Sports Management Q2 2012 - Leisure Opportunities

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