Macesport Recruiting - Multimedia Editor

Macesport have an extremely rare vacancy to join our talented team.

As a result of several important client acquisitions in the past few weeks, our award-winning Nottingham-based agency is looking for an enthusiastic multimedia editor to work across a number of our award winning clients.

You'll need to love your sport, have experience in the sports media landscape, be extremely hard-working, enthusiastic and totally committed to the cause.

A strong knowledge of digital sports activation is also desirable.

You'll be working across our diverse sports portflio which includes national associations, national team sponsors, governing bodies, elite athletes ..... and Robbie Savage!!!

In the first instance, drop us an email with cv to our Media and Communications Director Ben Thompson - click here

Hodgson Drives Vauxhall Insignia

England Manager Roy Hodgson is the latest footballing addition to the Vauxhall driving family.

Hodgson was presented with his brand new Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer at St George’s Park, the recently-opened National Football Centre in Burton, as part of the partnership between The Football Association and lead sponsor of the England Team,Vauxhall.

Roy Hodgson commented: “I am delighted to be driving a Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer.

“Vauxhall is the outstanding lead partner of the England Team and I am personally grateful for the support they have given to me since becoming England manager.”

Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director Duncan Aldred said: “We are very pleased that Roy has chosen to drive a Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer.

“Two years into our partnership with The FA and the relationship continues to go from strength to strength, we are looking forward to 2013 and playing our part in the Road to Brazil campaign.

“We are very grateful for the excellent support we have received from Roy, the players, coaching staff and everyone connected with the organisation.”

Read the full article - click here

Media Advisory: Greg Rusedski Interview Opportunity

MANTIS ambassador Greg Rusedski will be putting the media through their paces on Friday at the Harbour Club in Chelsea.

Rusedski will be taking a MANTIS Masterclass for a select group of journalists and broadcasters - as well as putting some of the MANTIS youth ambassadors under the spotlight.

If you are interested in taking part and interviewing Greg please contact Ben Thompson - click here

For more information on MANTIS - click here

Follow @MANTISSport on twitter - click here

Become a MANTIS fan on Facebook - click here

NFL Season Tickets on Sale Now

The Minnesota Vikings will face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday 29 September, kick-off 6pm, before the Jacksonville Jaguars host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, October 27, kick-off 5pm.

Following the successful sale of Club and Premium Club season tickets, the NFL have extended the season-ticket package to all general admission seating areas, offering the same 20% saving.

These tickets are now on sale via Ticketmaster.

Read the full article - click here

Purchase tickets - click here

For more on the NFL - click here

Macesport at the SJA Awards

The festive season kicks off this Thursday at the Sports Journalists' Association Awards ceremony.

Macesport will be hosting their annual table at the SJA Awards on Thursday lunchtime at the Tower of London Pavilion.

Paul and all of the Macesport team will be at the event so please come and say hello and share a Christmas drink with us.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Vauxhall's 12 Days of Vxmas

Vauxhall, the sponsor of home nations football, is bringing good tidings to all football fans this Christmas with a multitude of give-aways on twitter.The '12 Days of Vxmas' competition is returning for the second successive year.

From the 1st December until 12th December 2012, fans can win top football prizes every day simply by retweeting and following the nation specific Vauxhall twitter accounts.

Prizes range from signed international shirts to signed footballs to Vauxhall branded training tops.

Sponsorship Marketing Manager (Home Nations Football) Simon Culley said, "This is our way of saying thank you to all of the fans that have followed us throughout an amazing year and who knows even helping out with a few last minute Christmas presents."

Follow @VauxhallEngland on twitter - click here

Follow @VauxhallNI on twitter - click here

Follow @VauxhallScot on twitter - click here

Follow @Vauxhall_Wales on twitter - click here

Stuart Pearce Opens New 3G Pitch for Vauxhall Youth Programme

England Under-21 manager, Stuart Pearce MBE, has officially opened a new third generation (3G) pitch in Peterborough funded by the Football Foundation and Peterborough City Council.

The venue will also play host to The FA’s Football Mash Up programme, which in partnership with England team sponsor Vauxhall, is aimed at reducing the drop-out rate of 14-17 year olds in football.

Stuart Pearce said: “New 3G all-weather pitches, like this one in Peterborough, are crucial to the development of young aspiring footballers, who need quality facilities to train and play on."

Read the full article - click here

Sav's Supporting the William Hill Foundation

Macesport client Robbie Savage has been back from Africa for a month now and whilst he was there he was asked to become the Patron of the William Hill Foundation – which he was delighted to accept.

Sav said "Being in Africa made a huge impression on me and the rest of the William Hill team and we are all keen to help the community in Ol Maisor as much as we possibly can".

"It’s a big ask though – there is so much to do!".

A new team of William Hill people will be going back in February and Sav is keen to help generate as much publicity and raise as much money as he can to help pay for the work needed at the school.

Robbie has spoken to some of his football contacts and has arranged for a celebrity charity football match to kick start the fund raising campaign!

On Sunday 9th December at the Six Fields Stadium in Northampton Sav's celebrity team will take on Anthony Costa from Blue and his celebrity team to play for The William Hill Foundation Cup.

For ticket information - click here

Follow Sav on Twitter - click here

MANTIS on Reality TV Show Made in Chelsea

This week MANTIS Tour Tennis balls appeared the Channel 4 reality TV Show Made in Chelsea.

Jamie the Made in Chelsea star was shown packing away MANTIS tour tennis balls as he was moving house in this episode.

To see the Made in Chelsea episode - click here

Become a fan on Facebook - click here

Follow us on Twitter - click here

Trevor Francis Presents New Kit to Hallam Rangers

This week former Sheffield Wednesday and England star Trevor Francis returned to the steel city to hand over a brand new football kit to local side Hallam Rangers FC.

Francis, the world’s first £1 million pound player back in 1979, visited Hallam Rangers at their indoor training facility at Mylnhurst School, Sheffield to hand over the kit as part of England team sponsor, Vauxhall’s, Youth Programme initiative.

Local Vauxhall dealer, Pentagon Sheffield, have shown their commitment to Grass Roots Football in the area by supplying Hallam Rangers Football Club with the brand new kit.

The former England winger, Francis, said; “It is great to see a local side enjoying their football and I am delighted to handover the new Vauxhall kit to the team.

For more information - click here

Chris Coleman Launches Partnership with Precision

Wales manager Chris Coleman officially launched a brand new partnership between the Football Association of Wales and training aid specialist Precision.

Precision have been confirmed as the Official Training Aid supplier to the FAW in a multiyear deal that is the first of its kind in Wales.

Britain’s fastest growing sports brand, Precision, will supply market-leading training equipment to all levels of the Football Association of Wales from the national team through to the grass roots level of the game.

Coleman, a former Premier League player and manager, said; “I am delighted that The FAW and Precision have joined in partnership and look forward to working closely with them in the future.

“It is vital at international football level that we are using the highest quality training products on the market and Precision certainly delivers that.

“All coaching departments throughout The FAW will also benefit from the deal and I have no doubt it will make an impact on the grass roots of the game in Wales.”

For more information on Precision go to www.precisiontraining.uk.com

To read the full article - click here

Sepp Blatter Visits St George's Park

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter visited St. George’s Park on Wednesday to inaugurate the Goal project - worth around £310,000 - awarded to the landmark development, which officially opened in October.

The FIFA Development Committee awarded The FA’s application for Goal Programme funding towards the sports science and medical centre at St. George’s Park. It is hoped that the funding will help realise The FA’s ambition to make St. George’s Park a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence.

Blatter said: “FIFA is committed to the development of football across the world, and the Goal projects are crucial in achieving this mission.

"Protecting the health of the players is one of our key objectives and I am therefore very pleased that this project will be dedicated to a sports science and medical centre at such an emblematic location as St. George’s Park.”

David Sheepshanks, Chairman of St. George’s Park, added: "This FIFA funding is significant in that it enables us to step up our work in the critical area of sports science, which is a key function of St. George’s Park.”

Read the full article - click here

Vauxhall Cap Gerrard's 100

Vauxhall, the England team sponsor, unveiled a video - click here - in celebration of Steven Gerrard’s 100th England cap against Sweden.

Gerrard joins a small and exclusive list of players who have reached the milestone. He sits sixth in the all time caps list behind Peter Shilton (125), David Beckham (115), Bobby Moore (108), Bobby Charlton (106) and Billy Wright (105).

As official sponsor of the England team, the video demonstrates the brand’s support for Steven Gerrard’s successful footballing career and achievements playing for England.

Upon seeing the film, prior to the match against Sweden (14.11.12), Steven Gerrard commented: “It’s a real honour to be playing my 100th game for England tonight and it’s fantastic to receive such great support from Vauxhall.

“The video certainly seems to capture many great highlights from the last twelve years and I’m very grateful for receiving such recognition.”

Watch the full video on Vauxhall's dedicated football website -click here

Follow @VauxhallEngland - click here

Season Tickets for NFL At Wembley 2013

It’s time to start planning your trips to Wembley for the 2013 International Series games.

The NFL has made the historic decision to stage two regular-season games at Wembley for the first time next year. The Vikings’ home game against the Steelers sees a battle between two historic franchises with a combined 12 Super Bowl appearances and star names like Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson and Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

When the five-time Super Bowl champion 49ers return to London they will have a different look to the team that played there in 2010, having since reach the 2011 season NFC Championship game and emerging as strong Super Bowl contenders in the current campaign.

Hosting them will be a young Jaguars team who have committed to playing home games in London for the next four seasons. The Jaguars will be reaching out to UK fans and giving you unparalleled access and interaction with the team as they become part of the local sporting landscape.

Full ticket details will be announced over the next few weeks, but to kick things off the NFL are rewarding those who want to attend both games by offering outstanding value on a two-game season ticket package, which will go on sale at 10am on Thursday, November 22 via Ticketmaster.

Minnesota Vikings will face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Wembley at 6pm on Sunday, September 29.

Jacksonville Jaguars host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, October 27, kickoff 5pm

For more ticket information - click here

Precision Dive in with Precision Swim at Stag

Precision launched their latest extension to the brand when Precision Swim is shown for the first time at the Stag Show this weekend in Swindon.

Britain’s fastest growing sport brand have added Precision Swim to their ever expanding portfolio under the Precision banner. Founded in 2005 the parent brand Precision is Britain’s number one choice for specialist sports training aids and apparel - from elite professionals through to grass roots level.

The Precision Swim entry level swimming apparel will include a girls and ladies swimsuit, Aqua shorts, Jammer shorts, and Leisure shorts in black and navy. The new range will also include accessories such as swimming goggles, plugs, nose clips and hats.

Precision Brand and Marketing Director, David Sanderson, said; “Precision Swim is a great addition to the Precision portfolio. “We have thought for some time that there is a particular need for this entry level swimwear and accessories package and we are delighted to showcase it at Stag for the first time.

Precision, a wholly owned brand of Reydon Sports Ltd., are the official suppliers of training aids to the Football League, the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales. They have official partnerships with Indoor and Outdoor hockey champions Leicester Ladies Hockey Club and Premier League football club Aston Villa.

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

Schmeichology 3 Launches at Stag Show

The sport's retail industry got their first look at Precision Goalkeeping's Schmeichology 3 range at the Stag Show this weekend. The third incarnation of the goalkeeping range designed by Leicester City and Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel will be given pride of place at the event.

Precision Goalkeeping's Schmeichology 3 range includes three models; the Kasper Schmeichel Negative Cut, Roll finger and a brand new Hybrid glove which is a mix of a roll finger and negative cut. There is also an extension to the Vortex Classic range which will ow include the Vortex Westy finger support and negative cut.

Precision Goalkeeping Brand ambassador Kasper Schmeichel, said; "I am delighted with the new range of gloves - they just keep getting better. "I will be wearing the negative cut but the Hybrid glove is really interesting. We had spoken to a lot of the other Precision keepers and it was something they were wanting to try and we think the consumers will love it."

David Sanderson, Brand and Marketing Director at Precision, commented; "Precision Goalkeeping has been a huge success since our launch in 2010 and we have continued to innovate and the Schmeichology range really reflects that. "We are very confident that we have a range of top quality gloves that services every area of the market from the professionals right through to the grass roots."

"The introduction of the contact foam in the last range took us to the next level and the brand continues to grow and grow with a number of our players playing on the international stage and in the best leagues in the world. "We have worked closely with our stable of keepers to produce gloves they are proud to wear whilst keeping true to our ethos of supplying top quality equipment to the masses at affordable prices."

For more on Precision Goalkeeping - click here

Vauxhall Home Nations Football Photographer of the Year 2012

Vauxhall’s Home Nations Football Photographer of the Year competition is back for 2012.

Last year the Mail on Sunday's Mark Pain was crowned the inaugural Vauxhall Home Nations Football Photographer of the Year when his England portfolio enabled him to beat the cream of English, Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh sports photographers in an eagerly-contested competition.

Following feedback from a number of entrants the prizes have been altered this year and there is now a cash sum of £3000 up for the grabs for the 2012 winner.

The individual national competitions for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales remain with two principal categories –Photographer of the Year and Best Individual Photo.

Each individual winner will collect £500 and the four Photographers of the Year will be entered into the final to win £2500 and the title of Vauxhall Home Nations Football Photographer of the Year.

For more information regarding entry please contact Aimee Preston

Chris Coleman Visits Precision at Stag Show

Chris Coleman will be making a special appearance at the Stag Show in Swindon today.

The Wales manager will be there to announce a partnership between the Football Association of Wales and Macesport client Precision.

The FAW and Precision will launch a partnership which will see Precision become the official training aid suppliers to the FAW.

Full details of the partnership will be released this week.

David Sanderson, Brand and Marketing Director for Precision, said; "We are very grateful to both Chris and the FAW for joining us and meeting our customers at Stag Show this week.

"Having recently signed a deal with the Irish Football Association we are delighted to add the FAW to our portfolio of partners and look forward to working together in the future."

For more details on Precision - click here

Precision Keeper Brian Jensen Kicks Off Testimonial Year

Precision Goalkeeping’s Brian Jensen has announced the launch of his testimonial year this month after he entered his 10th season with Burnley.

"The beast" joined the Clarets on a free transfer in June 2003 and has since made 270 appearances.

Jensen lived up to his nickname when he saved two spot kicks in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to knock Chelsea out of the League Cup in 2008.

Jensen also launched the Precision Goalkeeping range in 2010 when he wore the gloves for the first time in the Premier League fixture against Chelsea.

First up of the testimonial events is a 'Beast of a Race Night With A Difference', to be held on Tuesday, November 20th in the James Hargreaves Stand’s executive suite.

Jensen has invited a number of former Clarets’ team mates to this fun evening at Turf Moor, including Jay Rodriguez, Robbie Blake, Ade Akinbiyi, Danny Coyne and Graham Branch. The stars will take part in a series of challenges on the Turf Moor pitch.

To read the full article - click here

Vauxhall Present FA Women's Young Player of the Year Award

The England team sponsor Vauxhall showed their support for England's Women's team last week by presenting the FA Young Player of the Year award at the FA Women's Awards.

Everton's Alex Greenwood collected the award from Vauxhall's Head of Sponsorship Chris Hornbuckle at the glittering award ceremony at the Waldorf Hilton.

The award, decided by Three Lions coaches and back room staff, recognises exciting young international-quality talent.

The other awards included:

FA Young Player of the Year - Alex Greenwood, Everton

FA Goalkeeper of the Year - Nicky Davies, Liverpool

FA Goal of the Year - Megan Harris, Lincoln FA

Coach of the Year, FA Women’s Premier League - John Saloman, Watford

FA Players’ Player of the Year - Jess Fishlock, Bristol Academy

FA International Player of the Year - Casey Stoney

100 England caps - Fara Williams, Casey Stoney, Rachel Unitt

Throston Tornadoes Get Surprise of a Lifetime

Throston Tornadoes received the surprise of a lifetime thanks to Vauxhall and Robbie Savage.

The Under 13 team from Hartlepool were featured on Sunday night's ITV prime time show Surprise, Surprise after manager Chris Forsyth applied to give the players a morale boost.

As part of the surprise, a reward for their effort and attitude in the face of some heavy defeats, Robbie Savage went along to their training ground to give them a training session.

Robbie also took the boys on a tour of Wembley before they went along to an England training session at Colney to meet the England squad.

The surprise was topped off when they ran out on the hallowed turf at Wembley to take part in a penalty shoot out at half time during the England vs San Marino game in October, courtesy of England team sponsor Vauxhall.

Watch last weekend's Surprise, Surprise - click here

SGB Profile Precision Baselayer

With the clocks changing this weekend and the winter nights drawing in it is time to get out the baselayers again!

And Precision's baselayer will once again be one of the most worn garments throughout the UK this winter.

Featured in this month's SGB the Precision baselayer range has been extended to incorporate more core team colours for use under team kits.

Made with Precision Fit technology the baselayer are tight fitting to prevent excessive muscle movement and thus minimise the amount of energy wasted during exercise.

The use of soft fabrics and a high quality of design with cover stitched seams also reduces chafing and discomfort.

Check out the full range of Precision baselayer - click here

For more details on Precision - click here

Landmark Youth Football Sponsorship in Scotland

The Moray Firth Youth Development football League has announced this month a landmark sponsorship agreement with local business, Scottish Vauxhall, which consists of Vauxhall retailer group Mackays of Dingwall, Autovision in Inverness and Regency Car Sales in Buckie and Elgin.

From the start of the 2012/13 season the league will officially be known as the scottishvauxhall.co.uk Youth Development League.

The agreement includes a provision of brand new kits for each of the 12 clubs as part of a wider initiative from the Scotland National team sponsor Vauxhall, which is aimed at increasing participation of 12-18 year olds in football.

For more information go to www.scottishvauxhall.co.uk

Vauxhall Home Nations Football Photography Competition 2012

Vauxhall’s Home Nations Football Photographer of the Year competition is back for 2012.

Last year the Mail on Sunday's Mark Pain was crowned the inaugural Vauxhall Home Nations Football Photographer of the Year when his England portfolio enabled him to beat the cream of English, Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh sports photographers in an eagerly-contested competition.

Following feedback from a number of entrants the prizes have been altered this year and there is now a cash sum of £3000 up for the grabs for the 2012 winner.

The individual national competitions for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales remain with two principal categories –Photographer of the Year and Best Individual Photo.

Each individual winner will collect £500 and the four Photographers of the Year will be entered into the final to win £2500 and the title of Vauxhall Home Nations Football Photographer of the Year.

Chris Hornbuckle, Vauxhall Head of Sponsorship, said; “The support we have received from the photographers during our sponsorship has been outstanding and we would like to show our appreciation for their continued support and excellent work."

For more information regarding entry please contact Aimee Preston – click here

Media Opportunities for NFL in London

The NFL returns to Wembley this Sunday on the 28th of October for the International Series game between the St Louis Rams and the New England Patriots.

The sixth International Series game at Wembley and a chance for a capacity crowd to watch the best of the NFL action in the UK.

In the build up to the game we will have a number of media opportunities with players, coaches, former players and also the St Louis Rams cheerleaders.

If you would like to find out more please contact Aimee Preston - click here

Macesport are the retained PR agency for the NFL in the UK.

NFL Takes Historic Step in International Development

In response to outstanding and growing fan support of football in the United Kingdom, the NFL will take a historic step in its international development in 2013 when for the first time two regular-season games will be played in the UK.

On Sunday, September 29, 2013, the Minnesota Vikings will host the Pittsburgh Steelers at London’s Wembley Stadium. This is in addition to the previously announced game set for Sunday, October 27, 2013 – also at Wembley – when the Jacksonville Jaguars will host the San Francisco 49ers.

“Since we started playing regular-season games in London five years ago, we have heard very clearly from our UK fans – they want more football,” said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL, who announced the final schedule of UK games for 2013 at the NFL Fall Meeting in Chicago.

The Vikings and Steelers will play the first of the two 2013 NFL games at Wembley Stadium, with kick off set for 1:00 p.m. ET on September 29.

Earlier this year, the Jaguars opened a new chapter for the NFL in the UK, making a multi-year commitment to International Series games in London. Jacksonville will play one regular-season home game in the United Kingdom in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, all at Wembley Stadium.

The 2012 International Series game features the St. Louis Rams hosting the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, October 28, before an expected sellout crowd in excess of 80,000.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson:

“London has staged an extraordinary year of sport and I want to ensure this is a springboard for even more world class sports spectaculars in the future. A second NFL game headed to the capital is fantastic news for sports fans and will help to inject tens of millions of pounds into the city's economy.”

Iain Edmondson, Head of Major Events at London & Partners:

"London's major events team has supported the NFL in growing its presence ever since the first regular season Game in 2007. We are thrilled to see this long-term relationship strengthen even further with the news of another Game for the city. However fans won't have to wait until next year with another free NFL Fan Rally in Trafalgar Square on the eve of this year's game next weekend."

Read the full article - click here

England Sponsor Raises Roof with New Cascada

Vauxhall will be promoting the benefits of its new full-size convertible model, the Cascada, in today’s rearranged World Cup qualifying fixture between Poland and England.

The England lead sponsor is using its LED screen advertising to showcase the fact that the Cascada, which is set to become Vauxhall’s new premium range-topper, has a fabric roof which can close in just 19 seconds.

Last night the Poland-England fixture had to be postponed when the Warsaw stadium roof was not closed despite torrential rain flooding the pitch.

Vauxhall moved quickly overnight to commission new LED advertising package in which it is stated:

The Cascada – A roof that can close in 19 seconds

“We always like to be proactive and tie together our car launches with our football sponsorship portfolio.

“This is a light-hearted campaign in which we can extol the virtues of the Cascada to a television audience of millions,” said Vauxhall Marketing Director Peter Hope.

Details of the new Cascada were unveiled today and  the car is due for launch in Q1 2013.

NFL Media Opportunities

The NFL returns to Wembley on the 28th of October for the International Series game between the St Louis Rams and the New England Patriots.

The sixth International Series game at Wembley and a chance for a capacity crowd to watch the best of the NFL action in the UK.

In the build up to the game we will have a number of media opportunities with players, coaches, former players and also the St Louis Rams cheerleaders.

If you would like to find out more please contact Aimee Preston - click here

Macesport are the retained PR agency for the NFL in the UK.

Irish Football Association Go for Precision

The Irish Football Association have today announced Precision as the first ever Official Training Aid supplier to the Northern Ireland football team.

In association with top local sports company Podium 4 Sport the ground-breaking partnership, which includes a three year agreement, is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.

The new agreement will see Precision supply market-leading training equipment to all levels of the Irish Football Association from the national team through to the grass roots level of the game.

Former England Manager and Precision ambassador Graham Taylor was in Belfast to help launch the programme. Speaking at a coaching event at Belfast University hosted by the Irish FA and Precision, he said; “Training techniques and the equipment that is required has changed dramatically from my days as a player and a manager and they continue to innovate at a rapidly increasing rate and the partnership will help everyone stay ahead of the game.”

Read the full article - click here

Royal visit for St. George’s Park launch

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will open St. George's Park, The FA's new national football centre, next month it has been announced.

The Duke of Cambridge, who is the Honourary President of The FA, will officially launch the new national facility, which was completed in July.

The Royal Party will visit the Burton-upon-Trent site on Tuesday October 9, and join specially invited guests to celebrate the opening of the new home for the 24 representative England teams.

Local community figureheads and young players will meet the Royal Party, before they greet staff from The FA, Hilton Hotels and Spire Healthcare, who operate the three main facilities at St. George's Park.

They will then meet England Manager Roy Hodgson and his squad as they train at St. George's Park for the very first time ahead of their Euro 2012 qualification game against San Marino later that week. Hope Powell, England women’s senior team manager, will be joined by a number of her squad who will also meet Their Royal Highnesses as they tour the facility, including the community use pitches and Sport England pavilion, the Hilton and Hampton by Hilton Hotels and the Spire Perform rehabilitation centre.

FA Chairman David Bernstein said: "The opening of St. George's Park is truly a momentous occasion in the history of The FA. Next year we will celebrate The FA's 150th anniversary, and this moment will be recorded as significant as any that has gone before us in the last 149 years.

"We are particularly delighted that both the Duke and Duchess can join us to open this facility."

Chairman of St. George's Park David Sheepshanks added: "This is a wonderful reward for all of the people that have worked so hard to bring St. George's Park to reality. "The local community have embraced every aspect of St. George's Park and this will be a red letter day for Burton-upon-Trent and the surrounding locality."

Vauxhall drives deeper into FA partnership

Signifying the success to date of its sponsorship agreements with The FootballAssociation, leading vehicle manufacturer Vauxhall is broadening its partnership with the game’s governing body in this country.

An agreement has been concluded for Vauxhall to become the Official Automotive Supplier to St. George’s Park, the National Football Centre and new training home of the 24 representative England teams. The 330-acre St. George’s Park development is nearing being officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on October 9^th.

St. George’s Park will also be a national coach education, development and sports medicine centre for football, sport and business.

Vauxhall’s current agreements with The FA include the lead sponsorship of the 24 England teams and The FA’s Official Youth Partner, covering football played by 12-18 year-olds.

“We already have an exciting and successful partnership with The FA but see this expansion of our sponsorship to St. George’s Park as an important step in supporting The FA’s vision for the game of football. St. George’s Park will set a new benchmark for everything connected with English football and we are very proud to play our part,” says Chris Hornbuckle, Vauxhall’s Head of Sponsorship.

Sean McAuliffe, The FA’s Global Head of Business Development comments: “This new agreement with Vauxhall not only reflects the desire to expand our relationship to each other’s mutual benefit, but also the increasing attraction of St. George’s Park to the commercial sector. We are delighted that Vauxhall continues to support The FA in developing the future of the game in this country.”

Vehicles from across the Vauxhall range will be supplied to St. George’s Park, for visitors or for executive transfers and will also be used as staff cars. Vauxhall will also make extensive use of the site’s top-class Hilton hotel, conferencing and banqueting facilities.

The new Vauxhall agreement with St. George’s Park runs through to the summer of 2014.

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

Pukka Pies Band Give Hockey a Boost

Great Britain’s hockey squads are in tune for medals with help from the Pukka Pies GBBand.

Normally to be found at England football internationals, the band have been rechristened by Pukka Pies to perform at all of Great Britain Hockey's matches at the Riverbank Arena.

Results are going well so far for GB men’s and women’s team and they are both on course to reach the semi finals later this week.

The Pukka PiesBand have certainly added to the atmosphere at the games and given Team GB a boost.

The band have been in London throughout the Olympics to support the Team GB and have been sending their inimitable video diaries to give us a flavour of what is happening inside the Olympic Park.

Check out the videos - click here and also click here

Follow @PukkaPiesBand - click here

Become a fan of the Pukka Pies Band on Facebook - click here