Sponsorships

Speedway has always been a thrilling, family-friendly event. The noise, the speed, the atmosphere, it’s a sport that grips both regular fans and first-time visitors. For the team at AsMATT, speedway has long been a personal passion, so when we learned about the Thurrock Hammers, we felt compelled to help.

The Hammers’ story stretches back to 1984. For over 35 years, they thrilled local crowds at the Arena Essex Raceway, a venue that became a cornerstone of the community. Sadly, the track was closed in September 2018 when the site was sold for redevelopment. Unlike football pitches or cricket grounds, speedway tracks don’t enjoy legal protection against such closures, leaving teams vulnerable to losing their homes overnight.

Rather than accepting defeat, the Hammers fought back. Determined to keep their sport alive, they now organise between 3 and 5 meetings a year at rented tracks across the country. These events allow the team to keep competing, but high venue costs and the lack of a permanent home in Thurrock mean many local fans are deprived of easy access to the sport they love.

This is where sponsorship becomes vital. By supporting the Hammers, we hope to help them move closer to their long-term vision: the creation of a new multi-use community facility where speedway can once again flourish in Thurrock.

Their mission is about more than racing, it’s about protecting a tradition, giving families a local day out, and ensuring that young riders have a chance to pursue the sport. As a grassroots Essex-based Speedway Club, they run a Youth System that brings emerging riders through the ranks, with three of the team’s current top riders, Jason Edwards, Ben Morley, and Alfie Bowtell, having risen through it themselves. We’re incredibly proud that the AsMATT name is associated with such determination and community spirit.

Learn more about Thurrock Hammers Speedway and discover how you can get involved here.

Another individual we’re proud to support is Dave Ferriman, a highly accomplished clay and game shooter from our local area.

Dave first picked up a shotgun at the age of 13 and quickly showed exceptional talent. By 2015, he had already earned his first Junior England team cap, and since then has gone on to represent his country at senior level as well. His career is decorated with achievements, but one highlight in particular stands out: winning the 2020 British Open Sporting Championships at Garlands Shooting Grounds in Staffordshire.

In 2024, Dave continued to excel, securing first place in the English Open AAA and also being crowned BASC Best in Field Champion. These successes demonstrate not only his skill but also his consistency at the very top of the sport.

Like many professional athletes, Dave’s career requires constant travel, across the UK and beyond, to compete in tournaments. With expenses for travel, accommodation and entry fees mounting up, external sponsorship plays a key role in enabling him to keep performing at his best.

When he’s not competing, Dave shares his knowledge through coaching sessions for shooters of all levels. Whether someone is a complete novice wanting to try clay shooting for the first time, or an experienced competitor looking to fine-tune their performance, Dave provides expert instruction. His lessons take place at leading venues such as Sporting Targets (Bedfordshire), Orston (Nottingham), Eriswell Lodge (Suffolk), Eaton Hall (Derbyshire) and Barby Sporting (Rugby).

Supporting Dave means supporting the future of shooting in the UK as well as showing aspiring athletes what’s possible with dedication and talent.

You can explore more about Dave’s career and coaching here.

Women’s football continues to enjoy significant growth across the UK, with increasing participation at both grassroots and professional level. The success of England’s Lionesses has inspired a new generation of players and clubs such as Bowers & Pitsea Ladies FC continue to play an important role in supporting that development.

The club has a strong youth structure and provides opportunities for girls to develop their skills, confidence and love of the game in a supportive team environment.

AsMATT is proud to continue supporting the club as the girls progress from Under-15s to Under-16s level. As part of our ongoing commitment to grassroots sport, we will be sponsoring the new U16 home kits for the next two years.

Our sponsorship helps provide resources that allow young players to continue developing and enjoying the game. We look forward to following the team’s progress and wish the players and coaching staff every success for the seasons ahead.

We encourage local supporters to get behind the Reds. Details of matches, teams and fixtures can be found here.