Grassroots football action from Isthmian Premier League
The ongoing energy crisis has led to the UK government announcing an unprecedented level of support to protect households and businesses from the soaring costs of gas and electricity.
While there’s a six-month scheme in place for businesses, what happens after that has yet to be decided, and there will obviously be intense lobbying by every sector to persuade the government that theirs is in need of ongoing support until energy prices return to normal levels.
Industry body, ukactive, recently wrote to the new Prime Minister warning of the threat to the health and wellbeing of millions of people if sport and leisure facilities don’t receive adequate support, saying: “Failure to provide the required support will see essential facilities disappear, damaging the health and wellbeing of millions, and placing even greater pressure on our NHS.”
ukactive also states that the physical activity sector’s facilities represent the first mile of the UK’s health service and are a vital part of communities’ social fabric - providing 66% of the nation’s cancer rehab and prehab services, life-saving swimming lessons, group exercise classes and sport for all ages.
It’s not just protection from energy costs that the sector needs, however, but also ongoing investment in facilities. A significant proportion of the country’s pools and leisure centres are in need of upgrading or replacement and the UK lags behind many other countries in the number & quality of pitches/courts/tracks/sports halls.
While the UK punches above it’s weight when it comes to elite sporting success, we need to increase facility investment to ensure that grassroots sport is similarly fruitful – because in terms of healthy outcomes, it really is the taking part that counts.
John Challinor, Publisher
+44 (0)1202
john@sportsnation.org.uk
SportsNation is published by SportsNation Ltd in association with the Sports And Play Construction Association (SAPCA). www.sapca.org.uk
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Sports facilities need support
07 News
A roundup of the latest news
22 Column: ukactive
The role of National Fitness Day
24 Column: SAPCA Europe and polymeric infills
26 A year to remember
Stephanie Hilborne: why 2022 is a landmark year for women’s sport
30 Interview: Charlotte Malyon
Netball England’s Capital Investment and Facilities Manager
34 Interview: Robert Sullivan
Football Foundation CEO explains the need for multi-sport facilities
42 Elevate
The event which serves the entire physical activity sector
A look at some of the best facility projects of 2022
52 Euros 2022
Football finally ‘came home’ thanks to the England women’s national team
54 SAPCA event previews
SAPCA will host two important industry events this year: a conference in Scotland and the annual Technical Meeting
How this year’s tournament, originally scheduled for 2021, will be “biggest and best ever”
58 New opening: Meadowbank
How a historic facility with a rich heritage has been replaced with a modern venue with a bright future
62 Event preview: SALTEX
Everything you need to know about this year’s event
66 SAPCA Showcase
Members’ classified directory
68 Interview: Dean Taylor
Evolve SRMC founder talks about the importance of security
The Football Foundation have set a target for 40% of its investment to be in multi-sport projects by 2025.
Worth a projected £92m over the next three years, the commitment includes the creation of a network of Football Foundation PlayZones, the first of which are set to open in 2023.
The foundation’s pledge is part of its strategy to create facilities designed to support both football and additional sports – such
as rugby, cricket, netball and basketball. The strategy has three key areas of work – increasing funding into multi-sport facilities, a commitment to improve grass pitches used by football and rugby and the creation of PlayZones.
PlayZones are small-sided sports facilities designed to provide accessible outdoor facilities that bring communities together through recreational forms of football and a range of other sports.
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games organisers have teamed up with Sport England and the DCMS to give away more than 16,000 sports items used at the Games. The items, ranging from bikes and martial arts mats to T20 cricket equipment are being made available to local sport and community groups.
The International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) has called for more action to drive global gender equality in sport. The IWG made the call after the Birmingham Commonwealth Games became the first major multi-sport event in history to award more medals to women than men.
Sport Wales has named Parkwood Leisure as the preferred partner to work alongside it at the National Outdoor Centre at Plas Menai from January 2023. The deal will see management company Parkwood Leisure taking on the day-to-day running of the Centre for an initial ten year period.
The funding will create facilities capable of hosting a number of sportsSpecialist machinery company Redexim UK has appointed industry veteran and former SAPCA board member, Paul Langford, as its new Director of Commercial Operations.
The former MD of TigerTurf UK will lead Redexim’s team of Regional Sales Managers and will also be in charge of the development of overall sales and marketing strategies.
Nutrition brand Whole Supp has named GB triathlete and world-record holder Kate Jayden as one of its brand ambassadors.
Earlier this year, Jayden completed 106 marathons in 106 days to break the world record. She is also one of the first UK women to complete 10 iron triathlons in 10 days.
Synthetic turf specialist and SAPCA member, Limonta Sport, has appointed Adie Meyer as its UK country manager.
Meyer, a former professional footballer, is a fitness and sport industry veteran, having held a number of roles in the sector over the past 20 years.
Following his football career, Meyer spent time as club manager
for JJB Sports and Bannatyne Health & Fitness before moving on to sales roles at Precor and Matrix Fitness UK, where he was head of sales for the north of the UK.
He was Head of European Business Development at digital fitness platform, Wexer Virtual, and most recently was national sales manager at WeBuyGymEquipment.com.
Sport for Confidence founder Lyndsey Barrett has been awarded an honorary degree by Writtle University College in Essex.
Barrett founded Sport for Confidence in 2015. The organisation operates at multiple leisure centres across Essex and London, bringing occupational therapists together with sports coaches to deliver goal oriented, person-centred sporting experiences.
Since its launch, Sport for Confidence has created opportunities to play sport for more than 3,000 individuals who face barriers to participation.
Writtle University College’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Middleton said: “Lyndsey is
an inspiration to our students and has made incredible contributions to removing barriers to participation within sport.”
• Read a full interview with Barrett in SportsNation 3/2022
Paul Langford PEOPLE Lindsey Barrett Adie Meyer
Physical activity levels in children and teenagers across Ireland and Northern Ireland have improved slightly over the past eight years – but not all children and teens have an equal chance to be active, a new Active Healthy Kids Report Card has found.
The Ireland North and South Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents found a slight improvement in overall physical
activity levels across the island of Ireland since 2016 but has also identified a number of inequalities.
On evaluating data across both jurisdictions, the team of investigators awarded a C minus grade for overall physical activity in children and teens across the whole island, representing a slight improvement on the D grade awarded in 2016. Professor of Exercise and Health, Ulster
University, Marie Murphy, said: “It is encouraging to see the improvement in the overall grade, which shows that children and adolescents are more physically active compared to the previous 2016 Report Card. However, it also shows that not all children have an equal opportunity to be physically active, pointing to the need to address a range of inequalities as identified in this Report Card.”
Activity levels have increased among children since 2016
A new Student City concept being launched at Swansea University will offer “360-degree wellness” – including a 24-hour sports and workout space.
Developed by accommodation provider, true student, the concept is based on an entire ecosystem of experiences. As well as the fitness and physical activity facility, the different experiences include a pizzeria, outdoor riverside spaces and a ‘festival zone’ with slide.
The sports and fitness area forms a central part of this concept and was designed and delivered by Escape Fitness. The site is managed by international fitness operator, UTime Fitness.
“At true student, we create dynamic lifestyle environments that put wellness at the heart
of the student experience” says Ben Morley, Managing Director of true student.
“We strive to surround students with market-leading tools and brands to keep up with their everchanging lifestyles, so they can achieve their very best. Partnering
The sport and exercise space will be open around the clock
with Escape Fitness for UTime enables us to exceed this vision.”
UTime Fitness – which is owned by Bricks Group, the parent company of true student – currently operates gyms in Hong Kong and Thailand. The Swansea location will be its first in the UK.
Environmental non-profit organisation, Football For Future, has partnered with Nike to create a Climate Champion Handbook for Nike athletes, educating them on climate change and its relationship with football.
The first Nike athlete to be sent the Handbook was Lotte Wubben-Moy, the England Women’s star who was part of the Euro 2022 winning team earlier this year.
Within the handbook, each athlete will receive a toolkit which includes social media assets explaining the interrelationship between football and climate change, framed for football fans.
“The climate crisis is now,” Wubben-Moy said. “If football is going to have a future, the sport needs to use its relations with the world’s biggest brands and companies to ensure they do their part.”
England star Lotte Wubben-Moy at the launch of the Football For Future initiativeBlakedown are one of the largest sports facility contractors in the country. We require an enthusiastic and self-motivated person, ideally with a sports and / or civils engineering background to join our existing team.
An excellent remuneration package offered for the right candidate, including flexible hours & option of working from home.
Please apply in writing or by e-mail enclosing your c.v. to:
Avi Natan – Director
Blakedown Sport and Play Limited Unit 1, Foley Business Park, Stourport Road, Kidderminster, DY11 7QL avi.natan@sportandplay.co.uk www.blakedown.co.uk
Blakedown Sport & Play is an equal opportunity employer
Due to the growth of the company, we have a couple of opportunities to join our successful small business in Surrey.
Covair manufacture and install air domes for sport around the UK and currently have over 100 sites with many high-profile sport and leisure customers such as David Lloyd and other well-known tennis, football and rugby clubs.
Candidates with interest/experience of roles in construction/installation or engineering would be preferred although full training will be given as Covair work with a unique product.
This is a site-based role with the main focus being to travel around the UK to undertake a variety of outdoor work on new installations, maintenance, dismantles and re-inflations of our air domes throughout the year.
The position is full time, permanent and mainly based outdoors on sites around the country. The start time is usually 6:30am in Redhill and a company van is provided for each team to travel in.
Requirements: Driving licence, willing to work outdoors and be physically active, flexibility for overnight stays as necessary, no air dome experience required.
To apply for either role, please forward a brief CV to jobs@covair.co.uk with your contact details
This is a varied role with the main focus being to provide technical information on the products that Covair offer and liaise with clients and suppliers with the project management of upcoming and future projects.
The position is full time, permanent and mainly office based, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm. There will be occasional travel to installation sites, for which a company vehicle will be available.
Requirements: Driving licence, confident communicator, Autocad experience an advantage.
Industry body, ukactive, has written to Prime Minister, Liz Truss, warning of the threat to the health and wellbeing of millions of people if there is no support for sport and fitness facilities, amid rising energy costs.
The letter, signed by ukactive’s Membership Council – which represents the industry body’s
4,000 members –outlines the measures of support necessary to allow the UK’s facilities to survive the economic turbulence.
These include a call to provide local government grants, which would be ringfenced to protect public and community leisure facilities, and expanding the current business rates holiday for all sport and fitness premises until next year. ukactive also calls for a reduction of VAT to 5% for physical activity businesses.
The body also wants to see HMRC replicate the Time-To-
Pay flexibility scheme granted during the pandemic, while providing and supporting access to funding for investment in the adoption of green technology by businesses and local authorities.
Spanish champions, Real Madrid, have completed a redevelopment of their iconic Santiago Bernabèu stadium with the help of a SAPCA member.
As a result of the works, the stadium is now considered to be among the most technologically advanced in the world. One of the innovations is a system which allows the famous hybrid grass playing field to “vanish”.
When the turf is not in use, a system of retractable trays move it to a multi-storey, 35-metre deep ‘cave’ beneath the playing surface, where it spends most of its time in a protective environment.
The turf was developed, manufactured, supplied and installed by SAPCA member Limonta Sport and its partner Rappo srl.
When not in use, the pitch is stored beneath the surface
ukactive wants to see facilities receive support Huw Edwards, ukactive CEO
Nominations are now open for the grassroots sportswoman of the year award.
The award is part of the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards and celebrates women who organise outstanding grassroots sports and activities in their communities, up and down the country, to help women find joy through getting active. Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign has partnered with Sunday Times for the award.
Sport England’s executive director for digital, marketing and communications, Ali Donnelly, said: “After a groundbreaking summer of women’s sport, it’s more important than ever to celebrate women getting active – whether they’re winning medals or just taking ten
minutes in the day to exercise. That’s why This Girl Can has partnered with The Sunday Times
“We’re here to celebrate the women who are inspiring other women in their communities to get active – and supporting them
to feel the joy and connection that comes from moving your body.
“If you know a worthy winner for the award. who has changed your life or helped your community, you can nominate them now.”
www.sportswomenoftheyear.co.uk
The Sport and Recreation Alliance has welcomed the government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme, which will offer all organisations and businesses a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices. The discount will be in place for a sixmonth period starting from 1 October 2022.
According to Lisa Wainwright, CEO of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, the announcement provides welcome additional support for the sports sector – but added that more was needed.
“While this support will ensure that energy bills are more manageable, costs will still rise and this will have a significant impact on the ability of community sport and recreation clubs to operate,” Wainwright said. “Further measures still need to be investigated to address the immediate short term financial challenges that sport faces.”
The award celebrates women who organise sport in communitiesCommunity sports clubs are set to see costs increase throughout the winter
At Schmitz Foam Products, circular entrepreneurship is part of their DNA. With a rising demand for resources worldwide, there is also a demand, if not a necessity, to handle these resources more responsibly. Schmitz works according to the ‘3 R’s of Sustainability’.
Reduce:
ProPlay shock pads are made of quality foams that no longer have a meaningful purpose in their particular industries. These foams have passed all quality tests, but are seen as “obsolete”. If Schmitz did not offer these products a second chance, they would end up being incinerated or being transported to waste disposal. The demand for Schmitz’ products makes them one of the world’s largest XPE foam recyclers.
Fun fact; Schmitz works together with partners across many industries to convert these foams, sometimes even installing shredders at their facilities to make transport more efficient.
Re-use:
Schmitz constantly gives foam a new chance, their own ProPlay shock pads included. Thanks to the use of quality foam, performance degradation is very limited. Even once ProPlay is no longer delivering what is needed for sports, it can still have a useful purpose in other applications.
Fun fact; When replacing an artificial grass carpet at its end of life, the ProPlay
shock pads underneath may appear as if they were installed yesterday. ProPlay shock pads will outlast the turf for 2 or even 3 cycles, enforcing the companies’ commitment to sustainability and the 25 year warranty. Schmitz is proud that their products are being re-used, especially as its performance in terms of shock absorption and water permeability are still up to par.
The Schmitz Foam Products’ recycling philosophy aims to reuse whatever possible before recycling is considered. The company will go to great lengths to find a second use for reclaimed ProPlay if it can still serve a purpose elsewhere. Only once established that this is not the case, will the ProPlay be recycled to be reintroduced in our production process.
Fun fact; In 2022 Schmitz installs its in-house shock pad washing device. By having this they can better serve the market for end-of-use shockpads. Schmitz can then further clean, shred and dry shock pads in order to recycle them. Another step forward in their circular strategy! ● Scan to watch the Schmitz Recycling Video
Synthetic turf system with recyclable ProPlay shockpad
SAPCA member Dynamik Sports made a number of TV appearances on Sky Sports this summer, during the Vitality Super League Netball finals.
Dynamik provided 11 portable roll-out vinyl courts, totalling 7,260sqm in partnership with installation partner, Sportserve Ltd.
For the project, the team, led by Sportserve’s Will Evans, created single-line marked courts to provide a professional image and feel for the sport.
Managing Director of Dynamik, Craig Jack, said: “Working with team England Netball really was amazing, full of energy and forward thinking. Their clear focus and proactive ambition to improve the look and feel of the game by delivering a
positive experience for both the athlete and fans was something very special to be part of.
“Creating single line marked courts for netball creates a clean international standard court and a professional look for elite
players also allowing sponsor and club branding to be positioned, uncluttered, for all to see.
“Real change is never easy, especially within the events environment, as timescales are always limited.”
Ireland’s minister of state for sport, Jack Chambers, has launched a public consultation on the development of the country’s first National Swimming Strategy.
The Strategy will be based on a vision to “provide everyone in Ireland with an opportunity to swim”. It will seek to take account of all ages and abilities, recognising the participation potential of swimming over the full life course. Strategies for indoor and outdoor swimming will be considered in recognition of swimming as a life skill and physical activity of choice, as well as a sport.
The development and implementation of a National Swimming Strategy to provide additional swimming opportunities indoors and outdoors has accordingly been identified amongst the Covid-19 Recovery priorities for sport,” Chambers said.
Dynamik delivered 11 courts for the Vitality Super League Ireland’s minister for sport, Jack Chambers (right), launched the consultationSport England has launched a new assessment to replace the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) and support sport, fitness and leisure operators in providing more inclusive and accessible physical activity opportunities for all.
Co-written with Activity Alliance, Tackling Inequalities will help facilities assess how they plan, communicate and serve the local community to help them become more physically active.
It focuses on five key inequality groups including people from lower socio-economic groups, people with long-term health conditions, culturally diverse
communities, disabled people and socially excluded groups.
Sarah Maxwell, head of external accreditations at Right Directions, which manages the scheme on behalf of Sport England, said: “IFI was focused on disability and long term health conditions.
Through the Tackling Inequalities module we have widened the categories to include more of the local population. This means it’s more holistic and a lot more fit for purpose, as it can be used to assess whether a facility is set up to serve a wide ranging and diverse community.”
The new initiative will help facilities assess how they plan and deliver physical activity in local communities
Plans have been approved for a £22m refurbishment of Altrincham Leisure Centre. The proposals were given the go ahead by Trafford Council.
The work on the centre sits at the hart of the council’s “Trafford Moving” strategy, which aims to provide sustainable and accessible leisure amenities to the community.
Once complete. facilities at the redeveloped centre include a 25m swimming pool, 20m learner pool, spa area, wellness assessment room and a health club with large gym floor, two studio spaces, indoor cycle studio, a four-court sports hall and gymnastics hub.
The new mix of facilities at Altrincham Leisure Centre has
been developed with support from Sport England.
Operationally. the centre will also have a focus on environmental sustainability. This includes replacing the fossil fuel (gas) heating system with air sourced heat pumps and solar panels, which are significantly more sustainable options than the existing systems, and support Trafford Council’s carbon neutral action plan.
Jo Cherrett, CEO of Trafford Leisure – the community interest company that operates the facility
– said: “we can’t wait to breathe life back into the building, future proofing it for future generations.
“This refurbishment isn’t simply a lick of paint, it’s a multimillion-pound investment.”
A new initiative is looking to ensure female voices are heard to bring about positive change in sport across Northern Ireland.
The Women In Sport Panel has been established by Sport NI to champion women and girls in sport. Among the panel’s tasks will be to close the “significant gap” in overall participation rates and representation of women in sport. Members met to share their views and creative ideas on how to improve female participation levels and their experiences in sport.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: “Increasing female participation and addressing underrepresentation of women in sport and physical activity is a key priority for us.”
The improved facilities will include a 25m pool
The panel will champion women and girls in sport
Agrowing number of professional clubs are finding innovative ways to utilise their home venues for the purpose of forging meaningful connections with communities, families, youth, and future players. One such example of this is Tottenham Hotspur.
It was 2019 when Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was completed, bringing a new worldclass venue to North London. Among the many distinctive characteristics of the newly-built stadium was a custom LED lighting system designed and engineered by Musco Lighting.
With its exceptional new stadium in place, Tottenham Hotspur next wanted to explore ways to engage fans and community members beyond the match day experience.
Once again, the club partnered with Musco and launched an initiative to have two mini pitches installed on the southeast side of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium campus. The Musco-designed Mini-Pitch System™ is a modular solution that includes LED lighting, fencing, goals, benches and lockable storage.
The new facility was named N17 Arena, and would be utilised for a variety of purposes including as a talent ID centre and a vibrant new space for community events and activities.
The two mini pitches at N17 Arena feature different and distinct playing surfaces. One is comprised of a synthetic surface, while the other features a revolutionary Nike Grind surface which is made from more than 18,000 recycled trainers.
On Tottenham Hotspur match days the facility hosts fun and exciting fan activities, creating an innovative entertainment destination and meaningful connection between club and community. Additionally, the mini pitch will be open and accessible Mondays through Fridays with timetabled activities, after-school programmes, fitness and exercise sessions for local residents, walking football for older residents and disability sports provisions.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of facilities like this existing in the heart of our communities – providing the opportunity for local people to take part in fun, sporting activities in a structured way with our fantastic coaches overseeing,” said Donna-Maria Cullen, Executive Director for Tottenham Hotspur and Trustee with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. “We are extremely grateful to Musco for this invaluable contribution to Tottenham.” ● More information: www.musco.com
Above: Local youth have weekly opportunities to engage in programming at N17 Arena
Tottenham Hotspur partners with Musco Lighting to utilise new stadium as a source of powerful connections between club and community.We cannot stress enough the importance of facilities like this existing in the heart of our communities
ational Fitness Day is described as the UK’s most active day of the year, powered by the nation’s sports clubs, gyms, pools and leisure centres. It’s a day when people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities come together to celebrate the fun of physical activity and to recognise the incredible physical, social and mental benefits it brings to our lives.
Last year, using the theme ‘Fitness Unites Us’, we inspired a record 22.7 million people across the UK to be active on the day. This year we wanted to continue building on the success of the campaign.
We wanted to paint a picture of our sector – its breadth, its scale, its many roles. Its part in our nation’s social fabric, its value towards productivity and economic growth, its essential place in preventative health.
We live in interesting times. Following the trials and tribulations of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had little time to recover – as businesses or individuals – before another storm, this time in the shape of new economic and political turmoil. The cost of living and energy crises have made life in the UK tougher still.
On a sector level, we continue to face testing economic challenges. At ukactive
we are working tirelessly with our members and partners to ensure we see support from the government and its agencies to help businesses survive, recover and develop to achieve our full potential.
While we continue to lobby the government across a range of areas, National Fitness Day marks an opportunity to highlight to our parliamentarians and policymakers the potential of this sector to transform our nation’s wellbeing –not to mention the untapped relief to our NHS and social care services.
Following hot on the heels of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, we want England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to stand united in our mission, helping to make sure that everyone has the access and inspiration to be active in a way that works for them.
That’s why this year National Fitness Day helped support all of us to prioritise our health and wellbeing, whatever the challenges we face. We wanted to send a clear message to the public: your local sports club, gym, pool, leisure centre, or online provider can help you to invest in your health and connect with other people through physical activity – improving your mental strength and positivity too.
National Fitness Day took place Wednesday 21 September 2022. To find out more about the National Fitness Day, visit www.nationalfitnessday.com
HUWPhysical activity offers physical, social and mental benefits to society
hen I was younger and first heard that “May you live in interesting times!” was a Chinese curse, I thought they must have it wrong. Surely living in uninteresting times would be worse? The past few days have made me question my initial assessment.
The likelihood that the European Commission will, within six years, prohibit the sale of intentionally added microplastics – which would include polymeric infill in synthetic turf systems – will, and should, raise questions in the UK about the use of such materials. With an estimated 75 per cent of SAPCA members being involved, at some level, in the business of adding infills (often shredded tyres) to synthetic pitches, the European Commission’s move is obviously a considerable issue for SAPCA members – and one that I’m keen that we at SAPCA show leadership and proactiveness on.
Awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability, and for sustainable practices to be considered in all areas of life and business, is growing. Therefore, now is not the time to be protectionist about the role played by the sports and play construction industry.
The positive health outcomes and the existing work being done by the industry, such as recycling pitches, using recycled materials in products and creating alternative, organic infills, must be voiced and be part of the debate that is heading our way. Alongside this must be our willingness to adapt to change and to respond to the demands of the market and its regulations.
With challenges come opportunities. For SAPCA and our members, the opportunity is to position ourselves – and to be recognised by governing bodies
and partners – as the voice of highquality operators within the industry. A positive response to change will always be better than being forced into change.
As I fast approach the “milestone” of my first 100 days as CEO, the value of SAPCA, as an organisation that brings together a hugely important industry, has never been clearer to me. As we continue to travel through interesting times, I hope that I was right about them being preferable all along. ●
RICHARD SHAW CEO SAPCA3G surfaces are used up and down the country
“NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BE PROTECTIONIST ABOUT THE ROLE PLAYED BY THE SPORTS AND PLAY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY”
Foam Products B.V. is the global
ProPlay ®,
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systems in sports and
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by Schmitz Foam Products
Eilish McColgan’s win in the 10,000m at Birmingham 2022 was among the summer’s highlights
For those of us fortunate to watch England Lionesses triumph in the final of the UEFA Women’s Euros, it is one of those iconic moments that is forever etched in our memory. A momentous occasion made even more poignant by the fact that when England last won a major football trophy in 1966, women were still banned from playing on FA grounds.
So, on 31st July 2022 the country united in celebration. In years to come people will ask where were you when the women brought it home?
The post-Covid upsurge in women’s sport, combined with Emma Raducanu’s spectacular victory at the 2021 US Open, meant that 2022 was already feeling
It has been an amazing summer of sport – and one which has belonged to female athletes. Women in Sport CEO, Stephanie Hilborne OBE, explains why 2022 will mark a watershed moment for sport.
Women’s physical activity levels are still lower than men’s across the UK
like a real turning point for women’s sport. Chloe Kelly’s goal celebration, the record attendance for a Euro’s final – 87,000 fans packed into the stands at Wembley – and more than 17 million people watching England claim victory marked a watershed moment.
Alongside this sensational Euros victory, the Commonwealth Games saw incredible performances in the pool, on the track and on the pitch.
Another great highlight was England women’s hockey team claiming their first ever Commonwealth gold medal. And the year’s not over yet, with the Rugby League World Cup set to break more records this October. This increased visibility for women’s team sports is particularly vital as we are
Stephanie Hilborne OBE
determined as a charity to close the 23% gender gap in team sport participation. Playing in a team can build resilience, leadership and life skills like little else. But while the future of women’s sport looks bright, away from the dazzling lights of sport stadiums and TV cameras, the picture at grassroots remains challenging. Recent research by Women in Sport showed that half as many girls (30%) as boys (60%) dream of reaching the top in sport.* For many girls becoming an elite athlete is not presented as a viable option – just look at the Northern Ireland players who had to take time away from their day jobs to compete at the Euros. Perhaps even more worrying is the fact that almost 60 per cent of girls are not meeting the recommended levels
of daily activity which has a huge impact on both their mental and physical health.
Part of the problem is that just under half of girls and women feel that society doesn’t see sport as important to girls. And you can’t blame them. For centuries sport has been the preserve of men, with women actively excluded with lame excuses such as sport not being suitable for a woman’s body (our wombs may fall out) or simply not feminine. For generations, women have been side-lined or banned from participation.
While the sell-out stadiums at this year’s UEFA Women’s Euros were fantastic to see, the popularity of women’s football is not a new phenomenon. When women were called on to do factory jobs at the start of the First World War women’s football began to flourish, often pulling in more spectators than the men’s game. But when the war was over, the FA began getting more and more cautious of the success surrounding female participation in football. The final straw came on Boxing Day in 1920 when Dick Kerr’s Ladies played St Helens Ladies in front of 53,000 fans at Everton’s Goodison Park ground (over 10,000 more outside) – the largest attendance since records began.
Role models play an important part in getting girls interested in sport and exercise
England’s historic win is predicted to result in a boost for grassroots football
Unhappy with the growing popularity of the female game, the Football Association banned women from playing on FA-affiliated pitches. It was fifty years before that ruling was overturned and ever since women have been fighting hard to try to regain an equal footing on the field of play.
The FA in recent years have done an incredible job to turn that around – building up to this phenomenal success. The relative lack of investment on the ground by clubs however has meant that few if any girls get to play at an elite level without parents and/or finances behind them. This is one reason behind the relative lack of diversity in the top teams and must be a priority for everyone going forward.
Thankfully the tide is turning and we can all play our part to help continue the growth of women’s sport. Two thirds (62%) of girls surveyed by Women in Sport said seeing top female athletes celebrated made them feel proud, while just under half said it inspired them about the possibilities for women.
Demand for this season’s WSL tickets has shot up by 3,000% following the Lionesses win. If you can, go along to a game, our female players deserve it. In turn, they are extraordinary role models for young girls,
demonstrating just what dedication, hard work, resilience and persistence can achieve.
If you can’t watch the action live, spend time watching and celebrating some of the phenomenal array of women’s sport available on TV as a family. Whilst it might sound a contradiction to recommend watching television to encourage being active, having more women’s sport on TV (free to air, prime time TV) illustrates the value society puts on women’s sport. It helps to inspire the next generation and build confidence and self-belief as women and girls see people like themselves participating.
As we celebrate the achievement of the incredible athletes on our screens this year, let’s use these events to inspire girls, to allow them to dream, to show them that women are strong, athletic, powerful and belong on the world stage. The pathway to elite success starts at home. ●
The women’s Euro 2022 tournament broke all attendance records for the sport
TUBI
Could you outline your personal career journey to date – how have you ended up doing what you do?
Career began in 1994 as a summer intern with Peterborough City Council’s sport and recreation team, helping with everything from allotments to play areas, youth sports projects to leisure centre contract management. It was an interesting time to join the industry with compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) forcing councils to adopt new ways of working. Very few organisations were in the business of tendering for sports facility management contracts and most councils – like Peterborough – were running their facilities through a Direct Service Organisation. I also remember typing pools and secretaries. How things have changed!
In 1996 I joined Eastleigh Borough Council as the client officer for their main leisure centre, which was run by
Netball is played by all ages in a wide range of different facilities
DC Leisure. It was a refreshing change of culture with our relationship working as a partnership, each bringing different skills to the table. I stayed at Eastleigh for six years, moving into a strategic role that elevated my knowledge and understanding of the planning and development control system, how to access Sport England funding and manage capital projects.
Hoping to build and diversify these skills, I moved to Test Valley Council and wrote its Culture and Play Strategies, which paved the way for the development of The Lights theatre in Andover, and a portfolio of capital and revenue play projects.
My next move was to Hampshire County Council as the lead for physical activity galvanizing the efforts of 13 district councils who, together with the strategic health authority, successfully achieved a stretched target of increasing the number of adults taking part in 30 mins of physical activity 5 times per week. During my time here, public health returned to local authority responsibility, and schemes such as Steady and Strong (falls prevention classes), and
MEND (weight management programmes for families) became mainstream services.
My return to sports management came after a family relocation to Cambridge in 2013 and I joined England Netball after a year working for Rutland Council as its Sport and Recreation Manager. During this year, I fell in love with the area - now the base for our forever family home.
The facilities role at England Netball was an opportunity too exciting to miss, and I’ve loved it ever since.
Could you describe what your current role at England Netball entails?
As facilities lead, I provide advice and technical guidance to anyone who is building a facility and wants to cater for netball – from Bee Netball (5-11year-olds) to Internationals.
I also help councils understand what the supply and demand is for netball facilities in their area, and influence investment decisions so that the courts we need are protected, improved and provided.
As a predominantly non asset-owning sport, most of my time is spent liaising with facility
operators and helping our network of clubs and leagues to provide a safe and enjoyable participant experience. Surfaces and posts are fundamental components of playing the game and their maintenance is crucial.
We also like to be as flexible as we possibly can be with space and over the past five years, my role has involved investing in a suite of portable assets that has allowed us to take pop up courts to community events and stage world class netball events in arena. The Netball World Cup at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool in 2019 was a defining point in our history of staging major events – the overlay was incredible and something we’re continually looking to progress. I’d like to mention Craig Jack from SAPCA member Dynamik, whose support has been invaluable. Dynamik has been instrumental in providing the solutions that has helped take our sport to new levels.
Participation in netball has grown across all ages – what do you put that down to?
When England’s Vitality Roses won the Commonwealth Games in 2018, the sport
SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK31 SEP/OCT 2022 England Netball’s aim is to evolve and create a menu of opportunities for young people to play the sport
enjoyed a boom in media interest and highprofile visibility which in turn increased demand. This increased demand combined with having a fantastic club network and programmes such as Back to Netball and Walking Netball enabled the game to grow.
I think campaigns like ‘This Girl Can’ have also played a part in netball’s growth. Encouraging women and girls to have the confidence to get out there and play –without worrying about body image or how good you are - is an important message. I hope it continues as it helps to keep all sport visible and relatable for females.
Are there currently enough facilities to cater for demand? And have you identified particular areas where more facilities are needed?
In terms of quantity, the overall supply of outdoor netball courts in England is good, but access to them isn’t! We found that facilities in the north were more difficult to access post-COVID and issues such as poor quality surfaces and lack of floodlights are consistent challenges throughout. Demand
for indoor netball exceeds supply in all areas of the country and often means that our large clubs train out of 3 or 4 different venues.
With our drive to be more visible and increase access to participation in deprived areas, we’re working in partnership with the Football Foundation and Sport England to ensure that where demand exists, the new PlayZones can cater for and provide regular netball activity for the communities they serve.
What are the biggest challenges faced by netball, when it comes to growing the sport?
Tricky to know where to start with this. The impact of rising inflation on facility project costs and hire rates is impossible to ignore when you’re trying to make your sport more accessible, affordable and inclusive. And while its fantastic other women’s sports are enjoying the spotlight after a phenomenal summer, I am wary of how this might impact netball, especially in schools.
Netball is one of a handful of sports which has seen a steady increase in participation
As an advocate of multi-sport, I feel it would be a backwards step to see even more 3Gs being built on school sites to
the detriment of providing a balanced curriculum with choice and opportunity for all. GEN2 multi-sport surfaces are a much broader and better option.
Despite these challenges, our super strength as a governing body is a track record of evolving and creating a menu of opportunities and world class experiences that reflect what people want from the game, be it as a player, coach, official, administrator or ticket holder. If we carry on getting this right and being a valuable partner to work with in tackling inequalities in provision and increasing diversity, I am confident we’ll continue to grow.
You were appointed onto the SAPCA board this year – what does your role there entail?
I’m delighted to join the board as the lead for social value. It’s a new area of work for SAPCA, so I’m aiming to increase understanding of how social value in construction can be measured, can help win more business and ultimately create a thriving sector that contributes towards the UN sustainable development goals.
How are England Netball and SAPCA working together to make facilities more safe, accessible and inclusive?
We involve SAPCA’s network of technical experts in the development and communication of surface standards, and try to strike a balance between what the sport needs and what the sector can provide.
An example of this is the need for netball surfaces to achieve a slip resistance value of equal to or greater than 75SRV. Slip resistance is such a crucial safety factor for netball, we really need the support of all SAPCA members to meet this standard when building courts that cater for netball. And a big thank you to everyone who does!!!!!
We’re also planning to work collaboratively with other NGBs, building on the inspirational keynote by Andy Mytom from David Morley Architects, which he delivered at the SAPCA Annual Conference this year.
We want to do whatever we can to inform the design of accessible, welcoming and relevant places and spaces where the population can enjoy being active and play sport in a way that suits their needs in the 21st century. ●
The demand for indoor netball facilities exceeds supply in all areas of the country, as participation has grownThe Football Foundation was launched in 2000 to fix the problem of declining football grassroots facilities in England. Set up by the Blair government, The FA and the Premier League, the idea was that if the trio would combine their investment, it would be tax efficient and the best way to ensure funding would deliver great facilities.
We have made great progress. We’ve delivered sports projects worth over
£1.9bn, but, as with the painting of the Forth Bridge, the job is never really done.
Also, the climate in which we operate has become significantly harder over the years. While we’ve been busy investing in facilities over the past 22 years, the ability of local authorities to support and maintain investment in the facilities has diminished. So, unfortunately, in some cases it’s a running to stand-still situation.
But the overall picture is positive and there have been two major changes in the way we work. First, our ability to now identify and install quality 3G surfaces means that facilities are less reliant on maintaining good grass pitches. That is hugely helpful in the long run.
Second, we have a much better understanding of where facilities need to be built in order for them to best serve the needs of local communities. We’ve created bespoke Local Football Facility Plans (LFFP) for 326 regions in England,
SportsNation talks to Football Foundation CEO, Robert Sullivan, about the organisation’s future goals and its plans to invest in multi-sports facilities
Sullivan has held the role of CEO since April 2020
JON SUPER FOR
with each local authority in England having their own, customised one. So if I was to retrospectively think about where we could’ve been quicker and better, I’d suggest we were probably not proactive enough to work out ourselves where the supply and demand needs were until a few years back.
That’s now improved with the advent of the LFFPs, which give a really clear picture of the mix of grassroots sport facility needs of every local authority area in the country. The local plans have allowed us to create a “shopping list” of what needs to be done.
This has had a real galvanising effect on the organisation, because once you’ve got that clear list, it’s remarkable how it can concentrate minds. It has also helped us focus on the processes we need to sharpen in order to deliver on that “shopping list”. I feel that, with the help of the local facility plans, we’re building real momentum.
It’s also important to point out that those who design, build and help us deliver the
Since its launch in 2000, the Foundation has invested more than £1.9bn in facilities
facilities – namely, members of the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) – have a crucial role in the process.
How is the insight and data gathered for that ‘shopping list’
We’ve completed mapping sessions in each local authority to study how football “looks” at community level. We’ve assessed what the facility supply is, whether there’s potential for growth – especially when it comes to women’s and girls’ sport – and then combined them to come up with a delivery plan.
Your early focus was on grass pitches. How have 3G pitches changed that? The main difference is that a synthetic pitch will give a facility 70 hours of play a week, while a good grass pitch will only give six or seven – and that’s only if you maintain it properly. That piece of data is the key differential.
It means that matches are not cancelled and it allows synthetic pitches to be used for central venue play, meaning that they can host junior leagues where all matches are played in one place, say, on a Sunday morning.
So it's quite transformational in terms of our goal of getting lots of people from every part of the community (and from diverse backgrounds) to play football and to improve their lives through sport.
However, full-size 3G pitches aren’t suitable for every location. And that’s why we are building a “mixed economy” of facilities, which includes grass pitches and small-sided
playing courts in less populated urban areas, which the community can own and access.
What are your current priorities and areas of work?
Our current strategy is focused on delivering 300 pitches through the LFFPs. That is our absolute core deliverable need, in a nutshell. When we achieve that, we’ll know that every community in England will have a great choice of facilities, which will mean great places for people to play in that will transform lives and communities. Within that core aim, we are doing a few things.
One, we’re building scale to deliver, because over the next two to three years, we're going to be delivering more than £100m a year of capital investment for the first time. That’s a significant scale up for us and a big operational challenge.
We’re also increasing the variety of what we do – such as changing the way we work
Getting more women to play football remains a major focus
to improve grass pitches. For example, we now have a new digital assessment tool that we operate for groundspeople up and down the country, called PitchPower. They can send in photos of their pitches, which experts assess and react to with recommendations, including whether to apply for funding from us. PitchPower has hugely reduced the time and labour needed to support grass football pitch improvement. We’ve now expanded its use so that Rugby League clubs can also access PitchPower, with Rugby Union and cricket soon to follow.
Elsewhere, we’re bringing to market a new, small-sided facility concept – the Football Foundation PlayZone. It is a multi-sport facility with a key differential: we want them to be community-led projects. We want to build relationships with community groups and local sports clubs in order for them to tell us what they need and where they need them. We want to be able to build the kind of
facility that works best for them, which they can best use to activate and engage their communities – and that’s where the multielement comes in. So, for example, some of the PlayZones will have 3G playing surfaces while others might have hard court surfaces, depending on the sports they will be used for.
You also revealed plans to use 40% of your budget on multi-sport facilities? The first thing to say is that every facility we fund is a football facility. So when we talk about multi-sport facilities, we mean football plus another sport (or sports). For us, the motivation behind funding multisport facilities is quite simple – they are brilliant facilities which offer a much greater community impact and value. They fit in our aim of getting the maximum usage, reach and positivity from the facilities we fund. That’s why, by 2025, we plan on committing 40%
The Foundation will soon deliver more than £100m worth of capital investment each year
of our investment, worth a projected £92m over the next three years, into football-led projects that also host an additional one or more sports such as Rugby Union, Rugby League, cricket, netball, and basketball.
What we want to do is make the facilities as flexible as possible, bring in users who enjoy other sports and encourage broader community activity on our sites. We really see the huge benefits of that.
Where did the idea for PlayZones come from?
We know that a large chunk of the population currently doesn’t have access to decent sports facilities which are relevant to their needs. We’re absolutely determined to tackle that by offering sports facilities that work for everyone within a community.
What makes our PlayZones initiative unique is that it’s a community-led programme. It’s all about understanding each community’s sporting and activity needs and then trying to match those.
Say that you have an inner-city area in Birmingham with a large Asian community. We might want to add cricket to the PlayZone’s range of sports, but the community might also identify that there is a need for netball or basketball. And due
to their smaller size, PlayZones can also be developed in areas with limited space.
In total, we aim to deliver 330 PlayZones by 2025.
What is the criteria for communities to apply for PlayZone funding? The PlayZone programme is all about tackling inequalities in physical activity and providing access to facilities in communities with the greatest need. We’ve identified four main groups facing the greatest inequalities – lower socio-economic groups; women and girls; people with disabilities and long-term health conditions; and ethnically diverse communities.
We want those applying for funding to prioritise engaging with these four groups so we can best serve those who will benefit the most from PlayZones. To
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achieve this, we are taking a targeted approach to our programme roll out.
We want stakeholders in communities to come together as a consortium to identify priority groups and places where these facilities would have the greatest impact. The consortium can then submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) providing details of their readiness to deliver.
It’s important to point out that upfront project management and community engagement grant funding is available to help progress your application.
Any other future plans you can share?
Looking slightly further ahead, we’re starting to think at how we can build more sustainability into our processes – and I mean that both in an environmental and financial sense. We’re looking into how we can better support our facility operators to retain the revenue they generate on their site and to circulate it back into the maintenance of facilities.
How do The Football Foundation and SAPCA work together?
If we think about the delivery of great community facilities as an end to end process, our role in it is to go out and identify the need. We then work with the local community groups, local authorities and sports clubs to plan good projects and manage the funding of those projects. But someone then has to take the plans and build the facilities.
We have a procurement framework but
we rely on the sports and play construction industry to either sit on that framework or subcontract beneath that framework to deliver those facilities. So that’s where SAPCA members fit in that end to end process. We’re also very proud of our technical standards for facilities and that is something we work together on with the industry and SAPCA and its members.
So I think there is a natural relationship there, as we’re driving investment into these great facilities and SAPCA and its members then deliver them to a high standard. We want to be an open and collaborative organisation, so we need to hear from SAPCA and its members as much as they need to hear from us.
Industry innovation can come from all quarters and we need to collaborate on that. We’re very open to being pushed in different ways and being challenged to think differently about how we do things – especially if it's going to improve the processes or facilities that we invest in. ●
Sullivan was among the keynote speakers at this year’s SAPCA ConferenceMulti-sport PlayZones will be a major focus for the foundation in 2023
What would you say to people who think Elevate is a gym event?
Elevate was created to be the first cross sector event for fitness, sports and health – three key markets all interested in getting more people more active.
The audience at Elevate is always varied and enjoys connecting and learning through the exhibition and education streams. There is no denying that we have really engaged with the fitness and gym market - the key suppliers within that space use Elevate to meet decision-makers from gym, health clubs and leisure centres. That said, these are also suppliers to other sectors, including sports markets – from grassroots up to elite level training spaces – who are delighted to see a variety of buyers under one roof.
Why is Elevate so important for the sports industry?
Sport can be found in so many places – schools, universities, local authority sites (both inside and out), clubs, private coaching groups, social activities and within more fitness-based spaces such as health clubs and wellness centres.
Elevate allows the sports market to engage with all these spaces, facilities and networks in one place.
Our relationships with bodies like ukactive, Sport England, Active Partnerships, EIS,
ISEH and CIMSPA, to name a few, allow the sports market to strengthen existing relationships whilst building new connections.
Is there potential for the ‘fitness industry’ and the ‘sport industry’ to come together more?
100% - the overall goal of getting people active and creating spaces and opportunities for this is aligned across both markets –one might be via football or tennis and the other through a group exercise class or gym workout. Even with differences they have shared goals, suppliers and partners, but they also can learn from each other, making Elevate a perfect opportunity for them to come together.
What was the biggest success of Elevate 2022?
Just getting back after the pandemic felt like a success, but the biggest win would have been the level of content and connection across the show from the
Elevate’s Event Director, Lucy Findlay, speaks about the importance of Elevate for the sports industry Lucy Findlay, Elevate Event Directorhigh-quality attendees. The conversations and meetings on the exhibition stands really showed that Elevate is a buyers’ destination! Within the theatres the sessions were really well attended and stirred real thought leading debates and discussions.
What has been a personal highlight for you since Elevate started? I have been with Elevate since it launched so this is a tricky question as getting on site each year is a highlight! However, opening the event doors after a 2-year delay due to the pandemic this year and seeing queues of people waiting to get in was amazing.
Elevate is a free event. Why is this important? The education and range of exhibitors at Elevate should be accessible for buyers, facilities and operators within the sectors we bring together. We also want exhibitors to get the most out of their time at Elevate and being free to invite all
current and potential clients to meet them and see their products is an unparalleled networking opportunity for suppliers.
We’re already saving the date for Elevate 2023… how are the plans going? What can we expect to see?
Many of our existing exhibitors have rebooked for 2023 and we look forward to working with them again, as well as welcoming new names to the exhibition. We are also working with a range of supporters to build the different areas of the event with credibility. The key areas we will be developing for 2023 are sports facilities, active kids and sports therapy – we have a lot of interest already for these targets and look forward to connecting them more with the rest of the event. ●
ELEVATE 2023
SAVE THE DATE 14-15 JUNE 2023
As well as a strong seminar programme, the event showcases the latest tech in sport
SAPCA member Fordingbridge was appointed to improve the club grounds of the FA Women’s Championship side Durham Women’s FC.
Durham University approached Fordingbridge for the project at Maiden Castle, which the university had identified as one of the key sites for its 20-year upgrade strategy.
Fordingbridge provided a cantilever canopy, immediately adjacent to the Sports Centre at the Durham ground. It offers 5m of clear spectator space, allowing supporters to enjoy the match whatever the weather.
Featuring a 16mm triple-wall polycarbonate roof, the canopy allows a generous amount of diffused natural light, while significantly reducing UV and providing rain protection.
Airhall specialist Bridome completed the installation of a multi-purpose facility at the prestigious Treviglas Academy at Newquay in Cornwall. The multi-sport airhall will allow indoor sports to be played year-round, helping the school with its curriculum.
The structure is a Bridome double skin variety, whereby the two skins are inflated to provide insulation during the winter months and prevent solar gain in the summer months. A computercontrolled inflation unit – which manages the airflow – and LED lighting help energy efficiency.
SAPCA member Bridome’s operatives installed the facility in one week in the summer holidays to prevent disruption to normal school timetables.
This year has seen some great facility projects up and down the UK. SportsNation takes a closer look at some of the highlights A computer-controlled inflation unit and LED lighting help with energy efficiency The canopy was designed and manufactured by Fordingbridge
SAPCA member David Morley Architects has developed and refined an ethos of ‘enhancing lives with design’. This approach can be seen in the recently completed sports complex at King’s College School, Wimbledon, which includes contact with nature and the concept of ‘open plan’ sport.
The project includes a new sports hall, gym, studios, and a swimming
pool where there is a high level of intervisibility between each space to help encourage participation. In addition, the swimming pool is visible from the main entrance to present an enticing view to come in and swim.
The contact with nature is reinforced by the timber structure, with sweeping curves evoking a sense of movement.
The brand new £20m White Oak Leisure Centre in Swanley in Kent, has opened its doors. Operated by Everyone Active and designed to serve the needs of a diverse community, the centre features two pools – a 25m six lane main pool with a movable floor and a learner pool – a 100+ station gym, soft play area, a virtual group cycling studio, a two-court sports hall and multi-purpose rooms. The centre also includes TAG Active, a gamebased indoor obstacle course for kids. A Feel Good Suite featuring power-assisted equipment provides a safe space to exercise for people with limited mobility, the elderly and those managing long-term conditions. The swimming areas include two ‘Pool Pods’ to aid accessibility, two lifts provide access between floors, and the centre also offers changing places toilets.
Procured by Sevenoaks District Council through the UK Leisure Framework, the facility was delivered by Alliance Leisure and is the council’s largest public project in more than 30 years.
Councillor Peter Fleming, Leader of the Council, at Sevenoaks District Council, said: “This facility offers a sustainable leisure provision that will be enjoyed for generations. Through this investment we are committing to encouraging an active community to drive health, happiness and prosperity for all.”
The centre was opened by Olympic medallist Colin Jackson
The centre was designed by David Morley Architects
St John’s Marlborough has expanded its sports provision for the school’s 1700+ students – while also ensuring that local community groups have access to a wider range of facilities. The secondary school has opened a £2.14m multi-sports facility with a four-court sports hall, two external multi-use courts and landscaped areas for student recreation.
The facility project was completed by Collinson Construction. Working in partnership with Edmond Shipway and NVB Architects, Collinson delivered the scheme in eight months and transformed a previously unused area of rough ground at the front of the school.
Robert Duxbury, MD of Collinson Construction, said: “We’re proud to have worked in partnership with St John’s Marlborough to bring this wonderful new facility to life.
“The scheme fulfils the school’s aim to transform the space outside the main entrance.”
SAPCA member Covair was approached by Flitwick and Ampthill LTC in January 2021 to cover two of the club’s tennis courts to enable play in poor weather during the winter months.
The club was granted planning permission for the structures in late 2021 and sourced funding from The LTA. An order for the air dome with Covair was placed just before Christmas in 2021. Covair then began the manufacturing process in the new year and delivered the air dome by February 2022.
It took the team three days on site to install and inflate the dome. As part of the dome, the club also installed a CIA gate/Club Spark system.
The dome, being 90% translucent, allows play with sunlight during the day and with the use of external floodlights during the evenings. A revolving door is used as the main entrance to prevent a drop in air pressure and there are two emergency fire doors. The dome was temporarily dismantled and packed away for the summer, which took just half a day.
With Covair’s assistance, the club plans to re-inflate their dome again this October to play through the winter.
The translucent dome allows play with sunlight during the day and with floodlights in the evenings The sports centre will serve both students and the public
Nussli completed the progressive design and build of temporary facilities at the new Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Smethwick for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The company was appointed by Wates Construction in Summer 2021 to design, install, maintain – and ultimately remove – a fully fitted out, climate controlled 60m x 25m x 8m demountable building. The project included a temporary, steel 50m training pool and associated swimming pool plant equipment, link building, four temporary staircases and 4,000 premium spectator seats.
Danilo Della Ca, COO Event Structures for Nussli, said: “We have delivering designbuild schemes for major events in the UK –including for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games – and were delighted that Wates Construction chose to partner with us on this complicated, time-critical scope.”
The project included 4,000 temporary spectator seats
The multipurpose space utilises Neptunus’ Flexolution structure technology
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has provided the Defence Academy at Shrivenham, near Swindon with improved sports provision. The Academy is famed for its world-class professional defence and security education. Temporary facility specialists Neptunus was tasked with providing the academy with a multi-purpose sports hall with an internal height of 7.6m. The brief was for the facility to accommodate sports including badminton,
basketball, five-a-side football, and volleyball in accordance to Sports England facility standards. Other areas were to include an activity zone for yoga, circuit training and an indoor cycling studio.
Neptunus utilised the third generation of its Flexolution structure technology to erect a multi-functional relocatable building to be used as a sports hall. The 9-metre tall hall, spanning 756sqm, was adjoined to a five-metre tall ancillary Flexolution structure.
The arena provides a total of 20,600m3 of playing space
Stratford Padel Club in London, which is owned and managed by Javier Fernandez, went through a lengthy planning process and prolonged negotiations with the local council before the project was given the green light. Fernandez credits SAPCA member Smart-Space for the breakthrough, as – after he got in touch with company – the sports structures specialist took the time to visit and find solutions for him.
“I chose Smart-Space because they gave me alternatives to several issues where other companies just dismissed us” Fernandez says.
To enable the project to succeed, SmartSpace suggested a temporary building which would tick all the boxes in terms of space – such as not having any supporting pillars to get in the way of the courts.
Stratford Padel Club now houses three padel courts, changing rooms, showers, toilets, a gym, reception/bar and seating area. According to Fernandez, the club has an urban atmosphere that lends itself well to the sport, the ‘gritty not glitzy’ approach to sport and the club’s basic, hard-working gym.
University of York has added a 40m wide x 55m long sports arena to its facilities. Designed, manufactured and constructed by Rubb Buildings, the indoor, multi-sports facility has a height of 13.4m and an internal clear centre height of 11.9m. The Mansard, multi-pitch roof provides an internal volume of playing space at 20,600m3.
The sports building includes a central, premier standard, multi-sports court for recreational and performance level basketball, netball, badminton, futsal and volleyball. The area can be divided into three sections with vertical partitions, which can each accommodate a basketball or volleyball court or up to four badminton courts. The facility can also be transformed to create a full hall show court for all sports including basketball, which will be supported by dropdown basketball nets and three scoreboards.
The 6.7m high side-walls and end gables feature 80mm thick steel cladding, and Rubb’s Thermohall insulated fabric membrane completes the roof of the facility.
“As a former cross-fit trainer, PT and climber, I enjoy all sport and wanted to provide a range of attractions at the club - including table tennis,” he says. “Going forward, one of the advantages of the Smart-Space building is that it can be easily relocated so wherever the club goes, the building can go too.”
Padel is enjoying a huge surge in popularity in the UKWith more than 200 swimming pool closures since the pandemic and fears that a further 2,000 pools could be lost by the end of the decade, Swim England partner, Paragon Structures, has developed concept designs for a more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly swimming facility.
The design of the ‘Swim Centre’ combines Sprung Structures’ insulated tensioned membrane building with the latest pool technology, providing a swimming facility at significantly lower cost than traditional builds - such as leisure centres.
The pre-designed, off-site solution means the Swim Centre has a full build programme of around 35-40 weeks, compared to more than a year for conventionally built pool facilities. Based on the internal footprint of the Swim England model, estimated works cost £3,500 per sqm.
With a focus on energy efficiency, sustainability and life-cycle costs, the concept centre has a BREEAM rating of Excellent. The thermal properties of the building ensure U-values and
The Arena Group designed and installed a range of bespoke structures and seating for the 2022 BMW PGA Championships at Wentworth, September 2022.
A range of temporary infrastructure was provided across the prestigious course, including entrance pavilions, player facilities, organisers offices, merchandising areas, media structures, interactive exhibition structures and food court.
Most impressive was the installation overlooking the 18th green, where Arena installed a 3,000sq m VIP triple decker hospitality suite, adjoining a 2,351 capacity Clearview grandstand. The temporary facilities meet the vision of the European Tour of giving guests pristine views and a “truly memorable experience”, with Shane Lowry pipping Rory Mcilroy and Jon Ram by one shot to become the Rolex Series Champion on the final day.
energy loss are below similar building types, reducing both capital and operating costs, while insulation levels exceed building regulations.
The two-storey building includes a fully accessible, naturally lit, 25m six-lane pool; spectator seating for 150 people; separate wet changing villages with multiple family/ baby change rooms, integral plant room and storage areas; a reception, café and social space, as well as a multi-purpose gym and activity area and office space. ●
Could environmentally-friendly swimming facilities help solve UK’s pool crisis?The pre-designed centres have a full build programme of 35-40 weeks Wentworth’s 18th hole was surrounded by temporary structures
The Women’s Euro 2022, held in England over the summer, broke all spectator records for women’s football. The tournament’s 31 games attracted an aggregate attendance of 574,875, smashing the previous overall tournament record of 240,055 set at the 2017 finals.
A total of 87,192 people packed into Wembley for England's final triumph over Germany, more than doubling the previous record crowd for a UEFA Women's EURO game (43,301 at the 2013 final between Germany and Norway). In addition, more than 217,000 people attended dedicated Fan Parties in the host cities and 19,200 spectators took part in ‘Fan Walks’ to the matches.
It wasn’t just the number of people in stadiums that broke the records either. Globally, more than 365 million people tuned into watching the games. The tournament was shown worldwide via more than 60 broadcasters and additionally via UEFA.tv in selected territories. More than 50 broadcasters covered matches with dedicated onsite production teams – more
The UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 tournament finally brought “football home” for England. But as well as providing The FA with its first major tournament win since 1966, it could transform women’s and girls’ football in the country.
than double the 2017 edition at almost every stage of the competition.
Nadine Kessler, UEFA’s chief of women’s football, described Euro 2022 as “groundbreaking”
Leah Williamson, captain of the victorious England team, said the tournament proved transformational for not just women’s football but wider gender equality. “What we’ve seen in the tournament already is that this hasn’t just been a change for women’s football but society in general, it’s about how we’re looked upon,” she said.
With the Legacy Programme in full swing in England, the tournament will also have an impact for many years to come. The UEFA-supported legacy programme, which will run until 2024, aims to get more girls and women involved in football on a regular basis. It has been set up across the nine host cities by The FA, who have committed to several measures nationally.
● To create equal access for girls to play football in schools and clubs.
● To secure 300 new FA-qualified female coaches, and 350 new FA-qualified female referees.
● To establish an inclusive environment for every girl and woman to play.
● To ensure 120,000 more girls play football regularly in schools.
● To inspire 20,000 more women to play football for fun, friendship and fitness and 7,000 more to play competitively for grassroots clubs.
With the legacy programme being rolled out a year ahead of the final tournament, results are already becoming visible, and its impact can be seen across the host cities. According to figures released by UEFA and The FA, there have, so far, been 7,900 girls and women newly registered and playing in clubs, while more than 14,600 have started playing recreationally.
The programme is now on track to get 120,000 more girls playing football in school while the campaign has created an estimated 416,000 “new opportunities” for girls and women to play football.
It isn’t just football either – the public investment in social impact programmes (art and heritage) amounts to £3.1m
Nadine Kessler, UEFA’s chief of women’s football, says: “Euro 2022 has been groundbreaking from start to finish.
“The biggest women’s sports event in Europe will provide an unprecedented opportunity for us to inspire the next generation of players and fans.
“Our host cities, clubs and local authorities have been up to the challenge of providing more opportunities for women and girls than ever before and knowing The FA’s long-term commitment to the women’s game. Through working with host city
SAPCA member Harrod Sport’s goals were used throughout UEFA Women’s EURO’s 2022 - including the Wembley final
stakeholders we have created meaningful and measurable outcomes for how we hope to see the women’s and girls’ game develop. Each host city has a local legacy plan which sets out ambitions across participation, coaching and refereeing up until 2024.”
The FA's director of women's football, Baroness Sue Campbell, added: "People often think legacy happens after something but I'm a great believer that it happens before and you have to prepare for it. The moment a youngster, or an “oldster”, is inspired, they want to be able to go and play so you have to do the groundwork to get that ready. We're grateful for all the support we've had from UEFA - it's been a terrific partnership." ●
England’s final win over Germany attracted a record audience of 17.5million on BBCThe SAPCA Technical Meeting attracts a wide range of industry professionals
The first of the two events will take place at Hampden Park, Glasgow, on 12 October 2022. Organised in partnership with sportscotland, the special one-day event comprises a series of educational seminars accompanied by an exhibition featuring leading constructors of sports facilities, suppliers of related products and services, as well as professional consultants offering expert advice on sports facility projects.
The event is free to attend for delegates, but will require registration. The
conference programme will cater to those concerned with the design, construction and maintenance of sports facilities.
Sessions will include an introduction to the Scottish FA’s facilities strategy which forms part of the association’s wider “Power of Football” strategy. Delegates will also be given an insight into sustainable sports venues in Scotland. Those planning on developing facilities will want to attend a highly useful presentation titled “10 steps to a successful project – know the pitfalls”. It will show how to best deliver a facility project and ensure that hard-earned funding is invested wisely for the longterm, from the initial design, through project management, to completion and handover.
The event will also have a particular focus on synthetic sports pitches. There are three dedicated sessions on the topic, with the following items being discussed:
● Artificial turf, selecting the right product for your project
● Artificial pitches and mitigating the movement of microplastics
● Recycling artificial turf: what are the options in Scotland?
The Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) will host two industry events this year. Both will o er those involved in the development and maintenance of facilities and venues a wide range of educational opportunitiesSAPCA SAPCA Conference and Exhibition, Scotland
SAPCA’s annual Technical Meeting is one of the industry’s most popular events of the year, providing an unparalleled programme of seminars and workshops on the most important technical topics of the day. It also offers an invaluable opportunity for networking with professionals from across the sports and play industry. The event is open to everyone in the physical activity construction industry, whether SAPCA members or not.
The event will take place at Holywell Park at Loughborough University on 8 December 2022. Among the sessions this year will be a talk on the importance of inclusive design in facility construction. There will also be a focus on sustainability, with a number of sessions outlining the heightened importance of environmental best practice in facility design and construction.
SAPCA project manager, Colin Corline, says: “The annual Technical Meeting is among the sports construction industry’s main education events.
“What has made it so special in the event calendar is the diverse range of expert speakers – and the 2022 edition will be no different. It is the quality of the sessions that attracts a number of delegates from national governing bodies of sports, sports councils and other organisations involved in grassroots sports and play.” ●
To find out more about the SAPCA events – and to book your place –visit: https://sapca.org.uk/events/
The SAPCA Conference will take place at Glasgow’s Hampden Park Stadium on 12 October 2022
The pandemic-delayed Rugby League World Cup 2021 will finally take place from 15 October to 19 November 2022 – and excitement for the tournament is building up nicely. Tournament organisers recently celebrated the event’s “50 days to go” milestone by recording the best weekend of ticket sales since October 2020, when the tickets first went on sale. It’s been a long and patient wait for rugby league fans, as the tournament – originally scheduled to be held in
October and November 2021 – finally gets underway at Newcastle’s St James’ Park on 15 October with England vs. Samoa.
Mick Hogan, Revenue Director for RLWC2021, said: “The sizeable increase in ticket sales is a sign that momentum is really starting to build, as we expected it would.
“We knew that RLWC2021 was going to be a record-breaking tournament for many reasons. To see so many ticket categories and entire stands now sold out, still over six weeks out from the start, validates our belief that this will be the fastest selling tournament ever.
“Hitting the 50 days to go countdown was key for us. The National Lottery Trophies Tour also commenced visiting towns and cities across the country.”
The men’s tournament will consist of 16 teams, an increase of two from the last two tournaments. The 2021 (or 2022) edition will be the fifth time that England
The delayed 2021 Rugby League World Cup will kick o in October and is set to be the sport’s “biggest and best” tournament ever
The World Cup mascot, RugBee, was created by two nine-year-olds
The event will see the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments being held simultaneously
will host the Rugby League World Cup: it was last held on these shores as recently as 2013. This time around, however, the event will be fundamentally different – and much, much bigger.
As well as the two extra teams in the men’s tournament, 2022 will mark the first time that the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments will be staged in the same place at the same time. Alongside the on-pitch sporting entertainment, there will also be a significant entertainment and cultural aspect to the tournament.
Funded by Arts Council England, The Rugby League World Cup Cultural Festival will bring together audiences of sport and art to showcase the history and atmosphere of the sport. Taking place in four of the tournament host cities –Newcastle, Hull, Leeds and Manchester - the festival will amplify the strapline of ‘The Power of Together’, celebrating inclusivity and positive social impact.
Jon Dutton, chief executive of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, says: “The opening weekend of the tournament is set to be a true festival of rugby league and will provide real momentum for 61 matches which will culminate with all three finals being held in Manchester over the 18 and 19 November.
“We saw with the Women’s Euro’s how the country really got behind the tournament after England’s women got off to such a great start. With all three England teams in with a great chance of progressing to their respective finals at RWLC 2021, the tournament will only get more exciting as we build towards that finals weekend in Manchester.”
In addition to the six weeks of on-field sporting action and the accompanying cultural and entertainment events, the World Cup will look to strengthen the position of rugby league in England. The aim is to use the tournament as a catalyst to develop the game and “engage with the widest possible audience”. ●
This year’s world cup will feature a record total of 61 games
Meadowbank has been the home of elite sport in the Scottish capital since the 1930s. The historic Old Meadowbank stadium in Edinburgh was built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games. The venue ended up hosting the Games twice, having also been the main venue for the 1986 edition.
For nearly 50 years, the facility welcomed both elite athletes and the local community. As well as hosting the Commonwealth Games twice, Meadowbank held a wide range of other sporting and large-scale music events and was at the heart of the local community, until it closed in 2017.
The City of Edinburgh Council first announced plans to demolish the Meadowbank Stadium in 2006, when the intention was to sell the site for housing. According to the early proposals, Meadowbank was to be replaced with a much smaller, community facility in a different location in the east of the city. A separate stadium for athletics and rugby was then to be built to the west.
While those plans were initially approved by the council in December 2006, the subsequent consultation resulted in nearly 7,000 people signing a petition to stop the plans and to prevent the
Meadowbank has a rich history in hosting both elite and community sport
historic sporting site being turned into housing. It took a further two years and the financial crash of 2008-9 – which significantly decreased the price of residential land in the city – for the plans to demolish the stadium to be mothballed.
The facilities at the Old Meadowbank, however, were becoming dated and in 2013, Edinburgh Council launched another consultation to come up with a plan to either replace or redevelop the site. Three different options were considered and the preferred proposals – to build a new £47m facility – were made public in November 2016. The venue then closed to the public in 2017 and work began in 2019. Following delays in construction works, due to the pandemic, the centre finally opened in July 2022.
The long-awaited, £47m Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh is now open. SportsNation takes a closer look
The new Meadownbank Sports Centre is, first and foremost, a community sports facility. It will support physical activity, sport, health, and wellbeing in Edinburgh, while also recognising the legacy and heritage of the old Meadowbank.
Outdoor facilities at the centre include an eight-lane athletics track with a 499-seat stand and outdoor throwing and jumps areas, and two 3G pitches, including one with a spectator stand.
Inside, there is a 60m, six-lane indoor athletics track and jumps space, two multi-sport halls with fixed and moveable spectator seating, a hall for trampolining (and dance) and two squash courts.
The health club features a gym floor with Life Fitness equipment, dumbbells up to 50kg, Wattbikes, SkiErg, row and Cybex SPARC machines. There is also an indoor cycle studio with Life Fitness IC7 bikes and ICG myride and Les Mills RPM classes. Two separate fitness studios are used for the popular Les Mills programme
of classes, smart tech bars and weights. Additionally, the centre houses a combat studio for martial arts and a boxing gym.
The centre is operated on behalf of the council by Edinburgh Leisure, whose chief executive, June Peebles, said: “We’re finally able to announce the opening of this new flagship venue. It’s been a long time coming but it’s been worth the wait. The new Meadowbank will pick up where the old
The venue is hailed as one of the best community sport facilities in Scotland
The multi-sport halls include fixed and moveable spectator seating
Outdoor facilities include an athletics track with a spectator stand with a capacity of 499
Meadowbank left off, providing countless opportunities for generations to come to participate in an extensive range of activities. New memories will be created, and we can’t wait to welcome the people of Edinburgh and beyond, into the new venue. This multimillion-pound investment will provide countless opportunities for Edinburgh citizens to be active and will undoubtedly contribute to the wellbeing of our City.”
Sportscotland contributed £5m towards the funding of the centre. Mel Young, sportscotland chair, said: “Meadowbank Sports Centre has been a sporting and social hub for so many people in the Edinburgh area over the years.
“Thanks to this incredible £47m refurbishment, people of all ages and abilities will be able to reap the benefits of the newly refurbished facilities.
“The re-opening of Meadowbank will provide the local community with access to a state-of-the-art sport and physical activity centre on their doorstep, creating significant participation opportunities. This collaboration between The City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Leisure and sportscotland is a great example of partnership working, developing genuine opportunities that will help make sport and physical activity a way of life for local people.’’
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Cammy Day, added: “Meadownbank Sports Centre will be one of the best facilities for community and club sport in the country. Participation and accessibility are at the heart of the centre, and it will bring huge physical, mental, and social benefits to generations of local people for years to come.
“Meadowbank has been an iconic part of the capital’s sporting history and I’m in no doubt that the new centre will build on this legacy.” l
By becoming a member of SAPCA - the UK’s not-for-profit trade association for the sports and play facility construction industry – you’ll get instant benefits that will help you to build your business.
■ increase professional reputation
■ raise your profile
■ expand your knowledge
■ keep up on industry trends and policy
Through SAPCA, you will also be able to liaise and build relationships with national and international sports governing bodies, sports facility funding agencies, sports councils and other sports and play organisations and trade associations.
SAPCA membership ALSO offers invaluable access to:
■ Use of the official SAPCA logo on marketing collateral and tender documents, to demonstrate your high construction and customer service standards
■ Legal advice service, provided by specialist solicitors Hewitsons
■ HR Helpline, provided in partnership with specialists Clover
For more information, call 024 7641 6316 or email info@sapca.org.uk and we’ll be happy to help www.sapca.org.uk
With visitor registrations from over 30 countries already confirmed, a roll call of domestic and international exhibitors signed-up, and an impressive line-up of expert speakers and industry specialists standing ready to provide support, insight and real solutions to key industry issues.
Free to attend, the show includes the ever-popular Learning LIVE programme – a key element in the SALTEX offering, which has this year been extended to over 30 free sessions with influential speakers addressing a range of key issues impacting the industry. High on the agenda are sustainability and environmental issues.
SALTEX attracts the most exhibitors in the industry to one place at any one time. And new exhibitors keep coming on board weekly, with 2022 already set to be the biggest and best show yet.
Overseas visitors’ enthusiasm for the event is at an all-time high bringing with them insights into how they do things in their countries.
SALTEX is an event grounds people have always made the time to attend. Visitor and exhibitor feedback surveys confirm that the networking opportunities are a massive draw and never more so than in the post-pandemic landscape. 2021 survey data showed that almost half (46%) of visitors attend for networking opportunities; over two-thirds (68%) attend to source new products, services and suppliers; topped by an extremely high satisfaction rating of 83% voting the show as Good, Very Good or Excellent.
These are impressive statistics, so we asked the man who has done so much to drive the direction of SALTEX, Geoff Webb, what he believes has been the event success.
“Word of mouth is our strongest asset and always has been, looking back to the early days long before 24/7 coverage and social media. For almost eight decades SALTEX
The grounds sector is a people-orientated industry and SALTEX is where everyone comes to meet friends, to network with colleagues and customersGeoff Webb, CEO, Grounds Management Association SALTEX 2022, held at Birmingham NEC from 2 to 3 November, is set to attract the very best in the sports grounds sector
www.saltex.org.uk
has thrived because the industry responds to what they see at SALTEX, and who they meet, making it a worthwhile and productive visit. In all those 76 years the only thing that held back the show was the outbreak of the Covid pandemic. So, to come back in 2021 so successfully with everyone ready to get back to business and with the incredible response for the 2022 show already shows that now more than ever we need that connection.
“The grounds sector is a people orientated industry and SALTEX is where everyone comes to meet friends, to network with colleagues and customers, make new contacts and see new product and innovations. Its long been a highlight of the year in our industry’s calendar.
“But it’s important we move with the times and respond to what our visitors want, and we know with authority through extensive market research that moving
the show away from being an outdoor summer show in Windsor to being an indoor winter show at the Birmingham NEC was the right thing to do.
“The timing falls very neatly for both winter and summer sports staff. Renovation work in the winter sports is complete, the busy month of September for public schools and colleges has been and gone, and the cricket season has ended.
“These days the purchasing process isn’t led by demos at shows, it’s by trialling what appeals, checking it’s fit for purpose, in-situ, in real time on your own grounds. SALTEX facilitates that happening and being indoors just means everyone gets a good show whatever the weather.
“Last year stood out for re-uniting every corner of the grounds care industry. There was a buzz and real enthusiasm for business: deals were being struck, demos were being
Above: Over 400 brands will be on display at this year’s SALTEX
Free to attend, all you need to do is register for the show and visit:
organised, there were lots of new launches across the halls and I expect more of the same in 2022.
“The Learning LIVE programme this year has been extended to over 30 sessions, with additional papers addressing the key issues for the grounds care industry of pay, career development, how to negotiate in the workplace and how to find out about the millions of pounds of grant funding available from sports clubs. But what’s at the heart of Learning LIVE and this year’s show is sustainability and the environment.
“Those managing and maintaining sports turf and green spaces are already having to deal with the impact of climate change and industry suppliers are doing their best to innovate and help grounds people to minimise the impact of droughts and floods. Extreme weather conditions are becoming more frequent, and we need to continue to educate grounds staff and
SALTEX 2022 is worth a visit for many reasons – one of them being that the impressive speaker line-up at the Learning LIVE programme includes some familiar SAPCA faces.
Colin Corline, SAPCA project manager, will lead two sessions on subjects pertinent to the industry: Maintaining synthetic turf in 2022 and Recycling synthetic turf in the UK. Both will take place on 3 November.
Colin has worked in the sports construction industry for the past 25 years and is
plan now to ensure that as a sector, we are equipped to deal with what lies ahead. SALTEX I believe is the best event to help our talented workforce be ready for whatever our industry will have to deal with next.”
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Learning LIVE is a key part of the SALTEX offering
For visitors keen to confirm their attendance at this show which is promising to be its biggest and best yet, find out more about SALTEX 2022 and register online at www.saltex.org.uk
an expert in the field, having overseen the design, project management and testing of indoor and outdoor sports facilities across several sports in the UK and around the world.
Having previously worked at a design consultancy and at the LTA, Colin has spent the past four years at SAPCA overseeing the association’s Technical Programme, which has included the update and production of new Codes of Practice and technical guidance documents, representation on both CEN
and BSI committees and overseeing the re-development of SAPCA’s Quality System.
Colin will host the Saltex sessions together with David James (MD of Labosport Ltd) and Alastair Cox (technical director at European Synthetic Turf Council).
The first talk will highlight SAPCA’s new guidance in Maintaining Synthetic Turf – in relation to sustainability –while the other will outline the options and cost for recycling synthetic turf in the UK.
What is Evolve SRMC and what does it do?
We provide high quality security solutions and consultancy in varying fields, from sports and executive/close protection to search teams and residential security. We are the sole providers (within the UK and Europe) of Q Fort Fencing. We also work with companies who specialise in drone surveillance technology.
All of our operatives have come from a physically demanding background where fitness and sports alike were very much encouraged and utilised as a means to stay active, healthy and operationally fit. This core ethic is a cornerstone of Evolve and our members actively support a variety of sports and activities so as to encourage our operatives and indeed the younger generation to remain fit and healthy as well as building community cohesion through these activities.
One of our most recent partnerships is with the first ever ‘World Peace School Sports Day’, which took place on 21 September 2022.
What was the motivation behind setting the business up - where did the idea come from?
Following the Aston Villa incident in 2019 – when a person entered the pitch and assaulted Jack Grealish in a match between Birmingham City FC and Villa – and the
Taylor founded the business after identifying a gap in the market
catastrophic Manchester Arena attack, I observed a gap in the market for Evolve to provide a higher level of security. I believe we provide this protection and adaptive certainty when such instances occur.
Unfortunately some clubs, athletes and sports personalities fail to take security into consideration until it’s too late. This has resulted in serious and/or high-profile incidents which have both caused embarrassment to organisations on the international stage and – even worse – serious injuries to individuals.
How did you end up doing what you do?
I joined the armed forces at a young age and, after completing my service, I decided to apply my experience and knowledge to the police service. This served to enhance my experiences and knowledge significantly towards what I am doing today.
My policing career was predominantly within Operational Support Units (OSU) and I worked in cohesion with other officers from various forces – including deployments at football matches, demonstrations,
Ensuring the safety of both high-profile athletes and fans is a priority for venues, events and facilities of all sizes. One of the companies providing security services is Evolve SRMC, founded by former soldier and police officer Dean Taylor.
searches relating to counter terrorism and some high profile murder searches.
I concluded my time within the police in 2012 and entered the private sector, fulfilling international contracts. I then returned to the UK where I completed my Close Protection Training. Following another stint overseas, I again returned to the UK, qualified in Security Risk Management Consultancy Training and founded Evolve SRMC in early 2019.
How big a market is sport for Evolve at the moment - and are you looking to expand that side of things?
Sport and sports events are a fantastic thing to be a part of. They bring communities together in a unique way and we’re thankful to be able to provide a service that keeps those events safe (albeit covertly). That’s what drives us – knowing that all the people attending, from athletes and celebrities to spectators, can have a safe and enjoyable time.
At the moment, sport is a growing part of our operation and we’re always looking to expand our work in it. The whole concept
of uniting the world in peace through sports and children really resonates with us. Hence our close partnership with the World Peace School Sports Day (WPSSD) (www.worldpeaceschoolsportsday.com). We’re also currently in negotiations with a number of other organisations involved in sports events, so watch this space!
Do you work in all parts of the UK? What about international assignments? We predominantly work in the UK, but have offices globally and I recently held discussions in the UAE. We will also be offering support to the WPSSD wherever their events may be on a global scale.
So, which future sporting events can we expect to see Evolve SRMC at? All going well, you won’t! Being covert is key for us. ●
Sport and sports events are a fantastic thing to be a part of. They bring communities together and we’re thankful to provide a service that keeps those events safe.Sport is a growing market for a wide range of security services
