ISU Enhances Digital Presence with Dual-Module Mobile App

The International Skating Union (ISU) has unveiled a new mobile application, developed in collaboration with digital agency Yellow Panther, designed to cater to both fans and athletes. Building upon their existing website partnership, this app features distinct modules tailored to each audience. Fans gain access to personalized content, a comprehensive match centre, and detailed athlete profiles, while athletes benefit from secure content distribution tools and a dedicated media hub.

This launch is a key component of the ISU’s broader digital strategy as it prepares for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Future iterations of the app are planned to incorporate gamification elements and loyalty programs for fans, alongside functionality allowing skaters to directly upload content. Stuart Cope, Founder at Yellow Panther, emphasized the significance of the project, stating, “ISU is a world leader in international sport, and we’re honoured to continue supporting their digital journey. By extending our work from web to mobile, we’re delivering a single app that serves both fans and athletes to enhance engagement while equipping skaters with the tools they need.”

BUCS Adds Flag Football, Capitalizing on Olympic Momentum

British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is expanding its offerings with the addition of flag football to its competition program, commencing in the 2025-26 season. The initiative, known as the BUCS Regional Flag Football Series, is a collaborative effort with the British American Football Association (BAFA) and NFL UK. This move aligns with the growing popularity of flag football, which is set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

The inaugural season will consist of five regional competitions for both Open and Women’s teams, initially operating without BUCS Points awarded. A data-driven review will follow, with a successful series potentially being fully integrated into the BUCS program for the 2026-27 season, becoming a qualifier for a National Finals event and awarding BUCS Points. Neal Kington, Head of Competitions at BUCS, expressed enthusiasm for the addition, saying, “We’re thrilled to welcome flag football into the BUCS programme. We’re excited to be working with BAFA and NFL UK to deliver this new discipline, which provides students further diversified options to engage in the BUCS programmes. Thanks to our refreshed competitions framework, BUCS is now more dynamic and agile in responding to the changing student demand.”

Playtomic Empowers Players with Community Investment Opportunity

Racket-sports app and booking platform Playtomic is pioneering a new approach to fundraising, launching a community investment campaign on Crowdcube, inviting its 4.7 million global players to become shareholders. This marks the first time the company has opened ownership to its user base, offering them a chance to participate in the company’s growth. The investment will fuel technological enhancements, international expansion, and entry into new sports, including the rapidly growing sport of pickleball.

This initiative follows a successful $70 million fundraise earlier in the year. Playtomic currently connects over 18,000 clubs across 66 countries and is a central player in the global padel boom, with an average of 50 new clubs joining the platform each week. As of September 2025, the platform has processed over €346 million in transactions, generating a net revenue exceeding €29 million. Félix Ruiz, co-founder and CEO of Playtomic, stated, “This campaign is about more than investment in a company, it is about expanding our reach, enhancing our technology, and building a truly global racket sports community together. Our users are not just players or clients, they are the heart of Playtomic, and now they have the opportunity to become co-owners and grow with us.”

Did You Know? Padel is currently the world’s fastest-growing participation sport, demonstrating the potential for rapid expansion in the racket sports market.

Bath Rugby Pioneers Cell Regeneration Technology with MBST UK Partnership

Gallagher Premiership club Bath Rugby has partnered with recovery technology specialists MBST UK, becoming the first professional rugby team to integrate MBST’s cell regeneration devices into its player recovery program. The devices will be installed at the club’s Farleigh House training ground.

The club’s sports medicine team will incorporate the non-invasive technology into player rehabilitation plans, aiming to accelerate recovery times, manage injuries to joints and soft tissues, and promote long-term musculoskeletal health. The treatment focuses on stimulating the body’s natural repair processes at a cellular level. Rory Murray, Head of Medical Services at Bath Rugby, commented, “Having MBST devices on site to enhance our injury rehab and management is hugely exciting. Injury is a big part of our sport, and how you handle each player’s recovery can really determine success. Training can only get us so far, now with MBST, we can integrate this modality into the healing and waiting time, allowing our players to get more from their integrated recovery plans. MBST gives us something different to support the recovery process, and we can’t wait to put it to the test.”

ClearScore Activates FA Cup Partnership with The Space Between

Fintech brand ClearScore has appointed The Space Between as its sports marketing activation agency for a new multi-year partnership with The Emirates FA Cup and The Adobe Women’s FA Cup. The agency will oversee partnership management, strategy development, creative execution, content production, and media amplification.

The partnership aims to align ClearScore’s mission of improving financial wellbeing with the FA Cup competitions’ focus on community, accessibility, and inclusivity. The Space Between, recognized as ‘Young Agency of the Year’ at the 2022 Sport Industry Awards, was selected following a competitive pitch. Marina Wong, Head of Global Marketing at ClearScore, noted, “As a disruptive brand with a strong consumer focus and data-driven model, The Space Between is a natural agency partner. They impressed with their strong strategic and creative thinking, whilst also understanding how to ensure that our activation gets the reach it deserves via their digital amplification service Cascade.” Lisa Parfitt, Co-Founder of The Space Between, added, “FA Cup competitions are dream makers – where small clubs get their big moment and ambitions can become reality – which is the perfect platform for ClearScore and their mission to help everyone, no matter what their circumstances, achieve greater financial wellbeing.”

Forest Green Rovers Extends Sustainable Partnership with Quorn

Forest Green Rovers has extended its long-standing partnership with meat-free food brand Quorn for another year. The collaboration, which began in 2015, will continue to focus on developing planet-focused menu options for fans at The New Lawn stadium.

Quorn will also continue its sponsorship of the club’s Star of the Month award, determined by fan votes on Twitter. Lucy Grogut, Marketing Director at Quorn, emphasized the importance of partnerships in driving sustainability, stating, “Working with like-minded partners is important to us to ensure we’re driving our sustainability mission forward in everything we do. We want to make sure that delicious and sustainable food options are available whenever and wherever people are eating. Our partnership with Forest Green Rovers continues to help us effect change that will have a lasting positive impact on the planet.” Forest Green Rovers CEO Dane Vince added, “Quorn have been a valued Partner of FGR for 10 years, helping us to have innovative food options here at the New Lawn, and creating some great food initiatives to showcase how great plant-based food can be, like the fan favourite Q-Pie. Dynamic and forward-looking organisations like Quorn are an important part of FGR’s sustainability drive and our journey to our new multi-use site at EcoPark.”

Aberdeen Appoints Lutz Pfannenstiel as Sporting Director

Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen has appointed Lutz Pfannenstiel as its new Sporting Director, effective November 10th. Pfannenstiel joins from Major League Soccer (MLS) club St Louis City, where he also served as Sporting Director. He will be responsible for all football and performance aspects at the Scottish club.

Pfannenstiel brings extensive experience, including nine years at 1899 Hoffenheim as head of international relations and scouting, and two seasons as Sporting Director for Fortuna Dusseldorf. Dave Cormack, Chairman of Aberdeen, highlighted Pfannenstiel’s qualifications, stating, “In particular, his technical knowledge, academy development experience and global recruitment network were key factors in the board selecting him for this critical role.” Lutz Pfannenstiel himself commented, “Having spent time getting to know the club over the past two years, I’m inheriting a very strong infrastructure and team of staff.”

Castleford Tigers Strengthens Partnership with TJ’s Travel

Castleford Tigers has expanded its partnership with official travel partner TJ’s Travel for the 2026 season, a year marking the club’s centenary. TJ’s Travel has provided transportation for the club’s squads for the past several seasons. The renewed agreement includes sponsorship of new overseas recruit Semi Valemei, as well as perimeter advertising and matchday sponsorships.

Craig Jeffels, Commercial Director at Castleford Tigers, expressed gratitude for TJ’s Travel’s consistent service and excitement about the strengthened partnership, saying, “Firstly, I would like to thank Jamie and the team at TJ’s for providing us with a faultless service this season. Regarding our partnership, it’s great to see them backing Castleford Tigers in our special year and committing to significantly increase their sponsorship of the club. We are building a great relationship with everyone at TJ’s Travel, and we look forward to celebrating our Centenary with them in 2026!”

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the primary goal of the ISU’s new mobile app? The ISU app aims to enhance engagement with both fans and athletes by providing personalized content and dedicated tools for each group.
• How will the BUCS Regional Flag Football Series contribute to the sport’s growth? The series will provide a platform for university students to participate in flag football, building momentum ahead of its Olympic debut in 2028.
• What makes Playtomic’s community investment campaign unique? Playtomic is the first company in its sector to offer ownership to its user base, allowing players to share in the company’s success.
• How will MBST technology benefit Bath Rugby’s players? The technology is designed to accelerate rehabilitation, manage injuries, and improve long-term musculoskeletal health through cell regeneration.
• What is the core focus of the ClearScore and FA Cup partnership? The partnership aims to align ClearScore’s mission of improving financial wellbeing with the FA Cup’s values of community and accessibility.
• Why is Quorn continuing its partnership with Forest Green Rovers? Quorn values the partnership as a means to promote sustainability and offer eco-friendly food options to fans.
• What experience does Lutz Pfannenstiel bring to his role at Aberdeen? Pfannenstiel has extensive experience in international scouting, player development, and sporting directorship roles at several European clubs.