Sports Management Q2 2012 - Leisure Opportunities

SPORTSwww.sportsmanagement.co.ukMANAGEMENTVOLUME 16 Q2 2012London 2012’sPre-GamesTraining CampsSPORTHOUSEAn Olympic dreambecomes a realityTOP TEAMST GEORGE’S PARKHOTSEATNigel Walker’s‘team behind theteam’ at the EISON THE COVERJessica Ennis isWorld and Europeanheptathlon goldmedalistPARTNERTIM HOLLINGSWORTHThe BPA’s CEO talks Paralympic powerREAD SPORTS MANAGEMENT ONLINE: WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UK /DIGITALTWITTER: @SPORTSMAG

innovative FabricEngineered structuresFrom football to gymnastics, athletics, tennis,hockey or basketball, RUBB Buildings can get youunder cover quickly and cost effectively.RUBB buildings provide bright, clear span spacewith materials and engineering that ensure a longtrouble free structure life.• Proven durability & high • Completequality materialsenvironmental control• Modular design • Low life cycle costs• Spans up to 100m • Great customer serviceby any length• Quicker project• Bright, efficient space cycle times• Superior playingenvironment• Complete relocatability• Fire safety advantages• Easily extendedUK - CERTIFICATE No. 95/6243we will never stop innovatingRUBB BUILDINGS LTD. Dukesway,TVTE, Gateshead, NE11 0QE, England.Email info@rubb.co.ukTel: 0191 482 2211www.rubb.co.uk

EDITOR’S LETTERPHOTO CREDIT: GETTYIMAGES.CO.UKe-mail: please use contact’sfullname@leisuremedia.comSUBSCRIPTIONSDenise Gildea+44 (0)1462 471930EDITORLiz Terry+44 (0)1462 431385MANAGING EDITORKaren Maxwell+44 (0)1462 471920PUBLISHERDavid Hunt+44 (0)1462 471902NEWS EDITORTom Walker+44 (0)1462 471934JOURNALISTSPete Hayman+44 (0)1462 471938PRODUCTS EDITORMartin Nash+44 (0)1462 471933DISPLAY ADVERTISINGJohn Challinor+44 (0)1202 742968Jan Williams+44 (0)1462 471909DESIGNEd Gallagher+44 (0)1905 20198Andy Bundy+44 (0)1462 471924INTERNETMichael Paramore+44 (0)1462 471926Dean Fox+44 (0)1462 471900Tim Nash+44 (0)1462 471917CIRCULATION MANAGERMichael Emmerson+44 (0)1462 471932FINANCIAL CONTROLSue Davis+44 (0)1395 519398FINANCIAL ADMINDenise Gildea+44 (0)1462 471930Going global and commercialThe future growth and prosperity of the sports market will be inextricably linked to the developmentof TV rights and associated sponsorship in a way that will change the essence of manysports, as well as the way facilities are designed and grassroots sport is organised. This was themessage from the International Herald Tribune Sports Business Summit, held recently in Istanbul, Turkey.We’re moving from a time when sports are televised only if they’re telegenic, to one wherethey’re adapting themselves to be ‘televisable’ in a way that’s altering their fundamental nature.Delegates heard how the America’s Cup sailing – originally thought to be an untelevisablesport – has adapted in two ways, firstly by rigging boats with cameras and the crew’s with heartrate monitors and microphones to enable close-up camera work and secondly by the creationand marketing of a ‘stadium sailing’ concept – close-fought races which take place in bays withheadlands. Both concepts enable spectators to enjoy the action and drama close-to.Cricket was given as another example – the game now comes in three formats – a five-day test,a 50-over game and Twenty20 cricket. With these options up its sleeve, the International CricketCouncil (ICC) is looking for new markets to win over. Examples were given of everything fromMasai Warrior Cricket (apparently spear-throwing skills are transferrable) through to breaking theAfghan market, which is seen as ripe for development. Film director Sam Mendes has even madeMajor League Baseball is getting involved with school sport in China. Itaims to grow interest in baseball from the grassroots up, with its eye onthe prize of high game-day attendances and sponsorship richesa film about it called ‘Out of the Ashes: Afghanistan and Cricket’. The ICC wants to develop moremarkets like Pakistan, where half the population – 550m people – are cellphone users and thereare opportunities to develop lucrative sponsorship income around this technology.Finding ways to break into new global markets was a big theme of the conference andin an excellent case study of Major League Baseball (MLB), Jim Small, VP of Asia for MLBexplained how the sport targets growth by understanding what drives attendances at games.He contrasted the US – where research showed 54 per cent of ‘moms’ are baseball fans, makedecisions about attendance and see it as entertainment, meaning actual participation in thesport isn’t the main driver of attendance – with China, which MLB has targeted for growth, butwhere actual participation in the sport is the main factor which drives people to attend games.As a result, MLB is getting involved with sport in schools in China with the aim of growinginterest in baseball from the grassroots up, with its eye on the prize of high game-dayattendances, TV rights and sponsorship riches in a market that’s sohuge, “if you’re one in a million, there are 1,400 of you”.Small said it takes generations to create a truly global ‘sportsproperty’, but you know you’ve made it when the passion is passeddown the generations from grandparents to parents and then tochildren. “It’s a long-term play,” he concluded.This focus on growth, change, TV rights, sponsorship, globalisationand the commercialisation of sport is coming fast and willfundamentally change the way sport and sports facility provisionoperates in ways we are only just beginning to understand.the leisure media company publishesLiz Terry, editor lizterry@leisuremedia.com twitter: elizterryIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 3

ISSUEIN THIS ISSUE 2 201244 Volleyball England brings the game to the masses with ‘Go Spike’ 18 New BPA CEO Tim Hollingsworth24 SportHouse is now open for business51 Cricket excellence at Loughborough60 Water treatment for swimming pools3 EDITOR’S LETTER6 LETTERS8 THOUGHT LEADERSComments from John Goodbody, SimonJohnson and David Stalker10 INDUSTRY NEWS16 PEOPLE NEWS17 2012 PROFILE: Sarah Winckless18 INTERVIEW: Tim HollingsworthKaren Maxwell talks to the BritishParalympic Association CEO aboutParalympicGB’s ‘home’ advantage22 EVENT REVIEW:The Sport Industry Awards24 NEW OPENING: SportHouseLauren Applegarth looks at the elite andcommunity aspirations at one of threenewly-built Games-Time Training Venues28 TOP TEAM: St George’s ParkKath Hudson talks to the team involvedin the development of England football’scentre of excellence32 PRE-GAMES TRAINING CAMPSWe check out the elite facilities atLoughborough University, the Universityof Bath and Surrey Sports Park36 RESEARCH: Winning WaysSIRC’s Maxine Gregory evaluates thesuccesses of Sport England’s SportUnlimited programme for children andyoung people and gives an insight intohow they were achieved40 INSPIRING A NEWGENERATION OF VOLUNTEERSWe look at some of the currentprogrammes in place to inspire a newgeneration of volunteers in sport44 GRASSROOTS: VolleyballVolleyball England’s flagship grassrootscampaign – Go Spike – gets people moving48 HOTSEAT: Nigel WalkerKaren Maxwell talks to the nationaldirector of the English Institute of Sport51 NATIONAL CRICKETPERFORMANCE CENTRECrispin Andrews visits the ECB’s centreof excellence, based at LoughboroughUniversity, to find out how the highperformance coaches are developingEngland’s cricketing stars of the future4 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

LETTERSDo you have a strong opinion about your industry?Where are things going wrong, or right?Sports Management would love to hear from you.Email: sm@leisuremedia.comGovernment cuts leave charities fearing closureMany charities working primarily to improvethe lives of children and youngpeople living in England will be concernedby new research published by theNational Children’s Bureau (NCB). Beyondthe Cuts forecasts that children andyoung people’s charities, which number34,000, will lose £405m in statutoryfunding over the five years to 2015/16.And this is a cautious estimate.Funding cuts of close to half a billionpounds is not good news for our country’schildren and young people. Neitheris it good news for a sector reeling fromthe burden of an economic downturn,decreasing sources of public fundingand increasing demands.According to our research, children andyoung people’s charities are more vulnerableto these cuts, as they receive moreof their income from statutory sourcesand are four times less likely to receivecorporate support.The organisations we consulted are, ofcourse, taking action to manage the impactof the cuts. This includes reducingChildren and young people’s charities will lose £450m in statutory funding by 2016the number of staff they employ andcutting back on the range of servicesthey offer, as well as developing consortiaand mergers. However, a small butsignificant minority thought it was “likely”or “very likely” they would be forcedto close in the next 12 months.Shutting up shop is a short-term answerto a long-term problem. Whilechildren’s charities must be at theforefront of creating solutions, thereis still a role for national governmentto put its weight behind the developmentof new partnerships and newways of working.We must ensure that children andyoung people are not deprived of crucialservices during this age of austerity.Dr Hilary EmeryCEO, National Children’s BureauWe need to make sport more attractive to girlsIt’s well known that school children areless active than they should be and thisproblem is particularly severe for girls.While many schools are doing greatthings, PE and school sport is actuallyputting the majority of girls off beingactive – even though three quarters ofgirls are keen to do more exercise.Girls are put off sport through PE lessonsAt the Women in Sport and FitnessFoundation, our new report Changingthe Game for Girls shows that: Half of all girls (51 per cent) are putoff physical activity by their experiencesof school sport and PE. 45 per cent of girls say “sport is toocompetitive”, and more than halfthink boys enjoy competitive sportmore than girls. Over half of all boys and girls agreethat “there are more opportunities forboys to succeed in sport than girls”. Half the girls surveyed (48 per cent) saythat getting sweaty is “not feminine”.We need schools and the governmentto urgently address this issue, and createpolicies to help keep girls fit and healthy.The priority needs to be getting allchildren active not just focusing onthe sporty ones. That’s why we havelaunched a new toolkit for schools tohelp them provide the best physicaleducation they can for girls.We simply cannot afford to keep ignoringthe evidence that school sportplays a key role in shaping attitudes tohealth and fitness.Some schools throughout the countryare leading the way in delivering excitingand inclusive PE lessons, but there isstill a great deal to be done. And, withsport front of mind in 2012, now is theideal time to do it.Sue TibballsCEO, Women in Sport and Fitness6 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

LigaTurf RS+N o .1 in theFrench LigueLigaTurf RS+The benchmark for football turfThe Polytan LigaTurf RS+ is the premiumproduct from PolytanSTI and it is preferredfor use in professional sport today.French Ligue 1 teams FC Lorient and ASNLNancy as well as the Ligue 2 club LB Berrichonnede Châteauroux play on a LigaTurf RS+ pitch.LigaTurf 240 RS+ at the Stadium Marcel Picot, Nancy,France, is FIFA Recommended 2 Star certified.Polytan Sportstättenbau GmbHGewerbering 3, D-86666 BurgheimTelefon +49 84 32 / 870www.polytan.de

THOUGHT LEADERSINDUSTRY EXPERTS SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON THE CURRENT ISSUES AFFECTING SPORTTHE DANGER OF SCRAPPING THE DCMSJOHN GOODBODYReports that the Department ofCulture, Media and Sport (DCMS)faces being scrapped after theOlympic Games has sent a shiver throughthe sporting establishment. After beingset up in 1992 and originally called theDepartment of National Heritage, it wasquickly nicknamed ‘The Ministry of Fun’and ‘the Ministry of Free Tickets.’ However,over the last 20 years, the governmentdepartment has gained in stature bygiving sport a much greater prominenceand also playing a key role in decidingthat London should bid for the Gamesand then wholeheartedly supporting thecandidature.The reason for scrapping the Departmentis, of course, to reduce costs. Ithas been suggested that its three maincomponents – culture, media and sport– should be hived off to other parts ofWhitehall, which is where they werebefore 1992. With negotiations currentlyunderway for a merger of UK Sport andSport England, it looks as if we will beback to where we were in the 1980s, whenthere was a Sports Council, responsiblefor both England and UK dimensions, andit, in turn, being responsible to a SportsMinister, who, at that stage, was with theDepartment of the Environment.Andy Reed, who chairs the Sport andRecreation Alliance, is among thoseconcerned about any dismantling of theDCMS, with sport then moving to join amuch bigger department, such as Education,where it was, briefly, before 1992.He says that in the DCMS, sport enjoysa higher profile than moving to a department“where it was a secondary concernor a tool to achieve a single, specific aim.”He believes that “given its proven effectivenessin contributing to a wide rangeof public policy objectives – like crimereduction, highereducational attainmentand improvedsocial cohesion –shoehorning sport into a departmentwhere primacy lies elsewhere would doit, and the nation, a great disservice.”As sport permeates so many areas ofsociety perhaps it could sit in the CabinetOffice, which has a wide-ranging role?Reed would reluctantly accept this butsays he would prefer for the DCMS to remainas an entity, with sport continuingto be a permanent fixture there. Surelythis is right, because returning to wherewe were in the 1980s is retrogressive. Thechange since then has worked and beenseen to work and should be allowed tocontinue to work in the future.John Goodbody has covered 11 successiveOlympic Games for the Sunday Times.@JohnGoodbodyCAPITALISING ON OUR GOLDEN DECADE OF SPORTSIMON JOHNSONhe clock is ticking down to thestart of Britain’s Golden Decade ofT Sport, with the 2012 Olympic andParalympic Games first on the calendarof major events. And it’s to my personalsorrow that as COO of England’s bid tohost the 2018 FIFA World Cup that weweren’t able to add that prized tournamentto the list of blue riband sportingevents taking place on these shores.As the new CEO of Business In Sportand Leisure (BISL), I recognise that ourmembers have a large impact on whetherthe objectives of hosting these majorevents are met.The first area is economic benefit andinward investment. Every time a bid ismade to host an event, an EconomicImpact Assessment is made by an independentbody. These invariably forecasta huge fillip to the country’s GDP and justifiesthe government in supporting theevent with guarantees, tax breaks andunderwrites of cost.Forty per cent of that economic benefitis assumed to come from visitor spend.And where will this money be spent? Theanswer is in bars, pubs, clubs, casinos, restaurants,hotels and visitor attractions. Athriving leisure industry is therefore thekey to us deriving the economic benefitfrom hosting these events.But if the fiscal and regulatory regimecontinues to over-regulate this sector, toburden it with unfair taxes and disproportionatecosts, not only will the industrynot grow, but businesses will close. So, ifvisitors can’t find opportunities to spendtheir money when they visit the UK towatch the 2013 Rugby World Cup, it meanswe risk squandering the economic reasonfor bidding for this event in the first place.The second area linked to event hostingis sports development legacy.The governmentwants to encouragemore peopleto be more activeand these events are expected to providethe motivation to take up sport. However,playing fields and leisure centres are disappearingor falling into disrepair due topublic sector cuts. The government needsthe private sector to step in to offer highqualityfacilities and our members arekeen to do so, but we need help to makeprocurement quicker and cheaper, to makeplanning more responsive to leisure needsand a system which rewards energy reductionand offers easier ways to raise capital.To prevent the Golden Decade of Sportfalling flat, the government needs to allowthe sports and leisure industry to grow.Simon JohnsonCEO, Business in Sport and Leisuresimon.johnson@bisl.org8 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

The FIA is looking to work withNGBs to get more people moreactive within member facilitiesChief executives areencouraging partners tocreate innovative,integrated servicesPIC: © WWW.SPORTENGLAND.ORGA NEED FOR INCREASED NGB/FIA COLLABORATIONDAVID STALKERs part of our Memorandumof Understanding with SportA England, the Fitness Industry Association(FIA) has pledged to work withmore national governing bodies of sport(NGBs) to get more people, moreactive, more often.Eleven of the top 20 sports (inrelation to participation levels, as detailedin Sport England’s Active PeopleSurveys) can take place within a healthclub or leisure centre.Operators of those facilities currentlysee more than one million people, everyday of the week. They have the capacityto see a million more. Eighty-nine percent of the country’s population liveswithin two miles of these facilities, whichhave seen a year-on-year increase in usagefor the past 20 years.So as the trade body for health andfitness, the FIA is committed to workingwith NGBs and NGBs must, in turn, workwith the FIA to achieve our overall objectivesto increase participation levels.The FIA have more than 3,000 facilityoperating members, who proactivelycontribute to the overall health and wellbeingof the nation. We want to get themost out of every activity and get moreconsumers doing physical activity, whetherthat is participating in a sport such asswimming at a leisure centre, or runningon a treadmill within a health clubenvironment or at a bootcamp sessionoutside – there are many opportunitiesto find a sport of their choice.The FIA has numerous partnershipprogrammes, such as Asda Active andShift into Sports, and we want to provideNGBs with the opportunity to beinvolved in these.We want to discover how we can helpto promote established NGB programmesthrough our operatormembers andexponentially growparticipation rates.We will also strive to support NGBsto develop their understanding of thehealth agenda and support their evidencebase for sport and physical activitythrough The FIA Research Institute at theUniversity of Greenwich.In the essence of partnership working,and the opportunity to learn first-handabout the FIA and find out some of theways that we could work together, theFIA is offering all Sport England-recognisedNGBs an FIA member rate to attendour fourth annual Flame Conference andBall of Fire, held at the Magna Centre inSheffield on the 27th June.David StalkerCEO, Fitness Industry Association@DavidStalkerIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 9

NEWS UPDATEDerby City Council (DCC) has approvedplanning permission for the developmentof a new multi-million pound sports andentertainment arena near the city’s existingPride Park Stadium.The 14,500sq m (156,077sq ft) venuehas been designed by FaulknerBrownsArchitects and will house a 250m cyclingtrack and a 1.5km (0.9-mile) outdoor closedcycle trail. It is hoped work will now be ableto commence in June, with a sports infieldaccommodating 12 badminton courts andhospitality facilities included in the plans.LRK Associates designed the new SportHouseFive-time Olympic gold medallist Sir SteveRedgrave helped mark the official openingof a major new £8.1m sports complex ineast London’s Mayesbrook Park.Built by Morgan Sindall, the LRKAssociates-designed SportHouse boasts a5,000sq m (53,820sq ft) sports hall – oneof the UK’s largest – fitted with Gerflor’sTaraflex flooring.Other facilities include a 300-station fitnessarea equipped by Cybex, two full-sizebasketball courts, medical testing rooms,changing areas and a restaurant.Swindon Borough Council (SBC) andMoirai Capital Investments have movedforward with proposals for the Wiltshiretown’s new £65m regional leisure hub.Leases have been agreed for the project,which will see Oasis Leisure Centretransferred to a private operator on 1 Junebefore it undergoes an extensive refurbishment.An indoor ski slope, arenaand waterpark will also form part of theplanned new hub, with leisure specialistsS&P Architects working on the design ofthe development.image: simpson and brownDetails have been revealed of anew joint venture between theFitness Industry Association(FIA) and Sport England,which aims to secure a digitallegacy for the London 2012Olympic Games.The partnership will encourageconsumersto becomemore physically active andas a result grow membershipnumbers at sports and healthclubs. The strategy will bebased around a new themedwebsite – to be launched inthe run up to the 2012 Games– offering consumers that havebeen inspired by the Olympics an easy way ofaccessing sport in their area.Describing the scheme, David Stalker, CEOof the FIA, said: “We live in a digital age inwhich consumers are used to buying online,and in which we expect instantaneous outcomesat a the click of a button.The government has included safeguards toprotect sports playing fields from developmentin its National Planning Policy Framework(NPPF) published in March this year.Planning minister Greg Clark announcedthe launch of the new 50-page document,A website will offer consumers an easy way of accessing sport“It’s no real surprise that over the last threeyears there has been a 400 per cent increase inonline searching for places to find, book andplay sport and physical activity. But with noplatform to fulfil this consumer desire, we arecurrently missing out on a prime opportunityto get more people active.”The coalition government isconsidering shutting downthe Department for Culture,Media and Sport (DCMS),according to Labour partydeputy leader HarrietHarman.Writing in London’sEvening Standard (ES),Harman said “there are wellsourcedrumours” that thegovernment sees the DCMS assurplus to requirements afterthe London 2012 Games.Harman’s claims came onthe same day that an influentialconservative think tankJeremy Hunt – the culture secretary at the DCMSsuggested that scrapping the department would The free market group also suggested thatproduce ‘huge savings’ for the government. the savings on expenditure would give the governmentscope to cut taxes elsewhere.The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA)claims that closing the DCMS could save Details: http://lei.sr?a=T2D2o (IEA) or see John£1.6bn if all departmental spending ceased. Goodbody’s thought leaders piece on page 8which is designed to simplify the planningprocess and support economic growth.The new NPPF will only allow the developmentof existing open space, sports andrecreational buildings and land if it involves thecreation of equivalent or improved facilities.10 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

NEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UKSportsDock, a new £21m complexto be used by Team USAas its training base during the2012 Games, has opened at theUniversity of East London’s(UEL) Docklands Campus.Canterbury-based architecturalfirm Clague are behindthe design of the new facility,which was built by DenneConstruction. The project wasmanaged by Ball Hall.A Precor-equipped fitnesscentre offering cv equipmentand free weights is amongthe facilities, along with twoindoor arenas catering for arange of sports such as basketball.Elsewhere, the complex incorporates twooutdoor 3G, five-a-side football pitches anddance studios, as well as a sports café, changingfacilities and a sports injury clinic.Meanwhile, Team USA has kitted out astrength and conditioning suite at SportsDock.A new study carried out bythe Chance to Shine campaignhas uncovered the extent ofthe “psychological warfare”experienced by children asyoung as eight while playingsport at school.Chance to Shine – togetherwith Marylebone Cricket Club(MCC) – polled 1,250 kidsaged eight-to 16-years-old,plus 1,010 parents of childrenfrom the same age group.MCC head of cricket JohnStephenson said: “The resultsfrom the survey highlight analarming trend in school sport, which needsto be proactively addressed.”More than two thirds of the children (68 percent) had witnessed verbal abuse during schoolmatches, while 66 per cent of parents had seen“different forms of mental intimidation”.Business in Sport and Leisure (BISL) has partneredwith Oliver Wyman, the internationalconsulting firm, to produce its first report mappingthe size of the UK’s leisure industry.The inaugural BISL Oliver Wyman LeisureIndustry Report is designed to outline the roleSportsDock’s two indoor arenas offer flexible sport provisionThe equipment will then be left for communityuse following the 2012 Games.UEL vice-chancellor Professor PatrickMcGhee said: “The opening of SportsDockwill herald the dawn of an exciting new erafor sport in East London.”Details: http://lei.sr?a=k3K3TThe MCC has urged pro-active steps to address “psychological warfare”Meanwhile, 51 per cent of children surveyedadmitted they had been a victim of taunts orthreats, while 55 per cent had seen physicalviolence – a quarter of which had seen theirteam mate deliberately fouled.Details: http://lei.sr?a=p7x7Xthat sport and leisure can play in supportingthe UK economy’s “rehabilitation”.The research will also support BISL’s politicaland media campaign to secure a “fairerdeal” for commercial operators in the sector.Details: http://lei.sr?a=U9a2DIMAGE: JACO VAN RENSBURG/SHUTTERSTOCK.COMCulture secretary Jeremy Hunt has used thegovernment’s first Disability Sport Summitto urge the sector to do more to boost participationlevels among disabled people.Hunt urged governing bodies to use the2012 Games to integrate disability sportprovision into their respective Whole SportPlans and attract more participants.Sport England is to invest £8m from itsPlaces People Play scheme to help removesome of the barriers preventing disabledpeople from taking part in sports.Details: http://lei.sr?a=j9r4yLondon’s Olympic Games are moving ever closerStoke on Trent College has revealed plans toinvest £4m in the development of a sportscomplex at its Cauldron Campus, whichforms part of the city’s University Quarter.The venue, which will incorporate anindoor sports hall, a fitness suite andaerobics facilities, is set to replace the institution’sexisting building and is scheduledto open by August 2013.Work is expected to begin this Octoberand the project is designed to enable thecollege to offer a wider range of activities tostudents and members of the public alike.Details: http://lei.sr?a=G2L0YThe Football League will extend its FinancialFair Play rules to all three divisions fromnext season, following the backing of the24 npower Championship clubs.Clubs in League One and League Two arealready subject to the regulations, whichwere introduced after a review by the competitionto curb unchecked spending.The regulations contain a number ofsanctions for clubs that exceed “definedlimits” with regard to losses and shareholderequity investment.Details: http://lei.sr?a=H7k0FIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 11

NEWS UPDATESport England has made new guidanceavailable to help sports clubs cope with theeffects of a hosepipe ban now in effect in anumber of areas across the country.The agency has worked with nationalgoverning bodies to produce the advice,with water a crucial part of maintaining thequality and safe performance of surfaces.The new guide includes how to maintainpitches and courts in a time of drought, aswell as how to work with water companiesto negotiate possible exemptions.Details: http://lei.sr?a=Q5s3HThe track will be able to host international racesSouthwark Council has approved plans forthe development of a “national standard”BMX track in south London’s Burgess Park,which is undergoing an £8m revamp.Proposals include a 400m (1,312ft) trackwith a starting hill, banked hairpin turnsand a variety of jumps. It has been designedfor use by people of all ages and abilities.Due for completion in January 2013, thenew venue will be capable of hosting internationalraces and will be one of the firstin London to accommodate both summerand winter national events.Details: http://lei.sr?a=x3N8NSaracens rugby union team has secured finalapproval for the multi-million pound redevelopmentof London’s Copthall Stadiumfrom communities secretary Eric Pickles.The Aviva Premiership team’s vision forCopthall Stadium was approved by BarnetCouncil in February, with the developmentexpected to cost £18m.Both the national governing bodies forathletics and rugby union support the plans,which include new permanent facilities andthe installation of temporary seating.Read more: http://lei.sr?a=d7D1Jimage: m. woodruff/shutterstockSport England has reduced theamount of funding to the LawnTennis Association (LTA) andBritish Judo Association (BJA)as a result of “disappointingparticipation figures”.The LTA has renegotiatedits participation aims with thefunding agency after agreeinga cut of £530,000 due toits failure to achieve its initialgrowth targets between 2009and 2013.Meanwhile, the BJA hasalso revised its growth targetafter agreeing a £353,000 cut.The decisions follow “lengthy negotiations”between the bodies and Sport England.Sport England’s Active People Survey hasshown a decline in the average number of peopleplaying tennis at least once a week from487,500 (2007-08) to 375,800.Participation in judo over the last two yearshas been described as “flat” – both in terms ofA number of law firms have been appointed tothe new Legal Panel Framework, which is toprovide services to national governing bodiesfor sport and recreation organisations.Sport England, Sport Wales, UK Sport andthe Sport and Recreation Alliance have set upThe multi-million poundredevelopment of Belfast’sWindsor Park stadium hastaken a step forward afterthe Irish Football Association(IFA) confirmed that initialfunding is now in place.A Letter of Offer has beenreceived by the nationalgoverning body from theDepartment of Culture, Artsand Leisure (DCAL), whichwill release the first trancheof a £25.2m funding packagetowards the scheme.IFA is working with DCAL,Sport Northern Ireland and Linfield FootballClub on the plans, which will transform theexisting venue into an 18,000-capacity nationalstadium for football.The next stage of the project, following theappointment of a planning consultant, will seeTennis has suffered a £530,000 cut after missing its participation targetsthe number of people taking part at least oncea week and at least once a month.Sport England chief executive Jennie Pricesaid: “Sport England has been clear that failureto achieve the agreed growth in a sport wouldlead to a governing body’s overall fundinglevels being reviewed.”Details: http://lei.sr?a=T6g7Nthe framework, which is formed of 10 firmsselected through a procurement process.It comes after it was found that sector organisationsface challenges in terms of finance andresources when accessing legal services.Details: http://lei.sr?a=Z9r5GThe Letter of Offer paves the way for work to begin at the Belfast venuean integrated consultant team selected to drawup designs for the new-look Windsor Park.A planning application is expected to besubmitted in December, with the phased constructionprocess to begin in August 2013.Details: http://lei.sr?a=w4h1pimage: jj pixs/shutterstock12 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

NEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE ATWWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UKQueen’s University in Belfast,Northern Ireland, has openednew outdoor facilities atUpper Malone playing fields,following a £20m investmentin its sports provision.The project is designed toestablish the institution asone of the leading sports universitiesin Ireland, with thefacilities available to studentsand the local community.At the centre of the projectwas the construction of theArena Pitch, one of the onlypitches in the UK and Irelandto accommodate football,rugby and Gaelic Games on a single site.The opening of the facilities marks the completionof a £13m second phase of work, whichhas also included 14 additional pitches and aspectator stand adjoining a new stand.More than 20 changing rooms and additionalchanging facilities to the south of theThe new Arena Pitch can host football, rugby and gaelic games matchessite have been provided, along with a strengthand conditioning suite.Work on the outdoor facilities comes afterthe first £7m phase was completed in 2006,which included the expansion of the university’sPhysical Education Centre at Botanic.Details: http://lei.sr?a=e5m0wManufacturer & Supplier ofPRODUCTS FORSPORT2012/13CATALOGUEOUT NOWNew research released by corporaterecovery specialistsBegbies Traynor has foundthat nearly one-fifth of allEnglish Football League clubsare currently showing signs of“financial ill-health”.The research comes amidongoing financial problemsaffecting Portsmouth and PortVale football clubs, as well asthe Scottish Premier Leagueside, Glasgow Rangers.According to the Red FlagAlert survey, three clubs in thenpower Championship; sixin npower League One; and four in npowerLeague Two are facing financial trouble.Begbies Traynor partner Gerald Krasnersaid: “Football as an industry suffers from anenormous financial gap between the PremierLeague and the Football League.An audit of sports facilities within Scotland’sschool estate, together with public access tosuch facilities, has been commissioned bynational sports agency sportscotland.It is the first stage in a process by the agencyto establish up-to-date data that details thePortsmouth’s financial difficulties have been well-documented“One effect of this disparity is that FootballLeague clubs are often tempted to overspendon players to try to gain promotion [to thePremier League] and the promised riches andprestige that come with it.”Details: http://lei.sr?a=i0k4vavailability and usage of sports facilities, aswell as potential barriers around future use.Improved public access to school sportsfacilities is one of sportscotland’s main prioritiesoutlined in its four-year plan, which runsuntil the end of 2015.Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 13image: ben sutherlandCall our sales team on01502710039markharrod.com

NEWS UPDATEMiddlesbrough Council has launched aconsultation in order to gather commentson proposals for a new sports village toreplace some of the town’s older facilities.The council set out its vision of a regionalsports centre in preparation for major budgetcuts, with preliminary plans identifyingthe Prissick site for the scheme.Middlesbrough Cycle Circuit andPrissick Skate Plaza are already currentlybased at the site, with the new complexset to add a 400m athletics track,five-a-side pitches and a health club.Read more: http://lei.sr?a=I2r0wS&P Architects worked on the new venue’s designOlympic swimmer Chris Cook has helpedmark the official start of construction workon a new £31m leisure, business supportand community facility in Redcar.Willmott Dixon has been appointed tobuild the complex, which has been designedby leisure specialists S&P Architects in collaborationwith Plus Three Architecture.A fitness suite and a junior gym will beamong the facilities at the venue, along witha 25m, six-lane swimming pool, a trainingpool, a learning pool and a sports hall.Details: http://lei.sr?a=R0l8JNearly half of adults aged 16 and over arecurrently unhappy with their work life balance,according to the latest findings fromthe Office for National Statistics’ MeasuringNational Wellbeing programme.Those that use leisure time to engage inphysical activities appear to be happier thanthose who prefer sedentary pursuits – suchas watching TV or playing video games.The latest figures show that in 2010-11,54.1 per cent of adults in England had participatedin some type of physical activity.Details: http://lei.sr?a=p9h7sConsumer groups, sportsnutrition manufacturers anddistributors have joined forcesin a new alliance to call onchancellor George Osborneto abandon his plans for theintroduction of VAT on sportsnutrition products.The alliance has written toOsborne after he announcedin the Budget that some sportsnutrition products will be subjectto 20 per cent VAT witheffect from 1 October.The UK Specialist SportsNutrition Alliance (UKSSNA)claims the tax would penalise consumers anddeal a blow to the sports nutrition industry.In a letter to the chancellor, the UKSSNAdescribed the decision as “bizarre” and warnedthat the introduction of VAT could push consumersto the grey and unregulated market.Chris Whitehouse, campaign director forUKSSNA, said: “Introducing VAT on theseSport Wales has launched itsnew sector-wide CommunitySports Strategy, which aims tochallenge the Welsh sector toaccelerating efforts to increaseparticipation.The organisation said it willbe “far more targeted” withits resources going forward,while it plans to invest in partnerslooking to deliver moreopportunities for children.Organisations seeking tointroduce informal or socialversions of traditional sportsand clubs that are alreadythriving but still looking to grow are alsoamong those set to benefit.The launch of the strategy was attended byWelsh sports minister Huw Lewis, who hasannounced that a further £9m of Lottery fundingwill be invested over the next three years.UKSSNA said the plans were a “disaster” to the sports nutrition sectorsports nutrition products will hit thousandsof consumers in the pocket and undermine thegrowth of an entire industry but will generatelittle additional revenue for the Treasury.“We strongly believe that it is unreasonableto tax consumers for products designedto ensure good health and nutrition.”Read more: http://lei.sr?a=F1a0LBrighton and Hove Albion Football Club’splans to expand the 22,000-seat Amex Stadiumin East Sussex have been given the green lightby the local authority.The KSS Group-designed venue’s capacitywill be increased to 30,750 over two phases ofwork. The first stage will see 5,000 seats addedin time for the 2012-13 season and a further500 by the end of December.A second phase of work will result in theaddition of the remaining seats next year.Details: http://lei.sr?a=X4G7WSport Wales wants the sector to accelerate efforts to grow participationSport Wales chair Professor Laura McAllistersaid: “The new Community Sport Strategy setsout clear priorities to enable a dramatic shiftin the range and number of people involvedin local sport.”Details: http://lei.sr?a=J9k3Yimage: holbox/shutterstock.com image: suec/shutterstock.com14 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

NEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UKHealthcare professionals havecome together under theAcademy of Royal MedicalColleges (AoRMC) to launcha new campaign to combatincreasing levels of child andadult obesity.The UK medical profession– including surgeons, psychiatrists,paediatricians and GPs– is aiming to tackle what itdescribed as the “single greatestpublic health threat”.A three-month evidencegatheringinquiry has markedthe launch of the campaign togather research and experienceof actions that help reduce obesity.Among the five main areas being investigatedby AoRMC will be the actions that can betaken by individuals, which comprise exercisein addition to diet and “positive parenting”.Fiscal incentives – including minimumpricing, personal incentives and taxation – isNew guidance highlighting the “positive role”of well-designed green spaces and parklandsin the recovery of patients from illness andinjury has been published by the ForestryCommission.Greenspace Design for Health and Wellbeingprovides advice on how the design of greenspaces around hospitals and wellness facilitiescan help supplement clinical care.It is hoped the new Practice Guide will beof interest to practitioners, planners and policymakers within the NHS and others sectorsinvolved in patient care.Forestry Commission chair Pam Warhurstsaid: “We’ve all long known that we feel betterafter spending time outdoors and in greenThe campaign aims to be a driving force in the fight against UK obesityalso one of the areas that will be investigatedas part of the campaign’s inquiry.AoRMC chair Professor Sir Neil Douglassaid: “This won’t be just another report thatsits on the shelf and gathers dust; it will formthe bedrock of our ongoing activity.”Details: http://lei.sr?a=X5I2MWell-designed parkland can boost the recovery of patientsspaces such as parks and woodland. “Now araft of research findings in recent years haveconfirmed that this experience is not just avague impression, it represents a range ofmental and physical health benefits.”Details: http://lei.sr?a=h4u4dimage: rj lerich/shutteerstock.com image: marcel mooij/shutterstockA new €30m (£25m) fund has been launchedby the Irish government to provide supporttowards “important” sports capital projects.The Sports Capital Programme has beenannounced by Michael Ring, minister ofstate for tourism and sport and is the firstround of sports capital funding made availableby the government for four years.Sports clubs will be able to apply for upto €25,000 (£21,000) for new and improvedfacilities, as well as to purchase equipment.Details: http://lei.sr?a=a0H9SA pool and gym form part of the council’s visionMembers of South Oxfordshire DistrictCouncil’s cabinet have backed plans for anew £15m leisure centre in Didcot.The cabinet has agreed in principle to theproposals, as well as to invest £60,000 fromthe provisional capital programme towardsfeasibility and procurement work.According to a report put before thecommittee, the minimum requirement ofthe planned new centre is that it includes acompetition and training pool, as well as asports hall, squash courts and a gym.Details: http://lei.sr?a=W1W2Kimage: bikeriderlondon/shutterstockA call todaycould get you agreat deal...and you’ll be surprised atthe finance packages wecould tailor to suit.Don’t delay call01638 720123Progressive Pro-FlexRotary MowerTrilo Vacuum Sweeper*P/XavailableRevolutionary ATT HybridTees, Greens andCricket Mowerwww.thegrassgroup.com

PEOPLENEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UKAquaterra Leisure has appointed AntonyKildare as its chief executive officer.A former executive director of EastMidlands Development Agency, Kildare’sprevious roles include a directorship atErnst & Young and a secondment to theDepartment for Trade and Industry, wherehe worked on the Cox Review.Simon Kaplinsky, chair of Aquaterra’sboard, said: “We’re delighted to have Antonyon board. He brings with him a superbrange of skills and experience gained inindustry, investment, public sector and notfor profit business and is the ideal person tolead our specialist sports and leisure staff.”Sport England chair Richard Lewis hasbeen appointed as chief executive of the AllEngland Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon.Although he will remain as chair of SportEngland, Lewis will step down from his otherrole of Rugby Football League (RFL) chair.Lewis was formerly director of tennis atthe Lawn Tennis Association before joiningthe RFL in 2002. He is also a trustee of theLondon Marathon and Wembley NationalStadium trusts.He leaves the RFL having overseen thelatest round of record breaking TV contractsand with more people watching, viewingand participating in rugby league thanever before.Aquaterra Leisure manages six publicleisure facilities in Islington, plus sevenfootball and cricket pitches, and sevenleisure centres in Bath and Somerset.Philip Kimberley has been reappointedas non-executive chair of the EnglandHockey Board (EHB) for a furtherthree years.EHB president Simon Mason said:“As executive chair from 2003 to2008, Philip was responsible for therebuilding of the governing body’saffairs after its financial problems in2002. He then became non-executivechair in early 2009 when Sally Mundaywas appointed chief executive and thetwo of them have worked closely tocontinue the development of the sport.”Kimberley is also on the GreatBritain Hockey Board and a nonexecutivedirector of both UK Sportand sportscoachUK.Peter Hannibal, gambling andleisure industry consultant andformer director of ElectronicGaming at Gala Coral, hasaccepted an invitation from theDepartment for Culture, Mediaand Sport to champion thegovernment’s war on the rulesand red tape that are holdingback growth in the gambling andleisure industries.Hannibal, who has aMaster’s Degree in BusinessAdministration from NottinghamTrent University, will beresponsible for helping operatorsand stakeholders to identifythose rules that are stifling theirchances of success and to flagthem up through the easy-toaccessdedicated website www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/home/index.He says: “My role is to provideinsight on the issues faced bythose at the coal face and toact as an intermediary betweenthe industry and government.I would urge everyone who hasa view on red tape to visit thewebsite and/or contact me and bepart of the process.”Andrew Cosslett, the formerchief executive officer ofInterContinental HotelsGroup, is the new chair ofthe Rugby World Cup 2015organising committee –England Rugby 2015.He held the post ofinterim chair of thecommittee and takes up hisnew role this month.Cosslett will lead theboard with chief executiveofficer Paul Vaughan. Board members also includeex-Football Association chief executive officer Ian Watmore.Vaughan said: “The international business and marketingskills that [Cosslett] brings to the board will continue to beinvaluable in his new role as chair.”16 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

2012 PROFILENEWS AND JOBS UPDATED DAILY ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTSMANAGEMENT.CO.UKSarahWincklessKaren Maxwell speaks to the chair of the BritishOlympic Association’s Athletes’ CommissionCan you give an account ofyour sporting background?I was always a person with lotsof energy and played netball,basketball and did athletics at school.I won the Schools National NetballTournament U16 with my team fromTiffin Girls’ School, and threw thediscus at age group internationals.It wasn’t until I went to Cambridge tostudy that I started to row – and gainedBlues in athletics, netball, basketball androwing. On graduation I joined the GBrowing squad and set my sights oncompeting for my country in rowing.Can you explain your role as chairof the BOA Athletes’ Commission?My role is to ensure that the athlete is atthe heart of everything the BOA does.I chair a group of 12 elected currentor recently retired Olympians, plus ourelected International Olympic Committee(IOC) Athletes’ Commission athletesand make sure that we look at BOA projectswhen they are being planned. Thisway the group can offer its thoughts andopinions of the projects and the BOAmanagement team can either be confidentin their direction of travel, or maychoose to alter parts of a project.The group has great experience, andit’s my job to ensure that things come tothe commission at the right stage, andthat everyone has a chance to be heardin the discussion that follows.Does this complement otherroles you hold in sport?I work in leadership and coaching andbelieve this role absolutely complementsmy day job. I work through withmembers what they want to get out ofvolunteering for the commission andthen set up opportunities for them toachieve these goals.What are the current issues for theCommission and athletes in thelead up to the 2012 Games?We’ve been involved in most of theprojects that the BOA has planned forthe Games, so at this stage, any input ismerely to help in the fine tuning.Members who are not competing inthe Games have been asked to volunteerfor the BOA to help with the OlympicAmbition Programme and other roles.Current work also includes memberssitting on a Winter Sport OlympicQualification Panel for Sochi and membersworking on an Olympic experienceproject. They’re also having input into asustainability project. Some members willalso sit on a disciplinary panel, should thisbe required during the Games.How do you liaise with the BOA?I sit as a voting member on the BOAboard, and my report from the commissionis a standing item. If the commissionneeds another opinion on a certain topic,I’ll introduce this onto the board agendaMy role is to ensure that the athlete is at theheart of everything that the BOA doesSarah won a bronze medal in rowingat the Athens 2004 Olympic Gamesfor discussion. Also both I and a secondcommission member attend the NationalOlympic Committee meetings, wherethe 33 member sports meet and discussBOA projects and policy.How do you share best practice?I speak at and share my experiences withthe European Olympic Committee Athletes’Commission. I was also a volunteerat the International Olympic Academiessession for Olympic medalists where Imet other athletes who are active in theircountries and we had a week of sharingideas, challenges and best practice.We also have links with the IOC Athletes’Commission, as elected member AdamPengilly sits on our commission. JonathanEdwards is invited to our meetings and hasinvited me to sit on the LOCOG Athletes’Commission and the chair of the BritishAthletes’ Commission (BAC), Karen Pickering,invites me to BAC board meetings.I believe that the more we can communicateand work together, the louder theathletes’ voice will become.Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 17

INTERVIEWTIM HOLLINGSWORTHTHE NEWLY-APPOINTED CEO OF THE BRITISHPARALYMPIC ASSOCIATION TALKS TOKAREN MAXWELL ABOUT HOW LONDON 2012 ISPRESENTING AN UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITY FORTHE PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT TO INSPIRE CHANGEhe Paralympic Movement iscoming back to its roots inSeptember this year and TimT Hollingsworth’s excitement ispalpable. “This year heralds the homecomingof the Paralympic Games,” heenthuses. “Britain is the birthplace ofthe Paralympic Movement and the London2012 Games are offering a trulyunique platform on which to launch aturbo-charge of activity.”Powerful words for a man who’s beenat the helm of the British ParalympicAssociation (BPA) for just 12 months, butcoming from a corporate communicationsbackground he’s already identifieda myriad of opportunities that lay aheadfor this powerful brand.“This year’s Games offers an incredibleopportunity to promote the movementand catapult Paralympic sport to a muchwider audience,” he says.COMING INTO THE FOLDHollingsworth believes his journey intosport administration has quite literallybeen defined by London 2012. Armedwith a background in corporate communicationsat media companies such asGranada TV, he joined UK Sport as directorof policy and communications threemonths before London won the bid tohost the Games in Singapore in 2005, andsays he recognised the move into sport as“an incredible opportunity to be a partof the Games”.He spent seven years at the elite sportfunding organisation – becoming COO in2010. The BPA CEO position became availablewhen Phil Lane left after 10 years inthe role, during which time ParalympicsGBfinished second in the medal table at boththe Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Games.Hollingsworth took the opportunity andvows to capitalise on these achievements.David Weir (right) won two gold medals at Beijing 2008 in the T54 800m and 1,500mTim Hollingsworth has big ambitions for the BPATEAM LEADERComing on board just a year before thestart of the London 2012 Games, he admitsto embarking on a steep learningcurve but says his knowledge of both thesporting landscape and the ParalympicMovement got him quickly on track.His focus so far has been on three keyareas of the charitable organisation:repositioning the brand; preparing theteam for success at this year’s ParalympicGames; and ensuring the future of Paralympicsport post 2012.“When I joined the organisation, therewas some confusion around the roles ofthe BPA and ParalympicsGB,” he explains.“The BPA has a wider remit, whereasParalympicsGB is the team of the Games.In my mind it was crucial to identify thepower of these two brands, so in Januaryof this year we formally reverted back tobeing the BPA – as the organisation thatis responsible for the Paralympic Movementin this country.”With a core staff of just 24 at the BPA,come Games-time Hollingsworth says thenumber of people within the Paralympicteam will rise to almost 600, once the fullcomplement of athletes and officials havebeen selected, and he admits that there’slots to do in terms of making sure that thisteam is best prepared.“We’re fortunate to have some verytalented and very willing people onboard,” he says. “Tim Reddish [BPA chair]18 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

Tom Aggar won a gold medal in the Single Scull rowing event at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic GamesFrom Left: Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt talks to Tim and a Paralympian GB’s sitting volleyball programme was re-instated for London 2012and I have been refining the way theBPA is structured and governed and havebeen putting processes in place so wecan develop the skill sets of BPA staffand make the most out of this year’sunique opportunity.”Regarding Games-time preparation,Hollingsworth says the BPA has left nostone unturned and he has, in fact, ‘fallenon his sword’ to ensure the team’s success.“I took the decision not to be the ChefDe Mission at the Games [a role often takenby the CEO]. I believe that this role callsfor a different skill set. With me cominginto this environment only recently I’vebeen fortunate to identify and secure theservices of Craig Hunter, who led the teamat the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Dehli,for that role.“He’s been a life-long sports administratorin swimming. He has the rightvalues, the right attitude and the rightapproach to life and his experience isfantastic in terms of what a Games-timeenvironment is like and how it willimpact on our athletes.“Between us we’ve considered everythingaround the pre-Games andGames-time environment as far as maximisingperformance and getting ourathletes on the starting line in the bestpossible shape. Our job is to protect themand challenge them where needed.”SPREADING THE WORDAs host nation, the BPA has a role todeliver to the expectations of visitinginternational Paralympic teams, as wellas its own. The Paralympic Movementstarted as a competition for World War IIamputees at Stoke Mandeville Hospital,which coincided with the 1948 LondonOlympics. The Paralympic Games officiallyjoined the Olympic roadshow in Rome1960 and the movement keeps growing.According to Hollingsworth, the BPAneeds to fully capitalise on London 2012’sfantastic opportunity to grow the brand,and that making this a reality has beenmonopolising the majority of his timesince joining the organisation.“We need to secure and maximisethe future of parasport after London. Idon’t like to refer to this as ‘legacy’ becausethat word suggests some sort ofaftermath, a high-water mark, that oncereached is maintained thereafter. That’snot the case with Paralympic sport. It’s avery young movement and our strategy,going forward, is about maximising the‘momentum’ and not saying ‘that’s thatand what can we do off the back of it’;It’s much more than that, it’s a fantasticdoor opening to many opportunities.”To this end Hollingsworth has beenformulating a strategy that demonstratesleadership for the 2012-2017 period, towardsRio 2016 and beyond.“To put it simply, it’s about ensuringthat we have a mission which is clearlydefined around the athletes and ourrole in delivering and supporting them,Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 19

INTERVIEWGB were second on the medal table in 2008Seven-a-side football debuted at the Paralympic World Cup in 2010 (Paralympics GB are in red)because they create the inspiration – thestardust – and that allows us to engagein other things.“It’s about inspiring change, primarilyaround sport – the accessibility and theavailability of sport for all, and to challengethe broader section of our societyabout behaving differently towards disability,”he says.MAKING A VISION A REALITYWhen asked how he plans to go aboutmaking these ambitious changes, Hollingsworthsays that first and foremostthe BPA’s role is to ensure plenty of Britishmedal success at this year’s Gamesbecause “people will have their eyesopened to the concept of disability beingchallenged”.“Our primary purpose is to demonstratethat our athletes are highachieving and world-class in what theydo. The inspirational impact of that isless tangible, but we’re working withthose organisations that are responsiblefor increasing participation levels to,first of all, help people with a physicalimpairment to realise that they can getinvolved in sport.“This then leads onto social change.It’s about recognising that there are fewbetter ways to cut through to widersociety views around disability than theParalympics. We need to make sure thatthis spotlight is effective in changingperceptions. We want people not to startwith sympathy but to say ‘Wow that’s afantastic sporting achievement’.“Once people have established aconnection with disability through thesport, it can open the door to challengeperceptions, which should result in aworld where disabled children are beingintegrated into PE activities rather thandisincluded, which is often the case today,”Hollingsworth says.EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPSParasport, a web-based tool for findingsports opportunities and a resource thatinforms on the classification that relatesto the degree of impairment for eachsport, has become an important link tothe Paralympic brand. It also helps peopleuse the right language linked to sportfor physically impaired people, ratherthan the overused, and negative connotationslinked to ‘disability’ sport.The BPA has been seen to be ‘controlling’by members of the media forproducing a ‘guide to language’ for useduring the Games. However, Hollingsworthsays that it’s conscious aboutlanguage around sport and thinks theorganisation had an obligation to try andinfluence that. “It’s not compulsory, it’s aguide,” he says. “As a nation we’re consciousabout language surrounding raceor gender, so it’s absolutely legitimate todo the same thing around disability.”There are few better ways to cut through towider society views around disability than theParalympics. We need to make sure that thisspotlight is effective in changing perceptionsJOINED-UP THINKINGPublic funding is becoming availablethrough sports’ national governing bodies(NGBs) to enable a wider delivery of parasportand Hollingsworth says the BPA’saim is to find ways to broker and facilitatewith home countries sport and disabilityfederations as well as NGBs to help withopen days and Paralympic Potential days,to offer multi-sport sessions and furtherpromote the parasport website.Meanwhile, another part of the BPA’sstrategy is to broker relationships withcentres of excellence.“We’re looking to further developpartnerships with universities or leisurefacilities for BPA accreditation, which furtherpromotes the brand and highlightsthe facility as a centre of excellence fordisability sport,” Hollingsworth explains.“Obviously the criteria for this partnershipwould be access to world-class,fully-inclusive sport facilities and accommodationwhere appropriate, however,research is also a key areas for us. Forexample, Loughborough University andthe University of Bath already have welldefinedresearch programmes arounddisability sport. It’s one thing to conductresearch for disability sport within thesports science department; it’s quite anotherif the engineering and psychologydepartments have got an interest in disabilityprogrammes too,” he says.“Using London 2012 as our launchpadis about providing value, maybe byadding a resource or a partnership thatcan benefit the brand, and ultimatelythe end user/participant. Thanks to theGames, the world’s attention is turningtowards us now, we’re looking at howthese partnerships can develop into thefuture and how our role can evolve tomake sure we get the most out the this‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity.” 20 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

CHANGING TIMES?S&P works with you to deliver inspirational environments bysolving your procurement demands and establishing newmodels of service consolidation and partnership workingThe Edge, University of LeedsCardiff International PoolK2, CrawleyThe Peak, Stirling Sports VillageDELIVERING INTELLIGENT SOLUTIONS FOR 30 YEARSArchitecture Masterplanning Consulting Regeneration FeasibilityRefurbishment Consultation Engagement Procurement AdviceProject Management Planning Sustainability Value ManagementLONDONVictory House30 KingswayLondon WC2B 6EX+44 (0)20 7831 8877+44 (0)20 7831 4477 FAXNOTTINGHAM9 Weekday CrossThe Lace MarketNottingham NG1 2GB+44 (0)115 941 5369+44 (0)115 947 5955 FAXGLASGOWMackintosh House5 Blythswood SquareGlasgow G2 4AD+44 (0)141 225 8399+44 (0)141 225 6271 FAXwww.s-parchitects.comanswers@s-parchitects.com

SHOW REVIEWThe Sport Industry Awards are considered to be the Oscars of the Sports IndustryTHE SPORT INDUSTRY AWARDSWith ‘the greatest show onearth’ set to descend uponLondon in a matter ofmonths, this year’s SportIndustry Awards served as a reminder ofwhy the UK is so well qualified to hostthe 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.The event showcased some of themost compelling and effective work thathas taken place in sport over the last 12months and gave due recognition to themany who have worked effortlessly intheir respective fields.Politicians, sponsors, broadcasters,celebrities and of course sports starsjoined forces at London’s Battersea Evolutionto enjoy an evening which is seen bymany as the ‘must attend sporting eventof the year’. The ‘Oscars of the Sports Industry’saw an array of awards handed outto organisations as varied as Sky Sports,O2, Manchester City FC and Betfair.Olympic legend Michael JohnsonOLYMPIC PROPORTIONSWith the Olympics and Paralympic Gameslooming on the horizon it was only tobe expected that at least some of theevening’s winners would be part of theOlympic movement. The event commencedwith the Olympic DevelopmentAuthority (ODA) receiving the Sport BusinessAchievement of the Year Award forits successful, and punctual, overhaul ofthe Olympic Park site. As Sports MinisterHugh Robertson – jointly presenting theaward with the Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP– said: “This achievement is in no doubtour country’s first victory of the London2012 Games.”Sir John Arnitt, the ODA chair, pickedup the gong from the two politicianswho used their speeches to pour praiseon those present, and the sports industrymore widely, for the work they do inbringing pleasure and enjoyment to somany people.CELEBRATING SPORTSuch work is perhaps best demonstrated bythose who were competing for the ‘SportGoverning Body of the Year’ Award, whichsaw British Triathlon come out on top ofan impressive short-list, which featured theEngland and Wales Cricket Board, BritishCycling, UK Athletics, England Netball andthe Rugby Football League.British Triathlon’s president, Dr SarahSpringman CBE, highlighted the catalyticeffort that the Games has played stating:“We’ve been fired up by the 2012Olympics and our four-year plan reflectsthis, with challenging targets that wehave exceeded every year in deliveringSky Sports presentersGeorgie Thompson,Sarah Jane Mee,Natalie Pinkham andCharlotte Jacksonoutstanding performance on the worldclass stages that we create and raisingthe profile and inspiring people to takepart in this fast-growing, dynamic sport.”The numbers certainly back up thisstatement with some 850 events takingplace in the UK in the past 12 months, including18 Tata Kids of Steel communitytriathlons, that engage 12,000 children.Success has also been secured onthe elite front, with Britain currentlyboasting 13 world champions in differenttriathlon disciplines. This providesa solid platform for potential success atthe London Olympics, with the Brownleebrothers, in particular, being seen asgenuine medal hopes for the Games.The evening also saw Premiership Rugbygiven the ‘Community Programme’Award for its Hitz project, which takesrugby and its unique value code into innercity estates across ten of London’sboroughs. Hitz serves as the flagship socialinclusion project within PremiershipRugby’s wider community programme.Operating through Premiership Rugby’spartner clubs and with core funding comingfrom the Mayor’s Office, Hitz has beenrun in conjunction with the MetropolitanPolice and has been at the forefrontof efforts to tackle youth offending andanti-social behaviour in the capital.This award is likely to provide a fillip toPremiership Rugby as it looks to expandHitz across the country beyond the 1,000participants currently registered in London.The present ambition is to roll outthe programme across 14 partner clubsnationwide and the importance of thisaward in helping fulfil that vision was22 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

SPORT INDUSTRY AWARDS2012 – WINNERSBest Sponsorship ofa Sport Team or IndividualSponsored by Nolan PartnersWinner: British Airways – Team GB:‘They Will Fly’Sport Participation Event of the YearWinner: Manchester’s Great Day of SportBest Use of DigitalCommunications in SportSponsored by Late Night LondonWinner: NIVEA FOR MEN – The GreatFootball ExperimentIPC president Sir Philip Craven MBEThe Community Programme AwardWinner: Premiership Rugby – HITZ ProjectBest Sponsorship of aSport Event or CompetitionSponsored by IconWinner: NatWest – The NatWestCricket ClubSport Website of the YearWinner: Manchester City FootballClub – www.mcfc.co.ukBest International SportMarketing CampaignSponsored by Battersea EvolutionWinner: Castrol EDGE – Castrol EDGEPresents ‘Ronaldo Tested to the Limit’British Triathlon members, including (BTF) CEO Zara Hyde Peters (with trophy centre) and SarahSpringman BTF president (behind), celebrate winning the ‘Sport Governing Body of the Year’ awardmade clear by Helen Clayton, PremiershipRugby’s Hitz project manager, who said:“The most pleasing aspect of this recognitionis that it will help the Hitz projectmove on to the next level.”LIFETIME SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTThe final award of the evening was the‘Lifetime Achievement’ Award, whichwas presented to Sir Philip Craven MBE,the president of the International ParalympicCommittee. Sir Philip was given astanding ovation by the 1,750 guests andreceived his award from National BasketballAssociation legend, John Amaechiand former teammate, Tip Thiboutot.Sir Philip was clearly deemed a worthywinner by the industry audience for asNick Keller, chair of the Sports IndustryGroup who organise the awards, latercommented: “It is no exaggeration to saythat, without him, the Paralympics weknow today and the Games we look forwardto this summer would be absolutelyunrecognisable.”Tessa Jowell, John Arnitt and Hugh RobertsonThis is the sixth Paralympic Gameswhich Sir Philip has overseen and it is setto be the biggest yet, with close to fourbillion people expected to watch 4,200athletes from 160 countries.The award proved a fitting end to theevening – given the forthcoming Games,that are sure to set the benchmark forother nations to follow.Nick King is director of Sports Think TankBest TV Sport CommercialSponsored by EurosportWinner: O2 – O2 ‘Get up for England’Best Use of PR in a Sport CampaignSponsored by Action ImagesWinner: Betfair – Trash Your Tevez ShirtSport Brand of the YearSponsored by Pinsent MasonsWinner: Sky SportsBest Integrated SportMarketing CampaignWinner: O2 – O2 ‘Get Up for England’Sport Governing Body of the YearSponsored by The Daily TelegraphWinner: British TriathlonSport Agency of the YearSponsored by ColourationWinner: M&C Saatchi Sport& EntertainmentLifetime Achievement AwardSponsored by Monitor QuestWinner: Sir Philip Craven MBEThe Kantar Media Sport BusinessAchievement of the Year AwardWinner: The Olympic Delivery AuthorityIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 23

NEW OPENINGIThe 300-station gym is available to both elite and community users in the run up to the London 2012 Games and beyondSPORTHOUSEOne of three newly-built Games-Time Training Venues, SportHouse is home to theUK’s largest multi-use sports hall for use by elite international athletes and the localcommunity – both before and well after the London Games. Lauren Applegarth reportsn September 2010, a planningapplication was submitted byEbbsfleet Community SportsCentre to the London Borough ofBarking and Dagenham for the constructionof a brand new £8.1m sports facilityin Mayesbrook Park, Dagenham.Fast forward to March 2012 and thecompleted site – now known as Sport-House – was officially opened forbusiness by a host of famous dignitaries,such as Gleeds ambassador Sir SteveRedgrave CBE, International OlympicCommittee member Sam Ramsamy andMargaret Hodge MP.As one of just three newly-builtGames-Time Training Venues,SportHouse CEO Mike Stimson(fourth from right) with IOC members,councillors, MPs and Sir Steve RedgraveSportHouse will host internationalathletes from Olympic handball andathletics, as well as competitors from Paralympicjudo and wheelchair rugby, all ofwhom will be competing in this summer’sOlympic and Paralympic Games.Following the Games, the multi-sportfacility will provide a lasting sports legacyfor the East London area, by deliveringworld-class training facilities and sportingopportunities to the local community.So where did the vision for Sport-House, come from and how will the sitesustain its success and appeal when thecurtains come down on what will undoubtedlybe an extraordinary summerof sport for London and the UK?Turning vision into realityThe concept for SportHouse was conceivedby CEO Mike Stimson. Having previouslyworked in international banking andproperty investment, Stimson took hisfirst step towards delivering his vision bysetting up Ebbsfleet Community SportsCentre (ECSC) – the company behindSportHouse – in 2010.“I believe that more people, in particularchildren, should have the opportunityto play sport and use the best facilitiesavailable,” Stimson says. “In my opinion,the sports market has been overlookedduring the last 15 to 20 years and themain benefactor of this has been thehealth club market. SportHouse is mysolution to delivering a premium, affordable,alternative sports training facility.”Built at a total cost of £8.1m, Sport-House was part-funded by the OlympicDelivery Authority (ODA) to the sum of£3.9m and this enabled Stimson to securethe remaining funding from Tiodos Bank.Both elite and community use“Crucially, SportHouse has not been developedexclusively for elite athletes,”he says. “We believe that by creating aworld-class sports facility we can have asignificantly positive effect on the localcommunity and provide an environmentthat allows professional athletes andmembers of the public to train alongsideeach other to maximise their potential.”SportHouse is home to the UK’s largest– and Europe’s second largest – multi-usesports hall. It also has two state-of-theartgyms containing 300-stations, a250-cover restaurant and bar and twofull-size basketball courts.In addition, the centre has direct accessonto the existing MayesbrookAthletics Arena which is situated nextdoor. Also a Games-Time Training Venue,the eight-lane track was completelyrefurbished following a £2m investmentfrom the ODA, at which time new24 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

The 5,000sq m sports hall can hostfour full-size handball courts, fourfutsal pitches, eight netball courts orsix basketball courtsVisitors are just as likely to see an international, elite squad training in thegym as they are a local school team hiring out a five-a-side court in the sports halllong- and triple-jump pits, changingrooms, kitchen facilities, a warm-up areaand a sports medical room were added.Architecture and designDesigned by architect David La Richefrom LRK Associates, SportHouse sitswithin 4.2 acres of the 45 hectare MayesbrookPark. Existing buildings weredemolished to make way for the new facilitywhich includes new changing roomsand two external multi-purpose courts.The project’s lead contractor, MorganSindall, was responsible for the constructionand delivery of the project. “This wasone of the last Olympic projects to getfunding from the ODA, so we had an extremelytight time-frame and budget towork with”, says Morgan Sindall’s managingdirector at the London Office, PeterJacobs. “However, it’s been a real privilegeto work on SportHouse – the facilitiesare going to have a life-enhancing impacton the local community and seeing thesite come to life has really brought theproximity of the Olympics home to thepeople who live in this area.”Elite and community supportThe two gyms at SportHouse cover acombined 1,000sq m of floor space andhouse 300 pieces of cardiovascular andstrength training equipment, includingSPORTHOUSE – FACTS AND FIGURES 5,000sq m multi-use sports hall 1,000sq m gym across two floors 250-cover restaurant and bar 6,000 member capacitya fully-inclusive range of Cybex fitnessequipment, accredited by the InclusiveFitness Initiative (IFI) programme.“We’ve worked closely with MikeStimson and his team, since their visit toIHRSA in 2011, when they tested out fitnessequipment from all manufacturersbefore choosing Cybex,” says Rob Thurston,commercial director for Cybex UK.“The relationship between Cybex andSportHouse will continue to strengthenas we recognise the shared valuesbetween both parties; the high-performancedesign of Cybex equipment willhelp to support SportHouse’s vision todeliver a sports facility that caters for thesports and training regimes of a widesection of users of all abilities.”The sports hallBut althought SportHouse has anexcellent range of facilities, it’s the5,000sq m, multi-use sports hall that enabledthe site to qualify for the title ofGames-Time Training Venue. Designedfor maximum versatility and flexibility,the clear-span space can be configuredas four full-size handball courts or futsalpitches, six netball courts or 54 badmintoncourts at any one time.The flooring used in the sports hall –which was laid in just five weeks – wasdesigned, manufactured and installedby Gerflor, a specialist in resilient flooringsolutions. “The sports hall features5,000sq m of Gerflor’s Taraflex Combisportflooring,” says Darren Wood, Taraflexsport manager for Gerflor. “This floor systemwill help deliver community throughto elite athlete performance, while offeringusers both safety and comfort.”Contributing to the individuality anddistinctiveness of the venue, the flooringhas been produced in London Blue, acolour mixed exclusively for the London2012 Handball Arena and SportHouse.Temporary flooring has also beenprovided in accordance with the requirementsof the London 2012 OrganisingCommittee for the Olympic ParalympicGames (LOCOG), to support the trainingneeds of the wheelchair rugby athletes.Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 25

NEW OPENINGLeft: The gym is split across two floors and equipped by Cybex. Above: SportHouseoverlooks Mayesbrook Athletics Arena, which benefited from a £2m refurbishmentFrom autumn 2012, SportHouse willalso include a spectator arena,within the sports hall which will be capableof accommodating between 200and 2,500 spectators. The arena willbe used for national and internationalsports events, club competitions and localschool and college activities, as wellas for concerts and live music events.Ensuring sustainability andcommercial successWhile SportHouse will undeniably contributeto a lasting sporting legacy, thelong-term success and longevity of thevenue will ultimately come down to itsability to attract regular members.“The success of SportHouse is based onthe level at which the local communityengages with the club and its facilities,”says Nicola Addison, director of sportand leisure consultancy HBA, which wasappointed as part of the leisure consultancyteam for ECSC and has acted as theadvisory body on aspects central to theproject’s delivery. “We set ourselves anambitious target, but we achieved a 95per cent conversion rate from membershipenquiries, so we signed up more than1,000 founder members after just sevenweeks of pre-sale activity,” she says.The commercial strategy behind Sport-House is value for money, with the mostexpensive gym membership priced at £39a month. Unlike many gym memberships,the minimum sign-up duration is just sixmonths; discounted memberships arealso available for off-peak use, as well asWHO WILL BE USING SPORTHOUSE? Olympic and Paralympic athletesduring London 2012 Games-time More than 1,000 new members signedup before the public opening ofSportHouse in March 2012 More than 95 per cent of membershipsconverted from walk-inscorporate and joint memberships.“With memberships starting from £1 aday, the SportHouse commercial modeldelivers a world-class training venue for acost directly in line with that of local authoritysports facilities,” says Addison.SportHouse also offers a ‘pay as youplay’ option; users can pay for one-offvisits to the gym as and when required.The HouseKey – SportHouse’s annualaccess card – provides guests with unlimitedaccess which includes the use ofthe ClubHouse restaurant and bar, theability to pay for single-use gym sessionsand bookings for the sports hall. Tocomplement the affordable monthly gymmemberships, HouseKeys are priced at amaximum of just £40 a year.In line with the facility’s Olympiclegacy strategy, SportHouse is alreadylooking beyond this summer’s major internationalcompetitions. The facilitieshave become a focus of attention from anumber of national governing bodies includingthe English Handball Association,The FA and England Netball, which haveall expressed interest in being involved inthe longer-term use of the site.Alongside this, the venue is alreadybeing used as a training camp by theBrazilian and Norwegian women’s Olympichandball teams during London 2012Games time and it will play host to a seniorinternational futsal match betweenEngland and Denmark later this month.“What makes SportHouse unique isits ease of accessibility, which is reflectedin its portfolio of users, says Stimson.“Visitors are just as likely to see an internationalelite squad training in the gymas they are a local school team hiring outa five-a-side court in the sports hall.”What’s next for ECSC?For Stimson and his team, SportHouse isjust the start of bigger and better thingsto come. The hard work and dedicationwill carry on as the venue continues toprove the unique commercial model underpinningthe success of the site.“With the first SportHouse up and running,”he says, “ECSC is already exploringsimilar opportunities both internationallyand across the UK. We’ve alreadybeen approached by a number of keyindividuals who recognise the value thata site such as SportHouse can deliver to acommunity. However, for the time being,our current focus remains on ensuringour management team at SportHousecontinues to deliver a first class, fullyinclusive,commercially successful sportsfacility in the heart of East London.” Lauren Applegarth is a freelance writer26 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

PROMOTIONAL FEATUREGerflor’s Fast TrackSports Hall FlooringRefurbishment Solutions that don’t cost the earth!n the days of austerity, indoor sports floors that have‘seen better days’ don’t always have to be uplifted andreplaced. You can save money, down time and environmentalimpact by leaving the old floor in place and over Ilaying it.Gerflor, a leading manufacturer of Taraflex Sports Floors,have recently launched a number of product solutions that canbe installed directly over the old sports surface. This can savea small fortune in costs and can be quickly installed minimisingfacility down time.A RECENT SUCCESS: GILLINGHAM LEISURE CENTREDuring the recent facility refurbishment it was decided thatthe sports floor was in need of replacement. Gerflor delivereda specification and a solution that made a huge difference tothe local community. The new floor was installed on top of anexisting Granwood floor in only 3 days!John Havill, Chairman of Three Rivers Partnership comments:“To think how bad the floor looked before and how itlooks now is quite remarkable. Gerflor assisted in the projectmanagement of the scheme hugely and the sports hall floor refurbishmentcame in on time and on budget”.John Havill also added “Our customers love it, in particularthe badminton club, some even hinting this is the best sportshall they have ever played in”.Taraflex sports floors have been manufactured since 1947and offer a number of user and operator benefits includingoptimum user safety, comfort, performance and ease of maintenance.Taraflex is an ‘Approved’ surface by many Nationaland International governing bodies of sport.See How the New Taraflex Eco-Fit systemcompares to a traditional refurbishmentITEM(based on 594SqM)UPLIFT OLD FLOOR £ 3, 975 £0DISPOSAL OF WASTE £ 2, 380 £0PREPARATION OF SUB FLOOR £ 3, 524 £0INSTALL NEW SPORTS FLOOR £ 28, 153 £ 22, 692LINE MARKING (8 Game Lines) £ 2, 290 £ 2, 290PROJECT TOTAL £ 40, 322 £ 24, 982PROJECT TIME 10 days 4 daysPOTENTIAL SAVINGS OF UP TO 40%!PreviousTRADITIONAL NEW TARAFLEX TARAFLEXSPORTS FLOOR ECO-FIT METHOD PAYMENT PLAN*NowTotal Costof Project£24, 982Deposit £5,000MonthlyPayments £347Term – 60 MonthsCall or email now to take advantage of ourFREE SPECIFICATION ADVISARY SERVICE.Darren Wood – Sports Manager on07836 366579 or dwood@gerflor.comDavid Carter – Sports Specialiston 07850 217290 or dcarter@gerflor.comVisit www.gerflor.co.uk for further informationIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 27

TOP TEAMST GEORGE’S PARKBThe Football Association has been trying for 35years to create a national football centre. With thelaunch imminent, Kath Hudson talks to some ofthe people that have made this dream a realtyack in 1996, when the EuropeanChampionships wereheld in London, we were allsinging about football cominghome. It almost did, but then itwent away again, further than before.We’re all desperate for England towin an international championship:according to the Football Association(FA) more than half the population– 28 million of us – watch England’smajor international matches. But ifyou look at the facts it’s not surprisingthis isn’t happening.England has a fraction of thecoaches that Germany, Italy, Spainand France have: 10 per cent of UEFAB coaches, 16 per cent of UEFA Acoaches and 12 per cent of UEFA Procoaches. Only four managers in the PremierLeague are English and every othercountry that has won the FIFA WorldCup, or UEFA European Championships,has a dedicated national training centre.England has a long footballing history,with seven million participants, andwe believe we should be champions,however, there has been a yawning gapin the infrastructure. There has been nohub for communicating and enforcingthe FA coaching philosophy and messagesand a nomadic, ineffective approachto coach education.This, however, is all set to change.The finishing touches are now being putto the national football centre in SouthDerbyshire. Symbolically named StGeorge’s Park, it is set to open itsdoors in late summer.All of those involved are bristlingwith pride and excitement. This is setto revolutionise the game – it maytake a couple of generations, but thecoaches that this centre will turn outwill go forth and create thousands ofcomposed, creative, technically brilliant,decision-making young players.The educational side will be backedup by a world-class centre for sportsmedicine and research and someof the best sporting facilities in theworld, with every type of footballpitch recreated.Back of the net!28 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

The centre will house an indoor sports hall,tennis courts, sand pits, sand rehabilitationlanes, a hydrotherapy suite, strength andconditioning gyms and a biomechanics areaDAVID SHEEPSHANKS: CHAIRWhen appointedin 2008, mymain role wasto create a financially sustainablebusiness brandto bring this long-standingproject to fruition.I’ve been the chief crusader,but backed up by a first-class team.Following consultation with the marketplaceto build a financially sustainablebusiness plan, there was common agreementthat the clubs wanted to keepcontrol of the players’ education withintheir training academies, but there was adefinite need for a centre that could educateeveryone else involved with the game.The FA already has a successful trainingbusiness, FA Learning, which ran 73courses last year, mainly Level One toLevel Five coach education courses, buta plethora of others as well. St George’sPark will build on that effective platform,by developing an educational hub forEnglish football with courses in refereeing,leadership training, football andsports administration and sports marketing– among others.Our national game will benefitenormously from this focus on coacheducation and leadership training – takingmanagement and coaching to a newlevel. If we want to match the best in theworld – which we’re plainly not today –we need to start with better coaches.Better coaches mean better players,in the long run. This is a long-termproject, concerned with team development,rather than player development.Gargantuan amounts have been investedin wages, stadia and club academies, butdisproportionately little in education andteaching our teachers. So this project isabout raising quality and quantity.Our consultation and research, whichinvolved looking at other national centresIf we want to match the bestin the world, we need tostart with better coachesand other sports, especially golf, showedthere was a need for investing in educationfor the game, particularly coaching.We want homegrown coaches fromSt George’s Park to be as sought afteras graduates from Oxford, Cambridgeand Harvard. We want to see St George’smanagers leading domestic and internationalteams, so we can stop our relianceon recruiting from overseas for the toppositions. We also want to raise the profileof coaching as a profession, makingsure coaches are properly remuneratedand have career pathways.This will create a training infrastructurefor English teams. There’s no silver bulletfor the ills of English football, but I believein building on strengths, investing inteachers and creating a CPD ethos.The centre will house 11 full-size,external, floodlit, undersoil-heatedpitches for coaching all age groupsALAN FERGUSON: HEAD GROUNDSMANThis will be one ofthe best facilitiesin the worldfor maintenance andchoice of pitches. Withthe range of surfaces wehave at St George’s Park,we will be able to replicateany playing surface that the Englandteam will ever have to play on.There are four Desso GrassMasterpitches (100 per cent natural grasswith synthetic grass fibres), including areplica Wembley pitch; four fibresandpitches, with a lesser reinforced system;five natural surfaces, which have noreinforcement, and two state-of-theartsynthetic pitches. All of them givedifferences in pace, hardness andbounce of the ball.This is a great asset to the country because,apart from the top six or sevenPremier League clubs, most clubs justhave one pitch, so players don’t get theexperience of trying different surfaces.We are 40 minutes from 14 major soccervenues and have a superb hotel andmedical support, so we are expecting tobe constantly busy. We will be involvedwith any new standards which the FApasses regarding pitches, as well as testingequipment.Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 29

TOP TEAMRUTH PAULIN: BUSINESS DIRECTOR, PERFORM SPORTS SCIENCE AND MEDICINE FACILITYPerform is a newbrand for sportsmedicine andperformance from SpireHealthcare, and was alreadybeing introducedto some of our hospitals,when we had the opportunityto become the FA’s healthcarepartner at St George’s Park and hencecreate a flagship site, with the biggestand best facilities in the UK.As business director, my responsibilitiesare leading the operational set up and recruitinga highly skilled multi-disciplinaryteam, including a clinical director, a centremanager and specialist physiotherapists,as well as a number of experts in thefields of nutrition, podiatry, sports therapyand sports psychology.The 25,000sq ft centre is fantastic interms of size and facilities. It includes aworld-class hydrotherapy facility; a rehabilitationgym with isokinetic equipment;a strength and conditioning gym; sevenphysiotherapy rooms and a human performancelaboratory with an altitudechamber. Services provided will includeblood tests and profiling, video gait analysisand much more – everything to helpathletes achieve their maximum potential.The centre will be able to take lessonsfrom elite sport and make the technologiesand expertise accessible to the public,Perform offers cutting edgetechnology combined withelite medical expertisewho will be able to make appointments,or be referred to our experts.It is the UK’s most advanced sports medicinecentre, with cutting edge technologycombined with elite medical expertise.We are aiming for accreditation as aFIFA F-Marc Medical Centre of Excellenceto become one of only 24 such centresin the world.ALAN J SMITH OBE, DL: LEAD ARCHITECT AND DESIGNER, REDBOXDESIGNThe architecturalphilosophy forthis project wasthe same as I always use:I look at the site andschedule, and then thecore values and the DNAof the client.The core values were accessible, aspirational,rewarding, stimulating, symbolicand sustainable.Then, we needed no more inspirationthan the site itself, which is stunning: 330acres within a national forest, surroundedby a necklace of trees. This is theland of the badger, the babbling brookand the bluebell wood and I wanted tomake sure we didn’t damage any of thatsanctity so the buildings were located asfar down the site as possible – one milefrom the entrance. By situating the tallestbuilding at the lowest point of thesite and the lower buildings on higherground, we have managed to create oneconstant roofline.We were sustainable in our building:none of the trees were removedand we restored ancient grassland toencourage wildlife, such as skylarks andmeadow pippits. The buildings sit carefullyand calmly along the contours ofthe landscape. They are split into twocommunities: the two Hilton hotels andtraining and education facilities on oneside and the sports facilities on the other.This kind of building has never beenbuilt anywhere. As research, myself andThe indoor hall will house afull-size synthetic turf footballpitch and a 60m running trackDavid Sheepshanks visited every Europeanfacility, as well as the Institute of Sport inCanberra. It wasn’t a case of copying whathas been done before – we are 50 years behindother countries – we needed to definewhat was good practice and exceed that.In my opinion, one of the most importantways to be sustainable is sourcingmaterials and services locally, to kickstartjobs in the community, whetherthat be delivering building materials ornapkins, it’s all about sustaining communities.Natural materials have been usedthroughout, such as timber and stoneand recyclable materials, to allow themto be changed, or recycled, in the future.This project isn’t for my generation, it’sfor the five- and six-year-olds out thereWe are 50 years behind – weneeded to define what wasgood practice and exceed thatplaying football today. The building is amachine for the FA to fire up, to deliverfitness coaches, medics and administratorsfor future generations.Rarely as an architect do you get a nationalproject, so it was like pulling onthe number nine shirt for England. Themessage of this facility will be carriedthoughout the world, so I’m immenselyflattered to be chosen.30 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

linknv.beSHOCK PADSre-bounce ® has been developed byRecticel, a global company with over100 sites worldwide. Tailor-made to yourrequirements, our shock pads have beendeveloped in co-operation with installersand turf manufacturers to provide the bestpossible solution for outdoor and indoorartifi cial sports surfaces.re-bounce ® is the essential componentto guarantee optimal player performance,comfort and safety. re-bounce ®also encompasses a range of sportsequipment products, including mats formartial arts and gymnastics.www.re-bounce.com | metcalfe.sarah@recticel.com | 01773 838000Riverbank ArenaThe Home ofGreat Goalswww.harrod.uk.comSole suppliers of Hockey andFootball Goals, Nets and TeamShelters to the London 2012Olympic and Paralympic Games@HarrodUKIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 31

LONDON 2012PRE-GAMESTRAINING CAMPSWe look at the world-class sporting facilities atthree pre-games training camps and find outhow the operators plan to use this opportunityto engage and inspire the local communities .More than 200 Pre-Games Training Camps for the London2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have now beenagreed across Britain, for use by 93 competing countriesthrough National Olympic and Paralympic Committees(NOC and NPC) and international teams. Providing athleteswith a base from which to prepare, train and acclimatiseahead of the Games, these camps were recognised duringthe bid as an essential part of an athlete’s preparation forthe Games.To this end, London offered a financial award of up to£25,000 (US$40,000, 30,000) to every NOC and NPC whosends a team to prepare in approved training camps in theUK, to encourage teams from across the world to use localfacilities for their Games’ preparations.LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITYOLYMPIC TEAMSHaving made a unique contribution tosport in the UK for more than 60 years,Loughborough University offers state-ofthe-artfacilities, built in partnership withmany sports national governing bodies(NGBs). Its 437-acre campus is also hometo some of the country’s leading coaches,sports scientists and support staff.The university’s sports scholarshipprogramme enables 250 of the finestyoung athletes to excel in both theiracademic and sporting arenas.Its students have won the BritishUniversities and Colleges SportChampionship for 30 years and 56past and present students representedTeamGB in the Beijing 2008 Olympic andParalympic Games.So far 17 swimmers, canoeists andathletes who either study, are based at orare university alumni have been selectedfor this year’s Games.As testament to its internationalrenown for its teaching and research intosports science and engineering, a £15mSports Technology Institute was opened in2007 to develop cutting-edge technologyfor the UK’s sport and leisure sector.FACILITIESThe facilities have been designed tocreate a specific training environment,which gives the best possible support toathletes seeking to achieve excellenceand success. It offers an environmentto match technical specifications,equipment, floor surfaces, lighting andclimatic conditions that will be found atLondon 2012 sporting venues.The National High Performance Centre(next to the Paula Radcliffe Stadium) haseight 120m-sprint lanes, two long-jumplanes with a sand pit, a high-jump bed,two pole-vault beds, separate areas forjavelin and discus and a strength andconditioning suite.Badminton, netball, gymnastics,hockey and taekwondo have dedicatedhigh performance centres on campusand rugby league used the universityas a base for last year’s Four Nations’Championship.There are two tennis centres, includinga Lawn Tennis Association regionalacademy, and a beach volleyball courthas been erected in recent weeks.32 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

Facilities match technicalspecifications found atLondon 2012 venuesThis collaboration has ledto Loughborough Universitysigning an agreement withWaseda University aspart of a global US$14m(£8.7m, 10.6m) programmeThe eight-lane, 50m swimming poolhas a hydraulic base to adjust the depthand a movable wall to change the length.It offers a comprehensive analysis andtraining centre with underwater filmingand playback facilities.VISITING TEAMSAll members of TeamGB are expectedto pass through the university for theofficial ‘kitting out’ process before theGames. This will provide an opportunityto bring together the hundreds ofathletes and officials into one unit andmentally prepare the whole team forthis major competition.In the weeks preceding the Games, theBOA will also base its support services atLoughborough.The JOC will use the university asa training environment to allow theJapanese Olympic team to acclimatiseand make final preparations in readinessfor the Games. Imperial College,London is a key partner in the Japaneseagreement – providing an additionalLondon-based venue.In preparation for the JOC’s arrival,60 university staff from the SportsDevelopment Centre as well as thecatering and accommodation arm havereceived initial training to help themunderstand the cultural differences andlearn basic Japanese in order to helpthe athletes settle in.In the lead up to the internationalpartnership, groups of practicingacademics, PE teachers and officials fromthe Japanese Ministry of Education havevisited Loughborough to learn aboutphysical education in the UK and help kickstart a collaborative project in design andtechnology. Members of the JapaneseSports Association have also visited theuniversity to learn about the promotionof youth sport and physical activity.School pupils from across the EastMidlands region have also attendeduniversity Musubi days, where theytake part in Japanese-themed activitiesincluding Taiko drumming and judo, aswell as language, nutrition and culture.This collaboration has led toLoughborough University signing anagreement with Waseda University aspart of a global US$14m (£8.7m, 10.6m)programme designed to increasecollaborative research in sport sciencesand physical activity.The university givessupport to athletesseeking excellenceIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 33

LONDON 2012UNIVERSITY OF BATHOLYMPIC TEAMSThe University of Bath’s £30m SportsTraining Village was completed in 2004.Offering a diverse selection of fullyinclusivesports facilities, the villageincludes a 50m swimming pool, tennisand squash courts, athletics tracks,synthetic turf pitches and a judo dojo.A number of sports have their nationalhigh performance bases at Bath. Theseinclude modern pentathlon, bobskeleton, badminton, beach volleyballand netball. The university also housesone of British Swimming’s five intensivetraining centres. Sports science backupareas, which include ice-baths andsaunas and video analysis capabilitiesare also on site.Olympic athletes that train at theuniversity include Amy Williams – 2010Olympic Games bob skeleton goldmedalist and Dai Greene – 2011 World400m hurdles champion.FACILITIESMany of the university’s sports facilitieshave been designed so they can beadapted for use by a variety of differentsports. The main hall, complete with asprung wooden floor, can accommodateup to three basketball courts or beadapted for Paralympic use to hostboccia, wheelchair basketball, goalball,sitting volleyball and wheelchair rugby.The university’s indoor acrylic tenniscourts can also be adapted for alternativesporting use. These complement eightacrylic and two clay outdoor courtswithin the sports complex.An indoor modern pentathlon trainingarea, which is home to the GB team,features 16m x 10m electronic shootinglanes and eight aluminium fencing pistes,while the indoor throws and jumps halland six-lane 140m running straight canalso be used for archery training.The fully-equipped fitness suite hasmore than 120 cardiovascular stations,seven lifting platforms, free and fixedweights and stretching/warm-up zones.Outside, there are two upgraded sanddressed,floodlit hockey pitches, whichcan accommodate football sessions andcomplement eight natural turf sportspitches. A 400m, floodlit athletics trackincludes full throws and jumps facilities.Sports science and medicine facilitiesare a key component of the village andinclude a human performance centreand sports injury clinic. Disciplinesinclude: physiology testing; strengthand conditioning; prehab and rehab;Hypoxic training; physiotherapy; recoverysports massage therapy, hydrotherapyand ice bath therapy; video performanceanalysis; nutrition and hydration; sportspsychology and eye-tracking – to enhanceperception and decision-making.VISITING TEAMSChina’s top 25 swimmers will train alongsideBritish Olympians at the university inreadiness for Games-time competition.The university already has strong linkswith the country, in terms of academicresearch and collaboration, and islooking to extend the partnership intothe areas of sports performance andsport science. More than 1,000 Chinesestudents currently study at the university.Malaysia has also been using the site asa regular training base since early 2010,in the lead up to large European-basedtournaments, as well as in preparationfor the Olympic Games.Training facilities can be adapted foruse by the ParalympicsGB camp, whichwill feature 10 sports and more than200 team members in the run up to theParalympic Games.Community Links:The university will be running acomprehensive programme that linksthe international visits to the localcommunity to inspire the one millionvisitors/users of the facility throughoutthis training period. The torch relay routewill also run through the facility.34 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

SURREY SPORTS PARK – UNIVERSITY OF SURREYSynchronisedswimming offersspectator opportunitiesOLYMPIC TEAMS Antigua and Barbuda (swimming) China (swimming)Estonia (swimming)Great Britain (basketball)Malta (swimming)Mauritius (swimming)Mongolia (marathon)Nigeria (badminton, basketball, tabletennis, taekwondo, boxing, weightlifting and wrestling)Philippines (swimming)Singapore (swimming, badminton)USA (triathlon)PARALYMPIC TEAMSArgentina (boccia, football, judo,power lifting, swimming, tabletennis tennis)Mauritius (swimming)Nigeria (power lifting, tabletennis, tennis)Spain (swimming)Sweden (table tennis, swimming)FACILITIESThe state-of-the-art sports facilitiesinclude a 50m, UV-treated swimmingpool with a constant 2m depth that canaccommodate 30m water polo as well as50m and 25m swimming distances.One of the only world-champion badmintonfacilities in the country, the park’sthree, blue sports arenas aid shuttlecockvisibility and offers seating for 1,000 spectators,while high-profile basketball andnetball games can also be playedat the facility. Eight squash courts,A globalatmospherein the parkincluding six premium glass-backed courtsand two show courts with seating for180 spectators, are available, as well astwo multi-purpose exercise studios and a100-station health and fitness suite.Outside facilities include two floodlitsynthetic turf pitches, with a sanddressedpitch (AGP 3), a cushionedshock-pad, sand-dressed pitch (AGP 2)and a 3G, rubber-crumb surface pitch(AGP 1), eight floodlit tennis courts andeight football and rugby pitches.All the sport and recreational facilitieshave been designed to accommodatedisabled athletes as the provision ofoutstanding training and recreationalfacilities for disabled athletes has been apriority of the programme.The centre has been made widelyavailable to the residents of Surrey, whileinternational teams are in residence.Close collaboration with Surrey CountyCouncil and Guildford Borough Councilhas been crucial to the success of theproject and there has also been avery close working relationship withother sporting facilities in the area.These include Guildford Spectrum,Charterhouse School and Merrist Wood.This month, the park will also beopening a new Olympic-standardstrength and conditioning area, whichwill offer additional weights and cardioequipment to complement the park’sexisting health and fitness centre.COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES:CELEBRATE SURREYCelebrate Surrey is a programme ofpublic events which recognises thecontribution that both the University ofSurrey and Surrey Sports Park make tothe intellectual, economic and culturallife of the local, national and globalcommunity. The aim of the programmeis to encourage a culture of two-wayconversations between university staffand students, and people outside theuniversity as well as raising awarenessof the opportunities that exist. Italso aims to encourage a greaterunderstanding among the localcommunity of the ways in which theuniversity can benefit the area.The programme of events includesa year-long calendar of dance, music,exhibitions, plays and musicals; theOlympic-style Surrey Youth Games;an Olympic Festival and Torch Relaycelebrations and a mini, family-friendlyscience festival. Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 35

RESEARCHWINNING WAYSHow Sport Unlimited delivered legacy impacts for young peopleIMAXINE GREGORY LED THE EVALUATION OF SPORT UNLIMITED,CARRIED OUT BY THE SPORT INDUSTRY RESEARCH CENTRE (SIRC)AT SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY. SHE REPORTS ON THEPROGRAMME’S SUCCESSES AND HOW THEY WERE ACHIEVEDn 2012, all eyes will be on theOlympic and Paralymic Games andthe legacy promise to get thenation doing more sport.For children and young people theprevious Labour government set the‘five-hour offer’ target – to give thoseaged five- to 16-years old access to fivehours per week of high-quality sport.One of the key work strands establishedin order to deliver the five-houroffer was Sport Unlimited’. Its aim was tobridge the gap between school and communitysport and increase opportunitiesfor young people to take part in a widerange of different and engaging activitiesto find ‘their’ ideal sport.The programme ran from 2008 to2011, delivering a £36m programme ofSport England-funded projects, whichaimed to engage, retain and sustainsemi-sporty young people in moresports participation. It was an importantelement of the PE and Sport Strategyfor Young People and one part of theLondon 2012 Olympic legacy objectives.Sport Unlimited delivery – the statsSport Unlimited was set an ambitioustarget to retain 900,000 young peopleTHE KEY FEATURES OF SPORT UNLIMITEDThe programme engaged 1.2 million peoplein sporting activity by the end of March2011. Over the three-year period theprogramme engaged nearly 1.2 millionyoung people and retained almost 82per cent of these in activity – therebyexceeding the retain target by morethan 60,000 young people. Participantswere deemed to have been retained ifwhich cascaded funding to local communities via theCounty Sports Partnerships Networkhigh-quality taster sessions designed to inspire youngstersto sign up for longer-term participationwho may have had some interest in sport, but were notthey attended 60 per cent or more of aneight- to 10-week block of sessions –and in total 960,938 young peopleachieved this measure.The overall success was equal formale and female participants and fordifferent year groups. This is particularlynoteworthy, as Sport Unlimited narrowedthe trend of the gender gap in sportsparticipation, demonstrating substantialsuccess in engaging with females. In fact,female retention rates were higher thanthose for males.The programme also had a targetof sustaining 300,000 young peoplein activity once their Sport Unlimitedsessions came to an end, eitherby joining a club or participatingin informal environments (such asskateparks, BMX tracks, swimmingpools and fitness activities). The SportIndustry Research Centre (SIRC) atSheffield Hallam University undertooka bespoke sustainability study, whichcombined several different monitoringsystems including: exit postcards (4,427completed), before and after surveys(1,867 completed) and participanttracking with 1,122 individuals. The keyfindings were as follows:particularly engaged with community or club sport(termed semi-sporty)sports young people actually wanted to dothat included activities outside of Sport England’s supportstructure that were relevant and compelling to childrenand young people and encouraged their engagement36 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

findings were as follows: Increased importance of sport:The data from the before and aftersurveys highlighted that after takingpart in the Sport Unlimited programme,29 per cent of the respondents felt thatsport was of greater importance thanbefore they had taken part in theactivity sessions. Inspiration:In total,41.7 per cent of participantsstated that as a result of the SportUnlimited sessions they felt inspiredand were more likely to attend a clubthan if they had not taken part in theprogramme. Sustained participation:More than 50 per cent of the 1,122 peoplethat took part in our tracking survey weretaking part in more activity than prior totheir involvement in Sport Unlimited.SIRC also conducted a survey ofmore than 250 programme deliverers(representing more than 40,000participants), which combined both actualand estimated data. The data showedthat 22 per cent of participants werejoining clubs after their initial sessions.Considering just the actual data (for12,536 participants) the percentagejoining a club was higher at 29 percent. Add to this the young people whocontinued participating by other lessformal means and the sustain target of33 per cent is likely to have been met.How success was achievedFive critical success factors wereidentified before and during theprogramme. These were: Joined up deliveryPartnership working, shared goals andcohesively linking young people’s plansinto other aspects of the five-hour offer Student voiceFinding out what young peoplewant, where and how, and using thisintelligence to improve the provision Activities FrameworkProviding a wide menu of opportunities,which extend beyond conventionalactivities SignpostingPromoting opportunities to youngpeople and signposting and supportingparticipants into ‘exit routes’ from theprogramme into other opportunities SustainabilityEnsuring that all funded projects hadclear plans for how participation wouldbe sustainedChildren and young people were consulted about what activities they wanted to doSuccessful variations inactivity choice included:dance and cheerleading)(i.e. concept2 rowing)of sports (i.e. freestyle tennis)(i.e. climbing)activities were delivered alongsidetraditional sportsJoined-up deliveryThere was wide representation of nonsportpartners cohesively planning andincorporating various sporting projects andactivities into their delivery, such as theRurban project – delivered by Herts SportsPartnership, Child UK and Pro-Action.Rurban gave youth clubs in the areaa new lease of life by utilising qualifiedsports coaches to deliver multi-sports activitysessions. An array of new opportunitiesand activities were offered environmentswhere previously an informal game offootball was the only sport on offer.Partnership working with NGBswas extremely innovative with severalgoverning bodies offering hybrid andadapted versions of sports to meetthe needs of semi-sporty young peoplefor example fit rugby – in partnershipwith the Rugby Football Union (RFU)in Tees Valley.This project provided intensive fitnessbasedsessions, which incorporated drillsand skills presented via fun games.Student VoiceCommunity Sports Partnerships (CSPs)committed to ensuring that young peoplein their regions were consulted with andlistened to. This consultation not onlyhelped to engage young people in activitybut also helped to retain young people,as they were taking part in activities thatthey really wanted to do. Sport Unlimitedhas demonstrated that gathering evidenceof demand and what young people wantis essential to enable a strategic approachto planning and programming.The top 10 sports overall are shownbelow however our consultationshighlighted significant variationsbetween genders, local areas andamong different age groups, reinforcingthe need for local data in order toshape local delivery.SIRC supported four CSPs to conduct adetailed consultation during year one ofSport Unlimited. Within these CSPs thepercentage of people retained increasedfrom 73 per cent in year one to 81 perTop 10 Sports that MALES Sports that FEMALESwould like to do more of: would like to do more of:1 Football Ice skating2 Boxing Dance3 BMX Swimming4 Basketball Trampolining5 Archery Horse Riding6 Tennis Gymnastics7 Swimming Badminton8 Table Tennis Skiing9 Cycling Climbing10 Mountain Biking TennisIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 37

RESEARCHMore than 100 alternative activities were delivered alongside traditional sportsA familiar face or venue helped to break down barriers,so many programmes started in a school venue and thentransferred to a community environmentInnovative activities for disabled young peoplecent in year three which is an increaseof eight percentage points, comparedwith the national picture where therewas a one percentage point increase.These improvements in performancehighlight the potential impact of findingout what young people want andshaping delivery accordingly.Activities FrameworkThe programme also helped to facilitatethe creation of brand new sports andactivities. More than 100 alternativephysical activities were deliveredalongside traditional sports.These included adaptations of traditionalsports, which were designed toappeal to semi-sporty young people andto those who are deterred from participatingon a regular basis due to thenature of traditional sports delivery.Signposting/exit routesCSPs and deliverers worked hard todevelop strong links with establishedclubs and organisations, and to supportthe development of new exit routes.The use of external coaches (fromcommunity or club settings) in schoolenvironments was an effective toolin signposting young people and supportingtheir transition from SportUnlimited programmes into communityenvironments.A familiar face or venue helped tobreak down barriers so many programmesstarted in a school venue andthen transferred to a community environmentpart way through, promotingretention and longer term sustainability.SustainabilityComponents which helped to ensurethat projects had sustainable legacyimpacts included: partnership working;capacity building through the purchaseand transferral of equipment to clubs/exit routes; incentives to join clubs;opportunities to train as junior leadersand volunteers; and careful planning ofthe transition from the school/project tothe club setting – making it as naturaland welcoming as possible and havingstrategic objectives for long termdevelopment.In a nutshell…There is no doubt that Sport Unlimitedwas a successful programme, playing itspart contributing to legacy objectives byexceeding the ambitious targets for theretention of young people and laying thefoundations for sustained increases inparticipation.The government funding was a catalyst,which enabled a range of providersto supply relevant subsidised opportunities;Sport England and CSPs successfullymanaged the distribution of funding todeliverers; a range of partnerships wereestablished to deliver activities to specificgroups of young people; and a widerange of different and innovative activitieswere promoted.The success factors identified form partof the fundamental recipe of what willwork to engage young people and enhancetheir enjoyment of activity. See the Sport England website for the fullevaluation report: http://lei.sr?a=w5y8JABOUT THE AUTHORMaxine Gregory is a senior researchfellow at SIRC. Her key researchinterest is the monitoring andevaluation of programmes designedto increase participation in sport.She also specialises in generatinginnovative ways to conductresearch by using methods whichengage both young people andadults. Contact +44 (0)114 2255928,m.gregory@shu.ac.uk38 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

SYNTHETICFOOTBALL PITCHES BUILDINGS ATHLETICSSYNTHETICHOCKEY PITCHESINDOOROUR EXPERTISE COVERS THE DESIGN, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCEOF SYNTHETIC SPORTS SURFACES, ATHLETICS TRACKS, TENNIS COURTS,SPORTS HALLS AND MULTI-SPORTS AREAS.Brunel House, Jessop Way, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 2ER, Englandtel: +44 (0)1636 615866 fax: +44 (0)1636 615867email: sales@charleslawrencesurfaces.co.ukwww.charleslawrencesurfaces.co.ukA DIVISION OF THEThe ULTIMATE surface for Football and RugbyThe Total Solution…from “Conceptto Construction”Manufactured in the UK and designed to meetspecifications set at both amateur and professionallevels, Thornton Sports’ third generation SoccerTurf surfaces offer: Best ball behaviour (ball roll, bounce & speed) Stability, safe moving and turning for players Easy maintenance Natural look and feel Increased durabilityDesign and constructionof all natural turf andsynthetic sports surfacesT: 01282 777 345E: info@thorntonsports.co.ukW: www.soccerturf.orgO’Brien Contractors LimitedManor Cottage Church Lane,Cubbington Leamington Spa,CV32 7JTT: (01926) 423918F: (01926) 883767E: info@obriencontractors.co.ukwww.obriencontractors.co.ukIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 39

SPORT VOLUNTEERINGINSPIRING A NEWGENERATION OFVOLUNTEERSAs London gears up to stage the biggest sporting show on earth,the importance of volunteers in British sport is under the spotlight.We look at some of the current programmes and opportunities inplace to engage a new influx of volunteersAccording to SkillsActive, thesector skills council for the activeleisure sector, there arearound 5.8 million volunteersoperating across the UK and sportis the largest single sector, accountingfor around 28 per cent of all volunteeringcarried out. In Sport England’s latestActive People Survey (APS) 2010/2011, itwas revealed that three million adults(3,078,900) contribute at least one hour aweek to volunteering in sport.Over the four years leading up to theLondon Olympic and Paralympic Games,UK Sport is on track to have deliveredVolleyball England is expanding itsteam of Higher Education volunteersmore than 80 major international sportingevents, giving a terrific platform toup-skill our sporting volunteer workforce.Indeed, UK Sport is now lookingfar beyond London 2012, to the 2014Commonwealth Games, 2014 Ryder Cup,2015 Rugby Union World Cup and the2017 World Athletics Championships.A large number of programmes aretargeting both young people and adults,as a way back into work or to undertakea new qualification. SkillsActive leads thedevelopment of the volunteer workforceand actively seeks ways to promote volunteeringacross the sector.The London 2012 effectManaged by SkillsActive, Personal Bestwas the London Olympic and Paralympiclegacy programme designed tooffer unemployed and disadvantagedpeople the opportunity to gain a Level1 qualification in Preparation for EventVolunteering. Launched in 2007, it harnessedthe unique motivating force ofthe London 2012 Olympic and ParalympicGames to engage socially-excludedpeople and lift their aspirations and createnew life choices. The promise wasthat every Personal Best graduate wouldbe given the opportunity to apply to becomea London 2012 Games Maker.The programme was gradually rolledout across the English regions and Scotlandwith a 10-week programme afterthe initial pilot in London in 2009. Theresults speak for themselves with 4,462people achieving a Level 1 Award in Preparationfor Event Volunteering at the endof 2010. 976 of those graduates foundemployment or have gone into furtherEngland Hockey’s teamof ‘Hockey Makers’ liesat the core of makingthe Hockey Nationinitiative a successtraining and overall they have deliveredmore than 101,000 volunteering hours.SkillsActive managed the volunteerdevelopment programme for WorldSkillsLondon 2011 on the back of the successof Personal Best. More than 300 individualsacross the six London host boroughsenrolled on the programme and deliveredaround 5,600 hours of volunteering.WorldSkills competitions, held everytwo years, sets world-class standards in45 skill categories and gave London theunique opportunity to showcase and celebratevocational skills across the UK.Glasgow was chosen as the pilot cityfor Personal Best Scotland with the overarchingaim of reducing unemploymentin the city through sport with the catalystof the London 2012 Olympic/ParalympicGames and 2014 Commonwealth Games.The pilot programme allowed 150 peopleto undertake wide-ranging employabilityactivities, a national vocational qualificationand a volunteering opportunity, toassist their progression into employmentor further training.The Personal Best pilot in Glasgowwas effective in engaging the traditionallyhard to reach long-term unemployedmale client group, with 75 per cent of theparticipants falling into the long-termunemployed category.The results exceeded all expectationswith an overall 47 per cent of graduatesentering employment (the target was40 per cent) and an impressive 85 percent now engaged in further volunteering(the target was 80 per cent). Thebiggest barrier to the Personal Bestroll out in Scotland now is how to fundthe programme.40 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

According to Sport England’sAPS 2010/2011, three millionpeople give at least one hour aweek to volunteering in sportLondon 2012 has recruited 70,000Games Makers to volunteer during theGames and every Personal Best graduatewho applied was guaranteed an interviewto fulfil the unique commitment ofthe programme.Thousands more people will be askedto help out in a wide range of activitiesacross the UK including welcomingvisitors at airports and tourist sites; workingwith visiting teams in their trainingcamps; providing back-up for police services;running school sports and servingtea at street parties.Volunteers will be the lifeblood of London2012 and the interest in applicationsto be Games Makers was overwhelmingwith 250,000 applying – 40 per centof whom had never volunteered before.Perhaps volunteering could be London’sgreatest legacy as people of all ages, culturesand backgrounds, come togetherand thrive on the buzz of the once-in-alifetimeexperience.Volunteering could be London’s greatest legacy as peopleof all ages, cultures and backgrounds come together andthrive on the buzz of the once-in-a-lifetime experienceVolunteering in sportLooking at the national governing bodiesof Sport (NGBs) and other sportingorganisations, volunteering programmesare very much at the heart of developingclub structures and nurturing sportingtalent across the UK.The England Hockey Board (EHB) isgearing up for an incredible 12 monthswith the London 2012 Olympic Gamesjust around the corner. A nationwidecampaign, the Hockey Nation programme,has been launched with theaim of capturing the imagination of theBritish public. With events and activities,including The Big Dribble and Five WeekFrenzy between now and the Games, theEHB is also looking to recruit its biggestand best volunteer workforce, or HockeyMakers, as they will be known.“London 2012 presents hockey with thebiggest shop window you could ever wishfor,” EHB chief executive Sally Mundayexplains: “We’re rolling out the most ambitiouspublic engagement programme ofany sport to drive awareness and interestin hockey and, ultimately, to get morepeople picking up a stick. To achieve ourgoals we are going to need our biggestand best ever team of volunteers.“Our team of Hockey Makers lies atthe core of making the Hockey Nationprogramme a success. Gone are the dayswhen volunteering simply meant actingIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 41

SPORT VOLUNTEERINGSport volunteers can be rewarded withsubsidised training in mentoring, managementand coaching. Right: Sharingskills at Worldskills International 2011as a steward at an event. The sheervariety of opportunities on offer willopen up volunteering to a new generation.Our vision is to inspire a whole newgroup of people, of all ages and backgrounds,to get involved in any smallway, to be part of the Olympic sport andenjoy a truly rewarding experience.”Volleyball England is also extending itsnetwork of volunteers in 2012 throughan expanding team of Higher Educationvolunteers, which is inspiring youngpeople to take up the sport.The Higher Education Volleyball Officer(HEVO) programme is gaining momentumwith 54 HEVOs now in posts at universitiesacross the country. The programme supportsstudents by training them to coachvolleyball, encourage other students totake up the sport and set up recreationalsessions and tournaments.Eve Porter, a HEVO at SunderlandUniversity has virtually single-handedlyintroduced the sport to her university,creating a new club, which has grown tobecome one of the most successful sportsclubs at the facility. As a sports student,she has devoted most of her spare timeto creating a solid foundation for theclub with a clear pathway for beginnersthrough to elite players. She is now lookingto reach out to community clubs andencourage students to volunteer their timeto developing the game across the region.Mayor’s Sports Legacy FundThe Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund recognisesthat volunteers are the bedrock ofcommunity sport and aims to motivateclub volunteers by providing subsidisedtraining in volunteer mentoring, managementand coaching qualifications.The programme is part of the LondonMayor’s multi-million pound investmentinto the city’s sporting infrastructure andLooking at sports organisations, volunteering programmesare very much at the heart of developing club structuresand nurturing sporting talent across the UKis managed by the National Skills Academyfor Sport and Active Leisure.It offers a 75 per cent subsidy towardscourses in coaching and officiating, communitysport, volunteering, leisure anddisability sport to support local communitiesthrough sport, for new volunteersand to up-skill those already involved.Katie Couchman, project manager ofthe Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund, highlightsthe London Borough of RedbridgeSwimming Club as a shining exampleof the impact that the fund is havingon London communities, by helping toqualify new teachers. Chief coach PaulRobbins says: “Becoming fully qualified isprohibitively expensive for many peopleand unfortunately we can only offer asmall amount towards training costs.Overall 90 per cent of our club staff embracedthe funding support and we nowhave an abundance of qualified teachersdelivering classes for an extra 50 swimmersalready. It has been priceless for theclub and has sustained our future.”Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy TrustThe Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust(DKHLT) is a delivery partner in the £1bnYouth and Community Strategy, unveiledby Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.The funding aims to deliver on the 2012Games promise to inspire a generation toget involved in sport. It allows the expansionof DKHLT’s Get on Track programme,which supports young people at the verymargins of society.Get on Track, delivered over eight to12 weeks, aims to provide disadvantagedyoung people with the chance to enhancetheir confidence and employabilityskills, by working with the charity’s teamof international sports stars over a seriesof training and mentoring days.Volunteering is a central theme tothe programme, giving young peoplethe opportunity to carry out school orcommunity-based projects, which oftenplaces them in new situations.In summary, the efforts of NGBs, charitiesand organisations, combined withthe huge opportunity presented by London2012, have brought volunteeringin sport to the forefront of the leisureindustry. There is no doubt that increasingnumbers of people from all walks oflife are being engaged and inspired tovolunteer. The real challenge now is howto keep them involved. For more information visit:www.skillsactive.com42 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

Organised by:Got something to shout about?LIW is the perfect platformfor your new productsContact joel.willmore@ubm.com to give your companyexposure to an audience of over 9000* hoping to investin a product like yours.follow us @l_i_wliw.co.uk* ABC audit for LIW 2011 (20-22 September 2011). Total attendance: 9,064. Visitor attendance: 7,177. Exhibitor attendance: 1,877.

GRASSROOTSVOLLEYBALLAs volleyball takes centrestage at three venues acrossLondon during the Olympicand Paralympic Games thissummer, we talk to the keyplayers at Volleyball Englandabout its flagship grassrootscampaign, Go Spike, andfind out how people of anyage, ability and backgroundcan dig and spike their wayinto the sportVolleyball has come a long wayfrom the old YMCA gymnasiumof Holyoke, Massachusetts,US, where William G Morganinvented the sport back in 1895. Today,it’s one of the big three internationalsports with almost a billion people playingworldwide – 35 million of which arebeach volleyball players. The Federationof International Volleyball (FIVB), withits 220 affiliated national federations, isone of the largest international sportingfederations in the world.Volleyball England is the branded imagefor the English Volleyball Association(EVA) and is the recognised nationalgoverning body (NGB) for the sport in allits forms, including volleyball, beach volleyballand sitting volleyball in England.The NGB is responsible for the development,promotion and delivery of thesport and is currently working towards a500,000 new player target as outlined inits current strategic plan.In England, volleyball has gained alarge following, which is set to increaseas we approach Games time. LisaWainwright, CEO at Volleyball Englandexplains: “Volleyball is certainly climbingin popularity, our membership figuresdetailing the number of people coachingand regularly participating in competitionshas increased year on year. We’vewitnessed a 14 per cent increase inLast summer, Volleyball Englandran Go Spike volleyball sessions atmusic, entertainment and charityevents across the countryweekly participation figures in the last 12months. At club level, the number of volleyballclubs has increased by 6 per centin the last five years with almost 500 locatedacross the country.”Bringing volleyball to the massesThe surge of interest in the sport can bepartly attributed to an increase in thenumber of opportunities to play in tournaments,places to play and the provisionof equipment. However, while the sport isclimbing at club level, recent results fromSport England’s Active People Survey 5,Quarter 2 shows a significant decrease inthe number of people participating weekly,from Quarter 1. Wainwright comments:“We’re confident that weekly participationlevels will pick up ahead of theGames. Volleyball in England has by nomeans reached its full potential. With theversatility of the game’s format the sportis incredibly accessible; with a ball and apiece of ribbon as a net you can play anywherewith as little as two players.”ASSROOTS RGROWING THE GIn line with Volleyball England’s currentstrategic plan, 2011 saw the launch of GoSpike, the campaign that offers playersof any ability and fitness level the chanceto gain skills, tactics, improve fitness andexperience the social buzz of the sport.Targeted at the 16-years-plus market, GoSpike sessions run across the country andallow for budding players to turn up andtry their hand at the sport – commitmentand cost free for first timers.Taking advantage of the sport’s outdoorappeal, during the summer of 2011Go Spike sessions ran at a range of music,entertainment and charity events – exposingthousands of people across thecountry to the sport. In addition, regularGo Spike sessions were set up across theclub network, in parks and other publicspaces – encouraging local passers-by tocome and try the game.Amy Seaman, Go Spike campaign managerat Volleyball England says: “Sinceits launch in June 2011, the Go Spikecampaign has been hugely successful44 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

Above: TeamGB volleyball playersShauna Mullin and Zara Dampney.Below: Malorey Eagles captain RichardDobell at the Men’s National Cup Finalwith the dedicated grassroots website,gospike.net, receiving more than 9,000visitors. More than 5,000 people haveturned up to Go Spike sessions and ourvolleyball ‘Game In A Bag’, has been sopopular that we have been able to retailit on the Volleyball England website.Life’s a beachSitting within the Go Spike campaign,Volleyball England launched its ‘BeachVolleyball Capital Investment Initiative’to increase participants and spectatorsin beach sports, with funding for beachcourts across England. The NGB aims tobuild 10 permanent multi-court beachcentres by 2013. Partner funded, theselocal, permanent beach developmentprojects are part of a legacy programmefor the sport which aims to: Expose more people to beach sportsas both spectators and participants Provide opportunities for more peopleto follow up their initial experience andplay beach volleyball regularly. Significantly improve the experiencefor those already playing regularly byenhancing services and reducing traveltime to volleyball venues.Speaking about the second round ofthe initiative, Craig Handford, head oftechnical development and excel for VolleyballEngland, said: “We’ve alreadydeveloped four permanent multi-courtcentres as a result of the funding; eachproviding fantastic examples of howthe initiative can transform a site andbreathe new life into under-used facilities,increase participation in sport andphysical activity and create a legacyfrom the Games.”As part of the initiative, the organisationproduced a ‘Development of BeachVolleyball Courts’ – a document whichdetails conversion and modificationmethods of under-used public areas intosand courts. This gives leisure sites officialguidance on how to safely convert publicareas into sand courts and facilities insustainable and cost effective ways.New talentWhile Go Spike is targeted at the 16-plusmarket, specific campaigns aimed at attractingyounger players to the sportsuch as ‘Let’s Play Volleyball’ continue tobring new players to the court. The Let’sPlay Volleyball National Youth VolleyballProgramme is a holistic developmentmodel designed to encourage youngpeople (aged five to 16 years) to experienceand enjoy the sport as a player,competitor, leader, coach or referee.On the court, Let’s Play Volleyball isa game-based session whereby a smallsidedapproach is used to take youngplayers sequentially through the essentialskills required to become a competentvolleyball player, developing gameunderstanding and sport specific techniquesin parallel.Volleyball England also works withschools nationwide to encourage childrenand young people to get involvedin the sport. The School-Club strategyfocuses on activity and takes place outsideIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 45

GRASSROOTSLet’s Play Volleyball festivals encourageyoung people to develop and participatein regional and national competitionsof the school curriculum. This helps toguide young people from sport in SchoolSport Partnerships (SSPs) to clubs.Wainwright says: “It’s our aim toensure that the links between schoolsand clubs are sustainable and of a highquality. If we want children to choose toplay volleyball we must ensure that theyreceive the most enjoyable and beneficialexperience initially. By increasing thestandard of teacher training in our sportthrough short courses in programmes,such as Volley Sport and Mini Volley,or by arranging for community sportscoaches to deliver sessions, we ensurethat children enjoy playing the sport inschool and are then more likely to wantto find and join their local VolleyballEngland-recommended club.”Pathways to successOnce part of a Volleyball Englandaccredited club, young people have theopportunity to progress and compete atlocal and national level via an array oftournaments organised by the NGB.Regional Let’s Play Volleyball festivals,national volleyball leagues and nationaljunior championships all encourage youngpeople to develop and participate in competitionsat regional and national level.Seventeen-year-old Jordan Darylmplefrom London is a great example of howvolleyball clubs can help to produce theEngland Volleyball has produced a document that givesofficial guidance on how to safely convert public areasinto sand courts in sustainable and cost-effective waysstars of the future. The South Londonstudent began playing volleyball atafter school sessions with his local coach;he then went on to compete for hisborough in Wandsworth before beingscouted to play for England and is nowa regular for the England Youth Team.Jordan is now one of the Lloyds TSB LocalSporting Heroes and a hopeful for 2016.Retaining playersAs well as attracting new players to thesport, retaining people through the autumnand winter months is also a keyobjective for Volleyball England.However, results of the recent SportsSatisfaction Survey in which volleyballranked as the ‘third least satisfied sport’,showed that the delivery of volleyball isrestricted by the standard dimensions ofsports halls. A key objective of VolleyballEngland’s facilities strategy was tocombat the issue of “small, dirty, badly-litsports halls”, which provided a barrier tonew players experiencing the sport.Wainwright explains: “The developmentof our technical guidance noteshighlights how small changes to thecurrent standard Sport England dimensionsfor indoor court spaces can increaseprovision and revenue generation forvolleyball and other indoor sports. Thenotes provide recommendations for thedesign of volleyball provision includingcourt dimensions and markings, flooring,lighting and equipment – giving leisureoperators guidelines for creating safe,user friendly and enjoyable provision.”In addition, the NGB has invested ininnovative equipment which can providefacilities with access to courts.Wainwright explains; “To provide aninexpensive, versatile and sustainablesolution to the provision of volleyball atleisure sites, we have dedicated fundingto providing 400 sites with crosssport slider net systems. This enables thesites to offer volleyball along with othersports, such as badminton, in their sportshalls while complying with our guidelines.These two methods are helping toboost the number of sites offering volleyball– giving players accessibility to thesport all year round.” HOW TO GET INVOLVEDFor advice on developing Go SpikeVolleyball sessions or beach courtsvisit: www.volleyballengland.orgTo find your nearest Go Spike sessionvisit: www.gospike.net46 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

THE SPORTS FACILITY SHOW2012MAY 15CHELTENHAMJUNE 12SALFORDHOW TO AVOID THE HOOPS, HURDLES ANDHIGH JUMPS OF SPORTS FACILITY FUNDING,CONSTRUCTION, MANAGEMENT ANDDEVELOPMENT IN SCHOOLS, COMMUNITYFACILITIES AND SPORTS CLUBS.White Line Services International ltdSPECIALISTS INTRACK MAINTENANCE Deep high pressure cleaning of Athletic tracks Remarking tracks & courts on all synthetic surfaces Surveying & painting tracks & courts All track repairs using IAAF certified materialsFor more information or to book your place visit:www.sapca.org.ukTel: 024 7641 6316 info@sapca.org.ukThe Sports and Play Construction AssociationWhite Line Services International Ltd205 Holtye Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3ERTel: 0845 058 0644 Fax: 08458622640Email: info@white-line-services.comwww.white-line-services.comFunctional Fitness SpecialistsKettlebellsTraining RopesAlpha StrongJordan Power BandsEXPERTS IN FUNCTIONAL FITNESSEXCLUSIVE SUPPLIER MEMBERS FOLLOW USwww.jordanfitness.co.uk - sales@jordanfitness.co.uk - 01945 880257Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 47

HOTSEATNIGEL WALKERKaren Maxwell talks to the national director of the English Instituteof Sport (EIS) about the performance impact that EIS practitionersare offering elite athletes in the run-up to London 2012Can you tell me about your career background?A former Olympic high-hurdler and rugby union player, I wasa development officer for the Sports Council for Wales andassistant team manager with the Welsh Rugby Union, beforebecoming the head of sport at BBC Wales in 2001. I then becamehead of change and internal communications in 2006before being given the added responsibility of programmedirector for BBC Wales’ drama village in 2009 while retainingboard responsibility for sport.I joined the UK Sport board in 2006 and was appointed chairof the Major Events Panel in the summer of 2009. I left the BBCto take the role of national director of the English Institute ofSport (EIS) in September 2010.Why did you join the EIS?With the London Games on the horizon it appeared to me tobe a fantastic opportunity.At the EIS we like to think of ourselves as the ‘team behindthe team’. We have more than 250 practitioners that deliver4,000 hours of sport science and sport medicine each week tomore than 40 Olympic and Paralympic sports – along with a selectnumber of non-Olympic sports, including Premier Leaguefootball, Premiership rugby union, rugby league and cricket. Wealso work with 16 of the 17 Paralympic sports represented byParalympicsGB.What is the EIS modeled on?Publically funded by UK Sport and the national governingbodies (NGBs) that use our services, the EIS is only 10 yearsold so it’s a relatively young organisation. World champion netballplayer and coach Wilma Shakespeare was the first nationaldirector. She came over from Australia to establish the EIS, soyou could say it was modeled on the Australian Institute ofSport – although we’ve adapted, changed and manipulatedit to our benefit.The EIS likes to think of themselves as the ‘team behind the team’Our vision is to be the world’s leading sports medicine/scienceorganisation within elite sport so we observe what’s going onat sports institutes in Switzerland, in Germany and in Australiato name a few. We all have a regular, mutually beneficial dialogueand of course they are keen to learn from us, as Britainis regarded as a nation that’s able to punch above its weight insport performance.How does the EIS strive to extend the eliteperformance of UK athletes?Some way down the line we’ll reach the stage where a humanbeing will not be able to run any faster. We may be able toscrape a couple of 100ths here or there but we’re pretty muchat our physical limit and that’s why research and innovation inall its forms is so important.Sport in the UK has been incredibly well funded, particularlyover the past six or seven years, and the structures that we’vebeen able to put into place have helped us to achieve amazingresults in world sport. We finished fourth in the medal table atBeijing 2008 – although we’re not the fourth largest nation inthe world by any imagination. Our target is to continue thismomentum and achieve fourth again at London this summer.What does your day-to-day role entail?I’m an MBA graduate, so organisation and managing changeis at the heart of everything I do.I’ve been a team member during my sporting days so I feel Iknow what it takes to put a good team together and unite asone for a single goal.The EIS is split into three directorates: the north, central andthe south. My job is to ensure that we offer a consistent andflexible service delivery across all these areas by putting the performanceimpact of the athlete and the impact of that sportFirst and formost, it’s all about getting the greatest bangfor the government’s buck with EIS multi-disciplinary teams– including physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionists andperformance lifestyle practitioners – working together so thatthe performance impact is greater.Our ‘one EIS one vision’ gives practitioners regular contactwith senior people on a regular basis. This allows us to talkabout the organisation’s objectives and listen to any commentsthat they may have. I make regular visits to the EIS sites andI’ve made it absolutely clear that I’m there for them to talk tome because I want to understand the issues that they face froma sport or personal perspective.I’m definitely not an autocrat, I’m a democrat through andthrough, but the important thing is that people feel that theycan discuss issues with me and I’ll raise them further down theline in a sensitive matter so we can work out a solution.48 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

Talented EIS practitioners are placed in an environment that offers maximum impact in helping athletes achieve their bestWhat is the EIS working on at the moment?We’re already looking at our service offer up to and includingthe next Olympic cycle (2013 to 2017) and have formally submittedour business plan to the funding body – UK Sport.Everything we do fits into three categories: innovation, collaboration,and excellence. If a service doesn’t satisfy one ormore of this criteria and it doesn’t provide a performance impactwe have to ask ourselves: “why are we doing it?”The EIS recently joined UK Sport on a series of roadshowsaround the country, where we were able to talk to many NGBsabout their strategy to get the best out of their elite athletes,to ensure that our services continue to fitwith their demands.Getting everyone on the same pageand moving in the same direction takesquite a bit of ‘behind the scenes’ negotiation.However, UK Sport is always keento offer assistance to close the gap on asport’s weaker areas and help producebetter results in the long-term and we’rehere to help them do that.In a recent survey, we asked NGBs torate us out of a score of 10 in our range ofdifferent services. The data revealed thatwe’re doing an even better job than we were in 2010. However,sports medicine is one area that needs improvement. It’s a veryexpensive service so we’re continually making sure that we areoffering value for money and providing the service that NGBswant and need.To this end we are currently working on extending doctors’hours to ensure that they become a true part of the EIS multidisciplineteam.Within the EIS, we believe that putting talented peoplein the right places allows for maximum impact in helpingathletes achieve their best. For example, we provide CPDnd on-job training to make sure that [for example] Level 1practitioners with potential move on to Level 2 and LevelIf a service doesn’t fitwith our criteria andit doesn’t provide aperformance impact wehave to ask ourselves:“why are we doing it?”3 in the shortest time possible – giving them the opportunityto progress rather than standing still.What role will EIS practitioners take at the Olympicand Paralymapic Games in London this summer?Many of our practitioners have been approached by the LondonOlympic and Paralymapic Games Organising Committee(LOCOG) and the British Olympic Association (BOA) to volunteertheir services at the Games. We told them that if they areapproached they should let their line manager know, put inan application and we will endeavour to provide the necessarybackfill to ensure their obligations to thesport they work with are covered.As a consequence, tens of EIS peoplewill be working in a volunteer capacity atthe Games and we will continue to paytheir wages because we see their serviceas being part of our role and a great opportunityfor them to gain experience.What about an athlete’s life after sport,does the EIS offer advice or support?Many full-time athletes who have focusedon their sport sincethe age of 15 or 16 and then have [for example] a 17-year careerin elite sport, can find adapting to ‘normal’ life quite difficult.Our performance lifestyle advisors offer a 360-degree serviceto ensure that an athlete is as well rounded as they possibly canbe so they can get the most from their everyday sporting livesand lead a normal life afterwards.Our team of advisers includes an ex-Olympian as well as peoplewith life experience that can empathise with finding a newcareer, applying for a mortgage or dealing with an injury or arelationship break-up – it’s all about balancing a lifestyle bothin and out of elite sport. We also help athletes find temporaryemployment opportunities to develop their skill set and preparefor life outside of sport. Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 49

ADVERTISEMENT PROMOTIONhere is an assumption thatthose responsible for lookingafter synthetic sports surfacesT know everything they need toknow about maintaining them. Yet, formany operators and groundsmen thereality is that they’ve had to learn asthey gone along, perhaps supported bysome training and the help of a friendlymaintenance company or industry body.So, naturally many find themselvesin situations where they’d like to beable to talk to a maintenance expertand get instant, impartial advice abouta specific problem or issue. Even themost experienced people sometimeshave queries regarding aspects ofmaintenance, which they could do withsome help on.Replay will be continually adding newinformation and will be launchingadditional Green Room servicesover the next few monthsNew Online AdviceService for SportsSurface MaintenanceEnter The Green Room! This free,online tool, which is available to anyoneinvolved in maintaining artificial sportssurfaces, consists of three elements: Information – in-depth articles andadvice freely available to read onlineor download. Ask the Expert – direct access to amaintenance expert via email orover the phone Calculator – an online form that allowsyou to enter information relevantto your facility and then calculatethe likely on-going revenue andmaintenance costs.Taking Care of Britain’sSports Surfaces!Set up by maintenance specialist ReplayMaintenance, The Green Room is thebrainchild of Garry Martin, Replay’soperations director. He explains further:“We’ve always prided ourselves on helpinganyone who needs advice on an issuerelated to maintaining synthetic sportssurfaces. They don’t haveto be a Replay customerand there’s no obligationto be one. We’re happyto help whoever andwhenever we canwith unbiased andrelevant information.We obviously have anenormous amount ofexperience at Replayand we’d like to sharethis with groundsprofessionals, facilitymanagers, bursars andend users.”Be Our GuestThe Green Room isexactly as it sounds– an area for specialguests! Accessed via theReplay website, thereare currently more thanThe Green Room provides free accessto maintenance and repair expertsa dozen helpful articles online, with thecompany intending to continually add tothis. Visitors can also pose a question to aReplay expert and there is a very helpfulonline calculator that allows owners andoperators to calculate the likely revenueand maintenance costs of a facility.Replay Maintenance providessynthetic sports surface maintenancesolutions across the UK – from the oneoffrejuvenation of artificial turf pitchesand the cleaning of athletics tracks, toemergency repairs and on-going regularmaintenance and service agreements.To visit The Green Room, go towww.replaymaintenance.co.ukor scan the QR code.Replay Maintenance Ltd,Wesley House, Whittle Close,Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 2DYTel: +44 (0)1636 640506info@replaymaintenance.co.uk50 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

CRICKETNational CricketPerformance CentreCrispin Andrews visits the National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough Universityand finds out how coaches are developing England’s world-class stars of the futureNo sooner had the England andWales Cricket Board (ECB) developeda crop of fast bowlerswho were able to play internationalcricket without getting injured,the team presented the national governingbody (NGB) with another problem tosolve: How to bat in test matches on thesubcontinent. But while England captainAndrew Strauss and company turn to‘reactive’ camps in India and ‘naughtyboy’ nets in Sri Lanka, the ECB are currentlytaking a more progressive stancein developing England’s up-and-comingplayers of the future.Today, the ECB’s England DevelopmentProgramme (EDP) is focused on ensuringthe national team’s future success and, atthe National Cricket Performance Centreat Loughborough University, some of thecountry’s top coaches and support staff areusing state-of-the-art facilities and technologyto make sure that this happens.“We want to give every potentialworld-class cricketer every opportunityto develop the skills to perform at thehighest level possible,” says ECB scienceand medicine manager Dr Simon Timson.INDIVIDUAL ATTENTIONThe best of these players, when ready,move into the EDP, represent EnglandLions and, if they make the grade, eventuallymove into the full test, one dayor Twenty/20 side.Since 2003, when the centre opened,Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Ravi Bopara andAlastair Cook have progressed throughthe whole pathway. But since 2010, whenthe ECB revamped the programme, theEDP is now solely about individual longtermplayer development: Results andteams no longer take priority.Timson says that the side took only onefull-time spinner on January’s Under-19tour to Bangladesh on turning wickets.“The tour is part of a plan, we picked thebest 15 cricketers we thought could helpEngland win in six years time, not a teamto win a test series in Bangladesh.”INTERNATIONAL PRACTICEToday, the music of U2 and Queen isblaring out from speakers in the practicearea, but the ECB hasn’t hired outits performance centre for an 80s disco.The players on the EDP are preparing fortheir tour of Australia and coaches playmusic to distract them – therefore aidingtheir concentration.PIC: ©WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COMPIC: © WWW.GETTYIMAGES.CO.UKEngland players during a performancetraining session at LoughboroughIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 51

CRICKETThis practice area is huge. Six bays ofnets, each with a 70m bowler’s run up,and a preparation area at the back. Eachpractice surface is supplied by syntheticgrass manufacturer Supergrass. The grasspile in each bay is produced differently tooffer fast, turning and seaming surfaces– replicating surfaces that England cricketerswill face around the world. There’sadditional cushioning on the bowler’s approachto the wicket and follow throughareas, but wear and tear is part of the job.Dr Nick Pierce and his team ofmedical advisers offer rehab assistanceto players, using the on-site fitness suiteand the players are offered a hydrobathwith cold and hot settings in theirchanging room to aid post-activityrecovery if needed.ON-SITE TRAININGKent County Cricket Club’s (KCCC) AdamBall is one of a group of players who areabout to start an eight-minute run, beforegoing into bat. During their indoornet, EDP head coach Tim Boon makes Balland the other batters perform two orthree bursts of star jumps. “No one enjoysthis sort of work, but we see how itwill benefit us in the long run,” Ball says.Boon isn’t looking to prepare the Kentall-rounder to hold up an end for KCCC’sGeraint Jones or Darren Stevens in acounty championship game, nor does hebelieve that putting his captain underpressure physically will help Ball smasha quick 50 runs in the Under-19 WorldCup this August. Instead, Boon is lookingforward to a time when Ball, battingseven for England, is 90 not out in themidday heat at Melbourne, Australia orColombo, Sri Lanka. Should he make 150,England’s chances of winning a game obviouslyincrease.ECB staff collaborate withtop groundsmen, sportsscientists, nutritionists,physiotherapists and fitnesscoaches to give Englandplayers the best support“England’s head coach, Andy Flower,and his team tell us what they want froma player and we work with the best 16-,17- and 18-year-olds over a four to sixyearperiod to help them achieve theirobjective,” says Dr Guy Jackson, operationsmanager at the performance centre.On top of expert coaching fromthe likes of Boon and elite playerdevelopment manager John Abrahams,as well as Kevin Shine and Graham Thorpe,the ECB’s lead bowling and battingcoaches, the players use the same stateof-the-arttechnology as that used by thefirst team, to improve their game.COACHING TECHNOLOGYPro-Batter is a programmable bowlingmachine, developed for baseball, whichcan mimic the style of any bowler. A 3Dscreen, attached to the machine, mightshow video footage of South Africa’s fastbowler, Dayle Steyn, charging in. WhenSteyn delivers the ball on the screen, thebowling machine spits out an 88mphaway swinger.As England prepare for summermatches against South Africa and theWest Indies, it will no doubt also imitateMorne Morkel’s steepling bounce, VernonPhilander’s unrelenting accuracy andFidel Edwards’ erratic thunderbolts.The ECB also offer the Merlyn by BOLAspin-bowling machine at Loughborough,which delivers programmable, spinningballs of every variety – replicating thedeliveries of the leading spinners. Merlyncan even vary the pace from one ball tothe next.Commenting on the Merlyn, Nottinghamshire’sEngland Lions batsman, JamesTaylor, says: “You’d love to have ‘him’PIC: © WWW.GETTYIMAGES.CO.UKNathan Buck of England, in actionduring an ECB training session52 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

Paul Jarvis goes through a bowlingaction with England’s Natalie Sciversin your team because ‘he’ turns it miles,never bowls a bad ball and keeps goingall day without a break.”A further system TrackMan uses Hawkeye-stylemissile tracking technologyto measure how many revolutions eachspinner puts on the ball. It’s a small lasercamera mounted on a tripod behind thebowler that detects the ball rotating inflight and sends the results to a laptop.Apparently, England and Northamptonshireslow bowler Graeme Swann managesaround 2,000 revolutions per minute– more than 30 per second – and leg-spinner,Adil Rashid, nearer 2,500. “We wantto benchmark English spin bowlers,” saidDavid Parsons, the ECB performance directorand former spin bowling coach. “Wecan then see who spins the ball the mostand how much a bowler spins it from oneyear to the next.”You only need to look at the physicaldifference between Swann and his offspinningpredecessors John Emburey, RayIllingworth and Fred Titmus to see that today’scricket demands more than just skill.Monty Panesar is athletic these days, andeven Samit Patel puts in the hard yards.ECB Loughborough staff start theirplayers’ fitness early. Before cars, TV,computers and the internet, cricketershad an outdoor childhood to build robustbodies that could withstand the rigoursof their sport. Unlike Trueman, Close,Botham and the rest, today’s youngstershave to get fit in the gym. Each playerhas a specific fitness programme. Butwith injuries always a worry, players needmonitoring.FITNESS MONITORINGAccording to Timson, every player fromthe development programme to theEngland team gets a yearly profile. Thisincludes a full physio to check movementrange and muscle capacity, a fitness testthat measures body composition, speed,flexibility, power, strength and endurance.What happened to Fabrice MuambaEngland’s Amy Jones in actionduring an England Women’sCricket Squad training sessionthough, [The Bolton Wanders footballerwho suffered a heart attack in March thisyear] shows that there’s more to a sportsstar’s health than match fitness.Young England cricketers also getcardiac screening once a year and an eyesightand visual acuity screen. The seniorside, out in the sun for long periods, getdermatology testing to offset the risk ofskin cancer, a full health screening with adoctor, blood testing and a whole bodyMRI scan to check for signs of injury.EDP players also get a yearly psychologicalscreen. “We look after players’personal welfare and help them copewith the pressure of playing cricket attop level,” Timson says.EXPERT SUPPORTEngland players only have one set ofcoaches to answer to and one team toworry about. Developing players, whateverlevel they’re at, will most likely haveseveral influences on their developmentand pulls on their time.County coaches and support staff areinvited to get involved with performancecentre programmes from time to time.To make sure youngsters get consistentmessages and the right support,Timson has a yearly meeting with eachdevelopment programme player, theircounty coach, school head of year and theplayer’s parents. “Clear communicationis important to make sure the player getswhat they need from everyone,” he says.At Loughborough University, specialistfacilities and expertise are at hand. ECBstaff collaborate with top groundsmen,sports scientists, nutritionists, physiotherapistsand fitness coaches to give everyEngland player the best possible support.The centre’s lead physiotherapist,Mark Young, is currently working withequipment manufacturers to develop theperfect helmet. ECB coach, Ray Baker,who played for Surrey in the 70s, leads afootball-style scouting team that workswith Loughborough and Bangor Universityresearchers to uncover attributes thatturn a talented youngster into a worldclassperformer.There are three other NGBs on site, allwith specialist facilities. Particularly usefulfor cricketers is UK athletics’ specialistrunning track, with in-built sensors tomeasure acceleration. “We even taughtEngland and Northampton cricketerMonty Panesar how to run in straightlines!” Jackson says. Crispin Andrews is a freelance journalistPIC: © WWW.GETTYIMAGES.CO.UKIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 53

TENNISGAME, SET AND MATCHAEGON CHAMPIONSHIPSWe talk to tournament director, Chris Kermodeand Arena Structures project director RonSmith to find out how The Queen’s Clubis transformed into an internationalsports venue for this annual, week-longevent in the run-up to WimboldenChris KermodeAEGON Championships’tournament directorWhat are the Lawn Tennis Association’s(LTA) main aims in staging the AEGONChampionships at The Queen’s Club?For one week every year in the runupto Wimbledon, The Queen’s Club inLondon needs to be transformed from amembers-only club into an internationalsporting venue, which welcomes morethan 60,000 spectators, and attractsmany of the world’s best players. Someof the most celebrated champions intennis history appear on the club’s Roll ofHonour – including John McEnroe, PeteSampras and Boris Becker.The LTA’s goal is to grow and sustainBritish tennis and we deliver worldclassevents in order to help achievethis. The AEGON Championships enjoysa high profile and is an important partof our commercial programme. Thesuccess of these events allows the LTA toinvest more money into the sport in thiscountry. The tournament has featuredvirtually every significant player inthe sport and the LTA is committed toseeking and maintaining the growth ofthe event’s world-class appeal.What were the key tournamentdevelopments in recent years?The AEGON Championships is a selloutevent, but every year we attemptto improve the experience for ourspectators and hospitality guests.In recent years, the tournament hasexpanded to utilise every square inchof the Queen’s Club and ensure thatit fulfils its potential.Sponsored for many years by StellaArtois, the event was renamed theAEGON Championships in 2009 as partof a new partnership between the LTAand AEGON – the global life assuranceand pensions firm. During that time thetournament re-branded accordingly,which meant changing the event’s livery from red to blue.Such has been the success of thetournament since AEGON’s introduction,the event was shortlisted for BestSponsorship of an Event or Competitionat the Sport Industry Awards.The tournament has a broadcastpartnership with the BBC, whichensures at least 20-hours of terrestrialtelevision coverage in the UK andfurther significant coverage on BBCRadio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website.The tournament is also covered live byEurosport, and receives huge interestfrom national and international printmedia – generating front-page news54 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

GLOBAL EVENT OVERLAYwww.arenagroup.comWWW.ARENAGROUP.COMIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 55

TENNISThe livery at The Queen’s Club inWimbledon was changed from redto blue when AEGON took over fromStella Artois as the event sponsorsfollowing the title wins of Andy Murrayin 2009 and 2011.What are the key logistical challengessurrounding event overlay?The most significant aspect is that weare turning a working tennis club in aresidential area into an internationaltennis tournament, which welcomes64,000 people through the gates aswell as some of the world’s best tennisplayers – in a single week.The surrounding residential propertiesmake the six-week build period forthe tournament a huge challenge. Thenarrow, winding streets make life difficultfor the articulated lorries, which deliverour stands, seats and other materials,but we liaise closely with the council ontraffic management schemes to help withthis. Working hours must be adheredto and keeping the club operational forits members for as long as possible isanother important consideration.Then there is the weather to consider.Traditionally, the AEGON Championshipsenjoys good weather, but inevitablythis is not always the case. Last year,the final day was rained off, so it wasThe club has to beoperational for membersfor as long as possiblerescheduled for the following day. Thiswas a logistical challenge in terms ofthe staff and contractors who neededto work an additional day and the ticketholders who needed to be looked after.In the end it turned out to be a fantasticadditional day of tennis with anothergreat, sell-out atmosphere.There’s a good relationship betweenthe tournament team and the overlayspecialists, which is important – givenwhat is involved in staging an event ofthis size and stature. The LTA’s operationsand hospitality teams deal with theoverlay partners on a daily basis in themonths leading up to the tournament.During the construction period this relationshipis crucial to ensure that thereare no insurmountable logistical hiccups.From an operational standpoint,in recent years the tournament has addeda new front entrance to improve crowdflow, along with a public champagnebar. We have also worked closely withCreative Technology to enhance showproduction and on-site content, includingcolourful video features with matchhighlights and an upgrade to digitalscoreboards and information screens.56 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

SportsFacility Options STRUCTURES IN MOTIONSPORTS BUILDINGSTailor-made designOpen or closed side wallsTranslucent roofFor all kinds of sports and weatherEasily half the cost of conventional buildingsRapid constructionVeldeman UK Ltd | Corn Roses, Highfields | Crowle, Scunthorpe | North Lincolnshire DN17 4NPTel: +44 1724 710 681 | sport@veldemangroup.com | www.veldemangroup.comIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 57

TENNISWhat does the partnership betweenthe LTA, The Queens Club and theArena Group involve?Arena Structures is one of many partnersthat help transform The Queen’s Clubfor the week of the championships,by providing the tournament withtemporary structures, seating,scaffolding and interiors.We’ve supported the LTA and itssponsors AEGON to help evolve aworld-class sporting venue, befittingthe increasing status of this annualtournament. We work closely with theLTA in delivering an enhanced visitorexperience, while also ensuring thecommercial partners’ brand aspirationsare met.What sets this tournament apart andhow has the event’s overlay evolvedover the years?Arena Structures’ relationship with thisevent tracks back three decades; duringwhich time both the overlay companyand the event venue have evolvedbeyond recognition.Three years ago, the event saw 9,000blue seats added, in-line with the newsponsors (AEGON) branding; last yearArena introduced a new range of innovativedevelopments.The AEGON Championships enjoys avery special atmosphere, with a uniqueintimacy between the players and fansHospitality areas reflect the sponsor’s brandRon SmithArena Structures’project directorand we have to maintain that centralethos as we develop the facilities. Lastyear we assisted the LTA in improvingthe retail and catering offerings for thepublic, while the custom interior designfor the organisers and sponsors reflectedtheir status and aspirations.The Arena Group has recentlyrestructured following a £16.5minvestment by new partners SportsInvestment Partners (SIP) and growthcapital investor, MML Capital, in-linewith the companies delivery of eventoverlay to major international sportingtournaments.Double-decked hospitality structures,covering an area of approximately100m x 40m, housed guests on its upperlevel with pink interiors and separatebespoke-design sponsors’ suites, whilepublic catering and retail areas weresituated on the lower level. The structurewas 5m wider than in 2010 and builtto accommodate more guests andincorporate a new retail outlet.Also new for last year’s tournamentwas the introduction of a new 20m x 30mdouble-decked structure to house theCrown Club lounge, a new champagnebar and public dining area. Inside, ourpartners Spaceworks and Well DressedTables created bespoke interiors thatprovided individual areas for hospitalitywith furniture, glassware, cutlery andchina across the venue.Bespoke design creates individual areasWhat does the event’s overlaymanagement involve?The Queen’s Club is a logisticallychallenging and sensitive locationto work within, requiring months ofplanning and organisation once onsite. We co-ordinate with multiplestakeholders, including local neighboursand London Police, to escort 35 of our57 arctic lorries the wrong way up aone way street. We supplied 8,800spectator seats, 12,500sq m of temporarystructures and 100 tonnes of substructurescaffolding last year.Over the years, we have looked at thechallenges The Queens Club presents asa venue and the event seating solutionshave spread back into the companyand benefited many other clients. Forexample, due to our R&D, we’ve investedin creating bespoke grandstand mediaboxes and corner seating elements thathave allowed us to maximise capacity,while helping the organisers delivera great audience experience throughimproving the atmosphere.”Last year we introduced a bespokescaffolding frame and full branding atthe rear frame of the main grandstandto deliver sharp lines and a permanentfeel to the area.We re-engineered the grandstandssubstructure to widen tunnel walkwaysand removed pillars from the centrecourt’s entrance tunnel to improvecrowd flow, while the glossy, white,solid boarding with branding imagesgave a brighter, sharper feel within thetunnels. We applied this same fresh styleacross the site to deliver a pristine finishthat transformed the temporary overlayand enhanced the venue’s image forthis event.What does the future hold?Delivering a complete temporary sportingvenue, the 2011 event was given anew appearance by event organisers,by altering the site layout throughintelligent engineering, maximisingthe use of space and sharpening theaesthetic finish.The 2012 AEGON Championships is oneof the first of this summer’s iconic internationalsporting events, taking place on11th to 17th June. Given the tenacity ofthe experienced and ambitious team behindthe scenes to deliver a great eventit is certain to continue setting standardsfor world class event management thisyear and far beyond.58 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 1 2012 © cybertrek 2012

SPORTS EQUIPMENT& FACILITIES SUMMIT8th & 9th OCTOBER 2012Whittlebury Hall Hotel,TowcesterThe Sports Equipment and Facilities Summit is a unique event for purchasingdecision makers from sporting establishments to meet with solution providers,attend industry related workshops and network with fellow professionals in arelaxed yet business like environment.FOR DELEGATES…Get treated like a VIP! You choose which solutionproviders you would like to meet with and whichseminars you would like to participate in. Delegateinvitation to the Sports Equipment & Facilities Summitis completely complimentary, providing you withovernight accommodation, attendance to all keynoteworkshops/ seminars and a place at the gala dinner onthe evening of the 8th October, followed by an eveningof entertainment, hosted by Prime Racing, presenting thetop geared team building challenge.FOR SUPPLIERS…The Sports Equipment and Facilities Summit will bring theclients to you and guarantee face to face meetings withdecision makers who have specifically requested to meetwith your company, saving you months of time, moneyand effort.WHAT HAPPENS AT THE SUMMIT...The summit commences with registration on the morningof the 8th and concludes after lunch on the 9th October2012. Half hour meetings take place in privately screenedmeeting booths where both parties will be able to discussfuture plans and developments and discover solutions forcurrent and future sporting facility projects.CORPORATE THRILL EXPERIENCE...The first 30 attendees to sign up for the Sports Equipment& Facilities Summit will have the opportunity to participatein the post event Silverstone Corporate thrill experience –consisting of 3 activities, Ferrari Thrills, Pit Stop Challengeand a Tour of Silverstone. All will receive certificates oncompletionTESTIMONIALS“The right mixture of suppliers and industry requirements,well organised and would definitely attend future events”Celtic FC“Thank-you for a quality event with no pressure selling.A good way to network with other people in the Sportsindustry”The lady Eleanor Holles School“Attending the summit has saved many office hourstravellingthe country and attending various meetings totalk to potential suppliers. A very slick run event and onethat the Authority will attend in the future.”Lee Valley Regional Park Authority“An excellent way to meet and talk through specificrequirements that I have. Removed the “Human JumbleSale” effect of such as LIW (Leisure Industry Week).”Southampton SOLENT University“Excellent opportunities to hand pick suppliers relevant toour business. Very beneficial to meet face to face. We willdefinitely be utilising the services of the suppliers we met”Worcester Warriors RFCFor further information contact Dave Boore on 01992 374097 e: d.boore@forumevents.co.ukSuppler enquiries contact Charlotte Russell on 01992 374080 e: c.russell@forumevents.co.uk

SWIMMINGCRYSTAL CLEARIt can be a minefield for operators looking to select the right element for disinfectingand reducing organic loading of swimming pool water at their facility. Karen Maxwelltalks to experts in water treatment about some of the options availableWater treatment methodsshould account for health andsafety, environmental influencesand cost effectivenessJim Kenyon,managing director, JAK WaterOver the last 30 years, there havebeen many changes in the wayswimming pool water has beentreated and disinfected.In the ‘old days’ virtually all commercialswimming pools would have had amanually operated gas chlorine systemfor disinfection with pH controlled by theaddition of soda ash/sodium bicarbonateand aluminium sulphate flocculants – often dosed by hand.How things have changed. With the introduction of relatively inexpensiveautomatic control systems, sodium hypochlorite, calciumhypochlorite, ultra violet (UV), PAC flocculants and pH correction– using either CO2, hydrochloric acid or sodium bisulphate – are allnow at the forefront of modern pool treatment systems.Chemical treatment today comes in several forms – from bulk,tank and mixer and UV to, more recently, automatic calciumhypochlorite feeder systems.The need for chemical dosing to be simpler with health andsafety in mind, has led to several feeder systems being developedwhich utilise calcium hypochlorite, and are widelyaccepted. The quality of calcium hypochlorite varies enormouslyand consideration should be given to the product’s chlorine,moisture (hydrated or anhydrous) and insoluble content, toestablish value, safety and purity.JAK developed the FlowTab (calcium hypochlorite tablet dosingsystem) several years ago. FlowTab has evolved over theyears but we still have units in industry working from thoseearly days. An automatic preparation system suitable for bothmunicipal and potable water, it provides a constant strengthsolution, requires little maintenance and is compatible withall automatic control.Today, choosing products and treatment techniques can beconfusing to the buyer and can become an expensive decision ifmade incorrectly. Deciding on the best treatment methods musttake into account several factors – including environmental influences,heath and safety and especially in today’s climate, costeffectiveness. A challenging task for even the most experiencedpool operator where impartial advice may need to be sought.www.jakwater.co.uk60 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

SPLASH ITTIP ITSPRAY ITSQUIRT IT9 bring life to your pool9 replace old water features9 create revenue through play9 latest interactive watertechnology9 designs to suit all pool typesTel: +44 (0) 1752 771740E: sales@hippoleisure.com W: www.hippoleisure.comSTATE-OF-THE-ARTUV SYSTEMSFOR SWIMMING POOL APPLICATIONSEffective Against ChlorineResistent CryptosporidiumReduces ‘Red Eye’ & SkinIrratationsBreaks Down & EliminatesProblem ChloraminesAllows Reduced Levels ofChlorineProvides Bright SparkleingWater & Fresh Clean AirFully Automatic & CannotBe Over Dosed3rd Party Validated, NSF &MAHC Complainantwww.jakwater.co.ukwww.atguv.com01942 216161Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 61

SWIMMINGPool customers enjoywater that appears tobe crystal clear, blueand sparklingsBarry Humphries,leisure sales manager, Siemens Water TechnologiesThe key to effective water treatmentis integration. By effectively integratingsystems, facilities will be able toincrease energy and operational efficiency,which ultimately reduces operating costs.Many operators of sports and leisurecentres are unaware of the levelsof savings that can be achieved throughadopting an integrated solution, whichwill optimise energy, water and chemical usage, while maintainingoptimal water quality conditions – a key performanceindicator for customer satisfaction.In the case of swimming pools, Siemens offers an innovativeenergy and water optimisation system (EWO), which has amodular design so operators can select the right elements fortheir facility. The DEPOLOX® Pool controller by Siemens sits atthe heart of thissystem. It continuouslymonitorsall of the criticalThe DEPOLOXPool Controllercan signal toflow meters andspeed driveswater quality parameters, automatically controlling theaddition of disinfectant and pH correction to reflect thechanges in the pool.The controller can be offered with options to measure thecombined chlorine, TDS and redox value on an ongoing basis.This means that if the pool water is within the user defined limits,the DEPOLOX® Pool controller can signal to the pool’s flowmeters and the variable speed drives to reduce their speed.Should this quality deviate, the controller does the reverseand normal circulation levels resume. Crucially, this is wheresignificant energy savings are to be made and water qualitycan be maintained – even as bathing loads fluctuate.Through the installation of SED2 variable speed drives,facilities can save up to 50 per cent on the energy consumptionof circulation pumps.Further savings can be made by using a UFOX sludge waterrecycling system. It can reduce water consumption by safelyrecovering 80 per cent of backwash water to the highest standards,so it can be reused for functions including pool filling ortoilet flushing.For ultimate efficiency, integration should span a facility’scomplete water system. These should also use low footprinttechnologies for the best use of space and ensure a safe environmentfor customers.At Siemens we can offer a total water treatment solution,from rainwater harvesting through to cooling towers andsterile cleaning to meet these objectives.www.siemens.co.uk62 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

www.dorsetwoolliscroft.com◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 63

SWIMMINGAs water featuresraise the fun factor,chlorine disinfectantcan cause problemsPaul Hennessey,sales and marketing manager, atg UVhe use of ultraviolet (UV) disinfectionfor swimming poolT applications is growing fast. Fromsmall swimming pools, spas and hydropools to large municipal leisure facilitiesand full-scale water theme parks, thistreatment is now becoming standardpractise in many UK leisure facilities.As water features, wave machines,flumes and splash pads raise the fun factor in swimming pools,the traditional method of disinfecting water by using chlorineis causing problems for operators and customers alike. Higherwater temperatures and increased turbulence in leisure poolsrequires increased dosages of chlorine, leading to pool userscomplaining of burning eyes, red or itchy skin and an overpoweringchlorine smell throughout the facility. In some casesthe fabric of the building has also been attacked through corrosivecondensation.The main reason for these problems is the production ofchloramines in the water caused by the reaction of free chlorineresiduals with organic materials, such as bacteria broughtinto the environment by pool users. While ozone can be successfulat reducing chloramine levels, both the installation andoperation could be expensive and may require skilled personnelto operate the plant, again driving up operating costs.UV treatment provides another option. UV wavelengthsbetween 240 and 280 nanometres deactivate all micro-organisms,particularly Pseudomonas (SP) and Ecoli. Manufacturerssuch as atg UV can incorporate UV systems into existing controlstrategies to protect against micro-organisms, includingchlorine-resistant pathogens such as cryptosporidium.A correctly-sized UV treatment system also reduces chloramines,the compound responsible for skin irritations, red eyeand the often overpowering chlorine smell. The result is safe,glacier-clear sparkling water, fresh air and a more invitingbathing environment. Typically, following the installation ofthis treatment, operators report a significant drop in combinedchlorine levels, chlorine smell and a large reduction inthe need for taxing back washing and shock treatments.Systems such as atg UV’s ECF system offer pool operatorsa flexible and cost effective solution, treating up to 2000 m3/hr in a single high-output, small footprint system.www.atguv.comKeith Glasssales engineer, TriogenChlorine is the most commonmethod employed to treat poolwater as it’s a fairly effective disinfectantand eliminates a largenumber of bacteria, as well as someviruses. It’s also a fairly strong oxidisingagent that reacts with organic matter inthe swimming pool water.However, chlorine does have its limitationsand has several disadvantages. These include the factthat potentially harmful micro-organisms such as cryptosporidiumparvum and giardia lamblia remain unaffected, and thechloramine by-products can irritate the bathers’ nose, eyes,respiratory system and skin.Ozone has proved to be a viable option over the past 30years. It’s a gas that can be loosely described as a concentratedform of oxygen and is responsible for the ‘fresh air’ smellthat’s experienced after a thunderstorm.Generated by passing a stream of air through an electric arcorby passing air over a specially-dosed UV lamp, ozone is nota stable compound and quite rapidly decomposes to oxygen.It has a half-life of only about 20 minutes at room temperature,which means it can’t be manufactured and stored; itmust be generated at the location where it is used.Ozone gas, when used to treat water, is a strong oxidisingagent while offering a strong biocidal effect: it kills or rendersharmless micro-organisms unaffected by chlorine, whichmeans that it’s a powerful disinfectant when applied at thecorrect dose. When ozone is used in conjunction with chlorine,the undesirable chloramines are destroyed and their undesirableeffects are largely eliminated.Ozone gas is generated in an ozone generator. This gas isthen mixed with water from the pool filter, and the water/ozone mixture is held in a tank for a predetermined time.This allows the ozone to react with the impurities in the waterand also allows any excess ozone to separate from the water.The excess gaseous ozone is converted back to oxygenand discharged to the atmosphere. The cleaned water is returnedto the pool. The flocculating effect of the ozone collectssmall particles to form larger particles that can easily be removedby the filter and the pool water is clearer, bluer andmore sparkling.www.triogen.com64 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

The leading provider of high qualityChanging, WC and Shower cubicles, storagelockers and complementary productsWith over 30 years experience of providinghigh quality Changing, WC and Showercubicles, storage lockers and complementaryproducts in glass and compact grade laminate.Lockers Marathon lockers are suitable for projects frompublic swimming pool changing areas (where resistance tovandalism and ease of maintenance and cleaning areimportant) to the provision of high quality glass lockers andwooden lockers to leading name health & fitness groups.Cubicles Marathon cubicles are either "Fully FramedPanel Cubicles" (NBS K32/112a), essential for high use andwet areas, or unframed "Panel Cubicles" (NBS K32/120a), inwhich case they contain specially designed components toavoid the normal problems suffered by cubicles that rely onpanel media for their strengthinclusive fitnessrecognised product2010Tel: +44 (0) 1709 377147Email: sales@prospec.co.ukwww.prospec.co.ukProspec Limited Canklow Meadows EstateWest Bawtry Road, Rotherham S60 2XL, England...working around your leisure

CHANGING ROOMSFUNDINGCHANGING ROOMREFURBISHMENTJon Pearson looks at thefunding options availablefor facility refurbishmentand the issues that needto be taken into account whenspecifying changing room provisionAlthough there may be fundingproblems currently beingfaced by local authorities,trusts and operators of publicleisure facilities, building developmentand refurbishment certainly hasn’tground to a halt.In fact, in some circumstances, thecurrent situation is much better thananticipated a couple of years’ ago. This isdue to the fact that there are a numberof funding options open to facilitate newand refurbishment schemes – some ofwhich are a direct result of legacy promiseslinked to the nation’s successful bid tohost the Olympic and Paralympic Games.FACILITY FUNDINGGovernment help is available, either directlyor via National Lottery funding andthere are various ways of obtaining this,Lockers should conform to health, safety and building regulationssuch as through Sport England’s £130mPlaces People Play funding initiatives.Then there’s the continued demand forplanning gain from companies, such assupermarkets, that are prepared to workwith councils under the new planningguidelines to free up important centralsites – in exchange for funding the developmentof new and more efficient leisurefacilities on ‘brown field’ sites. Other opportunitiesexist through private sectorpartnerships with leisure providers thathave access to matched funding, in returnfor long-term management contracts.Self-financed refurbishment schemesare also available. For example, a busyfacility with around 220,000 annualusers could generate enough fundsvia profit shares rental agreements topay for £100,000-worth of refurbishedchanging and washroom facilities. Thisroute can also beused to provideequipment, suchas lockers, in newfacility schemes,without capitalrequirement.However, thefunds are limited,so it’s essentialthat the new orrefurbished facilityoffers value formoney. A goodlife expectancyof all fixtures andfittings should be paramount. Ideallythe latest materials and designs shouldbe considered to bring a facility intothe 21st century, while taking accountof the latest regulations regarding safetyand accessibility.DESIGNING FOR FUTURE USEIn my opinion, it’s essential to employ theservices of an experienced architecturalpractice that understands the communityneeds – today and into the future – withina multi-leisure centre facility.Of course, facility design is important,but the quality of the fixtures andfittings, how they operate and the materialsused need to be proven.Design and build contracts are acurrent trend in leisure facility procurementhowever, these have drawbacks.The initial client’s brief and specificationneeds to be sufficiently detailed toensure that the client/operator has afacility that is fit for purpose.In this competitive age, there aremany examples of original specificationsbeing ignored or downgraded, to thedeterment of the final product. To avoidadditional cost or inferior finishes, theinitial brief must be strong and detailed.This is important for clients using portals,which are open for tender to any companythat has ability to pass through to thetender stage. There have been a numberof examples where intended specificationshave not been met because thetender specification was weak.66 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

Consider cubicle systems that have fewer floor fixing for easy cleaningSuitable mounting systemsin on lockers ensure that lockscan’t easily be removedIt’s essential to employ the services of an experiencedarchitectural practice that understands thecommunity needs – today and into the futureHigh-use public changing and washroomfacilities need an early decision onthe type of changing facility required.Currently, village/unisex changing areasare preferable for cost and ease ofsupervision, however, there is also theneed to take account the needs of thoseusing the facility – particularly ethnic minoritygroups, who prefer added privacyand may be deterred from using the facilityif this was not available.It’s easy to calculate the size andprovision of both cubicles and lockers. Experiencedarchitects in leisure provisionhave access to recommendations fromSport England and can also draw fromtheir past experience.Once the layout and size of the facilityhas been decided there are importantissues to consider regarding conformingwith building and health and safetyregulations as well as understanding thetype of customer behaviour expected ina busy leisure facility.CUBICLES: (Reference to Part M,Section five of Building Regulations) WC compartment doors and doors towheelchair accessible unisex toilets,changing rooms or shower roomsshould have an emergency releasemechanism so they can be openedoutwards from the outside in case ofan emergency. Turning space should be a minimumof 450mm in WC cubicles and 550mmin changing and showers, from theedge of an open door to the pan,shower head or bench seat.The fronts of cubicles should have a30-point light reflection variance betweenthe door and frame or side panelDivision panels in laminate cubiclesbetween cubicles or spine walls shouldbe in a material that prevents the drillingof spy holes.The hinge edge of the door needs toavoid finger traps and nipping on theinside and outside of the door.Provision to stop people standing onbench seats and looking into cubiclesProvision for anti-camera skirts toprevent the use of mobile phonecameras underneath the cubicles.Cubicle-framing head rails and antipeeprails strong enough to enableusers to carry out chin ups.Consider cubicle systems, which havefewer floor fixings for ease of cleaningand supervision or incorporateattachments bonded without screwspenetrating through the floor finishes.Provision of showers, pre-cleanse etc.within changing areas that cater formale and female, will now need tobe enclosed and opaque.Relevant Disability Discrimination Act(DDA) provisions to be adhered to.LIFE EXPECTANCYThe materials should be designed for aminimum of 15 years life expectancy andremain rigid throughout their workinglife with normal levels of maintenance.The strength relies on the constructionof the cubicle not on bolted fittingsthrough the panel media. Spring hingeswill out-perform lower-cost rise and falltypes. The type of cubicle latch shouldbe designed to cope with heavy use –including slamming doors with the latchin the closed position.LOCKERSThere are many types of locks on themarket, mechanical and electronic, withsystems that prevent or reducethe likelihood of leisure facility userspersonalising their lockers.Suitable mounting systems are requiredto ensure locks cannot be easilyremoved or knocked from the back ofthe door. A good range of differs andavailability of master series are essential.There are low cost lock and keys, whichhave the same master series, so anyoneobtaining a master key from one leisurecentre can open lockers in another.The same applies for the choice ofkey. It’s easy to find methods of using a‘bump’ key to open locks on the internet.However, there are locks with a largenumber of differs and master series, utilising‘drilled’ keys, which are safe to useand can’t be bumped.These are just some of the considerationsin preparing changing roomspecifications to ensure best practice andvalue – once the funding is in place. Jon Pearson is director of ProspecIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 67

PLAYBeijing’s HappyMagic WatercubeFamous for its bubble-wrap exterior, Beijing’s Water Cube – the swimming anddiving venue for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games – has been transformedinto a family-friendly, indoor waterpark, complete with slides, a lazy river anda wave pool. We ask Anthony Van Dam, vice president of conceptual designerForrec how the new design respects and enhances this landmark building.What is the Happy Magic Watercube?It’s the fully-themed indoor waterparkcontained within Beijing’s existing iconicOlympic venue – the National AquaticsCentre – also known as the Watercube.It now offers an ambience that changesfrom bright and tropical during the dayto moody and mysterious at night.Who was the client, what was thedesign brief and how was this met?Our clients, the Tianyou Tourism Groupand its partner, the Beijing NationalAquatic Center Company, asked us to createa themed waterpark experience inthe uncompleted leisure hall within theWatercube, which would both respectand enhance the architectural icon. Buildingon the venue’s worldwide renownand its cultural importance within China,our aim was to create a waterpark thatwould be sympathetic to and expand onthe structure’s unique qualities.When did Forrec embark onthe project and when did itopen to the public?To capitalise on the national and internationalinterest in the structure, the planwas to re-open the venue as the HappyMagic Watercube two years after theOlympic Games, so the design and buildschedule was extremely tight.Forrec‘s team of creative designers,architects and interior designers beganwork on the project in April 2009, andconstruction began in October of thatyear. The project opened on 8 August2010 – exactly two years after the closeof the 2008 Olympics.How has the park been receivedby the Chinese public?People have taken to the waterpark ina big way. It was reported that openingday tickets were so coveted thatthey were being sold above their facevalue. The operator is controlling the attendanceby capping it at around 4,000guests a day.The clients are so pleased with the resultthat they are working to extend thebrand throughout China. The internationalwaterpark industry awarded theproject its Industry Innovation Award inSince the waterpark’s opening, interesthas been so high that the operator hascapped daily attendance at 4,0002010 and media interest in the ‘fantasyaquarium’ has made the Watercube ourmost publicised project to date.What services did Forrec provide?Forrec’s scope of work included: masterplanning,concept design, schematic andinterior design, architectural services,theming and limited site direction.What attractions are on offerwithin the waterpark?The park includes a wave pool, overlookedby a giant video screen, acollection of water cannons and watersprays, a dozen speciality slides and severalspa pools.Proslide has provided a Tornado funnelslide, Bullet Bowl and PIPEline, as wellas the company’s first RideHOUSE familywaterplay structure. From WhitewaterWest comes China’s first Aqua Loop andan Aqua Tube body slide. A 450sq m children’splay area has been furnished byEmpex Watertoys.The waterpark equipment is incorporatedinto the volume and character ofthe entire space. Slide towers, for exampleclimb high into the floating bubbles,aquatic plants and jellyfish – givingvisitors a new and unexpected view ofthe underwater environment. The playstructure allows children to explore thecolourful world of a tropical reef.How did you address the challengesof designing a water feature withinan existing structure?Forrec has built a reputation for creatingprojects that reflect the uniquecharacteristics of each site. The leisure68 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

hall within the Watercube interior offereda generous space, which occupiedmore than 10,000sq m of floor area, witha height of about 30m, and had beendesignated as a recreational facility postGames. During the Olympic Games, thespace was used for exhibitions and conferences,so few permanent elementshad been installed.Through clever foresight the building’sdevelopers had provided some infrastructureto support future water attractions.However, in order to maximise the use ofthe volume, some alterations needed tobe made. Forrec worked closely with suppliersto ensure that the new equipmentcould be woven into the fabric of theexisting features in a way that satisfiedboth the client’s needs and the high aestheticgoals within the project.Traditional indoor waterparks maximisespace by extending water slides andraft rides outside the main hall, however,the Watercube’s thick and complex structuralshell made this impossible as anyalteration of the building structure’s geometricsimplicity was unthinkable. Thedesign challenge was to confine all ofthe features within the building envelope,without making them lookcramped or crowded. The solution was tocarefully consider all three dimensions ofthe space and to combine the attractionsand thematic elements into one enormous,inter-woven composition.However, the Watercube’s vast interioralso offered some huge advantages. Theunusual cellular structure that formedthe building’s exterior – and the way thatdaylight filtered through it – stronglysuggested an underwater environmentin a tropical locale. So Forrec proposedan ‘underwater’ world, using large,colourful, abstracted aquatic elementsthat would float within the space, to createa dramatic atmosphere; unusual andsophisticated enough to complement thearchitecture, but playful enough to offeran entertaining environment.How did the general public respondto the Watercube’s conversion fromGames-time to legacy mode?When the Olympic Games were over,The Watercube’s unusual cellularstructure suggested an underwaterenvironment that allowed colourful,abstract, floating elementspopular interest in the Watercube (officially,the National Aquatics Center) didnot diminish. Along with the Bird’s Nest(National Stadium), it immediately becameBeijing’s hottest tourist attraction.Has Forrec worked on other post-Olympic sports venue adaptations?At the close of the 1988 WinterOlympics in Calgary, Canada, Forrecdeveloped a ‘Big Idea’ for the revitalisationof the site and the development ofnew attractions. The goal was to buildon its Olympic heritage and make it apremier international venue for wintersports training and competition.Forrec’s distinctive ‘boardwalk plan’unified the site and now offers interactiveattractions that allow the visitor toexperience the Winter Olympic venue asa competition athlete. Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 69

In a move to raise the quality of sports facilitiesin the UK, the Sports and Play ConstructionAssociation (SAPCA) has launched a schemethat will see all synthetic sports pitches and athleticstracks, built by its approved contractors,registered on a quality assurance scheme.All synthetic sports pitches and athletics tracksover 3,000sq m will be registered onto the Pitchand Track Registration Scheme by members ofSAPCA’s Pitch and Track Divisions.On a selection of these projects, SAPCAwill undertake random site inspections to ensurethat projects are being constructed tothe standards required by the Association’sCodes of Practice. Post-project feedback willalso be requested from clients to establishsatisfaction levels with contractors’ performanceand, in the unlikely event of any issuesregarding technical quality, SAPCA can actas a mediator if required.Chris Trickey, chief executive of SAPCA,says: “New, refurbished or resurfaced syntheticturf pitches and athletics tracks representa significant investment by facility ownersand we want to help to protect that investment. The Pitch and Track Registration Schemewill help to ensure that any scheme delivered bya specialist SAPCA-registered contractor is builtto a high standard.“The scheme will ensure that standards ofsports and play facilities continue to be raised andwe would urge any facility designer, buyer or operatorto use only SAPCA members for the design,construction or maintenance of their projects.”SAPCA is the recognised trade association forthe sports and play construction industry in theUK. Its role is to foster excellence, professionalalismand continuous improvement throughoutthe industry, in order to provide high-qualityfacilities for sport, physical activity, recreationand play.■ More details about the new scheme areavailable at www.sapca.org.ukPIC: © ABACUS LIGHTING With more than 240 organisations now members, SAPCA is continuing to demonstratethat fostering excellence, professionalism and continuous improvement reapsbenefits – not only for sports and play construction companies but, moreimportantly, for the specifier, buyer and user of sports and play facilitiesTHE LATEST NEW SAPCAMEMBERS ARE:Horticon – hard and soft landscaping andassociated works, throughout the NorthWest, North Midlands and Yorkshire.Central Flooring Services – provides highperformanceindoor sports flooring systems.Cardinal Sports – sports and leisureequipment and solutions.ABG – manufactures and suppliesgeosyntheticsACT Global Sports BV – internationalmanufacturers of artificial turfEcosse Sports – specialists insports surfacing installationGenan A/S – manufacturers ofhigh-quality rubber granulateGewiss UK – lighting manufacturerGlobal Maintenance – specialistsin sports surface maintenanceR&J Hill Engineering –manufacturers of sports equipmentReflex Sports Ltd – design,testing and supplier of timber/hardwood and PU sports flooringFor details of allSAPCA members,scan the QR code orvisit www.sapca.org.uk With synthetic turf pitches possibly makinga comeback in the Football League,SAPCA has produced a useful leaflet entitled:‘3G – The Facts’ to offer more information tointerested parties.The leaflet explains what 3G synthetic turf isand separates the truth from the myths.Details include: How the playing performance of syntheticturf has changed since the 1980s The relevant pros and cons of synthetic turfversus natural grass for sport use Insight into injuries linked to playing onsynthetic grass pitches The maintenance requirements forsynthetic turf pitches.■ For a free copy of the 3G – The Facts leafletcontact SAPCA on: +44 (0)24 7641 6316or email: info@sapca.org.uk.70 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

It takes five minutes and 10 steps to find out how toensure your sports construction project is a success PIC: ©SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/TOMASZ BIDERMANN Depending on the scale of the sports facilityproject proposed, there are a large number ofspecialist advisers who might be involved duringthe different stages of development.When selecting professional consultants itis essential to check that they have relevantexperience, and often a team approach is requiredto ensure that specific aspects – suchas the performance of the playing surface,or the precise design and standard of sportslighting – are catered for properly.SAPCA’s Professional Services Group includesa variety of independent specialistsinvolved in sports facility projects, details ofwhich can be found at www.sapca.org.uk. A full understanding of the nature of theproposed site is vital as this provides the basison which the facility will be designed.It is generally better to employ an independentconsultant to undertake the siteinvestigation. In this way the client can bettercontrol the quality and consistency of theinformation and giving the results to thecontractors invited to tender ensures thateveryone has the same report.Funding bodies will usually include the costof the site investigation within the eligibleproject costs for financial support. Apart from any other aspect of the project,the choice of sports surface itself is complicated,with such a wide variety of productson offer these days.It’s important to establish which sports areto be played and to what level, the likely usagepattern and how the facility will be managedand maintained. The maintenance and replacementcosts should be identified, as well asthe longevity of a surface, which togetherwill help to determine the necessary annualsinking fund provision. There are two main options – either producinga full specification against whichcontractors can be invited to tender, or a‘design and build’ approach, where contractorsare required to provide and price their owndesign solutions.The project specification may need toinclude specific requirements for the playingperformance of a sports surface, such ascompliance with the particular standards of asports governing body.Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 71

The appropriate choice of contract will bedictated by the scale and complexity of theproject, from a simple letter of agreementthrough to the various standard forms of contractavailable, such as are produced by theICE, the JCT and the RIBA.Specifications included within the contractshould clearly define the scope of works andalso include all drawings. Contract clausesshould be fair to both parties and the timescalesrequired should be reasonable. Thepricing summary should be unambiguous. It is sensible to use a select list of contractors,such as SAPCA members, who have beenvetted to ensure that they have the necessaryexperience, financial status and qualityof workmanship.It’s important to inspect other similar projectsthat contractors have completed and tospeak to their previous clients about theirexperiences. Contractors should be interviewedand questioned to ensure they canwork well as a team. Independent consultantswill also be able to provide very useful guidancefrom their own experiences. A programme should be prepared for theoverall delivery of the project, not just forthe construction phase. The initial stages offeasibility, funding and planning may meanthat there’s a very long lead-in time required,especially with large projects with indoorfacilities. The Contract Programme is one ofthe essential contract documents and should be updated throughout the project. Stage paymentswill typically be linked to the ContractProgramme, with payments due when agreedproject milestones are reached. Whatever the level of professional supervisionemployed, it’s always important for the clientto have someone to act as its single point ofcontact throughout the management of theproject, to ensure a consistency of approachand clear channels of communication.Read the CDM Regulations, as they stipulatethe requirements for supervising healthand safety on site. Conditions of Contract are there for theprotection of all parties.Within the contract the client is committedto make payments at agreed stages, withina certain time period, and so it’s the responsibilityof the client to ensure that the necessaryfunding is in place.During the entire length of the contract,all instructions to the contractor should beput in writing to avoid potential misunderstandingseven if they seem relatively trivial.Communication is undoubtedly better thanconfrontation. There’s no such thing as a maintenancefreesports facility. Having invested in a newsports facility it’s also important to invest inthe appropriate maintenance equipment andprovide the right training for the grounds staff.Ten Steps to a Successful Project is one ofthe subjects being covered at the SportsFacility Shows being held in Cheltenham on15 May and in Salford on 12 June. Attendanceis free. Details regarding these events or howto project manage sports construction projectscan be found at: www.sapca.org.uk To ensure sports constructionprojects run smoothly: Use appropriate professional advice Investigate the site Get the product right Have a comprehensive specification Use an appropriate form of contract Select the right contractor Agree a realistic programme Use appropriate supervision Comply with the Conditions of Contract Maintain the facility to the requiredstandard72 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

Five years ago, new European Standards were introducedthat replaced all existing national standards for theperformance of sports surfaces. Since then, the work todevelop these standards has continued and new versionswill soon be published. SAPCA provides an update andexamines the implications for the marketplace in the UK As part of the EU’s desire to facilitate thefree trade of products throughout Europe,each country’s existing national standards forsports surfaces have been through a processof harmonisation, leading to the introductionof new European Standards. In the UK, thesestandards replaced the existing British StandardBS 7044 for multi-use sports surfaces. The Committee European de Normalisation(CEN) is the European equivalent of the BritishStandards Institution (BSI). Within CENthere are numerous technical committees,each looking after the harmonisation of standardsfor different products: CEN TC/217 isresponsible for sports surfaces.Under this technical committee there arevarious working groups, each responsible forstandards for different types of surface orlooking at different aspects, such as test methodsand environmental issues.Each country has its own shadow technicalcommittee, which co-ordinates its inputinto the work. In the UK it is BSI TechnicalCommittee PRI/57. This committee is madeup of experts from various stakeholder organisationsfrom across the UK sports facilitymarketplace; many of the committee membersare from the industry, but there are alsosports councils, sports governing bodies andother sports-related bodies representedTo limit the huge amount of work involved,if there is already a relevant ISO standard thenCEN will simply adopt it as a European Standard,rather than duplicate it. A sports surface is a complicated piece ofengineering that must have the right playingcharacteristics for the sport. It must be safe touse and should withstand rough treatment andremain stable for a realistic period of time.It was not long after the introduction of thefirst synthetic sports surfaces in the late 1960sand early 1970s that sports bodies began torecognise the need to be able to measureand specify the playing characteristics theyrequired from the new types of surfaces. The European Standards set down agreedlimits for the performance of sports surfaces– not the method of construction – usingagreed test methods. The tests can generallybe split into four groups: Ball/surface interaction: properties suchas ball bounce, ball roll and pace. Person/surface interaction: dynamicproperties such as shock absorbency, surfacedeformation, energy restitution and thefrictional properties of the surface as experiencedby the athlete or player. Constructional aspects: propertiesinfluenced by factors during construction,such as seam strength, tensile properties(of in-situ mixed and laid polymeric materials),permeability, gradients, regularity,dimensions and line markings. Durability: how resistant a surface is toageing through weathering, wear and tearand predictions of how the sport performanceof the surface may change over itslife, as a result of these influences. ISO stands for International Standards Organisation;an ISO standard has worldwide status,whereas CEN just relates to Europe. The European Standards are aimed at recreationalstandards of play, for sports facilitiesIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 73

open to public use, whereas sports governingbodies, such as IAAF (athletics), FIFA (soccer),IRB (rugby), ITF (tennis) and FIH (hockey),define the requirements for higher-level participationin their own sports. In most casesthe standards should be complementary. Three standards were published in 2007 and2008: indoor surfaces for multi-sports use;synthetic surfaces for outdoor sports areas;and synthetic turf and needle-punch surfacesfor outdoor use. The existing British Standardfor multi-use sports surfaces (BS 7044) wasthen withdrawn.The standard for indoor sports surfaces (BSEN 14904) relates to surfaces for multi-sportsuse and not single-sport facilities such as indoortennis courts. This covers indoor surfacesystems, i.e. it includes both the supportingand upper layers whether prefabricated, producedin-situ or a combination of the two.The standard for synthetic surfaces for outdoorsports areas (BS EN 14877) focuses onpolymeric (rubberised) surfaces, for three specificuses: athletics, tennis and multi-sports.The standard for synthetic turf (BS EN15330) relates just to surfaces for outdooruse, and is split into several sections, with differentrequirements for hockey, football, rugby,tennis and multi-sports use. The standard isaimed at grassroots sport; each of the internationalsports governing bodies separatelyspecifies its own requirements for high-levelcompetitive play, as necessary.The European Standards are generally morecomprehensive than the British Standard they replaced, and are more representative of thetypes of sports surfaces now commonly used,compared to the range of products availablewhen BS 7044 was first introduced. Work to update the standards for syntheticsurfaces and synthetic turf is nearing completionand the revised standards should bepublished later this year or early in 2013.As well as including various correctionsand editorial amendments, the new versionswill put greater emphasis on the need forsite testing, to help ensure the quality ofinstallation – not just the quality of the productsthemselves. There is also a proposal tocreate a new standard for synthetic turfwhen used indoors.Work to update the standard for indoorsurfaces will take longer to complete, and isnot likely to be published before mid-2013.The scope of this standard is being expandedso that it will embrace a wider range ofsurfaces in the future, and therefore moreproducts will be required to comply.There is also an important discussion takingplace within CEN about which chemicals andsubstances can be used in the manufacture ofindoor flooring; while notspecifically aimed at sports surfaces thereare potentially significant implications formanufacturers and suppliers of indoorsports floors in the UK. The Construction Products Regulations(which replaced the existing ConstructionProducts Directive in March 2011), aim to“ensure the free movement of all constructionproducts within the EU by harmonisingnational laws with respect to the essentialrequirements applicable to these products interms of health and safety”.The simplest way to comply with theregulations is through CE Marking. This is adeclaration by the manufacturer that a productmeets certain safety requirements, usuallya set of essential characteristics that eachproduct must satisfy and which are identifiedin the relevant harmonised standard.Outdoor sport surfacing has, until now,been excluded from the regulations, but this‘opt out’ is currently being reviewed. The regulationswill, however, apply to indoor sportsurfaces from July 2013 onwards.These keyissues will be discussed when the BSI TechnicalCommittee meets later this month.It’s vital to the UK marketplace that thechanges to the European Standards and theregulations that will be adopted should notexclude the products that are currently usedand accepted within the UK. To achieve this,the input of the UK within the process hasbeen very important and the sports facilityindustry continues to be actively representedby a number of members of SAPCA. 74 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

The Sports and Play ConstructionAssociation, SAPCA, is therecognised trade organisation for thesports and play facility constructionindustry in the UK. SAPCA fostersexcellence, professionalism andcontinuous improvement throughoutPRINCIPAL CONTRACTORSthe industry, in order to provide thehigh quality facilities necessary forthe success of British sport.SAPCA represents a wide range ofspecialist constructors of natural andsynthetic sports surfaces, includingboth outdoor and indoor facilities,from tennis courts and sports pitchesto playgrounds and sports halls.SAPCA also represents manufacturersand suppliers of related products,and independent consultants thatoffer professional advice on thedevelopment of projects.KEYA Dtel: +44(0)1636 615866www.charleslawrencesurfaces.co.ukA B C D O QConstruction, Design &Surfacing of all Sports Facilities.Telephone: 0844 448 4370Fax: 0844 448 4371email: info@ambsports.comWeb: www.ambsports.comA B C D I J K N O PHonours Yard,Lodge Lane,Chalfont St Giles,Bucks HP84AJT: 01494 766673 F: 01494 766674E: sports@thechilterngroup.co.ukwww.thechilterngroup.co.ukA D I J K PA D I J K O Q S A D J K PCharles Lawrence Tennis Courts4 Allen Avenue, Quorn, Loughborough,Leicester LE12 8TRTel: 01509 563212Fax: 01509 561325email: allcourts@btinternet.comA Tennis CourtsB Synthetic PitchesC Athletics TracksD Multi SportsE Natural SportsturfF Play SurfacesTo book your advertisementin the SAPCA directory callDavid on+44 (0)1462 471902DURA-SPORT LTDUnit C2, Chartwell Point, Chartwell DriveWigston, Leicestershire LE18 2FTT. 0116 281 3200 F. 0116 281 3202E. sales@dura-sport.co.ukSpecialist Installersof Synthetic Surfacing for Sport & PlayDesign, Build & Maintain the FinestTennis Courts & Sports Surfaces01621 85 86 86www.etcsports.co.ukTel: (0116) 246 0500 Fax: (0116) 246 1561Email: info@fossecontracts.co.ukwww.fossecontracts.co.ukA B D FA B D A D I J K O P SA B C DTo book your advertisement in the SAPCAdirectory call David on+44 (0)1462 471902construction maintenance equipmentSt. Peter’s Works, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham GL51 9ALTel: 01242 513251 Fax: 01242 226396www.grimshawgroup.co.ukA D E F I J K O QB D E QHunter Construction (Aberdeen) Ltd,Centaur House,ThainstoneBusiness Park,InverurieAB51 5GTTel: 01467 627290 Fax: 01467 625791E-mail:info@hunter-construction.co.ukHanslope, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK19 7BX,Tel: 01908 510414 / 511155 Fax: 01908 511056Email: sales@landunitconstruction.co.uk,www.landunitconstruction.co.ukUnit 32, Clwyd Close,Hawarden Industrial Est,Manor Lane, Hawarden, CH5 3PZ,T: 01244 533184F: 01244 533184E: Sales@plattconstruction.co.ukwww.plattconstruction.co.ukPOLYTAN SPORTS SURFACES LIMITEDPhone: 0845 224 1416 Fax: 0845 224 1617Email: info@polytansports.co.ukwww.polytansports.co.ukB DEA D J K P QB C D OThe Sports and Play Construction Association canbe contacted on: 024 7641 6316Email: info@sapca.org.uk www.sapca.org.ukNewbury Berkshiret: 01635 34521www.sandcslatter.cominfo@sandcslatter.comSUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF SURFACES ANDEQUIPMENT FOR: Multi-Sport FacilitiesCricket Facilities Play and Educational FacilitiesD FIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 75

ANCILLARY CONTRACTORS, MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERSKEYAbacus Lighting LimitedSutton in AshfieldNottinghamshire, NG17 5FTwww.abacuslighting.comTel: 01623 511111Fax: 01623 552133Email: sales@abacuslighting.comARTIFICIAL GRASSMAINTENANCEwww.artificialgrassmaintenance.co.ukTel: 01354 65 44 22specialist sports surface maintenanceB&L Fencing Services LtdPhone: 01527 882101Fax: 01527 882123www.blfencing.co.ukFencing Specialists to the Sports IndustryG AdhesivesH Aggregate ProducersI Equipment SuppliersJ Fencing SystemsK SSJK FloodlightingL Indoor StructuresM Paint Manufacturerswww bonaryarns.comBridome Ltd, The Courtyard, Wisley, Surrey GU23 6QLTel +44 (0)1932 350365 Fax +44 (0)1932 350375e. info@bridome.com www.bridome.co.ukN Screening/WindbreaksO Sports Surface SuppliersOLM PP Surface painting/LineMarkingSports flooring · Sports surfacesTracks for championswww.berleburger.comTel: 01422 200 143Email: maguirejbswuk@aol.comTel: 0800 9886370www.collinson.co.ukSports Lighting Specialistswww.cuphosco.comDesign . Manufacture . Install . MaintainTel: 01920 860600Fax: 01920 485915Email: sports@cuphosco.co.ukQ Civil Engineers &GroundworksR Irrigation & PumpingS MaintenanceOLKFabrieksstraat 13,8281 BW Genemuiden,The Netherlands.T: +31 (0)38 425 00 50 F: +31 (0)38 425 00 51E: info@edelgrass.comwww.edelgrass.comSUPPLIERS OF ADHESIVES FOR ALL APPLICATIONSIN THE SPORTS SURFACE INDUSTRYTel: 01889 271751 Fax: 01889 271161www.envirostik.com Email: enquiries@envirostik.comTo book your advertisementin the SAPCA directory callDavid on+44 (0)1462 471902Unit 2, Swanston Steadings, 109 Swanston Road, Edinburgh, EH10 7DSTel: 0131 629 0437Email: grant.anderson@tarkett.comwww.fieldturf.comOGO GEZOLAN AGSwitzerlandwww.gezolan.chT: +41 748 3040email:j.roger@gezolan.chOOI O PIwww.markharrod.comProducts for SportHigh quality sports posts,nets and tennis court equipmentT: 0121 783 0312F: 0121 786 2472E: sales@hexasports.co.ukwww.hexasports.co.ukIIJKSports Facility Construction: Exhibitions & SeminarsSAPCA regional exhibitions featuring the leading constructors of sportsfacilities and suppliers of related products and services, together withseminars on key aspects of sports facility design and construction.FOR FUTURE EXHIBITIONS AND SEMINARSTel: 024 7641 6316 or Email: info@sapca.org.ukwww.sapca.org.uk76 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

ANCILLARY CONTRACTORS, MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERSwww.mri-polytech.comMurfitts Industries LimitedStation Road, Lakenheath, Suffolk IP27 9ADTel: 01842 860220Fax: 01842 863300Email: info@murfittsindustries.comTemporarybuildingswww.neptunus.co.ukOOLOwww.nottssport.comT: +44 [0] 1455 883 730SPORTS PITCHCONCEPT TOCONSTRUCTIONTel: 01926 423918www.obriencontractors.co.ukwww.playrite.co.ukREPLAY Maintenance LtdWesley House, Whittle Close,Newark, NG24 2DY01636 640506info@replaymaintenance.co.ukTaking Care of Britain’sSports Surfaces.OQO I P S Support in Sport (UK) LtdMarket leaders in the manufacture, design and constructionof sports fields and training complexesTel: 01900 817837 Fax: 01900 817605email: sales@supportin sport.comwww.supportinsport.com280 Watford Road,St Albans, Herts,AL2 3DNSpecialists in Tennis Courts andMulti Use Games Areas (MUGA’s)Tel: 01727 730707info@sportscourts.co.ukwww.sportscourts.co.ukLOB D E J K O P Q R SA J N P SSurfaces andequipment for sport,play and leisure.Tel: 01858 545789Fax: 01858 545890e-mail: sales@sportsequip.co.uk0800 3891490www.norsemanstructures.comTo book your advertisementin the SAPCA directory callDavid on+44 (0)1462 471902Wood, PVC and Linoleum Flooring Solutions forMultiuse, Multisport or Specialist Sports ApplicationsFor more information call 01892 752306email marketing@tarkett.comwww.tarkett-sports.com/englishI OLOSynthetics sports pitch mainenance expertstel:// 08702 400 700 fax:// 08702 400 701email:// info@technicalsurfaces.co.ukweb:// www.technicalsurfaces.co.ukThorn Lighting LimitedDurhamgateSpennymoorCo. Durham DL16 6HLTel: 01388 420042 Fax: 01388 420156Email: brochures.uk@thornlighting.comwww.thornlighting.co.ukGet it right the first time, use British Sugar TOPSOILTel: 0870 2402314 www.bstopsoil.co.ukSportsBuildings+44 1724 710 681 | sport@veldemangroup.comwww.veldemangroup.comSKOLCleaning, marking and lining of sports surfacesTel: 01342 311155 Fax: 01342 311156www.white-line-services.comI P SWright & Maclennan LtdCamps Industrial EstateKirknewton, Midlothian, EH27 8DFT: 01506 881486 F: 01506 883669E: gary@wrightandmaclennan.co.ukwww.wrightandmaclennan.co.ukJPROFESSIONAL SERVICESt: 01403 259400e: SportsCtcy@aol.comwww.sportsconsultancy.netTo book your advertisement in theSAPCA directory call David on+44 (0)1462 471902Tel: 01536 400012 Fax: 01536 401953Email: info@surfacingstandards.co.ukwww.surfacingstandards.co.ukTo book your advertisementin the SAPCA directory callDavid on+44 (0)1462 471902To subscribe to Sports Management, log on to www.leisuresubs.com email subs@leisuremedia.com tel +44 1462471913 fax +441462 433909. Annual subscription rates are UK £27, Europe £37 rest of world £58, students UK £13Sports Management is published each quarter by The Leisure Media Company Limited, Portmill House, Portmill Lane,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 POBox 437, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437.The views expressed in print are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher The LeisureMedia Company Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrievalsystem or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recorded or otherwise withoutthe prior permission of the copyright holder. Printed by Manson Group Printers.© Cybertrek Ltd 2012 ISSN 1479/9146 Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 77

Product round-upsport-kit.netthe search engine for leisure buyersEdel Grass joins rugbypreferred producersThe International Rugby Board’s (IRB)‘One Turf’ programme has seen the appointmentof Edel Grass as one of thePreferred Turf Producers. The Netherlands-basedcompany, with more than30 years experience in the artificial turfindustry, joins the IRB Preferred TurfProducer Programme, having met thegoverning body’s player welfare, technicaland performance criteria.sport-kit.net KEYWORDSedel grassRubb takes centrecourt at BudehavenRubb Buildings was the main subcontractorresponsible for the design,manufacture and installation of a newsports hub at Budehaven CommunitySchool in Cornwall, a specialist sportscollege. The project – Rubb’s third inthe area – began as a one court tennishall, grew into a two court hall andwas then changed a second time toaccommodate two netball courts aswell. Rubb provided the steel framedsuperstructure for the 39.5m x 35mbuilding, which is clad with a PVDFcoatedpolyester fabric membrane.Wherever you are inthe world, find the rightproducts and services 24 / 7by logging on to SportManagement’s free searchengine www.sport-kit.netsport-kit.net KEYWORDSrubb buildingsBuoyant future for Anti Wave’s new laneReplay in contract withEdinburgh LeisureEdinburgh Leisure – which manages allEdinburgh City Council’s leisure facilities– has signed a five-year agreementwith Replay Maintenance to undertakesurface maintenance of its syntheticsports pitches, spread across six sites.Replay’s Revive process uses a speciallydeveloped, single-operator machineto remove contaminants from in-filledand water-based synthetic turf carpetas well as polymeric surfaces.sport-kit.net KEYWORDSreplay maintenanceC&H Products, Europeanmanufacturer anddistributor of the AntiWave brand of leisureand professional swimmingproducts, hasunveiled its new modifiedMaxi Racing Lane.Working in conjunctionwith swimmers andcoaches to developthe product, the companyhas improved the Maxi RacingLane by increasing its buoyancy inthe water. As a result it offers a moreeffective racing lane by providing amuch greater barrier against wavescreated by swimmers.To create the new lane, tooling wasmodified and floats added at everyMaxi Disc along the lane’s length.sport-kit.net KEYWORDSanti wave78 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

log on to www.sport-kit.net and type the company name under ‘keyword search’Olympic team kitrevealed by adidassport-kit.net KEYWORDadidasAdidas, the official sportswear providerof Team GB and ParalympicsGB, hasunveiled the team kit that will be wornby the British athletes at the London2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.The clothing was created by Britishdesigner Stella McCartney, who wasappointed by adidas as creative directorfor the project. The design is saidto focus on the British flag. It breaksdown its iconic design and reconstructsit – creating a modern andcontemporary twist.Nike and Tact Enviro are making sport countAs part of Nike’s ‘Make It Count’campaign ahead of the OlympicGames this year, Tact Enviro built atemporary basketball court on theroof of the London Aquarium adjacentto the London Eye. Fitted above theaquarium’s shark tank, the PremiumTactTiles MUGA court measured 17mx 15m, half the size of a standardcourt. Its installation took approximatelyan hour and the court willcontinue to be used and expanded forvarious ‘Make It Count’ events acrossthe UK throughout the coming year.sport-kit.net KEYWORDStact enviroThornton onside OldhamSupported by OnSide North West, acharity that’s currently developing21st century youth facilities, ThorntonSports has constructed a five-a-sidefootball pitch for Oldham Youth Zone.The company built the pitch andworked with main contractors, EricWright Construction. Thornton alsoinstalled a 4m-high fence including1.2m rebound panel and roofnet tofully enclose the area of play.sport-kit.net KEYWORDSthornton sportssport-kit.net KEYWORDdorset woolliscroftDorset Woolliscroft’srange for all reasonsThe comprehensive range ofDorset Woolliscroft slip resistantflooring products provides fullyvitrified tiles – designed for avariety of sporting applications.These range from solutions neededfor the most hazardous of settings– including wet areas such asswimming pool surrounds, showersand changing rooms – through toeveryday use in areas with highfootfall, including reception areasand cafeterias. Independentlytested by CERAM, all of the tilesoffer slip resistance ratings fromR10 up to R12C.Technical revitalisationArtificial pitch maintenance specialists,Technical Surfaces, has recently carriedout its specialist deep-cleaning Revite®on the 3G sports pitch in Stoke CityFC’s Academy Dome. Alongsideeveryday tasks – such as drag brushing,light decompaction and grooming –the Revite® process is designed topenetrate deeper into the carpet pileand rubber infill, providing a moreintensive clean than can be achievedthrough regular sweeping.sport-kit.net KEYWORDStechnical surfacesIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 79

SPORTS MANAGEMENTDIRECTORYBe seen by over 5,500 active buyers in themost exciting full colour buyer’s guide in thesports industry. Call the Sports Managementteam now on +44 (0)1462 431385Email: displaysales@leisuremedia.comconstruction & surfacingof sports facilitiesfencing manufacturersand supplierindoor/outdoor surface linemarking & maintenanceIndoor sports halls/temporaryor non - traditional structures The best in sportsfacilities & surfacesCall 0844 448 4370www.ambsports.comconsultantsInteriorSolutions01608 678238info@duralock.comwww.duralock.comCleaning, liningand resurfacingof sports surfacesTel: 0845 058 0644Fax: 0845 862 2640Email: info@white-line-services.comwww.white-line-services.comto book your advert in theSPORTS MANAGEMENTDIRECTORYCall David now on+44 (0)1462 471902 Practice Made PerfectTel: 0800 3891490INTERIOR DESIGN & PROJECT MANAGEMENTRECEPTIONS LOUNGES CAFES BARSlockers/changing roomswww.norsemanstructures.comCAINE GROVE FIVE OAK LANE STAPLEHURST KENT TN12 0HTTEL; 01580 890123 FAX: 01580 893626www.interior-solutions.co.ukdesign@interior-solutions.co.uk CONTACT: ROY ROBERTSTel: 01730 237100FITLOCKERSQuality Affordable Timber LockersT: 01923 770435sales@fitlockers.co.ukwww.fitlockers.co.ukTemporary buildingswww.neptunus.co.ukexercise equipmentContact us for a FREE technicaldesign and specificationservice or a FREE brochure.Tel: 01902 796699sales@zaun.co.ukwww.zaun.co.uklockers/changing roomsindoor flooringTel: 01477 544 149Email: franciscoatings@btinternet.comwww.franciscoatings.co.uk 80 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digitalIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

sales & marketingsports equipment suppliers& manufacturerssports surface maintenanceThe leading manufacturerof netting, posts & sportsground equipmentTel 01502 583515www.harrod.uk.cominfo@glyfco.comwww.glyfco.comsports buildingsSPORTSHALLSProducts for Sportwww.markharrod.com01502 710039sports ground constructionTaking Care of Britain’sSports Surfaces.REPLAY Maintenance LtdWesley House, Whittle Close,Newark, NG24 2DYsurface coatings01636 640506info@replaymaintenance.co.ukwww.replaymaintenance.co.uktennis court construction &maintenancethe brighter choice!Tel 01995 606451www.collinson.co.ukwww.whitehorsecontractors.co.ukSpecialists in Tennis CourtConstruction & Maintenance forLocal authorities, Councils, Schools,Tennis Clubs & the Private Sector01727 730707www.sportscourts.co.uksports flooring sports lightingTel: 01623 511111Fax: 01623 552133Email: sales@abacuslighting.comBook your adverton our websiteand be seen byover 33,000 buyersevery month.wet leisure play productsPicture courtesy ofCheshire County Sports Clubwww.abacuslighting.comSports Lighting Specialistswww.cuphosco.comInteractive PlayFlume SlidesSafety SolutionsPlant Equipmentand Maintenanceto book your advert in theSPORTS MANAGEMENTDIRECTORYCall David now on+44 (0)1462 471902Design . Manufacture . Install . MaintainContact us now for yourFree Lighting DesignTel: 01920 860600Fax: 01920 485915Email: sports@cuphosco.co.ukCall the Sales Team Todayto Discuss Your Booking01462 431385www.sportsmanagement.co.ukSpecialist ServicesSeamless CoatingsHippo Leisure Products Ltd, Unit 18, EstoverRoad, Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PYTel: + 44 (0) 1752 771740E: sales@hippoleisure.comW: www.hippoleisure.comIssue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 81

DIARY DATES15 MAY 2012SAPCA’s Sport Facility ShowCheltenham Racecourse, UKThis free event replaces the Sport andPlay Construction Association’s (SAPCA)long-running Sports Facility Constructionevents. It comprises a series of informativeand educational seminars regardingthe design and funding of sports facilitieswww.sapca.org.uk15-17 MAY 2012Stadium Business SummitJuventus Stadium, Turin, ItalyStadia owners, operators, designers andsuppliers will congregate for debate,knowledge-sharing and networking in avenue that heralds a new breed of stadiadesign. The theme for this year’s eventwill celebrate the fact that stadia are atthe point of convergence between thebroadcast event and the live experience.www.stadiumbusinesssummit.com20-25 MAY 2012SportAccord ConventionQuebec, CanadaThis six-day gathering of more than 1,500leading representatives from internationalsport offers the sports family a powerfulopportunity to come together in anexclusive and authoritative networkingenvironment, to build relationships, shareknowledge and develop ideas that willbenefit the community.www.sportaccord.com25-27 MAY 20122012 Grassroots Football ShowNEC, Birmingham, UKThe 20,000sq ft event include 3 vs 3playing areas and cross bar challenges,workshops and best practice in coachingtechniques, a football products exhibitionand a kids zone. Guest appearancesinclude Newcastle’s Chris Hughton andex-England manager Graham Taylor.www.grassrootsfootball.co.uk12 JUNE 2012SAPCA’s Sport Facility ShowSalford City Stadium, Manchester, UKThis free event replaces SAPCA’s long-runningSports Facility Construction events.It comprises a series of informative andeducational seminars together with anexhibition featuring specialist in thedesign, construction and maintenance ofsports facilities.www.sapca.org.uk13-15 JUNE 2012Stadia & ArenaBordeaux Congress Centre, FranceThis top European venue managementevent, now in its 14th year, enjoys thesupport of IAVM Europe (InternationalAssociation of Venue Managers) and ESS-MA (The European Safety and StadiumManagement Association, incorporatinghead groundsmen).www.sam.uk.com15 JUNE 2012CLOA Members MeetingBisham Abbey, Marlow, UKThis meeting will focus on harnessingthe benefits of the Olympic/Paralympiclegacy, maintaining the momentum ofthe broader cultural olympiad and capitalisingon the economic impactfor tourism.www.cloa.org.uk19-20 JUNE 2012Play FairStoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, UKThis is the UK’s trade event for thoseinvolved in the selection, purchase, upkeepand replacement of children’s playequipment. It’s is free to visit, with freeparking and a series of free seminars –designed to keep visitors updated on thelatest thinking and demands affectingour play spaces today.www.playfairuk.com4-6 SEPTEMBER 2012IOG SALTEXWindsor Racecourse, Berkshire, UKThis annual, outdoor event embraces turfand sports surfaces, turf maintenanceequipment, children’s outdoor play andsafety surfacing, landscaping, outdoorleisure and facilities management.www.iogsaltex.co.uk5 SEPTEMBER 2012European Sports DevelopmentNetwork Symposium 2012Sheffield Hallum University, UKHeld in collaboration with the CharteredInstitute for the Management of Sportand Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and theCounty Sports Partnership Network(CSPN), the theme for this event is‘Beyond 2012 – what’s next for sportand physical activity? It builds partnershipsbetween universities and industryprofessionals.www.cimspa.co.ukpowered byWorldwide events listings for leisure professionalsADVERTISERS INDEXArena Group 55atg UV 61Charles Lawrence Surfaces 39Forum Events 59Gerflor 27Harrod UK 31Hippo Leisure 61IOG Saltex 55JAK Water 61Jordan 47LIW 43Mark Harrod 13Neptunus StructuresOBCNorseman Structures 57O’Brien Contractors 39Original Style 63Polytan 7Prospec 65Recticel 31Replay Maintenance 50Rubb BuildingsIFCS&P Architects 21SAPCA 47Stadia & ArenaIBCThe Grass Group 15Thornton Sports 39Veldeman Structure Solutions 57White Line Services 47sport-kit.netFor more information on our advertisers’products log on to www.sport-kit.net82 Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 2 2012 © cybertrek 2012

BORDEAUX13-15 JUNE 2012BORDEAUX13-15 JUNE 2012www.sam.uk.com

NEPTUNUS RELOCATABLE BUILDINGSNeptunus is an international specialist inrelocatable and temporary buildingsHIRE PURCHASE LEASEDo you need temporary space?Neptunus is a leading supplier of high quality temporary structures and semi-permanent buildings for hire or purchase.Particularly suitable for sports and leisure applications, the Neptunus semi-permanent product range is the mosttechnologically advanced and versatile choice in today’s market. Based on high-tech and innovative designs with durablecomponents, these structures have similar characteristics to a permanent building.Flexible• Readily available and quick to install• Comprehensive choice of sizes• Suitable for use from several months to 20 years• Hire, lease or purchaseSustainable• Fully insulated• Superior energy performance• Relocatable• RecyclableNEPTUNUS LtdThe Old Rectory | Main Street | GlenfieldLeicestershire LE3 8DG | United KingdomT (+44) 0845 180 40 01 | F (+44) 0116 232 01 50sales@neptunus.co.uk | www.neptunus.co.uk