Professional services group Gateley has extended its official partnership with the Birmingham Panthers after a successful debut Netball Super League campaign.
As part of the renewal, Gateley will support the Panthers’ community coaching programme which will see players and coaches work with students from five underserved schools and clubs, giving hundreds of children free access to netball, many of whom will play the game for the first time as a result.
The schools will be selected from Birmingham, Worcester and Coventry to reflect the venues where Panthers will play their home games across the 2026 season, which starts when Panthers host Leeds Rhinos on 26 February.
Gateley will also remain the Panthers’ official legal adviser, using its expertise in sports law, commercial matters and reputation management to advise both the club and its players, as well as retaining its courtside branding and presence on the back of the Panthers’ kit.
Will Collinson, chief executive at Birmingham Panthers, said: “Gateley were one of the first organisations to believe in the Panthers’ vision and journey. Their support is helping us grow faster, reach further and do more for our communities than we ever could alone. We’re excited to extend this partnership and the impact we can have together, especially for young people across the region, is only just getting started.”
Rebecca Sherwin, partner & head of the Birmingham office, added: “We are incredibly excited to renew our partnership with Birmingham Panthers after what was an excellent first season together. Throughout the campaign, the support the team received was brilliant and we were proud to play our part.
“As a business with a proud history in Birmingham, we were keen this year to increase the local impact of the partnership. We are very proud to be supporting the Panthers’ community programme to give children the exposure to netball that they otherwise may have missed out on. Hopefully, we can inspire the next generation of netball players, and maybe even unearth a future Panther!”
Earlier this year Gateley published its fifth annual Responsible Business report, featuring objectives to empower its teams to strengthen engagement in their local communities and to establish partnerships with local schools to inspire the future career choices of its students.
Birmingham Panthers will begin the season under new leadership, following the appointment of former England international Sonia Mkoloma as head coach earlier this year. Mkoloma was previously England Netball’s Roses Pathways head coach, and she has compiled a squad brimming with young talent including the likes of England Roses Kira Rothwell and Alanna Pullen, whilst retaining the likes of Australian Gabby Coffey and experienced Welsh shooter Betsy Creak from last season.
In March 2025, Knighthead Capital Management, the owners of Birmingham City Football Club, acquired a significant ownership stake in the Birmingham Panthers.