Freebets.com, the leading U.K. sports betting affiliate, has announced an exclusive partnership with Stephen ‘The Racing Blogger’ Power, the renowned horse racing influencer.

This collaboration will run throughout 2026, positioning Stephen as the official brand ambassador for Free Bets and delivering expert insights across the National Hunt calendar.

The partnership will see Stephen cover all major racing events, including the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National, sharing his unique, energetic analysis with fans via Free Bets’ digital platforms and social media channels. Known to his 300,000+ followers as Blogger or Bloggsy, Stephen will provide betting previews, tips, and expert commentary on both horse racing and football.

Additionally, Stephen will promote Free Bets’ soon-to-launch free-to-play games, offering users a dynamic and engaging betting experience on the Freebets.com website.

Dominic Celica, Head of PR at Free Bets, said: “The Racing Blogger has built an incredible following across X and Instagram and is a leading voice in horse racing content. We’re thrilled to collaborate with him and have an exciting pipeline of content planned for racing fans in 2026.”

Stephen Power added: “I’m delighted to work with Free Bets to bring engaging, insightful content during the biggest race meetings of the year. Together, we’ll provide racing enthusiasts with expert tips, exclusive offers, and a deeper connection to the sport.”

With this partnership, Free Bets aims to strengthen its position as a go-to destination for horse racing fans in the U.K., combining expert insights, exclusive content, and interactive betting experiences.

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The Aston Villa Foundation, in partnership with the Kaizen Foundation, has announced the successful progress of the Play it Forward programme, a community-focused initiative designed to tackle inequalities in physical activity and access to sports facilities in neighborhoods surrounding Villa Park.

Supported by the Premier League, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), and Birmingham City Council, the programme is investing in the long-term sustainability of community-led sports spaces. As part of its delivery, Play it Forward will fund an additional 350 hours of physical activity on mini outdoor pitches across Birmingham, helping to create safer, more accessible environments for young people to engage in sport.

Expanding Community Sports Access Across Birmingham

Since its launch, the initiative has successfully established four community sports sites across the City of Birmingham. Working in collaboration with local partners Birmingham United, Spark Active, and Our Community Foundation, the programme is using football as a powerful tool to engage, inspire, and support young people in areas facing social and economic challenges.

The programme officially launched in October with two high-profile community events. Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans made a surprise visit to the Concord Youth Centre in Sparkbrook, while Aston Villa Women players Sabrina D’Angelo and Maya Hijikata visited the Birmingham Settlement Sports & Community Centre in Kingstanding. During these events, young participants took part in football activities, Q&A sessions, and discussions about the players’ journeys into professional sport.

Long-Term Support Beyond the Pitch

In addition to funding facilities and activity hours, the Aston Villa Foundation is providing extensive professional expertise to strengthen partner organisations. This support spans grants and fundraising, marketing and communications, governance, monitoring and evaluation, health and safety, safeguarding, and risk management, ensuring the programme delivers sustainable, measurable impact.

Siraj Hussain, Founder of Birmingham United Foundation, highlighted the importance of safe community spaces: “Sparkbrook is one of the most deprived areas in Birmingham, with young people struggling to access provisions and safe spaces to take part in sport. Bringing young people to a place like Concord Youth Centre, supported by trusted youth mentors, gives them the chance to be off the streets and engaged in something positive. Sport is an incredible engagement tool.”

Sport as a Catalyst for Youth Development

Panos Konstantopoulos, President of the Kaizen Foundation, emphasized the broader social value of the programme: “Access to sport is not a luxury; it is essential for youth development. It supports physical and mental wellbeing while fostering teamwork, respect, and healthy competition. Play it Forward creates opportunities for young people to channel their energy in ways that can be life-changing.”

Alison Mapp, CEO of Spark Active, also praised the initiative’s impact on grassroots football:
“We are committed to developing girls’ football and offering affordable, accessible sports provision in deprived areas. Many girls prefer community-based football over formal settings. Play it Forward has helped us strengthen our relationship with the Aston Villa Foundation and elevate our work. Their funding, equipment, coach mentoring, and player visits have taken our girls’ football programme to the next level.”

Building Sustainable Impact Through Football

The Play it Forward programme demonstrates how strategic partnerships between football foundations, charities, and local organisations can drive meaningful change. By improving access to facilities, investing in long-term community infrastructure, and using sport as a vehicle for inclusion, the initiative continues to make a lasting difference for young people across Birmingham.

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CryptoWins.com, the rapidly growing crypto online casino, announces a massive expansion of its gaming portfolio with the introduction of 60 new titles from premier provider TaDa Gaming. This wave includes a diverse mix of immersive video slots, classic table games, and unique formats, all packed with engaging features like free spins and sticky wilds. To celebrate the launch, players can claim an incredible up to 50% Deposit Bonus until January 21st.

The new collection features standout titles designed for every type of player. Money Pot Deluxe offers colossal payout potential of up to 5,000x the bet. Lucky Macaw brings a vibrant adventure where coin bags line up for major prize moments. For those seeking instant thrills, Frog Dash delivers high-risk, high-reward excitement in a fast-paced crash game. Explore all the new additions here: https://www.cryptowins.com/en/new-games.

“The sheer pace and quality of this expansion reflect our mission to be the most forward-thinking crypto casino on the market,” said Michael Hilary, Manager of CryptoWins. “In just two years, we’ve gained remarkable recognition and player loyalty by consistently innovating. Our recent launch of Bidcoin Auctions is a prime example, and now we’re raising the bar again with this incredible TaDa Gaming suite.”

CryptoWins continues to innovate beyond traditional gameplay. Since last month’s launch of Bidcoin Auctions, every $10 wagered automatically earns 1 BIDC token. Players can then use their BIDC in live, player-vs-player auctions for exclusive chances to win luxury prizes and big crypto payouts, adding a revolutionary social-competitive layer to the casino experience.

Simultaneously, CryptoWins’ sister site, WinadayCasino.eu, is also welcoming around 40 of these new TaDa Gaming titles.

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