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The funding will create facilities capable of hosting a number of sports
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Funding boost for multi-sports
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.
IN BRIEF
Birmingham 2022 kit giveaway
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.
IWG wants more gender equality
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 signs Parkwood deal
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.
PEOPLE
Paul Langford
Paul Langford joins Redexim UK
Specialist 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.
Whole Supp signs up Kate Jayden
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.
Adie Meyer
Limonta appoints Adie Meyer
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.
Honorary degree for Barrett
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
Lindsey Barrett
Activity levels increase for children in Ireland
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
Swansea’s student city off ers 24-hour sport
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 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.
The sport and exercise space will be open around the clock
England star Lotte Wubben-Moy at the launch of the Football For Future initiative
Initiative to highlight sustainability in sport
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.”
ESTIMATOR
Blakedown 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.
VACANCY
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-profi le 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.
Installation Engineer
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-infl ations 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, fl exibility 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
Project Engineer
This is a varied role with the main focus being to provide technical information on the products that Covair off er and liaise with clients and suppliers with the project management of upcoming and future projects. The position is full time, permanent and mainly offi ce 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, confi dent communicator, Autocad experience an advantage.
ukactive to Liz Truss: ‘stop energy crisis becoming physical and mental health crisis’
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
Huw Edwards, ukactive CEO
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-
ukactive wants to see facilities receive support
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 its 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
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NIGEL HUDDLESTON “Sport will play a huge part in the government’s post-COVID19 recovery plans” PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/MARCO IACOBUCCI EPPThe fi ve winners revealed SAPCA AWARDS
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A look at the venues and legacy plans
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INTERVIEW JON DUTTON
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McArdle completes hockey project for college
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 award celebrates women who organise sport in communities
© CREDIT: PEXELS.COM/PATRICK CHASE
Community sports clubs are set to see costs increase throughout the winter
Government’s energy relief will help sport
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.”
How Schmitz conducts circular business in the synthetic turf industry
Synthetic turf system with recyclable ProPlay shockpad
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.
Recycle:
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
Sky’s the limit for Dynamik
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.”
Dynamik delivered 11 courts for the Vitality Super League
Ireland’s minister for sport, Jack Chambers (right), launched the consultation
Ireland’s fi rst National Swimming Strategy
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.
The new initiative will help facilities assess how they plan and deliver local
Sport 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.”
Plans aproved for £22m leisure centre transformation in Altrincham
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 – 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.”
been developed with support from Sport England. The improved facilities will include a 25m pool
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
Women In Sport Panel to promote equality
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 panel will champion women and girls in sport
FORGING CONNECTIONS
Tottenham Hotspur partners with Musco Lighting to utilise new stadium as a source of powerful connections between club and community.
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
