LU Newsletter

to unite people in their love of football and fitness.

BRAND VALUES

EFFORT

We will challenge you. To push your boundaries, to be forward thinking for continuous improvement. Embrace change, ambition, and innovation to achieve goals set.

RESPECT

We will act with understanding, show empathy, and respect everyone. Our positive spirit will make people feel good.

ACHIEVEMENT

In unity we will enjoy the journey, recognising and celebrating every success.

TOGETHER

We are stronger United as a team. We will foster open, honest, and meaningful relationships. Investing in each other win or lose.

HERE WE GO, HERE WE GROW

We kick off this first edition of LU News with some insights from Mel

As I look towards the months ahead, I see so much activity falling into place in our hubs. Talks with partner clubs, links with community groups, preparations for summer holiday clubs, schedules for coaching, classes and tournaments all coming together. And joining up to realise our vision is what Leisure United is all about! The group team here, the hub managers and every one of you providing topflight football and fitness opportunities in Liverpool, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sheffield, Sunderland, and Wednesbury.

We recognise that we are growing quickly, each hub has growth targets and as a group we will be adding the Wigan sites this summer, followed by Woodbourn Road pitches in September and Dagenham in October. With this in mind, we are keen to establish good, better and best consistent practice across the group and up our game with sound communication, teamwork and togetherness.

And we are keen to give you the support you need, in terms of systems, training and development. We want you to become our future LU stars, and share in our fast-paced success.

At LU it all starts with U!

IN THIS ISSUE...

................................................................................ TEAM NEWS

SOCIAL OUTCOMES

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION

GOOD, BETTER, BEST

LU VACANCIES

............................................................................ CHANT BACK

Totally smashing it in Newcastle

It’s incredible to think that Bullocksteads and Blakelaw hubs only opened this January and already they are buzzing with activity. Gym membership at both sites is over 1,000 members and growing, with the BOX12 - a 36-minute workout consisting of 12, 3-minute rounds that combine boxing and functional fitness exercises - proving really popular. Our newest members are also enjoying the new group training programme.

Well done to the whole team who’ve helped to get LU off to a flying start in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Footie teams are starting to make LU their home ground. Pitchside, the free Saturday sessions offered by Blakelaw Juniors FC have attracted great sign ups by 4-8 year olds, and they have been running two new sessions a week, since 29th March. Footie mad kids have already celebrated their birthdays with us, and it was lovely for the party team at Blakelaw to receive some flowers and a card of appreciation from happy parents.

Even the spectators and wider fitness and footballing family are being well and truly looked after in our stylish café, with bacon sarnies and soup with a roll going down a treat.

Well done to the whole team who’ve helped to get LU off to a flying start in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Leisure United along with partners were proudly invited to the unveiling of the Ella Toone pitch at the new William Fosters hub in Wigan.

The pitch is part of the new £6.2 million William Fosters Hub in Ince, just a short distance from Ella’s hometown of Tyldesley, and is due to open this summer. The site, which will include a total of two full-size 3G football turf pitches (FTPs) as well as a changing hub with a café bar and social space, was made possible by a £3.7 million grant from the Football Foundation and £2.5 million in funding from Wigan Council. Alongside William Fosters, there will be

WORK BEGAN AT WIGAN

a second site in Wigan called Laithwaite Park. The new hubs will be managed by the National Football Trust and operated by us, Leisure United.

“We are excited to welcome two new hubs to our portfolio later this year” comments

As ever we are looking for new and existing talent to join us to help make the hubs a great success. There are a number of vacancies advertised upon page 16, please take a look and share with friends and family”

“

Mel Crossland Leisure United Managing Director

The site, which will include a total of two full-size 3G football turf pitches.

LU all set to ‘HAF’ another great summer

Last summer thousands of kids enjoyed Holidays And Food at Leisure United hubs, where free breakfast and lunches, multisport, nutrition and wellbeing activities were provided, across the north of England. The HAF programme totally exemplified how our great local community connections came together to provide outcomes that ticked every box of our reason for being. We really did unite in our love for football, fitness and fun and demonstrated that our hubs are here to support the health and wellbeing of everyone in the communities we’re part of.

The collaboration with local authorities and delivery partners from professional clubs and grassroot sporting providers was outstanding. From Sheffield County FA, to Pass Soccer Academy and ‘I am Sports’ (the kids loved your animal experience day) at Downhill, Sunderland to Sheffield City Council and Liverpool City Council. Links already in place, were strengthened and new connections made. Together we were energised by the response to the scheme from the most important people of all - the kids who participated.

For four weeks of the school holidays, Monday to Friday, Leisure United’s hubs in Liverpool, Sheffield and Sunderland hosted various summer camps, providing free lunches, physical activities, wellbeing sessions and dietary workshops to over 2000 children.

As with all Leisure United activities, we encourage feedback, and the youngsters were certainly forthcoming in telling us what they thought! Alongside football, dodgeball came out top of the favourite activities, with Toasties being equally mentioned as both the favourite and worst food, and fish fingers proving most popular. Great friendships were made, and the coaching staff received high praise. Participating families took the time out to give them a shout out, thanking the team for the hard work that went into scheme, for the fun their kids have had, and the care and support they received.

The most gratifying aspect has been the overwhelming enjoyment by the kids, with most of them indicating they’d like to come back to a Leisure United school holiday camp again.

really did unite in our love for football, fitness and fun

The kids told us, “You helped me play better”, “get fit”, “you are fun, nice and kind”, “the coaches always listen to us”, they most enjoyed “being active”, “being good at it”, “getting better at football”, “playing with friends” and “learning new tricks”. Our favourite piece of feedback related to what one youngster at Leisure United Sheffield has enjoyed most… “Evrthink” which we interpreted as a positive.

What a fantastic initiative. Please do hook up with the team members who have experience of the scheme to combine our efforts and learning, to make this summer’s kids HAVE an even better time.

We

because we can!

That’s right, we can support the local food banks, and here’s how. Each of our hubs is ideally placed to collect for local food banks. A compact basket has been provided for visitors and team members to make donations of canned and other long-lasting food items easily, for us to then distribute to where they’re needed most. This is just one way that we CAN help to make a difference in our communities.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK

We believe looking after your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and want to thank all hubs whom organised activities in support of Mental Health week (May 15 – 21st).

Over in Sheffield there was free football session for teens studying for their GCSE’s, walking football sessions and even little kickers playgroup sessions. Whilst Newcastle held a coffee drop in morning with more than 30 participants. Liverpool ran free pay and play football sessions along with a free sunshine bootcamp circuits sessions that welcomed over 40 people.

A great team effort to raise the awareness of our community hubs and the impact and importance of improved mental health. Thank you.

NEW SHAKES AND SMOOTHIES FOR LU

From June 23, we have launched a new range of smoothies and shakes, with the aim of offering more nutritious and healthy options to visitors.

For the ‘shakers’ we have delicious flavors of

Top Banana

Strawberry Glory

Livin La Vida Coco

Whilst the ‘smoothers’ can choose from tantalising

Broccoli and Beast

Strawberry Split

Grape Escape

Pre-chopped and premixed frozen fruit packages are simply added to either 200ml milk (shake) or 200ml apple juice (smoothie) and blended to offer a refreshing and healthy drink at typically less than 100 calories* (smoothies, shakes average 150 calories).

For the gym goers there is a option to add a boost of protein powder at just 75p per scoop.

We predict visitors of all ages will love these delicious hydrating drinks over the summer months.

All POS has arrived in clubs we look forward to reporting some healthy sales.

LET US PERK YOU UP!

As a thank you for your loyalty and hard work we are delighted to introduce a comprehensive rewards and benefits package for LU Team Members.

Simply visit www.employeediscounts.co.uk and register for your account for free using Leisure United’s verification ID 937CA2Y5CF

Once logged into the employee discounts platform you will be able to browse, claim, access and purchase 1,000’s of benefits. Savings from a wide range of retailers, including supermarkets, DIY, online and instore retail, eating out and home delivery/takeaways, technology, travel, holidays, utilities, cinema, phone contracts, Sky, phone insurance services and many more.

Other benefits include;

Purchase digital cards at a discounted price for example purchase a £20 Morrisons gift card for £19 (saving 5%) –every penny or pound helps!

Cycle to work, a new ‘green’ scheme or for some new tech in the home, employees can benefit from salary sacrifice savings.

Wellbeing benefits such as GP helpline, and legal, medical and financial advice and support.

C’mon, start saving today! it’s completely free to register

SOCAL OUTCOMES

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION SCHEME

Our new employee recognition scheme celebrates team members who embody Leisure United brand values:

RICHARD

VALE

ASSISTANT MANAGER - FRIAR PARK

We will challenge you. To push your boundaries, to be forward thinking for continuous improvement. Embrace change, ambition, and innovation to achieve goals set.

RESPECT

We will act with understanding, show empathy, and respect everyone. Our positive spirit will make people feel good.

Richard has shown a great can-do attitude whilst leading the hub, team and his-self during the absence of the General Manager. Consistently delivering above and beyond what is expected in his role as Assistant Manager.

You have truly embodied the brand value ‘together’ thank you!

In unity we will enjoy the journey, recognising and celebrating every success.

EFFORT ACHIEVEMENT TOGETHER

We are stronger United as a team. We will foster open, honest, and meaningful relationships. Investing in each other win or lose.

EFFORT ACHIEVEMENT RESPECT TOGETHER

Team members will earn points over a 3 month period from General Manager and Regional Manager nominations, with the top scorers achieving a monetary prize in their payroll.

Thank you to everyone for their nominations and outstanding commitment to our brand values this quarter, we received an impressive 100+ examples of team members demonstrating effort, achievement, respect and togetherness.

We are delighted to confirm the winners are;

NICOLA HANNAWAY

Nicola has been cleaning up selling gym memberships at Jericho Lane! Not only excelling at keeping the hub spotlessly clean Nicola has been selling gym memberships at every opportunity and helping out with the fitness bootcamps.

ABBIE DENWOOD

Abbie has stepped up (and often at last minute) with delivering group exercise classes to ensure members have a great LU experience. Welcoming staff, members, players and VIP guests, Abbie has been helpful and accommodating to all.

EFFORT ACHIEVEMENT RESPECT TOGETHER

Your (effort) work ethic is unsurpassed! thank you!

Thank you for always being the first to volunteer a helping hand, you epitomise our values!

EFFORT ACHIEVEMENT RESPECT TOGETHER

CLEANER - JERICHO LANE

TEAM LEADER - BLAKELAW

GOOD, BETTER, BEST

Most of what we do at LU is Good, but we’re always striving to do things Better and be the Best! If you spot an opportunity inline with our values, we’d love to hear about it and share it across the group to inspire other Good hubs to be Better and become the Best players in their communities too.

A different kind of stitch at Simpson

Once again we are breaking the stereotype that footie grounds are just for boys, with Simpson hub hosting the local WI meetings, usually each Tuesday morning. About ten ladies are in attendance and they enjoy socialising and undertaking crafts such as knitting and sewing. It’s a different kind of stitch than we’re used to, but great to have them use the hub.

LUNCH DATES CONTINUE AT WESTFIELD

Mosborough lunch club have been meeting at LU Sheffield Westfield for the past 5 years. About 30 old age pensioners get together every week and enjoy a lunch together. The Westfield team have stepped in to run the club, as without their involvement no one was willing to take on the organisation. The support from the existing volunteers who help serve the food is continuing, and the newly organised club will sit down for their first lunch later this month.

Another example of togetherness and effort to include the whole community in our hub activities.

Between 1915 and 1920 the land was used by Royal Flying Corp as a flying training airfield and landing strip. Towards the end it was used as a prisoner of war camp.

Graves make history group happy

At Sheffield Graves, the team stepped up to help a local history group. It was an established and successful group of 40 (mainly elderly) locals who met one Wednesday a month at a nearby church. Unfortunately, we heard from one of our members that the church could no longer accommodate them. So we offered them LU as a venue to meet up, have a drink and continue their history conversations and nostalgic recollections. Some of the members were so happy about it that they couldn’t help but cry.

This initiative by the team at Graves, is a great example of how we are there to help communities and show our togetherness.

VACANCIES AT TEAM LU

We are always looking to grow and evolve our teams with talent from within Leisure United. If you are interested in a new opportunity look HERE at the promotions and transfers available or visit www.leisurejobs.com/minisites/leisure-united/

We’d love for you to get involved in future editions of LU NEWS, please share ideas with your regional managers