SportsNation Issue 2 2024

Why LEDs are taking over Light it up

Tackling the challenges in aquatics

BADMINTON

Aiming to become the country's most inclusive sport

From the publisher

Making sport accessible

There is now wide recognition and acceptance –partly thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic – over the need to improve physical activity levels across every part of society. It is also now well understood that, to truly create a healthy nation, there needs to be genuine engagement with groups that are not as active as they should be. There are some stubborn and long-standing inequalities and barriers that need tackling.

comes to women and girls playing sport.

See our feature on page 26 that highlights the recent Health Barriers to Girls and Women in Sport report, published by the Women and Health Equalities Select Committee. It makes sobering reading and emphasises that, despite all the progress being made, how much more needs to be done to help everyone be more active.

While there is work being undertaken to remove barriers and make activities more accessible, we ‘re still struggling to get enough people physically active in whatever way works for them – be it formalised settings (such as pools, leisure centres, gyms and sports clubs) or encouraging active travel and other types of exercise. The data shows record levels of inactivity – which is sadly reflected in the increasing pressures faced by the NHS.

One of the inequalities that needs urgent attention is the continued gender gap when it

There is some great work going on, however. All national governing bodies of sport have plans to increase participation within their individual sports – often utilising creative campaigns and initiatives to engage with new population groups and attract new players/participants. There are a lot of great examples of this work and in every edition of SportsNation we shine the spotlight on a different sport and what they do. In this issue we look at how Badminton England is on a mission to make badminton the most inclusive and accessible sport in England (p64).

John Challinor, Publisher

Tom

03 From the publisher

Issue 2 /

The need to address inequalities in sports and physical activity participation

07 News

The latest industry news from around the sports and physical activity sector

26 Equal opportunities

Gender gap remains ‘significant’ in team sports due to ‘too many barriers’

28 Column: SAPCA

The importance of storytelling

30 Column: CIMSPA

Tara Dillon outlines CIMSPA’s new strategy, Releasing the Power of our Profession

32 Event review: Active Uprising

A report from the recent ukactive event which brought together the physical activity sector

36 Policy calls

The Sports Think Tank worked with 29 sector organisations to put together more than 100 policy calls for the next government

42 Event review: SAPCA Conference

A report from the recent SAPCA Conference, which featured an inspiring educational programme

48 SAPCA Awards 2024

The 2024 winners of the industry’s leading awards include an inclusive approach to building multi-use games areas

58 Interview: Dave Candler

The CEO of the Swimming Teachers’ Association talks to Tom Walker about the challenges facing the aquatics sector

64 Sport in Focus: Badminton

Badminton England has published a new strategy, outlining plans to make the sport more inclusive and accessible

70 Trust in physical activity

SportsNation speaks to the team at leisure trust Mytime Active, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year

76 Nurture or nature?

What are the differences between soft skills and character skills?

78 LED there be light LED technology has become the lighting solution of choice for sports facilities looking to install floodlights

84 Hybrid solutions

Hybrid turf is widely used in professional sports and is now increasingly being introduced at grassroots venues too

90 Interview: Kris Aves

The former Met officer who was injured in the Westminster Bridge terror attack is now the vice captain of Europe’s Cairns Cup team

94 SAPCA Showcase

A classified directory of SAPCA members, showcasing their products and services The

Dave Candler CEO Swimming Teachers’ Association @ davecandler1

Richard Shaw CEO

@

Jason Stanton CEO Mytime Active @ mytimeactive

Tara Dillon CEO CIMSPA @

Sue Storey CEO

@ Sue Storey

Kris Aves Vice Captain European Cairns Cup Team @ krisaves1

Budget a ‘missed an opportunity’ to improve nation’s health

The sports and physical activity sector has described the Conservative government’s latest budget – announced on 6 March – as a “missed opportunity to improve the health and productivity of the nation”.

The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG), which is made up of some of the sector’s leading organisations, accused the government of failing to meet its own ambitions of supporting more people to be physically active.

In a strongly worded statement, the NSPG said: “Delivering his Budget, the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, said there can be no ‘solid growth without solid finances’, but we know there can be no growth without improved health too.

“The announcements will do little to move the dial on physical activity levels nor unlock the potential of our sector to contribute to wider Government policy priorities. The

Budget was a missed opportunity to improve the health and productivity of the nation by supporting more people to be active.

“Given the Budget’s focus on increasing productivity, workforce and NHS efficiency, further measures

designed to support the sport, recreation and physical activity sector to achieve these priorities –including targeted tax and regulatory reforms and wider investment – should have been much more prominent in this announcement.”

British Canoeing rebrands and renames itself Paddle UK

British Canoeing has changed its name to Paddle UK. The national governing body for canoeing called the rebrand as a “beginning of a new era”, describing the new name as “far more inclusive” and reflective of its evolving membership.

“The new name captures more fully the breadth of paddling activity

that falls under our responsibility, including kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding and paddlesport,” the organisation said in a statement.

“Eighty five percent of our members are recreational paddlers, who take part in paddling activities for fun, enjoyment and to be close to nature.”

The NSPG accused the government of failing to meet its own ambitions

PHOTO: SPORT ENGLAND

PHOTO: PADDLE UK

British Canoeing described the new name as “far more inclusive”

UK Sport publishes new major event strategic framework

UK Sport has published its new major event strategic framework.

Called Making Live Sport Matter, the strategy outlines a “target list” for the coming decade, identifying 70 events in 32 sports and 18 World Championships which the elite sports agency will look to secure and host on UK soil.

According to UK sport, Making Live Sport Matter reflects the country’s ambition to maintain its reputation as a world-leading host nation through securing a programme of events – including the most impactful international events in women’s sport. The strategy also sets out a target to “pioneer the integration of men’s and women’s events” and the integration of Olympic and Paralympic sports.

The UK is already preparing to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025, the European Athletics Championships in 2026

and football’s UEFA EURO 2028.

The new list of aspirational hosting targets includes the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the biggest global sporting event the UK has never hosted, along with the Men’s Rugby World Cup, the Athletics World Championships, the Ryder

Cup, the Solheim Cup and the Tour de France. Alongside these traditional powerhouse events, the hosting target list reflects a shift in approach to explore increasingly innovative event propositions which engage as broad a range of sports fans as possible.

Swim England to review SwimMark scheme

Swim England is undertaking a ‘thorough’ review of its SwimMark accreditation programme and will be seeking the views of affiliated clubs, regions and key stakeholders.

It will be the first in-depth evaluation of the programme since 2017 and is being carried out in light of feedback from the sport. The outcome of the review will propose improvements and changes where appropriate for the benefit of clubs and volunteers.

Originally based on Sport England’s Club Mark programme, SwimMark is Swim England’s quality mark for clubs and promotes high standards of governance, sustainability, safe practice and is viewed as a development tool for clubs. The review will look at the purpose of SwimMark and the strengths and weaknesses of the current process.

The strategy outlines a “target list” of major events

Swim England will undertake “full, thorough review”

PHOTO: BIRMINGHAM 2022

PHOTO: SWIM ENGLAND

New Centre of Excellence for Women in Sport revealed

Manchester Metropolitan University and the UK Sports Institute have joined forces to launch a global hub for research, education, and applied practice for female sport. The new Centre of Excellence for Women in Sport will support women’s sport and exercise, bringing leaders in sport, academia and industry together.

Described as a first of its kind in the UK, the centre will look to support both elite athletes and wider public health initiatives. The aim is to inform policy and practice in relation to the public health agenda and use education

and the development of new resources to share the latest knowledge in the area of women’s sport and exercise health.

According to Kirsty ElliottSale, Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University, the centre will provide “high-quality, credible, hands-on research” and practice-based evidence.

“As well as ensuring Great Britain remains at the forefront of female high-performance sport, the centre will be a trustworthy source of educational resources.”

Loughborough looks to attract new sports organisations

A multi-million investment project to transform Loughborough will see 11 projects worth over £40 million being delivered over the next few years. One of the key projects of the investment will be the Healthy and Innovative Loughborough project. Linked to Loughborough University, the initiative aims to create jobs, support new businesses, and make local people healthier.

Funded by a £2.46 million grant from Loughborough Town Deal, the project will use Loughborough University’s reputation and expertise in sports, research, entrepreneurship, and knowledge creation across five key areas:

• Attract new sporting organisations

• Support local people with business ideas and overall growth.

• Encourage local residents to live active and healthy lives

• Improve transport connectivity

• Measure the success of Town Deal projects.

Rise to empower next generation of female leaders

A programme looking to empower a new generation of female leaders in sport has launched in Northern Ireland.

The Rise programme, funded by Sport Northern Ireland, will provide tailored support for female coaches, officials and sport administrators working in

clubs, governing bodies and local sports forums across the region. The 18-month programme will see 19 women participate in the programme, representing 13 sports. Throughout the programme, the group will delve into a range of different topics including leading change in an organisation.

The centre will also support wider public health initiatives

PHOTO: SPORT NI

The 18-month programme will look to support young leaders in sport

London Sport makes two key appointments

London Sport has made two key appointments to strengthen its top team.

Retna Thevarajah has been named the charity’s new Chief Operating Officer. A qualified accountant, Thevarajah has been a senior executive for more than a decade in the charity sector. She was at Solace Women’s Aid for nine years and was COO for the last four. Prior to that she worked on international finance projects with Ernst and Young and other management

Alliance Leisure strengthens top team ahead of growth

Alliance Leisure has made a number of new appointments across the business to support its continued growth.

Jonny Curley, who joined the company as Business Development Manager in 2022, has been promoted to the Development Board as Director for Scotland.

He will be joined by Jo Cameron, who has been named Alliance Delivery Manager to support the company’s leisure developments across Scotland.

Elsewhere, Stuart Thornton has been appointed Financial Director, joining the company from housebuilder Backhouse, where he held the same role.

Steve Rose has been appointed as Alliance Delivery Manager serving the south east region.

Rose, who has more than 15 years’ experience in the industry, has previously worked at Fusion Lifestyle, SIV and Sheffield City

The appointments include Alliance Delivery Manager Steve Rose

Council. Finally, Julia Goddard has been named Regional Director after 22 years with the company having overseen 130 projects worth an investment value of £160m.

Paul Cluett, Alliance Leisure’s Managing Director, said: “With a strong pipeline of projects across the UK, it’s a hugely exciting time for Alliance Leisure as we celebrate our 25th anniversary.

roles in London and south-east Asia. Meanwhile, Thanh Nguyen has been appointed Head of People.

The appointments come as London Sport celebrates its 10th anniversary and is looking to accelerate its efforts to help Londoners in the most disadvantaged communities lead healthier lives through being active.

London Sport’s Chief Executive Officer, Emily Robinson said: “Retna brings strategic and commercial acumen, with an ability to contribute beyond the operations function.”

Coordinate Sport names Hicks as MD

Coordinate Sport has named Andrew Hicks as its Managing Director for the UK.

The company – which specialises in providing software solutions for sports programme management –said the appointment was part of its growth plans.

In his role, Hicks will focus on driving growth strategies, and expanding the company’s reach into new markets.

PHOTO: LONDON SPORT

PHOTO: ALLIANCE LEISURE

PHOTO: COORDINATE SPORT

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Winners of 2024 Community Sport and Recreation Awards

The winners of the 2024 Community Sport and Recreation Awards have been revealed.

Organised by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, the awards celebrate organisations and individuals which make “lifechanging differences” in their communities through sport and recreation. In all, there were eight category winners, selected from 25 finalists.

Wiltshire County Netball Association won the Resilience in Adversity Award, after raising an incredible amount of money and awareness following a friend’s cancer diagnosis.

The Youth Development Award went to Achieve Thrive Flourish, for their fantastic work supporting young people in Essex, while Step Change Studios took home the Diversity and Inclusion Award after giving over 3,100 lessons

The full list of winners:

Community Club of the Year:

Fulham Reach Boat Club

Diversity and Inclusion Award:

Step Change Studios

Going Green Award:

Deer Park Archers

Inspiration of the Year:

Ryan Carstairs

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Award: Brighton Yoga Foundation

Resilience in Adversity Award: Wiltshire County Netball Association

Volunteer of the Year: Michelle Weltman

Youth Development Award:

Achieve Thrive Flourish

Visit: www.sportandrecreation.org.uk

Schmitz launches new shock pad for hockey

SAPCA member, Schmitz Foam Products, has launched a new shock pad for water-based hockey pitches. The new ProPlay-Sport13/250 has been specifically developed for use in hockey and meets the stricter requirements laid down by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) –which include a tighter limit for ball bounce.

It is the thinnest shock pad in Schmitz’s product range for sport. Although only 13mm thick, the new pad boasts a high density and has been successfully tested according to EN 15330-4 standard. It has also been designed to be more sustainable.

Schmitz’s Export Manager, Ron Lokhorst, said: “ProPlay-Sport13/250 offers extra robustness and stability, partly due to the fact that it is fitted with a permeable non-woven on both the top and bottom.”

The Alliance’s President, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, handed out the awards

The new shock pad has been designed specifically for water-based hockey pitches

PHOTO: SPORT AND RECREATION ALLIANCE

PHOTO: SCHMITZ FOAM PRODUCTS

‘Everyone needed’ to help drive racism out of sport

Everyone involved in sport and physical activity will need to play their part, if racism is to successfully be driven out of the sector. That is the message from Sport England CEO, Tim Hollingsworth, who has admitted that there is still “much to do” to tackle the deep-rooted issues that impact many people’s experiences of playing sport and being physically active.

Speaking as part of a panel at the Time for action: Tackling racism in sport conference on 1 March, Hollingsworth said: “As leaders we need to be more vocal

on this topic. It’s easy to say that we’ve launched an ED&I (equality, diversity and inclusion) strategy, hired the right people and funded the right programmes and think ‘that’s my job done’. But that’s the approach of a boss. A leader cannot stay silent on this issue.”

The event gave delegates the chance to explore in detail three themes that had been identified for discussion: being bold; gaining buy in from leaders and diversifying talent. Attendees also had the opportunity to take part in a number of workshops.

Newark and Sherwood DC ‘prioritises sport’

The cabinet of Newark and Sherwood District Council has approved two major strategies relating to sport and recreation.

As well as confirming an updated Sport and Recreation Facilities Strategy, the council has passed plans for a new Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy, which will shape the future of the district’s outdoor pitches.

Both strategies include a commitment to work collaboratively with a range of key partners to maintain current access to facilities in all communities and to update facilities and provide new ones in the future based on evidence of need.

A full review of the current sports facility provision across the district has now been undertaken and is being used to identify those areas of need. The review of outdoor facilities has looked at what is available in the area for football, hockey, tennis, lawn bowls, rugby and cricket.

Bedford’s park tennis courts get £370,000 redevelopment

Bedford Borough Council has secured £370,000 worth of funding to refurbish park tennis courts across the borough.

The investment is part of the LTA’s £30m Park Tennis Project, which will result in the refurbishment of thousands of public tennis courts across the UK.

In addition to improving the courts through a mixture of resurfacing, repainting and new nets, there will be new gate-access technology and an online booking system.

The council said these will be introduced later in 2024 to make it easier for players to find, book and get on a court.

The event brought people together from across the sector

PHOTO: SPORT ENGLAND

PHOTO: BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

The courts will be repainted and resurfaced and fitted with gate access

ProGame shock pads: Shaping sport environments around the world

In the world of sport, one name stands out in shock pads as the globally recognized leading brand in the artificial turf industry: ProGame

ProGame is part of Trocellen GmbH and is Europe’s leading supplier of polyolefin solutions with manufacturing plants in Germany, Italy and Malaysia.

ProGame supplies 75 countries around the world, with more than 2 million metres of shock pad installed to 300+ pitches each year. ProGame is tested and approved by test institutes, with several turf producers and meets the requirements of FIFA, World Rugby, RFL, GAA, and FIH -certified pitches, working closely with the industry to support improving standards of artificial pitch systems.

As an industry leader, ProGame is at the forefront of the industry, setting and raising standards around the world in playability, durability, and sustainability through our active membership of ESTC across Europe and SAPCA in the UK. The brand is not only globally recognised for its quality and reliability in artificial turf systems, but also for its complete service ethos which sets it apart in the market.

Q&A with Martin Laidler

ProGame Shock Pads International Sales Manager

Q: How has ProGame developed since you joined the company in 1999?

A: Trocellen had been producing cross-linked PE foam since 1972 and I have been with the company since 1999. When Luca Girelli our Business Unit Manager (who came from the respected Radici Group), and I started the standalone ProGame business back in 2010, we knew we had a great product. We set about establishing our name and developing the right set of products and services that met the market needs in shock pads.

We quickly realised that our markets didn’t want someone who just sold a shock pad, but a supply partner who works closely with them to define and deliver the complete solution they are looking for. Today that is what ProGame delivers to its partners. Our product is of course world-class, but it is the whole package which sets us apart. We work across a range of sports and markets from private customers to publicly-funded pitches across a wide range of sports around the world.

We pride ourselves on the personalised customer service from the whole team and work closely with our customers to ensure that our on-time delivery record is second to none while supporting customers with in-season short lead times. ProGame is now heavily involved in shaping the industry and advising partners on the future standards they need to achieve with artificial pitch systems.

Q: What is your role in the company and how has it changed?

A: When I started the focus was on getting to know our customers and understanding their product needs. Very

(From left), Luca Girelli, Martin Laidler and Björn Kuhlmey

Each year, the company supplies shock pad for more than 300 pitches

quickly Luca, Bjorn (our Application Engineer) and I recognised that this complex market structure needed partners who could provide a complete service. So, my role has evolved into one of working closely with customers as a strategic partner.

Q: What are the significant challenges you’ve faced over the years and the ones to come?

A: The market has changed dramatically since 2010. I have seen the market move from finding the cheapest shock pad to one where the quality of the whole system is now highly valued by not just elite sports but grassroots facilities too.

Some of the biggest challenges facing our sector today are, of course, around environmental sustainability, which every part of the artificial sports pitch industry must face up to very quickly. This is an evolving challenge for the whole sector, and we have been leading on working with innovative partners in system designs and internally within the Trocellen Group to meet the sustainability challenges. We have now introduced both bio-based and recycled shock pads within our portfolio which are rapidly growing in demand as customers expect both sustainable

and low carbon footprint solutions. Trocellen, ProGame’s parent company, has invested heavily in modernising its European manufacturing facilities to reduce its carbon footprint with the use of 100% renewable energy and zero production waste protocols all independently verified by International Sustainability & Carbon Certification. We have further to go, but we are leading the way as a manufacturer of shock pads, with our products complying with all PEFCR regulations.

Communicating the emerging complexity of sustainability options with shock pad systems is a real challenge for the industry. With competing claims and standards, differing regulatory timelines and a lack of clear transparency within the sector, there is a real challenge for all brand leaders within the sector to be clear and transparent about the claims of their products, their traceability and their lifetime. As standards emerge and are further defined, the importance of ProGame’s extended lifetime, smaller carbon footprint and producer responsibility all contribute to the sustainability mix for customers.

For more information on ProGame and its products, visit: progame-shockpads.com

€50m grant means Casement Park will be ready for Euro 2028

Casement Park stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland, will be redeveloped in time to host games at the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament, following a ¤50m funding boost from the Irish government.

The stadium – the former home ground of the Antrim hurling and Gaelic football teams – was closed in June 2013.

After numerous plans to redevelop and upgrade the stadium ran into trouble, the stadium slowly fell into a state of dereliction, adding to the cost of bringing the historic venue back to life.

After planning permission for the works was finally secured in 2022, Casement Park was included in a joint UK & Ireland bid to host the UEFA Euro 2028 Championship.

Larry McCarthy, The president of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), welcomed the funding from the south of the border – stating

that the funding would ensure that work on the 34,578-capacity venue would be completed by 2027.

“It’s very good news that the Irish Government are coming in behind it,” said McCarthy. “As everyone knows, we’ve been very patient. We’ll take that now into consideration

but ultimately we still don’t know what the total cost is going to be so that’s an important consideration, but it’s very good news in terms of Casement for the Ulster Council, for Antrim GAA, and the GAA in general. “It’ll be huge, it’ll be a magnificent step forward once it gets done.”

More support need for sport apprenticeships

There should be more support for young people to find entry-level apprenticeships in sports coaching. A nationwide charity, Coach Core, says that there has been a significant decline in the number of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds taking up apprenticeships, which can be a vital route into education and employment when others have closed.

Recent government figures show that, despite apprenticeship starts in England rising 7 per cent in the first quarter of 2023-24 (when compared to the year before), entry-level intermediate apprenticeship starts have declined by 2.5%.

According to Coach Core, this is part of a “concerning trend”, which has seen the number of people starting entry-level apprenticeships fall by 74% since 2015/16 – from 291,300 to 76,300.

Casement Park was part of a joint UK and Ireland bid for Euro 2028

Apprenticeships can empower young people

PHOTO: GAA

PHOTO: COACH CORE

CIMSPA’s new strategy to deliver sector recognition

CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) has published its new strategy, which aims to deliver the “recognition that the physical activity sector workforce needs and deserves”.

Titled Releasing the Power of our Profession, the strategy sets out CIMSPA’s commitment to six system interventions.

These are:

• Local skills plans

• National Training Academy

• Careers support

• Business support hub

• Workforce governance

• UK sport and physical activity workforce skills observatory

“The strategy outlines a plan to achieve a vision where professional recognition is not a static milestone,” CIMSPA says.

“It ensures that, as a profession, we can maximise our agility to embrace emerging trends. We also want to be at the cutting edge of what society needs us to be, in order to scale up the incredibly valuable contribution that we make to the health and wellbeing of the nation through prevention of and support for recovery from, long-term conditions.”

£180,000 Sport England grant saves leisure centre

Amber Valley Borough Council has secured an £180,000 investment from Sport England to provide a lifeline for Belper Leisure Centre, which had been at risk of closure. The council successfully bid for grant support from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF) after a private non-profit organisation, Trilogy Active Ltd, stepped in to prevent the imminent closure of Belper Leisure Centre.

Sport England approved the council’s application and allocated £180,930 towards the leisure centre’s revenue costs, which include things like utility bills and pool chemicals. It represents a significant cash injection for the privately run sports centre, which was facing a closure-threatening £360,000 deficit just a few months before Trilogy Active took over.

The £180,000 grant comes from Phase 1 of Sport England’s SPSF pot. The council is now applying for up to £1m in capital funding from Phase 2 of the scheme.

New 3G pitch for Manchester’s Partington Sports Village

A floodlit 3G football pitch has opened at Partington Sports Village in Trafford, Greater Manchester.

The £1.05 million pitch is the second full-size 3G pitch at the venue, which is operated jointly by the Trafford Leisure and Dean Trust. To secure funding for the pitch, the Dean Trust formed a working group

with partners, including Trafford Leisure, Trafford Council, the County FA’s for Cheshire and Manchester and the Football Foundation.

Following applications for funding, the Football Foundation approved a grant of £801,000, with the Trust also providing capital funds, and Trafford Council contributing £200,000.

The strategy aims to set out an achievable career path for everyone

PHOTO: CIMSPA

PHOTO: TRAFFORD LEISURE

The £1.05m pitch had its official opening in February

Work underway on Brighton’s Withdean Sports Complex

Work has started on a project to build four small-sided 3G football pitches at Withdean Sports Complex in Brighton.

Creating the new 3G pitches at Withdean is part of the Brighton & Hove City Council’s Sports Facilities Investment Plan, which sets out how sports facilities will be developed in the city over the next 10 years.

The plan will see Withdean Sports Complex become one of three major sport and leisure hubs within the city. The new facility will help to meet strong demand across the city for allweather football pitches, identified in the city’s Local Football Facility Plan.

Funded with section 106 developer contributions, the pitches, complete with floodlighting for year-round use, are being built on an area near the athletics track, formerly used as an overspill car park.

It will also build on the legacy of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022

tournament, which saw matches played at the Amex Stadium in Brighton and aims to provide more opportunities for women and girls to participate in football.

Owned by Brighton & Hove City Council, the centre is operated by Freedom Leisure.

Alan Robins, chair of the Culture, Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Economic Committee said: “This new facility will provide opportunities for training and recreational play, not just for our local football clubs, but for schools and community groups in the surrounding area.”

Oriam Indoor Tennis Centre opens its doors

The £4.5m Oriam Indoor Tennis Centre has opened its doors at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.

The new centre, which is set to become a major asset for the future of tennis in Scotland, has been funded in partnership between Oriam, HeriotWatt University, the LTA, LTA Tennis Foundation, sportscotland and Tennis Scotland through the Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis (TSIT) fund.

Work began on the Indoor Tennis Centre in September 2022 and a soft opening was completed in December 2023. There have been growing calls for Scotland to develop additional top-level tennis facilities to service the demand across the country.

Scott Lloyd, CEO of the LTA, said: “We want to ensure local communities have a range of accessible opportunities to get on court.”

The project will create four 3G pitches

The new centre is set to become a major asset

PHOTO: SPORTSCOTLAND

Welsh clubs to share £1m fund to become more energy-efficient

Sport Wales has invested £1m in helping community sports clubs’ facilities become more energy efficient.

In total, 58 sports clubs across Wales have received an Energy Saving Grant, which they’ll use towards the cost of measures that will significantly reduce their utility bills.

Clubs were asked to apply for funding from the grant, which aims to help clubs improve their energy efficiency – which in turn could save them thousands of pounds while also benefiting the environment.

More than half of the clubs who successfully applied for the funding will be installing solar panels, while other uses include insulation improvements, installing energy efficient LED lighting and motion sensors, improving heating and hot water systems, as well as sustainable water sourcing.

Clubs were able to apply for grants up to a maximum amount of £25,000.

Among the clubs to have received funding is Rhyl Rugby Club, which received a £20,473 grant to install solar panels. The move to solar is expected to save the club

approximately £4,500 per year while also reducing their carbon footprint.

Brian Davies, CEO of Sport Wales, said: “It is really important to us that Wales has financially sustainable sports clubs that can benefit the communities they serve by providing affordable activities.”

1,100 grassroots sport projects to share £93M

More than 1,100 multisport grassroots sport projects across the UK are set to benefit from £93m worth of funding towards new pitches, changing rooms, goalposts and floodlights.

Money from the government’s Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme will be invested in areas that are most in need of new or renovated facilities, with at least 50 per cent of the funding being earmarked for the most deprived local authorities with high levels of inactivity. It is estimated that the funding will deliver more than 60 artificial grass and 130 natural grass pitch projects and 35 changing facility projects, as well as floodlights and goalposts.

Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew, said: “We’ve delivered thousands of new projects with the aim of getting over 120,000 more people to get active.”

Sports clubs can use the funding to install solar panels

Stuart Andrew (right) announcing the funding

PHOTO: PEXELS.COM/LOS MUERTOS CREW

PHOTO: FOOTBALL FOUNDATION

Quick build options for sporting solutions

Smart-Space, a UK-based instant building supplier, works with sports venues, schools and local communities to provide structures that meet a number of essential criteria. Sales Director Jason Lynock commented: “Decisions are always governed by which one of our buildings will work best - everything else comes down to detail. The customer needs to know that the building is right for their needs, can be ready and playable quickly and safely, and is available at the right price.”

The majority of the Smart-Space building types can be erected on any available ground without the need for foundations. They range from stylish canopy-style solutions through to permanent, cavernous spaces suitable for multiple courts and a range of sports.

A recent addition to the range includes the new Maxi-Sport multi-court solution that is robust with excellent acoustics, which means that any noisy play is contained within the building, minimising external disturbance. “This

is a new product we’re able to offer” explained Jason. “It means that, as well as looking good, the Maxi-Sport is a good option when sited in residential or busy places as the reduced noise factor ticks all the right boxes for planning.”

Alternatively, Maxi-Space buildings provide huge amounts of uninterrupted space, including open widths of up to 60m and in any length. This has provided a number of options for schools and sports venues – allowing changing facilities, refreshments foyers, office space and much more –all alongside the capacity for a multitude of sports.

It’s always worth a call to the team at SmartSpace to chat through your organisation’s needs. A site visit will also help to work out the best route forward. They will look at the proposed siting options and guide you through the process. The Smart-Space service is fully supported with a knowledgeable and experienced operations team who manage all the practical sides of the build, right through to after-care and maintenance. n smart-space.co.uk

The new Maxi-Sport building from Smart-Space

Sport England: place-based approach is ‘here to stay’

Sport England has said it will increasingly implement a place-based approach when making funding decisions.

Publishing a three-year progress report on its 10-year strategy, Uniting the Movement, the agency said its ongoing priority would be to “break down the barriers” that prevent people from being active.

“One significant way we’re doing this is through a growing placebased approach, collaborating closely with our partners in local communities to ensure those in greatest need can be physically active,” Sport England said.

The approach is part of a move away from purely funding particular sporting activities through their national governing bodies – and instead identify and focus on overcoming specific barriers to physical activity that exist in communities.

Describing the approach, Sport England says: “This place-based systemic work will see us work through our existing 12 Place Partnerships (formerly LDPs) and network of 43 Active Partnerships across England, to foster relationships with local organisations

and leaders to overcome the specific barriers to physical activity that exist in their communities. This new way of working directly supports the government’s Get Active strategy, which set ambitious targets of getting 2.5 million more adults and 1m children active by 2030.”

Women’s sports soon a ‘billion dollar business’

Sport England, ukactive, Safer Business Network, the Metropolitan Police Service and the Mayor of London have worked in partnership to launch a pilot of the ‘Ask for Angela’ initiative across 11 fitness and leisure centres in south-west London. The campaign allows people who feel like they are in an unsafe or vulnerable situation to ask staff for help covertly.

Originally designed for bars, clubs and other licensed businesses, the campaign allows people who feel like they are in an unsafe situation to ask staff for help by discreetly using the code word “Angela”. A trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. The pilot will see an external evaluation agency capture the impact and learnings to help determine how well the campaign works in fitness and leisure facilities.

The approach sees funding focused on overcoming specific barriers

The campaign aims to help promote safety

PHOTO: SPORT ENGLAND

PHOTO: SPORT ENGLAND

Barnsley’s Oakwell stadium set for redevelopment

Barnsley Football Club’s historic Oakwell Stadium is set for long-awaited investment and improvements after the club secured a 30-year lease for the venue and surrounding area.

Last year (2023), the council became the sole owner of Oakwell Community Assets Limited (OCAL), which owns the stadium and land around it. This followed negotiations with the Cryne family, who had been joint owners of OCAL with the council since 2003.

The new lease provides the club and the council with longerterm security and stability.

Crucially, it paves way for Barnsley FC to invest in the stadium, developing Oakwell into a venue capable of hosting “unique fan experiences and events, music concerts, corporate conferences and community activities”. The move also secures the future for the newly formed Barnsley FC women’s team who will continue to play games at Oakwell.

In a statement, Barnsley Council said it will now work to further integrate the club into the existing town centre offer and explore ways in which the two can work closer together.

Plans approved for

£10m Lichfield leisure centre

Lichfield District Council has approved plans to build a new leisure centre in the city.

The £10 million facility at Stychbrook Park, off Curborough Road will replace the ageing Friary Grange Leisure Centre on the city’s Eastern Avenue.

The new facility will feature a 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool with movable floor and poolside seating and changing. There will also be a 80-station fitness gym with assessment room and equipment store, an indoorcycling studio, dance studio, reception and community room.

Outdoor facilities will include a full-size 3G pitch and changing rooms. The leisure centre is being designed by ReCreation, a company founded by British Olympians – including swimmer Steve Parry – which provides swimming pools featuring an above-ground design, described as being more affordable than the traditional construction method as it doesn’t require excavation.

Allander Leisure Centre officially opens to the public

Allander Leisure Centre in Bearsden, north Glasgow, has officially opened to the public. The launch of the venue is the culmination of a £42.5m investment project which has transformed the sports and physical activity facilities in the area. The centre features a 25m, eightlane swimming pool and 20m

training pool with movable floor, sauna and steam vitality room and a specialist hydrotherapy pool for use by people with learning disabilities, families with young babies and people with mobility issues.

There is also a large health club with a group cycling studio and low and high intensity exercise studios.

PHOTO: BARNSLEY FC

PHOTO: EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL

The centre features a 25m, eight-lane swimming pool

World’s first stadium purpose-built for women opens in Kansas City

CPKC Stadium, the world’s first stadium purpose-built for women’s professional football, has held its first National Women’s Soccer League game.

The home of the Kansas City Current FC (KC Current), the stadium cost US$117 million (£92 million) to build and will be the anchor of the ongoing riverfront development project undertaken by Port KC.

With a capacity of 11,500, the stadium has been privately funded and is the brainchild of KC Current co-owners Angie Long, Chris Long and Brittany Mahomes.

Designed by architects Generator Studio, all seating at the venue is positioned within 100 feet of the pitch. Construction on the venue began in 2022 and took less than 24 months.

“From the beginning, our vision has been to create a player-first experience, and facilities for our

team that match not only the elite level of these incredible athletes, but also the passionate support of the Kansas City metro and our fans,” said KC Current co-owner, Chris Long.

Angie Long said the opening of the stadium marks a “seminal moment” for women’s football – not

just in the US, but across the world.

“We are the first and we won’t be the last,” Long said.

“For too long, many female athletes are used to the norm of being second and we can set the role model that they aren’t and that can change the perspective.”

Everton releases latest images of new stadium

Everton FC has released fresh photographs as the main construction works for the club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock begin to edge towards their conclusion.

Work recently commenced on the steel frame for the northern half of the western terrace, which will mirror the structure already installed – and fast developing – on the southern side of the west stand.

Once the final 130 tonnes of steelwork is installed, concrete slabs can be poured and concrete rakers and terracing positioned, as the structure begins to take on its symmetrical appearance. Elsewhere, the east stand roof is being prepared for the rolling out of the top sheet, later this month.

More than 30,000 seats have now been installed within the bowl of the stadium.

The stadium was designed by architects Generator Studio

The venue is scheduled to open in 2025

PHOTO: KC CURRENT

PHOTO: EVERTON FC

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Gender gap remains ‘significant’ in team sports due to too many barriers

Women and girls still face too many barriers to participating in sport, resulting in a persistent gender gap in participation. The Health Barriers to Girls and Women in Sport report, published by the Women and Equalities Select Committee, highlights gender stereotyping and female physiology on young girls among the issues impacting female participation.

“The particular challenges faced by girls to sports participation arise from a combination of gender stereotypes that promote the very outdated notion that sport is a predominately male sphere,” the report reads. “In addition, there are health and wellbeing issues experienced only, or predominately, by girls.

Research has consistently shown gender disparities in participation in, and enjoyment of, physical activity and physical education (PE) at school. Youth Sports Trust’s (YST) series, Girls Active, has surveyed levels of physical activity among boys and girls since 2016. The most recent data show that girls are on

average physically active for 60 minutes or more on fewer days per week than boys (3.3 days for girls, compared to 3.9 days for boys in 2022–23).

When it comes to enjoyment of school PE (rather than merely taking part) the gender gap is even more pronounced – and has widened since 2016. The proportion of girls saying they enjoy PE has fallen (from 74% in 2016 to 63% in 2023), while boys’ enjoyment has remained stable at 86%. The “enjoyment gap” is most stark at Key Stage 4 (KS4), encompassing Years 10 and 11 of secondary school, when children are aged 14 to 16 years.

Part of the reason for the pronounced enjoyment gap at KS4 lies in the very different ways in which boys and girls experience puberty, creating distinct barriers for girls. While pubescent hormonal changes associated with boys typically make them “faster, fitter, more aggressive and well suited to playing sport”, girls’ enthusiasm for sport, and their athletic confidence, can be negatively affected in several interconnected ways.

Team trouble

The latest Sport England Active Lives Children and Young People survey also revealed persistent gender gaps in team sport and activity levels. With 69% of boys aged 5-16 engaging in team sport, compared to only 47% of girls in the same age group, the overall 22% gender gap in participation has remained stable since last year.

PHOTO: SPORT ENGLAND

There is, however, one sport in which female participation has increased substantially. The success of the Lionesses has gone some way to inspiring girls to play football, with a 1.5% rise in participation levels.

The recent figures from Sport England also reveal that girls’ overall activity levels are consistently lower than boys among those aged 13-16, with less than half (44%) classified as physically active, compared to 51% of boys. According to Women in Sport, the persistent 7% gender gap between teenage girls and boys results from the cumulative impact of “early years stereotyping, hitting new challenges of female puberty and the gaze of social media”.

“Despite positive trends in overall activity levels among older teens, attitudes towards sport and exercise remain stagnant and girls are far less likely than boys to enjoy sport, highlighting the urgent need for change,” Women in Sport says.

The organisation also highlights how black British children have the most positive attitudes towards sports and exercise – yet black British girls are substantially less active than black British boys, making it the ethnicity with the largest gender gap. Black British girls are also 11% less active than white British girls. According to Women in Sport CEO, Stephanie Hilborne, it is vital

that this ethnicity gap is further understood.

“Sport is not only vital for physical and mental wellbeing but is joyful and rewarding, building resilience and skills in leadership and teamwork,” Hilborne says. “It is fantastic that more girls are playing football, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the fabulous Lionesses, but the gender gap in team sport as a whole has not shifted and remains deeply entrenched.

“Mental health services are at breaking point, yet sport could be a powerful preventative measure against anxiety-related illnesses like self-harm which are blighting girls’ lives. It is not inevitable that girls drop out of sport. Rather, society makes it impossible for the majority of girls to feel free and fulfilled through sport.

“We need to crush early years stereotyping and deliver sport within school and community settings that recognises the impact that stereotyping has, and the need to build skills and a sense of freedom amongst girls. If we fail to take drastic action, we are condemning another generation of girls to a lifetime of poorer health devoid of the joy, sense of belonging and community that can be built through sport, a privilege granted to far more men than women.”

PHOTO: SPORT ENGLAND

Girls’ overall activity levels are consistently lower than boys’ among those aged 13 to 16

Do we tell the right stories?

Richard Shaw Chief Executive SAPCA

So, what is the theme of the conference?”

“There isn’t a theme, as such. We found topics we thought people would be interested in – and then chose speakers that could address those areas.”

“So, is the theme ‘interesting topics’?”

“That should always be the theme of a conference, shouldn’t it?”

“Ok. So what would you like the theme to be?”

“I think I’d like it to be about storytelling and how we, as a sector, need to be better at telling stories rather than using our internal, industry language – the acronyms and specialist terminology – when engaging with people who don’t live within our industry. We spend so much time talking about pitches, fences, floodlights etc. that I think we are dis-associating ourselves from the individuals that use the facilities.

We, as a sector, need to be better at telling stories rather than using our internal, industry language when engaging with people who don’t ‘live’ within our industry

“The infill on a pitch…what it is made of, how it is tested and how it is maintained is only of use if we have a player playing on that pitch. How do all those elements help the player’s story? Do they mean that the player and their team can play for longer on the pitch? Or does it mean that they are able to not have their games cancelled by the weather?

“Do our play facilities encourage curious minds in children? Are our facilities more accessible to a wider range of players? Are our facilities inclusive that help more people access sport and play?

“These are the stories that I think people will engage with and want to know more about. We are at the heart of an exciting industry that has so much to offer when it comes to national debates on all kinds of topics. But, frankly, I’m not sure we tell the right kind of stories to attract external people to us.”

Is the above a real conversation? Or an affectation to show, in practice, the importance of storytelling in an odd and frankly overly complicated manner?

It’s an amalgamation of a few different conversations, but it is quite close to the print deadline.

“Great?”

“Great!”

The 2024 SAPCA Conference was held in February

A new strategy

Tara Dillon Chief Executive CIMSPA

The launch of CIMSPA’s new strategy, Releasing the Power of our Profession, marks an exciting new chapter for the sport and physical activity sector and the delivery of what is, arguably, its biggest ask of the chartered institute to date: greater professional recognition for our sector and its workforce.

Individuals want to be valued as trusted, ethical and credible professionals who are committed to their ongoing professional development. At the same time, the sector needs increased professional recognition among the public, government and allied professions such as health and social care to fully acknowledge the contribution it makes to the health and wellbeing of society.

Our new strategy for 2024-2030 sets out how we can achieve this vision. Developed in collaboration with professionals, employers, education providers, sector partners, governing bodies of sport and allied professions, it builds on the strong foundations we’ve put in

Collaborating with employers, educational partners and stakeholders, we will guide individuals along their unique career paths

place over the last 10 years. These include the creation of employer-led professional standards, educational partnerships and endorsement and a robust quality assurance framework.

This work will continue to ensure that training, qualifications and opportunities for skills development maintain a high standard and align with the evolving demands of the sector. This commitment means employers and sport and physical activity professionals will have the necessary skills and solutions to meet local, place-based needs as well as the confidence and expertise to work effectively with colleagues from allied professions.

Earning professional recognition is a continuous journey, and once achieved, it requires ongoing commitment. That’s why are dedicated to keeping the bar high. Collaborating with employers, educational partners and stakeholders, we will guide individuals along their unique career paths through professional recognition.

This collective effort will not only boost professional acknowledgment for the sport and physical activity sector but will also enhance its standing in the eyes of the government, the public and our system partners. It will also help to attract a more diverse workforce to represent the people it serves.

By making professional recognition a tangible achievement for our workforce and our sector, we will unlock the true power of our profession.

Earning professional recognition is a continuous journey

The UK's largest annual trade event dedicated to physical activity, health and performance.

Active Uprising

Izzy Wolridge, ukactive’s Events Manager, shares some of the key takeaways from Active Uprising, held in February

This year’s Active Uprising is perhaps best described as the day when the entire physical activity sector came together to focus on growth, development and improving the health of the nation. So much goes into organising events like this and it was a special moment to bring the sector together for a day of learning, exchanging of ideas and connecting with professionals.

From compelling keynote speeches to engaging breakout sessions, Active Uprising explored a wide range of topics under the overarching theme of ‘growth, development, and improving the health of the nation’.

Hearing from Government

Mike Farrar, the Chair of ukactive, opened the event with a speech which set the tone by addressing the pressing challenges our nation faces, the value of the sector and importance of collaborative efforts, to ensure physical activity is placed at the forefront of the health agenda.

Following Mike’s address, we then heard from the Minister for Sport, Stuart Andrew MP, who spoke about the Government’s ‘Get Active’ sport and physical activity strategy, where he outlined the goals for this plan and how our sector continues to play an integral role.

The session transitioned into a Q&A, with Huw Edwards, ukactive’s CEO, joining the Minister on stage, to dig deeper into the strategy and views of Government, which served as a reminder of our collective commitment to addressing physical inactivity and the issues it relates to.

Inspiring keynotes and messages: from Movember to Jill Scott

We were also delighted to have some top speakers joining us for the day to showcase the real importance of physical activity.

We heard from experts including Sarah Coghlan, Global Director, Men’s Health Promotion, who shared a poignant keynote that examined the critical topic of men’s mental

The ukactive team with some of the event speakers

The event explored a range of topics under the theme of ‘growth, development, and improving the health of the nation

Former Lioness Jill Scott was among the keynote speakers

Event review

The event’s breakout sessions offered attendees the opportunity to learn more about various projects

health and the amazing work, led by Movember, which continues to do such a stellar job to raise awareness on this important matter.

Further speakers included Dean Leak, a culture and leadership coach who spoke about cultivating a winning mindset and how working on your leadership attributes can help facilitate impactful change.

And the wonderful Jill Scott, former Lioness and independent member of the Government’s National Physical Activity Taskforce joined Professor Greg Whyte on the main stage to finish off the day. During their insightful chat, Jill spoke about her own sporting career and experience of physical activity, the importance of resilience as a woman in sport, life post-retirement and her ambitions for her role on the Government’s taskforce.

Health panels and breakout sessions

The day also featured collaborative discussions including a health panel as well as breakout sessions for attendees to learn more about various projects happening across the sector.

“The NHS and leisure sector: what do we need

from each other” was a panel session chaired by Labour MP, Kim Leadbeater, which highlighted the urgency for cross sector collaboration when integrating the physical activity sector into the healthcare system. Key messages from the panel included the importance of agreeing on shared outcomes, highlighting the evidence of the health and cost benefits, and the necessity for sectors to align on the language and framework that is used.

A day to remember

We were delighted to bring the sector together to kickstart 2024 and hope this year’s Active Uprising conference provided you with many tangible learnings and insights.

As shown by this year’s theme and the conversations that took place, there’s never been a more important time to further this agenda and we’re looking forward to seeing how these outcomes can be put into practice in the year ahead.

Special thanks must also go to our co-headline partners Matrix, Precor and UK Research and Innovation, as well as our event partners for all the support in making Active Uprising 2024 possible.

A call to Action

Sports Think Tank published its Road to the 2024 Election Manifesto document in January. SportsNation looks at some of 100+ policy calls in the document, provided by 29 physical activity sector organisations

Sports Think Tank’s landmark document, The Road to the 2024 Election Manifesto – 100 policy ideas for sport, physical activity and wellbeing, presents policy proposals from 29 physical activity sector organisations. The document offers unique insights into the sector’s wants and needs and acts as an important barometer, measuring the temperature of the sector on a number of important topics ahead of this year’s general election.

Resource-neutral options

The contributors to the document range from national governing bodies of sport, educational institutions and charities to architects and industry organisations. Their calls cover a wide range of areas, each designed to help drive much needed change in the sector. Proposals include introducing new legislation and improving the performance of agencies. Addressing the deep seated inequalities across the sector is a common theme.

While there is a wide range of ideas and proposals, there is one common thread that runs through each of the policy calls. Sports Think Tank asked organisations that their suggestions should be resource-neutral. The idea behind that was to whet the appetite of the

UK’s leading political parties to be able to pick and champion any of them in their forthcoming manifestos – without the need to make spending pledges.

Play for all

Play England’s policy call for the future government is clear – to introduce Play Sufficiency legislation in England. The organisation wants to see the establishment of statutory guidance for local authorities which should incorporate an assessment for and secure sufficient play and recreation opportunities and conduct regular play sufficiency reports.

According to Play England’s Eugene Minogue, the legislation should cover (but not be limited to) the following three key areas: spaces and places for play and recreation; workforce (qualifications, registration and regulation); provision (high-quality, inclusive play services).

“Play Sufficiency legislation for England would establish statutory guidance. While every local authority in England is required to have a local plan, spaces and place for play often fall through the cracks as there is no ‘body’ to speak for them,” Minogue says. “By covering the three key areas – workforce, provision and spaces

Making sport more accessible is a common theme for the proposals

The document includes policy calls from 29 different organisations

and places – would ensure that all children, young people and families have access to enough time, space, opportunity and permission to play and recreation throughout all aspects of their daily lives.

“Play is the foundation of all human movement, physical literacy, physical activity, PE and sport. It is vital for all children and young people and it’s the main way they enjoy their daily lives, make friends and learn about the world around them.”

Active environments

Another of the contributors is David Morley Architects (DMA). In the document, Andy Mytom, partner at DMA, outlines the need to create inclusive spaces for movement that deliver on health and wellbeing outcomes. Featured within the chapter on preventative health, Mytom calls on the government to re-imagine spaces for movement and design-in active landscapes to future developments that allow everyone the opportunity to be active.

“The benefits of creating spaces for movement are huge, no matter whether you’re an elite athlete, a committed sports enthusiast, a parent trying to get their children more active or someone encouraging seniors to

take part in activities. That’s why our policy call is for the incoming government to unlock latent potential through a review of permitted development not yet built.

“We would like to see the introduction of a scheme whereby projects with play and pitch strategies that predate Sport England’s 10-year strategy are reviewed to ensure the detailed designs that are delivered respond to what we now know to support activity for all for life.

“This would allow the community to reassess and confirm that what is being delivered is what is needed – for the entire community, be it formal or informal sport/play or open space.”

DMA also calls for active environments to be included in planning policies.

“We call for all future governments to include policies for health and activity, inclusion and diversity through active environments in planning,” Mytom said. “We would want to see them sit alongside those for active travel, play, sports pitch and facility strategies. This could be a cost-neutral exercise, as active environments (more than play and pitches) would then become included in all development plans.”

Jo Maher

Andy Mytom

PHOTO: SPORT ENGLAND

Educational focus

The education sector is also represented in the document, with Loughborough University and Loughborough College each contributing their policy calls.

Loughborough College calls for the incoming government to simplify the funding streams for further education. This would ensure that the physical activity workforce – which is crucial for the sector’s future development – is given the “opportunities it deserves” to upskill in a timely manner, rather than relying on complicated funding arrangements which can take time to secure.

“There are too many silos and lines which make up our funding streams,” says Professor Jo Maher, Loughborough College’s Principal and Chief Executive (and now Loughborough University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Sport). “We recently had an exercise to count all of them – and the final figure was 42.

“The complex funding systems place a number of pressures on the sector. One of these is the need to constantly tender and compete for funding. As a result, FE institutions face a significant cost of acquisition. There is also some waste within that.

We need to maximise the unique position of schools to provide all children and young children with daily opportunities to be physically active

“A simplified funding system would give colleges more stability and capacity, not least through the avoidance of duplication and removal of bureaucratic processes, needless red tape and multiple tenders. Being able to work on the basis of trusted provider status with accountability would make a huge difference.”

Meanwhile, The Youth Sport Trust calls for the harnessing of the potential of PE, play and sport in schools. It wants to see the role of PE being elevated within schools and for a dedicated coordination and delivery team to work across a family of schools in every community.

“We need to maximise the unique position of schools to provide all children and young children with daily opportunities to be physically active,” says Ali Oliver, Youth Sport Trust CEO. “There should be a dedicated coordination and delivery team, collaborating nationally and embedded locally to provide the infrastructure needed to deliver a cohesive and broad offer. The offer should also be tailored to the education landscape and shaped flexibly to respond to local needs.

“We would also like to see a commitment to increase the use of existing facilities to provide physical activity and sport outside the school day, capitalising on the role of schools, care and education settings as community hubs and trusted institutions. This should be aligned to long-term capital investment in school facilities and support a guarantee for every child to

Play England calls for Play Sufficiency legislation

(From left) Eugene Minogue, Ali Oliver MBE, Kim Leadbeater MP and Andy Reed OBE

PHOTO: PEXELSLUKAS

Tackling gender inequality in sport is among the policy calls put forward by Women in Sport

have free access to daily, co-curricular sport, as part of an ambition to put physical activity at the hear of education before, during and after the school day.

Equal opportunities

In the document, Women in Sport calls for gender impact assessments to become mandatory for all sports organisations in receipt of public funding. The data should, the organisation says, be then used to make resources in sport more equal, including equal pay.

“It is an ongoing injustice that more public resources are allocated to men’s sport than to women’s,” says Stephanie Hilborne, CEO of Women in Sport. “Denying the existence of this inequality only serves to further it. This is why gender impact reporting – an honest assessment of how much of the resources of a sport are benefitting women and girls – is the first step. Like environmental impact assessments and gender pay gap reporting, gender impact reporting will shine a light on the effects that budgeting decisions have on girls and women.”

Crucial document

The publication of the document and the 100+ policy ideas has caused healthy debate within the sector. As the general election approaches – and the exact date could soon be revealed – it will be interesting to see which policies are picked up by the parties.

Commenting on the publication of the document, Kim Leadbeater MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sport, said: “It is not hyperbole to claim that physical activity remains one of the most under-used resources we have at our disposal when tackling some of our most persistent challenges, from easing the pressures on the NHS, tackling crime and improving economic productivity to finding ways to level up.

“That’s why this is a crucial document. It brings together ideas, proposals and calls from across the sport, physical activity, and wellbeing sector, making for a fascinating and inspiring read. From simple ideas that could be easily implemented to more wide-reaching changes intended to shift the dial on public discourse, there is plenty of food for thought.

“Perhaps most importantly – and this is where political parties should prick up their ears – the contributors were challenged to make each policy call cost-neutral. In these economically trying times, this aspect alone should make the document you have in your hands essential reading. Another aspect that adds value to this document is the sheer variety of the ideas.”

Andy Reed OBE, founder of Sports Think Tank, added: “We know there is no shortage of reports and policy asks produced by the sector, but we felt there was space for organisations who don’t always get heard but have something useful to add. To access the full document, visit: www.sportsthinktank.com/live-manifesto.html

PHOTO: SPORT ENGLAND

Conference 2024

This year’s SAPCA Conference took place on 29 February 2023 at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium. With high-profile speakers, a diverse educational programme and a number of networking opportunities, the one-day conference is the sport and play construction sector’s main event of the year speakers, sport

The event kicked off with a keynote speech by ex-England rugby captain and World Cup winner, Maggie Alphonsi, who shared her views and thoughts on leadership and effective teams. Mixing audience interactions with personal anecdotes from her life and career, Alphonsi provided plenty of food for thought around positive mindsets and the importance of a diverse workforce. Alphonsi challenged delegates to answer a number of questions, such as “what drives you to be a successful leader”, “why do you do what you do” and “why is it important to have diverse teams”. She also highlighted the importance of “being comfortable being uncomfortable”, as well as the ability for leaders to see accomplishments and achievements from the point of view of individual team members.

“Winning a World Cup is a great achievement from a team perspective,” Alphonsi said. “But as well as the collective success, winning a

As a leader, it is important to learn to understand those personal journeys, as well as your own and the team’s collective one

PHOTO: ET QUI UTATUR, OMMOLUT ILIC TE COMNIMI

England rugby legend Maggie Alphonsi offered her insights on leading high performing teams

As well as the educational programme, the conference included an exhibition and networking opportunities

team competition will provide each team member with their own ‘priceless moment’. Maybe they or a family member sacrificed something to get to where they are. Or perhaps they had to work extra hard due to a personal issue. These can create priceless moments for them, but ones that are pretty meaningless to you. As a leader, it is important to learn to understand those personal journeys, as well as your own and the team’s collective one.”

Getting active

Cameron Yorston from the Sport and Recreation Alliance updated delegates on how the National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) – a group consisting of some of the leading bodies for the sport and physical activity sector – is working to get the sector’s voice heard ahead of this year’s General Election. He highlighted how, despite the benefits of physical activity to a nation’s health were recognised among politicians, the sector was too often ignored when policies were drawn up.

“You only need to look at the previous general election party manifestos of all political stripes to see how sport and physical activity

is anything but a priority,” Yorston said. “As an example, the previous Labour manifesto of 2019 had more than 100 pages and 26,000 words – I know, because I read it all – the word ‘sport’ was featured a grand total of five times.”

Yorston also described in detail one of the NSPG’s main campaigns – the ambitious target of making the UK the most active nation in Europe. He presented data which revealed how the UK currently ranks joint 11th out of 15 comparable European nations for levels of physical activity. The stats also show that the UK is ranked as the third highest spender on healthcare costs caused by inactivity and only 9th in overall wellbeing.

“Our message is that sport, recreation and physical activity currently saves the NHS £9.5 billion every year by preventing illness and generates £85 billion annually in economic value,” Yorston said, adding: “but the simple truth is that the value generated by the sector could be far greater if the UK can reach the activity levels of its European peers.

“If we could make the UK the most active nation in Europe – reaching and exceeding the levels of the likes of Finland – we project savings

Duncan Wood-Allum outlined the ongoing changes in public sector facility strategies

Event review

There needs to be a shift to also include and support the less well, the less sport and the less active

of up to £1 billion in healthcare spending linked to inactivity, alongside the generation of an additional £3.6 billion per annum in GDP uplift through increased productivity and realising up to £77.2 billion in increased wellbeing benefits.”

From sports to health

Duncan Wood-Allum, Managing Director of SLC (Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy), outlined to delegates how the public sector’s ability to invest in physical activity and sport was being squeezed further, following the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

“Local authorities are increasingly needing to focus their spending – and I mean all of it – on adult social care and essential children’s services,” Thody said. “We all know that they’re already not fixing roads, so we know that sport is not a priority. Sadly, some of the facilities that the public currently enjoy – and which SAPCA members supplied and equipped – may not be replaced by the time they get to the end of their operational lives.

“But there is hope – and this was highlighted in a report by Sport England back in 2022, called ‘The Future of Public Sector Leisure’. It set out a compelling argument that there needs to be a shift, in terms of the focus of the public sector and the sport and physical activity sector to also include and support the less well, the less sporty and the less active.

“An example of this can be found in the Pivot to Active Wellbeing programme in Manchester It involves all 10 local authorities and their leisure operators alongside GreaterSport and Sport England colleagues. The aim is to change how leisure centres, swimming pools, fitness facilities, services and teams serve their people and communities; to better support active lives for all, tackle health inequalities and ensure that active wellbeing becomes an integral and valued contributor to the wider health and social care system in every neighbourhood.”

Speakers (from the top) Carolin Göhler, Al Rownan, Eugene Minogue and Neil Thody

Play for all

Other speakers on the day included Al Rownan, Sports Economy Lead at the Department for Business & Trade, who presented delegates with some of the opportunities that exist for those looking to export their products and services. Carolin Göhler, President of the Landscape Institute, outlined the principles of biodiversity net gain – a growing area of interest for the construction sector – while Neil Thody from the Orange

There was also an inspiring and passionate presentation by Eugene Minogue, Executive Director of Play England, who called for places for sport and play – such as Multi-Use Games Areas and sport facilities – to be designed in a more inclusive way. He encouraged funders and planners to think outside the box and move away from the ‘one size fits all’ approach. He

also called for Play Sufficiency legislation to be introduced in England. This would make it a legal requirement for every local authority in England to both assess and ensure that their area secures enough opportunities for children to play.

The event was then closed by conference host, Gail Emms MBE and SAPCA Chief Executive, Richard Shaw

“We wanted to present delegates with a wide range of speakers, covering some of the topics and issues faced by the sector,” Shaw said. “There was plenty to take home and I think the main message from the day was that sport and play is a robust sector that is well equipped to both benefit from the opportunities and tackle the challenges it faces.”

To find out more about SAPCA and its work, visit: sapca.org.uk/about

Peel Consultancy revealed some of the ongoing changes faced by those competing for public sector work in the sports and leisure sector.

(From left) SAPCA Chair, Dr. Kathryn Severn, Gail Emms MBE, Maggie Alphonsi MBE and SAPCA CEO, Richard Shaw

SAPCA Awards 2024

The 2024 winners of the industry’s leading awards include a sustainable floodlight system and an inclusive approach to building multi-use games areas

The winners of this year’s SAPCA Awards were revealed at a gala dinner held at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium in Leicester on 29 February. The winners in the six categories were chosen from 12 finalists (two in each category) by a judging panel consisting of SAPCA chair Kathryn Severn, SAPCA’s Technical Lead, Colin Corline, and a selection of industry professionals.

The Awards Dinner was hosted by Olympic medallist Gail Emms MBE (left) and featured a Q&A with England rugby legend, Martin Johnson CBE

The pre-dinner drinks offered an opportunity for networking

The dinner was attended by nearly 200 industry professionals

review

The SAPCA Awards

2024 winners are:

Large Sports or Play

of the Year

Blakedown Sport and Play

Shoreditch Park Sports Hub, Hoxton, Hackney, London

Small Sports or Play

of the Year Play Innovation

Silwood Street Ball Court Zone and Pocket Park Play Area

Jamie

Product of the Year Redexim

Verti-Top TTB (maintenance equipment innovation)

Lumosa Touch

floodlight control system)

Project

Project

Sustainability Award Lumosa

(app-based

SAPCA Person of the Year

Blamire Director, Sportex Group

SAPCA Young Person of the Year

Connor Freeman Shift Supervisor, TigerTurf

The Awards Dinner is open to both SAPCA members and the wider sports and play industry

2024 marked the ninth edition of the awards – and the first featuring a dedicated Awards Dinner

Event review

Networking forms an important part of the Awards Dinner

The annual awards have grown in recognition and prestige each year since their launch in 2015

Fantastic facilities

Blakedown Sport and Play won the large project award for the Shoreditch Park Sports Hub, which was a collaboration with Land Use Consultants (LUC) and Hackney Council. The £2 million project, which was completed in March 2023, transformed Shoreditch Park into a versatile recreational space.

Designed according to input from the local community, in particular young people, the Sports Hub offers accessible sports facilities,

ensuring it caters to the needs of the entire community in an inclusive way. The revitalised park boasts a refurbished children’s play area, a new outdoor gym, a multi-use games area, a beach volleyball court and improved informal sports pitch areas. Beyond the visible enhancements, sustainable elements like rain gardens and wildflower meadows contribute to biodiversity, drainage and climate resilience.

The small project award was won by Play Innovation for the redesign and redevelopment of two derelict spaces (Pocket Park play area and the Silwood Street Ball Court Zone) in South East London. The previously unused areas had become hotspots for anti-social behaviour, before Play Innovation – working in partnership with Axis Europe and site owner, housing association L&Q – transformed them into inclusive, safe and friendly spaces. As a result, local residents and communities now have a space to enjoy and be proud of.

The project included the installation of multisports goals, inclusive play and sports equipment, a new outdoor gym and a personal training

PHOTO: BLAKEDOWN

PHOTO: PLAY INNOVATION

Play Innovation’s designs have transformed a derelict space into an inclusive community hub

zone. The new facilities are designed to tackle inequality and to inspire people to become physically active in a fun, engaging way, as part of L&Q’s commitment to creating thriving neighbourhoods and sustainable communities.

Innovative products, great people

Redexim won the Product of the Year award for its Verti-Top TTB machine – a completely independent maintenance machine. It has its own engine and can be driven, a big change to the traditional system of this type which, historically, have relied on larger machines (such as tractors) to power them. The innovation allows end users to use the machine themselves, rather than rely on contractors, to undertake pitch maintenance.

Meanwhile, Lumosa won the Sustainability Award for its Lumosa Touch solution – an appbased floodlight control system. Lumosa Touch allows clubs and facilities to only use the energy they need, when they need it. The system allows the user to dim down the level of lighting to

only use what is required at any given time – for example, due to the time of day or only part of the pitch being used. The system can be used for any pitch configuration and for any sport.

This year’s SAPCA Person of the Year award went to Jamie Blamire, Managing Director of Sportex Group. Described as someone who has the “industry in his blood”, Blamire has driven change in the industry, establishing Sportex as the UK’s first 360 degree sports surfacing company to recycle 100% of end-of-life synthetic sports pitches.

Meanwhile, the Young Person of the Year award was given to Connor Freeman, Shift Supervisor at TigerTurf. Since joining TigerTurf, Freeman’s approach and dedication has seen him being identified as someone with a bright future in the industry.

PHOTO: REDEXIM

PHOTO: LUMOSA

Redexim’s new Verti-Top will give facilities more control over their maintenance schedules

Lumosa’s award-winning new app in action

Event review

Bigger and better

For 2024, the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) significantly revamped and upgraded its annual awards. While the awards were already recognised as the sector’s leading awards, the purpose of a refresh was to build the profile of them to those outside of the sector too.

“The awards were launched in 2015 to celebrate the quality and excellence of SAPCA members and their work, SAPCA Chief Executive, Richard Shaw says. “They have always been a great way to showcase the very best in sports and play construction to those working in the industry. The emphasis has very much been on recognising great facility projects, products and services which show the wide range of innovation, technical excellence and reliability held across the SAPCA membership.

“The awards have grown in prestige each year within the industry, but as they are now approaching their 10th anniversary, we thought it was time to ramp up their significance even more and to extend their recognition to the wider sports, play and physical activity sector.”

To take the awards to the next level, SAPCA made a number of changes to the way winners are chosen and celebrated. The changes were designed to increase both the visibility and impact of the awards.

As an example of the changes, Shaw highlights the increased importance placed on how the

winning projects, services, products and people were chosen based on the positive effect they had on both the industry and the end users.

“The awards will now increasingly highlight the social value generated by the facilities and services our members create and provide,” Shaw says. “This is important because, to make the case for increased funding for facilities, we need to show how our projects deliver outcomes in health, education and social cohesion. SAPCA members – and those working in the sports and play construction industry – already know and recognise the positive impact they have on communities, as they see it on the ground through their work. Our mission, now, is to demonstrate it to the wider world too.”

For 2024 and beyond, there has also been a big change in the way the awards ceremony is delivered. Previously forming a part of the SAPCA Annual Dinner – which was attended mainly by SAPCA members – the event has now been made available to the wider public as a stand-alone event. The first ever SAPCA Awards Dinner – held in conjunction with the SAPCA Conference – was hailed a great success.

“It was great to see our members and their clients being able to celebrate their successes together, picking up their awards as a team,” Shaw adds. “That’s the message we want to send – the most successful facility projects are always a team effort.”

Connor Freeman was named the first ever winner of the SAPCA Young Person of the Year award

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DAVE CANDLER

The CEO of the Swimming Teachers’ Association talks to SportsNation about the challenges faced by the aquatics sector – and how the STA plans to tackle them

In June 2023, it was revealed that 660,000 children could be missing out on swimming lessons due to a shortage in swimming teachers. The data, published jointly by the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) and Swim England, also showed that there were almost 12,000 vacant roles across the aquatics sector, leading to 65% of learn to swim providers not being able to grow their programmes. Worrying findings, considering that almost one in three children now leave primary school unable to swim. Shocking as those figures are, they would have been much worse without a ground-breaking initiative launched in 2022 to tackle the shortage in swimming teachers. STAnd Up for Swimming, a campaign funded and delivered by the STA, trained a total of 930 new swimming teachers during the year. What made it special was that the training was offered free to everyone.

Bridging the gap

The campaign was the brainchild of Dave Candler, STA’s Chief Executive, who, by his own

PHOTO: STA

PHOTO: STA

There is a chronic shortage of swimming teachers

It is estimated that, in 2023, up to 660,000 children could have missed out on classes

admission, had had enough. “We launched STAnd Up for Swimming because we recognised that the industry couldn’t afford to wait around any longer,” Candler says. “There was a group of industry bodies, us being one, who desperately wanted to alleviate an issue which was crippling aquatics. We had lots of great conversations on what could be done, but I kept hearing ‘we need to lobby the government’ a lot. The problem is, that takes time and there’s no guarantee that the government will listen. My view was that we’re the ones that can – and need to – try and improve things, so let’s just get on with it and do it.

“By pledging our own funds, we showed our commitment and support to all those involved in grassroots swimming. As an organisation, we spent more money on STAnd Up for Swimming than we had in the bank when I started in this job in 2016. But we had to do it to ensure we don’t have a lost generation of young swimmers.”

As well as making it free, STA wanted the campaign to have an immediate effect. To achieve this, it offered learners the opportunity

to gain an accredited Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming qualification, making sure that those who qualified could get on the poolside and gain employment quickly. The results were impressive.

Of the 930+ new swimming teachers that STA trained up in the 12 months, 86% found employment as soon as they had qualified.

“UK swim schools had lost 50% of their teaching staff during the pandemic,” Candler says. “So STAnd Up for Swimming came just at the right time; a time when swim schools were struggling to find qualified swimming teachers to meet the post-pandemic demand for swimming lessons. It was a critical issue for our members and swim school partners – and for us equally.

“Yes, there are still teacher shortages, but in just a short time we made a solid positive contribution in helping to close the skills gap.”

Disappearing pools

The lack of swimming teachers, however, is just one of many challenges faced by the aquatics industry – a sector which has been hit particularly

PHOTO: STA

hard in recent years. The pandemic closures, the ever-increasing energy and utility prices, inflationary pressures and the cost of living crisis have had a double impact – affecting both the operating costs of facilities and the ability of people to pay to use pools and leisure centres. Spending cuts at local authority level have also had a devastating effect on facility investment. Ageing venues deemed too expensive to redevelop are often allowed to close without replacements. As a result, Swim England estimates that more than 1,000 publicly accessible pools have closed since 2010.

“It’s worrying, the rate at which we are losing pools,” says Candler. “It’s creating huge pressures on waiting lists for children to get into swimming lessons and also changing the facility landscape. Smaller-size, private pools and swimming schools are popping up everywhere. That’s great, but as smaller pools have smaller capacities – yet still relatively high running costs – it means that private operators have to charge more than large, public facilities. A leisure centre might charge £5 per lesson, while private pools can charge up to £15 or more. That creates a huge barrier for many.”

It is worrying, the rate at which we are losing pools

Identifying opportunities

Yet, when listing the strengths and opportunities of the sector, Candler remains optimistic and predicts that aquatics in the UK has a bright future. “Demand for swimming has never been higher,” he says. “I’ve been working in aquatics since I was 16 and I’ve never known anything like it.

“What the pandemic did was make people realise how important physical fitness is. The message that underlying health issues would make COVID-19 worse changed how many people saw exercise. It also made people realise how great physical activity was for mental health.”

He also sees huge opportunities in the way the wider physical activity sector is increasingly making a case for being included in health policies and planning.

“Ukactive has done a very good job on this, highlighting how getting people more active could save the UK economy up to £17bn a year through easing pressures on the NHS and cutting on working days lost to sickness. Swimming has a big part to play in that too, not least through GP referrals and activating people who might find other forms of exercise demanding.

“I also see huge opportunities in getting under-represented communities active through swimming. For example, we’re currently talking

The STAnd Up for Swimming campaign trained more than 930 new swimming teachers

with Black Swimming Association (BSA) and seeing how we can work together. In England, 96.5% of Black adults and 95.8% of Asian adults do not participate in swimming activities regularly, so there’s definitely work to be done there.”

Correcting the course

There remain areas in which Candler says the aquatics sector needs to improve itself, as well as those in which it could do with a bit of help from the government. One of the former, he adds, is the way staff contracts are handled.

“When I first started in swimming, as a 16-yearold lifeguard, I was earning more than my friends who worked the tills at supermarkets,” he says. “That has now completely turned on its head.

“Part of the reason we lost so many of our swimming teachers and lifeguards during the pandemic was that they were on casual contracts or self-employed contracts – so there

was no help for them through furlough. It also highlighted a wider issue on how pool operators and leisure centres manage staff contracts.

“I’m not going to make many friends among the operators for saying this, but I’d like to see staff at every level given that job security and recognition and this requires a change to the way contracts have been traditionally handled. One of the initial worries we had with the STAnd Up for Swimming campaign was that we’d train all these teachers, for them then to be given contracts that wouldn’t entitle them holiday pay, sick pay or any other rights or perks that they’d get in other sectors – and we’d end up losing them again.

However, I do believe positive lessons have been learned from the pandemic, and that the tide is starting to turn for the better. It was never going to be an overnight fix, especially considering how leisure operators have been hit from every angle over the last few years, and they have had

Make swimming teaching VAT-free for all and we would be able to, overnight, tackle the huge waiting lists of kids wanting to learn to swim

a lot to do and plan for to simply survive, but the tide is turning, and we are starting to see some really positive ‘recruit and retain’ strategies being implemented by our leisure operator partners.

For the other major change he’d like to see in the sector, Candler makes a call on government. “Please get rid of VAT for every swim school - including the private ones.” he says.

“Services directly related to delivering education in line with the national curriculum – such as swimming – qualify for VAT exemption, but only for public and ‘not for profit’ operators. So large, nation-wide leisure centre operators which operate as charities don’t pay VAT, but a small pool teaching kids to swim in a village does. The problem with that is that most of those small pool operators stay under the VAT threshold because if they’d start charging VAT, the prices

would become too high for everyone. So even if they could teach more kids, they won’t, because they’re worried they’d have to start charging VAT.

“Meanwhile, 90% of the larger private swimming school operators – who already do pay VAT – said they would pass the saving directly to their customers if VAT was cut.

“For me it is a no-brainer. The government isn’t getting VAT from those small swim schools anyway, so it’s not like they’d lose out. Make swimming teaching VAT-free for all and we’d be able to, overnight, tackle the huge waiting lists of kids wanting to learn to swim. In the meantime, we hope the new higher VAT threshold coming in April will make a difference for a few.”

You never know. As it’s a general election year, Candler’s call might just find a favourable ear or two somewhere.

PHOTO: STA

The facility landscape is changing with private pools opening across the country

SPORT I N FOCUS

BADMINTON

Badminton England is on a mission to make badminton the most inclusive and accessible sport in England. We spoke to the national governing body to find out how its new strategy, launched in 2023, will look to achieve that

Badminton England launched its new strategy in September 2023. Called Badminton – A Sport for Everyone, the strategy sets out an ambitious plan to secure “the best possible future” for the sport in England. At the heart of the 10-year plan are two strategic priorities: the needs of young people and a drive to make the sport more open, accessible and inclusive.

“The new strategy is unashamedly focused on young people and inclusivity,” says Sue Storey, Badminton England’s CEO. “We want everyone to pick up a racket and hit a shuttle, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, background, or circumstances, proud to be part of a thriving community and develop a lifelong passion for our sport.”

Engaging players

Badminton England estimates that at least one million people in the UK play badminton each year. However, the national governing body (NGB) currently has around 150,000 active participants on its database. The challenge it faces, therefore, is being able to engage with the players who play regularly but do not currently communicate with the NGB. Successfully doing so will be paramount, if it wishes to hit its own target of having 250,000 active and registered participants by 2026.

Badminton England’s vision, as outlined in the new strategy, is to make Badminton the most inclusive and accessible sport in England. When asked how the body plans to do that, Badminton England says: “In every way – in how we communicate, in how we cater for participants at sessions within our programmes and how we market the sport.

We want everyone to pick up a racket and hit a shuttle, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, background or circumstances

We’re lucky that the sport itself caters for all disabilities, genders and ages

“That starts with making inclusion part of everything we do. We’re lucky that the sport itself caters for all disabilities, genders and ages. The inspiring, passionate and endlessly enthusiastic members who sit on our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee represent the voice of the entire badminton community, shaping Badminton England’s development within EDI by sharing their lived experiences and expertise to inform our decision-making.”

Facility strategy

The 10-year plan rests on five strategic pillars – places, perform, develop, thrive and inspire.

The “places” pillar is all about ensuring the sport has the facilities it needs. The strategy outlines a mission to protect and open places to play the sport. According to Badminton England, this will be achieved through a combination of creating more courts and redeveloping ageing/underused ones.

The main goal is to ensure that there are more courts available in areas where they are needed through high demand, to ensure that the growing badminton community is catered for. “In most areas of the country there is a supply/ demand issue with more courts being repurposed or no longer safe for use,” Badminton England says. “This is resulting in our community finding it harder to locate affordable, good quality courts.

“At the last count there were 23,848 courts in operation across the country in 7,555 facilities, not all of which are open or bookable for badminton. This figure is just the number of courts marked in the country in a variety of schools, leisure, public and community buildings.”

When it comes to investing in new facilities, however, Badminton England is looking for help. “We do not currently have any funding available and this is something that we would like to work with external funders to change,” the NGB says.

Two of the strategy’s five pillars are specifically focused on increasing participation

“Due to the change in funding at Sport England, we have not invested in facilities in the last 10 years.

“Prior to this in 2008-2012 we funded around £6m worth of renovations, upgrades and rebuilds in dedicated centres. We are still harvesting the benefits of that investment now, with the centres across the country being our main dedicated facilities and hubs for clubs, coaches and the community.”

Separately, there is a project underway to make existing facilities more accessible and easier to book.

“An implementation plan is in place to analyse the data we have on facilities with the view of providing the badminton community with a national database of facilities - making all courts accessible and easy to book,” Badminton England says. “We have started work with our data partners to access live court data and display this on our court finder. This will mean that booking a court will be easier as we continue to remove barriers for people to play our sport.”

Healthy grassroots, elite performers

Two of the strategy’s five “pillars” – thrive and inspire – are specifically focused on increasing participation. The aim is to build a thriving badminton community that optimises local delivery and supports player development, while increasing the number of people engaged in badminton and inspiring the next generation of players.

The two others – develop and perform – are focused on developing an improved performance pathway and to ensure that those on it perform in a way which maximises their potential at the highest level. As well as developing talent, the elite sport plan includes the hosting of regional, national and international competitions. The ultimate aim of the performance side of things is to become one of the leading countries in the sport.

“We aim to deliver inspirational moments as we strive to become a top badminton nation in the world, by supporting our players and

PHOTO: SPORT ENGLAND

coaches to be successful at World, Olympic and Paralympic level,” Storey says.

“We will continue to deliver the most prestigious badminton event in the world, the YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships (held in March 2024) - a truly exhilarating and memorable festival of badminton that showcases the best in the world, bringing together the global badminton community and inspiring the next generation.”

A guide for success

The aims identified in the strategy will be delivered using six guiding principles, grouped under the theme of “be”:

1 Be leaders

2 Be strategic

3 Be collaborative

4 Be insight-led

5 Be innovative

6 Be a safe sport for all

The six principles will guide how Badminton England will operate over the next decade

The six principles will guide how Badminton England will operate over the next decade. An example of the practical implications they will have is the way being insight-led will – and already is – guiding decision making across a wide range of topics.

“We now routinely survey and garner qualitative and quantitative research at all levels of the game – coaches, volunteers, adult and junior participants, ticket-purchasing fans, social media followers,” the NGB says.

“An example of a group we have set up to give us those insights is the National Youth Voice Forum, which consists of young people who applied to be the voice of young people in badminton. It brings together young people aged 13-21 to share their thoughts and ideas. The Forum guides the work we do, ensuring our sport is an inclusive and welcoming place for all young people.

PHOTO: SPORT ENGLAND

Badminton England routinely garners research at all levels of the game

“The group spans all over the country, which is important to us because it allows us to get perspectives from lots of different people who have had varying badminton journeys.”

The strategy’s other principles will be followed in a similar vein. When it comes to being collaborative, for example, Badminton England has already mapped out how it will work with all of the sport’s stakeholders to ensure it can create a thriving and sustainable sport for the future.

“We will listen and learn from each other, not being afraid to adapt and change where required,” it says.

“Strong stakeholder engagement and partnerships will support delivery of the strategy. Our priority will be to collaborate, listen and learn from the whole badminton network and provide support to ensure that the organisations best placed to drive delivery are equipped and facilitated to achieve success.”

The way forward

So, what are the biggest challenges faced by Badminton England, when it comes to increasing participation? Unsurprisingly, they’re familiar to those faced by other NGBs.

“At grassroots level, one of the biggest challenges is competing with all the other sports, which are all aiming to do the same,” Badminton England says. “Achieving a cut through is difficult.

“Having places to play is another challenge, ensuring leisure centres remain open and prioritise badminton (where four people can play), rather than basketball or football where more people can play. We know that where badminton has regular and consistent access to a facility, there are strong levels of activity, offering opportunities across all levels of the sport and often supporting player development.

“That’s why our aim is to place data at the heart of decision making and to consistently lobby to protect and open up facilities.

“We also want to open up more community centres, village halls, faith venues and other nontraditional (but suitable) venues to increase the opportunities to play. With the development of more sophisticated outdoor shuttles, the potential to develop more places to play outdoors, including on beaches, will be explored.”

“Our foundations are strong - there are a million people playing badminton regularly in this country, but to ensure our long term health, we need to develop a sport that engages, energises and connects this community and attracts more young people. Our focus will be to create an enhanced sense of community and belonging, with an emphasis on story-telling, highlighting the value badminton brings to individual lives and communities and celebrating the people that make that possible.”

PHOTO: BADMINTON ENGLAND

PHOTO: BADMINTON ENGLAND

PHOTO: BADMINTON ENGLAND

PHOTO: SPORT ENGLAND

The new strategy looks to make the sport accessible and inclusive to all

TRUST IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Leisure trust, Mytime Active, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. SportsNation speaks to CEO, Jason Stanton and two of his team members – Debra Weekes and Diane Friday – who have been with the trust since its inception

Mytime Active, a leisure trust which operates facilities on behalf of local authorities, was founded as Bromley Mytime back in 2004. Historically, leisure services sat within Bromley Council alongside libraries, parks and open spaces, but the management of the local authority’s leisure centres had previously been outsourced to private companies, including Serco and DC Leisure.

On 1 February 2004, Bromley Council established Bromley Mytime as a social enterprise, amalgamating all the leisure services under one “roof”. The services included a range of facilities, from The Spa at Beckenham, The Pavilion and Walnuts and West Wickham leisure centres to the dual-use sites the council were still managing. There were also two golf courses, civic halls, sports and arts development projects, play facilities and childcare services – so quite a mix.

How did those first years as a standalone social enterprise influence what Mytime Active offers today?

Debra Weekes, Mytime Active’s Partnership Manager: “We realised early on that the programmes needed development to meet the needs of the local community. For example, we inherited a very small programme of activities for the over 60s from DC Leisure. In 2007 it only offered three or four activities at a handful of sites. As a result, we only had 79 members over the age of 60, despite Bromley having an ageing population.

“In 2008 we started a Sport England-funded Active Ageing programme and recruited Ann Wilbourn as Primetime Manager. Ann researched what activities older people enjoy and created our buddies scheme (where older people volunteer to support our Primetime members). Primetime now offers more than 100 activities a week to more than 2,500 members.

Jason Stanton, Diane Friday (middle) and Debra Weekes ALL

We look at the personal wellbeing factor of residents and then aspire to make it significantly higher for those using our services

“At Bromley Council I managed our health programmes, Fresh Start and HeartSmart for people with medical conditions, which have thrived within Mytime Active. Since our inception we’ve had amazing exercise specialists working in our health team.

“The fact the team has worked together for a long time and programmes are well established, gives a consistency of approach. Our team is trusted in their field and have a place at the table where fitness and sport often aren’t included; highlighted by our relationship with the newly developed Local Care Partnership, One Bromley. We will be supporting One Bromley with the management of a Health Hub in The Glades shopping centre, where we will be offering free Vital 5 lifestyle advice.”

What makes Mytime Active stand out among other leisure providers?

Jason Stanton: “The biggest difference is that we judge our success by improving the wellbeing of our members and compare it to residents in our communities. We are measuring the wellbeing impact of our services via the Office of National Statistics.

“We look at the personal wellbeing factor of residents and then aspire to make it significantly higher for those using our services. We began this approach in April 2022 as an integral element of our new strategy.

“Our initial results show that our members have up to a 13% higher wellbeing factor than residents. I’m exceptionally proud of our initial impact. We

want to push this further by growing the reach of our on-site and particularly our community-driven programmes, which are really important to us.

“As physical activity and leisure faces increased financial challenges, many operators want to focus on building big gyms, because that’s what makes commercial sense. More marginal programmes are often dropped because they’re not profitable, but I’m keen to dial them up, otherwise you don’t serve the whole community.

“Some of our health inequality programmes are profitable, some break even, some lose money, but we’re willing to invest in them anyway. If we cut every programme that doesn’t give a return, we would be a very different organisation.

“We don’t want transactional relationships. We want our customers to get more from us than just using the gym. A leisure centre should be a community hub. I don’t care whether people workout, play dominoes or buy a coffee – at one of our golf clubs we even have a knit and natter group!”

Has Mytime Active always been health-focused?

Diane Friday, Active Lifestyles Programme

Manager: “Yes, when we became Bromley Mytime in 2004 we were initially three separate divisions; health, leisure and golf, but these have now been integrated to streamline both staff and services.

“Our health contracts have changed a lot over the years though. Currently they are funded for 12 sessions and act as a stepping stone. Our goal is to integrate participants into regular services, so they have the confidence to come to the gym by themselves, knowing what’s going to help with their condition and what not to do. “Our job is to educate them on the benefits of physical activity and lifestyle changes so they can then self-manage, although we also offer long-term health programmes for people that need on-going support.

“People come because our staff have knowledge and empathy; they’re interested in their lives and helping them to get better. That’s key, I think. I still cover sessions occasionally; it’s so rewarding to see people in the gym who nervously came on our Fresh Start programme 15 years ago and are still members today!”

Tell us about the strategy you’ve launched to support community engagement:

Jason: “We developed our Theory of Change to drive the improved wellbeing of our members. It’s all linked around four key pathways; Eat Well, Be Together, Be Positive and Be Active.

“For example, if 10-year-old Johnny attends swimming lessons, he’s on our be active pathway. When he comes out hungry, we want to offer him a healthy food option so he can eat well.

Mytime Active runs activities for people of all ages

Mytime runs the award-winning Golf on Referral scheme

“Be Positive, meanwhile, is how we reward and acknowledge his swimming achievements and Be Together is the friends he makes during his lessons and the opportunities we provide to reinforce those friendships – such as a free swim during the holidays so he can go with his friends.”

What initiative are you most proud of?

Jason: “I joined Mytime Active eight years ago, looking after the golf estate. During my interview the CEO said ‘I’m not interested in making money out of golf, because I know we can do that. I’d like to know whether using our estate to play golf, participate in another activity or just for a social event improves a person’s wellbeing.’ So I decided to prove that we could do both.

“We partnered with England Golf and ukactive, and launched Golf on Referral, the first ever research backed, medically-proven GP referral pathway for golf, which won England Golf’s 2019 Innovation Award.

Rather than people just saying it makes them feel better, we will measure against their goals, so we can show what percentage actually achieve those goals

“We’re now trying to evaluate all our programmes for improved wellbeing, so they are all evidential. Rather than people just saying it makes them feel better, we will measure against their goals so we can show what percentage actually achieve those goals.”

You’re one of many long-serving employees – how has Mytime Active supported your career journey?

Diane: “My very first role in leisure was a Level 2 gym instructor at the Spa at Beckenham. When I saw the health programmes we were running I immediately wanted to work with people with medical conditions, teaching them how exercise could help them live more independently for longer. The things many of us take for granted some people can’t do or don’t want to try, because they’re in pain or worried it could make their condition worse.

“I helped out on the Fresh Start GP referral programme and gained my Level 3 GP referral course before moving into the health team, Mytime Active runs more than 20 locations

We have a sport and leisure programme specifically for adults, young people and children with a learning disability called MyClub

where I completed cardiac rehab training for the Heart Smart initiative. Mytime Active provides lots of free opportunities to learn, I can now deliver NHS Health Checks and our ESCAPE-Pain programme, and so I’ve grown with the company, eventually becoming programme coordinator and then eight years ago programme manager.

What are you most proud of during your 20-year tenure?

Diane: “How we’ve adapted. Health contracting and commissioning has changed hugely, but the team has always managed to deliver a really good service, despite challenges. I’m also proud of how we’ve grown. For example, creating specific classes for people that have had a stroke or have neurological conditions, Tai Chi and movement classes for those with reduced mobility; each tailor-made for their condition.

“We have a sport and leisure programme specifically for adults, young people and children

with a learning disability called MyClub too, which encourages communication, interaction and fun. And the health hub in the shopping centre, where our lifestyle advisors will be on hand to offer free advice on things such as blood pressure and height and weight measurements. Residents will also be able to access free one-to-one behaviour change support around alcohol and smoking cessation.”

What have been the highlights during your time at Mytime Active?

Debra: “During the last 14 years we’ve secured £3.45 million of grant funding to support the development of programmes and events. Since 2004 we’ve also managed Team Bromley entries into the London Youth Games, working with schools and sports clubs to put the teams together across many different sports.

“But working with amazing people over the years, many of whom are still around, has been a real highlight for me; experts in their field, great managers and people who have supported my development.

“My role as Partnerships Manager offers me huge variety. I’ve worked on so many impactful projects, with lots of great partners; no two years are ever the same. These factors, and knowing the work we do makes a positive difference, is why I’m still around!”

MyClub is aimed at those with disabilities

Mytime has created classes for specific needs

How Can You Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Without Sacrificing Light Quality?

Get the whole story at musco.com/we/climate-pledge-arena/

“Musco is an industry standard. In my world, it’s the go-to for any project of this size and signi cance.”

–R andy Foster Director of Production Climate Pledge Arena

Musco’s TLC for LED® sports lighting system helps stadiums, arenas and facilities of all sizes achieve their sustainability goals without sacrificing light levels, light quality, and overall reliability.

In fact, Musco recently helped Climate Pledge Arena—home to the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Seattle Storm of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)—become the first certified net-zero carbon arena on the planet.

Nurture or Nature?

Wellness business consultancy, Pocket Rocket Group, outlines the di erences between soft skills and character skills

There is a profound difference between soft skills and character skills. Understanding the significance of nurturing both sets of skills for personal and professional growth is paramount to our success in the workplace.

Pocket Rocket Group is passionate about this subject, weaving values and character skills into both its academy and marketing workshops across the health, fitness and wellness industry for over six years.

While the terms “soft skills” and “character skills” are often used interchangeably, it is essential to recognise the fundamental difference between the two.

Soft skills encompass a range of interpersonal abilities and attributes that facilitate effective communication, teamwork, and adaptability. These competencies include communication

skills, emotional intelligence, problem-solving abilities, and leadership qualities. They are vital for establishing rapport, collaborating with others, and achieving professional excellence.

On the other hand, character skills delve deeper into our very nature, reflecting core values, virtues and qualities that shape our behaviour and actions. These attributes, such as integrity, empathy, resilience and accountability, are at the heart of one’s character. Character skills guide our decision-making, ethical conduct, and interactions with others - playing a pivotal role in establishing trust, fostering meaningful relationships and leaving a lasting impact on those around us.

While soft skills are vital for navigating the professional landscape, character skills provide the foundation upon which effective soft skills are built.

Without character skills, soft skills lack authenticity and sustainability. Nurturing both sets of skills allows individuals to exhibit the highest level of competence while fostering an environment of trust, respect and collaboration.

By cultivating character skills alongside the more widely spoken about soft skills, individuals can differentiate themselves as authentic, compassionate, and accountable professionals.

PHOTO: POCKET ROCKET

PHOTO: POCKET ROCKET

Cheriee Wales (left) and Nick Mennell

A Pocket Rocket workshop in progress

In a recent poll conducted by Pocket Rocket Group across social media, the number one characteristic that people valued the most was integrity - the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. This insight, compared to the other options given; courage, confidence and compassion, stood for a massive 83% vs 6% each, respectively.

Broken down further, integrity presents itself as the following values; reliable, trustworthy, honest and respectful - to cultivate these values through your business is to ensure that stakeholders are aligned as much as possible.

Nick Mennell, Director at Pocket Rocket Group says “Whether in the workplace or personal life, the development of character skills empowers us as individuals to embrace challenges, overcome adversity, and maintain our personal integrity in all situations. Let’s be honest, how often do you consciously think about your personal or business values and assess the character skills required to take appropriate action?”

In a recent Diary of a CEO podcast with best selling author and organisational psychologist Adam Grant, it is suggested that the key to a motivated, driven and productive

The development of character skills empowers us as individuals to embrace challenges, overcome adversity, and maintain our personal integrity in all situations

workforce lies in aligning 3 out of 5 core values - this allows for slight differences in opinion and creates a positive environment for healthy debate and decision making.

Adam Smithers, Talent Partner at Follow The Oak recruitment specialists says “Aligning personal values with those of a business is essential for creating a cohesive, motivated, and effective work environment. Personal values shape our character, influence how we make decisions, our approach to work, and how we interact with others. When our values align with those of the company, it not only boosts our job fulfilment but also helps create a more productive, purpose-fuelled workplace. Candidates are increasingly prioritising companies that align with their values, so it’s crucial in today’s world that a business understands its core identity.”

To summarise, the distinction between soft skills and character skills is crucial for personal and professional growth. While soft skills enable effective communication and collaboration, character skills establish the foundation for authenticity, integrity and ethical behaviour. By nurturing both sets of skills, individuals can lay a solid groundwork for success, happiness and meaningful relationships in all aspects of life.

Character skills can be developed

PHOTO: POCKET ROCKET

LED LIGHT there be

A relatively new option for sports venues, LED floodlighting solutions have quickly become the choice for both elite and community facilities

The use of light-emitting diode (LED) technology in sports lighting has transformed the way venues are illuminated – from 80,000-seat football stadiums to grassroots facilities. The advantages are undeniable. LEDs can provide enhanced brightness, energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness and improved player visibility – as well as features such as dimming and colour-changing capabilities.

At elite and professional level, broadcasters and sport governing bodies have defined standards for lighting that enable TV cameras to capture flicker-free, super slow-motion action replays and help players to deliver a peak performance. The latest standards are easily met with high quality LED lighting – excellent colour rendering and uniformity ensures maximum performance and helps broadcasters catch every bead of sweat and

strained sinew in glorious 4K ultra-high definition.

While broadcast quality is not a consideration at grassroots level, being environmentally sustainable and cost effective certainly is. LED sports lighting consume around 50-80% less energy than metalhalide lamps, resulting in significant cost savings. Additionally, LED lights have a longer lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements, which further contributes to energy conservation and minimizes maintenance costs. Metal halide lighting systems also require annual servicing to include cleaning, mast checks and re-lamps. LED floodlights can undergo standard maintenance every two years for cleaning and mast checks.

While LEDs are a relatively recent solution for sports venues – the first ones in the UK were installed in the early 2010s – they have become the popular choice for both professional and community sports. Over the next few pages we have a look at some recent LED projects.

Midstream powers a better experience at Andover BMX Club

Andover BMX Club, established in 1996 at Charlton Leisure Park, operates a premier track meeting British Cycling standards in the south of England. Facing daylight restrictions for training and racing, the club sought floodlighting.

Floodlit BMX facilities are a comparative rarity in the UK. Most BMX tracks are reliant on natural light alone and, as a result, when the sun drops behind the horizon, activity comes to a halt – something that puts severe restrictions on a club’s ability to accommodate the needs of its members.

With financial support from Test Valley Borough Council, and following a competitive tender, the club appointed SAPCA member, Midstream Lighting, to design and deliver a brand new floodlighting system.

While the club and Midstream were keen to get started with the installation, a few initial challenges needed to be overcome. The first involved the provision of electricity to the track, which saw Midstream working with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks to specify the required power levels. With certain sensitivities around the location of the raceway, a protracted planning period then followed, with Midstream supporting the club at every turn.

Another issue that needed to be tackled was the design of the lighting system itself. In many sports, the relevant governing bodies provide comprehensive guidance on appropriate lux levels, but that isn’t the case for BMX, however. As a result, Midstream’s extensive history with sports lighting was brought into play, enabling the company to design a high-performance –and highly cost effective – 200 lux system.

Key to that design are the company’s Modus R1000 LED floodlights, 12 of which are now installed across six masts at the track. Angled straight down so as to prevent any shadowing around jumps, doubles, and rhythm sections, these high-quality luminaires are helping Andover’s members train and race well into night.

Musco’s LED technology helping facilities reduce carbon footprint

Musco’s proprietary TLC for LED sports lighting system has helped Climate Pledge Arena – home to the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Seattle Storm of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) –  become the first arena in the world to achieve the International Living Future Institute Zero Carbon Certification.

The new lighting features Musco’s patented light control technology and tunable white LED fixtures which adjust instantly between warmer and whiter colour temperatures to create unique visual settings.

Woburn Sands Tennis Club upgrades old LEDs

LED floodlight solutions are a relatively new product – especially at community and grassroots sports level. So replacing existing LED sports lighting with another LED solution might at first sound odd. There can, however, be a good reason for upgrading older LED lights to the latest generation of LED.

The most compelling arguments for replacing older LEDs are the substantial energy saving, the removal or reduction of lamp change/maintenance requirements and reduced light spillage. These were among the considerations at Woburn Sands Tennis Club, which has just replaced its old LED lights with new ones.

The three key drivers for change at Woburn were light levels, uniformity and complaints from neighbours about light spillage. The complaints were no surprise, as the club is surrounded by three story

The lighting system is one of a wide range of ecofriendly solutions at the arena. The venue has eliminated fossil fuels from all planned arena operations, making it one of the only arenas to be 100% electric and powered by renewable energy sources. It has also installed solar panels on site and offsets the remainder of its energy use through renewable energy certificates from Puget Sound Energy. “Musco is an industry standard,” said Randy Foster, Director of Production at Climate Pledge Arena. “In my world, it’s the goto for any project of this size and significance.”

flats that sit directly outside the court fencing. The club appointed SAPCA member, Carbon8Lighting, for the project, installing the company’s new Athlima sports fittings. Athlima combines pinpoint accurate optics and adjustable glare shields, providing the club with improved light levels and uniformity to meet LTA guidelines. Crucially, the club now also has happy neighbours.

PHOTO: MUSCO

PHOTO: WOBURN SANDS TENNIS CLUB/CARB ON8

Lighting

Lee Valley VeloPark’s lighting gets upgrade

Thorn and its sister brand Zumtobel (both lighting brands of the Zumtobel Group) provided a highperformance solution for the Lee Valley VeloPark in London, delivering 50% energy reduction and cost savings ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Working in collaboration with BDP Lighting and Elcom on the project, the team was tasked with replacing the 10-year-old metal-halide lighting system, which had become outdated.

As well as a world class sports venue, Lee Valley VeloPark is also available for exhibitions, conferences and private hire. This added another requirement for the lighting. It needed to be flexible enough to adapt to the different configurations for various events.

The original scheme consisted of 371 metal halide luminaires with a total energy load of 368 kW. Switching light levels for specific competitions was complicated. With no dimming system in place, the venue could only switch off banks of projectors.

The new scheme uses a mix of 276 of Thorn’s Altis and Zumtobel’s CRAFT II Performance luminaires, with an overall energy load of 185kW – 50% less than the original. The floodlights also use DMX and DALI control, meaning each luminaire can be individually switched and dimmed. Meeting

broadcasting standards, the new luminaires are also flicker-free. This achieves precise control of the light levels on the track, improving conditions for cyclists, spectators and TV cameras.

The downlight installation reduced the connected energy load by 50% from 20kW to 10kW, improving the spectral quality of light, and eliminating the need for regular lamp changes (which was approx. 20 per month). The estimated cost savings from the project (including energy, replacement lamps, and lamp change labour) will amount to £100k after ten years.

LMXLED completes Crowthorne Tennis project

Crowthorne Tennis Club in Reading is now benefiting from precision-engineered, high-specification LED lighting. SAPCA member, LMXLED, was appointed to upgrade an existing lighting system with a corner-lit layout. Each corner had a column with a height of 10m and with a 2000w metal halide light on each pole.

LMXLED provided a solution which exceeds LTA guidelines by replacing each head with its 600w LXFL400 Tennis high mast sports floodlight. In addition to improved lighting for players, the system offers a big saving of 70% on energy consumption, which is crucial amid the rising utility prices.

In addition, LMXLED deployed its expertise in optics to control glare and ensure high uniformity – a potentially challenging task with 10m poles.

“We ended up with virtually zero backlight or up light or spill, to create a happy environment for dark sky regulations and the fauna living nearby,” LMXED says. “The upgrade of floodlights to a superior specification not only elevates the overall quality of lighting but also conveys a resounding message of confidence in the club and underscores a commitment to investing in both current and potential members.”

Dominic Evan-Hart, Head Coach of Crowthorne Tennis Club, added: “We’re really noticing the significant savings in running costs and of course contributing to the reduction in our carbon footprint.”

LED solutions achieving energy cost savings in Wales

Wales-based Floodlighting and Electrical Services has worked on a number of recent projects at sports facilities across the country. Recent LED floodlight installations include those at Darran Park, Caerau Ely AFC, Ystrad Mynach Centre of Sporting Excellence, Stow Park Lawn Tennis Club and Cwmbran Tennis Club. At the Ystrad Mynach Centre, the company installed high-efficiency LED floodlights and a SmartGEDi lighting control system, providing enhanced visibility and energy efficiency to the facility. Each pitch at the centre was designed to achieve the specified lighting level of 500 lux to meet the required standards for the WRU and FAW clubs that use the pitches.

The SmartGEDi technology enables clubs to save energy by installing lighting with sensor detection, lux level controls and the ability to complement natural light, reducing energy consumption and bills in the process. It excels at ensuring only the energy needed is used. Floodlighting and Electrical MD, Gareth Thomas, said: “We’re committed to supporting clubs in achieving their sustainability objectives. We understand the financial burden associated with running a sports club, especially when it comes to operating floodlights.

Cirencester Hockey cuts energy use by 50% thanks to Lumosa’s LED

SAPCA member, Lumosa, has delivered an innovative LED lighting solution for Cirencester Hockey that not only elevated the visibility and vibrancy of every game but has also ushered in a new era of sustainability.

The club, which has more than 350 members, has experienced a 50% reduction in energy

consumption since installing Lumosa’s cuttingedge lighting technology. The pitch is used both by Cirencester Hockey and Deer Park School.

“The Cirencester project exemplifies our commitment to creating solutions that harmonise with the environment and community needs,” Lumosa said.

PHOTO: LMXLED/CROWTHORNE TENNIS CLUB

PHOTO: FLOODLIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL

Hybrid solutions

Hybrid turf systems have been widely used in elite sports for more than two decades. Increasingly, they are also being used in grassroots and community settings

ybrid sports pitches are the playing surface of choice in professional football. Most clubs in the top two tiers of English football play on one, while nearly all major football finals over the past decade have been played on hybrid surfaces – a mixture of natural grass supported by artificial fibres.

The idea with a hybrid surface is that you stitch synthetic fibres into the base of a grass pitch to hold the root zone together. The natural grass then grows around the fibres, anchoring it and creating greater consistency and stability in the playing surface. The system allows an increased number of playing hours, along with faster recovery of the surface between usage.

As well as increased endurance, another benefit of the hybrid turf system is its appearance. Even when the natural grass wars down, the pitch will still look good to both spectators and to TV cameras due to the green synthetic fibres showing through the surface.

The resilience of hybrid systems allows the pitch to be used more often – and also copes better than 100% natural turf when non-sporting events are held on it. For professional clubs, this means an opportunity to generate additional revenue.

At grassroots level, the additional hours of usage can provide significant community use above and beyond a club’s match play usage, benefitting sports development at the facility. As the emergence of new, more costeffective hybrid systems has brought the price of some systems down, hybrid pitches are predicted to become increasingly popular in grassroots and community settings too.

From a usage point of view, the benefits are clear. While a good quality grass pitch can only sustain around six hours of use a week, hybrid pitches can be played – depending on the system – from around 10 to 20 hours per week. Still short of the 80 hours a week that a fully synthetic pitch can be played on, but a significant improvement.

Hybrid turf is now the surface of choice for professional football

Greenfields successfully moves and re-installs pitch in Riga

One of the three GreenFields XtraGrass pitches that were installed at the Baltic Sports Village in the Latvian capital city, Riga, in 2021 has recently been moved to Skonto Stadium, home of Riga FC and the Latvian national football team.

The sods of the hybrid pitch were removed and transported to Skonto Stadium to get re-installed there. The project, including new field heating, was realized within a period of only 5 weeks thanks to GreenFields’ partners Baltic Sport Group, Riga FC and MODO Golf.

Shortly after the completion of the project, the pitch was able to host a European Championship (EURO 2024) qualifying football match between Latvia and Turkey.

Now that the XtraGrass pitch has been removed at Baltic Sports Village, a brand new turf system will be installed there after the summer.

The GreenFields XtraGrass hybrid system combines the positive properties of natural grass with the strength and durability of artificial turf, providing an elite playing surface for sports. The patented weaving technique also offers increased fibre bind, over standard tufting techniques.

PHOTO:

QUI

The pitch was replaced with a GreenFields XtraGrass hybrid turf

The Skonto Stadium in Riga, home of the Latvian national football team

Sports surfaces

White Horse constructs QPR’s hybrid pitch

Queens Park Rangers Football Club selected SAPCA member, White Horse Contractors, to reconstruct its Loftus Road Stadium pitch for the current football season. With more than 60 years of experience, White Horse Contractors designed and constructed the hybrid turf football pitch and completed the project in time for the start of the 2023-24 season.

The program of works included the new GrassMaster hybrid turf pitch, as well as upgrades to the irrigation system, the extension of the undersoil heating system and installation of the new artificial 3G surrounds

and other pitch side infrastructure.

White Horse Contractors completed the work to incredibly tight deadlines and to the football club’s exact specifications.

QPR’s Head Groundsman, Dave Butler, said: “Our old pitch came to the end of its lifespan and had started to lose a bit of stability, so we decided we needed a new pitch.”

The project is the latest in a long-standing partnership between QPR and White Horse, which has also seen the company design and construct hybrid pitches at the club’s Heston training ground.

The new pitch was created in time for the start of the 2023-24 season

We deliver hybrid turf pitch construction to the very highest levels of British sport. With six decades of experience, we can install new hybrid playing surfaces to tight deadlines and budgets

Working with White Horse Contractors was very good. We are getting 6 days a week of use here, the only day off is Sunday. We can achieve 15–20 hours a week on these pitches. They are literally all year-round use. We donʼt cancel matches unless the pitches are frozen!

Daniel Ratling, Grounds & Estate Manager, Whitgift School

Call: 01865 736272

Email: whc@whitehorsecontractors.co.uk

LinkedIn: whitehorsecontractors

X: @whitehorsecontr

The use of hybrid pitches will be permitted in the County Championship next season as part of a one-year trial

Hybrid pitches to make cricket County Championship debut in 2024

Hybrid pitches will be used for the first time in English first class cricket during the 2024 County Championship season. The technology has previously been used in one-day cricket games, but the concern has been that hybrid pitches “wouldn’t deteriorate enough” for four-day cricket.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), however, made a decision in late 2023 to trial hybrid pitches. ECB said that the prospect of losing the traditional “fourth day pitch” conditions – which often

guarantees a result – would be positively offset by the opportunity to allow grounds to cope with the volume of cricket played during the English summer season.

“The use of hybrid pitches will be permitted in the County Championship next season as part of a one-year trial,” the ECB said in a statement.

“The use of hybrid pitches has, until now, been limited to white-ball cricket. The oneyear trial will assess the value of using hybrid pitches in multi-day cricket, with counties having the option whether to use hybrid pitches or not through the season.”

PHOTO: SIS

This season’s County Championship will see the introduction of hybrid turf

The project was completed in 21 days and in time for the Season Cup tournament

SIS pitches installs world’s first fully indoor hybrid pitch in Riyadh

Season Cup, the showpiece football tournament held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – featuring superstars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – was made possible thanks to the world’s first fully indoor hybrid pitch. The pitch was built in 21 days by global sports surfaces specialist and SAPCA member, SIS Pitches.

The competition forms part of the Riyadh Season, a festival featuring both live sport and entertainment in the capital, funded by the Saudi government’s Public Investment Fund. All of the Season Cup games take place at the Kingdom Arena in front of 24,000 fans. During the competition, the stadium received two Guinness World Records. The first for being the largest covered football stadium; the second for having the largest seating capacity for an indoor covered stadium.

Setting the stage for the cup’s major fixtures, including Al Nassr vs. Inter Miami, was a major challenge for SIS Pitches. Construction and development of the elite indoor sports venue started in late 2023, giving the business a much shorter window to install and prepare a playing surface fit for top-level competition.

However, this short window was only one part of the challenge. SIS also had to ensure the natural turf grew strong enough to properly secure the small percentage of synthetic fibres stitched into the arena’s surface, as is standard for hybrid pitches of this type. This process was made harder by the arena’s fully indoor design, which has no windows or roof for sunlight to enter. The SIS team worked around this by using ultraviolet growing lights to prepare the pitch in time.

Sela, the developer responsible for the arena, requested a game-ready playing surface in just three weeks, much

shorter than the typical window for a major development of this type. This aligned with the pace of construction for the wider stadium, which was completed in just 60 days.

SISGrass, the solution specified by SIS, merges natural turf with a small percentage of polymer yarn. Already used by many of the most recognisable names in sports, this mixture is injected by the company’s patented electric stitching machine, providing a more consistent and resilient playing surface. SIS’s machine is capable of covering 1300m2 metres per day with a 90mm shallow stitch, making it ideal for quick installs like that requested by Sela.

SISGrass is much harder-wearing than an all-natural pitch, and accommodates more playing hours while also being less susceptible to wear or damage. This was particularly important for the Kingdom Arena, given the small window grounds people have to prepare between entertainment and sports events.

The stadium is home to Saudi Professional League team Al Hilal. It will also host several other major sporting events in the coming months, including two heavyweight championship boxing fights.

David Ball, Managing Director at SIS Saudi said “This project had an incredibly challenging timeline but our team was able to mobilise quickly, delivering a highquality playing surface fit for arguably football’s two greatest ever players. We knew the arena was going to be used for other sports and entertainment, so the pitch had to be capable of accommodating short turnarounds between events. SISGrass was a natural choice in this respect, having already proven itself the best option for groundspeople across the world.”

PHOTO: SIS

In conversation with

Kris Aves

Kris Aves was a serving Met Police officer when he was paralysed from the chest down in the terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge in March 2017. Now, seven years later, he will be vice captain of the European team at this year’s Cairns Cup – dubbed the “Ryder Cup for disabled golfers”

Kris Aves joined the Metropolitan Police in October 2008 at the age of 27. After completing his training at Hendon, he joined the London Borough of Camden as a response officer. A few years later he changed roles and became a police liaison officer, attending demonstrations, marches and other large gatherings that required policing.

His role in policing the Brexit marches of 2016 earned him a Commander’s Commendation. The day that he went to receive his award, 22 March 2017, changed his life forever.

Following the awards ceremony, Aves left New Scotland Yard with colleagues and headed back home – but was hit by a terrorist who drove onto the pavement on Westminster Bridge. The attack left five people, including the attacker, dead, with another 50 people seriously injured.

Aves spent eight days in an induced coma and was paralysed from the chest down. But rather than let his injuries define him, he has defied them to return to the sport he loved – golf.

Aves now competes in the seated category thanks to a mobility device called ParaGolfer that lifts him into an upright position. In July 2024, he will travel to Michigan, US, to play in the Cairns Cup – dubbed the “Ryder Cup for disabled golfers” – as vice-captain of the European team.

SportsNation spoke to Aves about his passion for golf and the importance of creating sporting opportunities for those with disabilities.

Have you always been keen on sports?

I grew up loving football. I played for Saturday teams all the way up to under 18s and then switched to Sunday league. I also played rugby and cricket and even joined a pub darts team. In my 20s I worked overseas as a holiday rep and I would annoy my workmates as I’d constantly have Sky Sports News on.

When did you first start playing golf – and how often would you play before being injured?

Golf wasn’t a part of my life when I was young, but when I was about 26, working for Virgin Active gyms, I had the opportunity to play with Paul Robinson and Hans Segers – the goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach of Tottenham Hotspur. They used to come to the gym and, as a huge Spurs fan, I said yes – although I had no idea of how to actually play golf!

I borrowed some kit and let’s just say that it wasn’t my finest four hours. It did give me the bug, though. Since that day I haven’t looked back – even creating a golf society for police officers and their friends while working at Camden Borough. I was never a single digit golfer, but managed to get round without hacking the course up – and once had a hole in one.

After losing the use of my legs it seemed that certain things were going to be taken away from me

This year, Aves will be the vice captain of the European team at the Cairns Cup

The Golf Trust is the reason I’m playing golf again

Following the Westminster Bridge attack, did you ever think you could play again?

There were three things that I felt I wouldn’t be able to get back to. Firstly, my kids are my life and, while laying in a hospital bed, I worried I wouldn’t be able to give them what they needed. I thought I wouldn’t be able to run around the park kicking a ball with them. Happily, with my rehabilitation and chatting to people I found other ways to play and have fun.

Secondly, I loved golf and watching Spurs – they were my hobbies and I was very passionate about them. After losing the use of my legs it seemed that those things were going to be taken away from me. Luckily, I was introduced to the disability access officer at Tottenham and I now get to go regularly.

Separately, I was also introduced to disability golf. The Golf Trust is the reason I’m playing golf again. My physio got in touch with them and they invited me to come along to the Shire London during my recovery.

You now use a paragolfer to play - what is it?

The paragolfer is an all-terrain mechanical wheelchair/buggy that not only drives the golfer around the course but at the press of a button raises the user into a standing position to allow a more conventional golf swing. The paragolfer is designed to access most areas of the golf course including the green.

How often do you now play golf, on average?

During the winter, not very often, sadly, due to the weather. It’s not safe to take the paragolfer on the wet grass. Not only that, many golf clubs,

including my own, allow carry only. When the courses have dried up a bit – especially through the summer months – I try and get out weekly with the odd weekend away with friends.

You’re also involved with Cairns Cup - what is it?

The Cairns Cup is a disability golf, premier match play event, played bi-annually between Europe and The USA – like the Ryder Cup for disability golf. It’s totally inclusive and allows for people with varying abilities and disabilities to compete on the highest platform possible.

The first event took place at The Shire, London in May 2022. It is played over three days with six fourballs, six foursomes and 12 single matches.

What is your role in the Cairns Cup organisation?

I’m a director and this year’s vice-captain. As vice-captain I’m focused on the coordination of the European Team Players. As an organisation, the Cairns Cup has a 10-year plan to secure its future for many generations, with a mission to promote excellence in adaptive golf.

The next Cairns Cup takes place in July?

Yes, in July 2024, USA will host the competition at Cherry Creek Golf in Detroit, Michigan. It will

PHOTO: KRIS AVES

Aves receiving his Commendation on the day of the attack

Aves use a paragolfer – an all-terrain mechanical wheelchair/buggy – to play

be a week-long festival of golf with an Adaptive Golf Clinic, a Charity Corporate Fundraising Day, Official Opening Ceremony and the event itself.

The event will be broadcast live on Youtube via LIVESportNow and there will be a 30 minute documentary after the event on NBC Sports.

How important are the likes of the Cairns Cup for raising awareness of disability sport?

Of huge significance! Just look at what the Paralympics, Rugby Wheelchair World Cup and Wheelchair Tennis have done to break down barriers. They have blazed the trail for other sports to raise the profile of disabilities.

However, golf is particularly impactful, as it is a sport that can be played by any age group. Women and men can compete on an equal footing and, due to the handicap system, you can compete with players of a different standard. Furthermore, golf is a sport that both impaired

and non-impaired can challenge each other. All of our efforts help to dispel the myth in everyday society, that a disability doesn’t mean an inability. Golf is also a sport that is good for your wellbeing. It’s been clinically proven that being outside, exercising and being among friends can boost your mindset and your body.

If readers want to support the Cairns Cup, how can they do that?

Financial help is always welcome – putting on the event takes an enormous amount of funds! We have to get the 16 European players to Detroit, (along with caddies and carers) and ensure they have accommodation and transport. Our view is that no player should be omitted due to financial restraints. If anyone would like to donate to the cause they can use this link: bit.ly/4cm562X. Businesses that want to sponsor can contact me directly: kris.aves@thecairnscup.com.

PHOTO: KRIS AVES

OUR GOAL IS TO TACKLE INACTIVITY BY GETTING PEOPLE AWAY FROM

THEIR DEVICES* AND OUTSIDE.

*WE’D LIKE TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION JUST THIS ONCE SCAN THIS CODE AND WE’LL SHOW YOU WHAT WE DO.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH ACTIVE PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITIES WE TACKLE INACTIVITY IN CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS WE BUILD AMAZING ACTIVITY ZONES AND ACCESSORISE EXISTING ONES