In association with
THE JOHN SMITH’S STADIUM
NEWSLETTER THE JOHN SMITH’S STADIUM
@JOHNSMITHSTADIA
VOLUME 11
ONE OF THE UK’S FIRST FEMALE, FAST-JET PILOTS HOSTS OUR PARTNER’S FORUM FRIDAY 13TH OCTOBER WAS A GREAT SUCCESS FOR KSDL AS WE HOSTED OUR BI-ANNUAL NETWORKING FORUM IN ASSOCIATION WITH OUR STADIUM PARTNER HANSON CHARTERED SURVEYORS. This event happens twice a year in April and October. All of our stadium partners are invited to attend and over the last 2 years we have welcomed some local businesses. This is a great event for networking and has seen an increase in numbers with up to 100 representatives in attendance. Previous speakers have included Chris McLeod, Ed Clancy, Tim Bresnan, lestyn Harris and Brendan Hall. As one of the first female pilots on the frontline Tornado GR4 squadron, we were delighted to welcome Mandy Hickson as our guest speaker. As she flies multi-million pound jets for the Royal Air Force, she is constantly in a challenging yet exhilarating environment. In her speech, Mandy offered a unique insight into her time on the frontline and what it is like living in this elite world. Mandy, is now a motivational speaker and speaks to schools, businesses and women’s groups. For KSDL, she delivered the business speech which showed us how to motivate and inspire,
STADIUM PARTNERS
validation of exceptional leadership and work as a team. Mandy’s presentation demonstrated the importance of remaining calm under pressure and the need to lead from the front in order to get the best from a team. Mandy’s inspiring speech was one of drive and determination, triumphs and setbacks. Structured from start to finish, Mandy related the speech to her own experience in the RAF, from overcoming the initial hurdles of breaking through the glass ceiling to flying on the frontline and then becoming an ambassador for sport. The presentation inspired and amazed in equal measure. She truly believes that with hard work, self-belief and determination anyone can achieve their ambitions.
For the last three networking events we have used Mission Performance. If you would like to book Mandy Hickson as a speaker or indeed any other motivational speaker, please contact Mission Performance on 07747 103830 or email mcleodc@missionperformance.com. Our next partners’ forum will take place on 20th April. Spaces are limited for this event but if you would like to attend as a guest or talk to us about becoming a Stadium Partner, please email Michaela@ksdl.org.uk.
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS The George Hotel, Huddersfield, was the birthplace of rugby league and the Huddersfield Giants, who are one of the founding members of the sport. Crowned 2013 League Leaders and Challenge Cup finalists in 2009 and 2006, the Giants are one of the most prestigious and well known Clubs in the competition.
and family friendly atmosphere alongside entertaining, high quality rugby.
The Giants’ first home match of the 2018 season is against Warrington Wolves on Thursday 8th February and the Club offer a fun, upbeat
Keep up to date with all Giants events by downloading our Stanza Calendar and never miss an important date again.
Follow the Giants on social media
With a host of pre-match activities including face-painting, bouncy castles and much more on selected matches, The John Smith’s Stadium is the best place to be if you’re interested in rugby league.
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See more from the Giants by visiting our website at www.giantsrl.com
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POP SUPERSTARS TO PLAY UK SUMMER SHOWS NEXT YEAR The John Smith’s Stadium is the prime location of Huddersfield and has hosted a wide range of concerts, major sporting events and charity balls. The superb architecture ensures that every event creates that special atmosphere which can only be generated in an open-air setting. The world’s biggest girl band, Little Mix, are playing a run of 15 UK Summer shows throughout July 2018 kicking off in Hove on 6th July, and will end in Inverness on 29th July. The John Smith’s Stadium are due to host the event on Sunday 15th July 2018 from 5pm. The shows will see Little Mix perform their greatest hits, including ‘Touch’, ‘Shout Out to My Ex’, ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Wings’. Little Mix have just released The Platinum Edition of their smash hit album ‘Glory Days’. The original album spent five weeks at the top of the UK Album Charts, surpassing any other album released by a female group this millennium and becoming the longest reigning girl group No.1 album since the Spice Girls’ debut 20 years ago.
Little Mix – Pictured left to right Leigh Anne, Perrie, Jade & Jesy
CHRISTMAS PARTY UPDATE 2017 For last year’s Christmas party, The John Smith’s Stadium welcomed 2,359 guests across 7 nights, as well as 6 private parties. Our Big Party Band Nights included a fantastic performance night after night from The Jackrabbits, Little Rebels and Agent Smith, who covered music from the 50’s right up to the current chart toppers. During December we served over 1,600 turkey dinners, poured over 3,000 glasses of prosecco and wine but most importantly we provided guests with over 40 hours of dancing and entertainment for their sell out nights. If you would like to book for Christmas 2018 please contact Natalie on 01484 484164.
PREMIER LEAGUE UPDATE Ever since Christopher Schindler secured Huddersfield Town’s promotion to the Premier League, we at the Stadium have been hard at work to ensure the ground was ready for the start of the 2017/2018 season. We had 12 weeks, in and amongst Giants fixtures and pre-season friendlies, to carry out a number of required renovations to the site. The dugouts, which are set to host the likes of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, have been revamped. The plastic chairs have now been replaced with executive padded seating and the shelter itself has been brought forward and lowered to meet with Premier League requirements. With the increased broadcasting rights held by the Premier League, the Stadium media facilities have required enhancements. The TV Gantry has been lowered and increased in length to 47m, which can now hold 5 cameras and accommodate 15 commentary positions.
The Jack Rabbits
The Stadium’s Press Box and Media Room, which now hosts up to 72 members of the
press, have undergone refurbishment. The Press Box now has TV replay screens and improved Wi-Fi access. All of the above were part of a process to prepare The John Smith’s Stadium to broadcast to a global audience of 2.2 billion. Our Boardroom, which will play host to the likes of the Glazer family of Manchester United and Sheikh Mansour of Manchester City, has increased capacity allowing it to cater for up to 32 guests. These upgrades will be permanent fixtures and will also be in place for Giants matchdays and Stadium conferences and events.
STADIUM BRANDING The John Smith’s Stadium has recently undergone a major rebrand to incorporate the new John Smith’s logo. The new logo has already been rolled out across the Stadium, along with a new colour scheme that will allow for a more unified approach by all three of the main Stadium tenants; KSDL, Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Giants. This includes the rebranding of the main Stadium reception, external fixtures and pitch side branding. Heineken, the producer of John Smith’s and the current Stadium naming rights partner, is currently in contract with the Stadium until 2021. Through their partnership, Heineken has an increased presence on match day as well as sponsorship of one of the stadium suites on non-match day.
Huddersfield Town v Burnley
FINE DINING EXPERIENCE AT THE JOHN SMITH’S STADIUM Whilst your typical client meeting or team update might involve a more traditional setup, some situations call for the upmarket dining experience one usually finds at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Here at The John Smith’s Stadium, we launched our fantastic fine dining experience set in our recently refurbished Collinge Suite. In the suite, diners are surrounded by over 100 years of sporting memorabilia from both Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Giants, offering guests a more unique and engaging experience, whilst also providing an up-scale and more intimate setting. To make the day even more special, diners will be able to add on extras such as a Stadium tour, introductions from the Chef and use of the Suite’s audio visual facilities.
Overseeing the dining is our fantastic award winning Head Chef, Dave Stewart-Pybus, who along with the rest of the catering team works very closely with our guests to help them design their perfect event, offering all guests the choice of either a bespoke menu designed to their taste or a choice from our existing a la carte menu. We have recently hosted a number of Stadium Partner luncheons including Chadwick Lawrence and P2 Technologies with a number of others still in the pipeline. Martin Page, Director of P2 Technologies: “We have just recently hosted our second Fine Dining event at the Stadium and cannot fault the experience that we had. The food was
fantastic and the service received from the team from the initial booking to the set up on the day was second to none. These events allow us to build close connections with our customers and contacts in an intimate and relaxed setting that feels truly special.” Neil Wilson, Manging Partner of Chadwick Lawrence: “Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors used this facility last week. It was first class and we thoroughly recommend it”. For more information on fine dining events please contact Olivia on 01484 484116.
REVELL WARD RENEW STADIUM SPONSORSHIP DEAL Revell Ward signed up for another year as a sponsor of the Riverside Stand and Suite, giving the firm the prime sponsorship position here at the Stadium. As well as retaining their sponsorship, the West Yorkshire based accountancy firm will also continue to provide KSDL with financial assistance as part of the mutually beneficial partnership. Director at Revell Ward, Karen Borowski commented: “As the Stadium’s official accountant, as well as The HD One, we have
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forged an excellent working relationship with Gareth and the team over the years. With the recent changes at the Stadium, and the football club recently being promoted to the Premier League, we are delighted to renew our sponsorship with the Stadium which will now be a focal point for the whole of West Yorkshire. KSDL Managing Director, Gareth Davies said “We are particularly pleased to announce this extended partnership with Revell Ward. Karen and the team are key to our day-to-day operations and we look forward to continuously building on this relationship to mutual benefit.”
EXAMINER BUSINESS AWARDS 2017
Richard France, Groundsman of The John Smith’s Stadium
The Examiner Business Awards are sponsored by ourselves KSDL, Business Hub Kirklees, Radcliffe Construction, Hanson Chartered Surveyors, Pennine Business Partners, Prohms, University of Huddersfield, Kirklees College, HSBC and Fantastic Media.
Gareth Davies, Managing Director of KSDL presented the ‘SME of the Year Award’. This award was presented to Red Kite Games Limited, a video games development studio, specialising in complete multi-platform video games.
This event celebrated the best of local businesses, recognising their exceptional enterprise and achievements. In total, 11 awards were presented on the night for new business of the year, creative impact award, community award, employee of the year award, employer of the year, innovation and enterprise award, young entrepreneur of the year, SME of the year, international business of the year, business of the year and business person of the year.
Other award winners on the night included Stadium Partner, Fantastic Media who won the ‘Creative Impact Award’, Stadium Partner Chadwick Lawrence won the ‘Employer of the Year Award’. The Huddersfield Community Trust won the ‘Community Award’. A massive congratulations to all of the nominees and winners on the night. What a great success it was!
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN FOUNDATION LADIES WHO LUNCH Friday 1st December 2017 at The John Smith’s Stadium saw the Ladies Who Lunch arrive for a glass of fizz, followed by a spot of shopping in the pop up shops. The ladies sat down in a Winter Wonderland for a two course meal and saw entertainment from the returning fabulous act from last year “The Globe Girls”.
Throughout the afternoon they all took part in fundraising for the event, which included a raffle with ladies going home with prizes of iPad’s, a weekend away, Molton Brown Gift Set and a Fireplace to name just a few. For more information on the Ladies Who Lunch event please contact Julie Sheffield on julie.sheffield@htafc.com
Pictured Left to right: Lauren Babbings of Prohms, Rebecca Walker of MYCCI, Tracey Hopkins of Howarths, Tara Hamilton of RRG Toyota, Natalie Smith of KUDOS, Michaela Brook of The John Smith’s Stadium, Jess Lees of Forget Me Not, Zoe West of The John Smith’s Stadium, Rachael Sulley of Ramsden Solicitors and Leigh Jameson of Heineken.
The Globe Girls
PITCH REFURBISHMENT Our annual pitch refurbishment is due to take place in May, at the end of the football season. This will be scheduled in and around the Huddersfield Giants’ matches. The Stadium’s Ground Team have a very short window to carry out the major refurbishment of the pitch which will include extending the pitch markings by 1 metre 10cm wide to conform with the Premier League Guidelines. Huddersfield Town Football Club has also donated 3 pitch grow lights, so now the Stadium has 9 lights in total. The pitch at the Stadium is 106m x 66.9m with the size of the site being 51 acres in total. The ground is maintained by 3 regular ground staff and the grass is cut to a regulation of 25 – 30 mm during the season.
THE JOHN SMITH’S STADIUM TENDERING FOR RUGBY LEAGUE INTERNATIONALS FORGET ME NOT CHILDREN’S HOSPICE SPORTING DINNER
Peter Branson of Forget Me Not
On Thursday 22nd March 2018, the Stadium will host the Forget Me Not Sporting Dinner with confirmed host Steve Cram CBE. The sporting dinner was launched at the 99ers event in November 2017 here at The John Smith’s Stadium. The 99ers is aimed at businesses and the scheme asks companies to commit to donating just 99p a day to the Hospice to help it achieve its annual fundraising target of £2.5 million. One confirmed guest at the Sporting Dinner is Michael Vaughan. Michael assured his place in cricket history with England’s
Historic Ashes victory in 2005 and has now gone on to become one of the sport’s most respected commentators. Other live interviews from sporting stars will include local boxing hero Tyrone Nurse and swimming champion Karen Pickering MBE.
We would like to welcome on board Tom Cowie – Fundraising Events Manager, who will be leading the event. For more information contact Tom on tom.cowie@forgetmenotchild.co.uk.
The dinner is in aid of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, which cares for children and families across West Yorkshire who have life shortening health conditions. With the help of private donations from guests at the evening’s auctions, we are hoping to raise lots of money for the Hospice.
STADIUM HOSTED 99ERS EVENT BUSINESS CLUB On Friday 24th November we hosted our second annual 99ers Business Club networking event on behalf of the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. We sponsored the event by providing room hire and light refreshments, this was in association with RRG Toyota, Huddersfield. The day turned out to be a great success.
Pictures left to right: Vicky Wilson, Emma Kovaleski, Jess Lees, Zoe Bray of Forget Me Not.
Over 600 business professionals attended the Kirklees Business Conference on Wednesday 15th March 2017 at The John Smith’s Stadium. This made it the largest business conference to date. The event was hosted by the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and it was their third year hosting the event. The free, one day conference gave attendees the chance to
The 99ers Business Club is a quarterly networking meeting hosted for the Forget Me Not 99er members. To become a member or for more information email fundraising@forgetmenotchild.co.uk.
connect with over 50 exhibitors and learn from a number of speakers.
Topic UK, Lattitude7, John Steel Photography and KC Communications.
There was also a discussion panel which provided information on the upcoming developments in Kirklees, including the HD One development at the Stadium.
The next Kirklees Business Conference is due to take place on Wednesday 21st March 2018. Speakers to be confirmed. For further information on the conference please visit www.kirkleesbusinessconference.co.uk
The event was supported by The Design Mechanics, Comoodle, Social Progress, KSDL,
THE TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE Celebrate 25 years of Take That at The John Smith’s Stadium with the world’s best tribute act. The event will take place on Saturday 19th May 2018 where the doors and bar open from 7pm. The night includes a live music performance, 3 course meal and DJ and disco from only £34.95 per person. A deposit payment of £15.00 is required to secure a booking.
“A fabulous night, slick service, caring staff. Superb!” Sallyanne Hazzard, attendee in 2016
To book a place call Natalie on 01484 484 164.
TYING THE KNOT? The Big Wedding Show by Wedding Fayres Yorkshire saw hundreds of brides to be and their guests visit us here at the Stadium. They were treated to an impressive display of wedding ideas from dresses, to table decorations, photographers, favours and transport options. The icing on the cake was our catwalk show which showed off an incredible array of wedding dresses and outfits.
Let our stunning stadium be the setting for your love match. The Revell Ward Suite, Fantastic Media Suite and The John Smith’s Suite are all registered for civil ceremonies. We can accommodate small wedding parties from 20 guests up to 320 guests.
Our wedding co-ordinator is here to help. Take a look at our 3 standard packages available. Our ‘inclusive’ package starts from £49.95pp. Evening reception packages from £19.95pp and a reception package from £19.95pp. Bespoke packages are available on request.
For more information ring Olivia on 01484 484116, email johnsmiths.stadium@kudosknowhow.co.uk or visit our website www.johnsmithsstadium.com/weddings-huddersfield.
HEINEKEN DARTS NIGHT On Wednesday 15th November, stadium partner Heineken hosted a private Darts Night for their 100 guests at The John Smith’s Stadium, held in The Fantastic Media Suite. The event included three exciting tournaments which were hotly contested between the teams and was followed up nicely with a great pint of John Smith’s beer and steaming steak and ale pie with mushy peas. A perfect end to a thoroughly enjoyable event.
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR 7TH FEBRUARY 2018
15TH JULY 2018
1ST MARCH 2018
26TH JULY 2018
C&K Careers Evening
Boulton’s Auction
Little Mix
Boulton’s Auction
8TH MARCH 2018
6TH SEPTEMBER 2018
21ST MARCH 2018
20TH SEPTEMBER 2018
22ND MARCH 2018
1ST NOVEMBER 2018
17TH MAY 2018
15TH NOVEMBER 2018
19TH MAY 2018
22ND NOVEMBER 2018
24TH MAY 2018
30TH NOVEMBER 2018
Bramley’s Auction
Kirklees Business Conference
Forget Me Not Sporting Dinner
Boulton’s Auction
The Take That Experience
The Examiner Community Awards
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL NATALIE ON 01484 484164 Sunday 15th July 2018, The John Smith’s Stadium
Bramley’s Auction
Boulton’s Auction
The Examiner Business Awards
Bramley’s Auction
Boulton’s Auction
Huddersfield Town Foundation Ladies Lunch
7TH JUNE 2018
Bramley’s Auction
CHRISTMAS PARTIES 1ST, 8TH, 15TH AND 21ST DECEMBER 2018
Live Party Band Nights Package includes Live Band, DJ and Disco, Three Course Dinner, Tea and Coffee with Mince Pies, Festive Decorations, Novelties and Late Bar.
30TH NOVEMBER, 7TH, 14TH, AND 22ND DECEMBER 2018
Disco Party Nights Package includes DJ and Disco, Three Couse Dinner, Tea and Coffee with Mince Pies, Festive Decorations, Novelties and Late Bar.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US ON 01484 484116 OR EMAIL US ON JOHNSMITHS.STADIUM@KUDOSKNOWHOW.CO.UK
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL OLIVIA ON 01484 484116