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 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.”

Stop Press –Calling all clubs Social Media Awards

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!

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 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.”

Added drama for next season’s FA Cup

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 congested fixture schedule which causes world’s oldest domestic football competition regular headaches for managers and players. retains its status and appeal in spite of the FA chief executive Martin Glenn said: European competitions arguably “While fully respecting tradition and history, overshadowing the tournament these days. this new development will help the Cup retain The plans also form part of The FA’s its status as a much-loved and worldcommitment to help ease English football’s renowned 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.”

Club Awards 2016 –call for entries

The Club Awards, now in their 25th year, take place at a Gala Dinner and ceremony on 24 November at the Palace Hotel, Manchester. Show your members what a great job you're doing. Enter your club into the prestigious Awards –turn to page 36 for more details on how to enter.STOP

STOP PRESS: ENTRY DEADLINE 31 JULY, 2016 Turn to page 36 for the Club Awards Express Entry Form or enter online at www.awards.clubmirror.com

Her Majesty rewards sporting greats in birthday honours

The Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours list has seen England football legends Alan Shearer and Marieanne Spacey honoured for their services to the sport and to charities.

Former England captain Shearer, already an OBE, was elevated to a CBE in recognition of his work for charities in the north-east of England, particularly as patron for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the Alan Shearer Centre for people with complex disabilities.

Spacey had her work recognised with an MBE for her services to football, over a career where she represented England 91 times, scoring 28 goals. She is now assistant head coach with England Women’s Senior team and was born in the year that England’s men lifted the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, who last year won the FA WSL and SSE Women’s FA Cup double, was also given an MBE, an accolade also bestowed upon Rachel Anderson, the first female FIFA-licensed football agent. Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson was honoured with an OBE for his services to the economy, sport and community on Teesside and Anna Kessel, journalist and chair of Women in Football, received an MBE for services to journalism and women’s sport.

In cricket, test captain Alastair Cook (pictured above) and fast bowler Stuart Broad were honoured in the Birthday Honours List.

Cook received a CBE - the second time he has been honoured after becoming an MBE five years ago after his record-breaking efforts in England’s memorable Ashes 201011 triumph in Australia. He recently became the first England batsman to score 10,000 Test runs.

Meanwhile Broad receives an MBE and is now third on the list of England’s all-time Test wicket-takers behind Sir Ian Botham and new-ball partner James Anderson, after he produced one of the greatest bowling spells seen in Ashes history last summer.

Refugee Olympic team a symbol of hope

Ten refugee athletes will act as a symbol of hope for refugees worldwide in a bid to bring global attention to the magnitude of the refugee crisis when they take part in the Olympic Games Rio 2016 this summer. The athletes will compete for the Refugee Olympic Team (ROT) –the first of its kind –and march with the Olympic flag immediately before host nation Brazil at the Opening Ceremony.

The athletes are: • Rami Anis (m): Country of origin –Syria; host –Belgium; sport –swimming • Yiech Pur Biel (m): Country of origin –

South Sudan; host –Kenya; sport –athletics, 800m • James Nyang Chiengjiek (m): Country of origin –South Sudan; host –Kenya; sport –athletics, 400m • Yonas Kinde (m): Country of origin –

Ethiopia; host –Luxembourg; sport –athletics, marathon • Anjelina Nada Lohalith (f): Country of origin –South Sudan; host –Kenya; sport –athletics, 1500m • Rose Nathike Lokonyen (f): Country of origin –South Sudan; host –Kenya; sport–athletics, 800m • Paulo Amotun Lokoro (m): Country of origin –South Sudan; host –Kenya; sport –athletics, 1500m • Yolande Bukasa Mabika (f): Country of origin - Democratic Republic of the

Congo; host –Brazil; sport –judo, -70kg • Yusra Mardini (f): Country of origin –

Syria; host –Germany; sport –swimming • Popole Misenga (m): Country of origin –Democratic Republic of the Congo; host –Brazil; sport –judo, -90kg

Brexit debate rages on the bowling greens

Both the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea and the profile of lawn bowls received a boost recently, thanks to a special film featured on the BBC’s The One Showin early June. The sport was featured as part of a series of special reports looking ahead at, what else but, the EU referendum.

The report featured the Chair of Bowls England, David Mitchell-Gears MBE, and fellow members of his club Clacton-on-Sea BC who took part in a match against a representative side of British expatriate’s currently residing in Spain. The film was organised in conjunction with Bowls England and players from both teams also provided their views on the referendum as to whether they were bowling for the Leave or Remain camp.

South Shields FC gains £50k grant

South Shields FC, South Tyneside, has received a boost of £50k thanks to its 33 year old amateur player Warren Byrne from Durham.

Warren beat thousands of players from across the UK to be crowned Dream Goal winner with a £50k grant awarded by Budweiser Club Futures. The announcement was made on national television during Sky Sports’ main halftime slot with his goal then analysed by Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher, Jamie Redknapp and Ed Chamberlin.

“I’m still in shock that the pundits chose my goal, especially given there were so many great contenders shown on Sky Sports over the last few weeks!” said Warren. “Getting a call from Carragher, Redknapp and Chamberlin was also an absolute highlight, and one I won't forget anytime soon –thank you Budweiser Dream Goal!”

Since the announcement, Warren has gone onto win a Best of South Tyneside Award and CNN’s Goal of the Week. The goal has now been viewed well over 5million times online, and several million more times on Budweiser TV adverts.

Laura Salway, Senior Brand Manager at Budweiser, said: “Budweiser is a huge supporter of British football –from grassroots to glory –and we’re delighted that we have given Warren, and a number of other contenders, the chance to see their incredible goals celebrated how they deserve to be –on a national stage.”

Budweiser Club Futures has also awarded five £10k grants and FA training session to runners-up for their outstanding goals. They are: Chris Bacon –Wisbech Town FC; Raymond Westbrook –Portsmouth Amputees FC; Louis Webster –Home Rangers; Colm Coveney –Blackpool Celtic; Neil Clydesdale - Banbridge Rangers FC.

Footballers flying the flag at the Paralympics

With the Olympics in Rio not far off, the British Paralympic Association has announced the 14 footballers who will compete for Paralympics GB –with 10 England internationals taking part.

All but two of the team are to make their Paralympic debut, with former Everton academy player Michael Barker and Scottish veteran Jonathan Paterson competing in their third Games. The new players include former Birmingham City midfielder and England captain Jack Rutter (pictured above), and Sean Highdale, who has played for Liverpool and also represented England at U16s level. Both joined the England seven-a-side teams after being victims of brain injuries.

Captain Jack Rutter said: “There is no greater honour than to represent your country on the international stage and it’s a proud moment for me today to be announced as captain of this team of outstanding players.”

ECB mourns legend Donald Carr

The world of cricket has been paying its respects to Donald Carr, who passed away aged 89 on June 11. A former Secretary of both the Test and County Cricket Board [TCCB] and the Cricket Council, and an Assistant Secretary (Cricket) of MCC, Carr also enjoyed a highly successful playing career.

ECB Chairman Colin Graves said of his passing: “Cricket has lost one of its greatest friends; someone who gave a lifetime of service to our game; as a cricketer, a captain, a club secretary, an England tour manager, and, of course, as a senior administrator.”

England’s young stars aim for continued success

Up-and-coming Arsenal defender Calum Chambers is determined for England Under21s to take their success from Toulon into next season’s crucial Euro Qualifiers after they won the competition for the first time since 1994. Chambers was a key member of the Three Lions team who lifted the title in the prestigious Toulon Tournament in the south of France last month.

Former England defender Gareth Southgate’s side are currently sitting pretty at the top of their qualifying group for next summer’s Euro Finals in Poland and Chambers believes there’s no reason why the team can’t take the confidence and spirit gained from Toulon into the new campaign.

“We’ve just got to take it now into the next trip when we next meet up and take this energy and take this vibe straight into that,” said Chambers. “Let’s carry on what we’ve created here and take it into the games coming up and use that as a strength,” he said.

The next scheduled game for England is against Norway, who they host in a Euro Qualifier on Tuesday 6 September with the venue still to be confirmed. This is then followed by a couple of potentially tricky ties in Kazakhstan and at home to BosniaHerzegovina.

Legend Watson to make Carnoustie return

In the stuff that fairy tales are made of, star of yesteryear Tom Watson has confirmed that he will make an emotional return to where it all began when he returns to Carnoustie, which was the scene of his first Open Championship victory. The tournament, which takes place this month, will see the affable American go in search of his fourth Senior Open Championship, presented by Rolex.

The 65 year old is relishing the chance to roll back the years at the world-famous links in the county of Angus, which also hosted the Senior Open Championship in 2010, when Bernhard Langer won his first Senior Major.

In spite of not being the prolific winner of old, he admitted: “I still love to compete. That’s the buzz. I felt I played pretty well in my last Masters at Augusta, shooting 74 and 78, and I hope to be in good shape when I get across to Scotland. I love teeing it up in Scotland. It’s something else.”

Watson will be joined at Carnoustie by a glittering array of fellow Major champions and a host of legends such as Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jiménez.