.

He has also recently successfully completed his degree in prosthetics at the University of Salford and now has a number of job offers on the table.

Walid has also recently signed to sports agency, Athlete Media Group, which supports athletes from all disciplines in growing their personal brands and in raising awareness of the good causes they are passionate about.

“My life has changed so much but I feel now that I am very lucky and am ready to show other people who may have the same kind of injuries that you can achieve your dreams,” he said.

Oliver Pritchard, aka the ‘Silent Speedster’ dominating deaf triathlon

1 August 2023 by

The 26-year-old, who started competing in triathlon back at University, is deaf and wears a cochlear implant, however he races without hearing a thing.

“Not everything is perfect as I have to adapt myself to fit into the ‘hearing’ environment. I don’t have enough time to put my cochlear on in transition, so I race without hearing a single thing. I just have to react to other races when the gun goes off and at times throughout the race.”

He races as part of British Triathlon’s Age Group team, which allows people to compete and qualify for major championships outside of the Elite athletes across all aspects of triathlon. The athlete, who is originally from Haslemere, Surrey has found a welcoming community, who try to support him as best they can.

“The Age-Group team has been wonderful.” He explained. “Every time I mention about my deafness people are interested in my story and are keen on helping me out, even the team managers go the extra mile to try and make me feel included. The number of incredible people, both from the UK and abroad, that I have met during my two European races is incredible.

“I can definitely say the community, the honesty and kindness of the people is what makes Age-Group races special.”

Madrid marked a second European race for Pritchard, who currently trains in Eastbourne, East Sussex, after he took home a bronze medal from the 2022 Europe Triathlon Championships Olsztyn. This time there was a lot to contend with as the race changed from a triathlon to a duathlon, which sees athletes complete a run, a cycle route and then a second run, rather than the normal swim, bike, run of a triathlon.

Then in the race, Pritchard had a tough battle with fellow Brit James Hodgson. He overcame that challenge and took home the gold medal.

He said: “The day before the race was very chaotic because we kept getting news that it will be a duathlon or that it’ll stay as a triathlon, one too many times. Within the last hour we got told it was a duathlon, I was pleased that this was the case because the water quality of the lake was very questionable, however I was a little disappointed because I signed up to do a triathlon, but we had to cope within the situation we were in.

“The race was a fast pace from the start, partly my own fault, as I didn’t want to go easy and have one big cycling pack. As a ‘lead’ pack we stayed together throughout the course, there was a few attacks by some individuals, but it didn’t take long for them to get swallowed back up by the pack.

“On the run it was an extremely tight battle between James Hodgson and I, to the point it was very tricky to know who was going to win, shoulder to shoulder all the way till the palace hill. This is where I thought I’ll increase my speed slightly and hope to drop James and to my luck I manage to, expecting that it would be a straight flat to the finish line, how wrong was I! I had to do an extra 500m passed the finish line before turning back on yourself to the finish line. Safe to say, I was hanging as I used up my tank at the hill and I was lucky that James didn’t overtake me.

“The feeling of running though the finish line first was incredible, it wasn’t because I’m officially an Age-Group European champion, it was more due to my journey to get to where I am today, the challenges I have to face every day due to my disability.”

Pritchard’s focus is now on building on his win in the European Deaf Athletics Championships in the 5000m and he hopes that in the near future he’ll be competing in a similar event for Triathlon.

He said: “I have a few local triathlon races during this season however I have some interesting and exciting news on the ‘deaf’ competition side of things.

“This year I will be going to Poland to compete in the European DEAF Athletics Championships, and I will be doing the 5000m. Then hopefully next year will be the first year the deaf federation will host a triathlon event and I plan to win a gold in that, I believe there is also a cycling race next year which I would like to take part in.

“In 2025 there will be a Deaflympics (Deaf Olympics) happening in Tokyo so all my focus will be going towards that and hopefully bring back a gold in whatever event I am doing.”

South London Boxer Ellis Trowbridge Makes History

20 July 2023 by

Ellis Trowbridge recently competed at Alexandra Palace in the Haringey Box Cup, known as one of the most important competitions in amateur boxing.

And the reigning champion took the major title for the third year in a row – each time competing in a different category.

And now Ellis, a member of Team GB, has got his eye on the main prize – qualifying for the Olympic Games.

Ellis was one of 400 boxers who took part in the Haringey Box Cup, a return to boxing after injury kept him out of competing over the past six months.

“The Haringey Box Cup is a massive event and it’s amazing to get to compete somewhere like Alexandra Palace,” he said.

“At the same time it’s very unusual for someone to win in different weight categories so what I’ve done in the last few years is a historical victory.”

Ellis has taken the title as a bantam weight, flyweight and light flyweight – highly unusual in the world of boxing.

And with that title under his belt he’s now fully focused on his next challenges as well as working towards possible Olympic selection in March.

In September Ellis will be fighting with Team GB at a venue to be decided as well as travelling to Azerbaijan to take part in the Under 22s European Games.

“That’s just one of the joys of boxing, the places that I get to visit,” he said.

“And the fact that I’m able to do something I really love and am so passionate about.

“Like any athlete, the Olympics is your goal so I am now concentrating hard and working towards being in the best shape to try and qualify in March 2024.”

When not boxing, Ellis is also passionate about inspiring young people to become involved in the sport and highlighting the life skills it can bring.

“Boxing has done so much for me and I want to let other youngsters know how getting involved can make a real difference to their lives,” he said.

Photo: Ellis recently presented to media agency, December 19, on the importance of accountability who are proud supporters of the GB Boxer.

GB Beach Volleyball Star Issa Batrane joins fight to protect world’s oceans with SEA LIFE TRUST

7 July 2023 by

  • Issa Batrane has teamed up with global marine conservation charity SEA LIFE TRUST as their latest ambassador
  • Issa’s role will be about championing SEA LIFE TRUST and spreading the word about their vital conservation work

Global marine charity SEA LIFE TRUST has welcomed leading GB beach volleyball player Issa Batrane as its first athlete brand ambassador.

The charity, working globally to protect the world’s oceans and the amazing marine life that lives within them, has signed Issa following another successful Global Beach Clean, which sees hundreds of people around the world take part in ocean, waterway and land clean-ups on World Oceans Day each year (8th June).

Now, by teaming up with influential ambassadors from around the world like Issa, the charity is striving to reach even more people than ever before with their vital conservation message and vision – of a world where our seas are healthy, protected and full of diverse life.

Issa Batrane is a full-time British beach volleyball player, who won both the Junior and Senior British Beach Volleyball Championships before the age of 22. Today, Issa plays alongside his team partner, Freddie Bialokoz, and, together, they hope to become the first British men’s team to qualify for the Olympic Games. This year’s sporting goals include the 2023 World Championships in Mexico, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

However, it’s Issa’s passion for the ocean and beaches he plays on that has inspired him to step up as a voice for SEA LIFE TRUST, which he hopes to share as he competes around the world.

Issa Batrane, SEA LIFE TRUST ambassador, said:

“What a privilege to become an ambassador for the SEA LIFE TRUST and sit alongside such ocean-loving talent! 

“I’m delighted to be using my platform to support the fantastic work they do in protecting our world’s oceans. And I’m super excited to hear about the important findings from their Global Beach Clean.”

Graham McGrath, Managing Director of SEA LIFE TRUST, said:

“We are thrilled to have Issa on board as an ambassador. Issa will be able to help us share our vital message about ocean conservation as he travels the world as part of the British beach volleyball team.

“With the support of voices like Issa’s, we can continue to inspire others to do more for their oceans and the ecosystems within them.”

Alongside its annual beach clean, SEA LIFE TRUST works around the world to support practical local conservation projects to protect marine wildlife and their habitats, as well as working on conservation campaigns to effect long-lasting change on a global scale.

The charity also operates two marine wildlife sanctuaries; the world’s first Beluga Whale Sanctuary in Iceland and the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, UK, which has been rescuing and rehabilitating sick and injured seal pups before releasing them back into the wild for more than 60 years.

Issa joins fellow ambassadors TV presenter Andy Torbet, marine biologist Sarah Roberts and model Jena Goldsack during an exciting time for the charity.

Twitter: @SeaLifeTrust

Instagram: @sealifetrust

Facebook: @SEALIFETrust

 

About SEA LIFE TRUST

SEA LIFE TRUST is a registered charity (no. 1175859) working globally to protect the world’s oceans and the amazing marine life that lives within them. Our vision is of a world where our seas are healthy, protected, and full of diverse life.  We own and operate marine wildlife sanctuaries, run inspiring conservation campaigns, and fund projects and education programmes that champion the need for plastic-free oceans, sustainable fishing, effective Marine Protected Areas, and an end to over-exploitation of marine life. www.sealifetrust.org

UK Paddleboarder Takes Up Olympian’s Big Plastic Pledge

3 July 2023 by

David Haze – who is in the running for a top award for his activism in this area – is to join forces with Olympic gold medal winning sailor Hannah Mills OBE, founder of the The Big Plastic Pledge.

And the 38-year-old, from Dorset, who is an eight-time World Record Stand Up Paddle Boarder, has made a pledge of his own – to continue and build on her work to rid rivers and oceans of plastic.

The Big Plastic Pledge was founded with the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the aim of uniting all Olympic and professional athletes around the globe to drive the changes needed.

Those who take the pledge sign up to make a minimum of three commitments, such as using refillable water bottles, coffee and beverage cups and reusable food containers, cutlery and straws.

Other pledges include refusing single-use plastic packaging and bags, encouraging sports clubs and events to find alternatives to single use plastic and making non-plastic event merchandise.

The Big Plastic Pledge already has the backing of a host of athlete ambassadors across a wide variety of sports and now David hopes to attract more to the cause and continue raising awareness of the issue.

David, who has been nominated for a Surfers Against Sewage activist of the year award, holds the record for the fastest crossings of the longest lakes in Great Britain.

He achieved a world first in 2022 when he circumnavigated the 70-mile Isle of Wight coastline with 100% carbon neutrality as every single item he carried, used or wore during his Great Green Paddle Project was either fully recycled, recyclable, eco or environmentally friendly.

“I saw at first hand during that challenge just how extensive the problem of single use plastic is,” he said.

“So, when I was approached to take a lead on this amazing project, I couldn’t wait to get involved.

“Hannah has done superb work at raising awareness of this issue but there is still a great deal to do and I am absolutely passionate and committed to taking the Big Plastic Pledge forward.”

The most successful female sailor in Olympic history, Hannah won a silver medal for Team GB with her crew Saskia Clark in the London 2012 Olympics and won gold in the same event at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She successfully retained her Olympic title with new partner, Eilidh McIntyre in Tokyo 2021.

She said: “I am still passionate about this issue but due to other commitments I felt it was only right to hand it over to someone with the same passion and determination to lead it forward.

“I am so pleased David has agreed to continue the work of the Big Plastic Pledge – I know the project couldn’t be in safer or more dedicated hands.”

For more information about the Big Plastic Pledge visit https://bigplasticpledge.com/about/                   

Ocean Activist David Haze & New Fashion Brand Unite To Make Waves

28 June 2023 by

David Haze – named Ocean Activist of the Year by Surfers Against Sewage at its Plastic Free awards this month (16 June) – has joined forces with Devon-based SeaSurf.

And the 38-year-old, from Dorset, who is an eight-time World Record Stand Up Paddle Boarder, has pledged to help the fledgling business in its war against waste.

The brand was founded by Marc Astley and his partner Laura Bond who, following a chat about recycling with their children, discovered less than one per cent of the world’s clothes are recycled.

“It’s estimated that the average garment is worn only 10 times before disposal,” said Marc, a former journalist, “with around 350,000 tonnes of clothes, with an estimated value of £140m, going to landfill every year in the UK – so we launched SeaSurf to try and do something about that.”

The brand’s launch range features hoodies, shorts and t-shirts for men, women and children and every item is made from 100 percent organic cotton in factories powered by renewable energy.

Logos are all printed in the UK using eco-friendly water-based ink and once items have been outgrown or are no longer wanted they can be returned and recycled into new ones in exchange for an online store credit.

David, who holds the record for the fastest crossings of the longest lakes in Great Britain, achieved a world first in 2022 when he circumnavigated the 70-mile Isle of Wight coastline with 100% carbon neutrality.

Every single item he carried, used or wore during his Great Green Paddle Project was either fully recycled, recyclable, eco or environmentally friendly – which Marc believes makes him an ideal ambassador for SeaSurf.

“He’s a genuine person whose ideals completely align with ours and whose lifestyle reflects that of our customers,” he said.

“Our clothes are aimed at people who spend a lot of their leisure time at the beach, who need them to be good quality, durable and comfortable – and, like us, are concerned about the difference they and their families can make to the planet.”

David’s award win comes just weeks after he took the helm of The Big Plastic Pledge, which unites Olympic and professional athletes around the globe to drive the changes needed to remove plastic from oceans and waterways.

He said: It’s a great honour to be SeaSurf’s first ambassador. I share the same vision as Marc and I’m looking forward to being part of it all and growing with them on their journey.”

For more information visit www.seasurf.co.uk

For further information/interviews please contact Bernice Saltzer at Sorted PR on 07977 860183 or email bernice@sortedpr.com

ProTouch Africa & AMG partner to power African athletes on to the global stage

26 June 2023 by

PROTOUCH is a purpose-driven Sports Tech business that provides teams, clubs and federations with fan engagement strategies and digital solutions, to help engage their fans and enable new revenue streams. Leveraging the internationally-developed fan engagement platforms it represents in Africa, PROTOUCH uses its deep knowledge of activating fans – having spent 30 years in the rewards and loyalty industry – to devise and implement solutions that engage the African Athlete fan base for the sports industry.

Since 2019, sports agency AMG has been collaborating with athletes, partners and brands to understand, manage and build the personal brands of elite athletes, bringing their extraordinary stories to life, while creating meaningful commercial partnerships. AMG has supported more than 200 athletes – with a combined social media reach of 5m+ – securing over £1,3m in revenue for athletes and more than £5m in value from media and PR exposure, across 350+ campaigns.

AMG’s unique SPRINT framework draws on its years of experience working with some of the biggest global brands and elite athletes, some of the these include England Women’s Rugby captain, Marlie Packer; double Olympic Gold medallist, Hannah Mills OBE; leading British female triathlete Sophie Coldwell and professional boxers Isaac Chamberlain and Hannah Rankin. Its team of experts work closely with athletes to ensure they maximise their brand impact potential, not only during their time in sport, but also beyond.

The toughest challenge facing athletes is that of funding and this is particularly true in Africa. PROTOUCH understands this first hand, having supported twenty-six road cyclists from six African countries including five national champions and one African Continental Champion – as part of Africa’s #1 UCI Continental Cycling Team from 2019 – 2022. Over the past 18-months, PROTOUCH has been focussed on the development of the World’s first, fan-owned Athlete Impact Investment Platform – Podium Pursuit – which aims to provide a transparent and sustainable funding mechanism to further enable Athletes from Africa, supported by fans and brands globally.

“We have been assembling the Podium Pursuit ecosystem of more than 4 000 of Africa’s top performing athletes from fifty-four African Nations, across thirty-six sports codes. We plan to activate their 30-million fans globally, alongside brands in the lead up to Paris 2024 and beyond”, announced Rebecca Eliot, Founder of PROTOUCH AFRICA. “Our AMG partnership augments the planned Athlete value proposition by providing services to top performing athletes in need of personal brand, media and commercial support. Podium Pursuit has curated digital athlete profiles on its platform where athletes can connect with fans, promote sponsorships, aggregate their social media, upload pictures and videos to their gallery, as well as feature their rankings, notable results and achievements, set up and manage crowdfunding campaigns and access a range of benefits such as preferentially-priced offerings, to lower the cost of funding for athletes]”, Eliot added.

“I am very excited about this partnership with PROTOUCH as it gives us an important footprint into the fast-growing African sports market. It allows us to take our purpose-led proposition to a new continent of elite athletes and we look forward to helping to create, develop and grow the personal brands of these talented athletes by bringing their powerful sporting stories to life while creating meaningful connections with carefully curated brand partners to help raise their profiles, fund their journey and power their purpose” Mark Middlemas, CEO and Founder of AMG.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Rebecca Eliot

PROTOUCH AFRICA

Mobile: +27 83 656 4632

Email: Rebecca@protouch.africa

Mark Middlemass

AMG

Mobile: +44 795 230 4340

Email: mark@athletemedia.co.uk

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