Avanti Communications Group plc has agreed a 12-month deal to become the main sponsors of the men’s and women’s UK Armed Forces Football teams. The UKAFF teams are drawn from the best players of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force and come together to represent the UK in matches against other international Armed Forces.
As a provider of state-of-the-art connectivity solutions for government, enterprise and public services, Avanti will collaborate with UKAFF to introduce high tech systems to monitor and enhance individual and team fitness and training and allow the players to remain connected and engaged as a team, even when they return to their ships, airbases, and barracks.
The Chair of UK Armed Forces Football, Simon Harper, said: “We are delighted to join Avanti in this exciting new partnership. Like any national side we draw our players from across the UK and overseas. After representing UKAFF, they return to their individual units utilising the skills and support of Avanti Communications, we’ll be able to remain connected and continually foster the spirit and ethos that are critical to any successful team, even when the team is dispersed.”
This is a particularly special year to be supporting the UKAFF as later this year, the UK hosts the 100th anniversary of the Kentish Cup. The tournament commenced in 1921 and is the oldest international cup competition across UEFA. Formed in the aftermath of the Great War, the vision of the Kentish Cup was to bring teams from the allied nations back together on the sports field, in order to maintain the close links and friendships built during adversity and conflict. The UK men’s team will be looking to secure a fifth successive title at the tournament’s Centenary, which coincides poignantly with the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion.
Avanti’s Director of Government Services, Donald Walker added: “We’re honoured to support the UKAFF. These teams represent the best of the Armed Forces’ ethos of team-spirit and leadership and encapsulates the benefits of mental and physical resilience and diversity; qualities that also epitomise Avanti Communications. It is even more special that we can do that in the Centenary year of the Kentish Cup - a tournament created to foster international relations and team spirit in the wake of the Great War."
The UKAFF sponsorship is the latest in a series of initiatives by Avanti to support the Armed Forces beyond an operational capacity. As well as employing over 25 veterans, Avanti is an active supporter of Walking With The Wounded and, this autumn, will be helping a team of five former and one currently serving military personnel to walk across Oman; an approximate distance of 400kms over 21 days. Avanti is also supporting veteran Ben Gallagher and team on their Kayak 4 Heroes expedition, where they hope to achieve a world first by becoming the first adaptive team to complete the iconic British challenge of Land’s End to John O’ Groats by kayak.