A brand-new membership-based community and networking group aiming to bring people from the world of sports and business all around the North West together has just launched and you can be a part of it.
Let us introduce you to The Changing Room: a new networking hub and platform specialising in helping those involved in non-league and semi-professional sports, as well as those who might have recently left their discipline/been released, better manage the demands of running their own businesses or day jobs.
Hoping to create opportunities both on and off the pitch around the region, this isn’t just a members-only group, it’s a community of like-minded people trying to learn from each other, expand their personal and professional portfolios, as well better understand their everyday environments.
As a company that regularly tries to bridge the gap between the media industry and sports, we know all about the challenges balancing the two can be at times, so we’re very excited to be collaborating with this promising new platform.
Absolutely delighted to announce our launch night sponsor and founder member is @TheMancUK The local news and social media first publisher will be supporting us on our journey to helping sports people, juggling day jobs and running businesses, achieve their goals. pic.twitter.com/qleyXGnaZ1
Be it football, rugby, cricket or otherwise, there are business connections to be made everywhere.
What does The Changing Room membership include?
Being a member of The Changing Room and its social network comes with a whole host of advantages designed to support your sporting and business pursuits, no matter what level you’re at.
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Access to the group — You will have the opportunity to interact and network with like-minded individuals, creating synergies between sport and business.
Personal profile page on the website — Showcase your sporting and business achievements to a wider audience.
Monthly meetings and social events — Attend informative and engaging meetings and social events designed to facilitate networking and learning.
The Changing Room Club benefits card — Enjoy a multitude of discounts from selected retailers, sportswear brands, hospitality services, and restaurants.
Community engagement — Be part of the dedicated TCR WhatsApp community, opening doors to daily interactions and connections.
Referral scheme — Gain access to TCR referral scheme, expanding your business network and potential clientele.
Networking opportunities — Meet keynote/guest speakers from various business and sports industries, gaining insights from their experiences.
Social media PR — Benefit from social media promotional activity featuring you and your business.
Exclusive events — Participate in key events such as golf days, paddle tennis competitions and hospitality opportunities.
Exclusive opportunities and recruitment days and Expo Games — Access to exclusive opportunities and our recruitment days, providing career and business advancement options.
Business advice — Receive invaluable advice from top-level owners and directors, helping push your business to the next level.
Beyond these specific perks, The Changing Room club members will also benefit from an increased level of exposure for their own projects as well as a new way to socialise in general. Unlike lots of other professional networking groups, these lot believe in mixing business with pleasure.
We’ll cheers to that.
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Discover The Changing Room: where sports and business meet! 🤝
Join our unique networking group that supports individuals balancing the dynamic worlds of sports and entrepreneurship 💼⚽
Membership is available to anyone interested in joining who has strong sporting links. The annual membership is £180 and your monthly subscription is £50, (totalling £780 annually) or an upfront payment of £730 for the year (saving £50).
Once you’re part of The Changing Room, you’ll be able to convene and network with other members at regular monthly intervals across various sports clubs around the region, kicking off with the launch event at Morleys Hall in Astley, Greater Manchester on Wednesday, 28 February.
Promising a welcoming atmosphere to all the newcomers, guest speakers and more, not to mention plenty of opportunities for people to connect in a relaxed and sociable manner from the off, people can arrive from 6:30pm.
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To find out more about The Changing Room, their launch event and to potentially sign up, click HERE.
Manchester United to wear special one-off shirt for important awareness campaign
Danny Jones
Just to pre-empt any Manchester United fans fearing they’re still in total delirium the next time they see that iconic red shirt, we can confirm it isn’t just your rose-tinted glasses deceiving you – the club will be wearing a special one-off shirt with a notable difference very soon.
All eyes may now be on Wednesday, 21 May but this limited edition kit has already caught the eye of many supporters for one very obvious reason.
In case you haven’t seen it for yourselves already, Man United have confirmed that both the men’s and women’s squads will be will be wearing a slight variation on their home shirt for their next two matches as part of a special campaign for an important charitable cause.
Joining forces with their usual primary shirt sponsors Snapdragon and global health campaigners Product RED, this one-off alternative strip will be unveiled on the pitch this week.
Product Red, or simply (RED) as it will read on the jersey itself, is a worldwide charity that’s been working to fight global health crises since 2006.
(RED)’s key aim is to end the AIDS epidemic and related injustices by raising money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
The organisation officially partnered with the club and Snapdragon back in January in an effort to help drive awareness and generate further backing for their work – it just so happens that teaming up with one the planet’s biggest brands and one synomyous with that colour made for the perfect collaboration.
With that in mind, putting together a one-off Man United kit with (RED) slap bang in the middle as is close to a commercial/charitable tap-in as you’re probably ever going to get.
Set to be debuted by Manchester United Women in their WSL fixutre against Arsenal this Saturday, 10 May and then again by Ruben Amorim’s side in the Premier League the following day (Sun, 11 May); plus, a select few limited edition replicas shirts will be made available for fans to purchase.
Be first in the know, Reds 👀
Get notified when our limited-edition @RED collection drops ⤵️#MUFC || @Snapdragon
It goes without saying that given the nature of the front-of-shirt sponsor swap, these will no doubt become somewhat of a special item among kit collectors from the off.
More importantly, however, the funds raised through selling these one-off Man United shirts will provide much-needed income for the non-profit and their crucial efforts.
The unveiling of the comes not long after the bedlam that ensued inside Old Trafford during the second leg against Athletic Club, in which United booked their return trip back to Bilbao for the Europa League final, leaving plenty of fans of seeing nothing but the colour red ever since.
MUWFC also sealed their spot in the Women’s Champions League next season to with an important point in the Manchester Derby this past weekend, confirming a finish above Man City this year.
Safe to say it’s been a good few days to be a (RED).
AO Arena to host huge Europa League Final fan zone after Manchester United victory
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary AO Arena will once again host an almighty football fan zone later this year, welcoming in fans for the Europa League Final.
The huge venue previously hosted a Road to Victory fan zone for the Euros, and is now ready to replicate all the atmosphere and excitement of the beautiful game once again.
This time it’s in honour of Manchester United, who romped their way into the Europa League Final this evening with a spectacular 4-1 victory (7-1 on aggregate) over Athletic Club.
The Red Devils will be heading to that same team’s home stadium of San Mamés in Bilbao in Spain on 21 May 2025, and you’ll be able to watch all the action right here at home in Manchester.
The AO Arena Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be presented by Red Square.
If you think that name rings a bell, you’re right: they’re the same folks behind the regular events held over at Victoria Warehouse for any big United games, and 21 May will be no different – other than being arguably their biggest date ever.
There’ll be space for thousands upon thousands of football fans who’ll be able to watch Ruben Amorim’s side potentially take home their first piece of silverware since his arrival.
If you saw the scenes at Road to Victory in the AO during Euro 2024, you’ll know how unbelievable a venue this is to watch the footy.
As the promoters have billed it: “Get ready to immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of the Europa League Final, presented by Red Square.
“Join us for an unforgettable event as we bring together passionate Manchester United fans for the largest indoor fan park extravaganza ever witnessed!
“MANCHESTER UNITED head to the UEL final on Wednesday, 21st May – Secure your tickets now!”
The Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be at the AO Arena on 21 May.
Danny Jones -
16th February 2024 
