Shorts: ECB, Populous, Harry Redknapp
The ECB has partnered with Top Trumps to launch an England Women All Stars edition card pack ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup.
The card game features current squad members, recently debuted players, and former players. The cards combine player statistics with traits and attributes. Featured players include Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and recent debutant Tilly Corteen-Coleman.
To mark the launch, the players received their cards at their training camp to see their ratings and teammate scores.
The partnership aims to engage both existing and younger audiences. England Women have won their first two group stage matches against Sri Lanka and Ireland in the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026, as they continue their campaign on home soil.
Spanish World Cup winner Juan Mata has partnered with sports venue design and architecture practice Populous, joining as a Special Adviser on Football & Training.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder, who recently completed the 2026 season playing for Melbourne Victory, will provide strategic, athlete-led insights to help shape the next generation of elite training environments and football training centres. In his advisory role, Mata has committed to collaborating closely with the design team at Populous, contributing player, technical, and strategic insights to design reviews and strategic discussions.
The Spanish international has played in almost 200 matches at Populous-designed venues during his career, including winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup at FNB Stadium and lifting trophies at Wembley Stadium.
Populous has delivered more than 250 training facilities globally, with current projects including training centres for Real Deportivo La Coruña and Birmingham City.
Juan Mata said, “Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to experience some of the best training environments in football. The best environments help players perform, recover, learn, connect and grow. Every detail influences the daily experience of athletes and staff. Populous understands that. Their approach puts performance and people at the centre of design, and I’m excited to contribute my experiences to help shape the next generation of football training centres.”
Declan Sharkey, Global Director, Populous, said, “Juan has experienced elite football at every level of the game. He understands first-hand what makes a training environment successful, from innovation across player performance and recovery to culture, wellbeing and development. His perspective will help our teams continue to challenge conventional thinking and ensure our projects reflect the realities of modern football and the needs of players and technical staff. We are delighted to welcome Juan as a Special Advisor and look forward to working together on projects around the world.”
BuzzBallz has launched a giveaway of 21,866 free drinks, one for every day since England’s men last won a major trophy
The ready-to-drink brand is running a social media competition this summer in which adult fans in the UK can win free products by sharing photos or videos during the football tournament. The number of drinks being given away corresponds to the days elapsed since England’s men lifted a trophy in 1966.
The campaign, titled ‘Show Us Your (Buzz)Ballz’, is fronted by former manager Harry Redknapp. Fans aged 18 and over can enter by uploading a photo or video showing their BuzzBallz in a creative or unexpected setting, using the hashtag #ShowUsYourBuzzBallz. Selected winners will receive a crate of BuzzBallz delivered to a UK address every two months for 12 months.
Research conducted among 1,000 England fans found 43% feel supporters now overanalyse the game, and 29% think it has become too commercial.
Harry Redknapp said, “Tournament football should be about mates, memories and having a laugh. Everyone gets so wrapped up in the pressure and expectation now, but some of the best football moments come when fans are just enjoying themselves. That’s what I like about this project with the fans — it’s a bit outrageous, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and hopefully we’ll see some properly creative entries from fans over the summer.”
Glasgow 2026 has named Scottish brand Duncan’s Eggs as an official supporter and official egg provider for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Under the agreement, the producer has committed to supplying 200,000 free-range eggs to the Games. The partnership has been designed to provide nutrition for more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories during the event.
Duncan Farms, which produces the Duncan’s Eggs brand, operates a fully integrated model from its packing centre. The supplier has also partnered with Team Scotland to support athletes throughout the multi-sport event.
Rachael Duncan, Owner of Duncan Farms, said, “We are proud to support athletes from across the Commonwealth by providing a natural source of high-quality protein throughout the Games. This partnership provides a fantastic platform to showcase Duncan’s Eggs commitment to quality, traceability, sustainability and nutrition, while supporting Team Scotland and helping athletes perform at their very best. “
Natalie Cunningham, Director of Sport at Glasgow 2026, said, “We are egg-static to welcome Duncan’s Eggs, a Scottish family business, as an Official Supporter of Glasgow 2026. Fuelling athletes from across the Commonwealth with local produce, Duncan’s Eggs truly embodies the spirit of these Games – quality, sustainability and homegrown excellence. We look forward to seeing what a difference their support will make to athletes as they crack on with competing at the very highest level.”
