CLUB NEWS
Figures healthy for active people More and more people are turning to a healthier lifestyle, according to Sport England’s Active People Survey. The number of people becoming more active in their daily lives has increased by over 340,000 in the past year, says the survey, meaning that 15.83 million people over the age of 16 are now playing sport regularly. These figures mark a return to the level seen just after the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. While more men are playing sport, the overall increase is largely down to women who are accounting for over 75% of the
increase, further reducing sport’s gender gap. Going to the gym and exercise classes
Stop Press – Calling all clubs
remain hugely popular but team sports such as cricket, rugby union and netball are also on
the increase. Meanwhile, the running boom looks set to continue, with 138,100 more people running regularly in the past year and 1 million more people now running than a decade ago. Sport England chief executive Jennie Price said: “These figures are encouraging, especially the significant increase in the number of women playing sport. Running has continued to be a powerful driving force.” She added that the needs of disabled people need to be maintained. “We will work hard with the sector to address this as we implement our new strategy.”
Social Media Awards
Added drama for next season’s FA Cup
From Facebook to Twitter and websites to e-shots, social media is a dynamic weapon in clubland’s marketing armoury. To encourage and applaud this, now is the time for clubs of all sizes to enter the inaugural Hospitality Social Media Awards (HSMA). Turn to page 42-43 on how to enter and why you should. Good luck!
The FA Cup is undergoing something of a revamp and next season will see eight clubs battle it out over one weekend in the quarter-finals with each tie to be played to a finish on the day in a sudden-death format, adding to the drama and impact the competition has enjoyed in recent years. There’s a big drive to ensure that the world’s oldest domestic football competition retains its status and appeal in spite of the European competitions arguably overshadowing the tournament these days. The plans also form part of The FA’s commitment to help ease English football’s
Harlequins show their Mettle Harlequins Foundation has launched its flagship mental health campaign, METTLE, which sees them becoming the first professional rugby union club to sign the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation. The charter has five actions which the club are fully committed to fulfilling. Mental health issues affect one in four people in the UK and through the METTLE campaign, the Harlequins Foundation will raise awareness of mental health issues something that has been seen by many to be severely lacking over the years. They also aim to build the mental resilience of young people in the community and equip coaches to deal with mental health issues and 6 SPORTS CLUB MANAGEMENT
support the well-being of both staff and players. METTLE will educate children and young people to deal with stressful and challenging times and situations and an innovative mental resilience programme will be trialled in local primary schools from September 2016, before being rolled out in January 2017. Harlequins Foundation Ambassador Ugo Monye said: “Mental health is an evergrowing issue for young people in the UK. We are excited to be launching METTLE, the new mental health campaign, which over the coming years will be the cornerstone of the Harlequins Foundation’s activity and partnerships.”
congested fixture schedule which causes regular headaches for managers and players. FA chief executive Martin Glenn said: “While fully respecting tradition and history, this new development will help the Cup retain its status as a much-loved and worldrenowned competition.”
HEINEKEN announces F1 partnership HEINEKEN has become a Global Partner of Formula 1 (F1) beginning with the renamed F1 Gran Premio Heineken D’Italia 2016 in Monza. From the 2017 season onwards, Heineken will be Event Title Partner of three Formula 1 Grands Prix, will have a presence at additional events and will be F1’s exclusive Global Beer Partner. The brewer will create integrated campaigns surrounding ‘Open your World’ and ‘If You Drive, Never Drink’ messaging. David Coulthard and Sir Jackie Stewart will be ambassadors for the respective campaigns. Gianluca Di Tondo, Senior Director Global Heineken Brand, said: “This partnership complements our existing global platforms, enabling us to reach F1’s huge spectator
numbers and 400 million unique television viewers every year. The hallmark of our long and successful relationships with UEFA Champions League, Rugby World Cup and the James Bond franchise is our passion to excite our consumers. We will be bringing this passion to Formula One.” Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of the Formula One group, said: “Some time ago I started a ‘Think Before You Drive’ campaign at F1 Events. I am pleased that this important initiative now has such strong and committed support from Heineken, through its “If You Drive, Never Drink” campaign. We will now evolve and reinforce these messages in a way that reflects the Heineken personality and values.”
