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.
Kyle Walker announces retirement from international football with England at 35
Danny Jones
Former Manchester City star and England defender has announced his retirement from international football at 35 years old.
He calls it a day for his country with nearly a century of appearances.
Kyle Walker, who has won six Premier Leagues, four Carabao trophies, a pair of FA Cups and a Champions League title with Man City, made his national team debut back in 2011.
Now, nearly a full decade and a half later, he is hanging up his boots on the biggest stage, retiring as England’s most capped right back in history.
As you can see, he confirmed the news in a highlight video looking back on her best moments with the Three Lions.
Sharing a lengthy and emotional statement in the caption, the Yorkshireman wrote: “After more than a decade representing my country, I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the biggest honour of my career and something I will always be proud of.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, the 12th man, and everyone behind the scenes who has been part of the journey. Every roar from the fans pushed the team along, and I’m looking forward to joining them to support the lads in the World Cup.”
His last appearance in an England shirt came in June against Senegal, since dropping out of manager Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice team and future plans, with both form and age no doubt being factored into that decision.
Walker added: “The memories in an England shirt will stay with me forever.”
96 caps 🧢 Five major tournaments 🏴 A #ThreeLions legend ⭐
He went on to sign off by saying, “I also want to thank my family for their support every step of the way. They have made this journey even more special, and I will always be grateful to have shared it with them.”
The Sheffield-born fullback left Manchester last year following a loan spell at AC Milan, before joining fellow Premier League side Burnley FC permanently this past July.
Meanwhile, the Clarets are staring down relegation back to the Championship; however, this step will no doubt help Walker prolong his club career, whether or not he stays in Lancashire.
Where does Walker rank among the all-time England defenders in your mind?
Featured Images — Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons)/England (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French out for around four months with major muscle injury
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors player Bevan French has unfortunately been ruled out for roughly four months following a fairly serious muscle injury.
An important playmaker and cog in the wider team, his absence will surely be felt.
French, 30, is said to have suffered a hamstring tear during the win over Toulouse Olympique this past weekend, and while not as severe as a full rupture, Bevan has now been told by the club he will be sidelined for approximately 16 weeks, according to head coach Matt Peet.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after learning the news, he provided a number of updates from the physio room, including the latest on Jai Field, who French had been filling in for at fullback.
While Wigan are currently leading the Super League once again, they will be without one of their key Warriors with just under a dozen games left in the season.
The Greater Manchester club’s quadruple-winning boss and former Coach of the Year admitted that, despite some obvious disappointments in the immediate aftermath, his “positive” and “philosophical” attitude has already kicked in.
He’s quite philosophical, Bevan. He quickly flips a switch.
“Now he knows the timeframe and the schedule for his recovery, like most professionals, he can get his head down now and focus on the present”, said the 41-year-old.
The Australian stand-off/fly-half has regularly run the show in red and white, and even amid periods out of the squad, he remains an understandable fan favourite and integral part of the team when fit.
You only need to hear pundits and peers alike describing him as a “special” talent to know how much of a big miss he’ll be.
As mentioned, Peet also shed more light on Field, who dropped out with appendicitis last week and is himself set for around four to five weeks away.
For now, youngster Noah Hodkinson is being given the chance to fill the void and work his way into the first team after regularly impressing in the reserves.
Nevertheless, they could have really done with him ahead of their upcoming games.
Domestically, all three of Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and St Helens aren’t far behind them in the table, so it could prove to be a tasty remainder of the 2026 campaign.
You can watch the highlights from the result against Toulouse on Saturday, 7 March, here.
Danny Jones -
16th February 2024 
