Latest news with #Volvic
South Wales Argus
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Sporty Spice teams up with Red Rose to support grassroots girls' rugby
Music icon Melanie C has joined forces with England rugby international Natasha 'Mo' Hunt in a new campaign with Volvic, aiming to inspire the next generation of female rugby players. The unlikely duo met to discuss their careers, the importance of role models, and how sport can help build confidence and life skills in young girls. The partnership marks the launch of Volvic's Force of Nature Fund, which offers grants of up to £5,000 to grassroots rugby clubs and initiatives aimed at getting more girls into the game. The fund is part of Volvic's role as official water supplier for the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025. Backed by new research from YouGov, the campaign highlights that 87% of women believe team sports are crucial in helping young girls develop key life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Yet the infrastructure is still lacking: while there are over 2,000 male-focused rugby clubs in the UK, there are only around 400 for women and girls. Mo Hunt, who earned her first England cap in 2011 and has become a standout figure in the women's game, hopes the fund will encourage more girls to pick up a rugby ball. 'We're entering a new era where more eyes are on women's rugby than ever,' she said. 'But participation is still a big concern. We need more girls getting involved at the grassroots level. That's why I'm buzzing to work with Volvic to support their initiative.' In the candid video interview, Hunt sits down with one of her earliest role models, Spice Girls star Melanie C, to talk about self-belief, preparation, and how inspiration can come from unexpected places. 'When I was little, there were very few female role models in sport,' said Hunt. 'But Sporty Spice was someone I could pin my hopes on—I wanted to be like her.' Melanie C, whose daughter is now 16, reflected on the progress made since her own childhood. 'It's exciting to see young girls saying, 'I want to be a rugby player,' and actually believing it's possible. When Mo told me I'd been an inspiration to her, it really hit home how much visibility matters.' Volvic hopes to channel its natural volcanic heritage into supporting these 'forces of nature' on the pitch. 'This summer is a pivotal moment for women's rugby,' said Rachel Hann, Category Director for Beverages at Danone, Volvic's parent company. 'Our Force of Nature Fund is designed to help build the infrastructure needed to sustain that momentum—from better facilities to more girls-only training sessions.' Sporty Spice, Mel C discusses being a role model with England Rugby star Natasha Hunt, supporting Volvic's Force of Nature Fund With 60% of women believing the 2025 World Cup will inspire more girls to play rugby, the fund aims to turn inspiration into action. Applications are now open to clubs and organisations across the UK. To apply or learn more, visit:
Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Mel C says she had to 'fight to be noticed' and shares hopes for her daughter
Spice Girls star Mel C, who was part of the '90s supergroup which was at the forefront of the feminist movement at the time, has praised the progress made in women's sport Mel C has praised the progress being made in women's sport in Britain - saying they are 'more visible and celebrated' than when she was young. The singer, 51, best known as Sporty Spice in the Spice Girls, was speaking with England rugby star Natasha (Mo) Hunt ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup this summer. The Women's football team will also compete at the Euros. Mel said: 'There's so much happening for women's sport. You know, we've had to fight to be noticed, to be taken seriously… That gives people more determination to succeed'. On her own daughter and sports, she added: 'My daughter's 16 and it's been really interesting to me, to see how much more choice she has as a girl in sport. Sports more traditionally thought of as 'mens' are now more open to girls than ever. 'Today, female role models in football, rugby and all sports are absolutely smashing it, they are more visible and celebrated than when I was a child. It's exciting to hear young girls saying, 'I want to be a rugby player,' and believing it's possible. Now that I've got a daughter of my own, I realise how important it is to celebrate the incredible things women are doing not just in music, but in sport too. We've got to keep that momentum going.' Mel and Natasha Hunt were talking as part of a campaign with Volvic and the pair reflected on their careers, their shared values and the power of female role models. New YouGov research shows 87%* of women believe team sports help girls build life skills like teamwork, resilience and leadership. Volvic's Force of Nature Fund is offering grants up to £5,000 to help more girls across the UK get into the game. Mel said she takes performing gigs so seriously it is almost like she is preparing for a sporting event. She said: 'I'm really conscious of being in the best physical condition that I can be for my performances. I want to give the best performance I can. I think about how hard people have worked to buy the tickets to pay for their transport, accommodation, you know, all of those things. I think I need to be on my A game because people have really put themselves out to be here to support me.' On her favourite performances she added: 'The Spice Girls had some insane moments. But for me, being Sporty Spice performing at London 2012, felt like I was performing for my country. I was ready to go and get a tattoo to mark the moment and everything! It was incredible, an absolute highlight of my career.' Natasha earned her first senior cap in 2011 and is a true force of nature with her dedication and remarkable performances, inspiring young girls to play rugby. She said: 'When I was little, there were very few role models to look up to. I think that Sporty Spice, pretty much stands out in terms of somebody that we could actually pin our hat on and say, I want to be like that.' The new research from Volvic revealed that 80%* of women agree that female athletes like England's rugby team are inspirational role models, yet 73% of women aged 35+ felt they didn't have one growing up. Digging deeper, 84% of women agree that it is important for the next generation to have visible female athletes to encourage participation.
Bloomberg
23-04-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Danone Sales Rise as Consumers Seek Healthier Products
Danone SA posted better-than-expected quarterly sales growth, buoyed by consumer demand for its health-focused products. Like-for-like sales rose 4.3% to €6.8 billion ($7.8 billion) in the first quarter, the maker of Volvic water and Activia yogurt said Wednesday, beating the 4% expected by analysts. Danone kept its guidance for an increase of between 3% and 5% this year.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Danone Sees Resilient Sales Growth, Helped by Higher Volumes
(Bloomberg) -- Danone SA reported resilient sales growth in the final months of last year, buoyed by demand for high-protein dairy products and bottled waters in North America. NYC's Congestion Pricing Pulls In $48.6 Million in First Month The Trump Administration Takes Aim at Transportation Research Shelters Await Billions in Federal Money for Homelessness Providers NYC to Shut Migrant Center in Former Hotel as Crisis Eases New York's Congestion Pricing Plan Faces Another Legal Showdown Like-for-like sales rose 4.7% in the fourth quarter, the producer of Volvic water and Activia yogurt said Wednesday, surpassing analysts' estimates. Sales jumped 7.7% in North America and 6.8% in the region including China. Chief Executive Officer Antoine de Saint-Affrique has made volume growth a priority as consumer goods companies try to claw back the market share they lost to cheaper store brands when shoppers traded down during a period of high inflation. Danone reported higher-than-expected volume-mix last quarter, an indication customers are choosing more expensive brands. Danone shares rose as much as 2.4% in early Paris trading. The stock has climbed about 17% in the past 12 months. However, the yogurt maker cautiously forecast like-for-like sales growth of between 3% and 5% in 2025, matching its target from last year, an outlook that Jefferies analyst David Hayes described as 'uninspiring.' De Saint-Affrique has staked the next stage of the company's turnaround on the growth of medical nutrition, which includes food designed for cancer patients and the elderly. He has also bet on a boost from a trend towards healthy eating, especially in the US, with the adoption of obesity and diabetes medications. It's among a group of companies hoping to ameliorate potential side effects from Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs, such as muscle loss, with high-protein items. Danone is likely to record only moderate margin expansion this year and could consider more acquisitions to boost areas of weakness, said Hayes. (Adds shares, details from results and analyst comment) Trump's SALT Tax Promise Hinges on an Obscure Loophole Walmart Wants to Be Something for Everyone in a Divided America Meet Seven of America's Top Personal Finance Influencers China Learned to Embrace What the US Forgot: The Virtues of Creative Destruction Why Private Equity Is Eyeing Your Nest Egg ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
