Sports-tech firm teams up with Durham Women

A North East sports-tech start-up has teamed up with a professional women’s football club ahead of its planned product launch.

Darlington-based Orbitor Performance Ltd has become an official partner of Durham Women FC for the 2026/27 season.

The partnership will see branding for The Orbitor, its multi-sport ball launcher currently under development, feature on the front of the club’s first-team warm-up shirts and on signage at its Maiden Castle home.

Founded by Darlington mum-of-four Claire Budge, the business grew from her attempts to help goalkeeper daughter Amelie practise ahead of an important trial.

Claire found she was unable to deliver the ball consistently enough to recreate the saves, crosses and other scenarios her daughter needed to practise.

That experience highlighted a wider challenge facing young athletes who want to train independently outside organised sessions and inspired the development of The Orbitor.

Claire said: “Seeing The Orbitor on Durham Women’s warm-up shirts is a really special moment because there is such a personal connection between the club, my family and the reason the business exists in the first place.

“The idea started in our own garden when I was trying – fairly unsuccessfully – to help my daughter practise. 

“It made me realise that there must be thousands of young athletes who want to put extra work in but don’t always have somebody who can recreate the practice they need. 

“That’s the problem we want The Orbitor to solve. 

“We want young people to be able to pick up a ball, go outside and practise with purpose, whether somebody else is available to train with them or not.”

Designed in the North East, the device is being developed to provide repeatable ball feeds for footballers and goalkeepers as well as basketball and netball players, helping users practise skills, reactions and technique independently.

The Durham Women partnership brings the project back to where it began, with Amelie having progressed through the club’s academy pathway.

Claire added: “To go from that first idea to building a North East sports-tech business and now partnering with Durham Women is something I’m incredibly proud of. 

“I also think it sends a powerful message about what can be created here in the region.” 

Orbitor Performance has also received support from the region’s business and innovation community as it works towards bringing the product to market.

Claire, whose previous career was in education and child development, was selected for Tees Valley Labs’ six-month Stable Programme, receiving specialist mentoring and commercial support to develop the concept into a scalable business.

Durham Women currently compete in Barclays Women’s Super League 2, with the partnership set to give the emerging brand exposure to supporters around the country.

Claire added: “Women’s and girls’ sport is growing enormously and Durham Women have played an important role in giving young players in this region something to aspire to. 

“As a business focused on helping young athletes develop their skills and confidence, there is a real alignment between what Durham Women stand for and what we want The Orbitor to achieve. 

“This partnership is about supporting the club, but it’s also about showing young people what’s possible – both in sport and in business.”

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