SPORTSSPORTSwww.sportsmanagement.co.uk MANAGEMENT XC VOLUME 16 Q1 2012 TOUCHING BASE A one-stop-shop for extreme sport and Surviving youth services the cuts in funding for sport
Euro 2012 Liz Nicholl OBE Facilities nal The UK Sport CEO on the fi round-up countdown to London 2012
WATER PARTNER POLO The ASA ON THE COVER inspires a Sir Chris Hoy at the new generation UCI Track Cycling World Cup 2012 of young players
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;gff][loal`[mklge]jko`g¿n][`gk]flgj][]an]qgmje]kkY_]k^gj `a_`]jj]khgfk]jYl]k HdYfYf]flaj]hjgeglagfYd[YehYa_f^jge*&,hh]j[mklge]j =Ykq$YoYj\%oaffaf_gfdaf]e]kkY_af_kqkl]e Fg[gfljY[lgjla]%afkºbmklhYqYkqgm_g -(>J==AFLJG Try it out for yourself FREE at www.textlocal.com/sports local or call 0845 009 3180. See how fast it works text: SPORTS to 66777 Mobile messaging solutions Also trusted by: EDITOR’S LETTER New for 2012 elcome to the new-look Sports Management – we’ve added some new zing for 2012, W including more features, in-depth reports, an enhanced SAPCA ‘Game On’ section and our new Thought Leaders on page 8, which gives a platform for debate. If you have something you feel passionately about and would like to comment or share your thoughts with other readers, please get in touch and let us know. Thought Leaders will appear in Sports Management magazine’s print, PDF and Digital Turning Pages editions and will also feature on our new Sports Management blog, which you can find online at blog.sportsmanagement.co.uk. PHOTO CREDIT: GETTYIMAGES.CO.UK PHOTO CREDIT: We’re also celebrating the launch of the Sports Management Handbook, which is in its first Liz Nicholl OBE talks about edition for 2012 to mark this very special Olympic year. You can view the handbook free via its supporting world class athletes dedicated website at sportsmanagementhandbook.com or go immediately to the digital edition at like Sir Chris Hoy on page 18 sportsmanagementhandbook.com/digital. Print copies can be ordered online at leisuresubs.com. e-mail: please use contact’s The handbook complements the magazine as a reference guide for the industry and is packed with research and fact-based reporting, as well as including industry listings, guidelines and a development [email protected] SUBSCRIPTIONS pipeline, which highlights major infrastructure projects that will open around the world in 2012/13. Denise Gildea We’re already compiling the next edition of the handbook, so if you have something to contribute, an +44 (0)1462 471930 idea for content or would like us to cover your research, project or organisation, please get in touch. EDITOR Liz Terry When it comes to talent development and competitive sport, +44 (0)1462 431385 the forging of more high-level commercial relationships is vital: MANAGING EDITOR Karen Maxwell PWC makes it clear we’re no longer in the age of the amateur +44 (0)1462 471920 PUBLISHER Our lead handbook feature from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) gives an overview of the global sports David Hunt market, estimating that the sector will outperform many major economies in the years to 2015, with +44 (0)1462 471902 a projected annual compound growth rate of 3.7 per cent. PwC says a rebound in TV advertising, the NEWS EDITOR migration of sport to pay TV and improvements in sports sponsorship – especially from financial services Tom Walker and car manufacturers – will drive revenues to reach US$145.3bn (£93bn, %109.3bn) by this date. +44 (0)1462 471934 It’s clear that for a sport to thrive at all levels, from the grassroots upwards, it must have a clear line JOURNALISTS Pete Hayman into TV deals and sponsorship – or both – to drive investment in facilities and programmes. +44 (0)1462 471938 It’s no longer realistic to expect governments to fund sport entirely out of the public purse, and where PRODUCTS EDITOR they do, it’s increasingly likely they’ll focus on sports participation to help control both obesity levels and Martin Nash expenditure on health services, which are running out of control around the world. +44 (0)1462 471933 When it comes to talent development and competitive sport, the forging of more high-level DISPLAY ADVERTISING commercial relationships is vital: PwC makes it clear we’re no longer in the age of the amateur. John Challinor We can expect sports governing bodies and leaders to become ever more +44 (0)1202 742968 Jan Williams savvy in grasping the opportunity to build consumer brands and awareness +44 (0)1462 471909 and capture sponsorship revenue, as the continuing development of DESIGN smart TVs, smart phones and social media creates new channels to access Ed Gallagher consumers, with all the benefits that brings for revenue generation. +44 (0)1905 20198 Coupled with these changes, the market for major sports events is Andy Bundy +44 (0)1462 471924 maturing and we’re seeing the emergence of a global community of experts who can deliver sustainable – sometimes even profitable – events which, as INTERNET Michael Paramore well as being increasingly popular with the consumer, also create wealth for +44 (0)1462 471926 the sports involved via broadcast rights, merchandising and gate money. Dean Fox +44 (0)1462 471900 Liz Terry, editor [email protected] twitter: elizterry Tim Nash +44 (0)1462 471917 CIRCULATION MANAGER Michael Emmerson the leisure media company publishes +44 (0)1462 471932 FINANCIAL CONTROL Sue Davis +44 (0)1395 519398 FINANCIAL ADMIN Denise Gildea +44 (0)1462 471930 Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 3 IN THIS ISSUE ISSUE 1 2012 18 UK Sport CEO Liz Nicholl is steering high performance sports towards 2012 success 28 Caving has the ‘x factor’ at XC 40 Euro 2012 raise the hosts’ profiles 62 Cath Prisk promotes community play 3 EDITOR’S LETTER 22 TOUCHING BASE 36 GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT: Russia Four industry experts offer advice on Jon Coxeter-Smith gives his views on 6 LETTERS surviving the cuts in funding for sport. Russia’s long-term strategy for sport By Kath Hudson 8-9 THOUGHT LEADERS 40 EURO 2012 Industry comment from John Goodbody, 24 RESEARCH: APS 5 Poland and the Ukraine’s investment into Nick King and Duncan Wood-Allum Sport England’s Lisa O’Keefe highlights this high-profile event. By Pete Hayman national sports participation findings 10 NEWS from the fifth Active People Survey 44 GRASSROOTS: Water polo The ASA’s plans to create a new 16 PEOPLE NEWS 28 TOP TEAM: XC generation of top waterpolo players Karen Maxwell gets to grips with cav- 17 OLYMPIC PROFILE: Peter Bayer ing and climbing and talks to some of the 48 DEVELOPING THE RIGHT The CEO of Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympic partners at Hemel Hempstead’s one-stop- SPORTS HALL Games talks to Karen Maxwell about shop for youth services and extreme sports David McHendry discusses the need for social media marketing and how the properly specified, correctly-sized facilities Games helped to spread the YOG message 32 RESEARCH: The global sport market PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Julie Clark 52 FUNDING THE PLACES, 18 INTERVIEW: Liz Nicholl OBE guides us through the recently-updated PEOPLE, PLAY Karen Maxwell talks to the CEO of UK report on international sports market Tom Walker rounds up the initiatives to Sport about Mission 2012 and beyond revenue predictions towards 2015 transform the places people play sport 4 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 NEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UK ISSUE 4 2011 digital magazine See Sports Management online www.sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 60 Trying times in turf management 55 Tennis court surface testing news and jobs: For jobs and news visit www.sportsmanagement.co.uk or sign up for e-news on www.leisuresubs.com subscribe: Sign up for Sports Management at www.leisuresubs.com or call: +44 (0)1462 471915 44 The ASA’s strong development programme is providing a solid foundation for water polo 55 TENNIS COURT ITF RECOGNITION 70 GAME ON: The latest news and Jamie Capel-Davies outlines the process views from the Sport and Play and benefits relating to the International Construction Association (SAPCA) Tennis Federation’s independent assess- attention buyers! ment of quality tennis courts 72 GAME ON: Is the grass always greener? fi nd suppliers and innovation updates Now the Football League is launching a www.sport-kit.net 60 A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A consultation, SAPCA’s Chris Trickey contin- VOLUNTEER GROUNDSMAN ues the natural grass/synthetic turf debate buyers’ guide: Andy Spetch shares his sports pitch strategy for Bury St Edmunds rugby club 74 GAME ON: Sustainable Drainage For suppliers of products and for Sports Surfaces. An overview of services, turn to page 80 62 CATH PRISK Loughborough University’s water The director of Play England talks to management project. By Murray Simpson SAPCA Karen Maxwell about the importance Sports Management is a of play in the community and gives a 75 GAME ON: SAPCA DIRECTORY partner of the Sports and heads up on the play provision within Play Construction Association the Olympic Park 78 SPORT KIT (SAPCA), the trade body for the UK’s sports facility construction industry. Sports Management and SAPCA 66 TRIATHLON TRAINING 79 SPORTS DIRECTORY work in partnership to promote high How to offer training opportunities to standards in the design, construction and budding triathletes. By Nicola Joyce 82 DIARY DATES AND AD INDEX maintenance of UK sports facilities. Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 5 LETTERS Do you have a strong opinion about your industry? Where are things going wrong, or right? Sports Management would love to hear from you. Email: [email protected] In 2010, nearly half a million people took part in Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile events across the UK The Sport Relief challenge to run a mile for charity As the nation celebrates its biggest Last time round, in 2010, nearly half ever year of sport, we at Sport Relief a million people took part in the Sport are encouraging everyone in the entire Relief action. The nation came together country to join in the fun from Friday to raise a record-breaking £44m – just 23 to Sunday 25 March. proving that the power of sport is As CEO of Comic Relief I have seen immeasurable and we hope that this Sport Relief grow from the very begin- year will be no different. ning. It is now a decade old and is a huge Paving the way, and inspiring every- fundraising campaign that’s raised more one to support Sport Relief, are a whole than £124m to help change lives in the UK host of dedicated high-profile celebrities. and across the world’s poorest countries. Just a few months ago, David Walliams The bi-annual campaign involves hun- amazed the nation by spending eight Get sponsored, change lives and have fun! dreds of thousands of amazing people punishing days swimming the length of getting sponsored to do one, three or the river Thames. In 2010, children’s TV I hope these incredible feats inspire six miles at Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile presenter Helen Skelton kayaked 2012 and encourage you and your family to events across the country. miles down the Amazon river and this do your bit too – but you don’t need This year, we’ve got hundreds of year she challenged herself to reach the to go to these extreme lengths to raise events happening across the UK on 25 South Pole by bike, kite and ski – setting money, you can just sign up to the Sains- March, and everyone can join in – from a world record as she went. Within the bury’s Sport Relief Mile. tiny toddlers to top-notch sports pros. next couple of weeks, comedian John The target is to get one million people Bishop will attempt to cycle, row and Kevin Cahill, taking part in the mile – making it the run more than 290 punishing miles from CEO Comic Relief biggest mass participation run ever. Paris to London in just five days. www.sportrelief.com/the-mile 6 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 CHANGING TIMES? S&P works with you to deliver inspirational environments by solving your procurement demands and establishing new models of service consolidation and partnership working The Edge, University of Leeds Cardiff International Pool K2, Crawley The Peak, Stirling Sports Village DELIVERING INTELLIGENT SOLUTIONS FOR 30 YEARS Architecture t Masterplanning t Consulting t Regeneration tFeasibility Refurbishment t Consultation t Engagement t Procurement Advice Project Management t Planning Sustainability t Value Management LONDON NOTTINGHAM GLASGOW Victory House 9 Weekday Cross Mackintosh House 30 Kingsway The Lace Market 5 Blythswood Square London WC2B 6EX Nottingham NG1 2GB Glasgow G2 4AD +44 (0)20 7831 8877 +44 (0)115 941 5369 +44 (0)141 225 8399 +44 (0)20 7831 4477 FAX +44 (0)115 947 5955 FAX +44 (0)141 225 6271 FAX www.s-parchitects.com [email protected] THOUGHT LEADERS INDUSTRY EXPERTS SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON THE CURRENT ISSUES AFFECTING SPORT ARE WE READY FOR THE OLYMPIC BOOM? JOHN GOODBODY ill the clarion call of Jennie Price managing director at Rochdale Borough- there will be a boom that the Olympics will gener- wide Cultural Trust, explains: ”A new in the numbers of W ate a unique opportunity for centre was needed and had been part of people taking exer- people to embrace physical exercise be the development programme. But the cise. Mark Sesnan , answered? When Sport England’s chief Olympics will hopefully provide the cata- its managing director, says: ”We’ve been executive officer told Sporta at the lyst for an increase in participation.” struggling against the timetable to get House of Commons in January that the The trust, which has a 15-year contract everything ready but comprehensive web members of the sports trust association to administer leisure and arts facilities portals will be up to tell people where needed to be ready for the boom in in- in Rochdale, has been touring round they can go and we are constantly looking terest after the Games, there was much schools to generate interest in the new at better pricing and convenient open- self-questioning. site, which is being put up alongside the ing hours. Gone are the days when most After all, the experience from previous 1930s swimming pool complex, which borough facilities were run-down. Now Olympics is that there is no rise in sport- eventually will be demolished. This they’re like private clubs.” ing participation in the country hosting will include an eight-lane 25m pool; a The target for the annual users for the the Games. But because legacy has al- teaching pool with moveable floor; gym- Olympic Aquatic Centre (re-opening in ways been at the forefront of London nasiums, including one for children; and 2014) and Multi-use Arena (re-opening getting the Olympics, more preparations a sports hall. McAteer says: ”We are op- next year) is 800,000. The Games will cer- have been made this time. timistic that there will be an explosion of tainly have left a tangible legacy in the Take Rochdale. An £11m leisure cen- interest off the back of the Games.” capital if that figure is reached. tre is being opened this summer, just In London, Greenwich Leisure, which John has covered 11 successive Olympic as the Olympic torch goes through the runs half the leisure facilities in the Lon- Games for the Sunday Times. Lancashire town. Craig McAteer, the don boroughs, is equally hopeful that [email protected] A THINK TANK FOR EFFECTIVE SPORT POLICY NICK KING t was with great pride, enormous Much of that evidence will come from The challenge excitement and a modicum of trepi- sport itself, of course – which is why we now is to turn sup- I dation that the Sports Think Tank are keen to hear from as many people port and enthusiasm was formally launched at the end of within sport as possible. Dialogue and into action and our January by myself and my fellow director, debate are a key part of our vision for plans are designed to do just that. Some Andy Reed. the Sports Think Tank and we anticipate of our early research topics include ‘Local The think tank is the first in the UK that the website will become a central Authorities and Sport Provision’ and ‘The that is wholly devoted to sport and to hub for criticism, comment and a con- Future Funding of Sport’ and we plan to sports policy making and it aims to fulfil structive exchange of views. kick off our event series before long. a unique role – sitting in the middle of So far the comments have been A regular programme of research re- academics, practitioners, policy-makers, entirely positive and we have been ports, roundtables and other events aims the media and the wider sports world delighted with the reception we have re- to produce ground-breaking thinking, to and helping develop the most effective ceived from the world of sport, which has provide opportunities for debate and to policies possible. universally welcomed this new venture. put sport centre-stage politically. Beyond Research and evidence are central to Without this backing our job would that, we want you to contribute to our all successful policy-making and sport be far harder, and we are therefore vision and our strategy. Ultimately we should not regard itself as a special delighted to have had early pledges of know our success will always be depen- case. The think tank will therefore be support from high profile figures includ- dent on sport’s input and sport’s voice working to ensure that the best and ing Lord Sebastian Coe, Sir Keith Mills being heard which is why Andy and I are most up to date evidence from the UK and Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson as well keen to hear from you. and beyond is central to the policy as financial backing from a number of Nick King is director of the Sports Think solutions it recommends. committed partners. Tank. [email protected] 8 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Chief executives are encouraging partners to create innovative, integrated services WHAT CHIEF EXECUTIVES WANT DUNCAN WOOD-ALLUM hat do chief executives and top revolution,” where sport and leisure has people, support council politicians want from the potential to act as a pathfinder for sports clubs and W sport and leisure? other larger directorates in achieving inspire major stake- There are a number of emerging outcomes through integrated services. holders to play their themes we’ve encountered on our trav- A big headache for chiefs is the ris- part in an holistic approach to sport and els as strategic advisers. These themes ing cost of social care and health. For physical activity. This is likely to be linked should provide leaders of sport and lei- many “public health and well-being is to your wider cultural portfolio of chil- sure and their operating partners with a the greatest opportunity” for the sec- dren’s play, libraries, parks, museums, challenge and I hope, a degree of opti- tor – our role in acting as a catalyst for tourism and heritage. I’m predicting that mism looking ahead. enabling behaviour change is key to un- those operators that step up to this chal- Targeted, cost-effective interventions locking longer-term savings in spiralling lenge and innovate, will secure the high that deliver outcomes will continue to be costs of an ageing and unhealthy nation. value contracts of the future. positively encouraged. “Give us bang for The chiefs also want partners who can Summing up, there will be differences our buck,” is the chief’s battle cry with a deliver outside their facilities as well as in style and politics, but the savvy service challenge to redirect funding to high- operate them. “Don’t just run our leisure heads and operators are taking a steer value, high-impact activities. You’ll be centres” is a key challenge I’m hearing. from the chief – those that do will be expected to dump the high cost, low im- To create an active borough you’ll be seen as part of the future solution, rather pact services if you’ve not done so already. expected to animate parks and open than becoming a sitting duck for further Innovation gets you to the top table spaces, make mass participation events ‘efficiency savings’. Quackers. and keeps you there. Using examples like happen, enable schools to open up to Duncan Wood-Allum is director of the Birmingham City Council’s Be Active pro- the community, engage with citizens Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy gramme, you can “lead the cross-cutting in care homes and vulnerable young [email protected] Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 9 NEWS UPDATE C`m\igffc=:fgk]fi JXiXZ\ejËjkX[`ldgcXejXggifm\[ fi`^`eXcjkX[`ldgcXej Initial plans for a new Liverpool Football Barnet Council’s planning and Club (LFC) stadium at Stanley Park, which environment committee has were drawn up nine years ago, are to be approved plans put forward by pursued by US-based owner John Henry. Saracens rugby union team for The decision is likely to see alternative the redevelopment of Copthall plans drawn up by previous owners Tom Stadium, north London. Hicks and George Gillett ditched and will The Aviva Premiership team revive the original plans, drawn up by will move to the venue as part architects AFL in 2002. of the project, which has been LFC already has planning permission given the backing of national for the AFL plans, which would see the governing bodies for both ath- creation of a 60,000-seater ‘New Anfield’ letics and rugby union. stadium at Grade II-listed Stanley Park. Existing facilities at the sta- dium will be revamped as part of the £18m scheme, which Governing bodies for athletics and rugby union have backed the project also includes the construction of new, permanent facilities and the installa- redevelopment and a new permanent stand tion of temporary seating. will be constructed to the east for use by ath- Saracens will play up to 16 matches a year on letics and rugby union spectators. image: footballkickit a synthetic pitch at the venue, while the local Offering fully-covered seating, the total community and athletics club will have the capacity of the east and west structures will be use of the facilities at other times. 3,000, while the refurbished west stand would The existing main building, located to the also house facilities for clubs and officials. west of Copthall Stadium, is set to undergo a Details: http://bit.ly/wBU90c Spain’s Real Madrid came top of the Deloitte list EXd`e^i`^_kjf]]\i\[]fiFcpdg`Zm\el\j 10 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 NEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UK ?lekZfeÔidj,''d :Xi[`]]Ëj@JMdfm\j]finXi[ jgfikj]le[`e^Yffjk Cardiff Council has appointed Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has a development partner to announced that sport is to receive £500m deliver the next phase of the worth of extra funding over the next five city’s International Sports years, according to the latest National Village (ISV) – a new ice rink Lottery projections. and waterfront scheme. Forecasts from December 2011 have Helium Miracle 113, a shown sport’s total income between 2012- subsidiary of Wigan-based 13 and 2016-17 is set to increase from Greenbank Partnerships, has £1.3bn – outlined in September 2010’s been selected by the council projections – to £1.8bn. The additional following a tender process, funding will be made available as a result with design work to start of changes to how lottery cash is spent, immediately. The project is set with sport to receive 20 per cent of returns. to be delivered in phases. Details: http://lei.sr?a=j6p5F A new twin-pad ice arena and a 150m ski slope will be A waterfront scheme will complement the new ice rink at Cardiff’s ISV built first, and will be ready for “all or most” of the 2013-14 ice hockey sea- Cardiff Council leader Rodney Berman son. The overall development will take five said: “This latest phase of the development will years to complete. be another cornerstone of the International Later phases will include a hotel; bars; res- Sports Village, which is key within the council’s taurants; and other leisure facilities. As a result plans to further enhance Cardiff’s reputation of the scheme’s commercial elements, no capi- as an international capital and a major tour- tal funding will be provided by the council. ist destination.” Work is set to start on the £8.3m centre this year E\n$cffb<[`eYli^_gffce\Xiji\cXleZ_ /%*dGncc_\c`jX`c`e^ Z\eki\gcXejglkfej_fn Edinburgh’s new-look Royal Commonwealth Pool is due to Members of the public have been given the reopen on 21 March, following opportunity to comment on initial plans for a £37m renovation undertaken the development of a new £8.3m National by Graham Construction. Sailing and Academy Centre, which will be Funding for the scheme, located in Pwllheli, North Wales. which has involved stripping Gwynedd Council held a consultation back the A-listed building to day on 17 January to display the plans, its bare shell before a complete which have been drawn up by Ellis Williams rebuild, has been contributed Architects and Dobson:Owen Architects. by both the City of Edinburgh Construction work is due to commence Council and sportscotland. later this year, with the new facility sched- Facilities at the new-look uled to open its doors in 2013. It is hoped Royal Commonwealth Pool the scheme will enable Pwllheli to attract will include a 50m, eight-lane The venue is British Swimming’s last training camp before London 2012 larger and more frequent sailing events. pool for community and elite use; a re-orientated diving pool with a move- Council culture and leisure convener able floor; a dry dive facility with trampolines Deidre Brock said: “This has been an incred- )%-dIfjj\e[Xc\c\`jli\ and springboards; and a 25m warm-up pool. ibly complex engineering project, which has jZ_\d\Zfdd\eZ\j Meanwhile, the venue’s gym, fitness studios transformed the Grade A-listed building into and changing village have been fully revamped a truly world-class aquatics facility.” Kier Construction has started work on and expanded as part of the scheme. Details: http://bit.ly/AneV8w £2.6m-worth of improvements to lei- sure facilities at Marl Pits in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, on behalf of Rossendale Jgfik`mXk\c\^XZpjZ_\d\`eZi\Xj\jgXik`Z`gXk`fe Borough Council (RBC). Part of a wider £5.6m local authority Sport England has announced that 33,000 of 14- and 25-years-old to receive six-to-eight investment in local provision, the Marl Pits young people across the country have taken weeks of coaching in their chosen sport. project will widen the range of sports on up sport in their free time during the first six Sport England has revealed nearly 26,000 offer at the venue and enhance the swim- months of the Sportivate legacy programme. of the 33,000 participants have taken part in a ming pool. Four five-a-side football pitches Launched in June 2011, the £32m initiative sport during the last three months alone. and a gym with 45-stations also form part aims to allow 300,000 people between the ages Details: http://bit.ly/jJPib1 of the work. Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 11 NEWS UPDATE :i`Zb\k@i\cXe[lem\`cj >fjgfikJgfikjGXibnfibkfY\^`e ÊYfc[Ë]lkli\m`j`fe Cricket Ireland has announced plans to Work commenced on the establish a domestic first-class structure new Gosport Sports Park in and achieve Test status by 2020 in a “bold February, following months vision” for the sport’s future in Ireland. of talks between Gosport image: benis arapovic/shutterstock.com A new strategic plan to 2015 for Irish Borough Council (GBC) and cricket has now been outlined by the body, DC Leisure. which also aims to increase participation to At the heart of the planned 50,000 and reinforce cricket as the coun- mixed-use development is a try’s fourth major team sport. new £7.2m leisure centre to be Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren run by DC Leisure on behalf of Deutrom said: “We have set ourselves a very the local authority, which will clear long-term ambition – to become a full replace the ageing Holbrook Test nation by 2020, nothing less.” Recreation Centre. Facilities will include a 70-station gym; a 25m swim- A new £7.2m leisure centre will boast a 25m swimming pool and a gym ming pool and smaller learner pool; and eight five-a-side football pitches, Recreation Centre make way for a 60-bedroom as well as a sports hall and a dance studio. Premier Inn-branded hotel with a pub/restau- Willmott Dixon has been appointed to deliver rant developed by Marston’s. the development and is scheduled to start on- DC Leisure development director Peter site on 20 February. Kirkham said: “The park will not only provide Holbrook Recreation Centre will remain great leisure centre facilities but also a wide open until the new venue is complete. A second range of affordable activities for residents in phase of the scheme will then see Holbrook the borough.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=o1C0j In-house council architects designed the facility E\n+%*djgfikj]XZ`c`kp CXk\jk('dFcpdg`Zc\^XZp]le[`e^ifle[cXleZ_\j fg\ej`e 12 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 NEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UK -%.d]XZ`c`kpfg\ej`e;li_Xd Durham University’s new £6.7m sports facility at Maiden Castle, located on the outskirts of the city, has been unveiled by the minister for sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson. Built by con- struction firm ISG, the new building houses a £1m pow- Products for Sport ered indoor rowing tank – one of only three such facilities in the UK – and a purpose-built boat house. The indoor tank will be used to teach sculling and crew skills and is designed to The centre boasts an indoor rowing tank – one of only three in the UK simulate the feel and move- ment of a boat in water. The water flow can strong sporting tradition and this new state- be adjusted electronically. of-the-art centre will help confirm this status An extended sports hall for increased indoor in the years ahead. cricket provision; a performance analysis suite; “This fantastic facility will provide world- physiotherapy treatment rooms; and a 28-sta- class sports facilities for elite athletes and tion rowing Ergo gallery are also included. community users alike and help more people Robertson said: “Durham University has a to take up sport.” Official Supplier -djgfikjZfdgc\o]fiPjkiX[DpeXZ_ A new £6m Centre of Sporting Excellence for football and Mark Harrod Ltd rugby union is to be built on the site of a former hospital manufacture and in Ystrad Mynach under new supply a vast array local authority proposals. Ownership of the site will of high quality sports be transferred to Caerphilly County Borough Council in equipment direct to mid-February, following the schools, colleges, local November 2011 opening of the new Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr. authorities, contractors Two 3G surfaces, capable of accommodating both football The proposals will transform the former hospital site in Ystrad Mynach and sports clubs of all and rugby union, are proposed sizes. So whether you’re as part of the scheme along with supporting Association of Wales have backed the scheme, infrastructure such as lighting and terracing. with Newport Gwent Dragons rugby team and after a single football The council hopes the venue will be able to Cardiff City Football Club also in support. host matches at the ‘highest level’, offer per- Council leader Allan Pritchard said: “This is or a full set of goals, formance training and sports science facilities a unique opportunity for the council to provide we’ll be more than and be available for community use. a Centre for Sporting Excellence and could be The Welsh Rugby Union and Football the best in the country.” happy to help. Call our sales team on DXpfi1Cfe[feËjFcpdg`ZGXibkf_fjk)'(*ZpZc`e^]\jk`mXc One of the first large-scale events to be held to the capital and will include a family fun in London’s Olympic Park following the 2012 ride for up to 70,000 cyclists around the city. Games will be a two-day cycling festival under The second day will see up to 35,000 ama- 01502 plans announced by Mayor Boris Johnson. teur, club and world-class elite cyclists embark Due to take place in August 2013, the event is on a 100-mile course, which is scheduled to designed to attract more than 200,000 visitors begin in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 710039 Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 markharrod.com NEWS UPDATE =ffkYXccC\X^l\kfZfejlck DXZ\jlYd`kj;\iYpXi\eXgcXej fm\iXik`ÔZ`Xcg`kZ_\j A formal consultation process is to be Plans for the development of a launched by the Football League (FL) into new multi-sports arena adja- the use of artificial playing surfaces for pro- cent to Pride Park Stadium in fessional first team matches. Derby have been submitted by The consultation will be open to govern- Derby City Council’s (DCC) ing bodies such as the Premier League and project manager, Mace. the Football Association, as well as a wide FaulknerBrowns Architects range of football stakeholder groups and have designed the 14,500sq m football clubs. Artificial surfaces were used (156,077sq ft) complex, which at four Football League clubs during the features a 250m indoor cycling 1980s, before a 1989 inquiry banned their track and a 1.5km (0.9-mile) use in top flight matches – extended to the outdoor closed cycle trail. top four divisions in 1995. A sports infield capable of accommodating 12 badminton courts and hospitality facili- The complex is to be developed adjacent to Derby’s Pride Park stadium ties are also proposed, while the new arena will have a seating capacity of compliment Pride Park Stadium, but will also 5,000 for cultural events, such as concerts. function as a stand-alone facility. The complex is to be built on the site of the “The sculptured form will be very striking existing park and ride facility, which will lead – exhibiting fluidity and movement to reflect to 600 new spaces being created between the the activities taking place inside.” new arena and the football stadium. DCC director of leisure and culture Claire Mace project director David Grose said: “We Davenport added: “The arena will provide the Plans include a new National Performance Centre have designed an iconic building, which will city with modern facilities to be proud of.” ),d]fiJZfkcXe[Ëj eXk`feXcjgfikjZ\eki\ E\ndlck`$jgfikj]XZ`c`kpfg\ej`e9\oc\p Plans for the development of a new National Performance Centre for Sport in Scotland The new multi-sport Europa will to benefit from up to £25m of financial Centre, which is to be used as support from the Scottish Government’s a London 2012 Games Time Young Scots Fund. Training Venue, has opened in Shona Robison, minister for Bexley, south east London. Commonwealth Games and sport, also Olympic and Paralympic confirmed that the Scottish Football volleyball teams will use the Association chief executive, Stewart Regan, 3,460sq m (37,243sq ft) facil- will chair the project’s steering group. ity, which was designed by This steering group will be responsible Formation Architects and for setting out criteria for bids from local Whitecode Design. authorities that are looking to locate the ISG Construction and Stace facility in their respective areas, as well as were also involved with the a timetable for completion. scheme, which provides a new home for Europa Gym A gymnastic hall is among the facilities at Bexley’s new Europa Centre Club, Europa Weightlifting :fleZ`cXggifm\j Club and Nemesis Boxing Club. Bexley Council leader Teresa O’Neill said: :fm\ekipc\`jli\gcXej Facilities include a gymnastic hall; a weight- “This centre has secured a future for important lifting and fitness studio; a boxing studio; and community sports clubs and has being chosen Coventry City Council (CCC) is to close a physiotherapy and treatment rooms, as well as a London 2012 Games Time Training Venue leisure centre after approving plans to create as a mezzanine floor with multi-use space for for the Olympic and Paralympic volleyball new swimming and community facilities at functions, dance and martial arts. team.” Read more: http://lei.sr?a=W9M5E Centre AT7 in a “re-provisioning” of ser- vices. Under the proposals backed by the council’s cabinet last month, a new com- DXeZ_\jk\i`ec`e\]fi(/dc\`jli\`em\jkd\ekj plex comprising a 25m pool; a leisure and learner pool; and a health suite will be built Three swimming pools in Manchester that committee backed the proposals before they in north east Coventry. offer “poor value for money” could be replaced went before the executive on 18 January. The project will lead to the closure of with new facilities as part an £18m investment A report discussed by the council said there Foleshill Sports and Leisure Centre, which strategy announced by the local authority. is a “compelling case” to replace three outdated the council said had seen participation fall Manchester City Council’s communities buildings at Levenshulme, Miles Platting and by 60 per cent. and neighbourhoods overview and scrutiny Chorlton, which are expensive to run. 14 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 NEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UK Register to win an Ipad 2 0d?fic\pC\`jli\:\eki\fg\ej *see website for full details Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’s (RBBC) new £9m www.acrnewsawards.com Horley Leisure Centre has opened on the site of the for- mer Court Lodge School. S&P Architects designed the new complex, which has TTHE replaced the former Horley Anderson Centre and boasts a 25m, six-lane swimming pool SHOW and a training pool. Built by Netherlands-based 13- 15 MARCH 2012 Pellikaan Construction, the HALL 19, NEC BIRMINGHAM centre also features a 45-sta- The event dedicated to the air tion gym with a free weights conditioning and refrigeration industry area; a four-court sports hall; S&P Architects are behind the design of the new Horley Leisure Centre and an exercise studio. Th e facility off ers separate male, female, fam- incorporates a number of eco-friendly features, ily, group and disabled changing areas, while such as a biomass heating system. COOL IDEAS TO a cycle and car park is to be shared with the RBBC executive member for healthy com- neighbouring Horley Town Football Club. munities Adam De Save said: “Th e centre looks TRANSFORM Greenwich Leisure Limited will operate amazing and provides fantastic new facilities YOUR BUSINESS Horley Leisure Centre on behalf of the coun- to help people of all ages and abilities keep cil, which aims to be accessible to all users and healthy and active.” Discover how the latest *'d]fieXk`feXcjgfikjd\[`Z`e\Z\eki\ products & solutions can reduce your carbon Health secretary Andrew footprint, save energy Lansley has announced £30m of funding towards a new & improve efficiency National Sports and Exercise image: benis arapovic/shutterstock.com Medicine Centre of Excellence across three UK locations. Supported By Loughborough, Sheffield and London are the planned sites of three hubs that com- prise the new facility, which is one of the government’s main Official Magazine legacy commitments from the 2012 Games this summer. Th e Centre of Excellence will help more people become Th e centre is to share research fi ndings and best practice with the NHS active and treat injuries caused by exercise and conditions that are associated Lansley said: “Th e Olympics are a once in with a lack of physical activity. a life-time opportunity for Britain and it pro- It is hoped the facility will help people suff er- vides a great opportunity for the NHS too. ing from existing conditions, such as diabetes, “Th e centre will share research fi ndings and benefi t from exercise, while returning injured best practice with the NHS so the whole coun- people to physical health and work quickly. try benefi ts.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=B8e9A >cXj^fnjn`dd`e^Z\eki\nfibi\XZ_\jcXe[dXib Work on the £13.7m Tollcross International 10-lane, 50 metre competition pool – provid- Swimming Centre has reached a landmark ing a dedicated venue for swimming events at stage with the installation of a truss. the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. LEADING SUPPLIERS, LATEST Th e truss forms the framework of an exten- Th e design was carried out by Glasgow City PRODUCTS, LIVE DEMOS, FREE SEMINARS, NETWORKING sion for the new six-lane, 50m warm-up pool Council’s in-house design team. Construction OPPORTUNITIES, FREE EXPERT at Tollcross, which will add to an existing work is being delivered by Barr Holdings. ADVICE, HEAT PUMPS ARENA, SKILL CENTRE For FREE entry register online at Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 www.acrshow.co.uk PEOPLE NEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UK ?f^Y`e^`m\e[\glkp Z_\][\d`jj`feifc\ Ann Hogbin, the former chief executive of Commonwealth Games England (CGE), has been appointed as the deputy chef de mission for operations for the ParalympicsGB team at London 2012. Hogbin, who led CGE for nearly 20 years before stepping down at the end of last year, was selected for the role by ParalympicsGB chef de mission Craig Hunter. Th e move is no surprise as Hunter and Hogbin forged a successful partnership at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games when Hunter served as chef de mission for Team England. Th ey led the country to third place Af_eJk\\c\ on the medal table, despite several logistical challenges in the lead up to the Games. Xggf`ek\[PJK: @XeI`Z_`\af`ejk_\I=L :@DJG8eXk`feXcXe[i\^`feXcZ_X`ij Ian Richie has left the Th e Chartered Institute for Gray, leisure operations manager All England Lawn Tennis the Management of Sport and Hartlepool Borough Council; and Croquet Club to take Physical Activity (CIMSPA)has Michael Hunt, CEO Leisure in up the role of chief executive appointed chairs of its national Hyndburn; Paul Lyness, head at the Rugby Football Union and regional management boards of leisure services Ballymoney (RFU). He also stands – to unify a million UK sport and Borough Council; Fiona Grossart, down as the independent physical activity professionals by director CoachesInfo.com; John non-executive director of representing their interests at a Stride, CEO Inspire Leisure; Lesley the Football League and national level. Coulton, head of sport and active from the board at Wembley Th e boards will be chaired by leisure University of Plymouth; Stadium. Lloyd Conaway, director/CEO Julian Leybourne, CEO ICON Richie said: “I’m very of team BEDS&LUTON County TRAINING; Sue Briggs, sports much looking forward Sports Partnership. Other chairs project manager University of to working with new colleagues and partners at the RFU. include: Ian Phelps, director Serco Birmingham Sport; and Lorenzo Th ere’s much to be positive about, seeing a new generation Leisure; Sheila Forster, director Clark, director of operations at of players emerge in the RBS Six Nations and seizing the Urban Balance Consultants; Ian Sheffi eld International Venues. unique chance to grow the game when hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2015.” 16 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 OLYMPIC PROFILE NEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UK Peter Bayer The CEO of the recent Innsbruck 2012 Youth Winter Olympic Games talks to Karen Maxwell Can you tell me about What was the concept behind the your background? Culture & Education Programme? I was born in Vorarlberg in western Austria Basically, we followed our motto ‘be part and hold a Master’s Degree in Business of it!’, which meant that we provided Administration from Innsbruck University. hands-on experiences ranging from I gained substantial experience as a digital-media and cooking workshops marketing and event director of large- to Meet the Role Model sessions with scale international events for more than world-famous athletes. We offered a 15 years and held various top manage- platform for youngsters with different ment positions in different organising cultural backgrounds who spoke different committees. I am an expert in music, arts languages to get to know each other and sports consulting, with a focus on through music and art, to build friendships youth-oriented strategies. and to spread the YOG message. In September 2009, I was appointed as- Youngsters got to know each other CEO of the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth What was the facility strategy? through the event’s music, art and sport Olympic Games (YOG) Innsbruck is famous for its affinity with winter sports. Before the Games venues and organisation as at World What did your role involve we had almost all the sports venues Cup events. What was different was during the Games? ready and being tested regularly at the the atmosphere, the speakers, the As CEO I have been overseeing all highest level. Nevertheless, we used the music, the look – everything was a bit functional areas to ensure the smooth Games as a catalyst to upgrade some more colourful, louder and younger. delivery of the Games. My main tasks venues, such as in Seefeld where a new were solving problems and taking deci- ski jump and a biathlon shooting range What was the social media/ sions. Special focuses of my work include has been built. Through the Games, marketing strategy? government relations, strategic planning, Kühtai was able to create Europe’s first Social media was key for us in order to marketing and sponsoring. freestyle park superpipe, a slopestyle reach our clearly defined target group. course and a boarder-cross course. All If you want to reach kids you need to What are your views on the these venues will be used for further go where they are instead of waiting success of the Games? high-level competitions and as training for them to watch the TV highlights. The Games encouraged young people facilities for our grassroots sports. Facebook was part of our daily life – we from around the world to celebrate the ran many contests, competitions and Olympic values of excellence, respect and How did the young athletes’ needs activation programmes. We also had friendship. The unique combination of differ from adult athletes? live tweets from all sport events, and high-level sports competitions and the As far as the basic event organisation was the Innsbruck 2012 YouTube channel Culture & Education Programme inspired concerned, there was no difference. We received more than one million views. We young people from across the globe. offered the same level of competitions, developed a digital ski jumping game with Samsung, a digital concierge with all necessary information on Innsbruck 2012, If you want to reach kids you need to go where they are and a USB flash drive called the YOGGER was installed by the IOC to allow athletes instead of waiting for them to watch the highlights and officials to share their profiles by holding their USB flash drives together. Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 17 INTERVIEW The CEO of UK Sport talks to Karen Maxwell about the organisation’s role in improving performance and providing quality support in the lead up to the London 2012 Games LIZ NICHOLL his is it – 2012 – the year we’ve if we look at the collective performances – when he left the organisation to join the all been waiting and preparing in 2011, we’re in a better place than we Rugby Football Union – in 2010. (Steele has for. The athletes, the coaches, were prior to Beijing 2008.” since moved to the Youth Sport Trust.) T the volunteers, the event Four years ago, TeamGB reached the During her time at England Netball, organisers and suppliers – in fact every- goal set for London 2012 by achieving Nicholl was credited with steering the one involved with British sport is poised fourth place in the Olympic and second sport through a period of successful to make the most out of this ‘once-in- place in the Paralympic medal tables. change, while also holding the roles of a-lifetime’ opportunity. With less than 150 days before the Lon- vice chair of the CCPR – now the Sport So my obvious question to Liz Nicholl don Games begin, our high performance and Recreation Alliance (SRA) – and chair OBE, the CEO of UK Sport – the nation’s sport system is prospering – with a record of the Commonwealth Games England. high performance sports agency that’s 23 Olympic and Paralympic sports achiev- Looking back, she’s quick to point out investing £100m a year to ensure our ath- ing their targets – thanks to record levels that it was thanks to a huge team effort. letes’ success – is: “Are we ready?” of targeted investment. “We all had clear objectives to increase “It’s going to be a real test of our in- “We aim to win more medals across participation in netball, improve perfor- vestment, but yes we’re definitely on Olympic and Paralympic sports this year – mance and provide quality support – and track,” she says. “Every sport has agreed bearing in mind that we won 47 medals this is still the case today,” Nicholl explains. a key performance indicator in every year across Olympic sports in Beijing and we’re “We introduced a world-class perfor- on its journey through to the Games and currently in a good place,” Nicholl says. mance programme, we accessed lottery However, she warns that there are no funding, we recruited a performance di- guarantees in performance sport. “The rector from overseas and the year before Alistair Brownlee is 2009/2011 athletes are doing well, the coaches are I left there was a bronze medal at the World Triathlon Champion committed, the support teams are com- Commonwealth Games. Today, England’s mitted – so really now it’s a matter of still up there at number three in the continuing to work hard between now world and vying for second place, poten- and the Games and not getting com- tially first at some point in the future.” placent. It’s not easy, our athletes are competing with the world’s best, although FUNDING FACTS many of ours are also the world’s best. If At UK Sport, Nicholl has overseen a simi- everything goes according to plan we’ll lar model to raise the standards set for keep that fourth and second position.” other sports to achieve success at World, Olympic and Paralympic level, by steering OVERSEEING EXCELLENCE key changes in the performance, invest- A former international netball player and ment and governance of the organisation. championship director of the 1995 World She says the same team work ethos and Championships, Nicholl was CEO of Eng- the “significant contribution from every land Netball before joining UK Sport in individual” – particularly with reference 1999. She started out as director of elite to the creation and implementation of UK sport before progressing to COO in 2009, Sport’s world-class performance system – then took the CEO reins from John Steele was vital to its success. 18 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 UK Sport’s Major Events strategy Chris Hoy celebrates winning the to 2019 gives athletes and Men’s Sprint Final at the recent officials home Games experience UCI Track Cycling World Cup “The performance system has evolved Left: Liz Nicholl, Lord Seb Coe and because of the good coaches that we’ve Baroness Campbell – chair of UK been able to attract, the enhanced fund- Sport and the Youth Sports Trust ing we’ve had to develop the athletes and the performance expertise that we’ve aligned with the needs of sports,” she says. According to Nicholl, the funding cycle was key to the system’s implementation. After Sydney 2000, the organisation in- troduced four-year funding rounds, which gave more stability to the performance system. This meant that in the lead up to Athens 2004, sports were able to recruit and retain good coaches and support staff, which Nicholl says “was a crucial part of the sport system development”. “There wasn’t much difference be- tween our athletes’ performance in Sydney and Athens, where we came 10th on the medal table for Olympics and second for Parlaympics on both counts,” she explains. “However, by the time we won the bid to host the Games in 2005, Keen, who is the architect of the “Gold means the sport is excelling and the government had more confidence in organisation’s ‘Mission 2012’ approach to there is good practice going on there what we were doing and gave us more world-class system development. This, she that could be shared with other sports. responsibility, some of which was trans- says, has “led to significant impact on the Green means they’re on track and don’t ferred from Sport England, alongside an way we work and the way sports work need our help. Amber means they know increase in our share of National Lottery with us while reviewing their own world- where they are and are working at it, money. We then had responsibility for an class programmes on a regular basis”. and red means they need our help. eight-year investment, instead of four – “Our no compromise approach to fund- “The principle is that good practice from talent ID right through to podium. ing, which sports’ national governing can address the issues that need help. “UK Sport was then given more exche- bodies (NGBs) now understand, is about Between the gold and red we probably quer funding in the budget of 2006, to them getting the right support to the have about 1,000 pieces of information support success in 2012 and investment in right athletes for the right reasons,” she submitted to us, which our team focuses every Olympic and Paralympic sport. ” says. “We require the NGBs to update us on to inform their priorities. This really with information about their programmes brings to life the benefit of sports MISSION 2012 as well as progress against agreed targets working together. Nicholl gives particular credit to UK three times a year via a rating system of According to Nicholl, this approach Sport’s director of performance, Peter red, amber, green or gold. allows the organisation to see recurring Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 19 INTERVIEW UK Sport has a close working relationship with the home countries’ sports councils themes, some of which may reinforce the “We’re aware that one of the weakness Sky’s relationship with British Cycling, need for research and innovation work, within NGBs is that generally their focus British Gas’ link with British Swimming and helps to extend the expertise of spe- is much more about delivery rather than and Siemens’ tie-up with British Rowing cialist coaching development. personal development,” says Nicholl. “We is testament to this trend. Nicholl also “Some issues can be resolved quickly, have an International Leadership Devel- highlights the FSTE 100 companies part- others may need more work from one opment programme – the Elite Coaching nership the BOA has initiated, which she of our designated team members – who Apprenticeship Programme. For example, says can offer fantastic business expertise have responsibility for each potential ele- over the past 12-18 months we’ve been to Olympic and Paralympic sports. ment where a sport may need help – or running a leadership programme to sup- maybe from our research and innovation port performance directors and will be 2012 AND BEYOND team,” she explains. providing similar programmes for CEOs Looking ahead, Nicholl says the Mission “We can then offer to add value to and chairs.” She adds that UK Sport also 2012 model has already been introduced their work to help improve athlete per- previously worked with the British Olym- for the Winter Games, so the relationship formance, as well as their health and pic Association (BOA) and the SRA in the with the four Olympic and two Paralym- wellbeing, expanding the sport’s system setting up of a four-year Women in Lead- pic-funded sports for Sochi 2014 is exactly support or improving the climate and cul- ership programme, to ensure that women the same as the Summer Olympic and ture of their organisation so they can get were also given the right opportunity Paralympic Games. And this process will the very best from their athletes. within that structure. also continue towards Rio 2016. “Everybody understands the Mission Thanks to sports’ higher media profile “We’re in a fantastic position for Rio 2012 process and can see that they are however, Nicholl has noticed that good 2016 because we’re likely to have about all part of one team, with one mission business people, with a passion for sport, the same amount of money in this fund- and that it’s within everybody’s interests are coming into the boards of sports as ing cycle,” says Nicholl. Although she says to have an open and honest dialogue independent chairs, which she says could that there are still some risks because of with us,” she says. make a real difference to the NGBs sus- the 65 per cent reliance of National Lot- tainability administration post-2012. tery funding and exchequer funding is as SUSTAINABLE ADMINISTRATION This increased media attention is also yet only confirmed to 2015 – in line with A recurring theme that’s currently being attracting sponsors, many of which have government policy. addressed is the upskilling of the people created a partnership role that could also “You need a compelling goal to con- working within the NGBs. benefit the sport post-Games. tinue that ‘one team one mission’ feel on the journey from London to Rio,” she says. “Our ambition is that we’ll Our no compromise approach to funding is about do what no Summer Olympic and Para- lympic host nation has done before, NGBs getting the right support to the right which is maintain some of the great athletes for the right reasons performances achieved at our home Games right through to the next Summer Games in 2016.” L 20 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 PROMOTIONAL FEATURE Gerflor’s Fast Track Sports Hall Flooring Refurbishment Solutions that don’t cost the earth! n the days of austerity, indoor sports floors that have See How the New Taraflex™ Eco-Fit system ‘seen better days’ don’t always have to be uplifted and compares to a traditional refurbishment replaced. You can save money, down time and environ- TRADITIONAL mental impact by leaving the old floor in place and over ITEM NEW TARAFLEX™ TARAFLEX I (based on 594SqM) SPORTS FLOOR ECO-FIT METHOD PAYMENT PLAN* laying it. Gerflor, a leading manufacturer of Taraflex™ Sports Floors, UPLIFT OLD FLOOR £ 3, 975 £0 Total Cost of Project have recently launched a number of product solutions that can DISPOSAL OF WASTE £ 2, 380 £0 £24, 982 be installed directly over the old sports surface. This can save PREPARATION OF SUB FLOOR £ 3, 524 £0 Deposit £5,000 a small fortune in costs and can be quickly installed minimising INSTALL NEW SPORTS FLOOR £ 28, 153 £ 22, 692 facility down time. LINE MARKING (8 Game Lines) £ 2, 290 £ 2, 290 Monthly PROJECT TOTAL £ 40, 322 £ 24, 982 Payments £347 A RECENT SUCCESS: GILLINGHAM LEISURE CENTRE PROJECT TIME 10 days 4 days Term – 60 Months During the recent facility refurbishment it was decided that the sports floor was in need of replacement. Gerflor delivered POTENTIAL SAVINGS OF UP TO 40%! a specification and a solution that made a huge difference to the local community. The new floor was installed on top of an existing Granwood floor in only 3 days! John Havill, Chairman of Three Rivers Partnership com- ments: “To think how bad the floor looked before and how it looks now is quite remarkable. Gerflor assisted in the project management of the scheme hugely and the sports hall floor re- furbishment came in on time and on budget”. John Havill also added “Our customers love it, in particular Previous Now the badminton club, some even hinting this is the best sports hall they have ever played in”. Taraflex™ sports floors have been manufactured since 1947 and offer a number of user and operator benefits including optimum user safety, comfort, performance and ease of main- tenance. Taraflex™ is an ‘Approved’ surface by many National and International governing bodies of sport. Call or email now to take advantage of our FREE SPECIFICATION ADVISARY SERVICE. Darren Wood – Sports Manager on 07836 366579 or [email protected] David Carter – Sports Specialist on 07850 217290 or [email protected] Visit www.gerflor.co.uk for further information Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 21 TOUCHING BASE Surviving the cuts in funding for sport How is the sector bearing up? Is it all doom and gloom, or might some positives come out of the budget slashing? Kath Hudson asks four industry experts ast year was an extremely tough awareness of the need to address health implemented this year and public spend- year for local authority leisure, inequalities, the less efficient off-peak ing is set to be reduced by a further 0.9 per with the speed and severity of the hours are being squeezed and fund- cent in real terms in 2015/16 and 2016/17. L cuts being unprecedented. The ing pulled on many initiatives aimed at However, looking for the silver lining, Chief Leisure Officers Association’s (CLOA) reaching special populations. adversity does breed creativity, and some impact survey in 2011 indicated that one Services are being rationalised, hours local authorities and trusts are pro-actively third of authorities were planning savings reduced and facilities closed, or handed seeking partnerships, acting collabora- of 30 per cent across culture and sport ser- over to the community to run. Staff have tively and looking for ways to tap into vices over two financial years. been made redundant and posts left un- healthcare funding when it is reformed. Sports development and leisure facil- filled when people have left. Although there will be many casualties ity operations are bearing the brunt. The immediate future doesn’t look of the cuts, hopefully there will be a few At a time when there is an increased heartening either: more cuts will be phoenixes rising from the ashes too. CRAIG MCATEER RICHARD HUNT managing director chair Rochdale Boroughwide CLOA Cultural Trust t’s been a difficult time, however income and growth reating a joined-up approach for community sport are up. We’ve invested in three new sports centres in the current climate is essential. Shared approaches I which are returning healthy profits and are being C will be critical to maintaining a local sporting infra- used to prop up other services. structure and many authorities are already illustrating this, When Link4Life took over as a leisure trust in 2007, the through asset transfer to community sports clubs, joint local authority had 800 members and direct debits of facility sports hubs and a focus on enhancing sustainable £250,000 a year. This has been raised to 12,000 members community use of school sports facilities. Sport England’s and £3m direct debits a year, as we have attracted users strategy to create a sporting habit for life will only succeed from private sector facilities. in driving up participation if it is part of a whole system We’re having to be creative: we’ve announced a col- approach, led locally. laboration with Oldham Leisure Trust so we can share There are two strands to joining up from a local au- knowledge and have extra weight to apply for funding thority perspective: across the community sports sector together as the health budget changes. As a trust, we are itself, and for the council to share broader agendas with also looking at other services which we could run, for ex- partners in public health, crime reduction partnerships, ample the youth service and adult social care as we could children’s services and adult care commissioners. deliver cost savings by spreading overheads. However, the sector does have some windows of oppor- My main concern with the cuts is that for a short-term tunity. The transition of public health responsibilities to fix we are storing up long-term problems and in two local government and health reforms present the oppor- years we will unravel all the many years of good work. tunity to significantly raise the profile of and investment Shiny new sports centres don’t address all health in- in sport and physical activity. Local leadership will mean equalities and it’s those pathways that are having to working collectively with key sector players in our sport be shut down. and physical activity networks to make this case. 22 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Sport providers are having to deliver more for less through innovative approaches, efficiencies and partnerships RICHARD MILLARD LEE MASON client relations and sports Executive director development director County Sports Partnership Network DC Leisure (CSPN) lthough difficult, it’s not all doom and gloom: in- s a network of independent enterprises working come and usage is holding up quite well. However, with sports providers to deliver national pro- A there is definitely the need to get creative. A grammes, such as School Games and Sportivate, We’re looking at both pricing and programming with we are seeing the impact of financial cuts. our local authority clients. Some are looking to outsource National funding partners and local commissioners are sports development, so we are looking at ways of taking having to make every penny count – leading to an increase that on, which is a natural progression for us. With public in the level of scrutiny of frontline deliverers and demands health reform, there is also the opportunity to attract ex- for value for money. Meanwhile, our delivery partners are ternal funding from the PCT sector. being squeezed, with cuts in school sport and local author- We’ve looked hard at all our costs: we have a carbon ity sports development, while commercial and voluntary reduction team and the outcome of this is that we avoid sector providers are struggling to maintain income levels. energy and waste, but also save money. Other examples As a network we are responding to these challenges are that we are using email more than letters and reduc- by finding new ways to deliver more for less, through ing the need to travel through conference calls. innovative approaches, efficiencies through greater col- The usage part of our centres has held up, despite the laboration across the network, helping commissioners to tough times, but we have noticed people are becoming use sport to address their priorities, supporting the volun- more price sensitive. One of our policies has been to look tary sector to maximise its contribution and working more after our existing customers even more than ever and all closely with commercial sector partners. management staff have had to be closer to their business. We are delivering genuine return on investment for all I’m still optimistic: I hope it will encourage local authori- our stakeholders and support our teams to ensure they ties to embrace different delivery options, better define continue to drive the health agenda and deliver a vibrant their needs and be brave at seeking alternatives. sport and physical activity landscape. Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 23 RESEARCH ACTIVE PEOPLE SURVEY 5 The Active People Survey (APS) provides robust and independent information about adult sports participation in England. Sport England’s director of sport, Lisa O’Keefe, discusses some of the findings in the fifth survey n the most exciting year for sport decisions and investments to grow par- Addressing that challenge is a ma- in our generation, our eyes are ticipation over the next five years. jor focus of Sport England’s strategy for fixed on the home Olympic and The headlines from the Active Peo- 2012 to 2017. Our ambition is to ‘create a I Paralympic Games and ensuring ple Survey (APS) 5 show the number of sporting habit for life‘ by ensuring that everyone maximises the opportunities people aged 16 and over playing sport young people are regularly playing sport the 2012 Games will undoubtedly bring at least three times a week has risen by and to break down the barriers that, for community sport. Understanding around 630,000 since 2005/06 to 6.927 until now, have prevented young people what’s happened in community sport in million people. But look a little deeper from continuing their interest in sport the seven years since we won the Olym- and we can see that this growth is not into their adult life. pic bid, in 2005, is helping to inform being seen uniformly across the popula- The latest survey results also illustrate tion; in fact participation rates among that the gender gap persists in sport. APS data identifies the barriers that 16- to 19-year-olds actually fell over While the number of men playing sport prevent people playing regular sport the past three years. regularly has risen from 3.73 million to Team sports APS1 (2005/6) APS5 (2010/11) Individual sports APS1 (2005/6) APS5 (2010/11) Football 4.97% 2,021,700 4.98% 2,117,000 Swimming 8.04% 3,273,800 6.62% 2,809,300 Cricket 0.48% 195,200 0.51% 215,500 Cycling 4.02% 1,634,800 4.15% 1,761,200 Rugby Union 0.46% 185,600 0.42% 178,900 Athletics 3.33% 1,353,800 4.47% 1,899,400 Basketball 0.39% 158,300 0.36% 151,500 Golf 2.18% 889,100 1.96% 833,200 Netball 0.27% 111,700 0.31% 131,700 Badminton 1.27% 516,700 1.20% 510,300 24 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 CASE STUDY: ENGLAND NETBALL – USING INSIGHT TO DRIVE PARTICIPATION he Active People Survey (APS) Data and insight derived from the shows that netball participation APS has been a key component of this T has grown by 18 per cent over process. It has particularly supported the last five years, partly due to the understanding of the large number of success of programmes such as England participants accessing netball activities Netball’s Back to Netball. This hasn’t outside the sport’s traditional struc- happened by chance, but is built on tures. While England Netball has a the commitment the governing body membership of just over 50,000 adult has shown to putting their participants members, more than 130,000 on aver- at the heart of everything they do – age play netball once a week. the Participant-Centred Approach. The customer-centred understand- Over the last 18 months, England ing is already driving the development Netball has undertaken a huge project of the ‘My Game’ portfolio of to identify the behaviours, motiva- offers for current and potential netball tions, expectations, capabilities and players aimed at offering a game and needs of current netballers and poten- product of choice for any participant tial future participants to help shape and it will underpin the continuing their offers, programmes and struc- evolution of England Netball’s strategic tures. They have combined information plan. The sport will also be continu- from a wide range of surveys, audits, ing to talk to participants and building questionnaires, in-depth interviews understanding of their needs as new and recorded conversations. Through data emerges – as with all success- The Big Netball Conversation, the ful organisations, the path to success According to APS data, the number governing body has talked directly to starts and ends with understanding of people cycling regularly in 2010/11 nearly 10,000 netballers. their customers. grew by 126,400 since 2005/6 4.24 million, women’s participation has that order appears to be among the fi- largest among the bigger sports, but failed to keep pace. It’s clear from this nal two, with netball showing a positive proportionately there has been some that more needs to be done to make trend and basketball flagging, particu- very impressive growth in some slightly sport attractive to women. larly in the last two years of APS figures. smaller sports, notably table tennis and But overall the popularity of these team mountaineering. SPORT BY SPORT sports has remained relatively constant With six years data to look at, what do over the period. INCREASING PARTICIPATION IN A we know about the relative popularity of The picture for individual sports is CHALLENGING ECONOMIC CLIMATE different sports? Sport England measures much more dynamic. Participation in So what impact is the challenging eco- the sports it funds on the number of cycling and athletics (which includes run- nomic situation having on people’s people who are playing the sport at least ning) has increased by around 125,000 sports participation? once a week for 30 minutes. and 550,000 respectively, while swim- Taking part in sport is a leisure choice Among team sports, the picture in ming is down by around 460,000 over involving discretionary spend. If an indi- 2010/11 looks similar to six years ago; the six-year period. However, swim- vidual’s budget tightens, they will have football remains far out in front with ming remains comfortably the most lower discretionary spend. But do people over 2.1 million weekly participants, fol- popular sport with around 2.8 mil- stop playing sport altogether or do they lowed by cricket, rugby union, basketball lion weekly participants. Inevitably the protect their active lifestyle by switching and netball. The most likely change to changes in numbers of participants are to lower cost activities? Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 25 RESEARCH VALUED LOCAL MEASUREMENT ith at least 500 respondents per local authority area, W the APS provides a picture of participation at the local level. It’s one of the reasons the Department of Health, which helps to fund the survey, has chosen to add new ques- tions to find out more about people’s BMI across England. Local councils tend to focus on a wid- er measure of participation than the sport-specific figures reported nation- ally and regionally by Sport England. In Oxfordshire, all five district lo- cal authorities have been working together since 2006 on a strategy for sport and active recreation through the Oxfordshire Sports Partnership. The partnership’s managing direc- tor, Chris Freeman, says: “Having a consistent measure of participation means we can benchmark our prog- The choice to play sport also involves APS data helps to inform decisions ress against previous years. APS has a time commitment – and the economic and investments to grow participation helped us to understand participa- situation can have an impact on this. It tion and we’ve then used the market may be argued that someone who loses factors in people’s decision to participate segmentation tool to develop the their job has more time to play sport, but or drop out or at least do less sport. right activities in the right places. research suggests that any impact here The survey asks people whether their “We’ve seen consistent increases in is short lived, over-ridden in the longer participation rates are the same, higher participation in Oxfordshire, demon- term by increasing social isolation and or lower than at the same time last year. strating the value of the joined-up the negative psychological effect of be- Roughly a half say they’re doing the same approach alongside the support of ing unemployed. For a large number amount, with about a quarter claiming Sport England and the PCT for our of people, challenging economic times to be doing more and a quarter saying Get Oxfordshire Active programme. mean increased demands in terms of they’re doing less. Those respondents who This has increased our influence, working longer hours and increased say they’re doing less are asked why this with sport now included in the Oxford- pressure in the work environment. is the case. The table below shows that shire Sustainable Community Strategy Analysis from the survey, although not around a third put this down to econom- and has led to a successful bid for addi- able to directly address all the questions ic-related factors. These include specific tional funding for an activator post via raised above, does provide an interesting reason such as: loss of job; less income; too the Health and Well Being Board.” insight into changing patterns of partici- expensive; and lack of time due to work pation – and the importance of economic commitments – such as longer hours or a longer commute. of the first eight quarters, economic fac- Reasons given for doing less sport These questions have only been asked tors are becoming more important. This now than at the same time last year since October 2009, but from the evidence is supported by the government’s Family Spending Report 2011, which shows that the average weekly spend on ‘recreation and culture’ has dipped from £70.10 in 30% 2005 to £58.10 last year. 25% We might expect economic factors to 20% have a greater impact on time-consuming 15% and higher cost sports such as sailing, but we should recognise that the economic 10% situation is part of a complex set of influ- 5% ences that affect people’s leisure choices. 0% Sports governing bodies, local councils and r l leisure operators are working to adapt ted ies age age family schoo / acilit their sporting offer to reflect people’s weathe Disability health / reasing Left changing circumstances and lifestyle. For c The ies / f her activities ot In hildcare example, evening sessions could mitigate Economic rela interest/motivation tunit on time the impact of longer working hours, while injury / illness / medical Oppor lack of regnancy / c pay-and-play or low-cost options could Less time (non workP related) Prefer lessen the impact of a tighter budget. L 26 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 WHY WEIGHT STACKS ARE HISTORY. milon training equipment is advantageous over conventional your personal settings. milon training systems are installed weight stack equipment because milon uses electronic motors in over 1500 health clubs today. to create resistance. milon’s machines produce 2 load types: concentric and eccentric weights. Weights are changed in To find out more about milon and to test drive our systems 1-kg increments. It gets better. call +44 (0) 800 0988 420. milon equipment is proven to be up to 30% more effective Are you ready for milon? than conventional equipment. All our machines are smart card www.milon.com controlled, each machine will set itself up automatically to TOP TEAM The £5.25m extreme sports facility in Hemel Hempstead combines skateboarding, climbing, high ropes and caving with a one- stop-shop for youth services. Karen Maxwell takes the plunge and talks to its top team certainly don’t fall into the and services chosen by young people for is where I met up with former skateboard- age range of XC’s target au- young people – many of who shy away er Declan, my caving guide. dience – adrenaline-seeking from traditional indoor sports such as After a safety and navigation brief, we I 13- to 19-year-olds – however, badminton, basketball and netball. switched on our helmet lights and em- after throwing myself (quite literally) barked on a 20-minute crawling exercise head-first into some of the hair-raising My XC experience of twists and turns as we stretched and activities the centre has to offer, I’m likely There were no shuttlecocks or shin pads squeezed ourselves in and out of a net- to don a hoodie and head back for more! to be found in the retail outlets at the work of confined tunnels – at the end of The result of a partnership between entrance to XC. Instead, rock climbing, which I was very happy to see daylight! Dacorum Sports Trust, Dacorum Borough skateboarding, BMX biking and scooter I then donned climbing shoes, helmet Council and youth services provider Youth equipment filled the shelves – as well as and harness and joined Declan and Chris Connexions, the XC houses activities skateboarding brands such as Vans shoes, (ex-skateboarder and climbing enthusi- Emerica clothing and Nixon watches. ast) in the open- (air) ended 60m x 14m On entering the facility, I was greeted by climbing area. Starting with the basics – I friendly staff in an open-plan, ultilitarian placing my feet on nooks and stretching to reception/café area, which offered floor- holds to walk across a transverse wall, pro- to-ceiling views of the climbing wall on gressed onto a bouldering wall and then one side, and the skatepark on the other. climbed 12m, while attached to a safety Double doors at the end of the café pulley. The final feat was a 12m climb onto area led to Youth Connexions’ youth a flat ridge before abseiling down – with services area on the first floor – compris- Declan belaying from the ground. ing a media suite, recording studio and I’m not keen on heights, but after the counselling offices – with views to the climbing and some gentle persuasion, climbing and skateboard areas below. Chris harnessed and attached me to the The 150m organic, indoor caving system, high ropes obstacle cable system – 12m built into the fabric of the building, and above the ground – and helped me to the high ropes obstacle course are also ac- sway and stumble through the course. cessed from this part of the building. This Once back on firm ground, I reflect- ed on a terrifying but hugely enjoyable The fibre-glass, pitch black 150m experience. I’d had a unique, full-body caving system is said to be the workout in an open air environment and largest of its kind in Europe both Declan and Chris helped me to push myself beyond what I thought possible. 28 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 The High Ropes Course has eight obstacles and hangs in the air space above the climbing wall Ben Raemer won the National Skateboarding Championships hosted at the XC centre last year ROGER SHERIDAN DIRECTOR, MML CONSULTING LTD How did the XC What did you bring to project? concept evolve? I brought together evidence regarding The idea for XC came the lack of provision and activity within from conversations I had the 13- to 19 years age group to make Visitors can relax in a well- with Dave Coe, the chief the myplace funding application. This managed, purposed-built space, executive of Dacorum opportunity was introduced to Dacorum Sports Trust, about the Borough Council, which agreed to provide rather than a building conversion lack of relevant sports us with the land at a peppercorn lease. provision for young people generally We developed the scheme from The final project offers a clean, mod- across the leisure sector but specifically in scratch, and along with the social and ern, light and airy space with high the Hemel Hempstead area. business case, submitted the myplace ceilings, open-ended walls and scope for I was initially engaged to undertake a funding application for a full grant of future enhancement/development. feasibility study to look at a facility mix, £5m. The application was successful find an existing building to house this and was supplemented with a £250,000 What lessons have you learned provision and look at the business case pledge from the sports trust. from this project? for providing one. I have developed a concept model, which It was through this process, which in- What did the design process involve? embraces some of the things that we’ve volved wider consultation regarding Before we selected specialist designers, learned and further refined its design young people’s needs, that I engaged with we visited climbing and bouldering cen- where applicable. Youth Connexions Hertfordshire to look at tres and skateparks across the country for I’ve evaluated another four develop- combining a new building that met the or- examples of best practice. ment sites across the UK. But meanwhile, ganisation’s aspirations to provide young We noticed that out of the few indoor should local authorities want to repli- people with a one-stop-shop for informa- skateparks in the UK most are based in cate the model in a suitable community, tion, advice, guidance and activity. converted, low-rent, low-costs facilities. we have an excellent starting point from The feasibility process also confirmed Our ambition was to provide a high-qual- which to begin discussions. the drop of in regular activity of young ity facility that mirrored the standards set Importantly for local authorities, the people within the 13- to 19-year-old age for local authority leisure centres, so that XC model demonstrates that it’s possible group and the attraction to that group visitors could relax in a well-managed, to deliver top-class, safe and well-man- of extreme, individual focused activities purpose-built space, rather than a build- aged facilities, that do not require a such as climbing and skateboarding. ing conversion. revenue surplus. Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 29 TOP TEAM REBECCA HEMMANT OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, DACORUM SPORTS TRUST How does the their design ideas – thus the 9-foot- partnership between deep skate bowl was created. the sports trust, Youth Connexions How popular is the facility and and Dacorum Borough how is it marketed? Council work? Current footfall is around 10,000 a The partnership is about month, although this number rises sig- ensuring we achieve the nificantly in holiday periods. key aims of the project. These include the The skatepark has been an unprec- need to ensure that more young people, edented success, however, the climbing particularly the most disadvantaged, section has been a slower burner – have exciting and safe places to go where perhaps due to the fact that there are they can get involved in a range of activi- a number of local climbing facilities. ties to support their personal and social Although we have a (fake) real rock sec- development and get access to informa- tion, which has brought in climbers from tion, advice and support services. further afield, we recognise the need to attract new local people to the activity. _ How does the centre meet Our marketing is ongoing, we have with users’ demands? support in the specialist skateboard It's about providing a hub of adventure, press and we are on the climbing forums excitement and challenge in a place as well as the British Mountaineering for young people to ‘own’. There's a Climbing site. We've hosted a couple of cool edge to XC and customers, as well skateboard events – both of which at- as staff, want to be part of something tracted competitors from Europe and the unique. The additional elements of cav- US. Our next plan is to develop climbing ing and high ropes was fundamental and bouldering competitions too. to the core provision to enable a wider The demand for children’s parties and group of people to participate at XC. group bookings is flourishing. We’re cur- We got the local skatepark users in- rently hosting around 80 parties a month volved in the creation of the park to and group bookings for schools, social ensure we provided something totally clubs and corporate activity has also unique. Some of the more experienced started to take off, which means that skateboarders were very vocal in there are rarely any off peak times. NIC ROWLEY UK SKATEBOARD TEAM MANAGER, VANS What’s your Why does XC fit the brief for major background? skateboarding events? I’ve been a skateboarder Compared to other skateparks – many since I was 15. I’m now of which are located in dark, dirty I checked that the building approaching 40 and warehouses on industrial estates – this design was in line with what was still skate as much as my purpose-built building offers an indoor body allows. I’m the UK concrete area in a venue that’s bright, needed for skateboard events skateboard team man- clean, new and offers good food in ager for Vans – the biggest skate shoe the café area. It's also close to London, These events attract around 500 visi- company – and I’ve been involved in run- there's great transport links and plenty tors – including 100-150 competitors. You ning and judging UK-based skateboard of hotels in the area. tend to get two tiers of skateboarders at events for the past eight or nine years. these events – the guys like me who’re What events are hosted at the venue deeply involved and know everything How did you get involved and how are these marketed? that’s going on and the kids with skate- with the XC project? We ran the UK Skateboarding Champion- boards who want to skate every day. I was contacted during the tendering ships in October and the Vans Concrete Although we promote events through process about running skateboard events Carnival in December last year. We flew Sidewalk – the only UK skateboarding at the centre and sat in on the user group in X-Games winner Rune Glifberg from magazine/website forum – social media meetings to check that the building de- Denmark and legendary 80s/90s Santa is a very effective marketing tool. I have sign was in line with what was needed in Cruz pro Eric Dressen from California for over 2,000 friends on Facebook, so just order to hold successful events. the Concrete Carnival. one message is accessed by 2,000 people. 30 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 The 60x14m climbing wall consists of four areas suitable for begin- ners to advanced climbers X-Games winner Rune Glifberg from Denmark, in action within the skatepark’s concrete bowl MOHAMED FAWZI DISTRICT MANAGER, YOUTH CONNEXIONS What is Youth Connexions? It’s part of Hertfordshire Services for Young Peo- Youngsters can get employment ple and provides youth advice and a volunteering work/positive activities, information, advice, opportunity in the same building guidance and support to young people aged between 13 to 19 years sub contractors; and were part of the (up to 25 for young people with learning monthly, on-site progress meetings. difficulty or a disability). It also offers vol- They also form part of the Youth unteering, training and job opportunities. Management Shadow Board. Why did you set up the What can be learnt from this project? one-stop-shop concept at XC? The myplace Big Lottery fund recom- It’s important to stress that young people mended our consultation process with are the centre of everything we do in the young people as a model of good prac- service, from planning and delivery to tice. This was due to the fact that 14,000 evaluation of services. children and young people were con- The one-stop-shop concept at XC was sulted through open days, stakeholders a result of our consultations with young events, questionnaires, focus groups and people who wanted all services “under school presentations. one roof”, as previously they had been The creative approach of this facility passed from pillar to post – to and from enables young people to prepare their different providers. CV, meet a personal advisor and/or an Further consultations highlighted the employment training advisor regarding need for a teen health clinic, counselling a job or a volunteering opportunity, visit provision and an extreme sport facil- a counsellor, take part in a job club, pro- ity. This dream became a reality through duce a CD in the music studio, participate partnership working with Dacorum in an anger management programme or Sports Trust, Dacorum Children’s Trust a workshop on knife and gun crime and Partnership and Dacorum Borough Coun- then head downstairs to enjoy a skate- cil and lottery funding from myplace. This boarding, climbing or caving activity. ensured that information, advice, guid- ance, training, volunteering, youth work, How are you expanding you reach? positive activities, counselling, a teen Young people visit the XC from all parts of health clinic, music and media services Hertfordshire and as far afield as Scotland. and extreme sports are under one roof. Promotion and marketing is done through tweeting, Facebook, Channelmogo (Youth How were young people Connexions’ website), open day events, involved in the project? taster days and school newsletters. Young people were an integral part of We also raise its profile through our the project. They helped to: choose the partners, which include the police, the venue; work on the design with the ar- primary care trust, the voluntary sector chitects; interview and commission the and local faith and community groups. Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 31 RESEARCH Outlook for the Global Sports Market to 2015 PricewaterhouseCoopers’ updated report on the global sports market predicts that revenues will grow to £93bn by 2015. Julie Clark reports ccording to a new report by smallest market. Growth in the sports This region is projected to have the PricewaterhouseCoopers market in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Rus- slowest growth rate at 2.9 per cent. This (PwC), which looks at the sia, India and China) strongly outpaced figure partly reflects the underlying eco- A global sports market towards the overall global market during 2006 to nomic conditions and is a reflection of 2015, global sports revenues will grow 2010, but during the next five years this the timing of major sports events, with to US$145.3bn (£93bn, %109.3bn) at an gap will narrow. 2010 being such a strong year in EMEA annual compound growth rate (CAGR) – given the South Africa FIFA World Cup – of 3.7 per cent. This is attributed to an SPORTING REGIONS and 2015 being a relatively quiet year. improved economy, a rebound in TV North America is still the largest market EMEA shows the most fluctuation over advertising, the on-going migration of and growth rates will significantly outpace the period, given the 2012 London Olympic sports to pay TV and the resurgence of Asia Pacific and EMEA. While the balance and Paralympic Games and the Football financial services and automobile compa- of power is shifting to some emerging European Championships in Poland and nies interest in sponsorship. markets, which are hosting large-scale Ukraine and then in 2014, the Winter North America remains the largest sports events over the next few years, the Olympics in Sochi and the Commonwealth market throughout PwC’s forecasts to growth opportunities in the traditional Games in Glasgow. If the impact of these 2015, followed by Europe; the Middle developed markets are far from over. one-off events is excluded, the underlying East and Africa (EMEA); and the Asian Latin America is projected to have the growth rate is 4.6 per cent. market. Latin America will remain the highest growth rate at 4.9 per cent CAGR, What has been clear however, through partly due to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil this era of economic uncertainty, is that North America in 2014, followed closely by North America the balance of global economic power is the largest at 4 per cent CAGR. is shifting to the East and this will help market for sport, The EMEA is the second largest region maintain the internationalisation as sports while Latin America with US$42.8bn (£27.4bn, %32.2bn) or 35 seek new revenues from the growing mid- will remain the per cent of the total global revenues. dle classes in the emerging nations. smallest Global revenues split by region 2010 Latin America 5% Asia Pacific North America 19% 41% EMEA 35% PIC: ©WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM 32 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 PIC: ©WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM PIC: ©WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Sports organisations need to work towards a sustainable business CONTINUAL GROWTH According to the report, despite the world’s ongoing troubled economic climate, the global sports industry has continued to thrive – with many major sporting events proving to be more pop- ular than ever. The popularity of these major events is supported by the on-going improve- Gate revenues will remain ments in broadcasting and technology, the biggest component of which is allowing for better quality cov- the global sports market erage than ever seen before. At the same time, television compa- nies, sports clubs, governing bodies and even the sports stars themselves, are em- for the top events and record attendanc- visibility and awareness, now it’s about bracing social media to engage with fans es have been witnessed at major events gaining a deeper and more emotional and deliver to them a greater intensity this year in the UK. engagement with fans and staff – some- of loyalty experience. One unlikely area which could stimu- thing which some of the newly launched late growth is regulation. In European digital technologies are enabling. THE SPORTS INDUSTRY football, The Union of European Football Advertisers and sponsors are inte- BY MARKET SEGMENTS Associations (UEFA) financial fair play grating social media into their sports Gate Revenues: Gate revenues will rules are forcing clubs to boost their reve- involvement and through this and smart remain the biggest component of the nues and are providing an extra impetus data mining, they are able to target global sports market. These account for new stadia development. their messages and content so that it’s for 32.6 per cent of the total revenue Changing the format of sporting relevant to each consumer segment (US$44.7 bn, £28.6bn, %33.6bn) in 2015. events is also something which has been and appropriate for each platform and They’re particularly a key source of in- tried to make events more exciting and delivery device. come in the regions where live sports appealing to new audiences. For ex- Media Rights: Media rights is the third events are part of the local culture. ample, the England Hockey Board has largest category of revenue and accounts However, this mature market will see the recently announced the launch of Rush for 24.1 per cent of the total market. It lowest growth across all segments of the Hockey – an indoor or outdoor four- or is the second fastest growing sector at sports market at just 2.5 per cent CAGR five-a-side format. 3.8 per cent CAGR. Revenues will see from 2011-2015. Sponsorship: Accounting for 28.8 per fairly healthy growth from US$29.2bn In EMEA, PwC expects modest growth, cent of the total sports markets, sponsor- (£18.7bn, %21.9bn) in 2010 to US$35.2bn averaging less than 2 per cent, com- ship will see an average growth rate of 5.3 (£22.5bn, %26.5bn) in 2015. However, pounded annually during the next two per cent to 2015. This will generate global these figures mask large year-on-year years, with only slightly higher increases revenues of US$45.3bn (£29bn, %34.1bn), swings, which reflect the traditionally of just over 3 per cent annually for on- which is split evenly across all regions. dramatic impact of major global events going events during 2013–15. The gate The structure of sponsorship deals has held in ‘even’ years, such as the Olympics revenue market is effectively saturated changed. It’s no longer just about brand and FIFA World Cups. Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 33 RESEARCH PIC: ©WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Broadcasting still generates the majority of income from media rights Broadcasting still generates the ma- jority of income from media rights, but “Sponsors will demand sophisticated measurement engagement through different media platforms such as the internet and mo- to demonstrate the returns on their investment” bile phones can enhance and expand the fan’s experience. Smart use of social networking can add further value for is similar to gate revenues at 2.6 per cent techniques in order to demonstrate both themselves and the user and CAGR, generating revenues of US$20.1bn the returns on their investment. many TV companies have invested in (£12.9bn, %15.1bn) in 2015, up from UÊ Sports bodies and associations must, interactive portals. This enables them US$17.6bn (£11.3bn, %13.2bn) in 2010. and will, introduce new regulations to to combine online TV screening with Sports clubs are seeing a larger propor- control the cost base and levels of debt social media, which complements their tion of their merchandise transactions in their sports – to leave a sustainable offering to the market. moving online, which allows them to business model for future generations. Merchandising: Merchandising remains engage and interact with fans who can’t UÊ Sports bodies must balance the in- the smallest category of revenue – ac- attend matches – including those liv- creased commercial demands of their counting for 14.5 per cent of total global ing in other countries. This engagement sports with the need to maintain the revenue. However, it accounts for just helps to promote sports brands in those integrity and unpredictability that over a quarter of all revenue in North regions and markets and builds demand make sporting competitions so exciting America. Growth in merchandising rev- for media coverage of the clubs involved. and appealing to their supporters. enue is closely linked with consumer UÊ Across the world we’re seeing ever spending patterns and overall growth LOOKING FORWARD closer convergence between the sport With reference to what the future might and entertainment industries as both Global revenue growth by region 2011-2015 hold for the sports market in a world of sectors rise to the challenges brought increasing economic and political uncer- by digital technologies, which are 6.0% 4.9% tainty, PwC predicts the following: changing and shaping the way we 5.0% UÊ Growth will come from the emerging spend our leisure time. This new digital 4.0% 3.9% 4.0% sports markets in the BRIC countries and environment is significantly contribut- 2.9% 3.0% the Middle East, which will continue to ing to the globalisation of both the 2.0% offer scope for the development of new industry and specific sports. L commercial opportunities – both in do- 1.0% mestic and international sports events. Julie Clark is head of PwC’s UK sports 0.0% North America EMEA Asia Pacific Latin America UÊ Sponsors are likely to demand practice. Email Julie for further CAGR 2011 - 2015 more sophisticated measurement information: [email protected] 34 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 ® White Line Services International ltd MatchFit SPECIALISTS IN AFTER CARE PROGRAMME ® Is your synthetic surface MatchFit ? 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"! #$%& '' ($ Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 35 GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT RUSSIA’S SPORTING LANDSCAPE JON COXETER-SMITH LOOKS AT RUSSIA’S RECENT SPORTING HISTORY AND THE WIDER IMPACTS OF RUSSIA’S UP AND COMING GOLDEN DECADE OF SPORT he UK’s sports industry has be- has Russia managed to assemble this of Russian athletes and its sporting per- come very familiar with the term: event portfolio and what impact will it formance on the world stage began to a golden decade of sport – refer- make on the nation’s sporting landscape decline too. The extent of the decline T ring to the many international and its people? is illustrated by Russia’s performance at sporting events the UK has been awarded major international sports events as a or is bidding to host, during the 2010s – SETTING THE SCENE country in its own right. While athletes off the back of winning the bid to host The 1990s and early 2000s was a difficult competing under the Soviet Union flag this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. time for modern Russia. Dealing with won 132 medals at the 1988 Seoul Olym- Looking east, Russia has now em- the impact of the collapse of the Soviet pics, the ‘Russian’ national team won just barked on its own version of a golden Union in 1991 naturally preoccupied the 63 at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games decade. Through successful bidding the Kremlin government – particularly when and 72 at the 2008 Beijing Games. nation is building an enviable inter- the main economic priority was to get On snow and ice, where Russia expects national sports event portfolio and is inflation under control. This, in turn, re- to excel, its decline in sporting prow- currently busy preparing to host some of sulted in the country’s physical, social and ess was also evidenced by its position on the greatest shows on earth. sporting infrastructures being neglected the medal table. A Soviet Union medal This new emphasis on developing a and allowed to fall into disrepair. haul of 29 at the 1988 Calgary Winter sustainable sporting landscape is a rela- Saddled with a deteriorating sports in- Olympics fell to 13 medals at the 2002 tively new concept for the nation, so how frastructure, naturally the development Salt Lake City Games and the 15 medals won at the most recent Winter Olympic Figure 1: Russia’s Golden Decade Games in Vancouver 2010 suggests im- provement has not yet taken root. YEAR EVENT 2013 IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Moscow TURNING POINTS 2013 27th Summer Universiade, Kazan According to analysts, 2008 was identi- 2014 Winter Olympic Games, Sochi fied as an important milestone year 2014 Russia Formula 1 Grand Prix, Sochi for the country – one in which inflation 2015 FINA World Championships, Kazan fell to single digits. Similarly, on the field 2016 International Ice hockey Federation World of play a significant victory was won Russian athletes Championships, Moscow & St Petersburg that year. On 18 May, in the Pepsi Coli- excel at international 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup seum in Quebéc, Canada, the Russian snow and ice events 2018 FIFA World Cup™, Russia 2018 hockey team scored an overtime goal to defeat Canada 5 – 4 in the final of 36 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Hosting major sporting events, such as the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, can inspire the Russians to embrace change Russia’s Red Square logo launch of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games the IIHF World Championships. In So- viet Union days, Russia had won seven Olympic and 22 World Ice Hockey titles, an unrivalled record, yet this was its first World title for 15 years. Also in May 2008, the city of Kazan, in Tartarstan, won the rights to host the 2013 edition of the FISU – the University Sports Fed- Laura cross-country skiing venue for the Sochi 2014 Winter Games eration – Summer Universiade. So 2008 was clearly a year of signifi- cance for Russian sport, however bidding Sport quickly became recognised as the tool of choice committees had, in fact, been working on bids to host major events for some by Russia’s leadership, who looked to harness its power years previously. to deliver a number of social and political outcomes This is evidenced in its unsuccessful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, work for which actually commenced in 2003 or earlier. For example, the bid- Vladimir Putin, I would argue that there FINANCIAL BACKING ding process for its right to host Sochi is strong cause to regard the year Although Putin has invested much per- 2014, won in July 2007, would have 2000 – the year of Putin’s election as sonal energy and commitment into commenced two to three years earlier. Russian president – as the milestone year. attracting these major sports events and Meanwhile, Russia launched its unsuc- It is apparent too that Putin very quickly has put his personal reputation on the cessful bid for Moscow to host the 2010 recognised the power of sport and the line, none of this would be possible with- Youth Olympic Games in 2007, while positive impact on the country’s image. out adequate financial backing. Even work on its successful Kazan 2013 Uni- In August 2000, he stated: “Victories in before Putin came to power, following versiade bid, won in 2008, would have sport do more to cement the nation than Boris Yeltsin’s resignation, he outlined begun at least two years previously. a hundred political slogans”. his concept for ‘National Champions’ by Since many commentators are in So sport quickly became recognised defining his vision for the relationship general agreement that much of the as the tool of choice by Russia’s leader- between large corporations involved in success in winning these major interna- ship, who looked to harness its power to strategic industries and the state. tional events for Russia can be attributed deliver a number of social and political The obligations of these corpora- to the personal support of Prime Minister outcomes, as stated in table (Fig.2). tions were to make profits and advance Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 37 GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT The Ladies’ Downhill at the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Sochi, 2011-2012 Figure 2: Goals for the Golden Decade OUTCOME COMMENTARY Projecting China won acclaim through staging the 2008 Olympic Games, which sub- the Nation sequently brought a record 72 million visitors to World Expo in Shanghai. These events could be viewed as marking China’s coming of age. The Germany 2006 FIFA World Cup was seen to effectively counter much of the lingering prejudice against Germany, dating from the 1939- 1945 Second World War. After winning the FIFA World Cup 2018 bid, Putin stated that the world’s view of Russia originated from the Cold War and stressed the importance of showing that the country is open for business and that an Inga Abitova wins silver for the 10,000m international sports event can stimulate ‘contacts’. at the 2010 European Championships Economic Prioritising the development of infrastructure is a standard strategy in Russia’s interests. In return the state Growth sustaining economic growth. Brazil’s Growth Acceleration Programme is would make links with these corpora- a good example of how a country has chosen the hosting of major inter- tions by providing support so that they national sports events to guide building programmes. could grow and compete with multi-na- Estimates from the US Department of Transport have stated that each tional companies in international trade. dollar of highways investment leads to US$6.20 (£3.90) of GDP growth. In the early stages of each bid, national We can expect that the multiplier will be significantly higher in Russia. champions were recruited as supporters and to provide credible financial backing. Regional While economic development will naturally start in the principal cities, During Sochi’s bid presentation to the Development the host cities and regions for Russia’s major sports events are spread International Olympic Committee two of across the country. Russia’s bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup includes 13 Russia’s richest men, Oleg Deripaska and host cities, including Moscow and St Petersburg. Vladimir Potanin, sat at either side of the Russian leader. Improving the Thanks to its economic wealth, underpinned by oil and gas revenues, Potanin is the controlling shareholder effectiveness Russia can afford to spend money. Its challenge has long been to secure of Norilsk Nickel, which has subsequently of Investment high-quality outcomes from its investments. invested heavily in the finance and con- Good planning has never been an issue for the Kremlin however, prob- struction of the Roza Khutor, the base lems can sometimes arise in delivery. Analysts claim that it costs ten-times for Alpine events during the Sochi 2014 as much to build a road in Moscow as in say, Berlin and, even at this cost, Olympics. Oleg Deripaska has bought the quality is not always up to international standard. Russia’s leaders are at- local airport then expanded it to accom- tempting to overcome this by exposing deliverers to the extra discipline modate international traffic and built the with fixed deadlines; international quality standards, expectations and second Olympic Village for 3,000 athletes standards; extreme levels of international scrutiny; high prestige associ- in the Imeritinsky Valley. ated with success and conversely damage to a company’s reputation in Another huge corporate Ural Mining the event of failure. and Metallurgical Company (UMMC) is involved in the financing and construc- Health of The neglect of Russia’s infrastructures during the 90s is also evident in tion of facilities for the Sochi Games. This the Nation the area of public health. In October 2003, Putin stated that the health is substantially owned by the Russian of the nation depends directly on the successful development of physical billionaire Iskander Makhmudov. The culture and sport. Russian news agency RIANOVOSTI re- ports that way back in 2002 when asked Inspiration Russia is aiming to make sure that some of the ‘magic dust’ associated if UMMC would help out in one of Rus- with major sports events rubs off. This is illustrated in this extract from sia’s regions, Makhmudov replied “we the Sochi 2014 web site: “The Olympic Games cannot guarantee positive are all Putin’s soldiers”. change across all aspects of life, but they can inspire. If every Russian embraces change the Games can become the catalyst for positive change WIDER IMPACTS in our cities and the inspiration for our people.” As well as the hosting of internation- al sports events to inspire the Russian 38 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 PIC: ©WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / SPORTGRAPHIC PIC: ©WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / BRUNOROSA Russian swimmer Anastasia Chaun competing in the 2010 LEN Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary population to embrace change, lifestyle As a frequent visitor to Russia, I’ve had programmes are also in place. Most no- the opportunity to meet with many of tably, in the realm of physical culture and those charged with executing this strategy sport, is the Federal Programme for the and to witness conditions on the ground Development of Physical Education and in many regions. It’s clear that things Sport in Russia 2006-15. are happening and the programmes are While Russia has, to some extent, been being led by very able and committed in- affected by the World economic crisis, dividuals – such as Dmitry Chernyshenko, sports programmes like this have been CEO of Sochi 2014 and his counterpart largely shielded from its negative impact Alexey Sorokin at Russia 2018. and national expenditure on such has This is a very ambitious plan, it’s scale been mostly maintained. is huge and like any mega- programme At the 2010 International Sport Fo- so are the challenges. rum – Russia is a Power in Sport, held The implementation of such a pro- to coincide with the 30th anniversary gramme requires a thorough masterplan of the Moscow Olympics, the mayor of and a single body delivery organisation Moscow revealed that the number of to develop it then continue as its guard- sports facilities in Moscow had almost ian. However, delivery responsibilities are doubled between the years 2000 and devolved to many separate authorities 2010. The original 5,806 sports facilities FIFA president Sepp Blatter announces and entities at state, regional and local had increased to 9,375, within which the Russia as host of the FIFA 2018 World Cup levels. So the burden placed on organisa- number of swimming pools had grown tion and communication is substantial. 4.5 times with a doubling of the number His long-term ambition is to reach lev- The WEF report highlights that of sports halls and ice rinks. els already achieved by many European although Russia is a strong and well-ad- The continued support of Russia’s lead- countries where, he said, some 70 per- vanced economy in transition between ers for the programme was made very cent of the population is regularly WEF’s levels 2 and 3 efficiency driven and clear in January 2011, when Putin an- engaged in sporting activity”. innovation driven economies, certain pil- nounced that the year was designated It’s worth noting however, that accord- lars, such as the development of the goods ‘Year of Sports’ and that Russia would ing to the World Economic Forum (WEF), and financial markets, institutions and spend some 90 billion rubles (£1.8bn) 42 million represents about 30 per cent business sophistication lags behind the av- on the development of sport over the of the population so there remains much erage levels achieved in level 2 economies. next three years. to be done to achieve the 70 per cent I can see how these issues are preoc- The rationale of the programme was longer-term target. cupying people involved in the project as again underlined when Putin said: “Cur- they strive to work out what is required rently some 25 million people regularly FUTURE CHALLENGES of them and how it all fits together. L visit gyms and stadiums in our country. It’s clear that Russia’s golden decade of In line with our plans, this number must sport is the product of a careful and de- Jon Coxeter-Smith is a director of exceed 42 million by 2015”. liberately developed strategy. Sagacity MCS , www.sagacitymcs.com Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 39 EURO 2012 EURO 2012 PETE HAYMAN LOOKS AT HOW POLAND AND THE UKRAINE ARE PREPARING FOR THE SURGE IN SPORTS TOURISM FOR THE BIG EVENT, AS WELL AS STADIA INVESTMENT ith just six months until the (Yugoslavia 1976), but it’s a step change “We can go back to Germany, Italy and UEFA European Football for a tournament traditionally held in the England all the time. Then there will be Championships get under- West during its 52-year history. no problems, and things will come right. W way in Poland and Ukraine, UEFA’s decision has presented the But this way won’t do. Football must be the two countries are already benefiting two countries with a catalyst to invest developed in other regions.” from hosting the tournament. More than in its stadia, as well as improvements to TSE Consulting worked on develop- 20 years after emerging from Communist infrastructure. In hosting Euro 2012, sig- ing the bid strategy – building around a rule, CNN Go has jointly named the two nificant economic and sporting benefits message that this was a chance to “make countries as one of the top places to visit. will be realised for both countries. a big difference”. Securing the event Poland and Ukraine were chosen to host has led to not just enhanced sporting UEFA’s flagship international tournament Projected impact infrastructure, but transport and guest in April 2007, despite “limited experience” UEFA president Michel Platini believes accommodation too. in organising major events. It isn’t the first taking tournaments to new locations, A 2010 report into the impact of Euro time it has been held in Eastern Europe such as Poland and Ukraine, is important: 2012 in Poland revealed a total planned FORUM SEATING Forum Seating, part of the Grupa Nowy Styl, has played a significant role in preparations at the four Euro 2012 venues in Poland. One of the installations was at Poznan’s Stadion Miejski, which has a total capacity of more than 43,000 – down to 42,000 for the tournament – and has seen three Forum products installed. The standard Sigma chair con- structed of polyamide; the Sigma Plus made of polyamide with a du- rable upholstery padding; and the Oscar VIP armchairs in the Presiden- tial Box have all been installed as part of Forum’s work at the venue. The company also worked at War- saw, Wroclaw and Gdansk. France versus The Netherlands at the Euro 2008 event, where Spain beat Forum seating has supplied seats to Germany 1 : 0 in the final the stadia hosting the tournament 40 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Poland was chosen as a host nation, despite its inexperience in hosting major sports events PITCHING IT RIGHT Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) investment of PLN110bn (£21.9bn, uilding the new or improved created the pitch at the Metalist EUR26.3bn, US$34.7bn) – a significant stadia for Euro 2012 has been a Stadium in Khartiv, Ukraine slice of which was for road, rail and Bmain area of focus for Poland air transport improvements. This pro- and Ukraine. Along with striking ar- one we are focusing on due to the fact gramme is replicated in Ukraine. chitecture and spectator facilities, a that we did the full design and mainte- The upgrade of Poland and Ukraine’s crucial consideration in creating high- nance from start to finish.” infrastructure has been crucial to the quality venues is ensuring a playing ISASS allows for venues to grow ability to transport supporters. UEFA surface that meets the expectations of grass through pressurisation and heat- general secretary Gianni Infantino said: an international sporting event. ing – or cooling – the surrounding area “We estimate that about 1.6 million fans UK-based STRI has had great success to create a micro-environment. Hayden will visit Poland and Ukraine next June. working at three venues in Ukraine – is very optimistic about its potential: “More importantly, the tournament Donetsk, Kiev and Kharkiv – to create “To design something that goes from will give Poland and Ukraine the chance pitches poised to impress this summer. -30oC to +40oC is a big challenge and to make names for themselves around Operations director Richard Hayden it’s as difficult a design challenge as the world, by increasing their appeal has been involved with that work and we’ve ever had. as tourist destinations to potential visi- explains how a new STRI system has “Usually, you’re engineering for ei- tors in the medium to long-term.” helped deliver some positive results. ther very cold or very warm weather. “Pitches at the three venues are ab- That is why we’re excited about the Football facilities solutely perfect at the moment,” says ISASS concept, because we think we’re Eight stadia – four in each country – will Hayden. “We have temperatures of onto something huge. We believe we be used during Euro 2012 and all have -20oC and this system – In Situ Air Sparg- will be in a position in the near future either undergone a refurbishment or are ing (ISASS) – allows us to grow and to have shown that we can grow grass new-build venues. Warsaw’s National Sta- maintain grass at -20oC and even -30oC. anywhere with this technology.” dium, which opened on 29 January, is the This has been proven to work very ef- Hayden is in no doubt that Ukraine largest of Poland’s stadia and will stage fectively and we’re coming out of the – together with Poland – will confound the opening ceremony and first match. winter season with perfect pitches.” any critics: “Two years ago, everybody Gerkan Marg and Partners (GMP); Although STRI has deployed the solu- was talking about infrastructure not Schlaich Bergermann and Partner and tion at Donetsk, Hayden says that it was being ready,” he said. “But Ukraine has JSK Architekci worked on the design the modification of facilities already in- four fantastic stadia and three fantastic of the PLN1,915bn (£378m, EUR440m, stalled and Kharkiv is where the system pitches. The world will come away with US$604m) stadium, which seats 55,000 is being showcased. “[Kharkiv is] the a positive impression.” fans. A notable design feature is an 11,000sq m retractable membrane roof element, unfolding from a ‘needle’ was Alpine, which was also involved PVDF Type IV FR1400. The skeleton was above the centre of the pitch. with the construction of Gdansk’s constructed from 7,000 tonnes of steel. Hightex worked with steel manufac- 44,000-seat PGE Arena. Designed by Poland’s fourth Euro 2012 venue is the turer Cimolai of Italy and Poland-based RKW, the complex has a facade con- Stadion Miejski (Municipal Stadium) in Mostostal Zabrze to develop the roof- sisting of polycarbonate panels, with Wroclaw. JSK Architekci devised a con- ing system, with a radial cable system modules becoming more translucent to- cept for the complex that has seen a glass supporting the 55,000sq m fixed outer wards the top of the venue. fibre mesh coated with Teflon envelope portion of PTFE/glass membrane. The Also in Poland, Alpine worked on a the entire arena. The venue also has two retractable element comprises a PVC/ complete overhaul of Poznan’s Stadion LED video screens installed by Mitsubishi polyester membrane and is suspended at Miejski (City Stadium), completed in 2010. Electric with Shadok Audio-Visual. 960 points above the stadium floor. Home to Lech Poznan, the facility has a The Euro 2012 final will be hosted at Among the contractors responsible for roof area of 52,000sq m of Mehler Tex- Ukraine’s flagship stadium – the NSC delivering Warsaw’s National Stadium nologies PVC-PES with double weldable Olimpiyskiy (Olympic Stadium). Designed Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 41 EURO 2012 GETTING CONNECTED It is estimated that about 1.6 million fans will visit ith technology continu- Poland and Ukraine ing to evolve through during the event in June Wthe advent of mo- bile connectivity, stadia are now becoming as much a forum for com- munication as the workplace or the home. Warsaw’s National Stadium has embraced this trend with the installation of Cisco’s Connected Stadium solution, a network offer- ing wired and wireless access. It can be used across opera- tional activities, from security to ticketing and allows fans to share experiences. Dariusz Fabiszewski, general manager of Cisco Poland, says: “Modern stadiums no lon- ger serve as a backdrop for sports events, but are offering more en- gaging experiences for visitors. Meanwhile, organisers in Poland have created a first for a Euro event – the Polish Guide, which provides overseas supporters with information detailed in six languages. A smart- phone version is also due to launch in advance of the tournament. Details: www.polishguide2012.pl by GMP, seating capacity for the tourna- ment will be reduced by 2,000 to 68,055. More can be expected as tourism numbers increase and Hightex has provided the facility with a infrastructure improvements provide a boost across 48,500sq m suspended roof comprising translucent PTFE/glass membranes. hospitality and transport sectors for both nations The NSC Olimpiyskiy will be a cen- trepiece of Euro 2012 and is the largest Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv is the EUR79.7m, US$109.3m). It was built by Alt- stadium in terms of capacity on the ros- second of two venues in the Ukraine to kom and has a capacity of nearly 35,000. ter. It is one of three in Ukraine – along undergo renovations. Work included Seating has been laid out to maximise the with Lviv and Donetsk – to offer AG’s new stands to the south and east. The view of fans and ensure no ‘dead zones’ cashless payment solution. DCH Group-funded work also involved are left in terms of visibility. seating solutions from Figueras Interna- tional Seating and Elcon. The new roof A lasting legacy can withstand an earthquake measuring The opening of Warsaw’s National Sta- up to 8 in magnitude. dium signalled the last of the eight Euro Two new-build venues complete the 2012 venues to be completed. Poland’s line-up of Ukrainian stadia to be used. tournament director, Adam Olkowicz The first – Donbass Arena in Donetsk – said: “As of now, all of the venues in Po- was designed by ArupSport and was the land and Ukraine are ready and we are first UEFA five-star complex to be built in working hard to prepare them for this Ukraine. Built by Turkey-based ENKA, it big festival of football.” boasts a glazed facade with nearly 2,500 Both countries now have state-of-the- panes covering the whole stadium. art football facilities, offering an early The second new facility is Arena Lviv, legacy from Euro 2012. More can be ex- designed by Austria-based Albert Wimmer pected as tourism numbers increase and and costing around UAH875m (£68.7m, infrastructure improvements provide a substantial boost across hospitality and Czech Republic versus Portugal (in transport sectors, standing the two econ- white) at the Euro 2008 competi- omies in good stead for the future. L tion in Austria and Switzerland Pete Hayman is a Leisure Media journalist 42 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 MAKE SURE YOUR The Total Solution… GROUND IS FROST PROTECTED from “Concept THIS WINTER to Construction” have recognised that sporting clubs and associations require adequate protection against the elements at short notice. Covers can be produced as ’flat sheets’ or as an ‘Inflatable tube’ system and by offering a made With over 30 years experience in to measure service on all our covers manufacturing, Stuart Canvas is the we are able to advise on the best Design and construction UK’s leading supplier and manufac- solution for your grounds. turer of ground protection products for of all natural turf and • FROST pitch and training grounds. 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For an excellent range of high quality fertilisers and seeds designed to meet the specific needs of the amenity industry, simply buy direct from the specialists at www.bshamenity.com Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 43 GRASSROOTS HE GR T A G S S N I R O W O O T R S G L ith the eyes of the world on London this summer, The ASA reveals its plans to inspire a new it’s the perfect time for W lesser-known sports to bring generation of potential players to get themselves to the fore. While inevita- involved in this fast-paced water sport bly much media focus will be on the big names in diving and swimming, such as Tom Daley and Rebecca Adlington re- spectively, other aquatic disciplines will Men’s water polo was, in fact, one nations in the world. In January 2012, the be showcasing their talents to the world of the first team sports in the Olym- British Gas GBR Women’s Team became and rightly deserve equal recognition. pics in Paris in 1900, when Great Britain the first British team since 1997 to com- Water polo is one such discipline, took the lead winning four gold med- pete at the LEN European Water Polo which will, without doubt, provide an als. It wasn’t until 2000 however, that Championships after a successful qualifi- exciting and fast-paced game for Olym- women’s water polo became an Olympic cation campaign in 2011. The British are pic spectators. Combining the skill and sport. The popularity of the game grew the only confirmed European entry for tactical elements of football with the ag- incredibly in other nations, most notably the women’s competition at the London gression and physical contest of rugby, it in Eastern Europe where professional 2012 Olympic Games, with other Europe- has officially been recognised as one of leagues were set up and in many coun- an teams in with a chance of qualifying the toughest sports in the world. tries it became their national sport. at the Olympic Qualification Tournament in Trieste, Italy this April. A rising popularity Also this year, a British men’s team will Approximately 15,000 people partici- contest in the Olympic Games for the pate in the UK, across all levels, and it first time since Melbourne in 1956. The is predicted that the sport will continue British men have played a number of to grow in popularity – especially if our higher-ranked countries in recent seasons teams do well in London this summer. and come away with credit as they con- With the introduction of mini-polo tinue to improve ahead of the biggest and other variations of the game, leisure challenge their careers in London. providers and swimming clubs are find- ing that it is becoming more popular as Developing for the world stage an alternative to progressing on to Some of our top British water polo competitive swimming. In fact many ath- athletes, such as team captains Fran letes who have represented their country Leighton and Craig Figes, started in in competitive swimming are also choos- grassroots sport and are resounding ing to extend their aquatic careers by proof of the merits of a strong devel- taking up water polo. opment programme to provide a solid Above and top: British Gas Today, the GB men’s and women’s foundation from which elite athletes National ASA Age Group Water teams are enjoying much success in grow. To ensure that this success contin- Polo Championships 2011 Europe against some of the toughest ues, the ASA has invested in a number 44 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Talent development programmes offer youngsters access to high-quality coaching of programmes to establish and develop sustainable water polo clubs and produce players for competition at all levels. Swimming clubs are crucial in supporting the talent pathway Thousands of children are involved in and many water polo clubs are being assisted towards ASA clubs and there is a clear develop- ment structure to progress those that achieving the ASA’s swim2 accreditation to raise standards have the potential through to national squads. Once a young person’s talent is identified it is nurtured to help them Palace in London with other centres programme, which focuses primarily on reach their full potential. being developed in locations such as selecting and preparing the Great Britain Specific talent development pro- Sheffield and Basildon. national squads for major European and grammes take those youngsters who School swimming lessons at Crystal world competitions. have already shown promise in water Palace use the British Gas ASA Learn to Within schools, the ASA and the polo and gives them access to high-quali- Swim Pathway, the national syllabus pro- English Schools’ Swimming Association ty coaching, athlete educational schemes duced by the ASA. Beginning with the (ESSA) are piloting a joint initiative to and sports science facilities in a training ASA Foundation Framework for early try and expand the sport and encourage camp environment to prepare them for years’ water confidence, the pathway participation. Cadet Polo is a small-sided future international competition. progresses from stages one to seven for version of the game which has been in- To be selected, players must reach cer- fundamental movement skills and the troduced with simplified rules. tain levels of attainment for swimming, core development of learning to swim. Additionally, a pilot called RAPIDS basic technique and game awareness. Learners progress to the final three seeks to involve teenagers in the sport They then receive varying support stages where specific aquatic skills are through activities, which first take place depending on their level – including developed – including one specifically for in the sports hall – replicating many of training camps, anthropological mea- water polo called mini-polo. These stages the aquatic skills needed so that they can surements and lifestyle management. identify young hopefuls from the 800 fully appreciate the nature of the game or so young children who have learnt to when played in water. School and club-based projects swim at the facility. Swimming clubs are crucial in support- Responsible for delivering and develop- Programmes such as these are very ing the talent pathway and many water ing new players through robust school much a long-term investment designed polo clubs are being encouraged and as- and club links, there are established pro- to produce performance athletes to sisted towards achieving the ASA’s swim21 grammes in Manchester and at Crystal eventually move into a world-class accreditation, which raises the standard Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 45 GRASSROOTS Children develop specific aquatic skills in Mini Water Polo programmes held at swimming centres across the country and quality of coaching through the UKCC coaching certification programme. Inter- action between clubs is also encouraged 2012 will see the launch of an updated regional Water Polo Table to offer players more water time. Officials course – offering an opportunity for young people Regional training to become involved in the administrative side of the sport The next step is for a player to attend one of the 14 Regional Training Centres in England and Wales, which currently the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is delivering a guide them through the roles and re- support more than 250 athletes. After series of coaching workshops in conjunc- sponsibilities of a table official. Successful profiling and a short series of tests to tion with the national talent programme. candidates will develop their competence comply with entry criteria, they begin a With the aim of implementing a nation- and confidence enabling them to offici- 30-week schedule of training – closely wide ‘unity in thoughts’ training model ate at regional matches. aligned to the national training pro- for water polo players at all stages of the gramme held every month in Cardiff. Long-Term Athlete Development model, Looking to the future A National Academy is held every year the workshops will examine the pipeline Water polo is a fun, social, interactive for around 200 regional training cen- of athletes from clubs to regional train- game that can be played from a young age tre players and coaches. Workshops on ing centres to the national team. from mini-polo to masters level. The work coach education, nutrition, sports science The national team of coaching staff also to encourage participation across all na- and team management are held and the deliver workshops around the country for tional age groups has created an upsurge week culminates with a mini tournament swimming teachers, instructors and coach- in mini-polo with large numbers now en- and selection for the players on the next es on Long-Term Athlete Development gaged in the sport from a young age. stage – the national training programme. and the use of the ASA Learn to Swim The exposure of the sport through the Framework fundamentals and games to Olympic Games will continue to enhance National training deliver fun and innovative lessons. involvement at the local community level The national training programme consists and our elite team’s performance in 2012 of monthly weekend camps from Sep- Officiating for young people can also act to bolster the aspirations of tember through to the following July, It’s vital to develop a strong workforce our junior, youth and academy national which offer bespoke training around the of young people to ensure the sustain- teams and give the belief that Olympic principles of Long-Term Athlete Develop- ability of the sport, so it’s great news competitiveness is achievable. ment and Long-Term Player Development. that 2012 will see the launch of an up- The ASA is committed to continued in- Half-term camps are also held and players dated regional Water Polo Table Officials vestment in the development of club and compete in domestic and foreign events – course. This new interactive course offers coach education to provide opportunities all geared towards European qualification. an opportunity for young people to be- for coaches and players to progress along come involved in the administrative side the pathway to world class and ensure Support for coaches of the sport. Effectively engaging young the sustainability and success of the sport Dutch coaching supremo Paul Metz, who volunteers in the officiating pathway, it at the highest level. L was instrumental in the gold medal suc- will bring enthusiastic and knowledge- For more information visit cess of the Netherlands Women’s team at able young people into the sport and www.swimming.org/britishswimming/water-polo 46 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 SUPPLYING WINNING EQUIPMENT since 1972 AW Anti Wave Racing Lanes have been used extensively throughout the swimming industry for over thirty years. A favourite for both swimmers and coaches alike. ( Racing lanes ( Starting Blocks ( Water Polo Equipment ( Pool Gratings ( Pool storage ( Bespoke Manufacturing and fitting ( Coaching and training equipment [email protected] ( www.antiwave.co.uk www.waterfly.co.uk Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 47 SPORTS HALLS To meet participation targets and support athletes, NGBs need access to well specified, correctly-sized facilities KKP’s David McHendry discusses the benefits of choosing correctly-sized indoor sports facilities that work well for indoor sports and offer a sound business model for the operator DEVELOPING THE RIGHT SPORTS HALL ow large should a sports hall Knight, Kavanagh and Page (KKP) – an accommodate four badminton courts be in order to offer high-qual- independent specialist consultancy in and in general they have become larger ity sporting opportunity and sports, leisure, culture, regeneration and and taller. When the old GB Sports Coun- H a decent, sustainable level of green spaces – was tasked by Sport Eng- cil’s Standardised Approach to Sports return for the operator? This is the ques- land to prepare practical guidance on the Halls (SASH) programme was rolled out tion that Sport England has been seeking sporting and business benefits of the pro- in the early 1980s, the recommended to address via its 2011 publication Devel- posed larger hall models. This included specification for floor-space was 32m x oping the Right Sports Hall. direct centre management and business 17m. This worked for badminton but left Specialists from the national governing planning expertise, work focused on other sports somewhat cramped; the bodies (NGBs) of netball, basketball, bad- management, programming and usage touchlines for a netball court were, for minton, volleyball and cricket have come flexibility that new specifications may example, virtually on the skirting boards together to assess whether and how it is offer, as well as the accompanying fiscal and there was little or no run off space possible to specify at the core unit level – benefits and sustainability. for umpires, scorers, coaches and other a space that enables each of the sports to team members. be played at the requisite level of quality One size fits all However, these needs have since been – and to set out the process that agencies Historically, sports hall size evolved addressed and so the 33m x 18m sports should use to assess this. around the practical space required to hall specification has become the norm. 48 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 INTENTION Assess the market: UÊ Current sports hall supply in the catchment UÊ Sports hall stock condition UÊ Technical quality/relevance/scale UÊ Current use; fully occupied/spare capacity? Sporting need: UÊ Which sports do you want to cater for UÊ At what level(s)? UÊ Is there an NGB-identified need in the locality? Sports status: UÊ Levels of play in chosen sports UÊ Facility(s) required to service this UÊ Level of NGB technical specification required Quantity: UÊ How much use can you legitimately predict UÊ ...in each sport? UÊ ...at each level of competition/performance? Specification: UÊ Is there a facility in place – is it worth keeping? UÊ What facility(s) is/are required? UÊ What must the specification(s) be to cater for the levels of play and numbers predicted? Does it stack up: UÊ What will it cost to open/run/operate? UÊ How much income will be generated? UÊ Is the business plan sustainable? DECISION Changing shape of co-operation among NGBs to develop appropriate sports hall, Sport England’s A key trigger for further change was mutually agreed specifications. document provides excellent technical the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) To meet participation targets, sup- detail about what is needed to accom- programme. This incorporated what was port clubs and leagues and enable modate the various main sports as they called Building Bulletin (BB) ‘98’ guid- talented athletes to train and compete, are played at present. ance which suggested that the minimum NGBs need access to properly specified, It also makes reference to the options size for new school sports halls should be correctly-sized facilities. The proposed that developing various models of larger 33m x 18m (594sq m). This guidance was new core specification for community halls offer to the operator and people what both developers and the Local Edu- and school sports halls described in Sport delivering recreational, competition cation Partnerships (LEPs) then picked up England’s Developing the Right Sports or performance-based programmes in on and specified. Hall document can work for all of them various sports. The document is accompa- However, halls of this size are now not and, at the base level, optimises potential nied by business planning and modelling considered to be fit for purpose for the cross-sports use and income generation. spreadsheets to assist those considering key sports they serve and the prospect of the various scenarios available to them to allowing another generation of facilities Development of 4+ halls do so with ease and confidence. that are just too small has helped Sport In seeking to change the core defini- The new core unit (what we are call- England broker an unprecedented level tion of what we understand to be an ing the 4+ hall), at a capital cost not Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 49 SPORTS HALLS One size fits (h)all : The new core space will allow for indoor netball, basketball, badminton, volleyball and cricket substantially greater than the old model, venues, while new more flexible forms offers potentially excellent value for of netball – suited to a small-sided for- money and can bring significant com- The larger core sports hall mat are being televised. Due to their munity, educational, programming and, adaptability these sports are becoming most importantly, sports development offers the imaginative increasingly popular among those enter- and participation increase benefits. facility manager ‘room for ing or ‘coming back’ to sport, while 2v2 However, if schools, local authorities and 3v3 basketball has been played for and other operators wishing to develop manoeuvre’. There is a real decades – just rarely in regular partici- new or replace existing halls are to get opportunity to innovate pation, structured drop-in and regular the most out of their investment, consid- league based formats. eration must be given to how they (plus What we haven’t yet seen is these clubs and NGBs themselves) look to inno- derivatives properly used to drive up par- vate to seek to attract new participants ticipation numbers (and venue income). and to make optimum use of the space manoeuvre’. There is real opportunity to However, these correctly-sized facilities they will have at their disposal. innovate. For school-based users, it can better meet the needs of mainstream Development of 4+ halls will allow provide options to deliver new format sport and can accommodate safe and ex- (and should encourage) the smart club, games as part of the curriculum and an citing turn-up-and-play innovations. league or operator of the future to take after-school offer. For those program- These have the potential to bring peo- a market-led approach to promote posi- ming for the community, the additional ple into these sports (or keep them in) for tive, proactive centre programming and space, some innovative court line mark- longer, while ensuring the operator gets use with potentially valuable participa- ings and hall sub-division means that an appropriate return on investment. tion outcomes. Lessons can be learnt things can be done differently to break This, in turn, validates the investment in from the fact that five-a-side football away from the static space filling habits the extra space and the early stage effort was not invented by the FA but the mar- that have led indoor football and more needed to do things differently. L ket for it has expanded and developed in recently ‘wall-to-wall aerobics’ to domi- Developing the Right Sports Hall is avail- a sport that was already widely played in nate programming at the expense of able from the Sport England website: another format. other sports, because they generate, in www.sportengland.org relative terms, good levels of income and Turn up and play are relatively easy to sell. David McHendry is a principal consultant The larger core sports hall offers the Successful examples of ‘turn up and at Knight, Kavanagh and Page. imaginative venue manager ‘room for play’ volleyball are already filling various Email: [email protected] 50 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Now is the time to go for flooring excellence TARKETT SPORTS Wood, PVC and Linoleum sports surface solutions t 4PMVUJPOTGPS.VMUJVTF .VMUJTQPSUPS 4QFDJBMJTU4QPSUTBQQMJDBUJPOT 4QPSUT)BMMT $PNQFUJUJPO"SFBT 'JUOFTT"SFBT (ZNOBTJVNT t &/FOTVSFTQMBZFSQSPUFDUJPO t 1SPEVDUTSFBEJMZBWBJMBCMFGSPNTUPDL 'PSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPODBMM FNBJMNBSLFUJOH!UBSLFUUDPN XXXUBSLFUUTQPSUTDPNFOHMJTI MULTI-SPORT FACILITIES 3 28.5m x 16m, The Charter School, London /-.*( !-%#) ) /%' /'.%+/,+*-!*,-+*,.-+! %4 ./, ' 2'%#$.!)!,#2!"4 %!). ! .%)# ) 0!).%' .%*)*+.%*)- +.%*) ' ) %'' ,2,**(- Sports Facilities Riverside Industrial Park, Tan Yard Road, Catterall, 3 Preston, Lancashire, PR3 0HP 2 744m , Newbridge High School, Leicestershire Tel: 111 *''%)-*) */& Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 51 SPORTS FUNDING FUNDING THE PLACES PEOPLE PLAY TOM WALKER ROUNDS UP SPORT ENGLAND’S INITIATIVES AIMED AT TRANSFORMING THE PLACES WHERE PEOPLE PLAY SPORT laces, People, Play is a £135m partnership with the British Olympic authorities, charities, trusts and indi- initiative that promises to Association, the British Paralympic As- viduals are being encouraged to apply bring the ‘inspiration and sociation and with the support of the for funding and/or training. P magic’ of a home Olympic London Organising Committee of the Here we outline each scheme, pro- Games and Paralympic Games into Olympic Games (LOCOG). vide an update of the progress made the heart of local communities. It is The initiative has been divided into six on each initiative and offer informa- being delivered by Sport England in separate schemes and sports clubs, local tion for those wanting to take part. ICONIC FACILITIES FUND SPORT MAKERS SPORTIVATE The Iconic Facilities fund will invest This initiative encourages people to An initiative that aims to create the a total of £30m over the next three make sport happen at the local level sporting opportunities and challeng- years in innovative, large-scale, and embed the Olympic and Paralym- es that gives everyone the chance multi-sport facility projects that are pic values in grassroots sport. to become part of the London 2012 regionally significant for at least two Rather than investing in facilities, mass participation legacy. sports and can demonstrate long- the £4m Sport Makers initiative is This £32m lottery programme is term financial viability. creating a network of 40,000 new giving 14- to 25-year-olds access to Priority will be given to a small sports heroes aged 16 years and over. six-week courses in a range of sports number of strategic facility projects Each Sport Maker will spend at least including judo, golf, tennis, wake- that will significantly contribute to an 10 hours organising or leading com- boarding, athletics, and parkour or increase in sports participation. munity sporting activities for their free running. Facilities that receive Iconic Facilities friends, neighbours or colleagues. Sportivate is being delivered by the funding will be promoted as exam- Everyone who chooses to become network of 49 County Sports Partner- ples of best practice and will provide a Sport Maker is invited by their ships, which are working with local a network of regional sports facilities County Sports Partnership to come to providers and sports clubs to help teen- – delivering mass participation across an inspiring workshop near to where agers and young adults, who aren’t a number of sports. Every sports facil- they live or work. Here they gain the currently playing sport in their own ity that receives funding will carry the skills and are supported to find local time, to continue taking part in an London 2012 Inspire mark – celebrat- opportunities that suit them in order activity long after they have completed ing the link to the Games. to increase participation in sport. their course. STATUS: STATUS: STATUS: The next £10m funding round of Since its launch in October 2011, more The first six months resulted in 33,000 Iconic Facilities, which will support than 10,000 people have signed up. young people being inspired to do multi-sport facilities that help in- The programme will run until Sep- sport. Sportivate will run until March crease participation and deliver a tember 2013, at which time it’s hoped 2015 – giving hundreds of thousands sustainable sporting legacy beyond at least 40,000 people will be making of young people the chance to dis- 2012, will open in Autumn 2012. sport happen around the country. cover a sport they really enjoy. HOW TO APPLY: HOW TO APPLY: HOW TO APPLY: For the final funding date and to To find out more about how to To find out about Sportivate in your find out how to apply, visit: become a Sports Maker, or sign up to area, visit: www.sportengland.org/ www.sportengland.org/funding/ the initiative, visit: about_us/places_people_play/sporti- iconic_facilities www.sportmakers.co.uk vate.aspx and click on the CSP link 52 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 PIC: WWW.SPORTENGLAND.ORG Local community groups can apply for a share of £10m from the National Lottery under the latest round of the Inspired Facilities Fund INSPIRED FACILITIES FUND PROTECTING PLAYING FIELDS GOLD CHALLENGE This fund was set up to make it easier Protecting Playing Fields will see a An independent initiative that aims for local community and volunteer total of £10m of National Lottery to motivate more than 100,000 groups to improve and refurbish funding being invested in sports people to test themselves in an existing sports clubs or transform playing fields across the country over Olympic- and Paralympic- themed non-sporting venues into modern three years from 2011-2014. challenge by the end of 2012, while grassroots sport facilities. A total The programme is being delivered fundraising for charity. of £52m will be invested through via five funding rounds – each worth Participants register for free and Inspired Facilities on at least 1,000 around £2m. choose one of three Olympic/Para- community sports projects between lympic-themed challenges and the 2011 and 2014. STATUS: charity they want to fundraise for. The first round saw 48 sports playing Gold Challenge has more than 150 UK STATUS: fields being awarded funding. Round charity partners and aims to be one So far, 350 community sports projects two closed on 12 December 2011 and of the most successful multi-sport across England have already ben- received 102 bids. Applicants will be charity fundraisers of all time. efitted from Inspired Facilities, with informed shortly of the outcome of Sport England dishing out £17.4m to their bid. Sport England will be run- STATUS: improve local facilities. The second of ning a further three funding rounds, 70,000 people have already signed five rounds of this fund is currently one in the latter half of 2012 and up. The Gold Challenge will run until open until 2 April 2012, with the third two in 2013. the end of 2012. round opening on 23 July 2012. HOW TO APPLY: HOW TO APPLY: HOW TO APPLY: For dates of future funding rounds To find out more and sign up visit: Sports groups can find out more and to find out how to apply, visit: http://www.goldchallenge.org/ and bid at: www.sportengland.org/ http://www.sportengland.org/fund- inspiredfacilities. ing/protecting_playing_fields.aspx Tom Walker is SM’s news editor Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 53 PUT THE BOUNCE BACK INTO YOUR GAME WITH PLAYRITE With an award winning range of 5 innovative tennis surfaces, there is bound to be a Playrite surface suitable for you To find out more visit www.playrite.co.uk or call us directly on 01924 412488 Team tactics: Lesson 1 Make sure that the contractors you use are members of SAPCA. Ensuring that any contractors you use are members of The Sports and Play Construction Association gives total peace of mind. SAPCA represents specialist constructors, manufacturers and suppliers of sports and play surfaces and related products and plays an important role in the promotion of high standards for sports and play facilities. t: 024 7641 6316 e: [email protected] www.sapca.org.uk The Sports and Play Construction Association | Federation House | Stoneleigh Park | Warwickshire | CV8 2RF 54 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 TENNIS TENNIS COURT ITF Recognition Jamie Capel-Davies outlines the process and benefits relating to the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) independent assessment of quality tennis courts Marin Cilic of Croatia in the Quarter Final during the 2010 Australian Open tennis tournament ith an estimated *US$30bn In response to this need, the Interna- WHAT IS ITF RECOGNITION? (£19.6bn) having been tional Tennis Federation’s (ITF) science and ITF Recognition is a test-based pro- invested in tennis court technical department has established ITF gramme. To receive One-Star Recognition, W construction worldwide, Recognition to provide end-users with an the court’s key installation properties it is understandable that investors and independent assessment of the quality of must meet ITF recommendations. players are keen to know the quality of their court, and offers contractors an op- Testing begins with a visual inspection construction and, increasingly, how fast portunity to demonstrate the calibre of to identify any cracks or gaps in the sur- or slow a court plays. their products and installation skills. face and ensure a uniform appearance. Next, an evenness test measures the size of any bumps or dips in the surface with the use of a straight edge, and the slope and planarity of the court are established with a laser level. Finally, the position of the court markings and net are checked to ensure they are within tolerance. Two-Star Recognition requires the court pace rating (CPR) to be compared with the ITF-classified value for the sur- face product, in addition to the One-Star tests described above. The pace is quantified by firing a ball at the court and recording its speed before and after the bounce. Rougher surfaces, which generate more friction between A laser level is used to the ball and the court, reduce the speed establish the slope and of the ball parallel to the ground making planarity of the court, a court ‘slower’. Surfaces that have a high- during the testing of a er bounce also appear slower because court against ITF standards players have more time to reach the ball. Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 55 TENNIS Court pace is deemed slow or fast depending on the surface smoothness HOW TO GET ITF RECOGNITION 1. Submit an application for One- or Two-Star Recognition* to the ITF and pay the administration fee. 2. Select an ITF-accredited laboratory/ITF-approved surveyor and arrange a test date and test fee payment. 3. Have the court(s) tested and the report(s) sent to the ITF. 4. Receive an ITF Recognition certificate from the ITF and website listing for the court(s)**. * Two-Star Recognition cannot be awarded without comparison against an ITF-classified surface product. If the surface product is not classified, the product supplier can apply for classification using the results of the CPR test on-site. ** Subject to meeting the relevant specifications. There are currently more than 200 An evenness test measures the size surface products classified by the ITF. of bumps or dips in the tennis court Surfaces are classified into one of five surface, using a straight line edge categories: slow, medium-slow, medium, medium-fast and fast, and listed on the ITF website: www.itftennis.com/techni- Paribas venues as well as national tennis installed by Spade Oak at the Eton cal/equipment/courts/courtlist.asp centres. To date, One-Star ITF Recognition Manor site in the Olympic Park, and four has been issued to the centre court at the courts at the Tennis Park club in Moscow, WHO CAN APPLY FOR La Caja Magica (Magic Box) stadium in installed by Concept 90. ITF RECOGNITION? Madrid (home of the Madrid Masters ten- An application for ITF Recognition ITF Recognition is targeted at venues nis tournament) and two indoor courts can be submitted by any party associated where the standard of play is high and at the UK’s Lawn Tennis Association’s Na- with the tennis facility, for example the the quality of the court is therefore tional Tennis Centre in Roehampton. owner, the organiser of a tournament most important. These include the Davis Two-Star ITF Recognition has been held at that facility, or the supplier or Cup by BNP Paribas and Fed Cup by BNP awarded to all nine match courts installer of the court. One-Star tests are carried out by an ITF-approved test organisation, such as a surveying company, or an ITF-accredited A working group of facilities experts from major tennis- laboratory. Two-Star tests are conducted playing nations have helped to design and develop an by an ITF-accredited laboratory, which are listed on the ITF website: international Facilities Guide which represents best practice www.itftennis.com/technical/research/ recognition/labs.asp 56 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Taking Care of Britain’s Sports Surfaces. We restore, clean, repair and maintain synthetic AMB Sports are committed to the sports surfaces – all supported by a personal service development and and quality of care that you won’t find with any other construction of high synthetic surface maintenance company. quality sports facilities and surfaces to ensure the ultimate in sporting REPLAY Maintenance Ltd performance and Wesley House, Whittle Close, enjoyment is achieved. Newark, NG24 2DY 01636 640506 [email protected] www.ambsports.com www.replaymaintenance.co.uk N P TIO RO A TE V C O T I N O N I N C ALL-ROUND Y H T I O L I EXCELLENCE A C E U Q SAFETY TM EA EN R T High durability fencing T G YEARS E U and safety solutions A E R A N T VICE L You’ll be secure in the knowledge you’ve R IF E E made the right choice with Jacksons. We’ve S G YEARS E U A E been crafting the highest quality sports fencing and R A N T enclosures for three generations – unique surround designs that fi t your needs precisely, installed by specialists and backed by outstanding experience and expertise. To view the full range, visit www.jacksons-security.co.uk Call 01233 750393 for a brochure. Head Offi ce: 992 Stowting Common, Ashford TN25 6BN. Also at Bath and Chester. Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 57 TENNIS CASE STUDY TENNIS PARK, MOSCOW our double, indoor courts at the Tennis Park in Moscow, Russia, in- F stalled by Concept 90, have been awarded Two-Star ITF Recognition. Concept 90 is an active member of the International Tennis foundation (ITF) and the Russian Tennis Federa- tion (RTF). Investing into continuous tennis surface research and develop- ment, the company has developed court surfaces that offer players a good standard of play with a mini- mum chance of injury. Above: The Tennis Park offers children’s These indoor and outdoor surfaces tennis lessons and tournaments. Right: are suitable for tournament, train- The court testing process took a team of ing and recreational use and include ITF technicians two days to complete acrylic RuKort, PVC RuKort, artificial turf RuKortGrass and red artificial turf RuKortXClay, which is an imitation of competitions within the facility, in accor- clay court and RuKortTenisit. dance with ITF Tennis 10s rules. The surface installed at the Ten- Upon completion, the four double court nis Park in Moscow is RukortTour, a surfaces received ITF Two-Star Recognition hard, acrylic surface on 55mm rubber after a testing process that took two days. matting. It is ITF certified and used This process involved a team of ITF techni- tennis tournaments for young play- for tennis tournaments across Russia, cians who visually checked that the court ers. These include the All Russia Tennis Croatia and Kazakhstan. surfaces were uniform, free of gaps and Tournament, which involves 120 play- The company designed, built and cracks and that there was no deviation of ers aged between nine and 12 years installed a 138m x 37.5m air hall en- evenness, slope and planarity. Tests were old and a monthly Tennis 10s tourna- compassing 10 courts (four double also conducted at key spots across the ment for six- to seven-year-olds. An and six single). The air structure took courts and ball pace was measured. Amateur tennis tournament and the 25 days to build and the tennis sur- The Tennis Park markets these courts Russia Cup is also hosted at the facility. facing 15 days. Part of this process for use by children, young adults and dis- Using its links with the Russian Tennis involved adjusting the dimensions abled players. As well as hosting tennis Federation, the Tennis Park is currently and marking some of the standard- coaching sessions and fun activities, the planning a children’s tennis camp at sized courts to allow for children’s facility operator also organises regular Tennis Centre Makarska in Croatia. The ITF charges a US$500 (£391) admin- those wanting to build a tennis court and istration fee to add a facility (any number offers information about layout design of courts at the same location) that and choosing and maintaining surfaces: meets the relevant specifications to the www.itftennis.com/technical/facilities official ITF Recognition list. The cost of The Suppliers’ Directory allows users testing is determined by the laboratory to search for tennis facility products and and is available on application. services and identify ITF-Recognised sup- pliers: http://tds.itftennis.com FACILITIES GUIDE For more information, please email AND DIRECTORY [email protected] or visit the ITF The ITF has established a working group website: www.itftennis.com l of facilities experts from major tennis- playing nations to design and develop * US$30bn (£18.9bn) is a ballpark figure an international Facilities Guide, which produced from an estimate of 750,000 represents ‘best practice’ from around courts worldwide at an average cost of the world. It’s a simple reference for US$40,000 (£25,000) per court. The num- ber of courts is based on a survey of the The position of the court markings ITF member nations in 2004/2005. and net are checked to ensure that they are within tolerance Jamie Capel-Davies is science and technical manager at the ITF 58 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 NATURAL TURF A year in the life of a volunteer groundsman Andy Spetch s an ex-rugby player, an active club member and armed with RECENT IOG VOLUNTEER GROUNDSMAN OF THE YEAR a bit of soil and grass knowl- WINNER, ANDY SPETCH, SHARES HIS ANNUAL SPORTS A edge, my life as a volunteer groundsman began at Bury St Edmunds PITCH STRATEGY AT BURY ST EDMUNDS RUGBY CLUB Rugby Club five years ago. The Haberden’s playing fields and clubhouse has been home to Bury St Ed- sports surface needs and objectives and to ensure good root establishment munds Rugby Club since 1963. During the subsequently developed a strategy to and growth. 1970s, the club raised funds to rebuild achieve the club’s ambition to become a Addressing these issues, I was then its playing facilities and redevelop the premier club in the eastern counties. able to design an annual maintenance clubhouse, which was further extended This strategy addressed the need to budget and present it to the club commit- in the 1980s. In 2006, with the aid of a extend our existing knowledge – by en- tee. The £6,500 budget included £1,000 grant from the Rugby Football Union listing help from club contacts to secure to self-install a pop-up irrigation system (RFU), the club added a three-quarter- a pitch budget, develop a maintenance and £5,500 for spring maintenance. This size 3G synthetic pitch to its existing programme and establish a pitch policy. plan was based on saving the club money three full-sized pitches and introduced As well as receiving support from club in subsequent years by reducing seeding mini rugby into the club on the six acres suppliers, colleagues and fellow club costs through increased turf emergence, of surrounding playing fields. members – including plumbers and establishment and growth. Today, the club encompasses a first, farmers who were happy to offer their second and third 15 squad, the Bury Fox- equipment – I also received invaluable THE STARTING POINT es Ladies team, as well as a veterans team training and support from the Institute In February 2007, a verti drainer was and a youth section. of Groundsmanship (IOG). used to break up both surface and deep The first 15 pitch hosts 30 games a compaction. This then allowed for the year, plus first team run throughs on a EXPERT ADVICE planning of end of season maintenance training night, pitches two and three ac- A big turning point in my turf education for that first year, which included: commodate 84 games each season, plus was meeting turf consultant Alex Vickers, UÊ over-seeding all pitches at a rate mid-week training, while the 3G pitch is while attending an IOG Winter Games of 25g/m2 with a dwarf perennial used for training. The club also hosts the pitch level 1 course. ryegrass ULR7s – the biggest Rugby Sevens event The three key issues that stuck in my UÊ topdressing at a rate of 80t-100t per in the East of England. mind thereafter were: pitch with an 80 per cent sandy loam UÊ the importance of a pitch dressing from British Sugar TOPSOIL. NEEDS ASSESSMENT maintenance plan The top dressing was applied after When I took on the groundcare role, UÊ the need to aerate pitches seeding to cover the seed and retain I decided to sit in on club committee on a regular basis moisture around the seed. Because of meetings to better understand the club’s UÊ the need to provide proper irrigation budgetary restraints no fertiliser was Volunteers: the linchpins of on first-class surfaces week in, week out the groundscare industry throughout the year,” says Webb. According to Geoff Webb, CEO of the “Many are retired grounds profession- Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), als or ex-sportsmen, such as renowned Andy Spetch is one of thousands of like- England cricketer Ray Illingworth – or, minded volunteers (at the last count an like Andy Spetch, involved in sports estimated 20,000) who diligently work clubs or connected to the industry via ‘under the radar’ on sports playing sur- their day jobs. Their IOG membership faces throughout the country. benefits offer a broad spread of services “Often working within minimal budgets and information sources, substantial and with the bare necessities of essen- discounts on training and education and Bury St Edmunds first tial equipment, these willing volunteers access to the recently launched Turfcare 11 versus Eton Manor play an indispensable role in ensuring Advisory Service. on their home ground, that a wide range of sports are played Visit www.iog.org for further information cared for by Andy 60 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Sports Pitches Get it right first time The ideal foundation for soil-based pitches s #OMPLIES TO "3 Regular aeration s $ERIVED FROM PRIME ARABLE encourages deep roots, which helps the grass soil, not muckaway recover from damage s #OMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS applied in this first year and later that Having rear lift arms on the tractor has s #ONSISTENT SINGLE SOURCE summer, with help from club members, a enabled the club to buy a tool bar, which product pop-up irrigation system was installed. can hold either a slitter or a scarifier. This Since 2007, the savings made in seeding means that mowing and slitting can be has allowed the groundsteam to ferti- done together, which has saving a huge lise the pitches with (typically) a spring amount of time and labour. dressing of a 12.6.6 blend at a rate of The slitter helps to relieve surface com- 30g/m2 followed by a further dressing, paction to a depth of 6cm. The scarifier is at a rate of 35g/m2 of the same blend in used to remove debris on the natural turf the autumn, which has helped promote pitches and to de-compact the 3G pitch. healthier growth. This application rate was based on soil analysis that I’ve done THE OUTCOME independently and having the soil tests By working in accordance with the annu- has allowed me to shop around for prices. al maintenance plan we have seen spring I’ve also varied the depth and type of maintenance budgets reduced from de-compaction by alternating between £5,500 in 2008 to £4,000 in 2011. The using a verti drainer and a groundbreak- bulk of these savings have come from er – as I find that their different modes of a reduction in the amount of seed re- For repairing action complement each other. quired each year. The seed rate has been high wear areas and reduced from 25g/m2 to 10g/m2 on the as a maintenance dressing MECHANICAL ASSISTANCE first 15 and the second team pitches. In 2009, the club made its first purchase The pop-up irrigation system has en- of turf care equipment. This was a 24hp sured that the maximum germination Call us now on: mower tractor with rear lift arms. This and establishment of the seed is gained. second-hand unit cost £3,500 from a lo- The regular aeration encourages deep 0870 240 2314 cal John Deere agent. Previous to buying rooting and healthy grass, which is better the mower, all the pitches and surround- able to survive and recover from damage. ing grass areas were regularly cut by a Aeration to depth and surface slitting www.bstopsoil.co.uk local contractor at an annual cost also stops water-logging and promotes a of around £4,000. drier, higher-quality playing surface. L Landscape20 and Sports10 are registered trademarks of British Sugar plc Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 PLAY Karen Maxwell talks to the newly-appointed director of Play England about why children’s needs should be at the heart of a community CATH PRISK Can you tell me about your career London and the Southwest Regional background and your interest in play? Development Agencies – looking at skills I was assistant director to Adrian Voce policies and programmes that brought (former director), we then job shared together different local partnerships to for six months before I took over as the deliver region-wide projects to support full-time director of Play England in Sep- people and skills. tember last year. I also set up the consultation process Prior to this, I was deputy head of two that set the priorities for skills that un- children’s centres in Hackney and worked derpinned the parameters for the last for Lifelong Learning UK as policy man- round of European Social Funding in Lon- getting everyone to work together to ager. Before that, I spent six years in the don and supported the government in help each other. Tackle the little problem developing the FE workforce strategy for of whether your kid can play out on the the previous administration. pavement and you are on your way to I started my career as a primary school building a more child-friendly community. teacher in North Yorkshire. Can you explain your recent call for What’s Play England’s vision community action to help children for play in this country? embrace outdoor play? Our vision is for England to be a country We want today’s children to have the where everybody can fully enjoy their same opportunities to play outdoors that right to play throughout their childhood their parents did. Play is essential for chil- and teenage years. We look to work with dren’s health and happiness, for making local, regional and national partners – friends, building skills for the future and and families – across England to increase feeling part of the community. Research children’s freedom to play, focusing on shows however, that just 21 per cent of time, space and opportunities. children play outdoors every day com- I’ve always been interested in how dif- pared with 71 per cent of their parents ferent groups come together to make a when they were young. One third of community work and how children are today’s children say they’ve never built always at the heart. It takes a village to a den, 32 per cent say they have never raise a child – an old saying, but it’s as climbed a tree and one in 10 children true today as it ever was. Children need has never ridden a bike. to grow up somewhere where they feel As part of the Free Time Consortium, Play is essential for safe and secure, where they know their we’ve been awarded £2m from the Min- making friends and neighbours and have space to roam. istry of Civil Society to get more people building children’s skills It’s not about diving in with loads of involved in creating invaluable oppor- for the future money to solve big problems, it’s about tunities for children to play outside. 62 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 ALL PICS: PLAY ENGLAND If children feel welcome in their local adventure playgrounds, they know their voice is being heard within the community Our aim is to make it easy for people police support and the introduction of We launched Love Outdoor Play, the to find out where they can volunteer play rangers into parks that make places public-facing campaign in January and or get involved in making their own playful, and increase children’s and young already have more than 1,000 new sup- neighbourhood a better place to play. people’s sense of shared ownership. porters. The loveoutdoorplay.net blog The campaign – Love Outdoor Play – is We’re also very aware of the success of site is developing as a community space, backed by the Get Involved in Play pro- intergenerational projects. There’s a gen- providing examples and encouragement gramme, which will generate more than uine warmth about the place when the to all those who believe children should 20,000 opportunities to get involved – be outside more. We’ll be putting up ranging from an afternoon helping out stories about the difference volunteering to long term volunteering placements. “It’s important that around play can make to communities I think that society is changing, but and individuals – including blogs about there’s a recognition that we went too young people feel secure celebrity volunteers including P Diddy at far with the ‘health and safety gone in these community Toffee Park in Islington, London and the mad’ brigade. Increasingly it’s acknowl- singer from Alabama 3 at the Triangle edged that children need challenge and environments to help them Adventure Park in south London. opportunity – but they also need to be build better relationships part of a loving community. We all know How is the play sector coping with plenty of single mums who have good, in the future“ the government’s funding cuts? strong networks and we also know two- The play sector as a whole is facing a parent families who don’t. very difficult time. This was made harder If children and young people feel whole community gets involved in a proj- when the funding for the evaluation of welcome in their streets, in local adven- ect – such as people volunteering their the previous investment in play was cut, ture playgrounds and parks; have places website expertise or gardening skills. so we can’t show the hard evidence of where they can climb trees, try parkour It’s important that young people feel the difference it is making. and learn to skateboard – they know secure in these community environments We know that children are using their voice is being heard and that mas- to help them build better relationships in neighbourhood play areas, playgrounds sively reduces the likelihood of anti-social the future and many older people find it and child-friendly parks more often and behaviour. This is further enhanced by a real lifeline to engage with youngsters. that they’re making the communities feel Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 63 PLAY Children should be allowed to take part in risky play to develop essential skills safer and nicer places to live in, but we don’t have the ‘hard’ statistics to prove it. While we had the national play strat- egy, we knew that all 364 district and unitary councils had a play strategy that brought together their built environ- ment planning strategies and their child care and out of school strategies. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is for a local authority to have some think- ing about how the needs of children and young people are met in the outdoor Local authorities need to address children’s needs in the outdoor environment environment. We want to know that all departments link into a play strategy, not adventure play sessions after school and in whole park will be child-friendly and that just the children’s services teams. the holidays remain free for all children. at least 20 play spaces will be built across The Play England team did an ‘unsci- the whole area, with the Play England entific’ ring round every local authority So how can a community make the Design Guide and Managing Risk in Play we’ve had a relationship with and we most of its play provision? Provision Guide shaping the design and now think that just 20 per cent still have It’s important that a community rallies development of each space. a play strategy in place. That could be cut around their local provision and finds the The Park’s North Hub will offer a desti- again this summer with the next round right way of investing into it. This might nation site for older children aged eight of redundancies. mean setting up a strong community to 15 years and this will include a commu- However, these lean times are also committee, which can apply for local or nity centre and café area. The South Hub witness to some real innovation. Dudley, voluntary sector trust funding. It might play provision will be located near to the which at the height of the play strategy be that local businesses club together Anish Kapor Sculpture and will offer play in 2009 was awarded a £2.5m govern- because they recognise the benefit of in- structures for younger children. ment grant and leveraged a further creased footfall in that area. More bridges are being built to pro- £8m investment from health, housing, Last year we worked with 20 local com- vide easier access to the Park from section 106s and private sector inves- munities to think about how they could surrounding boroughs and we’re looking tors, developed a wonderful playground come together to retain and sustain their at ways to support local play associa- that catered to both able-bodied and local play provision. On the back of that tions and others in ensuring that there disabled children. Faced with redundan- we developed a practice guidance for are safe, playful routes in and out of the cies when local authority funding was parish councillors on how to look after park for post-Games use. stopped, the playground manager set play, form ‘friends of the parks’ groups While the future of some develop- up an on-site catering business to run and how to use social media to raise ment platforms within the Park are private parties and rent out the space to awareness of the play provision. We’ve being decided, we’d like to see tempo- local schools, conference organisers and got some great practice guidance for rary adventure playgrounds erected in team building challenges. Consequently communities on our website at: these spaces. These could be designed by the play area now generates a turnover www.playengland.org.uk. the whole community and could poten- of £120,000 a year. tially allow for play features to run along This sort of entrepreneurialism won’t be What are the plans for play a play route that stretched from Tower right for every community play space, but provision in the Olympic Park? Bridge, through the Olympic Park and out it’s what the community around that play- The Olympic Park Legacy Company through Epping Forest – making it the ground chose as the means to ensure the (OPLC) has assured us that eventually the world’s biggest and best play facility. L 64 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 SPLASH IT TIP IT SPRAY IT SQUIRT IT 9 bring life to your pool 9 replace old water features :11J$]C:7]`Q011QJ :JR:`R 9 create revenue through play 9 latest interactive water technology The API is the lead trade body 9 designs to suit all pool types standards with all members’ ; " " Q`IQ`V1J`Q`I:QJ :JR:`%CCC1 Q`IVIGV` HQI]:J1V011 .V Tel: +44 (0) 1752 771740 QJC1JV: 71118:]1R]C:78Q`$ the VRV`:QJQ` ]Q` :JRC:7 E: [email protected] W: www.hippoleisure.com QH1:QJ^ _ " Photo: Seamus Ryan. Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland). Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 65 SPORT SPECIFIC - TRIATHLON With the growth of triathlon participation increasing at both amateur and elite levels, there’s a clear opportunity for leisure centre operators to introduce triathlon training and events within their facilities. Nicola Joyce reports TRIATHLON TRAINING fficial figures from the Brit- Driving loyalty “Offering sessions across any combina- ish Triathlon Federation – the Although triathlon is an outdoor sport, tion of the swim/bike/run trio will attract sport’s national governing training lends itself well to a club setting. those interested in triathlons. O body (NGB) – suggest a large Triathletes need to train in indoor pools “Additionally, operators could use proportion of a leisure centre or health and can benefit from indoor cycling ses- strength and conditioning sessions, club’s members will train for at least one sions and running training on a track or Spinning and pilates as a draw. Triath- triathlon this year. The fastest-growing treadmill. Outdoor bike and run groups letes are a very dynamic group of people sport in Britain, triathlon’s popularity also need a base, as do existing local – typically ABC1s – who are willing to em- shows absolutely no sign of waning, with triathlon clubs, which are often keen to brace any new idea which will help them London 2012 predicted to boost interest partner with facilities that have a pool. perform better.” at amateur level. According to Mark Barfield, director For those not yet involved in triathlon, In 2010/2011, British Triathlon recorded of development at British Triathlon and to whom it can be a daunting prospect, a 15.7 per cent increase in membership director of operations at Triathlon Eng- offering a first step within the familiar numbers, with a surprisingly equal split land: “Operators can offer their facility surroundings of their existing leisure cen- across genders (59 per cent male, 41 per as a meeting point for bike and run ses- tre or health club removes the pressure cent female). The largest age group rep- sions and, if they have a pool, that’s an of committing to an event or joining a resented is the cash-rich, goal-focused obvious benefit. Access to pool time is, triathlon club as a newcomer. This can 35- to 44-year-old category. he says, always an issue for triathletes. help build confidence and a sense of community – key to the success of an in- club triathlon club. Operators across the country are already grasping the opportunities presented by the public’s passion for triathlon. Barfield has spearheaded a triathlon partnership with David Lloyd Leisure (DLL) and is keen to partner with any operators who want to tap into tri- athlon. “By supporting the development of in-club triathlon clubs, we can gener- ate new training environments and the operators can attract new participants,” Outdoor bike and run groups need a Not all clubs are able to offer a pool as he explains. “The initiative with DLL is base, as do existing triathlon clubs who part of a triathlon training programme, still in its infancy, but anecdotal evidence are often keen to partner up but those who can stand to benefit suggests that clients will use the gym more often and are more likely to renew 66 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Triathlon gives people the chance to be part of something that becomes a lifestyle ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ DAVID MANTON Triathlon – combining running, cycling and swimming events – is the fastest-growing sport in the UK their membership, if they take part in ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ALAIN LAUGA other activities offered within the club.” Not only that, but members of in-club clubs also take part in social activities, building a sense of community and buy- in and further boosting retention. “Triathlon gives people the chance to be part of something, which then be- comes their lifestyle. This can only be a good thing for club operators,” says Ju- lian Nagi, the British Triathlon Federation British Triathlon is keen to work with any venue Level 3 coach who heads up the in-club wishing to run multi-sport activities. We’re happy to triathlon club at The Park Club, part of The Hogarth Group. “Our triathlon set-up help any club operator generate a triathlon club helps with club loyalty. There’s no ques- tion that it keeps members coming back for more, renewing their membership Taylor believes the main considerations “Not all clubs will have a pool,” agrees fees each year and passing on positive for operators wanting to set up an in- Nagi. “They could offer specific running word-of-mouth recommendations.” club triathlon group are time, space and or Spinning sessions, or recruit triathlon credible trainers. “As long as you have cy- coaches to organise outdoor group bike Training and events cles or Spin bikes and treadmills, you can and run sessions. Duathlon (run/bike/run) Andrew Taylor is sports manager at DLL do this,” he says. “I’d advise operators to is a good way to encourage people to Hampton. His club offers a weekly swim- look at peak and off-peak membership try multi-sport. Some may then want to ming session, plus another session in and consider whether to offer sessions move onto triathlon.” the week that covers either running or for both. We have no specific zones as As Barfield suggests, facilities can also cycling on a fortnightly rotation. There is we do the training at a time that won’t offer triathlon events themselves or in no additional charge to members. “We affect other gym users. Outdoor sessions partnership with local triathlon clubs, see the triathlon club as another benefit can also be done if the trainer and mem- providing an opportunity to drive reve- to DLL members who are looking for bers are happy to do so. nue as well as retention. “The multi-sport more intensive group training,” Taylor “Having a pool is a big help, although nature of triathlon lends itself to many says. “As we do not charge, we receive you can just offer training for run and opportunities: a dry triathlon challenge no direct extra revenue. However, we bike. Staff don’t need to have specialist in the gym, an aquathlon (swim/run), a believe that the extra sense of achieve- training for run and bike, although it helps full triathlon or any combination of the ment will encourage participants to if they have some experience, as members three sports,” says Barfield. “British Tri- keep their membership.” will have more belief in the trainer.” athlon is keen to work with any venue Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 67 SPORT SPECIFIC - TRIATHLON As triathlon wishing to run multi-sport activities. clubs grow in We’re happy to help any club operator to size, there will generate a triathlon club. Our partner- be further ship with DLL is non-exclusive, and we’ve commercial seen the in-club club model work across opportunities diverse locations. We can offer training for the host for coaches and best practice guidance.” training facility Nagi suggests operators begin by work- ing with triathlon coaches in their area, who will be full of ideas and contacts. The multi-sport “You need someone with vision to get nature of triathlon things moving,” he comments. “We have lends itself to many an amazing facility here, with an outdoor event opportunities and an indoor pool, huge gym and beauti- ful grounds with a running trail. We have all the ingredients to make it work. We do makes us perfectly placed to intro- that triathlon represents exciting op- now run three triathlons, a duathlon and duce further activities to school groups.” portunities for member retention and two children’s aquathlons every year.” Meanwhile, Leisure Connection part- revenue, not to mention less measurable ners with existing local triathlon clubs – but no less valuable – benefits: custom- Revenue driver by offering venue facilities for training er loyalty, improved club visibility and Everyone Active (SLM) is the first lei- and events. The Lord Butler Centre in strong links with the community. With sure management group to work with Essex has run the Walden Triathlon for the 2012 Games almost upon us, there’s Triathlon England on a national level, 11 years. “The centres get revenue from never been a better time to get involved cross-promoting its in-house triathlon the triathlon clubs when they hire the in triathlon. initiative with the NGB. Group exercise pool and sports hall,” says Kevin Grant, ”The London Olympic Games is pre- development manager Michelle Bletso contract manager. “Some of the triathlon dicted to generate a 10 per cent rise in pioneered the relationship, and feels club members are also members of the the numbers of people wanting to get that working in partnership with an NGB centre and use the facilities in addition to involved in triathlon and multi-sport, allows the group to offer more to mem- their club nights. Good relationships with whether mass-participation races or ama- bers. “Everyone Active has started to such clubs is fundamental for our success teur training,” says John Lunt, triathlon train staff to run official triathlon train- and integral to our values as a PFI site.” manager for the London 2012 Olympics. ing sessions at our centres with a view to Grant says relationships with success- “This represents a huge opportunity for rolling this out across the group,” she ex- ful external triathlon clubs are easy to club and gym operators who have time plains. “We will also have an interactive maintain. “They are serious about their and space at their facility that could be online programme with downloadable training. As long as excellent customer ser- used for multi-sport sessions. triathlon training plans for members. vice is always present, there is no reason “Triathletes tend to be affluent, “In addition, Everyone Active provides for the relationship to falter. As triathlon group-focused, sociable people who are local triathlon groups with pool and stu- clubs grow in size, there will be further highly committed to their training and to dio training space, so they can grow the commercial opportunities; increasing the the sport in the long-term. It is my view number of training sessions they run. amount of pool space they use and the that any gym offering in-house triath- This is a great way of generating income frequency with which they visit the centre. lon club sessions will not only benefit in for the sites during downtime, while pro- It’s a great revenue-generation tool.” terms of revenue and retention, but will viding a service for winter training. We also deliver an important bonus to its have also been asked to host the county Clear benefits membership. In turn, operators will help Aquathlon Championships in 2012, which With around 350 triathlon clubs affili- us make triathlon more accessible.” L will have a number of schools taking ated to British Triathlon, and 14,298 NGB part. All the children’s activities work we members recorded in 2010/2011, it’s clear Nicola Joyce is a freelance journalist 68 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Organised by: Got something to shout about? LIW is the perfect platform for your new products Contact [email protected] to get your company in front of more than 9,000* budget holders looking to invest in a product like yours. follow us @l_i_w liw.co.uk * ABC audit for LIW 2011 (20-22 September 2011). Total atendance: 9,064. Visitor attendance: 7,177. Exhibitor attendance: 1,877. 4HE LATEST NEWS AND VIEWS FROM 3!0#! 7ORLD RECORD HOLDER ON BOARD WITH 3!0#! Former 5000m world record holder and Com- monwealth gold medallist, David Moorcroft OBE, has joined the Board of SAPCA (The Sports and Play Construction Association). Moorcroft is best known for his world record- breaking exploits on the athletics track – breaking the world record for 5000m in 1982. Since then, he has covered athletics events for the BBC, de- veloped the Coventry Sports Foundation – which owns and operates three major sports facilities in the Coventry area – and led UK Athletics as &ORMER /LYMPIAN $AVID -OORCROFT /"% WILL RAISE 3!0#!lS PROFILE IN SPORT its chief executive. He is also the chair of the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Moorcroft will take up his role with immediate SAPCA is the recognised trade association for Games, an organisation set up to lead and drive effect. Commenting on his appointment, David organisations involved in building sports and play forward 2012 activity in the region. said: “I have known SAPCA for several years, facilities. Its role is to raise standards, regulate CEO of SAPCA, Chris Trickey, said: “As an as a result of my development of indoor facili- the industry, improve skills, promote research, independent director David will represent the ties on behalf of UK Athletics, and I have always liaise with sports and governing bodies, and be voice of sport on the SAPCA Board – a role for been impressed with its drive and enthusiasm the voice of the industry. Its aim is to ensure that which he is ideally suited with his extensive ex- in raising the quality of construction standards only high quality facilities are built at all levels of perience in both athletics and the boardroom. in the industry.” sport, physical activity, recreation and play. “He also brings a passion for ensuring that “My role will be to insure that the profile of The move to recruit Moorcroft to the SAPCA quality sports and play facilities should be avail- the organisation and its relationships with exter- Board follows an extensive strategic review by the able throughout the UK and will draw on his nal bodies is good and that there is open dialogue. organisation, the results of which was unveiled at experience of sports administration, funding and I want to ensure that the sporting world always its Annual Conference in January 2012 and high- developing top quality sports amenities.” refers to SAPCA when developing its facilities.” lighted by SAPCA chair Eric Page (opposite). 3!0#! CONTINUES TO GROW With more than 240 organisations now members, SAPCA continues to demonstrate that fostering excellence, professionalism and continuous improvement reaps benefits – not only for sports and play construction companies but, more importantly, for the specifier, buyer and user of sports and play facilities THE LATEST NEW SAPCA Reflex Sports Ltd – design, MEMBERS ARE: testing and supplier of timber/ hardwood and PU sports flooring 6ALUABLE RESOURCE FOR THE ABG Ltd – manufacture and supply Sekisui Alveo AG – providers of of geosynthetics high-performance polyolefin foam SPORTS AND PLAY INDUSTRY ACT Global Sports BV – international Specialist Sports Surfaces Ltd – manufacturers of artificial turf installers of synthetic surfaces The new SAPCA website is a valuable resource for Ecosse Sports Ltd – specialists Verde Recreo Ltd – artificial grass anyone involved in specifying, designing, building, in sports surfacing installation design, construction and refurbishment buying and maintaining sports and play facilities. Genan A/S – manufacturers of The University of Nottingham – The website, which has been totally re- high quality rubber granulate physical recreation and sport department designed, includes codes of practice for the Gewiss UK Ltd – lighting manufacturer construction and maintenance of different Global Maintenance Ltd – specialists For details of all sports and play facilities, information leaflets in sports surface maintenance SAPCA members, and guides, details of forthcoming events, help – scan the QR code or with finding a supplier or product and train- R&J Hill Engineering Ltd visit www.sapca.org.uk manufacturers of sports equipment ing scheme or qualifications information. Visit www.sapca.org.uk 70 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 ,OOKING FOR A SUPPLIER )NTERESTED IN BECOMING A 3!0#! MEMBER 4EL o WWWSAPCAORGUK .EW SPORTS FACILITY .INE MONTHS INTO HIS ROLE AS CHAIR SHOWS ANNOUNCED OF 3!0#! 3PORTS -ANAGEMENT ASKS SAPCA has announced the launch of the Sports %RIC 0AGE WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO Facility Show – a new event aimed specifically SEE FROM 3!0#! IN THE FUTURE at those who buy, design, operate or maintain sports and play areas. The Sports Facility Show will be replacing SAPCA’s long running Sports Facility Con- struction events and will be taking a new format TURNING A NEW PAGE – details of which will be announced shortly. The first event will be held at Cheltenham 7HAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF #AN YOU GIVE MORE DETAILS Racecourse on Tuesday 15 May 2012. The sec- THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS OF THE 0ITCH AND 4RACK ond event will be at Salford City Stadium in The main focus for the board has been the re- 2EGISTRATION 3CHEME Manchester on Tuesday 12 June 2012. view of SAPCA’s strategic direction. It’s vitally All members within the Pitch and Track divi- ■ More details are available by emailing important that the association continues to sion of SAPCA will have to register any pitches [email protected] develop with a clear vision, agreed objectives (more than 3,000sq m) and athletics tracks and a sound business plan. As a membership that they build. SAPCA will then contact the body representing more than 200 companies end customer to advise what will be expected and organisations, it’s essential that we fully from the SAPCA member in terms of quality understand the needs and views of the indus- standards and Codes of Practice. $R 3TEPH try, in order to prioritise our future activities SAPCA will independently inspect a per- &ORRESTER FROM 34) PROMOTES – especially at a time when the marketplace centage of these projects at random times RESEARCH WORK faces new challenges. during the build, ensuring that these standards ON THE DESIGN As part of this work we undertook valu- are met. If customers are unhappy at any point OF SPORTS able market research with sports bodies, EQUIPMENT consultants, specifiers and a cross sec- tion of member companies. In essence, we proposed that SAPCA’s strategic 3!0#! )3 2!)3).' 4(% '!-% direction should be re-focused around its 7)4( 2%'!2$ 4/ 15!,)49 vital work to raise standards of sports and play facilities, the strengthening of the as- p %.352).' 4(!4 /.,9 sociation’s Quality Assurance system and 4(% ()'(%34 34!.$!2$3 more effective communication of SAPCA’s work across the marketplace to members’ /& 30/24 &!#),)4)%3 !2% customers and to the various sports, play "5),4 "9 /52 -%-"%23 and funding bodies. (OW DO YOU PROPOSE TO RAISE QUALITY STANDARDS they can contact SAPCA to discuss the issues. 5+ EXPERTISE It’s SAPCA’s responsibility to ensure that our At the end of the project, SAPCA will contact members perform to certain standards. To do the customer for feedback. LEADS THE WORLD this we ask all members to work to a Code of The scheme is a great example of how Professional Conduct and we are constantly SAPCA is raising its game with regard to A contingent of overseas UK Trade & Invest- adding new Codes of Practice for the design quality and we want to show the sports ment (UKTI) officers recently visited the UK and construction of facilities. Again, all SAPCA sector that SAPCA does have teeth and will for a week’s insight into the sports facility members adhere to these codes. use them to ensure that only the highest stan- and equipment market – an area of particular In these uncertain times we also now un- dards of sports and play facilities are built by British expertise. dertake credit checks of all members once a our members. Hosted by the Sports Technology Institute year, which hopefully helps to give our mem- (STI) at Loughborough University, the trade of- bers’ customers peace of mind. The scheme, %XCITING TIMES THEN ficers attended from as far afield as Russia, Brazil, operated through Experian, provides a financial Definitely – we are looking to make SAPCA an the UAE, North Africa and Canada, where they stability figure for each member. Any mem- even more respected body within the sports work to promote British expertise and source ber not reaching the minimum figure has their and play facility industry. And, with the addition business opportunities for British companies. membership of SAPCA withdrawn. of Dave Moorcroft to the board, we’ve added SAPCA, which works with the Global Sports During 2012, we’ll be strengthening this sys- another dimension – someone that will be Projects team at UKTI, presented a one-day tem even further. We’re launching a track and the voice of sport and can help SAPCA with seminar to the group. The delegation also visited pitch registration scheme, which is great news for lobbying and linking to key sports bodies. I’m the sports facilities for both London 2012 and the industry and will be invaluable to members as very much looking forward to the future of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. a means of adding value to their projects. sport and SAPCA’s role within it. Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 71 4HE LATEST NEWS AND VIEWS FROM 3!0#! )3 4(% '2!33 !,7!93 '2%%.%2 The use of synthetic turf in football continues to generate much debate, particularly with the growing interest from professional clubs. SAPCA CEO Chris Trickey offers guidance on its development, performance standards and long-term benefits ynthetic turf pitches could be making helps the sector to separate the facts from the turf surfaces and have become very popular a shock comeback if some Football myths regarding this contentious subject. for both football and rugby. Needless to say, League clubs get their way. The de- they perform very much better than the old bate has begun to heat up following -94( p !RTIFICIAL TURF PITCHES sand-filled surfaces installed at a number of 3a decision by clubs such as Wycombe and Ac- ARE HARD AND PLASTIC professional football clubs in the 1980s. crington to investigate reintroducing synthetic The most significant change over the last de- There have been very significant advances turf pitches. A subsequent Sky Sports debate cade has been the much greater use of ‘third in the yarns and fibres used for synthetic turf called Turf Wars fuelled the debate and all 72 generation’ or 3G synthetic grass surfaces, surfaces. There is now a much wider range of Football League clubs are now being asked to using relatively long-pile, and very sophisticat- yarns available, with different profiles, shapes discuss the issue in three divisional meetings. ed, yarns with rubber and sand in-fills. These and thicknesses, which make it easier to SAPCA, the trade body that represents surfaces have been developed to replicate the achieve the playing performance needed for sports and play facility construction in the UK, playing performance of high-quality natural individual sports, and with greater consisten- cy. Fibres are now also more durable, enabling surfaces to achieve longer life expectancy. -94( p .ATURAL TURF IS ALWAYS BETTER The choice of surface is sometimes presented as a battle between natural and synthetic turf, but few would argue that most players would prefer to play on a top quality natural pitch, if they can. FIFA’s Quality Concept (see box out) seeks to promote football turf mainly in regions where the climate makes it impossible to play matches on good natural turf all year round. A quick look at old footage from Match of the Day will highlight that the quality of natu- ral turf pitches at the top level of the game has improved dramatically over recent years and are a great credit to the groundsmen .ATURAL TURF IS PREFERRED BY MANY SPORTS BUT YEAR ROUND QUALITY CAN BE CHALLENGING PIC: ©WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM 72 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 ,OOKING FOR A SUPPLIER )NTERESTED IN BECOMING A 3!0#! MEMBER 4EL o WWWSAPCAORGUK "ARCELONA &# FORWARD ,IONEL -ESSI PLAYS ON SYNTHETIC &)&! FOOTBALL TURF FIFA QUALITY CONCEPT FOR FOOTBALL TURF he game of football in particular has been quick to recognise the benefits of the new synthetic surfaces. TBoth UEFA and FIFA took a keen interest when the first 3G surfaces appeared on the market and in 2001 FIFA launched its ‘Quality Concept’ for what it termed ‘football turf’. In 2004, the International Football Association Board decided to include football turf in the Laws of the Game. This allowed matches between national teams (whose associations were FIFA members) and international matches between club teams to be officially staged on artificial turf. At the heart of FIFA’s Quality Concept are performance standards for football turf. The international body has used test results, player surveys, medical research and information from the industry to develop its own standards, with the aim of satisfying the most rigorous demands in professional football and further improving the playing conditions and safety of artificial turf pitches. The International Rugby Board (IRB) has also embraced the PIC: ©WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM use of synthetic turf in the official laws and regulations for the sport, allowing the use of synthetic surfaces that comply with the IRB Artificial Rugby Turf Performance Specification, alongside the permitted playing of the game on grass, clay, sand and snow. working on them, but the demand for syn- thetic turf in the UK will continue to be led by football clubs and other facilities where there 4(%3% 352&!#%3 (!6% "%%. $%6%,/0%$ 4/ 2%0,)#!4% is a practical requirement for more intensive 4(% 0,!9).' 0%2&/2-!.#% /& ()'( 15!,)49 .!452!, usage – for football and other activities – and 452& 352&!#%3 !.$ 0%2&/2- -5#( "%44%2 4(!. a need to boost revenue, to help to ensure financial viability. It is inevitable that the argu- 4(% 3!.$ &),,%$ 352&!#%3 ).34!,,%$ ). 4(% 3 ment for synthetic pitches to be used at all levels of football will continue and eventually there will be more regular use of 3G surfaces -94( p !RTIFICIAL TURF PITCHES specialist maintenance companies can provide in the professional game. DONlT NEED MAINTAINING a professional service. If only this were true! In the very early days SAPCA represents suppliers of both natu- -94( p 0LAYERS GET MORE INJURIES of synthetic turf surfaces they were often ral and artificial grass pitches and has further ON SYNTHETIC GRASS PITCHES poorly maintained. However, all artificial grass information at www.sapca.org.uk about both In research undertaken among 290 players pitches do need some routine maintenance options. SAPCA also has Codes of Practice from 10 elite European football clubs and and these costs should be included within for both the construction and maintenance more than 200 players from the Swedish the project budget. of both synthetic and natural turf pitches – Premier League, the incidence of injury during Where clients do not have the expertise recommended reads for anyone considering training and match play was no higher on arti- or willingness to undertake routine turf specifying, buying, operating or maintaining ficial turf than on natural grass! maintenance, the pitch contractor or other such sports facilities. Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 73 4HE LATEST NEWS AND VIEWS FROM 3!0#! 3534!).!",% $2!).!'% &/2 30/243 352&!#%3 SAPCA is working with Loughbrough University on this water management project, Murray Simpson talks us through the issues ith changes in planning rules Institute of Groundsmanship and Sport England 4HE QUALITY OF NATURAL TURF SURFACES and implications of climate – to assess the drainage behaviour of pitches. AFFECT THE STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE change, the management of The project is investigating the fate of rainfall as drainage from sports pitch- it infiltrates through sports pitches en-route to properties of the pitch to be accounted for in 7es is fast becoming an issue for the sports pitch the drainage system and aims to provide useful planning and design assessment. construction industry. The treatment of sports guidance for future pitch design. The work involves three phases: the construc- surfaces as impermeable areas and the tight dis- At present, pitch drainage systems design is tion of an advanced computer model of pitch charge consents granted by local authorities often based on the potential for all the rainfall that drainage behaviour, laboratory tests on material means that costly attenuation systems have to be hits the pitch surface to be discharged via the drainage properties and scale pitch tests as well included in sports pitch construction. But, are drainage system. This criterion, which is imposed as monitoring full pitches by measuring rain fall these complex systems really necessary and could by planning authorities, is a means of restricting and drainage discharges. the money be better spent within the project? significant volumes of surface run-off entering lo- Field monitoring is carried out by installing a cal drainage systems and possibly leading to flash rain gauge and a flow meter (designed by Lough- !$$2%33).' 4(% )335% flooding. This frequently sets low site discharge borough University) at the pitch. This allows the Loughborough University is currently conducting rates and often means expensive attenuation sys- volume of water ‘in’ to be assessed relative to a research project – supported by SAPCA, the tems have to be specified within the pitch design. the volume of water ‘out’. However, there is potential for sports pitches 4YPICAL CATCH PIT FOR INSTALLATION to act as potential sinks for drainage water due '/).' &/27!2$ OF MONITORING EQUIPMENT to their attenuation properties. As the project enters its second year, the project team is looking to collect as much information 02/*%#4 !)-3 and experience as possible from the sports in- Loughborough University’s School of Civil and dustry. The team is currently installing monitoring Building Engineering is currently one year into equipment at sites across the country, but is look- a project that is looking into the drainage be- ing for more sites to take part in the research. If haviour of pitches by applying the principles you have a sports pitch that may be suitable for currently used in the design of Sustainable Urban evaluation contact [email protected]. Drainage systems (SuDs). The aim of the project is to understand in detail the drainage behaviour Murray Simpson is a PhD research student at of pitches and to produce some design guid- Loughborough University’s Department of Civil ance to allow the true drainage behaviour and and Building Engineering 74 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 The Sports and Play Construction the industry, in order to provide the from tennis courts and sports pitches Association, SAPCA, is the high quality facilities necessary for to playgrounds and sports halls. recognised trade organisation for the the success of British sport. SAPCA also represents manufacturers sports and play facility construction SAPCA represents a wide range of and suppliers of related products, industry in the UK. SAPCA fosters specialist constructors of natural and and independent consultants that excellence, professionalism and synthetic sports surfaces, including offer professional advice on the continuous improvement throughout both outdoor and indoor facilities, development of projects. PRINCIPAL CONTRACTORS KEY Construction, Design & Charles Lawrence Tennis Courts A Tennis Courts 4 Allen Avenue, Quorn, Loughborough, Surfacing of all Sports Facilities. Leicester LE12 8TR Telephone: 0844 448 4370 B Synthetic Pitches Fax: 0844 448 4371 Tel: 01509 563212 email: [email protected] Fax: 01509 561325 C Athletics Tracks Web: www.ambsports.com email: [email protected] D Multi Sports A D A B C D I J K N O P A D I J K P E Natural Sportsturf F Play Surfaces Honours Yard, Lodge Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks HP84AJ To book your advertisement tel: +44(0)1636 615866 T: 01494 766673 F: 01494 766674 in the SAPCA directory call E: [email protected] David on www.charleslawrencesurfaces.co.uk www.thechilterngroup.co.uk +44 (0)1462 471902 A B C D O Q A D I J K O Q S A D J K P DURA-SPORT LTD Unit C2, Chartwell Point, Chartwell Drive Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 2FT T. 0116 281 3200 F. 0116 281 3202 Design, Build & Maintain the Finest E. [email protected] Tennis Courts & Sports Surfaces Tel: (0116) 246 0500 Fax: (0116) 246 1561 Specialist Installers 01621 85 86 86 Email: [email protected] of Synthetic Surfacing for Sport & Play www.etcsports.co.uk www.fossecontracts.co.uk A B D F A B D A D I J K O P S A B C D To book your advertisement in the SAPCA construction maintenance equipment directory call David on St. Peter’s Works, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham GL51 9AL Tel: 01242 513251 Fax: 01242 226396 +44 (0)1462 471902 www.grimshawgroup.co.uk A D E F I J K O Q B D E Q Hunter Construction (Aberdeen) Ltd, Unit 32, Clwyd Close, Centaur House, Hawarden Industrial Est, Thainstone Manor Lane, Hawarden, CH5 3PZ, Business Park, Inverurie T: 01244 533184 Hanslope, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK19 7BX, AB51 5GT F: 01244 533184 POLYTAN SPORTS SURFACES LIMITED Tel: 01908 510414 / 511155 Fax: 01908 511056 E: [email protected] Phone: 0845 224 1416 Fax: 0845 224 1617 Tel: 01467 627290 Fax: 01467 625791 Email: [email protected], Email: [email protected] E-mail:[email protected] www.landunitconstruction.co.uk www.plattconstruction.co.uk www.polytansports.co.uk B D E A D J K P Q B C D O Newbury Berkshire The Sports and Play Construction Association can t: 01635 34521 www.sandcslatter.com [email protected] be contacted on: 024 7641 6316 SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT FOR: L Multi-Sport Facilities Email: [email protected] www.sapca.org.uk L Cricket Facilities L Play and Educational Facilities D F Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 75 ANCILLARY CONTRACTORS, MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS KEY Abacus Lighting Limited G Adhesives Sutton in Ashfield ARTIFICIAL GRASS B&L Fencing Services Ltd Nottinghamshire, NG17 5FT MAINTENANCE Phone: 01527 882101 H Aggregate Producers www.abacuslighting.com www.artificialgrassmaintenance.co.uk Fax: 01527 882123 Tel: 01623 511111 I Equipment Suppliers Fax: 01623 552133 Tel: 01354 65 44 22 www.blfencing.co.uk Email: [email protected] specialist sports surface maintenance Fencing Specialists to the Sports Industry J Fencing Systems K S S J K Floodlighting L Indoor Structures M Paint Manufacturers Bridome Ltd, The Courtyard, Wisley, Surrey GU23 6QL N Screening/Windbreaks Tel +44 (0)1932 350365 Fax +44 (0)1932 350375 !"# ! $%&'(')* www bonaryarns.com e. [email protected] www.bridome.co.uk '%&'(')* O Sports Surface Suppliers O L M P P Surface painting/Line Marking Q Civil Engineers & Sports flooring · Sports surfaces Sports Lighting Specialists Groundworks www.cuphosco.com Tracks for champions R Irrigation & Pumping Design . Manufacture . Install . Maintain www.berleburger.com Tel: 01920 860600 Tel: 01422 200 143 Fax: 01920 485915 S Maintenance Email: [email protected] Tel: 0800 9886370 www.collinson.co.uk Email: [email protected] O L K Fabrieksstraat 13, 8281 BW Genemuiden, To book your advertisement The Netherlands. in the SAPCA directory call Unit 2, Swanston Steadings, 109 Swanston Road, Edinburgh, EH10 7DS T: +31 (0)38 425 00 50 F: +31 (0)38 425 00 51 SUPPLIERS OF ADHESIVES FOR ALL APPLICATIONS Tel: 0131 629 0437 E: [email protected] IN THE SPORTS SURFACE INDUSTRY David on Email: [email protected] Tel: 01889 271751 Fax: 01889 271161 www.edelgrass.com www.envirostik.com Email: [email protected] +44 (0)1462 471902 www.fieldturf.com O G O . $$ GEZOLAN AG T: +41 748 3040 % "$ '&*( *+# ! (-'( '% Switzerland email: ")"* ,,,! (-'( '+# www.gezolan.ch [email protected] O O I O P I " !#$ High quality sports posts, ! $ nets and tennis court equipment $ T: 0121 783 0312 "$"$ www.markharrod.comwww.maww maarkharrod.com F: 0121 786 2472 E: [email protected] Products for Sport www.hexasports.co.uk $$$$$ $ " I I J K Sports Facility Construction: Exhibitions & Seminars SAPCA regional exhibitions featuring the leading constructors of sports facilities and suppliers of related products and services, together with seminars on key aspects of sports facility design and construction. FOR FUTURE EXHIBITIONS AND SEMINARS Tel: 024 7641 6316 or Email: [email protected] www.sapca.org.uk 76 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 ANCILLARY CONTRACTORS, MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS Murfitts Industries Limited Station Road, Lakenheath, Suffolk IP27 9AD Temporary Tel: 01842 860220 Fax: 01842 863300 buildings Email: [email protected] www.mri-polytech.com www.neptunus.co.uk O O L O SPORTS PITCH REPLAY Maintenance Ltd www.playrite.co.uk Wesley House, Whittle Close, CONCEPT TO Newark, NG24 2DY CONSTRUCTION 01636 640506 [email protected] www.nottssport.com Tel: 01926 423918 T: +44 [0] 1455 883 730 Taking Care of Britain’s www.obriencontractors.co.uk Sports Surfaces. O Q O I P S 280 Watford Road, St Albans, Herts, Support in Sport (UK) Ltd AL2 3DN Market leaders in the manufacture, design and construction Specialists in Tennis Courts and GG of sports fields and training complexes Multi Use Games Areas (MUGA’s) Tel: 01900 817837 Fax: 01900 817605 Tel: 01727 730707 :CV %]]Q` 1J ]Q` 8HQI email: sales@supportin sport.com [email protected] www.supportinsport.com www.sportscourts.co.uk L O B D E J K O P Q R S A J N P S Surfaces and equipment for sport, play and leisure. Wood, PVC and Linoleum Flooring Solutions for Multiuse, Multisport or Specialist Sports Applications Synthetics sports pitch mainenance experts Tel: 01858 545789 0800 3891490 For more information call 01892 752306 tel:// 08702 400 700 fax:// 08702 400 701 Fax: 01858 545890 www.norsemanstructures.com email [email protected] email:// [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] www.tarkett-sports.com/english web:// www.technicalsurfaces.co.uk I O L O S Thorn Lighting Limited Get it right the first time, use British Sugar TOPSOIL Wright & Maclennan Ltd Durhamgate Camps Industrial Estate Spennymoor Kirknewton, Midlothian, EH27 8DF Co. Durham DL16 6HL T: 01506 881486 F: 01506 883669 Cleaning, marking and lining of sports surfaces Tel: 01388 420042 Fax: 01388 420156 E: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: 01342 311155 Fax: 01342 311156 www.wrightandmaclennan.co.uk www.thornlighting.co.uk Tel: 0870 2402314 www.bstopsoil.co.uk www.white-line-services.com K O I P S J PROFESSIONAL SERVICES To book your advertisement t: 01403 259400 in the SAPCA directory call e: [email protected] www.sportsconsultancy.net David on To book your advertisement in the SAPCA directory call +44 (0)1462 471902 David on Tel: 01536 400012 Fax: 01536 401953 Email: [email protected] +44 (0)1462 471902 www.surfacingstandards.co.uk To subscribe to Sports Management, log on to www.leisuresubs.com email [email protected] tel +44 1462 471913 fax +441462 433909. Annual subscription rates are UK £27, Europe £37 rest of world £58, students UK £13 Sports Management is published each quarter by The Leisure Media Company Limited, Portmill House, Portmill Lane, ,OOKING FOR A SUPPLIER Hitchin, Herts SG5 1DJ, UK and is distributed in the USA by SPP, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid @ Manchester, PA. POSTMASTER. Send US address changes to Sports Management, c/o PO )NTERESTED IN BECOMING Box 437, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. The views expressed in print are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher The Leisure A 3!0#! MEMBER Media Company Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recorded or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright holder. Printed by Manson Group Printers. © Cybertrek Ltd 2012 ISSN 1479/9146 4EL o WWWSAPCAORGUK Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 77 Product round-up sport-kit.net the search engine for leisure buyers Wherever you are in the world, fi nd the right products and services 24 / 7 by logging on to Sport Hexa combination posts Management’s free search for Merseyside school engine www.sport-kit.net Hexa Sports has supplied two bas- ketball/football combination posts to Litherland High School on Merseyside. Gerfl or’s winning The five-a-side goal posts and 8ft bas- solution at Olympic Hall ketball ring were built with a square steel hollow section, galvanized Wilmslow High School in Cheshire throughout and powder-coated in blue specified Gerflor’s Taraflex Sport and yellow. At the client’s request, the M Performance for its new sport hall. posts were also supplied with vinyl cov- The Olympic Hall has been designed ered foam protectors for added safety. to offer four badminton courts, a full basketball court plus practise sport-kit.net KEYWORDS basketball courts, cricket nets and hexa sports volleyball courts with run-off space. The court markings were correctly aligned with the overhead lighting, to- gether with the basketball and netball posts and sockets and the company’s Dry-Tex system was used to install sport-kit.net KEYWORD the flooring. gerfl or Altro Aquarius new for shoe and barefoot use Floodlighting on the New from Altro is Altro Aquarius – a move from I-Lite flooring said to offer guaranteed per- formance in wet or dry conditions for I-Lite is an inflatable, portable flood- both shoe and barefoot use – includ- light from Air Structures International. ing hard soled, rubber and training It is ideal for sports amenity manag- shoes. Highly flexible and capable ers, team trainers and personal trainers of coving and welding easily, it pro- who need fast access to floodlighting in vides a fully integrated wall and floor situations where mains and generator system in conjunction with Altro Whit- power is unavailable or undesirable. It erock wall cladding, for use in wet weighs 10kg, packs into its own small rooms and other areas where safety holdall, takes under three minutes to and hygiene are critical. Available in a erect and provides light output for at range of warm colours, Altro Aquarius least three hours from a full charge. features Altro’s Easyclean Maxis PUR technology, along with integral Altro- sport-kit.net KEYWORDS sport-kit.net KEYWORD san bacteriostat to inhibit the growth air structures altro of organisms such as MRSA. 78 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 SPORTS MANAGEMENT Be seen by over 5,500 active buyers in the most exciting full colour buyer’s guide in the sports industry. Call the Sports Management DIRECTORY team now on +44 (0)1462 431385 Email: [email protected] construction & surfacing fencing manufacturers indoor/outdoor surface line Indoor sports halls/temporary of sports facilities and supplier marking & maintenance or non - traditional structures Cleaning, lining and resurfacing of sports surfaces The best in sports Tel: 0845 058 0644 facilities & surfaces Fax: 0845 862 2640 Email: [email protected] Call 0844 448 4370 www.white-line-services.com 01608 678238 www.ambsports.com [email protected] www.duralock.com to book your advert in the consultants SPORTS MANAGEMENT DIRECTORY Practice Made Perfect Interior " " " " " Call David now on Solutions Tel: 0800 3891490 +44 (0)1462 471902 INTERIOR DESIGN & PROJECT MANAGEMENT lockers/changing rooms RECEPTIONS LOUNGES CAFES BARS " " " "" !" "!" www.norsemanstructures.com CAINE GROVE FIVE OAK LANE STAPLEHURST KENT TN12 0HT Tel: 01730 237100 TEL; 01580 890123 FAX: 01580 893626 www.interior-solutions.co.uk [email protected] CONTACT: ROY ROBERTS Temporary buildings FITLOCKERS Quality Affordable Timber Lockers T: 01923 770435 sales@fi tlockers.co.uk www.fi tlockers.co.uk www.neptunus.co.uk Contact us for a FREE technical design and specification lockers/changing rooms service or a FREE brochure. Tel: 01902 796699 [email protected] G>9<:L6N;JGC>IJG: exercise equipment www.zaun.co.uk 8=6C<>C<HDAJI>DCHIDHJ>I:K:GN7J9<:I indoor flooring UÊÃÌ>>ÌÊEÊ,ivÕÀLÃ iÌ UÊ->`}ÊEÊ-i>}Ê UÊ,i«>ÀÊÊUÊ i>}Ê UÊ >Ìi>ViÊ*À}À>ÃÊ UÊ iÊ >À} UÊiiÀ>Ê i>}ÊEÊÊ ÊÊ >Ìi>ViÊ*À`ÕVÌÃ Tel: 01477 544 149 IZa/%-,%)'%,-&- Email: [email protected] :bV^a/hVaZh5g^Y\ZlVn[b#Xdb lll#g^Y\ZlVn[b#Xdb www.franciscoatings.co.uk Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 79 SPORTS MANAGEMENT DIRECTORY sales & marketing sports equipment suppliers sports surface maintenance & manufacturers The leading manufacturer of netting, posts & sports ground equipment ! $ !" ! Tel 01502 583515 www.harrod.uk.com ! ! " ! " Taking Care of Britain’s 64-0+163 % ! Sports Surfaces. #-4-55,).&5*13/10 Products for Sport REPLAY Maintenance Ltd 777+.8*(1(1/ www.markharrod.com Wesley House, Whittle Close, 01636 640506 Newark, NG24 2DY [email protected] 2&6.'-9)0 +.8*(1(1/ www.replaymaintenance.co.uk ! 01502 710039 surface coatings sports buildings sports ground construction tennis court construction & maintenance SPORTS HALLS ! " # $ $ $$ %$# Specialists in Tennis Court Construction & Maintenance for !"# Local authorities, Councils, Schools, ! Tennis Clubs & the Private Sector the brighter choice! $%&'(')* 01727 730707 Tel 01995 606451 www.sportscourts.co.uk www.collinson.co.uk www.whitehorsecontractors.co.uk sports lighting Book your advert sports flooring on our website and be seen by wet leisure play products over 33,000 buyers every month. Tel: 01623 511111 Fax: 01623 552133 Email: [email protected] Picture courtesy of 0 Cheshire County Sports Club %% & #% ('+) +,$ "!)/() (& www.abacuslighting.com #*#+ ---"!)/() (,$ , %#+. %,! Sports Lighting Specialists www.cuphosco.com to book your advert in the Call the Sales Team Today SPORTS MANAGEMENT Design . Manufacture . Install . Maintain to Discuss Your Booking Hippo Leisure Products Ltd, Unit 18, Estover DIRECTORY Contact us now for your Free Lighting Design 01462 431385 Road, Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PY Call David now on Tel: +44 (0) 1752 313075 Tel: 01920 860600 E: [email protected] +44 (0)1462 471902 Fax: 01920 485915 www.sportsmanagement.co.uk Email: [email protected] W: www.hippoleisure.com 80 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 For sports managers and policy makers who want to keep briefed on the latest developments in facility provision, funding, policy partnerships and development SUBSCRIBE ONLINE HTTP://WWW.LEISURESUBS.COMWWW.LEISURESUBS.COM OR CALL OUR SUBSLINE +44 (0)1462 471915 Special offer Add leisure ADD THE FOLLOWING TO YOUR SUBSCRIPTION… opportunities to your subscription for only £10 (UK only) attractions management leisure opportunities Everything you want to know about the visitor Fortnightly leisure recruitment, training, attractions market. From theme parks, waterparks property and news publication which gets you the and zoos to museums, expos and science centres right job or the perfect candidate for your vacancy health club management leisure management Keep up to date with the health & fi tness market The magazine for professionals and senior policy- by reading the leading title for the industry. makers. Leisure Management looks at the latest trends Includes Spa, Europe and World specials and developments from across all leisure markets spa business spa opportunities – for free! Read about the investors, developers, Fortnightly international spa recruitment, designers and operators who are shaping training and news publication the rapidly emerging global spa sector For your FREE copy visit www.spaopportunities.com powered by aZ^hjgZY^Vgn#Xdb DIARY DATES Worldwide events listings for leisure professionals 3-4 MARCH & 7-8 MARCH 2012 8-10 MAY 2012 LG Group/CLOA Culture, Tourism Stadia Design and Technology Expo & Sport Conference Los Angeles Convention Centre, USA York, England and Cardiff, Wales The USA’s annual convention for the With the Olympic/Paralympic Games, Dia- design, build and operation of a sporting ADVERTISERS INDEX mond Jubilee and Cultural Olympiad, 2012 venue. It will showcase revenue-gener- is a huge year for culture, tourism and ation technologies; innovative capacity- AMB Sports 57 sport. But coming hot on the heels of the boosting concepts; environmentally con- tough budget restraints. This event will scious building materials and operational Anti Wave 47 look at how to exploit these opportuni- effi ciency-enhancing technologies. ties, adapt to budget pressures and work www.stadiadesignandtechnology.com Association of Play Industries 65 with volunteers, social enterprises and the private sector to improve effi ciency. 15 MAY 2012 British Gas Business 59 www.cloa.org.uk/events The Sports Facilities Show (SAPCA) British Seed Houses 43 Cheltenham Racecourse, UK This show replaces the Sport and Play 7-9 MARCH 2012 Collinson 51 Global Sports Forum Barcelona Construction Association’s (SAPCA) Palau De Congressos, De Catalunya long-running Sports Facility Construction Hippo Leisure 65 An exchange platform attracting sport events and will be taking a new format administrators and personalities, includ- - details of which will be announced Jacksons Fencing 57 ing Eric Cantona and Oscar Pistorious, shortly at the following address: who come together and debate eco- www.sapca.org.uk LIW 69 nomic, social, political and cultural issues Mark Harrod 13 relating to sport. 15-17 MAY 2012 www.globalsportsfourm.org Stadium Business Summit Neptunus Structures OBC Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy 12-30 MARCH 2012 Stadia owners, operators, designers and O’Brien Contractors 43 CIMSPA Home Nations and suppliers will congregate for debate, Regional Event Roadshow knowledge-sharing and networking in a Playrite 54 Various locations across the UK venue that heralds a new breed of stadia Replay Maintenance 57 These half-day events overview the design. The theme for this year’s event Chartered Institute for the Management will celebrate the fact that stadia are at Rubb Buildings 35 of Sport and Physical Activity’s (CIMSPA) the point of convergence between the work through the new national and broadcast event and the live experience. S&P Architects 7 regional management boards. Each will www.stadiumbusinesssummit.com discuss an issue of specifi c local relevance. SAPCA 54 www.imspa.co.uk 20-25 MAY 2012 Sport Relief 65 SportAccord Convention 28-29 MARCH 2012 Quebec, Canada Sports Courts UK 57 Soccerex European Convention This six-day gathering of more than 1,500 Manchester Central, UK leading representatives from internation- Stadia and Arena Bordeaux IBC This forum is a must attend event for al sport offers the sports family a power- anyone in the football business industry. ful opportunity to come together in an Stuart Canvas 43 It offers an ideal setting to do business, exclusive and authoritative networking source new contacts, discover the latest environment, to build relationships, share Tarkett Sports 51 innovations and meet business objectives. knowledge and develop ideas that will Technical Surfaces 35 www.soccerex.com/events benefi t the community. www.sportaccord.com Text Local IFC 25-26 APRIL 2012 IHT Sports Business Summit 20-27 MAY 2012 The ACR Show 15 Ritz Carlton, Istanbul Brmb Grassroots Football Live The European Capital of Sport 2012, Is- NEC, Birmingham Waterfl y 47 tanbul is investing billions in its sports in- The 20,000sq ft event include 3 vs 3 White Line Services 35 frastructure as Turkey readies itself for an playing areas and cross bar challenges, Olympic Games bid. Join the International workshops and best practice in coaching Herald Tribune (IHT) and sports industry techniques, a football products exhibi- leaders to fi nd out how economic and tion and a kids zone. Guest appearances sport-kit.net technological changes are creating oppor- include Newcastle’s Chris Hughton and tunities in the global sports industry. ex-England manager Graham Taylor. For more information on our advertisers’ www.ihtsportsummit.com www.sportaccord.com products log on to www.sport-kit.net 82 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012 BORDEAUX 13-15 JUNE 2012 BORDEAUX 13-15 JUNE 2012 , &.*&."+. %&'.' . % #. ) #'.* . . $(#. '$. ."$&'.(& (!.#. .* !! %' #!+. . $ # .'$. ('(% ) #'&- . . . . . . www.sam.uk.com . . NEPTUNUS RELOCATABLE BUILDINGS Neptunus is an international specialist in relocatable and temporary buildings HIRE PURCHASE LEASE Do you need temporary space? Neptunus is a leading supplier of high quality temporary structures and semi-permanent buildings for hire or purchase. Particularly suitable for sports and leisure applications, the Neptunus semi-permanent product range is the most technologically advanced and versatile choice in today’s market. Based on high-tech and innovative designs with durable components, these structures have similar characteristics to a permanent building. Flexible Sustainable • Readily available and quick to install • Fully insulated • Comprehensive choice of sizes • Superior energy performance • Suitable for use from several months to 20 years • Relocatable • Hire, lease or purchase • Recyclable NEPTUNUS Ltd The Old Rectory | Main Street | Glenfi eld Leicestershire LE3 8DG | United Kingdom T (+44) 0845 180 40 01 | F (+44) 0116 232 01 50 [email protected] | www.neptunus.co.uk