Hampshire Cricket have announced a new partnership agreement with regional housebuilder Bargate.
The deal marks the first time a regional housebuilder has teamed up with the county club and international venue. The partnership has been agreed for a period of over two years.
As part of the agreement, Bargate has become the official sponsor of the Family Zone at Utilita Bowl. The space is set to be redesigned and refreshed for use during Vitality Blast fixtures and international matches.
Furthermore, Bargate’s branding will feature on players’ kit trousers and on perimeter advertising boards at the venue throughout domestic fixtures.
Rob Paddon, Commercial Director at Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Bargate as an official partner of Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl. Their focus on community, families and long-term local investment aligns closely with our own values, and the support of the Family Zone will play an important role in enhancing the matchday experience for supporters of all ages.”
BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom has partnered with football agent Danny Knowles to launch a new Manchester-based football agency, NXXT PLAY.
Established to bridge the gap between on-pitch performance and off-pitch strategy, the organisation aims to combine career management with entrepreneurial growth, specifically focusing on talent under the age of 24.
Shalom, who founded the boxing promotional company BOXXER at age 23, intends to apply his experience in building individual athlete profiles in combat sports to the football world. He is joined by Knowles, a FIFA-licensed agent formerly of OmniSports, whose portfolio includes work with players such as Joe Hart, Chris Smalling, and Adam Wharton.
The agency has confirmed a launch roster of five domestic players, which includes teenagers from the academies of Manchester United and Crystal Palace.
Ben Shalom, Co-Founder of NXXT PLAY, said, “Young footballers today face unprecedented opportunities and challenges. NXXT PLAY is built to combine elite on-field guidance with off-field business expertise. We’re focused on building today’s elite prospects into tomorrow’s stars.”
Formula E team CUPRA KIRO have partnered with hydration data company AQUAME.
The agreement sees the team utilise the company’s technology to monitor, analyse, and improve hydration levels among its drivers and team members during this year’s FIA Formula E World Championship season.
Through the use of its smart bottle, AQUAME will provide personalised hydration insights for drivers Dan Ticktum and Pepe Martí, alongside all members of the team throughout the 2025/26 season. Access to the data will enable the team to implement hydration strategies intended to help reduce fatigue and dehydration risks during races.
The smart water bottles were used for the first time by the team at the third round of the current campaign in Miami, Florida, and will play a monitoring role during the upcoming double-header race weekend in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Mars Jonathan Fields, Head of Health & Performance, AQUAME, said, “Dehydration compromises reaction time, spatial awareness, and cognitive load, which directly impacts high-speed manoeuvring, defensive positioning, and split-second tactical decisions.
“AQUAME’s real-time hydration tracking ensures drivers and pit crews maintain peak fluid levels from lights out to the chequered flag, mitigating the risk of mental fatigue and unforced errors behind the wheel or during critical stops.”
Motiv Sports UK has renewed its partnership with PR agency New Reach for a fourth consecutive year.
Building on three years of collaboration, the agreement will see New Reach deliver an expanded scope of work across the Hackney Half, Saucony London 10k, Saucony Run Shoreditch, and the Oxford Half. The agency will deepen its strategic role in elevating the Motiv brand and its event portfolio.
With 2026 event entries reportedly tracking ahead of schedule, the agency has adjusted its remit from driving sign-ups to supporting Motiv’s broader commercial goals. The work will centre on delivering a thought leadership strategy, strengthening digital PR output, and spotlighting community impact initiatives.
This activity will be supported by an enhanced influencer engagement programme and regional media outreach in London and Oxford. Additionally, the agency will provide on-the-ground media management at each event and oversight of risk management and crisis communications.
Nick Rewcastle, Managing Director, New Reach, said: “Renewing with Motiv for a fourth year is genuinely exciting for us. These events continue to evolve, and so does our role in helping shape how people see and experience them. With entries already performing strongly, we’re shifting our focus towards areas where we know we can make a meaningful commercial impact. Motiv has huge potential as a leader in this space, and we’re proud to help push that forward in 2026.”
