SPORTSwww.sportsmanagement.co.uk MANAGEMENT VOLUME 14 Q1 2010

SURREY SPORTS PARK Sporting excellence for Surrey University THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF SAPCA

VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPIC FACILITY FOCUS GROWING THE GRASSROOTS British Gymnastics embraces the RICHARD LEWIS sport’s success The chair of Sport England on the power of sport

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www.sportsmanagement.co.uk EDITOR’S LETTER

SPORTSwww.sportsmanagement.co.uk Making it safe MANAGEMENT VOLUME 14 Q1 2010

SURREY SPORTS PARK Sporting excellence for Surrey University ports facility designers rarely make the headlines, but the tragic death of Georgian luge com- THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF SAPCA S petitor Nodar Kumaritashvili at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver has brought facility design and the practices and policies which drive it, right into the public eye for the very saddest reason. There will be an inquiry to establish exactly what happened, but as we go to press, opinion seems di-

VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPIC vided, with some saying the course was safe, attributing the accident to an error made by Kumaritashvili FACILITY FOCUS GROWING THE GRASSROOTS British Gymnastics and portraying him as an inexperienced competitor. Others echo the view of Georgian president Mikheil embraces the RICHARD LEWIS sport’s success The chair of Sport England on the power of sport Saakashvili, who said that even if a mistake was made: “One thing I know for sure is that no sports mis-

READ SPORTS MANAGEMENT ONLINE WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UK /DIGITAL takes should lead to a death, no sports mistakes are supposed to be fatal.” Kumaritashvili, far from being PHOTO: WWW.ZOE.ORG.IM Zoe Gillings, British an inexperienced competitor, was a veteran of five world championships and ranked 44 in the world. He Olympic snowboarder died when he flew off the course at 90mph and hit a post during training. While it’s understandable that the IOC and the Vancouver organising committee will want to distance e-mail: please use contact’s themselves from any claims of liability resulting from this death, there’s a wider debate to be had about [email protected] SUBSCRIPTIONS how far and fast sports facility design develops and how much we push it in pursuit of records. Julie Albone Many sports take place within fixed environments which are constructed to exact tolerances to ensure +44 (0)1462 471915 consistency and the only major developments which take place in these sports are those delivered by im- EDITOR provements in athletic performance, in technique or in equipment design and construction. Liz Terry +44 (0)1462 431385 Sports like the luge rely on records being set by the achievement MANAGING EDITOR Karen Maxwell of a top speed rather than a speed measured over a given distance, +44 (0)1462 471920 but are we pushing facility design too fast in pursuit of records? PUBLISHER Nadeem Shaikh The majority of winter sports, however, are played out in facilities which vary on a competition by +44 (0)1462 471902 competition basis, making comparisons difficult – it’s simply who’s fastest on that course on that day. We NEWS EDITOR can’t ultimately know whether the gold medallist in the downhill skiing in one Olympic Games is a bet- Tom Walker +44 (0)1462 471934 ter skiier than the medallist in the following Games, because there can be no consistency in the course JOURNALISTS when variables such as natural terrain, snow or ice conditions and the weather dictate the challenge. Martin Nash As a result of this, sports like the luge rely on some world records being set by the achievement of a +44 (0)1462 471933 top speed, rather than just a speed measured over a given distance and one of the aims of the designer Pete Hayman is to create a ‘fast course’ where records can be broken. One question to be asked about Vancouver is +44 (0)1462 471938 whether the design of the course pushed too far too quickly. Were the athletes ready for a course that PRODUCTS EDITORS Sarah Todd challenging and were enough allowances made in the design to accommodate errors if any were made? +44 (0)1462 471927 The course is incredibly fast, with competitors reaching world record speeds of 154mph and a number DISPLAY ADVERTISING of other crashes happened in training before the accident occurred. John Challinor The luge is a dangerous sport and of all the things that could go wrong, fly- +44 (0)1582 607970 ing off the top of a wall is one of the most obvious, yet at the point where Jan Williams +44 (0)1462 471909 Kumaritashvili left the track, the safety wall had been cut down to a lower level, while the metal posts next to the track had been left unpadded. DESIGN Ed Gallagher In situations where facility design is going up a gear to push for world +44 (0)1905 20198 records and to take a sport forward, extra safety features need to be built Andy Bundy in to avoid accidents having serious consequences. Facility designers have +44 (0)1462 471924 Claire Toplis a clear responsibility to ensure that the fatal combination of factors which +44 (0)1462 471910 led to Kumaritashvili’s death can never be repeated and that failsafes are INTERNET built into the design of all extreme sports facilities in the future. Dean Fox +44 (0)1462 471900 Liz Terry, editor [email protected] Tim Nash +44 (0)1462 471917 CIRCULATION MANAGER Michael Emmerson the leisure media company publishes +44 (0)1462 471932 SPORTS FINANCIAL CONTROL MANAGEMENT

SURREY SPORTS PARK Sporting excellence Sue Davis for Surrey University +44 (0)1395 519398

VANCOUVER FINANCIAL ADMIN 2010 OLYMPIC

British Gymnastics embraces the RICHARD LEWIS Denise Gildea sport’s success The chair of Sport England on the power of sport +44 (0)1462 471930

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 3 ISSUE 1 2010 IN THIS ISSUE

16 Richard Lewis drives sport participation 40 Children are learning to swim in temporary pools

37 Gymnastics is flying high 56 A new standard for football turf

24 Vancouver’s Olympic facilities 34 Volleyballers flock to the National Centre in Kettering

6 Letters 23 2010 Profile: Andy Hunt 40 Temporary swimming pools The BOA’s Vancouver 2010 chef de Mobile pools can help children learn 7 Analysis: John Goodbody mission talks games preparation to swim, says Pete Hayman The National Facilities Inquiry 24 Vancouver 2010: Facility Focus 42 Chasing the money 8 Industry news Brian Robinson checks out the Winter Liz Behnke gives practical advice on how Olympic facilities and their lasting legacy to obtain funding for sports projects 14 People news 29 New opening: 44 Research: Active People 3 15 SAPCA news Surrey Sports Park Ipsos MORI’s Andrew Haylett highlights Facility CEO Jason Harborow shares his the findings of Sport England’s third sur- 16 Interview: Richard Lewis vision for its success with Crispin Andrews vey into sport participation The Sport England chair talks to Karen Maxwell about sports investment 34 The National Volleyball Centre 46 What’s the cost How the new-build fits the sporting brief of going green? 20 Top Team: UK Sport Major Events The STRI’s Lee Penrose looks at how Karen Maxwell interviews the team which 37 Grassroots: Gymnastics environmentally-friendly groundcare helps bring major sports events to the UK British Gymnastics on its recent success can cut costs and raise a facility’s profile

4 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 NEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UK

ISSUE 1 2010

29 Surrey sport is on the up 65 Swimming pool lighting solutions digital magazine See Sports Management online www.sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital

news and jobs: For jobs and news visit www.sportsmanagement.co.uk or sign up for e-news on 62 A practical guide to inclusive play www.leisuresubs.com

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49 Jamie Murray visits Norfolk air hall 72 Insuring against sport risks

49 Year-round tennis: 65 Swimming pool lighting Karen Maxwell checks out Easton S&P Architects’ Mark Thomas high- College’s all-weather tennis facility lights lighting design for indoor pools buyers’ guide: For suppliers of products and 55 Sport-Kit 68 Sport event security services, turn to page 80 Crispin Andrews looks at security and 56 Artificial grass access control at major sports events SAPCA football pitches Sports Management Alastair Cox explains the revised FIFA 72 Risks to running a sports club is the offi cial Quality Concept for Football Turf Richard Tolley looks at the current magazine of the Sports and Play regulations and operations challenges Construction 60 Women’s changing rooms Association (SAPCA), the trade Kath Hudson gives some tips on how 74 Buyers briefing: body for the UK’s sports facility changing room design could encourage An update on sports equipment construction industry. Sports more women into sport and fitness Management and SAPCA work in partnership to promote 76 SAPCA directory high standards in the design, 62 Inclusive play construction and maintenance KIDS’ offers guidance on play provision 80 Sports directory of UK sports facilities

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Measuring the impact of sport

s the use of sport as a policy tool for crime reduction, education and health promotion becomes increasingly A widespread across Europe, there’s a need for sport- based organisations to measure the impact their initiatives have on communities – particularly during this current climate when public spending is under great scrutiny. To address this, Nottingham Trent University’s School of Education is working with Notts County’s Football in the Community Team to review, design and develop a new moni- toring and evaluation tool which can be used to asseses the impacts of sport-based initiatives. The team will be drawing on the experiences of the Football in the Community staff, observing community activities and outreach work and interviewing funding groups to get their perspective on what they’re looking for. It’s hoped that once this toolkit is complete, it can be rolled out for wider use and help organisations to provide solid evidence of the positive impacts of their work on the community. Nottingham Trent University will evaluate Notts Dr David Hindley – sports governance expert County’s Football in the Community scheme School of Education, Nottingham Trent University

A helping hand for community-run pools believe that swimming will con- management approach where the cus- land and buildings) are working to help tinue to play a unique role in UK tomer is at the heart of the decision local communities realise the benefits I society. It remains the most popular making process. Pool operators who of running their own facility rather than participation sport and has the po- adopt this approach should be able to see its doors closed. tential to impact on the government’s grow their businesses, but due to the The ASA has produced Guidance for target towards the London 2012 legacy high energy consumption related to pool Community Owned and Managed Swim- to increase by two million the number operation, some facilities up and down ming Pools – a document inspired by the of active people in the UK. However, ac- the country have been forced to close. stories of facilities such as the Portishead cessibility is key to this objective so it’s The threat of closure, however, is gal- open-air pool in North Somerset, to show important to have an affordable net- vanizing some communities into action. how running your own pool is possible. work of quality swimming pools, which While not the only solution, we could The document offers advice on how are managed to meet the expectations see more communities taking ownership best to establish a trust, considers the and needs of the population. of and operating pools in the future. processes which will lead to success and While modern, well-equipped With this in mind, the ASA and the As- explains how to avoid some of the pitfalls. pools encourage public use, retain- set Transfer Unit (the provider of expert We hope this guide and the case stud- ing sustained loyalty calls for a modern advice on the transfer of underused ies and resources it includes, will inspire community groups as well as provide links to relevant sources of advice and The ASA and the Asset Transfer Unit are helping local funding. Visit www.swimming.org/com- communities to realise the benefits of running their own munitypools to view the document. facility, rather than seeing its doors closed David Sparkes, chief executive The ASA

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6 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 SPORTS ANALYSIS

John Goodbody reports on The National Facilities Inquiry

s a new inquiry into the state of sports facilities in the UK gets underway, it’s salutary to look A back exactly 50 years to the Wolfenden Report 1960 and to see just how far we’ve come, or not come, in the half-century since its publication. The Wolfenden Report has shaped many of the outlines of British sport since 1960

and certainly prompted the impetus to- PIC: SPORT ENGLAND wards the building of indoor centres in the 1960s and 1970s, which were previ- ously so lacking for public provision. However, one sentence from the report caught my eye, which seems as true then as it is today. When discussing playing fields, it states: ”There must not There are thousands of tennis courts and artificial pitches only be an adequate acreage of grounds, they must also be in the right place.” I’ll which could be used in the evening, if only they could be lit be surprised if the new independent Facilities Inquiry, for which the Central transformed the playing of football, bodies and private companies have often Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) is tennis and hockey. However, their use lamented the difficulties of putting up in- providing the Secretariat, does not reach could be even more widespread but for door tennis centres or multi-purpose halls. exactly the same conclusion. And there is the difficulties of getting planning per- Another area that the inquiry will very little anyone can do about it. mission for their installation. There are examine is whether the facilities that New playing fields, or in many cases thousands of tennis courts and artificial exist are being used sufficiently, such artificial pitches, cannot be put down in pitches which could be used in the eve- as those in schools when the pupils inner cities, where, of course, they are nings, if only they could be lit. have left the premises. The answer is most needed. Frequently however, town There is a strong view that one way almost certainly no. Some of the best and city suburbs have a surplus of grass forward would be to allow floodlights facilities in the country are in schools, pitches – those that over the last 50 in such circumstances without apply- particularly in the independent sector. years have not already been built on. ing for planning permission, but allow The inquiry will find that the quality of It is particularly topical that this in- objections on their installation to be facilities is crucial in persuading people to quiry, chaired by John Inverdale, the TV considered by the local authority. In oth- take part in physical activity and continue presenter, should be coming out in May er words, the onus would be shifted to to do so. Dilapidated premises are not because simultaneously the government the objectors. Another way to increase likely to attract people, which is why pri- is about to issue its own PPG Note17 on use is to have temporary floodlights, vate health clubs put such a premium on facilities, with a consultation period of which can be erected without planning appearances. The inquiry has announced 12 weeks, although any action will al- permission. The light spill from both that it wants to look at how local au- most certainly be delayed until after the permanent and temporary floodlights thority centres can attract new users, General Election. is, in any case, now more restricted than something that will help Sport England The Wolfenden Report hailed the it was even 20 years ago and so disturbs reach its target of an extra one million arrival of floodlights, which were just neighbours less than hitherto. people participating in physical activity. beginning to have an impact on sports Of course, the building of sports cen- One wonders whether the inquiry will such as professional football, although tres does require planning permission suggest that local sports facilities be free? seldom, because of the cost at that and I believe that other countries in We await its conclusions with interest. L time, at grass-roots level. Their subse- Europe seem to enjoy greater flexibility John Goodbody has covered 12 successive quent installation at sports centres has than is the case in Britain. Both public Olympic Games for the Sunday Times

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 7 NEWS

Sutcliffe: Clubs missing out on tax benefits

ports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has called on thousands of ama- S teur sports clubs across the UK to join the Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) scheme in a bid to benefit from major tax savings. More than 5,500 sports clubs are currently registered with the CASC initiative, which has saved organisa- tions more than £60m in tax relief over the past seven years and is designed to provide more money to drive a sporting legacy post-2012. Launched via the 2002 Finance Act, the CASC scheme enables amateur sports clubs that meet certain eligibility criteria to receive mandatory business rate relief for 80 per cent of total rates bills and the potential to More than 5,500 clubs are currently on the CASC scheme reclaim Gift Aid on donations. Sutcliffe said: “It is great that we “Sports clubs will play a crucial role Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR), have signed up more than 5,500 clubs in helping us reach our goal of getting added: “Through registering as a to the Community Amateur Sports Club two million people more active by 2013. CASC, clubs can keep the money they scheme and that many sports clubs are Being part of the scheme means that have raised in the community. That reaping the benefits it brings. But there clubs will have more funds at their dis- means it can be reinvested in kit, in are thousands of clubs out there that are posal to help increase participation.” coaching and in facilities – all for the missing out. Brigid Simmonds, chair of the Central good of local sport.”

Olympic chiefs seek Work set to start on £3m Thame facility views over ExCeL plans Plans to stage seven Olympic and he Thame Football Partnership six Paralympic events at the ExCeL has announced that work is set conference venue in London’s Dock- T to start later this month on the lands during the 2012 Games have construction of a new £3m community gone on public display. football centre at Church Farm People are being given the in Thame, Oxfordshire. chance to comment on the propos- Plans for the 20-acre (8.1-hectare) als before the London Organising site boast nine pitches, including flood- Committee of the Olympic and lit main and artificial pitches. Paralympic Games (LOCOG) submits When completed, the venue will its planning application to Newham become the new home of the Thame Council in February. Boys, Youth and Girls Football Club and The seven Olympic events due to Thame United Football Club (TUFC). The venue has been in planning be staged at ExCeL include box- More than four years of work has for more than four years ing, fencing, judo, table tennis and gone into the development of the pro- taekwondo, as well as weightlifting posals, which has seen Thame Football released from residential planning and wrestling. The six Paralympic Partnership work with consultants permission granted at the former events include boccia, judo, power- Sports Solutions GB and a range of home of TUFC. lifting and table tennis, as well as other local delivery partners and fund- Oxfordshire County Council has volleyball and fencing. ing organisations. provided a long lease for the majority LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe said: Thame Town Council, the Football of the land for a nominal rent in order “ExCeL is an important venue for Foundation and South Oxfordshire to help progress the scheme, which is the London 2012 Olympic and Para- District Council have all contributed now set for completion in the autumn. lympic Games.” towards the scheme, as well as capital Details: thamefootball.co.uk

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Football centre plans unveiled

lans for the development of a new National Football Centre P (NFC) on a 330-acre (133.5-hect- are) site near Burton-upon-Trent, IMAGES GETTY FA VIA THE IMAGE: Staffordshire, have been unveiled by the Football Association (FA). Kit supplier and national team spon- sor Umbro is working alongside the national governing body on the venture, which will see the new facility named St George’s Park in a bid to reflect the national identity of the site. The centre will be used by the FA for all national team training It is anticipated that the new St George’s Park centre will enable the England’s 22 FA-supported football hotel are also planned as part of the FA to deliver its coach education squads – including the senior team – NFC scheme, as well as a regional confer- agenda, as well as providing a learning, will use the complex as a training base, ence venue, a banqueting suite and training and development site which will include 12 full-size pitches and training and seminar rooms. for refereeing, administration, sports a multi-purpose sports hall. A 150-bed, The sports hall will boast facilities for science and medical disciplines. four-star hotel and an 80-bed, three-star Futsal and partially-sighted football.

£30m community sports hub planned for Warrington

arrington Borough Council sports hall, health and fitness suite, foot- (WBC) has given final plan- ball pitches, library, health centre, and a W ning permission for the £30m £3.9m 14-19 Diploma Centre. Orford Park Project. Scheduled to open in November 2011, Billed as one of the UK’s first sustain- Orford Park is expected to have two mil- able community sports hubs, the Orford lion visitors each year. Park Project will be located in a Super The development will be funded in Output Area, already regarded as an ex- partnership by the Northwest Regional ample of best practice in promoting joint Development Agency, Sport England service delivery, health and wellbeing. North West Region, the Football Foun- When completed, the centre will pro- dation and the Big Lottery Fund, as well vide a variety of community, health and as the Department for Children, Schools education facilities including a commu- The centre will provide a and Families through the Building nity sports village complete with pools, variety of sports facilities Schools for the Future programme.

RFL UNVEILS NEW COACHING INITIATIVE FOR ETHNIC MINORITIES

new initiative has been pants with an introduction to working Sarah Williams, RFL equality and di- launched in a bid to encourage with adult and junior teams. versity manager, added: “The purpose A members of black and minority Cliff Simms, a sports consultant of the low cost Level One coaching ethnic (BME) and faith communities to with Sporting Equals, said: “We want initiative is to reach these under-repre- sign up to rugby league coaching. to engage and promote positive initia- sented groups and encourage them to The Rugby Football League (RFL) tives to tackle race and faith inequali- be involved in our game.” has teamed up with Sporting Equals ties, change attitudes and cultures The coaching initiative, which costs in order to offer the new Level One to participation in all sports and ulti- £25 per candidate, will take place certificate in Coaching Rugby mately develop a fair and representa- on 27 March and 10 April at a yet to be League, which aims to provide partici- tive sporting nation.” confirmed venue in Yorkshire.

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 9 NEWS

Council approves Parc Eirias proposals

A major new Centre of Excellence Darwen’s new £12.7m leisure complex is now open for sport, leisure and culture is set to be established at Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, after New centre set to open in Darwen plans were given the green light by the local authority. lackburn with Darwen Borough More than £250,000 has been invested Planning officials at Conwy Coun- Council (BDBC) officially opened in equipment for the centre’s new gym ty Borough Council have given the B a brand new £12.7m leisure and the creation of a new health suite, go-ahead for the new facility, which complex in Darwen, Lancashire, to including a sauna, steamroom and a mas- will boast a rugby training pitch, a the public on 29 January. sage, aromatherapy and treatment area. 2,000-seat grandstand, team chang- The new three-storey centre incorpo- The venue’s main swimming pool has ing facilities, a weights room and rates a 25m, eight-lane swimming pool been designed to competition standard floodlights, as well as car parking. with a Sport England-funded moveable and is equipped with electronic timing The Parc Eirias development will floor, a small pool, an 80-station gym, equipment, a video and results score- provide a home for the new North a multi-purpose fitness studio and a board and a spectator area capable of Wales Rugby regional team. multi-use sports hall. seating 250 people.

University sports £21m leisure centre opens in Bletchley centre proposals letchley Leisure Centre – a new unveiled £21m health and leisure complex B near Milton Keynes, Buckingham- new indoor sports and multi- shire – has opened to the public. purpose arena is set to be Bedford-based contractor SDC Build- A developed on the site of a ers started construction work on the derelict former fruit and vegetable Holder Mathias Architects-designed market under plans unveiled by the centre in April 2008 as part of a wider University of Worcester. multi-million pound scheme to improve Planning permission is now being Bletchley, led by Milton Keynes Council. sought by the university to transform Facilities at the new Bletchley Leisure the Hylton Road site on the outskirts Centre, which replaces the town’s former of the city into a new dual-use facil- complex, include a 780sq m (8,396sq ft), ity to be used by both students and fitness suite equipped with 100 pieces The centre boasts a 25m swimming the local community. of Matrix Fitness Systems machines and pool and a six-court sports hall The university will also acquire a free weights area. land adjacent to the market site, An eight-lane, 25m swimming pool; a out on the public street to create a which will be redeveloped to include sauna and steamroom; a six-court sports plaza between Elizabeth Square and new teaching facilities and addition- hall; four squash courts and a seven-rink the building’s entrance. al car parking space. bowls facility also form part of the site, The scheme has been funded by sec- David Green, vice chancellor, said: along with a gymnastics hall, a multi- tion 106 contributions, the MK Tariff ini- “We’ve long hoped to be able to purpose hall and a café. tiative and government contributions, as develop a major indoor sports and In addition to the new centre, as part well as match funding from a number of multi-purpose arena.” of the scheme work has been carried sports agencies, including Sport England.

10 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 NEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UK

Regional voice in INDUSTRY COMMENT grassroots sport

he government’s drive to get a mil- lion people playing more sport is to T be promoted by nine new champi- ons, one for each region in England. The Regional Champions for Commu- nity Sport will act as advocates for grassroots sport and Sport England’s Baroness Sue Campbell CBE, plans to increase participation. chair, Youth Sport Trust They will help to develop and take The new appointments are aimed at forward local partnerships that improve increasing grass roots participation ifteen years ago the Youth sports provision and take-up, as well Sport Trust was established as as securing continued investment for Dave Long (West Midlands), and Yuri F an independent charity with a grassroots initiatives. Matischen (Yorkshire and Humber). Each mission to build a brighter future for Announcing the move, sports minister will be expected to commit an average young people through PE and sport. Gerry Sutcliffe named the appointees as of half a day a week to their new roles. Working with partners across the pub- Stephen Castle (East of England), Man- Sutcliffe said: “Our new champions lic, commercial and charitable sectors, jula Sood (East Midlands), Shaun Dawson have an important role in taking forward we set out to create a world-leading (London), Peter Rowley (North East), the spirit of partnership that is essential system that reached all young people. Pam Jervis (North West), John Cove to making our aim of getting many more Since then, there has undoubtedly (South East), Tim Coventry (South West), people playing sport a success.” been a significant transformation; more young people are participat- ing, leading and performing in school sport than at any point in New sports complex for Rochdale our history. Investment from central government and lottery sources will lans for a major new swimming with the launch of cultural trust Lin- exceed £2.4bn between 2003-2011 pool and sports complex in Roch- k4Life. Other projects forming part of and there has been significant ad- P dale, Lancashire, have taken a the capital programme include the ditional resource from local councils step forward after the local authority £14m Middleton Arena, which opened and across the private sector. set aside £8.2m for the scheme. in January 2009; a £300,000 extension The recent 2010 Sports Colleges The new facility will replace the out- to Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Conference, enjoyed by 2,000 head dated Rochdale Baths on Entwisle Road, Centre; an £80,000 upgrade at Bowlee teachers and key-decision-makers forming part of a wider £33.8m capital Park Sports Centre and the construc- in sport and education, showcased programme announced by Rochdale tion of the £10.3m Sports, Culture and this transformation, which has often Borough Council in July 2007 to coincide Leisure Village in Heywood. been referred to as a ‘quiet revolu- tion’. The challenge now is to make some noise about the great things that are happening. UNIVERSITY REVEALS SPORTS CENTRE PLANS While it is important to recognise and celebrate progress, we need to Plans for the development of a new (OCC) for the development of a new make further advances, and at multi-million pound sports complex on tennis centre but is now aiming to a faster pace, if we are to reach the site of the University of Oxford’s gather comments on the sports centre every young person and ensure they existing Iffley Road facility have been proposals before submitting a plan- experience the very best PE and unveiled at a new public consultation. ning application in spring. school sport has to offer. Designed by FaulknerBrowns Ar- Proposed facilities at the new Iffley The spotlight now shining on chitects, the project will see the Iffley Road complex will include one double- school sport is a result of this prog- Road centre overhauled to provide fa- sized and one single-sized sports hall ress and a growing belief that PE and cilities for more than 80 indoor sports, linked by a timber and glass structure. sport can make a major contribu- while the existing swimming pool will This structure will house the main tion to many agendas; educational be integrated into the main venue. entrance and atrium foyer, a two- achievement, public health, commu- The university has already received storey gym, a café/restaurant and nity cohesion and, of course, sporting approval from Oxford City Council multi-use sport rooms. performance at the highest level.

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 11 NEWS

Pools set to close in council savings drive

Swimming pools at Shelton and Tunstall in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford- The centre’s facilities include a martial arts studio shire, are facing closure as part of efforts to help the local authority £9m centre opens in Cumbernauld reduce expenditure over the next three years. new £9m sports and leisure Club’s (CFC) existing 8,000-seat stadium. Stoke-on-Trent City Council (STCC) complex, which is scheduled to Facilities at the 3,800sq m (40,903sq ft) is also proposing that classes run A be used as a venue at the 2011 centre include a 90-station fitness suite at the city’s Gymnastic Centre are International Children’s Games, has and a spinning studio equipped by Tech- moved to Dimensions Leisure Centre opened to the public in Cumbernauld, nogym, two aerobics studios and a multi- in a bid to base leisure provision on North Lanarkshire. purpose, four-court sports hall, which can “quality rather than quantity”. Designed by Edinburgh-based JM Ar- cater for a range of indoor sports. Councillor Derek Capey said: chitects, the two-storey Broadwood Sport There is also a three-level soft play area “These are difficult decisions but and Leisure Centre was delivered by Man- – designed for babies, toddlers and older they have to be made.” sell – part of the London-based Balfour children; a martial arts studio and beauty Beatty Group – adjacent to Clyde Football treatment and therapy rooms.

Grassroots football Scotstoun stadium reopens

hub for Hackney he Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow has been officially reopened by he Hackney Marshes are to be T HRH The Princess Royal following a developed and transformed to £17.6m redevelopment of the facility. T house a new grassroot football New amenities at the venue include hub as part of the London Borough a 5,000-capacity grandstand, new of Hackney Council’s redevelopment indoor athletics training facilities, an plan for the area. indoor 100m running track, grass and all- Ireland-based John Sisk & Sons has weather pitches and a new fitness suite. been appointed to deliver the £5.7m The existing outdoor 400m track has facility, to be called Marsh Community also been renovated and the café, foyer Hub when it opens in late 2010. and reception areas extended. The project includes improvement Among those people expected to works on the existing pitches, a new, make use of the new facility are full-size artificial turf pitch, a foot- athletes in training for the Glasgow bridge over the River Lea to connect 2014 Commonwealth Games. The new £17.6m centre was the East and South Marshes and a The stadium will also become the opened by HRH The Princess Royal large, multi-use pavilion and club- training ground of the Glasgow Warriors house. The new building will include rugby team as a result of a partnership training pitch, a strength and condi- community and spectator facilities on between Scottish Rugby, Glasgow City tioning suite, the 100m indoor running the first floor, with changing rooms Council and Sport Glasgow. track, a physiotherapy suite, changing located at ground-floor level with The Warriors will have access to a rooms, a player lounge and a meeting/ provision for disabled players. grass training pitch, a 3G all-weather video analysis room.

12 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 NEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UK

Approval for RUFC secures new stadium site

Knowsley centre Rotherham United Football Club (RUFC) has confirmed that plans for a nowsley Council has approved new multi-million pound stadium have plans to build a new £16.1m taken a step forward as the club has K leisure complex at the site acquired a site for the development. of the St Thomas Becket School in The club, which competes in Coca- Huyton, Merseyside. Cola Football League Two, currently Plans for the centre, to be called plays its home matches at the Don Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, Valley Stadium in Sheffield but is include two 25m indoor swimming pools, now set for a return to Rotherham a six-court sports hall, a health and after acquiring the former Guest and fitness club, squash courts, dance and Chrimes Foundry site. exercise studios, a café and spa facilities. RUFC chair Tony Stewart said: “The One of the two pools will be built as Plans include a 25m swimming pool former Guest & Chrimes Foundry site an eight-lane competition pool with 300 has now been confirmed, this is an spectator seats. There will also be exten- cilities Strategy. Work will commence on ideal site for our new home back in sive conferencing facilities capable site in Spring 2010 and the centre is due Rotherham, it will also provide signifi- of hosting a range of sporting and cul- to open in Autumn 2011. cant regeneration benefits and leave tural events, including award ceremonies The planning application also included a legacy for the future. and arts performances. the creation of a £5m OurPlace youth fa- The investment in the complex is part cility, for which a funding application has of the council’s larger, £25m Leisure Fa- been submitted to the Big Lottery Fund. New ‘adiZone’ set for Canvey Island

Castle Point Borough Council (CPBC) Everton FC in fresh stadium talks has announced that it has secured funding for the development of a verton Football Club (EFC) has con- Improvements to the town centre, new new outdoor multi-sports facility in firmed that it has held “positive” leisure facilities, a new Tesco Extra store Canvey Island, Essex. E discussions with Liverpool City and a housing development were also in- The adiZone venue, which will Council (LCC) over potential sites for the cluded as part of the Destination Kirkby be in the shape of the London 2012 future development of a new stadium. scheme, which was turned down by com- Olympic logo, will feature basketball The Premier League club is now look- munities secretary John Denham despite and football facilities, a tennis wall ing at options within the city boundary the approval of Knowsley Council. and an outdoor gym, as well as areas after plans for a 50,000-seat venue at EFC warned in 2008 that the success for dance, aerobics, martial arts and Kirkby as part of a joint scheme with of the Kirkby scheme was critical to other activities. Tesco were rejected by the government. ensure the club’s future. CPBC has already received £75,000 from the adiZone Rollout Trust and £54,000 from the Veolia ES Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust. The remaining FUNDING BID FOR ST ALBANS LEISURE PLANS £21,000 will come from savings from the council’s budget. t Albans City and District Coun- Sport England to receive a share of cil’s (SACDC) bid to secure a £10m earmarked by the government. S £500,000 cash injection towards The St Albans project is one of only Edgbaston revamp the new multi-million pound West- 45 to move onto the second stage contractor named minster Lodge Leisure Centre develop- of the process. ment has moved to the next stage. When complete, the new Westmin- Warwickshire County Cricket Club The local authority is now set to sub- ster Lodge Leisure Centre will include (WCCC) has appointed Uxbridge- mit further details to support its fund- a 200-station fitness suite with a cycle based contractor Galliford Try to ing bid as part of the government’s spinning studio; a regional competi- deliver the £24m redevelopment of Free Swimming Capital Modernisation tion-sized 25m swimming pool; a 17m Edgbaston stadium in Birmingham. Programme, administered by Sport learner pool; a four-court sports hall; Work is expected to get underway England. An initial 173 applications two exercise studios; a climbing wall in March 2010 and will see the sta- from across the UK were made to and a soft play area. dium’s seating capacity increase from almost 5,000 to 8,250.

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 13 PEOPLE

CHESTER JOINS SPORT ENGLAND AS COO Rona Chester, group finance director at the Law Society, has been appointed to the newly-created role of chief opera- tions officer (COO) at Sport England. Chester, who will take up her posi- tion on 1 March, will be responsible for the organisation’s functional areas of finance, business planning, information technology and grants management. Sport England CEO Jennie Price says: “This role sits at the heart of our organi- sation. With Rona’s considerable experi- ence in both the public and private sec- tors, I’m confident that we’ll build upon the standards and momentum we’ve established over the past two years.” HOLL IS CEO AT SCOTTISH ATHLETICS Nigel Holl, director of netball at England Netball has been appointed Sir Craig Reedie advises the UKAD chief executive of Scottish Athletics. Sir Craig Reedie, one of the UK’s top- He replaces Geoff Wightman, the ranking international sports officials, former British international mara- has been appointed as a special advisor thon runner, who is leaving to take by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), the new up a new role as the first managing independent drugs panel. director of British Road Running. Reedie, a member of the International Holl, who has represented Scot- Olympic Committee’s ruling Executive land in international ultra-marathon Board, chair of the World Anti-Doping events, helped to set up and estab- Agency’s (WADA) Finance and Adminis- lish the Scottish Institute of Sport, tration Committee and former chair of where he became programme the British Olympic Association, will offer manager. He has also worked for advice and guidance to the new agency. British sport well and remove any per- England Hockey and the All England Reedie said: “The establishment of ceived conflict of interest. I look forward Women’s Hockey Association as an independent national anti-doping to helping progress this important part director of coaching. organisation within the UK will serve of the overall sport infrastructure.”

SPORT AWARDED IN NEW YEAR HONOURS

A number of people involved in the at the Ipswich Gymnastics Centre also sport industry have been recognised in received an MBE for his services to sport. the Queen’s New Year Honours list. Another MBE recipient was six-times The list of notable sports figures is World Canoe Champion Anna Hem- headed by Ian McGeechan, the former mings. She was told she would have Scotland and British Lions rugby coach, to retire from elite sport in 2003, after who was knighted; while Phillip Darn- being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue ton, the chair of British Cycling was given Syndrome, however she resumed train- an OBE for services to transport, as was ing two years later and went on to win John Derbyshire, the racing manager National, European and World titles be- and performance director of the Royal fore retiring from the sport last year. Yachting Association. Jean Pickering, the 1946 European Gymnast Beth Tweddle (left) was long jump champion and Olympic 80m awarded an MBE for winning her second hurdles bronze medalist in 1952, was World Gymnastics title and Andrew awarded an MBE for services to athletics Wood, the manager and head coach and the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund.

14 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 SAPCA UPDATE

Building Better Businesses: event highlights

he Sports and Play Construction Caption Caption Caption Cap- Association’s (SAPCA) annual confer- tion Caption Caption Caption Tence and dinner offered an excellent Caption Caption line-up of topical sessions and network- ing opportunities at the Holiday Inn in Stratford-upon-Avon. Chaired by former Olympian and TV pundit David Moorcroft OBE, contribu- tors at the ‘Building Better Businesses’- themed conference included The Football Association, the Lawn Tennis As- sociation, Partnerships for Schools, Sport Northern Ireland, WRAP, Citydesk Sport and Advantage West Midlands. Former England manager Graham Tay- lor OBE was guest speaker at the dinner.

Graham Taylor, Chris Trickey and David Moorcroft FA national facilities manager Mark Pover discusses the FA’s strategy for sporting success

Dale Williams promotes ‘lean thinking’ The meeting of minds David Moorcroft and Tony Hession

An opportunity for industry networking

Magic tricks at the dinner sponsored by Murfitts Industries Steve Shipperley and MC Charlie Dagnall

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 15 INTERVIEW

Karen Maxwell discusses the power of sport, developing partnerships, raising participation and the Timothy Dutton Enquiry with the chair of Sport England Richard LEWIS

ichard Lewis’ life revolves record in turning a sports organisation Partnerships around sport. He plays ten- around is a likely reason why he was in- Lewis intends to mirror the RFL’s success nis, he works out at the gym vited to chair the government funding story during his tenure at Sport England. R and enjoys walking and cycling body in April last year. “I believe that stability is not only what when at home in Yorkshire. At work, Eighteen months earlier, Derek Mapp Sport England needs but what sport he dons his rugby jersey for three days resigned the post in a row over Sport needs in general,” he explains. “The RFL a week as chair of the Rugby Football England’s change of funding direction gained a reputation as a good work- League (RFL) and the other two days from active pastimes, to more tradi- ing partner with sponsors, government he’s tasked with leading Sport England’s tional sports. In contrast, Lewis is a agencies and local authorities. What mission, together with chief executive traditional sports advocate; bringing Sport England is particularly good at is Jennie Price, to encourage a million 30 years of management and develop- bringing people together and creating more people to play sport regularly. ment experience to the role. Following partnerships for the benefit of sport in “I’m a great believer in the power of a career as an international tennis player general – and this is the way forward if sport and its positive role in society,” he and coach, he was appointed director we want to deliver our targets. It can’t enthuses. “It’s an exciting and challeng- of tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association be achieved alone. It requires different ing time to be involved – particularly from 1998 to 2000 before heading the organisations to work together to deliv- leading up to the 2012 Olympic and RFL as executive chair from 2002 to 2009. er what everybody wants: more people Paralympic Games.” He still chairs the Rugby League Eu- playing more sport, more often.” His genuine enthusiasm and easy- ropean Federation and is deputy chair Sport England is part of a strong going personality is a natural fit in this of the Rugby League International Fed- sports administration partnership with dynamic industry, but his proven track eration, but he stood down from his UK Sport, the Youth Sport Trust and the executive duties at the RFL to become Central Council of Physical Recreation non-executive chair when he embarked (CCPR) – for which Lewis was previously on his four-year term at Sport England. chair of the Major Spectator Sports Divi- “It was basically a turnaround situation sion. According to Lewis, Sport England at the RFL,” Lewis says. “It was in debt by also boasts good relations with the £1.9m, a restructure had taken place with current government and opposition par- a new board appointed and the chief ex- ties so “if there’s an issue to sort out it ecutive and chair role was combined to can be dealt with quietly behind closed give more authority. Coming from out- doors” – although he’s keen to stress side the sport, I think I was able to bring the importance of “sticking to the cur- independence and, together with cur- rent path, delivering what we’ve set out rent CEO Nigel Wood, delivered stability to do and not to chop and change”. to the organisation. Since 2002, the With a general election just three RFL’s declared profits, it’s more family- months away, Lewis wants to keep to orientated, supported by sponsors that this course of action regardless of what fit well within this market and has wit- political party gets into government. nessed increased participation.” “It’ll be up to us to respond to what the

I believe that sport is worthy of investment during difficult economic times because of the positive role it plays in society

16 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 new ministers and government want to achieve in the area of sport, but at the same time we need to respond in a way that doesn’t blow us off course,” he says. “Our key objective, which all politi- cal parties have already signed up to, is to work through the national govern- ing bodies of sport (NGBs) to deliver our sporting targets.” When asked whether he shares the industry’s concern of a possible funding drought in sport provision post election and particularly post 2012, he laughs: “Not really. I believe that sport is worthy of investment regardless of the econom- ic circumstances – in fact arguably more

so during difficult social times because PIC: SPORT ENGLAND of the positive role it plays within society. I think most politicians get that in a Sport England has been tracking sports participation for three consecutive years big way. However, if budgets are tight then we’ll respond in a positive manner Sport England is measuring participa- says: “The survey is very robust but if and certainly won’t back ourselves tion through The Active People annual something comes out that hints that the into a corner – but I’m pretty optimistic survey, which measures how many survey can be improved and tweaked about the future.” people participate, who they are, what with a slightly different methodology sports they do and how this varies across then we’d do it – that’s for sure.” Measuring participation the country. Now in its third year, the re- AP3 revealed that boxing, table It’s a little over a year since Sport search company Ipsos MORI interviews tennis, canoeing and netball are cur- England chief executive Jennie Price an- 192,000 people by phone each year – rently meeting their targets for the nounced that the funding body would 500 in each local authority – and asks first year, with cycling and athlet- be investing £480m in 46 NGBs to devel- what sports were played within the ics reporting a combined increase of op grassroots potential. Since then, the previous month and at what intensity. more than 240,000 weekly participants. NGBs have drawn up strategies to widen The latest findings of Active People 3 Meanwhile, football and swimming sport participation, advice and support (AP3) (see p44) – released in December both failed to report any growth of has been offered where needed and 2009 – revealed that 6.82 million people participation among disabled people funds handed out. now play sport at least three times a and women were also down. week, an overall increase of 115,000 Commenting on these results, Lewis Far left and below: Richard Lewis and compared with the results of the previ- says: “Out of 46 sports there will be Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe ous year’s Active People 2 survey. some that will always find it hard to promote softball to a group of young- Critics have questioned the process of hit target and, given time, some that sters at a Sport Unlimited event capturing this information, but Lewis would. If all 46 were hitting targets and

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 17 INTERVIEW PIC: SPORT ENGLAND

growing rapidly then everyone would be crying fix or foul. The important thing is that we’ve now got statistical in- The AP3 survey revealed that 6.82 formation and I know from having been million people now play sport at involved with sport for a long time that least three times a week factual information is key. Once you’ve got the facts, they allow you to inter- prete them and take a strategic view Of course we need more sports facilities, but we’ve also got on whether you need to continue what you’re doing – on the basis that you be- to make sure we maximise the use of the ones we’ve got lieve that it will work over a period of time, or decide to readjust and rethink makes it the right thing to do. I think Dutton Enquiry. It may lead to a lot some of your strategies. disability sport is probably a good ex- of issues, such as where do you draw “It’s a partnership situation,” Lewis ample of doing the right thing for the the line, how you get them to apply explains. “Rather than beat someone up right reason, as opposed to just hitting and how to enforce it, but nonetheless because a target hasn’t been reached, targets,” Lewis says. it’s an area that’s well worth looking we concentrate on what we can do to at for the public good.” help people reach their objectives. The Lessons learned longer we run this survey, the more in- Sport England’s auditing process was un- Easy access formation will become available.” der the funding spotlight last year, when it Lewis acknowledges that one of the big- Regarding the fall in participation was found that the World Class Payments gest barriers to participation is sports in the women and disabled people Bureau had dispensed £19.7m between clubs’ regular access to adequate facili- sectors in AP3, Lewis says Sport England 1999 and 2007 – without the apparent ties. “We’d like to work with everybody had predicted these findings and has knowledge of Sport England executives. on this,” he admits. “Progress is being already concentrated investment in Timothy Dutton QC’s subsequent in- made in improving our relationships those areas. “The Women’s Sport and vestigation into the account found no with local authorities to maximise the Fitness Foundation has given us some specific instances of fraud at the bureau, use of facilities but there are barriers, good pilot studies and disability sport which paid grants, salaries and expenses such as insurance and caretaking, that has been recognised by the NGBs in to small NGBs unable to handle large are not easy to overcome. During this their sport plans,” he says. “However, sums of money. However, he uncovered time of belt tightening and financial rig- you can invest a large sum of money a lack of governance of sports bodies or, using what you’ve got has to be one for a relatively small return in terms of and a recommendation was made to of the obvious things to do rather than actual aggregate numbers but it still establish a dedicated Sports asking for more money to build more fa- Governance Committee to cilities. Of course we need more facilities address the wider issue of but we’ve also got to maximise the use NGB governance. of the ones we’ve got.” Lewis agrees with this To encourage dialogue between the recommendation to moni- various stakeholders, Sport England ran tor NGBs receiving funding three Connect events around the country more closely. “Establish- last year, which were attended by many ing a kite mark method of local authorities and Community Sports standards assurance to give Partnerships and Lewis says more are public confidence in organ- planned. “These events certainly help isations that run a sport to maximise partnerships at a local level, that involves membership because when the various stakehold- or an affiliation fee is a ers get together and start talking that’s point well made by the when positive things start to happen.” L

18 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 19 TOP TEAM

Karen Maxwell talks to some of the people involved in the bidding for and funding of strategically important UK-based sporting events The UK Sport MAJOR EVENTS TEAM

LIZ NICOL – COO

iz Nicoll was CEO at England Netball Working in partnership with the NGBs, cities,regions for 16 years before joining UK Sport and home county agencies, the Major Events department Lin 1999 as director of elite sport. helps an NGB prepare its bidding proposal and liaises with She moved into a strategic role across the regional partner, which has an interest in the local benefits investment and performance in Olympic, of the event being hosted in its community. If the business Paralympic and Commonwealth sports plan meets the right criteria, our organisation puts lottery after the Beijing Games. This investment funding into the event to ensure that it’s world class in the accounts for nearly £100m a year in world-class performance way it’s delivered and that the impact of hosting the event in and £4m a year in major events. the UK is a positive one – in terms of the engagement of people, spectators and volunteers. The home advantage also UK Sport recently announced a programme of 64 secured ma- offers a performance benefit to our athletes and can further jor international events between now and 2012, across 30 Olym- provide a positive impact in terms of the respect the UK pic and Paralymic sports, to be held at 20 locations throughout gains internationally for putting on a good show. the UK. In order to award lottery investment into these events, Although we’re working towards creating a performance ben- the UK Sport board established a Major Events Panel made up efit for our athletes towards the London 2012 Olympic Games, of expert committee members that review applications from we’re now starting to bid for events post-2012 so this sport’s national governing bodies (NGBs) then advise our board focus is shifting to a broader perspective on performance as on support and investment. well as benefits in the engagement of people, economic impact We’re not responsible for the delivery of an event we invest and creating a legacy for the public investment of 2012 facili- in; but we support those that are and help establish formal, ties and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. organisational structures for technical delivery and share best Looking ahead, we’re committed to continuing with our practice – whether it’s ticketing, sound systems or security. funding programme post-2012, but of course the challenge will be how much there will be to invest due to the uncertain We fund an event to ensure that it’s world political and economic situation. Our strategy from 2013 class in the way it’s delivered and its through to 2018 is to link in with the government’s ‘golden decade of sport’, which started on 1 January 2009 and there are impact is a positive one for the UK significant events to bid for towards 2019.

20 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 NIGEL WALKER – CHAIR, MAJOR EVENTS PANEL

former Olympic high-hurdler and rugby union player, Nigel Walker Awas a development officer for the Sports Council for Wales and assistant team manager with the Welsh Rugby Union, before becoming the head of sport for BBC Wales in 2001. He joined the UK Sport board in 2006, is a member of the Audit Committee and was appointed as chair of the Major Events Panel in the summer of 2009.

My role is that of panel facilitator. Although having only held the role of chair for six months, so far I’ve observed one meeting and chaired two others. The panel members are all experienced in sport – many of them have sporting backgrounds or are representatives of prominent associations and have invaluable experience in putting on major events around the country. Panel members include Paul Bush, COO at Event Scotland; Rob Holt, CEO 2010 Ryder Cup; David Carter, CEO at the ECB; Wendy Walker, COO at Salford City Council and Phil Carling chair of the Sports Council in Wales. Should an NGB wish to submit a bid to host a World or European championship in this country, the panel would receive the application together with the relevant paper- work. A meeting with the NGB would be arranged in order

We will be involved in the London 2012 test Lottery funding ensures an event programme, whereby all venues will host a is world-class in its impact and the way that it’s delivered world-class event in the preceding year

for the panel to critique the bid and discuss the issues that surround its successful delivery. These issues include the opportunity for sport officials to gain experience of working on a major event, how the event could promote the sport to the public and above all, how it could give elite athletes the opportunity to compete in a major championship on home soil. All these issues go into the mix and we either say yes or no then agree on the level of funding. If we’re able to tick all the relevant boxes, we’re assured of a brilliant event. If the majority of boxes are ticked then the event could still be worth staging with the panel having to decide on the level of funding based on the level of shortfall, and the benefit to that sport and those who participate in that sport. Obviously the ability and enthusiasm to host a success- ful event is not uniform across the country. Some county councils and regional authorities are more focused on sport and prepared to put their own money into bringing sport to those areas. However, this is not the only factor that needs to be taken into consideration. The idea is to have a good spread of events around the UK. The Welsh Assembly Govern- ment, for example, is hoping to put together a budget to attract more major international events in the future. This department will be involved in the London 2012 Olympic test event programme, whereby all venues will host a major world-class event in the preceding year. Our pro- gramme of World or European events will offer ideal testing opportunities for properly-trained technical staff and we are also assisting with the upskilling of officials and volunteers.

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 21 TOP TEAM

SIMON MORTON – HEAD OF EVENTS DEPARTMENT

imon Morton came to UK Sport from the International Badmin- S ton Federation. As head of mar- keting he dealt with the sport’s global sponsorship, TV rights and production The department ensures that and gained invaluable experience in the hosting of an event engages bidding for event staging contracts. people, spectators and volunteers I lead a team of six event consultants and also look after event strategies for British Cycling and the Great Britain LUCY CRICKMORE – EVENTS CONSULTANT Boccia Federation. My role is to oversee the team’s consultancy work by risk ith a background in sports assessing individual events and looking at how successful event management, Lucy strategies could be embedded into other organising commit- W Crickmore is one of a team tees. Managing financial investment is a big part of this remit. of three events consultants that work across a portfolio of Olympic, Paralym- Long-term event hosting strategies help to pic and Commonwealth sports. assess why an event should be held in the I’m office-based but the job can take the consulting team UK and how best to bid for and secure it all over the UK depending where an event is taking place. “Our main function is to offer NGBs technical support and UK Sport has a large major event programme in the run up guidance in terms of event delivery, which includes help to 2012 and budgets are likely to fluctuate in each of these with managing the budget and overseeing the main decision- events, which means we are continually challenging, manag- making aspects of hosting the event. ing and forecasting financial spend across the portfolio. We One of the things I love about this job is that it’s so also manage and maintain links with our sporting partners, diverse. You could be working with an incredibly experienced which include the NGBs of sport as well as the city, regional sport, with a huge budget and an events team that has suc- and national partners which help to host and fund the cessfully delivered major international events for events. This partner network is increasingly important to a number of years or a small NGB run by a network of make sure the events have a sound financial basis. volunteers that have little or no event management The team develops long-term event hosting strategies with and delivery experience. its lead sports, which help to assess why the events should One event that I’m working on at the moment is the Goal be held in the UK and how best to bid for and secure them. Ball World Championships, which will be hosted in Shef- The consultants make lottery funding recommendations and field this year. It’s the first major event of its kind hosted in monitor this support during the life cycle of the event. We the UK and 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams will compete. A iron out problems early on with business planning, budgeting, largely volunteer-led Paralympic sport, Goal Ball is played forecasting and benchmarking and risk assess to ensure that on a volleyball court by visually impaired athletes who roll we are not bidding for events that may be undeliverable. a ball with a bell in the middle of it towards the goal at We also offer technical support to NGBs that may not be either end of the court. set up to stage a major event, as these can evolve into mas- We will support the NGB by getting an event management sive enterprises compared with the amateur competitions company on board and linking it up with the other delivery they were 10-15 years ago. NGBs can now find themselves partners. The successful delivery of the event will help to up- dealing with multi-million pound budgets and the financial skill the NGB, raise the profile of the sport and give officials and foreign currency risks that go with them, as well as vital experience of working with athletes who have varying massively increased TV production, rights and coverage. We levels of visual impairment, which will help them fill vital also help NGBs deal with complex issues relating to venue roles at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. specification and an increased number of spectators.

22 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 2012 PROFILE Andy Hunt

We talk to BOA CEO and chef de mission for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Andy Hunt, about Games preparation

What is your career background? After building and selling a success- ful customer relationship management consulting business in the 1990s, I joined the board of business process outsourc- ing specialist Vertex in 2002, then lead the finance services and private sector businesses. Prior to joining the British Olympic Association (BOA), I was the managing director of Reliance Security Services – a £240m, 10,000 employee security services specialist.

What does your role as Chef de Mission of Team GB entail? I suppose it’s comparable to being the chief executive of Team GB. It focuses on providing leadership and manage- ment. I will be strongly supported by Clive Woodward and Mark England as The BOA’s guiding philosophy is ‘better never stops’ and deputy chef de missions for sport and we’ve left no stone unturned in our Games preparation operations respectively.

How does the BOA deliver its UÊ A sports science and medical research How will the Games help to key objectives to Team GB? and development programme, which raise the profile of winter The support team includes world-class provides expertise on acclimatisation, sport to the UK population? experts across performance, medicine, hydration, jet lag and performance We want Team GB athletes to inspire logistics, communications, hospitality clothing etc. the next generation of Olympic sport and marketing. UÊ Operational and logistical support participants and enthusiasts through before and during the Games, which their performance and conduct as am- How does the BOA prepare includes kitting out (with support bassadors for our country during the TeamGB for the Winter Games from British Airways and adidas Winter Games and the BOA will con- and what will be its role during respectively), accreditation, accommo- tinue to work closely with the national the event? dation, transportation, legal advice governing bodies of Olympic winter In many respects, the BOA is the ‘Team and media relations. sports to help create opportunities for behind Team GB.’ Supporting athletes UÊ Plans and operates the preparation young athletes to get involved. and sport performance is at the centre camps, in Calgary and Lake Placid, Although we are keenly aware of the of everything we do. Our mission is to which Team GB athletes use to train challenges posed by the traditionally enable every team member to reach and acclimatise in the vital final few powerful winter sport nations, we have their full potential and in so doing, weeks prior to Olympic competition. achieved World Championship level suc- achieve a personal best performance. cess in curling, bobsleigh and skeleton in Specifically, the BOA provides: What challenges do you 2009. When you consider the climatic UÊ A world-class performance envi- anticipate encountering conditions of the UK and the fact that ronment for all Team GB athletes in the run up to the Games? our winter athletes receive the equiva- competing at the Games. We deliver The BOA’s guiding philosophy is ‘better lent of 1.5 per cent of summer sports performance centres that provide never stops’ and we’ve worked relent- funding, the results produced by our key services and facilities designed lessly over the past years and months athletes are quite remarkable and I have to enhance preparation for, and re- to ensure that we’ve taken any possible every confidence that they will produce covery from, competition and training challenge into consideration and left no outstanding performances in the Van- during Games time. stone unturned in our preparation. couver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. L

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 23 FACILITY FOCUS CN[P\bcR_  WINTER OLYMPICS

The 2010 Winter Olympics are split between Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler, offering separate athletes’ villages and medals ceremonies. Brian Robinson reviews the competition facilities

6[ aUR 0Vaf + + + Richmond Olympic Oval – 12 events

ocated 10 miles south west of Track talk Downtown Vancouver, the long World records are shared between the L track speed skating venue is a Calgary Oval (3,500ft) and Utah Olympic major capital and revenue expense for Oval (4,000ft). The hard, fast ice achieved every Winter Olympic Games. Long track at high altitude will not be replicated first moved indoors at Calgary in 1988. with the barometric pressure and humid- Since then, four more Olympic Ovals ity of sea level Richmond. However, the have been constructed and all have refrigeration system creates different struggled financially. Essentially it looks ice conditions around the track. The ice like a 400m indoor athletics track cov- on the bends can be softer so that ath- ered in hard fast ice. letes can hold an edge better, while the The new 33,750sq m Oval includes straights are harder to build speed. 7,600 seats and forms the centrepiece of a re-energised Fraser Riverfront. Can- Legacy uses non Design’s Bob Johnston, who led the Richmond is hoping to avoid over- design team, had previously worked on dependency on speed skating by Calgary and Salt Lake City. Structural developing a 6.5acre community sports engineering of the roof by Fast and Epp hall. The eastern third will continue as includes hollow wood steel ‘V’-shaped ice with two full-sized rinks. The middle glulam arches which span the 310ft will be a hardwood floor area the size width. These conceal mechanical and elec- of eight basketball courts for basketball, trical ducting and sprinklers. The spacing indoor soccer, volleyball, badminton and between the arches has prefabricated handball. The final third will be a 110m panels, many of them from wood infested athletics sprint straight with the capa- with mountain pine-beetle, which retains bility to include a 200m athletics track. its strength if harvested quickly. The floor areas will be interchangeable and capable of conversion back to long track skating. A fitness centre will cover 2,100sq m. There will be a publicly acces- sible indoor rowing and paddling tank and 1,500sq m given over to sports sci- ence and rehabilitation. The City of Richmond will need a minimum endowment legacy of C$60m (£35m) through the Games Operating Trust to offset the Oval’s operating costs. Tourism Richmond is using the venue as a gateway to its broader offerings at Golden Village Asian area and Steveston historic fishing village.

24 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 6[ aUR 0Vaf + + +

Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Centre

illcrest Park is home to an ambi- tious redevelopment projects. H Hosting men’s, women’s and wheelchair curling, the Nat Bailey Stadi- um and three separate clubs for racquet sports, gymnastics and indoor bowls are unaffected by the 2010 developments. Four existing facilities, however, will be demolished by 2012: Percy Norman Pool, The building’s curves blend with the un- Riley Park Rink and Community Centre, dulating terrain of Queen Elizabeth Park a changing block for outdoor sports and but the outstanding feature is the co-or- Vancouver Curling Club’s facility. dinated planning between the Vancouver Parks Board, the Vancouver Organizing 2010 and legacy uses Committee for the 2010 Olympic and The Olympic Curling venue was com- Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and pleted in December 2008. The City of architects Hughes, Condon Marler, with Vancouver has taken the opportunity to local sporting interests – putting com- Canada Hockey Place create a new aquatics centre, which will munity legacy at the forefront from the open in summer 2010, alongside the curl- outset. This will enable post-Olympic con- outh east of downtown Vancou- ing venue. It has an eight-lane 50m pool version to the highest standards. ver, this 1995 Arena, also called and an outdoor pool. The curling venue SGM Place, hosts 100 events annu- will be converted into a full-sized ice rink About the rink ally and has 19,300 seats. Additional and eight curling rinks. The club will gain A purpose-built competition curling locker rooms are the only upgrade. three more rinks and instead of ice on facility has been created which should a sand floor in a 60-year-old building, it meet the highest expectations of the About the rink will have perfect ice on a concrete pad. sport. Air currents are critical where Ice hockey fixtures will be shared be- The new building will include a com- even body heat from spectators gener- tween Thunderbird Arena and Canada munity centre, an aerobics studio, a ates flows. Placing the 5,600 seats on Hockey Place. The 2010 Games will be fitness centre and childcare facilities. both sides, not one, will reduce these. played on narrower National Hockey League rinks at 61m x 26m rather than the usual Olympic size of 61m x 30m. UBC Thunderbird Arena The difference is estimated to have saved C$10m (£6m) of conversion costs at Canada Hockey Place.

Pacific Coliseum

he Coliseum in Hastings Park, which will host short-track speed skating Tand figure skating is more than 40 years’ old. It has received replacement seating creating a 14,200 capacity, an expansion of the ice surface, some im- provements to the ice plant and heating and ventilation and washroom upgrades. he University of British Columbia artificial ice in both the player and After the Games, it will continue as an had four ice rinks, of which three penalty boxes to aid transition to the events arena for hockey, ice shows, box- Twere demolished, leaving the 1963 competition surface and plexiglass ing, basketball, concerts and trade and Bauer Arena. Two new rinks have been panels in the boards for better specta- consumer shows. constructed and will host ice hockey and tor viewing of sledge hockey. sledge hockey during the Games. The Olympic venue will have 6,800 Legacy seats with generously sized changing The tight plan of the three rinks al- rooms warmed under-floor by heat re- lows maximum flexibility to use one covered from refrigeration. facility with its ancillary accommoda- The principal architecture and interior tion or more than one for a larger design were done by Kasian, working tournament. The venue will become with design-build contractor Bird Con- a recreational and high performance struction. Interesting features include multi-sport venue.

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 25 FACILITY FOCUS 6[ aUR :\b[aNV[` + + + Cypress Mountain n the mountains, but part of the Vancouver scene, this local North I Shore favourite is about to hit the big time with new courses for aerials, moguls, ski cross, half-pipe, snow- board cross and parallel giant slalom. VANOC paid for improved snow- making, shaping the courses, creating an in-ground half-pipe plus a freestyle arena for moguls and aerials to host freestyle skiing and snowboarding. Venue capacities are 12,000 each for the freestyle stadium (aerials and mo- guls),12,000 for the skier and boarder cross and 8,000 for the half-pipe.

Legacy In winter 2010-11, Cypress will reap the rewards of Olympic exposure. In preparation, the Resort’s Boyne group owners have built a day lodge, moving one chair lift and install- ing another to open up Raven Ridge – creating nine new runs. This has pro- duced a 40 per cent increase in terrain which will make Cypress an option for visitors who want a day or two’s snowsports on a Vancouver city trip.

Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Park

ocated 15 miles south west of Whistler in the Callaghan Valley, the Park consists of three separate venue stadiums for ski jumping, cross country L skiing and biathlon – all within a compact 1sq km area to a masterplan cre- ated by Ecosign of Whistler. Sandwell Engineering headed the design team. The ski jumps are by CJP Architects’ in conjunction with Edwards Daniel of Salt Lake. Jumps are set into stands of large trees to limit wind. The 930sq m day lodge by Games Operating Trust Merrick Architects is a stunning combination of wood and glass with generous eaves, nestling in a coniferous backdrop. A Games operating trust fund of C$110m (£64.5m) from the Cana- Legacy dian and provincial governments The venue will showcase Nordic competitions and support the development of had grown to C$125m (£73.2m) by local Nordic programmes. Recreational use will be enhanced by 25 miles of December 2007. Recession losses additional trails in addition to the nine miles of competition trails. in 2008 reduced this to C$100m (£58.6m). The plan is to use 40 per cent of the endowment income to support the Richmond Oval and 40 per cent to support the Whistler Olympic Park and Sliding Centre – with 20 per cent as a contingency. At first, the budget seemed well gauged but recession has left a po- tential shortfall unless market rates recover. After the Games, Whistler 2010 sport legacies trust hopes to support the high performance ath- letes’ centre costs out of its endowment share.

26 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 VANOC would not have considered building venues that wouldn’t have useful post-Games lives Whistler Sliding Centre

he deep ‘v’ of Fitzsimmons Creek Established separates Whistler and Blackcomb trees have TMountains. The sliding centre been retained to is low on Blackcomb side. The 1,450m give a mature feel and track, with 12,000 venue capacity, keep the weather at bay. was designed by Udo Gurgel of IBG Most significantly, the 152m Designs, Germany and supported vertical drop will make it the by buildings from Stantec. fastest track in the world, placing There are only 15 competition tracks a premium on drivers’ skill rather than worldwide, creating significant expecta- sled technology. tion from the international federations in bobsleigh, luge and skeleton, that Legacy each new addition will improve on the The proximity within Whistler resort will existing stock. The Whistler track has encourage public rides to partially offset an efficient refrigeration plant, which the costs of high performance athletes’ produces no CFCs. The length of the training and competitions. Its proximity to track has more cover to increase shade. the village should generate public interest. Brian Robinson is a sport, leisure and tourism consultant

Legacies beyond Olympic competition facilities

Vancouver was the first Winter Olympic mandate to include sport and recre- community groups. It’s an inspir- Games to have legacy comprehensively ation, arts, volunteerism, literacy and ing and ongoing story which can planned into the Games even before community development and cohesion. be followed through the website the bid was won. In June 2000, 2010 The vision has been to create sustain- www.2010legaciesnow.com Legacies Now was established, initially able legacies that will benefit all 4.4 “Legacy planning is in the DNA of to help build support for the bid. In million British Columbians as a result this project,” John Furlong, CEO of Van- March 2002 this was transformed into of the Winter Olympic Games. couver Organising Committee, explains. a not for profit organisation. The delivery vehicle for this legacy “VANOC would not have considered After bid success the following plan has been partly through an building venues that wouldn’t have year, 2010 Legacies Now expanded its astonishing 100 Spirit of BC local useful post-Games lives.”

Whistler Creekside

ANOC’s investment has consisted resort and will be used for national and in- of re-contouring the men’s and ternational training and events. V women’s courses for alpine skiing The resort has used the Olympics to and installing an improved snowmak- dovetail its immense investment in the ing system. Essentially the infrastructure 2.75-mile long Peak to Peak Gondola already existed around the Dave Murray project, which links Whistler and Black- Downhill Course and Franz’s Run. comb mountains at high level. Opened After the Games, the slopes will revert to in December 2008, this is transforming ski trails as part of the Whistler Blackcomb the way visitors move around.

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 27 fast lane to success

> A UK leader for constructing sporting facilities > Delivering several training facilities for the 2012 Olympics > Financial, environmental and socially sustainable solutions for leisure facilities

The Surrey Sports Park joins a long list of sporting facilities completed byWillmott Dixon.The company's track record for successfully creating high quality places for sporting

excellence, leisure and recreation put it in the fast lane for Epsom Downs Corby East Midlands Elmbridge Xcel UK providers of sports and leisure facilities. Racecourse Grandstand. International Pool. Leisure Complex.

For more details on Willmott Dixon in sport and leisure, please contact Adrian Hill on 01932 584700. www.willmottdixon.co.uk NEW OPENING

SURREY SPORTS PARK

A highly-specified sports complex will open at the University of Surrey this April. Crispin Andrews met up with CEO Jason Harborow to find out how he’s planning to make it a success

eople in and around Guildford, Forward thinking centre and the Olympic-sized pool. Others students and elite athletes will Harborow pictures the scene in a few have come to watch the England Pakistan all benefit from the University of months’ time. It’s a warm August af- Test Match on the big screen in the bar, P Surrey’s new £36m sports facility, ternoon, a few weeks after a Legends or enjoy the women’s rugby from the ve- but chief executive Jason Harborow has tennis match between John McEnroe randa of the first Starbucks coffee shop to loftier ambitions for the Surrey Sports and Tim Henman marks the park’s grand appear in a European sports centre. Park – he wants it to be a training venue opening and the place is heaving with Local residents are here too. Some play whenever a top sporting event takes activity. The car park is full, radio and badminton in the sports hall, others take place within a reasonable flying distance. news journalists hover in the back- part in football matches on one of the 10 “Never mind the south-east or even ground and TV camera crews set up. The outdoor grass pitches. Dance classes are England, we want to be one of the top Women’s Rugby Union World Cup has going on in the purpose-built studio and facilities in Europe,” he says. “It’s a short come to England and three thousand parents look on as their children race up trip from here to Gatwick Airport and excited spectators descend on the uni- and down the climbing wall. then only two and a half hours to the versity. But they’re not alone. Every day the park is buzzing. Su- south of Spain and four to Russia.” Twelve thousand students have access perleague netball team Surrey Storm, to the sports facilities throughout the formerly Brunel Hurricanes, are practic- The Chinese Olympic team has already year and although it’s the summer break, ing ahead of their first league game of declared an interest in using the site as a there are still a few using the tennis and the season in the purpose-built sports training venue in the run up to 2012 squash courts, the 120-station fitness hall and injured Premiership rugby play- ers use the fitness centre every day to speed up their rehabilitation. Three weeks ago, Surrey County Cricket Club’s second team played its first game, under the watchful eye of park ambassador, former England and Surrey star, Alec Stewart. The national league squash team – also called Surrey Storm – is train- ing at the six-court venue and former Olympic swimmer, Mark Foster – another park ambassador – is helping out with a swimming session in the pool.

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 29 setting the standard - leading the field Wembley The Home of Great Goals We are Official Suppliers of Football Goals and Nets, Rugby Posts and American Football Goals to the new Wembley Stadium

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30 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 NEW OPENING PITCH CARE

he sport pitch terrace construc- can withstand dry conditions and does tion by Spade Oak – comprising not require much fertiliser. Once the T two full-sized synthetic football/ sward had established, 9,500m (31,200sq rugby pitches (a 3G Tiger Turf Soccer ft) of land drainage was installed along Real and a Tiger Turf Evolution), two with a further 37,000m (121,400sq ft) junior football pitches and a cricket of sand slits to ensure the surface was square – took almost two years’ to well drained and can be used even in complete due to exceptionally wet sum- very wet weather. The turf surface then mers in 2007 and 2008. The company received another 1,000 tons of sand to Above: The eight-court combined sports hall also constructed eight porous macadam ensure an even playing surface. has a 822 seating capacity. Below: Surrey tennis courts, three of which are also A new irrigation system has also been Storm netball team is based at the park line-marked as netball courts. installed, which will allow the ground Work on the 40,000sq m (131,233sq ft) staff to use large self travelling irriga- Anyone who can look at a building pitch area started with stripping off the tors in dry weather. This will be es- site – which is what the Surrey Sports topsoil and then loading the subsoil and sential for renovating the pitches after Park is at time of writing – and visualise spoil to form the sub base level , which tournaments and at the end of season. so clearly and passionately its amazing had to be heavily compacted to prevent The university ground staff took over potential, is a pretty driven individual. future settlement. The topsoil was then the maintenance in November 2009, as Yet Harborow envisages a future exactly re-spread over the area and laser lev- Spade Oak was responsible for the first like this for the park. “We have a facility elled. Due to the heavy clay content and year’s maintenance. The ground staff are unlike any other in the country. One that high percentage of flint in the top soil, highly trained in all aspects of turf care combines high quality places for people it required a great deal of preparation to and ongoing work will include mowing, to play sport – both indoors and out- avoid potential flint injury to players. fertilising, aeration, weed control, pitch doors. Lots offer one or the other, but Sand was then spread on the top soil marking and improving the sward cover not many do both,” he explains. and incorporated into the surface with with further dressings of sand to main- The former Liverpool Culture Com- specialist machinery. Fertiliser was tain and improve the surface levels. pany CEO is determined to use his sports applied and the area had a final light Modern grass seed mixtures, material, business knowledge to attract the best cultivation and level adjustment. A line marking compounds and mainte- corporate partners and sponsors. Now hard-wearing mixture of red fescue and nance techniques will be used to ensure responsible for managing the 2010 rye grass seed mix was then sown; as it the facilities are kept to a high standard. Women’s Rugby League World Cup at the site, Harborow was previously the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Our facility combines quality places to play sport, both indoors Games; commercial general manag- er, Wigan FC’s JJB Stadium operations and out. Lots offer one or the other but not many do both director, centre manager for Europa Pools and general manager at the Robin 5am to midnight, so lots of people can volleyball and can be used as a high per- Park Arena and Sports Centre. He has a use it at whatever time they want.” formance indoor cricket coaching centre. straightforward solution to the issue of The swimming pool is big enough to conflicting interests when deciding who Featured facilities host regional competitions and national will use what and when. Four glass-backed squash courts sit training; a traversable boom separates “It’s simple,” he says. “The park is big alongside two major show courts, the pool into two sections. In the first, a and will be open 350 days a year from where there is seating for 160 specta- moveable floor makes an ideal surface for tors. Across the walkway waterpolo because it can be set to a 2m there are three multi-pur- depth all over with no shallow end, and pose sports halls, two of assists swimmers’ training times because, which can be combined to says Harborow: “the deeper the pool the make an eight-court hall faster the time.” He says the Guildford with 822 Bleacher seats City Swim Squad will use the pool and available should a top bas- a synchronised swimming club and water ketball or netball event polo team has also shown interest in us- come to the park. With ing the facility. “There are enough seats, sprung Junkers floors, the about 100, for regional events. We’re halls reach international not looking to attract national competi- specification for netball tions, but we do want top swimmers and basketball and the to train here,” he says. walls in the smaller hall Mark Foster believes that the pool will have been painted blue have a significant impact on the devel- for high-performance opment of British swimming. “Facilities badminton. The halls of this standard are absolutely essential also cater for mar- to enable swimmers of all levels to reach tial arts, table tennis, their full potential,” he says. “I did my

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 31 NEW OPENING

JOHN WATERMAN – WILLMOTT DIXON PROJECT DIRECTOR

t’s always a balance between affordability and design when building tra- ditional leisure facilities, but Surrey Sports Park has stepped up a gear in I terms of architecturally pleasing features. They’ve used their money well A traversable boom separates the 50m and pushed the boundaries on sustainable design and operation. pool, which can be used for regional events The facility has been awarded ‘very good’ status in its BREAM accreditation (an international environmental assessment for buildings around the world), early training in a 20m pool and it wasn’t which is an amazing feat for a building of this size. until I got access to better facilities that Some of the unique features include: my swimming career began to take off.” s wind catchers on the roof of the sports hall for natural air ventilation Foster talks about high quality fa- s an energy-efficient, remote-controlled lighting system cilities as one of three key elements for s a remote-controlled facility management system creating international success in the pool, s a weather station on the roof which control opening sashes to the roof lights as well as coaching expertise and role s a Biomass boiler, fueled by locally sourced wood pellets models. He explains that building such s grey water (rain water) is used in the toilet flushing system venues takes time and money, before comparing the UK’s facilities with those in America where he once trained. “Over Harborow expects a deal to be sealed range and plans are already afoot to there, every major university has a with an as yet unnamed Premiership develop an indoor tennis centre and an- 50m pool and as a result every university Rugby Union side that plans to relocate to other for real tennis – a minority is used as a training centre for the lead- the park. The two-lane 60m sprint track sport worldwide, but of historical ing American swimmers.” will be built to international standard and interest locally – as phase two of the Surrey’s outdoor facilities also reflect aimed at sports men and women return- project, on university land adjacent the park’s multi-use ethos. Grass pitches ing to fitness after injury, rather than as to the current building. are high enough standard for first-class a venue for competition. “It will support What’s most surprising about the park cricket and international rugby and our fitness suite so athletes can take fit- however, is not the ambition of those ness tests and do shuttles and sprints who run it or its potential, but the fact during rehabilitation,” Harborow explains. it has been built at all. Unlike the USA, Of the three all-weather pitches, two there is no widespread culture of the are sand dressed for hockey and one UK investing in top-level sports facili- 3G pitch is ideal for top-level soccer and ties at its universities. Harborow explains rugby. Supplier Spade Oak says the sur- that although lots of quango money faces have a long pile and rubber-sand was promised it never materialised, so mix in-fill with a shockpad option. The the university decided to use its own integral cushioning effect of the crumb- resources to build the park. If things go rubber infill, coupled with the long pile according to plan and the park becomes gives the surface the characteristics of a one of Europe’s top sports facilities, it well-maintained natural grass pitch. will have been money well spent. L Eight floodlit tennis courts and two netball courts complete the outdoor Crispin Andrews is a freelance journalist

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Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 33 INDOOR FLOORING

The National Volleyball Centre

High quality sports facilities can breathe new life into athletes, structures and towns alike. Leila Dukes looks at the new National Volleyball Centre in Kettering to investigate the background and the effect of undergoing refurbishment

op class facilities are the starting Funding for the centre was secured for coaches were based at a disused airbase point to nurturing sporting excel- a four-year period. Apart from Volley- in Upper Heyford with poor facilities, lence. Athletes and participation ball England’s significant investment of where top athletes had to endure leaks, T levels are encouraged by the pres- £460,000, other funding partners includ- draughts and exposed building work. ence of state-of-the-art amenities, which ed Phoenix Leisure/Kettering Conference The governing body made the difficult can also have a direct influence on the Centre (£160,000), Kettering Borough decision in the summer of 2008 that the surrounding area and economy. Council (£30,000), Northamptonshire Upper Heyford site was too dangerous Kettering’s National Volleyball Centre is Enterprise (£30,000), the East Midlands to continue using as a training base. a good example: a space that was original- Development Agency (£20,000) and a Luckily, this decision coincided with a ly constructed nearly 20 years ago as part contribution to the new equipment from large-scale volunteer conference held at of a leisure and conferencing complex Pte Ltd/Schelde International (£5,000). the Kettering Conference Centre. Craig was reborn as a hub of national sporting The launch of the national centre was Handford, head of technical development pride last November. especially poignant given Volleyball and Excel (performance prgramme) at The new centre supports efforts to England’s past. Previously, players and Volleyball England, said: “When we saw boost the country’s participation in sport the centre our immediate thought was in the run up to the London 2012 Olym- The centre is home to the England squads that it could be expanded to hold four pics and Paralympics. David Atkinson, and GB Paralympic Sitting programme full-size international volleyball courts.” managing director of Kettering Confer- Kettering was also an attractive pros- ence Centre, said: “Kettering Conference pect thanks to its location at the centre Centre is well known in the region and of England with superb links by road, rail now with the National Volleyball Centre, and air. The site already had sport and we have national status.” theatre facilities, with the potential to create accommodation space for the ath- Team work letes too. Consequently, the turn-around Volleyball England, the recognised of the project was remarkably rapid. national governing body (NGB) for vol- Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe leyball in all its forms, teamed up with said: “The opening of the centre just six Kettering Conference Centre to create months into Volleyball England’s new the base for training and competition for strategic plan shows the sport’s ambition the national men’s, women’s, junior and to grow and form strong partnerships.” sitting volleyball teams. The new centre has already proved invaluable for its role Specific Requirements in launching Volleyball England’s Can The centre had een identified by the You Dig It campaign, which aims to get London Organising Committee of the thousands more young people playing Olympic Games as a potential train- volleyball in the coming years. ing venue for the 2012 Olympic and

34 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 *>À>Þ“«ˆVÊ>“iÃ]ÊÌ iÊÈÌiʜ«iÀ>̜ÀÊÜ>ÃÊ as independent, self-contained Captain of the GB Indoor Volleyball team ˜œÌÊ>Ü>ÀiʜvÊÌ iÊiˆÌiÊÀiµÕˆÀi“i˜ÌÃÊvœÀÊ areas – ensuring that any tracking Maria Bertelli (above) opens the centre volleyball at the time. Standing volley- maintains a free space above the ball involves a lot of jumping, diving and court of a maximum height standard and the recommended option µÕˆVŽÊ“œÛi“i˜ÌÃ]ÊÜ iÀi>ÃÊÌ iÊ*>À>Þ“‡ UÊÊ*ÀœÛˆ`ˆ˜}ÊvœÕÀÊ`ÀÞÊ܈«iÊÜ ˆÌiÊLœ>À`ÃÊ for any facility offering volleyball as per «ˆVÊ`ˆÃVˆ«ˆ˜iʜvÊÈÌ̈˜}ÊۜiÞL>ÊÀiµÕˆÀiÃÊ ÜˆÌ Ê}Àˆ`ˆ˜iÃʜ˜Êi>V ÊVœÕÀÌÊë>Vi Ì iÊ  ½ÃʘiÜÊÌiV ˜ˆV>Ê}Ո`>˜ViʘœÌi𠫏>ÞiÀÃÊ̜ʓ>ˆ˜Ì>ˆ˜ÊVœ˜Ì>VÌÊÜˆÌ ÊÌ iÊvœœÀÊ UÊÊ iÛiœ«ˆ˜}Ê>˜`ÊiۜÛˆ˜}Ê>Ê ˆ} ‡µÕ>ˆ‡ -V i`iʘÌiÀ˜>̈œ˜>Ê«>À̇뜘ÜÀi`Ê ÜˆÌ ÊÌ iˆÀÊLÕÌ̜VŽÃÊ>ÌÊ>Ê̈“iÃÊ`ÕÀˆ˜}Ê ty lighting system that Ì iʘiÜÊiµÕˆ«“i˜ÌÊvˆÌÊvœÀÊÌ iÊVi˜ÌÀi]Ê «>Þ°Ê/ iÃiÊV >À>VÌiÀˆÃ̈VÃʓi>˜ÊÌ iʵÕ>‡ i˜ÃÕÀiÃÊ՘ˆvœÀ“ÊVœÛiÀ>}i]ÊÜ ˆV Ê such as posts, nets and referee stands. ˆÌÞʜvÊvœœÀˆ˜}ʈÃÊVÀÕVˆ>Ê̜ÊÌ iÊÜiv>ÀiʜvÊ ˆÃÊVœ““i˜ÃÕÀ>ÌiÊÜˆÌ ÊÌ iÊÀi}Տ>ÀÊ the player, as inferior flooring can trigger usage of the centre Home advantage injury and hinder development. UÊÊ*ÀœÛˆ`ˆ˜}ÊÀiÌÀ>VÌ>LiÊÃi>̈˜}Ê̜Ê
ÃÊÜiÊ>ÃÊÌ iʜLۈœÕÃÊLi˜ivˆÌÃʜvÊ >ۇ / iʘiViÃÃ>ÀÞÊÀivÕÀLˆÃ “i˜ÌÊܜÀŽÊ a standard suitable for large ˆ˜}Ê>ÊÃ>viÊi˜ÛˆÀœ˜“i˜Ìʈ˜ÊÜ ˆV Ê̜ÊÌÀ>ˆ˜]Ê ÀiµÕˆÀi`Ê̜ÊLÀˆ˜}ÊÌ iÊVœÕÀÌÊë>ViÊ̜Ê>Ê scale spectator events there is an added competitive benefit of ÃÌ>˜`>À`ÊvˆÌÊvœÀÊ ˆ} ʵÕ>ˆÌÞÊÌÀ>ˆ˜ˆ˜}Ê>˜`Ê UÊÊ,i`iVœÀ>̈˜}ÊÌ iÊL>Vœ˜ÞÊ>˜`Ê>Ài˜>Ê a home advantage for big games. competition included: >Ài>ʈ˜ÊŽii«ˆ˜}ÊÜˆÌ ÊÌ iʘi܏ÞÊÀivÕÀ‡ ÕÀˆ˜}ÊÌ iʜvvˆVˆ>Êœ«i˜ˆ˜}]Ê ˆV >iÊ UÊÊ/ iÊÀi«>ˆÀʜvÊÌ iÊi݈Ã̈˜}Êܜœ`i˜Ê bished flooring and curtain œÜ>˜`]ʏiˆÃÕÀiÊ>˜`ÊVՏÌÕÀ>ÊÃiÀۈViÃÊ floor space – replacing damaged sec- “>˜>}iÀÊ>ÌÊiÌÌiÀˆ˜}Ê œÀœÕ} Ê œÕ˜‡ ̈œ˜ÃÊÜ iÀiʘiViÃÃ>ÀÞÊqÊi˜ÃÕÀˆ˜}Ê>Ê cil, said: “This initiative is as much to surface that is uniform and free from The partners involved `œÊÜˆÌ ÊÌ iÊviiÊ}œœ`Êv>V̜ÀʜvÊiˆÌiÊ obstacles, including covers for existing sport as it is about the sport itself. For `ˆÛˆ`iÀÊLœ>À`ÊvˆÝˆ˜}ÃÊÜ iÀiÊÌ iÞʈ“‡ with the National ÀiÈ`i˜ÌÃÊ̜ʎ˜œÜÊÌ >ÌÊܓiʜvÊÌ iÊLiÃÌÊ pinge on the playing area Volleyball Centre worked players in England are regularly train- UÊÊ/ iÊÀi‡Vœ˜vˆ}ÕÀˆ˜}ʜvÊÌ iÊi݈Ã̈˜}Ê ˆ˜}Ê>˜`ÊVœ“«ï˜}ʈ˜ÊÌ iˆÀÊ œ“iÊÌœÜ˜Ê (three-court) space to include: together at great pace and raises local aspirations.” U four volleyball courts to with joint expertise ÀÊ>“iÃÊ>Ži܈]Êi>`iÀʜvÊi̇ international specification ÌiÀˆ˜}Ê œÀœÕ} Ê œÕ˜Vˆ]Ê>}ÀiiÃ\ʺ ÞÊ UÊʜ˜iÊVi˜ÌÀ>Êà œÜÊVœÕÀÌÊÌœÊ ÜœÀŽˆ˜}ÊÜˆÌ Ê6œiÞL>Ê ˜}>˜`]ÊÌ iÊ international specification Flooring features œÀÌ >“«Ìœ˜Ã ˆÀiÊ-«œÀÌÃÊ*>À̘iÀà ˆ«Ê U 12 mini volleyball courts, based The floor is a Junckers Clip sports floor and local clubs, there are opportunities on badminton markings system, based on 22mm solid boards laid for anyone in Kettering to take part in U six short/sitting volleyball courts >ÃÊ>Êvœ>̈˜}ÊvœœÀÊÜˆÌ ÊVˆ«Ãʜ˜Ê>ÊÀiȏˆi˜ÌÊ volleyball. The additional opportunities UÊÊ/ iÊ`iVœ““ˆÃȜ˜ÊœvÊi݈Ã̈˜}Ê foam underlay. This is an ‘area elastic’ for local people to engage in the sport bolt in floor sockets to install ÌÞ«iʜvÊëœÀÌÃÊvœœÀÊÜˆÌ Ê“i`ˆÕ“Êà œVŽÊ also meet many of our objectives for im- permanent sockets, rings and absorbency and elasticity. proving the health and fitness of covers for sunken posts / iÊvœœÀÊÜ>Ãʏ>ˆ`ʜ˜Ê>˜Êˆ˜ÃՏ>Ìi`Ê the borough’s residents.“ UÊÊ-Žˆ“ÊÃ>˜`ˆ˜}ÊÌ iÊi݈Ã̈˜}Êܜœ`i˜Ê screed, containing underfloor heating ˆÃ>Ê7>ˆ˜ÜÀˆ} Ì]ÊV ˆivÊiÝiVṎÛiʜvÊ flooring to ensure a smooth and pipes. The refurbishment consisted of 6œiÞL>Ê ˜}>˜`]ÊÜ>ÃÊ«i>Ãi`Ê>˜`Ê iÛi˜ÊÃÕÀv>ViÊÌ >̽ÃÊvÕà ÊÜˆÌ Ê Ã>˜`ˆ˜}ÊÌ iÊvœœÀÊ̜ÊL>ÀiÊܜœ`]ÊÃi>ˆ˜}Ê i˜VœÕÀ>}i`Ê̜ÊÃiiʜ˜iʜvÊÌ iÊ  ½ÃÊ permanent fixings ˆÌÊ>˜`ÊÌ i˜Ê>««Þˆ˜}ÊÌܜÊVœ>ÌÃʜvʏ>VµÕiÀÊ key Excel outcomes being achieved so UÊÊ,i‡“>ÀŽˆ˜}ÊÌ iÊi݈Ã̈˜}ÊvœœÀÊ >˜`ʘiÜÊëœÀÌÃʓ>ÀŽˆ˜}Ã°Ê µÕˆVŽÞ°Êº
ÊÌ iÊ«>À̘iÀÃʈ˜ÛœÛi`ÊÜˆÌ Ê space according to the court configu- / iÊ«œÃÌÊÜVŽiÌÃÊÜiÀiʈ˜ÃÌ>i`ÊLÞÊ >V ˆiۈ˜}ÊÌ ˆÃÊ«ÀœiVÌÊܜÀŽi`Ê̜}iÌ iÀÊ ration – ensuring all volleyball line diamond drilling a 10mm oversized hole >ÌÊ}Ài>ÌÊ«>ViÊ>˜`ÊÜˆÌ Êœˆ˜ÌÊiÝ«iÀ̈ÃiÊ markings appear continuous and and then using an apoxy grout to fix the >˜`ʽ“Ê«>À̈VՏ>ÀÞʏœœŽˆ˜}ÊvœÀÜ>À`ÊÌœÊ uninterrupted by any other markings ÜVŽiÌðÊ/ iÊÀi“œÛ>LiÊ«œÃÌÃÊÜiÀiÊÌ i˜Ê seeing our major events being hosted that may be present dropped into the sockets. ˆ˜ÊÌ iʘiÜÊÛi˜Õi°» UÊÊ,i‡Ãi>ˆ˜}ÊÌ iÊܜœ`i˜ÊÃÕÀv>ViÊqÊ When not in use, the socket holes are / iÊ«ÀœiVÌÊÜ>ÃÊiÛi˜Ê“i˜Ìˆœ˜i`ʈ˜Ê ensuring a non-slip finish suitable covered by a flush fitting timber cover *>Àˆ>“i˜ÌÊLÞÊiÌÌiÀˆ˜}½ÃÊ *]Ê* ˆˆ«Ê for indoor sports provision to match the floor surface, ensuring œœLœ˜i]ÊÜˆÌ ÊÌ iÊܜÀ`Ã\ʺ,Õ}LÞÊ >ÃÊ UÊʘÃÌ>ˆ˜}ʘiÜÊ`ˆÛˆ`iÀÊVÕÀÌ>ˆ˜ÃÊÜÊÌ >ÌÊ minimum disruption and smooth play. /܈VŽi˜ >“]ÊvœœÌL>Ê >ÃÊ7i“LiÞÊ>˜`Ê all four courts may be safely operated -՘Ži˜Ê«œÃÌÃÊ>ÀiʘœÜÊÌ iʈ˜ÌiÀ˜>̈œ˜>Ê ˜œÜÊۜiÞL>Ê >ÃÊiÌÌiÀˆ˜}°»ÊL

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 35 PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

TARAFLEX Sports flooring for the next generation

lthough used at elite levels of sport, the majority of Also pictured are Darius Knight (back second right) British Table Taraflex sports flooring has been installed in education, Tennis, Holly Lam-Moore of the British handball team and Dean community sports centres and health and fitness George (back second left) who is with the British Badminton Team. Afacilities. It is within these local sporting facilities that They are all unanimous that playing on Gerflor Taraflex Sports the majority of tomorrow’s sporting household names train in Floors ensures less threat of impact injury and raises their game. the early days. Manufactured since 1947 and used at every Players benefit from the safety features Olympic Games since 1976, Gerflor has a designed into Taraflex technology. Dual fantastic pedigree at elite levels of sport Density CXP foam backing ensures comfort including:- badminton, volleyball, handball, under foot, Protecsol® surface treatment table tennis, tennis, basketball, football / futsal, ensures freedom of foot movement and floorball, netball, goalball and Boccia. excellent traction for many sports at varying levels and guarantees no friction burns when Taraflex Sports Flooring by Gerflor is the most diving or falling. widely specified synthetic sports surface in the world. The benefits extend throughout the life John Stewart (pictured back right) plays of the facility and it’s durability and ease of basketball for England and loves playing on maintenance is enhanced with a patented ‘no Taraflex. “Gerflor floors lead athletes to smile, polish for life’ surface treatment. not wince when other floors let them down.” Sean Hendry (pictured back left) is an up and All Taraflex sports systems comply with the coming British volleyball player who says: Whatever your age, or ability, European Standard for Indoor Sports Surfaces “Playing on Taraflex fills you with confidence Taraflex sports flooring provides EN14904 and are manufactured in Europe to and you instinctively raise your performance!” the perfect surface to play on very high quality standards.

For further information and specification advice, please contact Darren Wood Taraflex Sport manager on +44 (0)7836 366579 email: [email protected] or visit www.gerflor.co.uk

36 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 GRASSROOTS

WING O TH R E

G PIC: MIKE DRISCOLL, COURTESY OF BRITISH GYMNASTICS BRITISH OF COURTESY DRISCOLL, MIKE PIC: GRASSROOTS GYMNASTICS 2009 was a successful year for British Gymnastics, with Beth Tweddle achieving Gold, Daniel Keatings winning the all around Silver medal at the World Championships and club membership nearing a record 200,000

ounded in 1888 as the British many leisure centres and enjoy member- development programmes. Amateur Gymnastics Association, ship of BG-registered clubs that offer a More than half the gym clubs in Eng- British Gymnastics (BG) – the complete development pathway from land are either working towards or have F UK’s national governing body beginner through to Olympian. achieved their GymMark accreditation, (NGB) for gymnastics – is a not for profit which incorporates Sport England’s Club organisation dedicated to developing Development Mark criteria – a nationally-recognised the quality of gymnastic provision across Following the 2009-2013 Sport England accreditation and the sign of a qual- a range of disciplines. The organisation funding round, BG England secured ity club. GymMark has proved to be an is a member of the World Governing £11.3m for the development of the sport excellent marketing tool for increasing Body for Gymnastics (FIG), the European in England, which has enabled membership – by demonstrating that Governing Body (UEG) and the British the sport to build capacity in order member clubs have addressed issues Olympic Association (BOA). to support grassroots and clubs. The such as equality and child protection, Gymnastics is an accessible and inclu- 45-strong development team supports which gives confidence to parents choos- sive sport offering opportunities to all the clubs, coaches and volunteers with ing a club for their children. ability levels and ethnic groups within the aim of increasing and sustaining The foundation for any sports club is a range of controlled learning environ- participation and improving the qual- its junior structure, so by encouraging ments. It promotes an active and healthy ity of provision and performance levels and attracting young members, clubs lifestyle and is recognised as forming the throughout the sport’s pathway. are building a strong future. GymMark basis for physical literacy by developing provides an excellent template for con- fundamental movement skills. Club Support tinuing club development. Likewise, in These days, interest in the sport has BG England’s development officers developing coaches, officials and volun- never been stronger. Hundreds of thou- offer support to clubs by securing fund- teers, as part of GymMark, the clubs are sands of young gymnasts enjoy the sport ing for development, encouraging given help and advice in developing the in the school environment, take part new coaches and volunteers to join the skills of everyone involved. in the recreational sessions offered at club and help to support training and As part of the new Club Development Strategy 2009-2013, BG England plans to The NGB plans to help clubs with sustainable business help clubs with their business planning and sustainability by providing a series planning by providing business models and case studies of business models and case studies.

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 37 GRASSROOTS Freestyle and street cheer activities appeal to boys and girls of all ages

To support teachers with gymnastics delivery, BG has situated, what gymnastics disciplines take place within each facility and the reviewed, updated and reorganised its teachers’ awards levels of performance in each club. Hav- ing this understanding will not only help Branching out leaders with the skills and networking direct future funding and resources, but In addition to supporting the traditional opportunities to help them develop as will also allow complementary projects clubs, BG is keen to take gymnastics officials, coaches and administrators to and strategies to be implemented. to a wider audience. To do this the NGB service sport in the future. The generic The development of facilities allows plans to target HE and FE establishments sessions offered at the camp in 2009 the sport to increase membership, with newly launched opportunities to included coaching, officiating, club man- generate improved income for clubs take part in league competitions and agement, administration, team building, and provide additional training time festivals around the country. sports psychology and professional for talented gymnasts to help improve Programmes are also being developed development planning. levels of performance. With many clubs for the older generation (60+) to create Regionally, BG England hosts lead- struggling to meet demands and experi- socially-orientated opportunities that ership academies that embrace youth encing waiting lists, increasing capacity will help with movement, co-ordination involvement and bring together young through the development of facilities and on going physical activity. volunteers (aged 12-24) from an educa- is a crucial area of investment for the New activities within gymnastics in- tion, club and community setting. The growth of the sport. clude freestyle and cheerleading/street academies help the young leaders to As part of the 2009-2013 Sport cheer. Both activities appeal to later develop skills while volunteering within England Whole Sport Plan grant, BG teens/young adults and help to engage gymnastics and give them ideas for ways will invest £2.75m into the development boys and girls in a positive activity in a to support and be involved in their clubs of facilities over the next three years. safe environment with qualified coaches. and communities to make a difference. The fund will provide support to various Academy members are also provided facility projects that can help meet the Volunteering with the opportunity to volunteer sport’s targets in terms of growing Volunteers interested in becoming gym- at national, regional and local events and sustaining participation. nastic coaches, officials or administrators and within a club setting. BG England helps clubs to develop and need dedication, desire, solid leadership Key volunteers within these settings improve facilities that meet the demands and communication skills and of course, will be provided with mentoring, train- of all disciplines and assists projects that a passion for the sport. ing and support to ensure that they can prove they can make a long-term Leadership is a growing area within receive a high quality experience. Along impact, be self sustainable and provide the sport and BG England is currently with the serious side of the academy a high standard of service to customers delivering a number of programmes and comes a chance for young people with while making a direct contribution to initiatives to support young volunteers. similar interests to get together as a the key aims of the sport. Courses such as the Helpers and Event social group and have fun. Due to the current high demand for Officiating Award aim to provide an op- the development and improvement of portunity for people of all ages, gender Facilities gymnastics facilities, BG is constantly and ethnicity to learn and develop ap- Gymnastics is a facility and equipment working with and seeking new partners propriate skills and attributes to assist driven sport and because of this the to support capital projects. The NGB with the organisation and running of provision of gymnastic venues is key to continues to be very successful in gymnastics and trampoline clubs, extra the development of the sport. securing funding from a variety of curricular sessions and the confidence BG England is currently undertak- partners, such as local authorities, Sport to officiate at gymnastic events. ing a ‘club profiling’ exercise that will England, the Building Schools for the Fu- The sport’s most dedicated young map out the current club and facility ture initiative and private investors. leaders can attend the National Young situation and form the basis for a new Leaders Camp. The programme is de- facility development strategy. This will Gymnastics in schools signed to equip future generations of show where the dedicated facilities are At a time when fitness levels in children

38 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 PHOTO: BG MEDIA BG PHOTO:

Gymnastics promotes an active and healthy lifestyle and forms fundamental movement skills for other sports

are low and the number of children who management and identifies and rem- link schools to existing BG registered are deemed to be obese is growing, BG edies common faults. clubs. The aim is to provide exit routes is striving to make a contribution to the UÊ The Intermediate Level is aimed at pri- and further opportunities for the chil- wellbeing of future generations. mary school teachers who wish to start dren and teachers involved in gymnastics. Gymnastic movements underpin all an after-school gym club. This course other areas of PE and provide the basic deals with setting up a club and gives an Marketing physical literacy components of agil- introduction to warm up exercises, floor Like other successful organisations, BG is ity, balance and co-ordination that set skills, basic vaulting, acrobatics, aerobics a strong brand that lives up to its prom- a child up to be capable and confident and rhythmic disciplines of gymnastics. ise and inspires commitment and loyalty. to take part in other sports and physical UÊ The Intermediate Level (Skills for Sec- A strong brand implies high levels of activity. The organisation recognises the ondary Schools) includes progressive awareness and a belief that the brand challenges that non-specialist primary work on floor, rebound, acrobatic, aer- promise is relevant to the needs of those school teachers have in delivering an obic and rhythmic gymnastics. involved in the delivery of the sport or effective and enjoyable PE curriculum UÊ The Advanced Level course builds on those that have an interest in it. to children. It addresses this by offering the work of the intermediate courses BG also helps develop the traditional support to build confidence in providing for teachers who want to increase their club sector, while helping other sectors effective gymnastic sessions both in and gymnastic knowledge. of the sport to build a higher quality of outside of the curriculum. To support the work of teachers and to provision. An example of this is the BG To help support primary and second- encourage school/club links, BG, in con- Proficiency resources. ary school teachers with gymnastics junction with local authorities, specialist The organisation recognises that to delivery, BG has reviewed, updated and sports colleges and regional gymnastics retain teenage and adult gymnasts reorganised its teachers’ award courses, associations have recruited 145 commu- and attract new participants, both the within the following areas: nity sports coaches across England. programmes and the imagery used to UÊ The Introductory Level is aimed mainly Their role is to support teachers with promote them need to be targeted and at primary non-specialist teachers. the delivery of national curriculum gym- age-specific. Work has begun to address This course deals with safety, teaches nastics, develop extra-curricular clubs in this and to increase the ease of access set moves, incorporates apparatus both the primary and secondary sectors, into the sport. With its diverse range of and sequencing into skill work, gives provide competitive or display opportu- disciplines, there is definitely something an understanding of good body nities in gymnastics for the schools and for everyone in gymnastics. L

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 39 SWIMMING

Temporary Swimming Pools

Pete Hayman looks at how temporary swimming pools can help people in hard- to-reach areas learn to swim and transform a venue into a water-based attraction

n an October 2008 report in place to unveil a second pool in early “We were hit with the fact at the time examining the provision of pub- 2010. Another of the initiative’s partners, that one in five kids leaving primary lic swimming pools and diving Total Swimming, is providing the tem- school were not reaching the national I facilities across London, the Lon- plate for Make A Splash, to complement curriculum requirement of being able to don Assembly’s economic development, its own Pools4Schools programme. swim 25m and found out that some of culture, sport and tourism committee Total Swimming founder Steve Parry these negative figures linked to areas of suggested that better access could be developed the idea of using temporary deprivation, ethnic minority groups or provided by increasing the use of mobile swimming pools to help children learn kids who did not have access to swim- or temporary swimming pools. how to swim after returning from his ming pools,” he said. Since the publication of that report, medal-winning performance at the 2004 With the help of commercial sponsor London mayor Boris Johnson has contin- Athens Olympics. Having become frus- British Gas and a collaboration agree- ued to affirm his commitment to driving trated with low attainment rates for Key ment with the ASA, the Pools4Schools up sports participation throughout Stage Two pupils being able to swim 25m, initiative moves temporary facilities the capital in the lead up to the 2012 Parry decided to do something about it. around the country on a six-week basis Olympic and Paralympic Games. Part in a bid to help boost attainment rates, of his focus during 2009 was to increase although Parry admits the scheme’s suc- swimming opportunities. We want to provide cess is down to varying factors. Despite the committee’s findings that five hours of quality “In terms of the planning, just the a lack of accessible facilities was “unlikely teaching provision, on health and safety issues about sticking a to improve by 2012”, efforts to improve temporary swimming pool into a school swimming provision among communities a ratio of one teacher to hall obviously makes a lot of people very with limited opportunities have been seven swimmers, to 740 nervous, whether it’s asset teams at the increasingly facilitated by the use of councils, headteachers or the partnership temporary pools. This was underpinned children per six weeks development manager,” explains Parry. by the launch of the PlaySport London: “The reason it’s worked for us is that we Make A Splash scheme in October 2009, know a lot of people in swimming and which received £7.5m to fund the use of we also understand what it takes to mobile swimming facilities for 12 weeks learn to swim in an effective way. in three different locations. “Per programme, we want to provide five hours of quality teaching provi- Swimming Partners sion, on a ratio of one teacher to seven Delivered in partnership with children’s swimmers to 740 children, per six weeks. charity The Variety Club, serviced office That’s more than 3,500 hours of teaching providers MWBex, the Amateur Swim- swimming hours for the children. Our ming Association (ASA) and London aim with the temporary pools model is Swimming, the scheme’s first mobile to teach 10,000 kids to swim through the pool was installed at the Greenwood Pools4Schools programme and another Primary School in Ealing and plans are Steve Parry 5,000 to swim through Boris Johnson’s

40 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 programme. That’s 15,000 for 2009. This Building the temporary pool at the MEN year, we hope to get closer to teaching arena (top and left). School appeal (above) 25,000 kids using this method.” floor so we need to be extra vigilant space and access are often limited so we It’s showtime about leaks or overflows.” design the plant to go through double Temporary swimming pools are not just The SkyPool system has also been in- doors and moved using pallet trucks.” an effective means of helping people stalled for use at the FINA long and short Another mobile pool provider In- learn to swim. Such facilities also play course World Swimming Championships varmex’s managing director Bill Tuplin an important role in showcasing wa- in indoor arenas in Manchester, Barce- also advocates the benefits of temporary ter-based activities and staging major lona and Shanghai. The company was swimming pools. “We can provide a 25m competition events in venues that are also the first to install a 50m x 25m x 3m pool in a dry stadium, erect in double- traditionally renowned for ‘dry’ use. temporary pool at the Rod Laver Arena quick time and take it down even quicker,” The annual Leisure Industry Week (LIW) in Melbourne, Australia. AstralPool com- says Tuplin. “So the stadium can revert event at Birmingham’s NEC boasts a tem- mercial manager Simon Jones says that back to its dry state for the next event.” porary pool to showcase pool building each venue needs to be able demon- Furthermore, Invarmex and AstralPool and maintenance technology, as well as strate it can accommodate the SkyPool. have both seen local authorities and lei- demonstrations in the latest swimming “We carry out a site survey to check sure operators look to the use of mobile training techniques and initiatives. that the venue is capable of a pool in- pools to retain swimming provision in LIW has partnered with AstralPool stallation and if the required electrical, an area where permanent facilities are since 2005 to provide a temporary water and waste drains services are suit- undergoing refurbishment. But Steve SkyPool facility. Show organiser Jonny able. If there are any doubts over the Parry believes that temporary pools can Sullens explains that the relationship has suitability of the floor then we recom- complement existing provision. enabled the event to boast the pool area, mend that a structural survey is carried “If people don’t want to spend despite having little margin for delay as a out. This is particularly essential when £4-5m on a 25m swimming pool that’s result of tight tenancy arrangements. installing a 25m or 50m pool.” only going to affect a certain area, “We begin with a planning meeting,” Ensuring that plumbing and filtration they can invest in a facility that they says Sullens. “Then Astral liaises with its systems are designed correctly is another can then move around to schools or partners and submits technical plans to part of the SkyPool’s operation that is groups based on needs,” he says. our operations team. These are checked determined by the nature of the venue. “However, I would hope that in the by an independent health and safety ad- “The filtration plant design depends on long term there is enough pool access visor before being approved. the pool size,” Jones says. “The filtration for children and adults across the “Astral arrives at the NEC to install plant is pre-plumbed onto skids at our fac- country. Temporary pools shouldn’t the pool as soon as our tenancy com- tory, these are then ready for installation be used as an excuse not to build proper mences,” Sullens explains. “Time is the at the venue. When large pools are in- leisure facilities. They should be there main challenge, as we have just three stalled the filtration plant would normally to accompany the delivery of swimming days to build the pool and one-and-a- be situated under the temporary pool and not to replace pool space.” L half days to dismantle it. In addition, deck and the filtration plant would be de- the power at the NEC runs beneath the signed to fit underneath. On smaller pools, Pete Hayman is a Leisure Media journalist

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 41 FUNDING

Liz Behnke advises on the funding streams available for sports projects and offers practical advice on how to access it

CHASING PIC: WWW.SPORTENGLAND.ORG THE MONEY

ith the advent of Lottery Some, but not all national governing will expect you to have consulted with a funding for sport back in bodies of sport (NGBs) now have their range of organisations, such as: the 1990s it seemed to many own capital and revenue grant schemes. UÊ The NGB specific to your sport W clubs that if you had a proj- These all have their own criteria, but UÊ The local County Sports Partnership (CSP) ect, all you had to do was put in an most will look to achieve Sport England’s UÊ The Local Authority application and wait for the funds to aim of getting one million people UÊ The Community Sports Network arrive. Then the Football Foundation more active, more often. You also need to identify the local came along, and the same seemed to There are also many more funding competition. Your project is important happen for football projects. sources at local level, but these can be to you, but is it to others? If there are Today we’re in a very different world. very specific. The Directory of Grant already similar facilities in the area, Lottery income has dropped and fund- Making Trusts (www.grantsonline.org. then will the market be able to sustain ing is distributed in a different way. uk) or Funderfinder (www.funderfinder. another one? There are still many funding streams org.uk) can be used to track them down. available but to be successful in access- 2 Local need ing it you have to think smart and be Planning your project At a local level, it is important to identify focused on your project. When planning your project and devel- who uses your facilities and who doesn’t. oping your business plan there are three If people aren’t using your facilities, What’s out there? key areas that need to be addressed: then it’s important to find out why. This There are a number of different funding 1 Strategic Need can be done through a local survey to sources available, depending upon the 2 Local Need highlight whether people are actually scope of your project and its location. 3 Sports Development interested in your project. The list includes: Another area to examine is whether UÊ Trusts and charities 1 Strategic need you are able to meet any additional, UÊ Sport England’s Small Grant scheme You need to consider where your project unmet demand – both now and in the UÊ The Lottery (via Sport England) will fit into the bigger picture. Will it be future – as this will impact on what type UÊ Landfill tax a key facility for your local area, for the of facilities you need to provide. UÊ Coalfield regeneration trusts county or region – or is it a local scheme You will also need to identify local com- UÊ The Football Foundation which will only benefit a small key group petition, ie is there a similar facility being UÊ The Rugby Football Foundation of people? This is an important issue planned locally that you weren’t aware of UÊ The governing bodies of sport to consider, as it will determine where or is there already something in the next UÊ Local authorities you can seek funding. Funding bodies town with an underused capacity? UÊ Health authorities UÊ TV fund raisers ie Sport Relief Any organisation that’s prepared to fund a sports project UÊ Sponsorship will have its own agenda, whether that is increasing UÊ Sportsmatch UÊ The National Sports Foundation participation or a specific interest in your sport

42 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Three key areas need to be addressed in the business plan: strategic need, local need and sports development3

3 Sports development information on how Think about whether a funder would to use this tool can be be interested in investing in a project found on CSP or Sport if they could see any improvement as a England websites. result. Sports development is one way of Linked to this advice, proving this and is often ignored when you need to identify planning a new facility. what is limiting your It’s critical to identify potential new development. Is it customers. Most funding bodies will poor changing facili- want to see an increase in participation ties, bad drainage, a lack as a result of their investment and will of floodlit facilities, or want to ensure that it is a benefit to the indoor space or just the local community – they want some pay- location, which means All of these make up your project and back for their investment. you can’t expand and therefore if they can be presented in a clear and It’s no use seeking to improve your ex- need to find another site? logical way, then your chance of secur- isting facilities if this will only benefit a Taking all of this into account will ing funding increases. small group of people. CSPs, local author- demonstrate to a potential funder that ities and Sport England, to name a few, you’re planning ahead and thinking The funders want to see an increase in participation about how your club will grow and ben- It’s worth remembering that any and will only support projects which can efit the local community. organisation that’s prepared to fund a demonstrate they can achieve this. Sports development planning is about sports project will have its own agenda Two new tools which are available to having a clear vision for the future and it – whether that’s increasing participation help you make the case are Active Peo- can be summarised in six key words: or a specific interest in your sport. The ple and Market Segmentation. Aims What are you aiming to achieve? key message here is to get to know your UÊ The Active People Survey is the largest How are you going to do this? funders and be clear about what their survey of sport and active recreation Who is going to do the work? criteria are. Are they seeking payback in undertaken in England (see p44) and When what are the timescales involved? any form? Are they focusing on any spe- now has three years’ worth of available What is the project? cific target groups such as young people data. It creates a baseline against which Review How will you know what has or people with a disability. active participation can be measured been achieved? (You need to Make sure that you read the funder’s anywhere in the country and is a valu- have a way of reviewing the documentation carefully before able tool for anyone planning a new progress throughout the project). you begin to complete it. If you are facility to use in identifying their local unsure about anything, then seek participation rates. Full details can be Your project clarification. Many funders are happy found on the Sport England website In addition to all of the above, there are to offer advice and would prefer people (www.sportengland.org). a host of other issues you will need to to come to them first to see whether UÊ Market Segmentation is tool that has consider about your project. their project is eligible before an appli- evolved from the Active People Survey. These include: cant spends a lot of time developing It helps to understand what motivates UÊ Marketing of the facility/project a project that isn’t fundable. people to play or not play sport. UÊ Access issues In other words, in order to obtain Based around 19 common groups UÊ Charging policies funding – know your project, know your of people, it can be explored at differ- UÊ Management of the facility funder and above all, keep it simple. L ing geographic levels, to find out what UÊ Operational issues people’s sporting habits are in a commu- UÊ Programming For more information contact Liz or nity, local authority or region. Detailed UÊ Income and expenditure plans Mike at [email protected]

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 43 RESEARCH

Published in December 2009, the third round of the Active People Survey (APS3), conducted by Ipsos MORI, shows that Sport England is now 115,000 closer to its target of getting one million people playing more sport by 2012/2013. Andrew Haylett reports ACTIVE PEOPLE SURVEY 3

he third Active People Survey, 16.4 per cent (6.815 million) in APS2 and Although swimming continues to be which ran from October 2008 15.5 per cent (6.295 million) in APS1. the most popular sport, topping the ta- to October 2009, follows on Participation against the KPI1 target ble in all three survey periods, the sport T from the previous two surveys has also seen a significant increase from is actually witnessing a decline in num- conducted in 2005/6 and 2007/8. APS2 to APS3, and is now 21.6 per cent bers. Over the course of APS3, 81,900 Following the implementation of Sport compared to 21.3 per cent in APS2 and 21 fewer adults participated in swimming England’s new strategy (see interview p16), per cent in the first survey. The percent- than in 2007/8. Looking back to 2005/6, the Active People 2 (APS2) survey provided age of adults meeting the NI8 target has the number has fallen by over 111,000. the first set of measures for a number of also risen from 21.2 per cent in APS1 to It is in both cycling and athletics that key indicators. These included the original 21.9 per cent under the new APS3 results. we see significant increases when com- KPI1 three times 30 minutes (3x30) par- Between the APS1 and APS2 sur- paring APS3 with both APS2 and APS1. ticipation in sport and active recreation veys, there was a significant decrease of Between 2007/8 and 2008/9, 112,900 indicator, the new one million target indi- nearly 3 per cent from 69.5 per cent to more people participated in cycling and cator and the new National Indicator 8. 66.6 per cent in the proportion of adults 127,600 in athletics. With the publication of Active People saying they are satisfied with local sport While football remains statistically 3 (APS3) it is now possible to make a provision. However, the findings of the unchanged from APS2 to APS3, more comparison with the previous results, APS3 survey show that this percentage than 100,000 extra people participated details of which are outlined on page 45. is now 68.4 per cent, which is certainly a in 2008/9 than during the first survey in move in the right direction. 2005/6. Golf participation has decreased, National Headline Results with 50,700 fewer people taking part in APS3 shows that 16.6 per cent of all adults Sports Specific Results APS3 compared to the previous year. aged 16 and over participated in sport at Participation in sport is defined as the least three times a week at a moderate percentage of adults aged 16-plus tak- Active People Diagnostic intensity (one million target indicator). ing part in a sport at moderate intensity During 2009, Active People Diagnostic An increase of 115,000, this equates to for 30 minutes or more at least once was upgraded to incorporate the new 6.93 million people. This compares with in the last week. APS2 data. The diagnostic allows

One million indicator: This is the num- intense activities such as power walk- age of adults in a local area who partici- ber of adults (16 and over) participating ing, hill trekking, cliff walking and gorge pated in sport and active recreation, at in at least 30 minutes of sport at moder- walking are also included. moderate intensity, for at least 30 min- ate intensity at least three times a KPI1: The percentage of adult sparticipat- utes, on at least 12 days out of the last week. This does not include recreational ing in at least 30 minutes of sport and four weeks (equivalent to 30 minutes on walking or infrequent recreational cy- active recreation (including recreational three or more days a week). NI8 includes cling, but does include cycling if done at walking and cycling) of at least moderate five light intensity sports (yoga, pilates, least once a week at moderate intensity intensity, three days a week. indoor and outdoor bowls, archery and and for at least 30 minutes. Other more NI8: This indicator measures the percent- croquet) for those aged 65 and over.

44 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Although swimming continues to be the most popular sport, it’s witnessing a decline in numbers

in-depth interrogation of the sports data Activity APS1 (2005/6) APS2 (2007/8) APS3 (2008/9) +/- participants at numerous geographical levels, as well APS3 vs APS2 as providing analysis of data by a wide variety of socio-demographic variables, Number % Number % Number % survey questions and Key Performance Swimming 3,273,800 8.04% 3,244,300 7.83% 3,162,400 7.57% -81,900 Indicators (KPI). Football 2,021,700 4.97% 2,144,700 5.18% 2,122,700 5.08% -22,000 The site remains open to the public Cycling 1,634,800 4.02% 1,767,100 4.26% 1,880,000 4.50% 112,900 and to date achieved more than 6,000 Athletics 1,353,800 3.33% 1,612,100 3.89% 1,739,700 4.16% 127,600 registered users since its launch in 2006. Golf 889,100 2.18% 948,300 2.29% 897,600 2.15% -50,700 During the 13,000 times the site has For the third survey in a row, the top five most popular sports ranking remains unchanged been accessed, users have clocked up 340,000 page views while investigating key socio-demographics and compared England-funded sports. The make up of their particular areas of interest. with the previous years of the survey. At all participants is shown by the stan- The original features of the service re- county council and local authority level dard key socio-demographic groups and main, but have been added to with new you can also assess how each area com- compared with the profile of the overall questions and variables implemented pares with another.A summary of results population of the UK, as well as to par- and new modules made available. This for each of the main KPIs, by all local ticipation rates from APS1. continues to provide users with a wide authorities can be accessed and down- range of analysis tools and overview loaded from here. Interactive element modules, starting with the very simple The new dashboard module displays The Interactive element of Active People ‘top line’ information by sport, indicator results for the main KPIs by individual Diagnostic remains unchanged, however or region, to the fairly complicated dissec- local authorities, county councils and it been upgraded and expanded to allow tion of results such as by survey question CSPs in interactive charts. A summary more options and greater flexibility. Here or detailed demographics. With multiple of each KPI by area is displayed and users can continue to build profiles of surveys now on the site, users can also the user can then access a breakdown by respondents and compare results using compare results over time. key socio-demographic group achieving the profile analysis menu. The cross tabu- The structure of Active People Diag- the target. Previous AP1 and AP2 survey lation function now features the new nostic has been reordered slightly and results are also shown for comparison. survey questions and variables, which of- the look and feel of the site upgraded to fers the opportunity to run results by an give it a modern edge. The key areas are Sport results increased number of breakdowns, bases detailed below. Users can access information by Sport and sub-groups. The comparative analy- England-funded, as well as unfunded, sis module has also been upgraded to Key Performance Indicators sports from this area of the site. National allow a greater number of sports or areas This section of the site offers the user re- participation rates, club membership, tu- to be compared at the same time sults for the main KPIs by individual local ition and participation in competition are The APS3 data will be available to authorities, county councils, Community displayed in an understandable format. examine later in the year. L Sport Partnerships (CSPs), regions and on Another new dashboard module pro- Andrew Haylett is a research manager a national level. Each KPI is displayed by vides a profile of participants in Sport at Ipsos MORI research company

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 45 NATURAL TURF

eflecting on 2009, we had the products and services that have environ- banking crisis, followed by the mental or green credentials. Increasingly recession and the year culmi- sports and amenity facility managers R nated with the Climate Summit are recognising the value of developing What’s in Copenhagen, which focused our at- robust environmental policies, which can tention on the environment. be a great marketing tool. We’re becoming almost immune to the shock messages released by gov- Ecology and grant funding ernments and environmental pressure Managing outdoor sports or leisure the cost groups. We’ve seen pictures of polar facilities offers many opportunities for bears starving through lack of hunting environmental improvements and cost ground, huge chunks of ice slipping into savings. During many years as an eco- the sea and rising sea levels swallowing logical and environmental consultant, of going small villages in the South Pacific. The I’ve seen opportunities at a variety of problem seems so big that individuals sites – from public parks, private estates, don’t feel sufficiently empowered schools and hospital grounds, through to make a difference, so most of us to cricket squares, Premiership training take the easy option and simply leave grounds and golf courses. Each presents GREEN? it to someone else. its own set of circumstances, but all of- However, addressing climate chang- fer the opportunity to improve working Will sports turf es could offer opportunities for the practices and deliver an environmentally groundscare industry – by cutting costs sustainable experience for the user. follow other and promoting their facilities. Simple measures, such as changing the industries in going management of non-use areas of the green? The STRI’s Marketing opportunities land can bring about considerable eco- Although most people don’t want to logical gains, while even the most basic Lee Penrose reports lose their resource-hungry lifestyles, one of energy surveys and efficiency reports of the easiest ways to make a difference can save up to 20 per cent on an annual (and ease the conscience) is to purchase energy bill. Grant funding is available

Burhill Golf Club has reduced its running costs and increased its market share of visiting golfers

BURHILL GOLF AND LEISURE

ased in the south-east of Eng- (and therefore income) in an attempt to ecological management programme was land, Burhill Golf and Leisure attract new golfers, or increase the quality developed for each site. B operates 10 golf facilities, rang- of the courses in order to set them apart In addition to the obvious benefits of ing from pay and play through to the from neighbouring clubs. reducing energy and water bills and im- prestigious Old Course at Burhill Golf The operator made the decision to proving habitats on the golf courses, the Club in Walton on Thames, Surrey. improve its market position through group has recorded a significant reduc- Like many golf facilities at the outset investing in the courses. tion in running costs and has increased of the recession, the management had An environmental policy was developed its market share of visiting golfers two choices, to either slash green fees for the group and an environment and through the quality of its courses.

46 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 for numerous environmental initiatives, UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER SPORTS GROUNDS details of which can be obtained from STRI’s Ecology Environment Unit. he Quintin Hogg Memorial Sports Grounds at the University of West- Water management T minster consists of a few natural The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is turf, rugby and football pitches, tennis the single most significant piece of water courts and a synthetic five-a-side pitch. legislation to affect land managers in A short-term ecological improvement the past 30 years. In contrast to previous programme was drawn up by the STRI, water quality-focused legislation, the which included changing the routine WFD will give more consideration to the management of many areas, so staff time ecological status of fresh water. Bro- could be reallocated to more core activi- ken down into distinct river basins, the ties during the summer months. WFD’s effect on individual managers Funding via the London Tree and will vary from region to region – de- Woodland Grant Scheme, for the intro- pending on the water problems in each duction of 1km of native hedgerow, was area. However, common themes across successfully acquired. Old, rusty fences facilities in the UK will include the appro- have now been replaced with a diverse priate sourcing and efficient application hedgerow that is creating wildlife habi- of irrigation water, the storage of pes- tats and developing a more secure and ticides and fertilizers and the cleansing pleasant setting for visitors. of waste water following machinery Other projects implemented within wash down. There are examples of best the programme include the development practice advice freely available at www. of wildflower areas and an allotment nroso.npct.org.uk and www.stri.co.uk to grow organic fruit and vegetables. Projects in the pipeline include a water Waste management capture and storage/re-use system. A change in attitude has altered the way in which sport facility managers deal with the waste arising from rou- composting system is not rocket ST ANDREWS LINKS TRUST tine maintenance over the last 20 or 30 science, but it does require a little years. Prior to that time, most managers consultation that will bring dividends he wash-down of maintenance would collect green waste and compost in the long run. Dr David Lawson is a machinery is a problem at every it on site, producing a usable material leading expert in composting and turf T golf club or sports facility. This thereafter. In recent times, with readily management at the STRI and would issue is particularly exacerbated on available cheap fertilisers and no recom- be happy to advise. an open links site such as St Andrews pense for the indiscriminate disposal of Golf Club in Scotland. green waste, these practices have been The future? Although not loaded heavily with all but forgotten. However, green waste Apparently, the Chinese word for pollutants, this water often con- management systems are now begin- problem is the same word they use for tains moderate levels of herbicides, ning to make a comeback. opportunity. This has never been truer fertilisers and other pesticides, which The cost of material disposal to land- when it comes to the environmental can pollute nearby ground water, fill has doubled over the past four years pressures that are facing our industry. streams, ditches and ponds. In order to and now stands at some £48 per tonne. At some point we can either be reactive retain its position as one of the most Equally the cost of nitrate- and potas- to legislation and climate change as environmentally-sound golf facilities sium-rich fertilisers has also increased it impacts on our day to day man- in the UK, the Links Trust is currently over the same period. With a little fore- agement or we can be pro-active by part way through the installation of thought and planning the green waste embracing change and turning these five reedbed filtration systems, which arising from the everyday maintenance opportunities to our advantage. L will appropriately clean all waste water of your facility can be collected, stored, following machinery wash-down prior managed and transformed into a useful Lee Penrose is a senior consultant, to discharge. The systems were de- and cost-effective fertiliser or con- Ecology and Environment, at STRI signed by the STRI and installed under struction material. Developing a good [email protected] licence from the Scottish Environment and Protection Agency. The typical cost of a reedbed con- struction including design and materi- als is around £5,000. It’s a very cost- effective and environmentally sound Five reedbed filtration systems option with no ongoing maintenance have been installed at St Andrews or running costs. Golf Course to clean waste water

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 47 TENNIS & SPORTS FENCING

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Indoor tennis facilities are key to encouraging people to play the sport on a more regular basis. Karen Maxwell visited the recently opened tennis airhall at Easton College in Norwich and highlights two further new indoor facilities

t’s a well-known fact that tennis landscape, in which provision had been courts around the country are in- four courts down after the closure of undated with eager players during Lakenham Tennis Club two years earlier. I the two weeks of the Wimbledon Renowned for its land-based agricultur- tournament every June, but this intense al curriculum, Easton College has recently interest usually dies down once the typical expanded into sport provision, bolstered British weather hampers year-round play. by the new tennis facility; two recent- However, a growing supply of indoor ly-installed, full-sized football pitches facilities at tennis centres around the (including a 3G synthetic turf pitch) and country is allowing the budding tennis an existing multi-use sports hall, to facili- refreshment areas, offices, seminar champions of the future, as well as ten- tate its 330 full-time sports students. rooms and a viewing gallery. nis enthusiasts who enjoy playing the Built with partnership funding from game as a way of keeping fit, to play the Learning and Skills Council, the Lawn Programming come rain or shine. Tennis Association (LTA), Norfolk Lawn As well as developing a tennis culture Tennis Association and the college itself, for the sports students at the college by Norfolk newcomer the project was completed in two phases. offering LTA courses and in house place- Jamie and Judy Murray, the brother and In autumn 2008, the first stage of the ments for trainee leisure assistants, the mother of tennis ace Andy, witnessed tennis cetnre development became op- pay and play indoor facility has also en- the official opening of the tennis centre erational with the construction of the hanced regional tennis provision. at Easton College in Norwich recently. four-court air hall. Building work on the “The first phase of the project be- The £3.2m development, consisting second phase finished in June 2009. This came operational almost straight away of four indoor tennis courts under a included the permanent as Norfolk Tennis desperately needed Yeadon Domes airhall and four more structure, featuring four more courts for the coming winter,” in a permanent structure, has added a acrylic indoor courts, Easton College sport and tennis man- pay and play facility to Norfolk’s tennis changing rooms, toilets, ager Matt Breese explains. “It was

Jamie and Judy Murray encourage young tennis players at the air hall official opening

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 49


  

    
        

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50 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 TENNIS

We decided not to compete with other tennis providers in the area, we wanted to work in partnership with them a tough six to nine months running a support. The initial plan was to run it no-frills, basic facility, but the advan- as a letting facility, but when he came tage was that the tennis venue started on board Breese had other plans. “We to pay for itself from day one. decided not to compete with other ten- “The centre inherited Lakenham Ten- nis providers in the area, we wanted nis Centre’s tennis programme and to work in partnership with them by although, due to the two-year gap, the providing an all-weather pay and play number of children on the programme scheme instead of going down the mem- had dwindled from 240 to 80 players, it bership route, so it’s open to everyone,” was better than starting from scratch he says. He also saw the benefit of run- and allowed us to inherit two estab- ning their own tennis programme to lished coaches,” Breese says. ensure that the facility would be busy throughout the year. Partnership (CSP) and the local School Partnerships Now running more than 80 coaching Sport Partnership. “We’ve set up a CSP- A Level 4 tennis coach, former tennis sessions a week for both performance backed 10-week tennis programme manager at Leeds City Council and LTA and social players as well as weekend for adults who want to get back into tennis development manager for the tennis events, Breese says the centre is the sport and are also currently work- South East region, Breese joined the very much the result of solid partner- ing with children from 16 local schools, project to put the business plan for ten- ships between other tennis facilities, where we offer teacher training, host nis provision together and gain LTA Tennis East, Norfolk County Sports inter-school competitions and fast track good players towards performance pro- CASE STUDY grammes,” Breese says. “I suppose with my tennis experience CHURCHILL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, WALLSEND, NORTH TYNESIDE I know what’s out there, regarding onstruction has started on the new facility by the LTA as part of Brit- funding, support and partner opportu- new indoor tennis complex at ish Tennis’ Places to Play strategy to nities. We’ve topped the LTA’s league C Churchhill Community College in boost participation. The Department table for Clubmark status, we receive Wallsend, North Tyneside, to create an for Children, Schools and Families has LTA performance funding, which sub- all-weather facility for students, local also contributed. sidises the court costs for coaches, kids’ residents and tennis clubs. Matt James, LTA UK head of perfor- equipment and off-court responsibilities The four-court centre – consisting mance, says: “Indoor facilities make a and we regularly liaise with the tennis of a steel-framed, waterproof fabric huge difference to the number of playing development manager at Tennis East to structure, is set to be built over the hours in the winter months. Improving ensure that we are doing the right thing school’s existing tennis courts, which and increasing facilities for the whole for local tennis investment,” he says. will undergo improvements as part of community is key to increasing the the scheme and will link with other number of people playing tennis, keeping Marketing indoor sports areas at the school. Nearly them in the game and supporting tal- During the summer of 2009 when £500,000 has been invested into the ented players to achieve their potential.” the whole facility was up and running, Breese set up an agreement with the

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 51 TENNIS

Norfolk 100-team adult tennis league to We invited players and partners from allow the use of the facility during the Norfolk county tennis league and inclement weather. “This ended up be- we were able to give a backdrop to ten- ing a great marketing ploy because nis progressions on court – then Jamie it brought active tennis players from the partnered a national LTA coach in an ex- surrounding areas to experience what hibition doubles match. We subsequently we had to offer once all the facilities got media publicity from the local were finalised.” says Breese. newspapers, radio and TV stations.” Having the Murray duo opening the Breese may have got the facility on facility also attracted a lot of regional Norfolk’s tennis map and has a responsi- interest. “Lucky for us the club opening bility to ensure that the courts are fitted well with their RBS sponsor com- busy from a commercial standpoint, mitments,” Breese explained. “We gave “but, he says “we also want to ensure RBS the use of the facility for a half-day that courts can be hired at short notice corporate event and we’re able to have to encourage people into the sport James and Judy for two hours after that. any day of the year.” L

CASE STUDY GOSLING INTERNATIONAL HIGH PERFORMANCE CENTRE

he recent construction of a tennis Thanks to a £400,000 grant from Sport courts, four covered American clay air hall at Gosling Sports Park in England through the LTA, the Bridome courts, five outdoor floodlit synthetic T Welwyn Garden City has given a air hall construction was part of a wider grass courts, three outdoor floodlit substantial boost to tennis provision in £4.7m redevelopment of the 50-acre championship acrylic courts and the air the Hertfordshire area. sports park site, which links the tennis hall has increased the number of indoor Having been awarded International centre to both new and existing build- hard courts by four. High Performance Centre status by the ings. New facilities include a 100-station Matt Willcocks, tennis director at LTA in the summer of 2009 (one of four in fitness centre, a spa complex, a golf Gosling, says: “The tennis bubble has the UK), the Sports Park’s tennis centre driving range, new changing rooms, a enabled our coaching team to continue is already a training base for a number of sports retail outlet, new offices and a the drive to get more people into the national and international-standard play- reception area. The park also houses a sport. By building on the success of ers – including 12 AEGON FutureStars. 170m ski and board centre, an athlet- our performance programme, we have However, the pay and play court rental ics track, a cycling velodrome and a 3G used our expertise, in partnership with policy allows for wider participation – football pitch, sports rehabilitation Hertfordshire LTA and other funding attracting tennis enthusiasts from the and wellness centre. bodies, to provide further opportunities Hertfordshire and North London area, The extended tennis facility is a to schools, clubs and members regardless of their age, ability and welcome extension to the sports park. It of the community.” ambition in the sport. offers nine indoor championship acrylic The tennis centre currently has links to 13 schools in the Camden as well as Grant Shapps MP (pictured centre schools in the local Welwyn area and is with ball) opened the facility, which involved with a four-place tennis scholar- is run by Matt Willcocks (far right) ship at a nearby private school. Willcocks is working towards the tennis provision becoming the best in the world by 2012. “We have 150 action points to achieve that long-term goal, which means we have something to do every day to get there,” he says.

52 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 MULTI-USE SPORTS HALLS stunning surfaces MODERN BRIGHT AFFORDABLE made child’s play

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Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 53       
 

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Science in Sport GreenFields – FIFA sponsors Sir Chris Hoy Preferred Producer Sports nutrition company, Science in Synthethic surfaces company Sport (SiS) has announced its offi cial GreenFields was awarded FIFA Pre- sponsorship of World and Olympic ferred Producer status at the FSB champion track cyclist, Sir Chris Hoy. trade fair in Cologne, Germany. The fi rst athlete to offi cially repre- The FIFA quality concept for syn- sent the brand globally, Hoy (above thetic football turf was developed right) will be featured in a series of to standardise the quality of foot- online videos, which will give an ball pitches and to guarantee the insight into the cyclist’s training tech- safety of football players. niques and nutritional requirements. As a FIFA Preferred Producer, SiS will also work with Hoy in the GreenFields takes full responsibility run-up to the London 2012 Games. for the production, installation and sport-kit.net keyword sport-kit.net keyword maintenance of artifi cial football science in sport greenfi elds turf from inception to completion.

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 55 SYNTHETIC SURFACES

Standards for

The FA has replaced its Performance Standard for Artificial Grass Pitches for Community Use with the revised FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf (2009 edition). Alastair Cox discusses the new standard and how its adoption by the FA will affect the UK sports surfacing market

he FIFA Quality Concept for Foot- that is four times as severe as that used inadequate maintenance leading to ball Turf (FQC) was launched in previously. It is this new FIFA One Star cat- unsatisfactory or unsafe pitches. 2001 and has been updated a egory that the FA has now adopted. T number of times since then, most As the FIFA Quality Concept for The steps to a pitch recently in May 2009. Football Turf is linked to a commercial being certified by FIFA: In 2005, harmonisation with UEFA re- licence, FIFA has also published the STEP 1 – the manufacturer of the sulted in FIFA developing two categories International Artificial Turf Standard artificial turf surface has the product of pitch certification, FIFA Two Star being (IATS) for companies not wishing to join tested in the laboratory by a FIFA designed for top level use and FIFA One the FIFA Quality Concept; the IATS is certified test institute)for a series of Star having slighter wider bands of per- technically equivalent to the FIFA One parameters that include: formance and being aimed at training Star category and compliance with UÊ ball/surface interaction and moderate-use community pitches. either is recognised by the FA. UÊ player/surface interaction The latest revisions have now in- UÊ effects of simulated use creased the differences between the How does a pitch obtain UÊ resistance to artificial weathering two categories; FIFA Two Star remaining FIFA certification? (UV resistance) the higher category, being intended for To ensure that certified pitches are UÊ durability and the effects of professional clubs and national stadia, well constructed, with surfaces of artificial ageing while FIFA One Star is now focused on proven quality and are installed at Only products that fully satisfy the the ability of surfaces to withstand sig- sites with adequate allowance for laboratory test requirements of the nificantly higher levels of use as often maintenance, the FQC includes a com- FQC (2009 edition) may be installed on found on community pitches. prehensive series of laboratory and pitches requiring FIFA certification. To achieve the new objectives, the FIFA site tests and inspections. STEP 2 – following the construction of One Star category has been significantly These are designed to provide wide a pitch, it is then subjected to a series revised so the laboratory testing proce- ranging protection to purchasers of of sports performance and construction dures an artificial turf surface must satisfy artificial grass pitches and reassurance tests which have been designed to before being considered suitable for in- to funding bodies. This greatly reduc- ensure that the artificial sports turf stallation now include a simulated use-test es the risk of low-quality surfaces or surface has been installed correctly.

56 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 There’s service and then there’s AMB Sports Replay service. www.ambsports.com The best choice in sports To our maintenance teams, each project is special. We are passionate about providing a level of service that is second-to-none. It’s a philosophy that is reflected throughout Replay. Every synthetic sports surface that we maintain is treated with care and respect, and we are committed to only using the best machines, processes facilities & surfaces and techniques. The final result for you is a sports facility that always looks great. AMB Sports continues to meet the demands of Please contact us for a FREE site visit or for further information. We’d love to help! the Sports Facility and Surface Market, achieving Call 01636 640506 Email [email protected] major success with a comprehensive range of

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Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 57 SYNTHETIC SURFACES

Measuring the ‘angle ball behaviour’ of artificial grass for community use

Failure to maintain a pitch correctly is a common cause of poor performance and can result in invalid warranties

Even the best quality surfaces will Training and small-sided pitches What will happen to the FA not perform acceptably if they are As the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Performance Standards? poorly or incorrectly installed. For a only covers full-sized pitches, the FA has As part of the harmonisation of stan- pitch to satisfy the field test require- specified that small-sided and training dards, the FA has agreed to withdraw, ments of the FQC it has to pass all pitches should be field tested in accor- with immediate effect, its Performance the tests undertaken in each of the dance with British Standard BS EN 15330: Standard for Artificial Grass Pitches for six test positions; there is no tolerance Surfaces for Sports Areas. This specifica- Community Use – published in 2004. In of unacceptable performance. tion for synthetic turf surfaces is primarily addition, FIFA accredited laboratories STEP 3 – samples of the installed artifi- designed for football (which has similar (that the FA requires to undertake cial turf surface and infill are taken field test requirements to the FIFA One Star laboratory and field tests will not from the site to the laboratory for analy- category) and recommends the artificial undertake tests in accordance with the sis to ensure they are identical to those turf surface satisfies the laboratory test FA standard – so even if it is incorrectly that satisfied the laboratory test require- requirements of the FQC, which are more specified pitches cannot be tested by ments (Step 1). demanding than the British Standard. recognised test laboratories. L If the materials are found to be different, the pitch will not be certified Converting existing Alastair Cox is director of Labosport – by FIFA as the surface’s ability to provide synthetic grass pitches a FIFA accredited test laboratory acceptable long-term performance As an increasing number of sand-filled has not been proven. artificial turf pitches are being converted STEP 4 – as part of the field test, to long-pile football surfaces, particular Further Information an audit of the maintenance equipment consideration needs to be given to the and training provided to the ground provisions made in the FQC for such proj- Further details about the FIFA Qual- staff is undertaken. ects – when an existing shockpad is to be ity Concept for Football Turf, FIFA If the equipment is not as specified retained and incorporated into the new accredited laboratories and copies of by the surface manufacturer or inade- artificial turf surfacing system. the laboratory and field test require- quate training has been provided, As the performance and durability ments may be downloaded from FIFA will not certify the pitch, as of the football turf is significantly influ- the FIFA website at www.fifa.com/ failure to maintain a pitch correctly enced by the shockpad, it is important aboutfifa/developing/pitchequip- is the most common cause of poor that only surfacing systems incorporat- ment/footballturf/index performance and often results in ing shockpads with similar performance Guidance on the testing of artifi- warranties becoming invalid. characteristics to the existing one are cial grass football surfaces and the Pitches satisfying the demanding considered for the resurfacing. Conse- testing of installed pitches in accor- requirements of the FQC are certified quently, the properties of the retained dance with FIFA and FA requirements by FIFA for one year for the FIFA Two shockpad must be measured on-site may also be obtained from Labos- Star category and four years for the prior to tenders being sought (which port at [email protected] FIFA One Star category, although FIFA will require the existing synthetic The FA, in conjunction with La- can (and does) undertake spot checks turf surface to be cut to allow access bosport, is currently updating its at any time and if a pitch fails, its certifi- to the shockpad). Contractors bidding guidance notes on artificial grass cation is cancelled. In addition, the for the resurfacing will then know pitches and these will soon be avail- FA’s competition and funding rules what the performance of the shock- able on the FA’s website at may require more frequent testing of pad is and can select an appropriate www.thefa.com FIFA One Star category pitches. football turf surfacing system.

58 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010                 MARK HARROD IS A SUITABLE GOAL POST SUPPLIER TO THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION GOAL POST REPLACEMENT SCHEME.    OUR FOOTBALL GOALS:          meet BSEN748 and BS8462 standards       !   !! " #  $   !! " %  &'     (! )( &  *+,-  ./)! comply with FA regulations pass independent tests are manufactured in the UK CALL MARK ON 01502 710039 BUY ONLINE AT www.markharrod.com

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Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 59 CHANGING ROOMS Women’s changing rooms

Changing rooms play a large part in poor sports participation levels among females and operators need to take some tips from the retail industry if this trend is to be reversed. Kath Hudson reports

few years ago, while heavily facilities were often to blame: 83 per Initiative (IFI), varying levels of accessi- pregnant, I went for a swim cent said they wanted private changing bility are seen: “Not all facilities provide at a hotel. Dressing in the cubicles and 56 per cent want hairdryers. features such as changing beds and A communal changing room af- “Women are now used to high qual- hoists, meaning some disabled people terwards, with no place to hide, I noticed ity environments, such as shopping malls. have to change on the floor and some the horrified expression of an eight-year- The retail market is very sophisticated accessible changing rooms are being old girl staring at my belly. I’ve never felt in its approach to targeting women, used as store rooms.” so self-conscious and didn’t go back. It we’re competing with them and wom- Robson says, although ideally that seems I’m not alone. Many women in en are voting with their feet,” says Sue beds and hoists should be available, the UK are naming poor changing rooms, Tibballs, CEO of WSFF. “Women are one of the most important elements in – which offer no privacy, are unclean and demanding as consumers. In the past, making changing rooms accessible is to don’t offer the facilities to make them- the sports sector has taken a one-size- provide unisex changing and toilet areas, selves look presentable afterwards – as a fits-all approach, but now we need to as consideration and provision must be reason to duck out of sport. differentiate. The design of the physi- made for disabled people with a carer According to research from the cal environment is important. In sport of the opposite sex. Women in Sport and Fitness Foundation it’s often not thought about sufficient- The IFI offers operators the option (WSFF), just 3 per cent of females in the ly – particularly for those women whose of going for a voluntary accreditation, UK play organised team sports and 80 cultures require them to cover up. Some which goes beyond the registration per cent don’t do enough physical activ- sports clubs don’t provide basic amenities requirement levels of the Disability ity to benefit their health. The changing like places to change, or toilets for wom- Discrimination Act. Its work is mainly en to use. Guys don’t mind as much, but guided by three documents: Sport with women cleanliness is important.” England’s Access for Disabled People, the British Standard 8300: 2009 and ACCESSIBILITY the Approved Document M of the If changing rooms can be off putting Building Regulations. to the general population, it creates a Feedback from disabled people is also whole new raft of problems for people fundamental to the development of the with disabilities. According to Claire Rob- IFI mark standards and the Changing son, project, education and standards Places toilets campaign is leading the co-ordinator with the Inclusive Fitness way in these developments.

If the locker rooms feel luxurious, users are more likely to think they are getting good value for money

60 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 A selection of well designed locker rooms: JJB Southampton (bottom left), SeaWest in Denmark (insert), Xcel in Elmbridge (below right) and locker rooms at the East Midlands International Pool in Corby (bottom )

WOMEN’S CHANGING ROOM WISH LIST UÊ 78 per cent want sport to reflect the customer-friendly experience of shopping UÊ 83 per cent want private changing cubicles (91 per cent among schoolgirls) UÊ 56 per cent want hairdryers (62 per cent of schoolgirls) UÊ 28 per cent want full length mirrors UÊ 23 per cent want free towels UÊ 20 per cent want music UÊ 25 per cent of schoolgirls want hair straighteners

THE SOLUTION A full refurbishment might be beyond the budget of many facilities, but there are some simple things that can be done which make a big difference. “Clean- liness is really easy to rectify and the lack of it is a big turn off, especially in swimming pool changing rooms,” says Tibballs. “It’s the simple and relatively cheap things which can make women feel like their needs have been taken room. The space must be functional, ro- after their workout or sports game to into consideration. We’ve been too far bust and easy to maintain, because dirty use the social facilities, there needs to be the other way for too long and we need or broken changing rooms may present the provision for people to shower, dry to redress the balance.” concerns for health and safety, or just give their hair and make themselves present- Many local authorities are now taking the wrong impression. “And they need to able. He gives his criteria list: “Showers the matter seriously, including Gates- be aesthetically pleasing and easy to use.” with the right sized doors, hairdryers head Borough Council, which is currently Just as changing rooms can be a bar- that work – with shelves and mirrors. refurbishing a number of its changing rier to participation, good facilities can The stowage requirements need to be rooms and, because the area has a large remove it. “If the locker rooms feel right, as many people now have huge Jewish community who require privacy luxurious, users are more likely to think sports bags that need horizontal lockers when they change, have briefed design- they are getting good value for money and ideally there needs to be space to ers, LSA Projects, to create an area which and will want to come back,” says Sean store shoes separately. Colour selection can be closed off at certain times. Smyth, commercial director for LSA Proj- of floors and tiles is important so that Associate director of S&P architects, ects, which aims to create the luxury feel they don’t look dirty after one person Mark Thomas, says the company is of a private health club in public leisure has walked on them. Bright lighting can currently involved in a number of refur- facilities, with the use of a huge colour make people feel overly self conscious.” bishment projects to upgrade changing range, woods and Corian. These findings send a clear message to rooms. “We know operators and local John Gibbs, managing director of operators that sub-standard changing authorities are taking this seriously both Craftsmen Quality Lockers, agrees that rooms will no longer be tolerated. The because of customer expectation and many people are looking for a reason perception of a facility is often dictated- also because of legislation relating to not to participate in sport, and chang- by the changing rooms and so to skimp inclusive design,” he says. ing rooms can offer a prime excuse. He in this area is a false economy. L “There are a number of important cri- also makes the point that as leisure facili- teria to create a well designed changing ties want to encourage people to stay Kath Hudson is a freelance journalist

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 61 PLAY

INCLUSIVE PLAY Rachel Scott and Victoria Turner discuss the importance of play for disabled children and KIDS’ role in providing guidance on inclusive play provision

ll children have the right to A survey carried out by Contact a expectations, requiring local authorities play in their local communi- Family in 2002 revealed that disabled and service providers to address the spe- ties. It’s essential to healthy children and young people are fre- cific requirements of disabled people and A physical, social and emotional quently excluded from play and leisure to ensure that ‘reasonable adjustments’ development and a fundamental part facilities, with parks and playgrounds are made to facilitate their inclusion. In of childhood. Through play children cited as the least user-friendly. A more addition, two major government initia- learn how to negotiate, take risks and recent consultation carried out in 2009 tives are paving the way for significant overcome obstacles. Most importantly of more than 4,000 children and young progress to be made for disabled children. it’s through play that children develop people in Dudley, revealed that disabled Aiming High for Disabled Children (2007) friendships and a sense of belonging children are disproportionately suscepti- presents local authorities with a require- to a peer group. ble to bullying and therefore least likely ment to develop a wide range of short to use outdoor play spaces. breaks for disabled children and the Na- Playing together In response to these findings, the tional Play Strategy (2008) asserts that Disabled children need to play just as Midlands Architecture Centre (MADE), play areas must be ‘accessible for all local much their non-disabled peers and in- in partnership with Dudley Play Path- children, including disabled children’. deed the benefits of play and physical finder, drew up a design manifesto with activity can be even greater, so it is vital recommendations to encourage disabled The Children’s Plan and they don’t miss out. However, many children to enjoy outdoor play spaces. National Play Strategy barriers to play, leisure and making The Play Together manifesto was en- The Children’s Plan outlines the govern- friends are put in the way of disabled dorsed by KIDS – a chairty for disabled ment’s strategy for improving services children and young people. children – and Play England and can be for children and young people and their downloaded from www.made.org.uk families over the next 10 years. Play is Local authority play pathfinders and play- Previously, many of those respon- prioritised in a National Play Strategy, as builders will deliver £235m in play sible for planning services for disabled are the specific requirements of disabled investment to transform play spaces children rarely looked beyond special children which are addressed in propos- educational needs provision in schools als relating to housing, poverty, bullying, or specialist and segregated services out play, sport, extended schools, school of school. Within play, childcare and exclusion, childcare, staying safe and leisure service providers have rarely seen positive activities for young people. the inclusion of disabled children in The strategy signifies the biggest ordinary settings a priority. policy commitment and investment in Happily, it appears that both the children’s play that England has ever value of play to children’s wellbeing and seen. Local authority play pathfinders the importance of inclusion are filter- and playbuilders will deliver the govern- ing through to government policy. The ment’s £235m investment in play and Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and transform local areas into innovative Disability Equality Duty are changing play spaces. The responsibility now falls to local authorities to ensure that this right becomes a reality. To create truly inclusive services and activities, it’s vital KIDS is working closely with Play Eng- to engage young people in the decision-making process land to provide advice and guidance on inclusion to play pathfinders and

62 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 c\`jli\d\[`X JKL;@F

@e[ljkip$c\X[`e^ GUIDELINES FOR AN INCLUSIVE PLAY ENVIRONMENT dXib\k`e^Xe[ n order for disabled children to ac- designed or adapted to allow for every cess play spaces, forward planning requirement or impairment. The impor- [\j`^ej\im`Z\j Iis essential. Good practice must be tant point is to provide as much variety as embedded from the onset of the design possible – in terms of play value, access, N`k_dfi\k_Xe*'p\XijË stage. Start by carrying out an access equipment, challenge and risk. Disabled audit and check what is required under children need an element of risk and \og\i`\eZ\# c\`jli\d\[`X the DDA. Ensure that children can get to challenge in their lives to enable them to jkl[`fn`ccnfibn`k_pfl and from the play setting and that once develop and learn new skills. there, they can move around the area kfZi\Xk\Y\jgfb\gi`ek freely and have access to appropriate A welcoming attitude Xe[n\Yjfclk`fejkf toilet/changing facilities. It’s important for service providers to take For further information refer to: a proactive approach to promoting inclu- gfn\ipflidXib\k`e^ www.changing-places.org sion, which moves beyond ticking boxes Ensure that notices are clear and on accessibility and meeting government ◗ N\Y[\j`^e visible and that signs are colour-coded requirements. A ‘can-do’ approach along- and in braille. You can also use differ- side adopting respectful attitudes is best ◗ iXg_`Z[\j`^e sand can greatly enhance a play area as In order to create truly inclusive ser- ◗ well as adding play value. Even a simple vices and activities, it is vital to engage ;`^`kXcklie`e^gX^\j arrangement of rocks and logs and natu- young people in the decision-making and ◗ @dX^\i\kflZ_`e^ ral earth mounds has a high play value evaluation processes. With the right sup- and can be far less costly than installing port, training, environment and attitude, ◗ @ccljkiXk`fe specialist play equipment. inclusion is possible and can be a positive Clearly a play environment cannot be experience for all. ◗ 8[m\ik`j`e^[\j`^e ◗ ;`i\ZkdX`c playbuilders receiving funding under the areas. The briefings can be found on strategy. A working group has also been www.kids.org.uk/playengland ◗ Gi`ek set up to explore ways in which local au- KIDS runs a number of projects which thorities can integrate their short breaks promote inclusive play – namely, the and play investments so as to enable Playwork Inclusion Project (funded by C

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 63 New Fun, Sports Lighting Fill & Splash Specialists  Interactive water play  Replace old water features  Customised theming  Design-in future expansion plans  Create revenue through play

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64 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 LIGHTING

Bathed in sunlight at Cardiff International Pool

SWIMMING POOL LIGHTING

Achieving optimum lighting wimming continues to be the resulting in dark or dull areas in the second highest participation pool hall. Natural light levels will vary conditions is a necessity sport in Great Britain, second throughout the day and across the year. for most indoor sports, S only to walking, which doesn’t Swimming pool halls are often most share the same need for specialist facili- susceptible to excessive glare when the however, swimming brings ties or equipment. sun is low, during early morning and late a very particular set of The success of the GB Swimming team evening, and for extended periods dur- in Beijing in 2008 combined with the ing the winter months, when the water problems to overcome and UK’s preparations to host the London surface can appear to be ‘mirrored’ – considerations to address Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 which could impair a lifeguard’s ability have no doubt helped to maintain swim- to see bathers below the surface. There’s says Mark Thomas ming’s high public profile. This has led to usually a trade off between making the the demand for more 50m pools around most of the contribution of natural light the country – many of which are at vari- and controlling specular glare, solar gain ous stages of design and construction and heat loss at acceptable levels. The and will have the potential to host major use of artificial lighting in a swimming swimming events, as well as meeting the pool therefore makes an important demands of the local community. contribution to maintaining safe conditions at all times of the day. Going natural More than ever, maximising the use of Selection, location and ambiance natural lighting in swimming pools is The selection and location of light fit- an important objective for owners and tings should aim to minimise the risk operators,due to the environmental of glare and reflectance from the pool. sustainability and cost benefits that it Problems are most likely to occur with brings, as well as the improvement to wall-mounted fittings where they are Natural lighting at The Peak swimming the user experience. Roof lights and directed across the pool and can cause pool in Stirling Sports Village windows are an important difficulties in visibility for bathers, staff feature of the pool design, pro- and spectators. As a result, up-lighting viding contact with the outside rather than direct lighting is preferred world and advertising swimming for general illumination, as this mini- to people passing by. mises glare and provides more even The orientation of the build- distribution and better uniformity. ing and the placement of roof However, it may not always be possible lights and glazing need to be to achieve lighting levels with up- very carefully considered in re- lighters alone and it may be necessary lation to controlling glare and to supplement these with carefully environmental impact. It is im- positioned downlighters for when portant to provide a balance of natural lighting levels fade. natural light while avoiding Light fittings should preferably be lo- areas of high contrast, cated above the pool surround to make

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 65 LIGHTING

them easily accessible for relamping or Swimming pool ambiance can be Roof lights and windows provide a natural maintenance. Where this is not possible, greatly enhanced by the use of under- feature for Corby Swimming pool the fittings should be accessed from a water lighting with the benefit that it service gantry. The fittings, all associated improves the appearance of the pool Televised events have much higher brackets and cable trunking need to be and the pool hall – especially at night. lighting requirements than generally designed to resist the high temperatures Lighting in the pool improves visibility required for day-to-day use. Typically, and humidity that form the potentially below water level and illuminates lighting for conventional TV cameras corrosive atmosphere typical in a swim- underwater swimmers to improve require 1,400-1,500 lux. However, high ming pool hall environment. safety within the pool. definition digital TV cameras are likely Materials used in construction should Swimming and diving pools frequently to require in excess of 2,000 lux to be carefully considered and bare metal include moveable floors, so the posi- achieve picture quality. Whether such components in mild steel or stainless tioning of the light fittings relative to requirements justify permanent lighting steel should be avoided due to corrosion both water level and the depths that the or provision for additional temporary risks in a pool environment. moveable floor will be commonly set at lighting will depend on the frequency Fittings should be fully enclosed and must be accounted for. and scale of the event. If the broadcast have a high Ingress Protection (IP) rating Underwater lighting should only be lighting is to be temporary, it will still be (at least IP54) that demonstrates that it installed in the side walls of the pool necessary to allow for the ingenious po- is able to effectively resist the entry of tank and not aligned with the swimming sitioning of cameras to cover the event moisture. The most suitable fittings are lanes; however, underwater lighting while making sure the risk of glare or sil- houette is kept to a minimum. Temporary lighting will need to be Pool ambiance can be enhanced by underwater lighting safely integrated and installed alongside which improves the appearance of the pool and safety the permanent lighting – accounting for additional power supply, safe cabling routes and provision for operational fluorescent or discharge fittings, as low may be switched off during competitive control systems. The lighting required wattage fittings are unlikely to achieve swimming, diving and water polo. for broadcast will involve either tempo- the overall lighting needs economically. rary power supply or substantial surplus The factors that determine the selection Meeting sport lighting provision within the existing electrical of a particular type of discharge fitting requirements infrastructure to meet the additional de- include illumination performance, lamp Lighting proposals should take into ac- mands. The additional heat generated by life and energy efficiency. The colour count the recommendations of the CIBSE the lighting will also need to be account- rendering of the lamps will also deter- Lighting Guide LG4: Sports Lighting, ed for in the temperature and ventilation mine the visual comfort and ambiance which gives both general and specific control systems of the swimming pool for bathers, spectators and staff. advice for swimming pools. hall. For the highest profile sporting For larger projects, consultation National and international sports events where the television images is with lighting consultants or specialist governing bodies for swimming have broadcast around the globe, the competi- lighting companies may be required their own minimum requirements for tion venue may be effectively blacked out to enable accurate computer modelling lighting for competitive swimming. FINA, and all lighting controlled to enhance the of the space in order to establish opti- for example, requires a minimum of 600 theatrical experience for all. L mum illumination, and these may have lux at pool ends which increases to 1,500 their own impact on the design of the lux over the whole pool for Olympic Mark Thomas is associate director pool space itself. or World swimming events. at S&P Architects

66 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 THREE PEAKS BIKE&HIKE Saturday 15 May 2010 AN EXCITING NEW CHALLENGE IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES Hike three peaks and bike in between • Pen-y-ghent 694m • Whernside 736m • Ingleborough 724m

The challenge is for teams of four to raise vital funds for medical research. £195 team registration fee. Raise minimum sponsorship £1,600 (£400 per person)

Managed by For further information and an application form www.actionforcharity.co.uk 0845 408 2698 [email protected] Three Peaks Bike & Hike is managed by Action for Charity on behalf of Action Medical Research. ACCESS CONTROL

Getting security right is crucial to the successful handling of a major sporting event says Crispin Andrews PHOTO: WWW.ISTOCK.COM/PAULPRESCOTT SPORT EVENT SECURITY

ecurity and access control are not just about making aim of ensuring a safe and secure event. It also illustrates the sure participants, support staff, spectators, media multi-dimensional nature of modern security arrangements. and stadium personnel are safe; it’s also about The strategy aims to protect Olympic and Paralympic ven- S ensuring a high-quality experience for all concerned – ues and support transport infrastructure to ensure the safety free from unnecessary external pressures. of those attending. It prepares for incidents that may mpinge The former Transport Police chief – Sir Ian Johnston’s ap- on the safety and security of the Games and ensures capabili- pointment as security director for the London 2012 Olympics ties are in place to mitigate their impact, while also identifying shows the importance the London Organising Committee and disrupting potential threats. Also outlined within the strat- of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery egy are command, control, plan and resource measures for the Authority (ODA) attach to ensuring effective security safety and security operation, as are procedures to engage with provision at the showcase event. international and domestic partners and local communities. He will be responsible for security inside the venues and the Work is already being done to mitigate risk to the Olympic key link with the Home Office’s Olympic security directorate. sites. Where appropriate, the design and construction of Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell says that she wants to create Olympic venues and infrastructure will seek to ‘design out’ “an environment in which people from all over the world can security vulnerabilities and the Metropolitan Police has come and enjoy the Games”. To ensure this, effective and com- established a dedicated team to police the Olympic site. This prehensive security arrangements are key. team works alongside UK Border Agency staff, who ensure that only people who have a right to work in this country Olympic security strategy are able to access jobs on the site. The Olympic security strategy sets out the principles that un- derpin the government’s planning for Olympic security, the Sport security issues threats the UK faces and how the government will achieve its At operational level, arranging security for all major sporting events provides many challenges. It requires focused solutions Careful selection and training of that take into account the context in which the event takes place. Mike Lee, managing director of Constant Security Servic- security staff enables those with the right es, explains that on the day, it is important to anticipate the skills to be deployed in the right places problems a specific environment or context could throw up and have contingency plans in place to ensure the event runs smoothly, should problems arise. “Delays to public transport or an incident on a road can mean too many people turning up at once,” he says. “You need good queuing facilities and the capacity to put up additional crowd barriers at short notice so unforeseen situations can be managed.” For Lee, security is only as good as those who are carry- ing it out. So not only must all those involved co-ordinate their efforts under a single system – free of ego and inter-

68 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 THE FENCING SPECIALISTS

tennis Strategy Advice Action Welcome to JB Corrie... Quality fencing manufacturers, expert fencing contractors, complete solutions and superb customer service make us The secure choice! A dedicated division for tennis. Be smart. Talk to us about your tennis project. Local Regional National International JB Corrie, Your fencing Choice JB Corrie can help you achieve the reality to your concept. Examples of JB Corrie’s services can be viewed on their recently launched website which is designed to be user friendly, helpful and informative. www.jbcorrie.co.uk JB Corrie & Co Ltd. Frenchmans Road, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 3AP www.trioplusonline.co.uk Tel: 01730 237100 Fax: 01730 264915 email: [email protected]

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Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 69 ACCESS CONTROL

organisational rivalries, but they must also be made aware of the operation’s bigger picture and be clear about their specific role within it. “At a football match, for example, there are lots PIC: STADT WIEN MARKETING of people moving at once, whereas at a racecourse, move- ment is less concentrated but more fluid and continuous,” Lee explains. “Requirements for a weekday meeting attended by racing enthusiasts will be different from those needed at a weekend meet where social spectators, maybe even hen and stag parties, will be present.”

Communication is key Above: More than one million fans entered the Fan Zone in Vienna dur- The key to effective on-day security is communication and ing the 2008 European Championships. Bottom: York racecourse security the quality of leadership, Lee explains. “Leadership should be centralised and where more than one organisation is At the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and during the 2008 involved, united,” he says. “Clear messages can then be European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, dedi- relayed directly to keep staff informed of what is needed cated ‘fan zones’ within host cities provided a centralised of them throughout the day.” spectator area. At Excel in London one of the 2012 Olympic Careful selection and training of security staff enables those venues, a one way system utilising the two nearby Docklands with the right skills to be deployed in the right places. Lee ex- Light Railway stations, along with careful timing of event start plains how he often employs staff with experience of nightclub and finish times, is being planned to prevent overcrowding. work as ‘troubleshooters’ who have the ability to keep a low profile so that people can enjoy themselves but who can react Utilising Volunteers quickly if a problem arises. Students from local universities are The cost of effective security must also be taken into account. often used to meet and greet or at trackside. “Although you Employing enough professional security personnel to deal with have to be careful not to put inexperienced stewards in poten- all the potentialities of a major sporting event is beyond the tially confrontational situations,” he adds. means of many organisers, so it is up to security companies to Last year’s attack on members of the Sri Lankan cricket provide advice and training for individuals who are volunteer- team in Pakistan by Islamic extremists shows that security can ing for the duration of the event only. not just be confined to the stadium and surrounding areas. Lee explains that volunteers should be encouraged to feel Often it’s about being proactive rather than reactive making like part of the team and not second-rate stand-ins for the arrangements which anticipate and head off any problems. professional security guards. “As a steward you need to be flexible, but consistent in applying the rules to make sure people are safe and can enjoy the event,” he adds. He recalls how his security team was called on to evacuate 60,000 people from Aintree after a bomb scare during the 1997 Grand National. “Once word got round what was happening, there were people who actually wanted to stop moving quickly and safely towards the exit, so they could buy a programme – just to say they were there on the day the meeting was abandoned! “It’s a serious business,” Lee adds. “But good security officers need excellent social skills and a sense of humour because you never know when you will have to deal with this type of bizarre situation.” L

Crispin Andrews is a freelance journalist

70 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 71 INSURANCE FOR SPORT

RISKS of running a PHOTO: WWW.ISTOCKPHOTO.COM SPORTS CLUB

Although risks relating to eveloping a health and safety The challenge is to have appropriate health and safety are the policy, completing risk assess- controls in place to avoid this type of ments, undertaking training incident occurring. Maintaining an emer- ones most associated with D programmes and ensuring gency response plan for a facility can be sports clubs, there are a record keeping is up to date are all time a complex task. Having a detailed plan range of other regulations consuming tasks that sports clubs may that deals with emergency evacuation not consider part of their core activities. routes and is easily understood by all that organisations are However, a little investment in establish- staff, as well as being regularly practiced, obliged to comply with and ing some thorough processes can save a is an important basic risk management lot of hassle down the track. control. Having a plan that adequately some can present major deals with temporary visitors to a facility operational challenges. Risk-free events is key, as is a plan that is able to respond Richard Tolley explains Even clubs which have an admirable re- to issues as wide ranging as flooding, cord of risk management for their core explosions, gas leaks and fires.

By making risk management core to their day to day activities, sport clubs can stay on top of the game

activities can overlook the risks associat- Maintenance issues ed with running events and putting Simply maintaining facilities requires on fundraising activities. not just a level of investment but also A fine of £20,000 has already been detailed consideration of all the controls enforced upon one sports club when its that are needed to prevent accidents fundraising activities resulted in a child and injuries. These can range from the falling from a tractor being used to give facility’s own workforce involved in fun rides. Commenting on the incident maintaining buildings, fields of play or at the subsequent court hearing, the equipment, to contractors working at judge said the club had been “amateur- a facility – such as window cleaners, ish” in its approach to its responsibilities builders and decorators. and further added that he wanted to Whether monitoring safe methods “bring home to people who run these of work, providing personal protective organisations that such irresponsible at- equipment or using permits to work, a titudes cannot be tolerated”. clear understanding of risk issues and

72 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 mitigation measures is required. For and vulnerable adults and ensure it example, sports clubs should consider is a fundamental part of any risk implementing regular inspections of management programme. sports equipment and facilities through Operators of sports clubs have had to a daily safety checklist. Facilities with wa- cope with an increasing number of risk ter storage systems should use an expert issues in recent years and there’s no sign contractor to monitor the potential for of the list receding. However, by having a an outbreak of legionella. clear understanding of their responsibili- ties and obligations to their stakeholders, Safeguarding children and by making risk management part of and vulnerable adults their day to day activities, sports clubs can One area that clubs need to manage improve their operating performance and closely relates to the safeguarding of stay at the top of their game. L children and vulnerable adults. Clubs should develop and implement a ISTOCKPHOTO.COMPIC: Richard Tolley is a senior vice president safeguarding policy for facilities Clubs should implement a safeguarding in Marsh’s Global Sports and Events where adults work with children policy where adults work with children Practice [email protected]

INSURANCE FOR SPORT

nsurance is an essential requirement when protecting To ensure that you have the right cover we would recom- individuals and organisations in this increasingly litigious mend speaking to a specialist insurance broker. An indepen- I age. It’s important to note that some insurance is compul- dent insurance broker will provide you with the correct cover sory by law or by affiliation to particular sporting bodies. and be available to help you throughout the year. Unfortunately insurance can be full of its own peculiar rules The following is a summary of some of the more commonly and penalties so it is worth taking it seriously if you are to requested insurances. (Information supplied by Mann avoid the traps and bunkers. Broadbent. www.mannbroadbent.co.uk)

Public Liability This will cover you for injury to members of the public or damage to their property. Cover can sometimes be extended to include player to player or member to member claims

Products Liability This will cover you for injury to members of the public or damage to their property caused by a product you make or supply, this includes food and drink

Employer’s Liability If you employ anyone (including part-timers and unpaid volunteers) the law requires you to have this insurance which covers you for injury to employees

Buildings, Contents, This can cover you for eventualities such as theft, fire or storm, etc. Cover can be extended to Kit and Equipment cover equipment worldwide if required. You may also wish to include goods in transit and money

Business Interruption If your buildings, contents, kit or equipment are damaged, then business interruption insurance can help reduce losses by paying for lost income and alternative premises and equipment rental

Professional Indemnity This covers you should you be accused of giving incorrect advice or making an error or omission

Directors and Officers If you are a limited company or a committee then this is designed to protect individual directors (committee members/trustees) or committee members should they be personally accused of failing in their duties

Personal Accident and Illness This will pay a weekly benefit following injury or illness, or pay a lump sum following permanent disability or death. Policies can either benefit individuals or the club/organisation

Travel This can cover things such as cancellation, baggage, delays, medical expenses or repatriation, etc.

Tour Operator’s Liability If you are organising travel and accommodation then you may fall within Tour Operator regula- tions, which may legally require you to take insurance and/or a bond

Kidnap and Ransom This insurance will pay for a negotiator and the ransom as well as other essential services

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 73 sport-kit.net SPORTS EQUIPMENT

Wherever you are in the world, fi nd the right products and services 24 / 7 by logging on to Sports Management’s free search engine www.sport-kit.net

For more information, or to contact any of these companies, log on to www.sport-kit.net and type the company name under ‘keyword search’

Speedminton for all Molten unveils its ages and abilities latest volleyball

PE and sports equipment provider Sport ball manufacturer Molten has Davies Sports is distributor of a rac- launched the Molten FLISTATEC® quet game called Speedminton. V5M5000 volleyball. Loosely based on badminton, Approved by the FIVB (Fédéra- players hit shuttlecocks, named tion Internationale de Volleyball), ‘speedsters’, which are heavier and Molten claims that the new ball is more compact than traditional shut- its most visible and stable volley- tlecocks. This means that the game is ball yet. played at a pace more akin to squash A softer, thicker microfi bre layer sport-kit.net keyword or tennis and over a more expansive on the outside of the ball, as well molten area, such as a tennis court. as raised hexagon-shaped de- The game can even be played with- signs on the surface of the ball ball to be more visible against any out a net, with the speedsters having help to increase grip for players. backdrop, including spectator to land within the boundaries of the The red, green and white colour stands. The new ball is available court in order to score a point. scheme is designed to allow the in sizes four and fi ve. There are four racquets to choose from, including the SJ-R racquet for juniors, and three adult frames (S100, Hexa Sports launches S300 and S500). The S100 is made for the average player, while the high- new sports posts end, full graphite S500 is suited to the Birmingham-based Hexa Sports more experienced player. has introduced some new products There are a range of Speedminton to its range – including tennis posts packages available, including one and volleyball posts. designed specifi cally for schools. Incorporating a fl ange base The Speedminton school set contains for fl oor mounting, the posts are 12 racquets, 18 funspeeders (a lighter manufactured using a heavy gauge speedster designed for shorter dis- square steel tube with cast alumin- tances) and 24 Gecko goal markers ium caps and a brass winder. The for the set up of courts. A sports posts are also fi tted with wheels to bag is also included for storage assist with removal when not in use. and easy transportation. Hexa supplies a range of nets The equipment is suitable for use and accessories to complement the both indoors and out. posts. It also sells a range of other sport-kit.net keyword sport-kit.net keyword sports equipment, such as football davies sports hexa sports goals and cricket nets.

74 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 sport-kit.net the search engine for leisure buyers

Harrod launches its 2010 range of products

Sports ground equipment and net- telescopic volleyball post features ting company Harrod has released a safe net tensioning system. This details of its new product lines to be allows simple transitions between launched this year. heights, along with a further fi ne The TEN-150 weighted tennis adjustment mechanism for added posts (right of image) will include accuracy. the company’s roller system to en- Harrod’s range of badminton sure they can be moved quickly and equipment has also been rede- effi ciently. The posts have been signed to conform to new European specially designed with multi-court safety standards. facilities in mind. sport-kit.net keyword Stadia Sports unveils The new VOL-055 competition harrod latest catalogue

The 2010 catalogue from Stadia Training DVDs from Neuff Athletic Sports features items for more than 30 different sports. One such item UK athletics equipment company is the Harrod ‘Fence Folding Hock- Neuff Training offers a range of ey Goal’ (pictured above). DVDs for coaches which highlight The goal features a pivot joint techniques and training drills, suit- system that allows operators to fold able for athletes from club level to the goal against the surrounding elite standard. fencing when not in use. One such range is the Track and In turn, this allows sports such as Field News collection (pictured), football to be played on the same which covers a variety of events surface without any obstructions. including sprints, discus, pole vault The uprights and crossbar are and high jump. made from 75mm (3in) x 50mm As well as covering specifi c (2in) reinforced aluminium and have events, Neuff also supplies DVDs an extra heavy duty 7mm thick covering plyometric training, which reinforced front wall to help prevent is designed to encourage fast, potential ball damage. powerful movements which can Neuff Training is owned by Dr Three different sizes are available then be carried over to the athlete’s Alan Neuff, a UKA level four coach for purchase, catering for projec- required discipline. All of the titles who has been involved with athlet- tions ranging from 2.1m (7ft) to from Neuff are suitable for use by ics for the past 40 years. 4.8m (16ft). UK Athletics (UKA) coaches from sport-kit.net keyword sport-kit.net keywords level one through to level four. neuff training stadia sports

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 75 Principal contractors A Tennis Courts B Synthetic Pitches SAPCA C Athletics Tracks D Multi Sports E Natural Sportsturf DIRECTORY F Play Surfaces Ancillary Contractors, Manufacturers & suppliers The Sports and Play Construction SAPCA represents a wide range of G Adhesives Association, SAPCA, is the specialist constructors of natural and H Aggregate Producers recognised trade organisation synthetic sports surfaces, including I Equipment Suppliers for the sports and play facility both outdoor and indoor facilities, J Fencing Systems K Floodlighting construction industry in the from tennis courts and sports pitches L Indoor Structures UK. SAPCA fosters excellence, to playgrounds and sports halls. M Paint Manufacturers professionalism and continuous SAPCA also represents manufacturers N Screening/Windbreaks improvement throughout the and suppliers of related products, O Sports Surface Suppliers industry, in order to provide the and independent consultants that P Surface painting/Line Marking high quality facilities necessary for offer professional advice on the Q Civil Engineers & Groundworks the success of British sport. development of projects. R Irrigation & Pumping S Maintenance

PRINCIPAL CONTRACTORS

Construction, Design & Braithwaites Yard, Surfacing of all Sports Facilities. Hallow, Telephone: 08700 624370 Worcester, WR2 6PW Over 40 years experience in the design Fax: 08700 624371 and construction of sports facilities email: [email protected] T: 01905 640671 F: 01905 640621 T: 01295 738238 Web: www.ambsports.com E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.blakedown.co.uk

A D A B C D I J K N O P A D J K P B C D E F

Charles Lawrence Surfaces Ltd Charles Lawrence Tennis Courts Honours Yard, 8DXcZfcd>iflg:fdgXep +8cc\e8m\el\#Hlfie# Lodge Lane, 9ile\c?flj\#A\jjfgNXp#E\nXib Cfl^_Yfifl^_#C\`Z\jk\iC<()/KI Chalfont St Giles, EfkkjE>)+)

A B D E A B C D O Q A D I J K P A D I J K O Q S

To book your advertisement in the DRAINAGE LTD SAPCA directory call The ERDC Group Limited, Southern office: Tel: 01608 685800 Fax: 01608 685801 4 Crossford Court, Dane Road, Sale M33 7BZ Web: www.dwclarkdrainageltd.co.uk Nadeem Tel: 0161 905 1060 Fax: 0161 905 1070 www.erdc.co.uk +44 (0)1462 471902 A D J K P E R S A B C D F O Q

Tel: (01282) 777345 Fax: (01282) 777654 Design, Build & Maintain the Finest Email: info@ Tennis Courts & Sports Surfaces Tel: (0116) 246 0500 Fax: (0116) 246 1561 thorntonsports.co.uk St. Peter’s Works, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham GL51 9AL 01621 85 86 86 Email: [email protected] www.thorntonsports.co.uk Tel: 01242 513251 Fax: 01242 226396 www.etcsports.net www.fossecontracts.co.uk METCALF DRIVE L ALTHAM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE LLANCASHIRE BB5 5TU www.grimshawgroup.co.uk

A B D A D J K P A B C D A D E F I J K O Q

The Sports and Play Construction Association can be contacted on: 024 7641 6316 Email: [email protected] www.sapca.org.uk B D E Q

76 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 PRINCIPAL CONTRACTORS

Hunter Construction (Aberdeen) Ltd, Unit 32, Clwyd Close, Centaur House, Tel: 01491 827810 Hawarden Industrial Est, Thainstone Manor Lane, Hawarden, CH5 3PZ, Business Park, Inverurie Fax: 01491 827830 T: 01244 533184 Hanslope, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK19 7BX, AB51 5GT F: 01244 533184 Tel: 01908 510414 / 511155 Fax: 01908 511056 E: [email protected] Tel: 01467 627290 Fax: 01467 625791 Email: [email protected], E-mail:[email protected] www.landunitconstruction.co.uk www.mcardle-astroturf.co.uk www.plattconstruction.co.uk

B D E B C D O A D J K P Q

280 Watford Road, Newbury Berkshire St Albans, Herts, t: 01635 34521 European leaders in the manufacture, design & AL2 3DN www.sandcslatter.com construction of sports fields & training complexes Specialists in Tennis Courts and [email protected] POLYTAN SPORTS SURFACES LIMITED Tel: 01900 817837 Fax: 01900 817605 Multi Use Games Areas (MUGA’s) Phone: +44 1509 282899 Fax: +44 1509 283099 SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF SURFACES AND email: [email protected] Tel: 01727 730707 Email: [email protected] EQUIPMENT FOR: L Multi-Sport Facilities [email protected] www.supportinsport.com www.polytansportssurfaces.co.uk LCricket Facilities LPlay and Educational Facilities www.sportscourts.co.uk

B C D O D F B D E J K O P Q R S A J N P S

ANCILLARY CONTRACTORS, MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS

Abacus Lighting Limited  Sutton in Ashfield  Nottinghamshire, NG17 5FT
  www.abacuslighting.com
    
  BASF Construction Chemicals (UK) Ltd Tel: 01623 511111 Bridome Ltd, The Courtyard, Wisley, Surrey GU23 6QL     Tel: 0161 727 2864 Fax: 01527 503576   Email: [email protected] Fax: 01623 552133 Tel +44 (0)1932 350365 Fax +44 (0)1932 350375     !"#    !  Email: [email protected]  $%&'(')* e. [email protected] www.bridome.co.uk '%&'(')* www.conica.basf.com

K S L M P G O P

GET UNDERCOVER With a CopriSystems Tel: 01920 860600 sports dome - for year round protection Fax: 01920 485915 from the weather Email: SUPPLIERS OF ADHESIVES FOR ALL APPLICATIONS IN THE SPORTS SURFACE INDUSTRY Tel: 01794 301 000 Fax: 01794 301 342 [email protected] Tel: Tel: 01889 271751 Fax: 01889 271161 0800 9886370 www.collinson.co.uk www.coprisystems.com www.cuphosco.com www.envirostik.com Email: [email protected]

L L K G

Leading Manufacturer of innovative premium- quality vinyl fl ooring -278%00)673*8,);360(7*-2)78 Fully compliant 743687796*%')7 with EN14904 Tel: 01477 544 149 Call +44 (0)1926 622600 9RMX*SVIWX4EVO&YWMRIWW'IRXVI4EVOIV(VMZI0IMGIWXIV0).4 email: [email protected] 8IP*E\ Email: [email protected] )¦QEMPJS\WTSVXW$FXGSRRIGXGSQ www.franciscoatings.co.uk www.gerflor.co.uk

O O M P S O

Tel: (01282) 777678 Fax: (01282) 778014 Email: [email protected] GEZOLAN AG T: +41 748 3040 T +44 1204 384483 F +44 1204 384487 www.thorntonsports.co.uk Switzerland email: www.gezolan.ch [email protected] www.greenfi elds.eu METCALF DRIVE L ALTHAM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE LLANCASHIRE BB5 5TU

O O I O P I

To book your advertisement GOALS MAKE GAMES. High quality sports posts, nets and tennis court equipment in the SAPCA directory call WE MAKE GOALS. T: 0121 772 0724 F: 0121 771 2597 E: [email protected] Nadeem 01502 710039 www.hexasports.co.uk +44 (0)1462 471902 I I J

Musco Lighting Europe Tel: (01282) 779666 Tel: 0800 234 6832 Fax: (01282) 776999 Email: Email: [email protected] www.musco.com [email protected] Tel: +44 7980 876652 E: [email protected] www.thorntonsports.co.uk ™ www.mondoworldwide.com GREEN GENERATION FLOODLIGHTING NORDON LTD LMETCALF DRIVE L ALTHAM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE LLANCASHIRE BB5 5TU

K O K O

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 77 SAPCA DIRECTORY

ANCILLARY CONTRACTORS, MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS

G Adhesives L Indoor Structures Q Civil Engineers & Groundworks H Aggregate Producers M Paint Manufacturers R Irrigation & Pumping I Equipment Suppliers N Screening/Windbreaks S Maintenance J Fencing Systems O Sports Surface Suppliers K Floodlighting P Surface painting/Line Marking

            

  

PO Box 7, Wellington Mills, Liversedge, W Yorks WF15 7FH UK  ) 
        Tel: +44 (0)1924 412488 www.nottssport.com **                       e-mail: [email protected] T: +44 [0] 1455 883 730  +, -'# ./
     !"#$% &&'($( www.play-rite.co.uk

O Q O I P S

Surfaces and RUBB equipment for sport, play and leisure. BUILDING SYSTEMS SPORTS SURFACES (UK) LTD P O Box 1010, CHESTER, CH1 3WN we will never stop...innovating Tel: 01858 545789 Tel: 01244 321200 Fax: 01244 347735 Fax: 01858 545890 E Mail: [email protected] www.rubb.com e-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.sportssurfacesuk.com

L L I O O P

SPORTS AND ATHLETICS EQUIPMENT To book your advertisement in the SAPCA directory SUPPLIER tel: 01353 668686 fax: 01353 669444 call Nadeem on +44 (0)1462 471902 www.stadia-sports.co.uk email [email protected] I

Thorn Lighting, Elstree Way, Borehamwood 2, rue de l'Egalité, 92748 Nanterre Cedex, France Hertfordshire WD6 1FE Tel: +33 (0) 1 41 20 45 05    Tel no: +44 (0) 1283 554120 Fax: +33 (0) 1 41 20 47 66 tel:+44 (0)8702 400 700 Tel: 0208 732 9800 Fax: 0208 732 9801 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.summitstructures.com www.tarkett-sports.com www.technicalsurfaces.co.uk www.thornlighting.co.uk

L O I O P S K

Fencing, Gates and Vehicle Control Wright & Maclennan Ltd SPORTS, SECURITY, Camps Industrial Estate LEISURE, PERIMETER: Phone: +44 (0)845 607 6308 Kirknewton, Midlothian, EH27 8DF Fax: +44 (0)845 607 6307 FENCING TAILORED TO Email: [email protected] T: 01506 881486 F: 01506 883669 MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS Cleaning, marking and lining of sports surfaces Web: www.werra.co.uk E: [email protected] Tel: 01342 311155 Fax: 01342 311156 Tel: 01902 796696 Fax: 01902 796699 www.white-line-services.com www.wrightandmaclennan.co.uk [email protected] www.zaun.co.uk

J I P S J J

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Sports Hedgihhjg[VXZiZhi^c\VcYVcVanh^h Construction Consultancy IZa ))%&,,(,+*%%, Tel: 01403 259400 Fax: 01403 261250 ;Vm ))%&,,(,+*%%. email: [email protected] lll#aVWdhedgi#Xd#j` Tracks - Pitches - Courts & MUGA’S

To subscribe to Sports Management, log on to www.leisuresubs.com email [email protected] tel +44 1462 471913 To book your advertisement 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, in the SAPCA directory call 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 Box 437, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Nadeem Tel: 01536 400012 Fax: 01536 401953 The views expressed in print are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher The Leisure Email: [email protected] Media Company Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or +44 (0)1462 471902 transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recorded or otherwise without the prior permission www.surfacingstandards.co.uk of the copyright holder. Printed by Manson Group Printers. © Cybertrek Ltd 2010 ISSN 1479/9146

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Tel: Fax: Email: DIRECTORY sports management directory 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 team now on +44 (0)1462 471902 or email [email protected]

construction & surfacing consultants of sports facilities

www.strategicleisure.co.uk Making your vision For expert advice or a free ... Reality brochure: Tel: 01902 796 699 [email protected]

Services include: • Strategic Planning • Feasibility Studies indoor flooring Contact us to discuss your • Greenspace/PPG17 computer membership needs and requirements: • Facility Strategies software t: 01925 855 550 • Procurement f: 01925 858 769 • Funding Bids e: [email protected] • Interim Management

UʘÃÌ>>̈œ˜ÊEÊ,ivÕÀLˆÃ “i˜Ì UÊ->˜`ˆ˜}ÊEÊ-i>ˆ˜}Ê UÊ,i«>ˆÀÊÊUÊ i>˜ˆ˜}Ê consultants exercise equipment UÊ >ˆ˜Ìi˜>˜ViÊ*Àœ}À>“ÃÊ Uʈ˜iÊ >ÀŽˆ˜} UÊi˜iÀ>Ê i>˜ˆ˜}ÊEÊÊ     ÊÊ >ˆ˜Ìi˜>˜ViÊ*Àœ`ÕVÌà Tel: 01477 544 149     Interior Email: [email protected] www.franciscoatings.co.uk    Solutions    Indoor/Outdoor Surface Line      INTERIOR DESIGN & PROJECT MANAGEMENT RECEPTIONS LOUNGES CAFES BARS Marking & Maintenance

CAINE GROVE FIVE OAK LANE STAPLEHURST KENT TN12 0HT computer software TEL; 01580 890123 FAX: 01580 893626

www.interior-solutions.co.uk [email protected] CONTACT: ROY ROBERTS SOFTWARE SPECIALISTS FOR THE HEALTH AND FITNESS INDUSTRY For a complete Member Experience

7EBSITEDESIGNs% COMMERCESOLUTIONSs#2-SYSTEMS Equipment · Entertainment · Technology · Services $ESKTOPSOFTWAREs"USINESSSOLUTIONSs"ESPOKESOLUTIONS Cleaning, lining www.optimumfitness.biz and resurfacing info@optimumfitness.biz 01634 883 444 of sports surfaces

Tel: 01276 404900, Email: [email protected] Tel: 44 (0)1342 311155 www.precor.com Book your advert Fax: 44 (0)1342 311156 Email: [email protected] on our website www.white-line-services.com and be seen by over 14,000 buyers fencing manufacturers and supplier every month. indoor sports flooring

to book your No matter what the size or shape! advert in the sports management directory The premier sports Call the Sales Team Today fl oor solution to Discuss Your Booking Call Nadeem on Made to measure sports and security T: 01454 773 666 fences by JB Corrie & Co Ltd. www.4runnerltd.co.uk 01462 431385 +44 (0)1462 In partnership with 471902 T: 01730 237100 F: 01730 264915 www.mondosport.co.uk www.sportsmanagement.co.uk www.jbcorrie.co.uk www.altro.com

80 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 service & maintenance sports flooring

LED Monochrome and Video Displays Sports Scoreboards Timing Systems Photofinish Consultancy

Tel: 0845 337 2474 Fax: 02380 274521 High performance fl ooring email: [email protected] solutions for ALL indoor sport www.swisstiming.co.uk Call +44 (0)1926 622600 email: [email protected] www.gerflor.co.uk sports buildings Fully compliant with EN14904

SPORTS 0845 4022 456 0845 4022 456 HALLS

Indoor sports halls/temporary NEW or non - traditional structures the brighter choice! Tel 01995 606451 www.collinson.co.uk

sports equipment suppliers Bringing & manufacturers the Outdoors GET UNDERCOVER Indoors 01889 569 569 to book your With a CopriSystems sports dome - for year round protection from the weather www.spaciotempo.co.uk The leading manufacturer advert in the Tel: 01794 301 000 Fax: 01794 301 342 of netting, posts & sports sports management ground equipment directory lockers/changing rooms Call Nadeem on +44 (0)1462 www.coprisystems.com 471902 Tel 01502 583515 www.harrod.uk.com

FITLOCKERS sports ground construction RUBB Quality Affordable Timber Lockers BUILDING SYSTEMS T: 01923 770435 sales@fi tlockers.co.uk Natural & Synthetic we will never stop www.fi tlockers.co.uk Sports Pitch Design - Construction SPORTS AND ATHLETICS Renovation - Drainage - Maintenance ...innovating EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER tel: 01353 668686 www.rubb.com scoreboards & timing fax: 01353 669444 systems www.stadia-sports.co.uk

Practice Made Perfect GOALS MAKE GAMES. Tel: 0800 3891490 WE MAKE GOALS.

Daktronics UK, specialists in scoreboards, timing systems and LED Displays TALK TO MARK HARROD Tel: 01256 880488 Daktronics UK Ltd. 01502 710039 Email: [email protected] +44 (0) 1454 413606 www.markharrod.com www.summitstructures.com www.daktronics.co.uk www.kestrelcontractors.co.uk

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 81 DIRECTORY

sports surface maintenance sports lighting surface coatings



  ! " #$ $  $$ %$#

 
       

    !"#     !   $%&'(')*


    

synthetic sports surfaces

Tel: 01623 511111 tel:// +44 (0)8702 400 700 Fax: 01623 552133 http:// www.technicalsurfaces.co.uk Email: [email protected]

Picture courtesy of Cheshire County Sports Club

www.abacuslighting.com

Tel: 01491 827810 Sports Lighting Fax: 01491 827830 Specialists www.mcardle-astroturf.co.uk

Design . Installation . Maintenance Nationwide Service tennis Court Construction & Maintenance

Tel: 01920 860600 Fax: 01920 485915 Email: [email protected] www.cuphosco.com

Specialists in Tennis Court Sports Surfaces Construction & Maintenance for Local authorities, Councils, Schools, Tennis Clubs & the Private Sector TOP DRESSING 01727 730707 OVER SEEDING DE-COMPACTION www.sportscourts.co.uk VERTIDRAINING GROUND BREAKING AGRIPOWER LANDSCAPING

SPECIALISTS IN ALL ASPECTS OF SPORTSTURF CONSTRUCTION NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC SURFACES wet leisure play products health & fitness DRAINAGE AND MAINTENANCE leisure-kit.net TEL: 01494 866776 leisure FAX: 01494 866779 www.agripower.co.uk Now over The website, email and search engine for leisure buyers [email protected].uk sport 5,000 leisure suppliers listed on our Visit leisure-kit.net for the spa NEW improved search latest news about products A good grounding in sport and services for the leisure hospitality industry and subscribe to the FREE fortnightly product report attractions UÊHigh quality sports turf systems To advertise your product and theme parks UÊStandard products to unique engineered systems reach over 20,000 leisure buyers UÊExtensive research and development program call now on +44 (0)1462 431385 or email UÊTechnology protected by patents and trademarks museums Hippo Leisure Products Ltd, Unit 18, Estover [email protected] UÊReal innovations Road, Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PY T +44 1204 384483 F +44 1204 384487 Tel: +44 (0) 1752 313075 E: [email protected] subscribe online at www.leisuresubs.com or call +44 (0)1462 431385 www.greenfi elds.eu W: www.hippoleisure.com

82 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 DIARY DATES

24-25 FEBRUARY 2010 21-22 APRIL 2010 Building Schools Exhibition Stadium Business Summit & Conference (BSEC) Croake Park, Dublin, Ireland ExCeL London, UK Hosted at one of the largest stadiums This exhibition and conference is the in Europe, this international meeting largest event for those involved in of experts will include speakers from ADVERTISERS’ INDEX the design, construction and manage- Middlesbrough FC, Donbass Arena ment of schools and offers a unique in the Ukraine, the O2, the Rose Action Medical Research 67 forum for all those at the forefront Bowl and the Millennium Stadium. AMB Sports 57 of school rebuilding initiatives – from Tel +44 (0)208 144 7266 policy makers to suppliers. This year www.thestadiumbusiness.com BASF/Conica 33 will see almost 300 exhibitors as Britannia Paints 50 well as a large Local Authority village 30 APRIL - 2 MAY 2010 alongside Partnerships for Schools in- The London Golf and Tennis Show British Seed Houses 30 cluding: Kent County Council, Church ExCeL, London, UK Charles Lawrence Surfaces 71 of England and Lancashire. The golf and tennis industries have Tel +44 (0)207 560 4040 joined forces to interact and view prod- Collinson 52 Email [email protected] ucts and services for both sports. Copri Systems 52 www.buildingschools.co.uk Organisers are expecting more than 30,000 visitors over the three-day event. CU Phosco Lighting 64 2-4 MARCH 2010 Tel +44 (0)1732 836100 Gerfl or 36 Ecobuild Email [email protected] Earls Court, London, UK Greenfi elds UK 59 Combining an 850 exhibitor-strong 2-4 JUNE 2010 Harrod UK 30 product showcase with more than 100 Stadia and Arena free conference and seminar sessions ExCeL, London, UK Hippo Leisure 64 and dozens of interactive educational This event is attended by some of the HS Sports 71 attractions, Ecobuild connects formal key players in Europe’s venue manage- JB Corrie 48/69 learning with practical experience, ment professions. products and suppliers. Almost 35,000 Tel + 44 (0)1732 459683 Mark Harrod 59 visitors attended the event in 2009. Email [email protected] Mondo Sport 33 Tel +44 (0)207 763 5929 www.ecobuild.co.uk 29-30 JUNE 2010 Musco Lighting 64 2010 UK Coaching Summit O’Brien Contractors 57 8-10 MARCH 2010 Central Cardiff, Wales Global Sports Forum Co-hosted by sports coach UK and Replay Maintenance 57 Barcelona, Spain the Sports Council for Wales, this has Rubb Buildings 50 This exchange platform attracts a wide become a key event in the drive to build range of personalities from the world a world-leading coaching system in the Sports Coatings 52 of sport who come together and debate UK by 2016. It brings together relevant Sports Courts 50 international economic, social, political people to review progress, share best and cultural issues connected to sport. practice, re-focus on the common Sports Surfaces UK 33 Tel +33 (0)1 58 47 83 93 agenda, publish key documents, and Stadia Sports 33 www.globalsportsforum.org further develop understanding and commitment relating to the UK Coach- Summit Structures 54 21-22 APRIL 2010 ing Framework. Swiss Timing BC Science, Technology and Research Tel +44 (0)113 274 4802 into Sport Surfaces (STARSS 2) www.sportscoachuk.org Technical Surfaces 59 Loughborough University, UK TrioPlus 69 Born out of the SportSURF network, 30 JUNE 2010 this conference brings together aca- The SAPCA Open Golf Day White Line Services Int’l 19 demic disciplines and industrial parties Staverton Park, Northamptonshire, UK Willmott Dixon 28 to discuss and formulate research All SAPCA members are invited to com- needs for sports surfaces and their pete at this annual event. The club of- Zaun Fencing 69 interactions, for the future. The fers a PGA-standard 18-hole golf course key themes at this year’s event and is attached to a hotel that features will be ‘injury risk’ and ‘surface an indoor leisure complex with pool, sport-kit.net performance’. sauna, steamroom and spa. For more information on our advertisers’ Email [email protected] Tel +44 (0)24 7641 6316 products log on to www.sport-kit.net www.sportsurf.org www.sapca.org.uk

Issue 1 2010 © cybertrek 2010 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 83