Albion Sports and Reydon Sports Join Forces

Reydon Sports PLC have today announced that they have been appointed European distributors for the albion cricket brand with immediate effect.

albion, established in 1977 in Australia, is the leading supplier of cricket helmets, hats, caps and bags across the world.

Worn by cricketers from the world’s elite right through to the grass roots of the game albion has been at the heart of cutting technology since the introduction of helmets back in 1977.

Recently Albion Sports Pty Ltd, owner of the albion cricket brand, have been working closely with leading Universities, the ICC Medical committee, the ECB medical team, and elite male and female cricketers from England, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka and Australia to create a helmet to perform at the highest level.

Now Albion Sports have signed up with Reydon Sports, the country's leading independent sports wholesaler, for their products to be supplied throughout Reydon’s extensive network of more than 1,500 individual sports outlets.

Brendan Denning, CEO & Managing Director of Albion Sports, commented on the partnership; “We are very excited about the partnership with Reydon Sports PLC. 

“They have an outstanding reputation in the industry and the partnership comes at a significant time for Albion Sports.

“2012/13 will see the introduction of a number of significant improvements and upgrades to our range and an extension of our product portfolio which has a particular focus on junior cricketers.”

David James, Sales and Marketing Director at Reydon Sports, said; “Reydon Sports PLC are delighted to become the main European distributor for albion.

“It is a very exciting time for the brand and we believe that with our in house expertise and distribution network we can play a key role in developing the brand further and getting even more albion products worn throughout the cricket fields of Europe.”

Albion Sports pride themselves on delivering excellence in performance and protection and are currently worn by International players from every Test playing nation across the globe.

In partnership with Reydon Sports a number of consumer and trade promotional activities will be available throughout the year.

For more information the product advances check out the latest YouTube video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9vkNlbv2Y0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

MANTIS Launch new PRO 295 Racket

Exciting UK tennis brand MANTIS have this month launched their latest new racket to the market.

The MANTIS Pro 295, the first matt black racket in the MANTIS range, is a product of testing process employed at the UK brand.

The 295 gram racket, which is made of 100 per cent modulus carbon, has a 98 square inch head and a pallet handle for customisation.

Martin Aldridge, founder and Managing Director of MANTIS, said; "We are expecting big things from the MANTIS Pro 295.

"The design is a shift change from our traditional red, white and black and has come about thanks to feedback from our ambassadors and professional stringers.

"All of our testing rackets go out to our ambassadors in matt black and we had an overwhelming response to say that they loved it and asked if we would think about releasing it to the market in this format.

"Following our rigorous testing process and subsequent market research we decided that the matt black was the way to go and the trade has certainly responded very positively.

“We are very excited about the feedback received on the playability and the look of the Pro 295 and believe it could become our fastest selling racket so far!”

Aimed at the advanced club players and professionals the racket is available in stores from mid October 2012.

For more information on MANTIS go to www.mantis-sport.com

Vauxhall Football Writers’ Association Annual Golf Day

Following on from the success of last years’ event the Vauxhall Football Writers’ Association Golf Day is back and will take place on October 8th.

Traditionally one of the highlights of the football golfing calendar, The FWA Golf Day, returned last year thanks to the support from Vauxhall, the England Team sponsor.

Last year’s event, which was the first of its kind for over six years, was enjoyed by over 90 journalists at the London Country Club near Hatfield.

James Nursey, from the Daily Mirror, walked away with the coveted Joe Melling trophy whilst Shaun Custis, the Sun, won a new putter for his nearest the pin effort but nobody could manage a hole in one on the par 3 third to go home with a brand new Vauxhall Astra.

This year’s event, open to all FWA members, will be staged on Monday October 8th at Breadsall Priory in Derbyshire.

For more information please contact Ralph Ellis at ralph@venturasport.co.uk

Precision Goalkeepers on International Form

Precision Goalkeepers David Forde and Darren Randolph impressed in goal for the Republic of Ireland in last week's 4-1 victory over Oman.

Millwall's David Forde earned his 3rd international cap before being replaced at half time by debutant Darren Randolph.

Precision's stoppers survived the test at Craven Cottage as ROI comfortably won the friendly and reminded Manager Giovanni Trapattoni of his options in goal.

Next up for ROI is an away trip to the Faroe Islands for their World Cup 2014 qualifier.

View David Forde's profile - click here

View Darren Randolph's profile - click here

FA Unveil Ashworth

Dan Ashworth was today announced by the FA as its new Director of Elite Development., based at St George’s Park.

Ashworth will join The FA from West Bromwich Albion, where he has spent eight years, most recently becoming the club’s Sporting and Technical Director in July 2008. Ashworth, who holds a UEFA Pro Licence, has a proven track-record in youth development as well as extensive experience of coaching elite players within the professional game.

Alex Horne, The FA’s General Secretary, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dan to The FA and offer our thanks to West Bromwich Albion for their courtesy throughout this appointment process. "Dan is highly regarded and hugely respected within the game and we believe securing his services at The FA will give the future of English football, from the grassroots to the elite level, a tremendous boost.”

Ashworth said: “I am really pleased and indeed honoured to have been offered the opportunity to join The FA. "Working within the national set-up has always been a life-long ambition. To do so at a time when the future of the game in this country has never looked brighter, through the completion of St. George’s Park and the Youth Development proposals, is an exciting challenge which I look forward to taking on.”

For the full story - click here

Media Accreditation now open for Leaders in Football 2012

The media accreditation process for Leaders in Football 2012 is now open.

The closing date for accreditation is Wednesday 26th of September.

Leaders in Football is the world's most exclusive football business event and takes place at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge on the 10th and 11th of October 2012.

Leaders in Football is broadcast live across the globe and last year’s event dominated the global football and sports agenda.

For a full list of this year’s speakers announced so far – click here

For more information regarding the event - click here

To apply for accreditation please contact aimee.preston@macesport.co.uk

Macesport Continue to Provide for Leaders

Macesport will again be providing a full media and public relations service for Leaders in Football.

The world's leading football and sports business event is being held at Chelsea FC on October 10-11.

Macesport will manage a media office which will cater for in excess of 100 global broadcasters and journalists.

Also, there will be an expanded digital Leaders presence with several leading speakers lined up to provide Twitter takeovers during the event.

"We have worked with James Worrall and his team from the very first year and are delighted to continue our association," said Macesport managing director Paul Mace.

"Leaders has set the sporting business agenda globally every year since inception and we look forward to this year's event again generating truly global media coverage.

"Additionally, we are looking to provide an innovative new digital Leaders presence in which key speakers undertake exclusive Twitter takeover question and answer sessions."

For more information on Macesport - click here

Follow @Macesport - click here

Precision Make Double Scottish Signing

Precision Goalkeeping have made a double signing in Scotland by adding Partick Thistle’s Scott Fox and Ludovic Roy to their goalkeeping stable.

The two Scottish First Division keepers join Motherwell’s Darren Randolph as Precision Goalkeeping ambassadors in Scotland.

Former Scotland under 20 keeper, Fox will join Partick Thistle goalkeeping coach Craig Hinchcliffe in wearing Schmeichology roll finger gloves this season.

Roy, who was born in France, signed for Partick Thistle this summer following spells at St Mirren, Ayr United, Dundee and Raith Rovers and will wear Schmeichology negative cut.

Precision Brands and Marketing Director, David Sanderson, said; “We are delighted to have signed both of the Partick Thistle goalkeepers and look forward to working with them throughout the season.

“The brand continues to go from strength to strength within the market and being able to secure two top quality goalkeepers in Scotland will only continue to help our growth.

“The new Schmeichology and Vortex ranges have been very well received and we are working hard to continue that market growth in an increasingly competitive market.”

The Partick Thistle trio join an impressive stable of Precison Goalkeeping talent that includes Kasper Schmeichel, Kieren Westwood, Frank Fielding, Andy Lonergan, Brian Jensen, David Forde, Scott Loach, Darren Randolph, Robert Olejnik, Ian McLoughlin, Trevor Carson and Republic of Ireland goalkeeping coach and former International Alan Kelly.

Former England manager Graham Taylor is lead Brand Ambassador for parent company Precision and the Nottingham based company also have official partnerships with Aston Villa and are official suppliers of specialist training aids to the Football League.

Become a Precision Goalkeeping fan on Facebook – www.facebook.com/precisiongoalkeeping

Follow Precision Goalkeeping on twitter - http://twitter.com/precisiongk

For further information on Precision Goalkeeping visit - http://www.precisiontraining.uk.com

Vauxhall Home Nations Football Media Bulletins

The Vauxhall Home Nations Football Media bulletins will be available later this week.

The Road to Brazil starts here with double headers for all of the Home Nations.

England travel to Moldova before meeting Ukraine at Wembley, Northern Ireland take on Russia in Moscow and Luxembourg at Windsor Park, Scotland play both games at Hampden Park against Serbia and Macedonia whilst Wales play Belgium in Cardiff before travelling to Serbia in the same group.

The Vauxhall media bulletins are designed to help the media with their coverage of Home Nations football and are packed full of useful stats.

To find out more contact Ben Thompson - click here

Chris Coleman Puts Media Under Pressure

Chris Coleman turned the tables on the media this week and put them through their paces, courtesy of Vauxhall, The Wales team sponsor.

The Wales manager oversaw a specially organised media training session for the national media at the Vale Hotel before naming his squad for the World Cup qualifying fixtures against Belgium and Serbia.

Coleman put the correspondents through a rigourous warm up before testing their skills in some short and sharp passing drills on the Wales training ground.

Providing an insight into life in the camp the Wales supremo then cast his eye over a shooting and penalty taking exercise before letting the media battle it out between themselves in a short sided game.

He said; “I had a great time putting the media under pressure for a change and to be fair to them I was pleasantly surprised at how skilful they were.

“I think a few of them had hopes of a late call up for the squad but I don’t think that will be happening anytime soon!”

Peter Hope, Vauxhall Marketing Director, said; “We would like to thank the FAW, Chris Coleman and the Welsh media for making such a superb event happen.

“With such a busy schedule we are very grateful to Chris for giving up his time. It gave the media an insight into like inside the Wales camp and have no doubt he will have enjoyed putting them under the microscope on the field for a change.”

View more photos from the training session at Facebook

You can follow Vauxhall Wales on Twitter