For the First Time Ever, Fans Can go Behind the Scenes During Pre-season at FC Barcelona, Thanks to New Exclusive 4-part Series by Beko

Exclusive digital series shines a light on the staff that work diligently at Ciutat Esportiva to make a healthier lifestyle possible for the FC Barcelona first team

Istanbul – Sept. 19, 2019 (PRNewswire) Today, Beko, the leading home appliance brand in Europe, in partnership with FC Barcelona, will premiere “Pros Behind The Pros,” a 4-part mini-series that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the hard-working individuals that make it possible for the first team to lead healthy lifestyles off the pitch to remain one of the world’s top clubs on the pitch.

As FC Barcelona’s Exclusive Training Partner, Beko got special access around Ciutat Esportiva and beyond, to deliver sports fans with a unique look at the extensive planning and work that takes place around the training grounds to ensure the team is at peak performance levels. From the team nutritionists and chefs to the kit team, to grounds staff, physiotherapists and doctors and onto the world-renowned La Masia Youth Training Centre, where the focus is on the next generation of football heroes, Beko will spotlight those who are the true foundation of the club.

“As an extension of Beko and FC Barcelona’s successful ‘Eat Like A Pro’ campaign, which aims to help prevent the global epidemic of childhood obesity by educating and guiding parents and children on the importance of healthy eating and nutrition by showing what their heroes eat to perform at their best, Beko got to take this one step further and offer a unique look behind the curtain,” said Zeynep Yalım Uzun, CMO at Beko. “We’ve heard from football heroes like FC Barcelona star Gerard Piqué, and this time, we’re going behind the scenes, focusing on a diverse mix of professionals behind the footballers to help inspire people all around the world to live healthier lives.”

Episode 1: Fueling Barca

In episode one, we meet Chef Adrià Ponce, Menu Lead Marta Miguel and Nutritionist Toña Lizárraga who show us how they juggle keeping all team members energized and prepped in the crucial pre-season period. Beko follows them morning to night through a busy double training session and joins them on the pre-season tour in Japan and the United States where unfamiliar surroundings provide their own complications. This is the first episode:

Episode 2: Training Days

Ever wondered how intense a FC Barcelona training day can be? We go behind the scenes on one intense training day at Ciutat Esportiva from dawn until dusk following the team that put the professional players through their paces. From coaches to team doctors, everyone has an insight to share into how what they do directly impacts the team’s performance. We’ll see the effect on the pitch as the players take part in a training session, and later play in the annual friendly, The Joan Gamper Trophy. This episode will air on Thursday, September 26.

Episode 3: Dress for Success

In episode two, we meet the FC Barcelona kit team, showing how they choose, prepare and pack all the technical material that the players need to keep them focused on the important aspects in training. It’s by no means a simple task as they need to be ready for any kit requests from any player at any time, ranging from training shirts, boots, shin pads, and wet weather gear (just in case…). This episode will air on Thursday, October 3.

Episode 4: Who’s Next?

In this final episode, we will shift the focus to the potential next generation of FC Barcelona heroes at the world renowned La Masia Youth Training Centre. Beko follows young players of different ages – boys and girls – throughout their day as they strive to become just like their heroes – the FC Barcelona First Team. Following in the footsteps of the professionals before them, we see them as they eat together with their families at home, take part in regular school lessons, football training, and even as they begin to mix with the senior team. This final episode will air on Thursday, October 10.

The series will air on www.YouTube.com/beko.

For more information on Eat Like A Pro, please visit www.beko.com/eatlikeapro

For more information or imagery, please contact The Beko PR Global team: BekoMSL@mslgroup.com

4 coaches from the Americas shortlisted as “Future Stars” by Arsenal and WorldRemit

The coaches will be rewarded for their contributions to their communities with Arsenal youth shirts for their team

London, UK – Sept. 19, 2019 (PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE) Today, WorldRemit announces that 4 applicants from the Americas have been shortlisted for its Future Stars programme. Of these 4 coaches, one is a woman.

WorldRemit and Arsenal launched the second edition of the Future Stars programme in August to recognise the valuable contributions that grassroots youth football coaches make to their communities by teaching the children they train life skills on and off the pitch.

Gilberto Silva – Arsenal player
Gilberto Silva – Arsenal player
Through the programme, WorldRemit will sponsor two winners – one male and one female – to fly to London for a personalised training session with Arsenal Football Development coaches.

Entries for Future Stars closed on 4 September, and the programme received over 1,400 entries from coaches from across Africa and the Americas.

A panel of judges from WorldRemit and Arsenal Football Development reviewed the applications and selected 20 semi-finalists, including 4 coaches from the Americas, based on the following criteria:

  • The commitment of the coach to improving the lives of their community
  • The impact the coach has had on young people within their community
  • The strength of the coach’s proposal to pass on their training on their return home

In recognition of their commitment to using football to bring their communities together, the 20 semi-finalists will receive Arsenal shirts for their youth squad.

What’s next for the semi-finalists?

From the 20 semi-finalists, the judging panel will select eight coaches – four male and four female – as finalists. Their stories will be shared on futurestars.worldremit.com in late October and the two winners will be chosen based on a public vote on the website.

Daniel Canning, Managing Director of North America said: “Congratulations to the 4 semi-finalists from across the Americas!

“Our business is all about connecting communities, no matter where they are in the world. We developed Future Stars to celebrate the amazing work that football coaches do to support young people, and have been so impressed by the quality and diversity of the applications this year.”

Simon McManus, Head Coach at Arsenal Football Development, added: “Arsenal is thrilled to partner with WorldRemit to recognize coaches who use the power of football to inspire and support young people across the globe.

“We have one of the most successful women’s sides in the world and are committed to encouraging greater participation in the sport among women. Through this edition of Future Stars, we hope to further amplify the positive impact that female coaches have on their communities.”

Coaches in the Future Stars shortlist from the Americas

Colombia

Luis Alejandro Castañeda Vargas, Coach at Cundinamarca Soccer team in Bogota.

Vivian Johana Pirateque Garzón, Coach at Iguaran F. C. Academy, in Bogota.

Mexico

Arnaldo Correa Plata, Coach in Mexico City.

Jamaica

Tashana Samantha Vincent, Coach at Ballaz International and St. Hugh Preparatory in Portmore.

About WorldRemit
WorldRemit is changing the way people send money. It’s easy – just open the app or visit the website – no more agents, no more queues.

  • Send money 24/7 from 50 to 150 countries.
  • More ways to receive money (mobile money, bank transfer, cash pickup, and mobile airtime top-up).
  • Our award-winning customer service team are available to help 24/7.
  • Over 125,000 5-star reviews for our app.
  • Backed by Accel, TCV and Leapfrog – early investors in Facebook, Netflix and Slack.

WorldRemit’s global headquarters are in London, UK with offices in the United States, Canada, Colombia, South Africa, Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

About Arsenal

Arsenal Football Club was born when a group of workers at Dial Square armaments factory in Woolwich, notably exiled Scotsman David Danskin and Jack Humble, decided to form a football team to break the monotony of factory life.

Since that Dial Square team played its first match against Eastern Wanderers in 1886, Arsenal has gone on to become one of London’s most successful football clubs and one of the most famous names in modern football with millions of passionate followers worldwide.

Steeped in history and tradition, Arsenal Football Club has thrived on a pioneering and innovative spirit that has existed throughout its 133 years in existence. While society and football may have changed during this time, Arsenal has always served to create a sense of community for people in north London, across the UK and around the world.

Since 2015 Arsenal have operated a commercial office in Singapore, as well as at Highbury House, north London.

Isabel Bolivar
ibolivar@worldremit.com
Marketing Manager, North America