SportsNation Issue 3 2022

sportsnation.org.uk

3/2022

People, Places, Policy - Building Active Communities

Growing the game:

TENNIS

PHOTO: EAST GLOS CLUB / MIKAL LUDLOW PHOTOGRAPHY

LTA plans to rejuvenate Britain’s public park courts

JASON DOUGLASS SAPCA chair outlines the association’s direction of travel

SUSTAINABLE SPORT What is SECC and what does it do?

The official magazine of

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E DITOR’S LETTER

ON THE COVER Enjoying a game of tennis at East Glos Club in Cheltenham

© EAST GLOS CLUB / MIKAL LUDLOW PHOTOGRAPHY

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Women’s sport - embracing the opportunities

T

he number of people

full health benefits of sport and physical

following women’s

activity – compared to 35% of men.

sport increased

Part of the problem is the lack of

during the pandemic,

accessible, suitable and welcoming

with many citing

facilities in which women of all

greater coverage as a reason for

ages feel comfortable to get active.

their interest. From BT Sport’s

Building accessible facilities not

weekly FA Women’s Super League

only enables greater participation,

(WSL) matches and Sky Sports’ coverage

it is also important in creating future

of Vitality Netball Internationals and

opportunities and revenue generation

Superleague games, to women’s tennis,

for many clubs and sports operators.

rugby and hockey, there has never been more

High profile campaigns – such as Sport

live broadcasting of women’s elite sport.

England’s This Girl Can and Women In Sport’s

What’s more, the recent 2022 Women’s

Big Sister – are leading the way in encouraging

FA Cup final attracted a record crowd of

women and girls to be more active.

more than 49,000 to Wembley Stadium,

The Women’s Sport session at the

with millions more watching on television.

SAPCA Conference will offer delegates

But how do we translate this level of

a useful insight into the sector and the

interest and coverage into participation? The

challenges and opportunities within it.

increased availability of women’s sport – and

With greater media coverage of major

the creation of role models – is important,

events and the building of more inclusive

because there is a persistent gender gap in

facilities, the industry is well placed to

women’s activity levels. Sport England’s Active

help address shortfalls in activity levels.

Lives Study shows that 39% of women aged John Challinor, Publisher

16 and over are not active enough to get the

CONTACT Tom Walker Editor E: tom@sportsnation.org.uk

John Challinor Publisher T: +44 (0)1202 742968 E: john@sportsnation.org.uk

@SportsNationMag Register for your free subscription at www.sportsnation.org.uk The official magazine of

SportsNation is published by SportsNation Ltd in association with the Sports And Play Construction Association (SAPCA). www.sapca.org.uk This publication is protected by copyright and no part may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in any print or electronic format without the written permission of the publisher.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this publication and SportsNation accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. Opinions expressed by the contributors and advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher and we do not accept responsibility of losses or damages arising from them.

Printed by Big Wave Media Ltd. ISSN 2755-0621 (Print) ISSN 2755-063X (Online)

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

3

May/Jun 2022

CONTENTS

36

© GETTY IMAGES FOR LTA

30

03 From the publisher

24 Column: Women in Sport

The growth of women’s sport

A roundup of the latest news

Lee Warren writes about how the new Daughters and Dads Active initiative is creating male allies for women’s sport

20 New SAPCA CEO

26 Column: ukactive

We speak to Richard Shaw about his passion to deliver positive outcomes

Marianne Boyle: partnership with Sport England will shift the dial on inequalities in physical activity

22 Column: Activity Alliance

28 Higher Education sport

Barry Horne on the need for proactive and meaningful change to help disabled people

A new white paper offers insight into the state of higher education sport in a post-pandemic world

07 News

© SPORT ENGLAND

48 20

© ALEX BURSTOW

4

28

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK JAN/FEB 2022

The official magazine of

52 30 Interview: Jason Douglass

52 Interview: Lyndsey Barratt

The SAPCA chair outlines the plans for the association’s future

What is Sport for Confidence and how does it change lives?

36 Growing the game: Tennis

56 Event preview: Elevate

A look at how the LTA plans to grow tennis across Great Britain

A look at what’s in store at the UK’s largest trade show dedicated to physical activity

44 Outdoor training Examples of how facilities are adding outdoor spaces to expand

58 SAPCA Showcase

48 Sustainability

62 Interview: Lynn Burman

Environmental sustainability is becoming a key concern for sport

Why are more companies outsourcing their HR departments?

© SPORT ENGLAND

26

62

Members’ classified directory

44

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK JAN/FEB 2022

5

CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS ISSUE:

Subscribe today for regular news and PRINT updates

Chris Trickey

Jason Douglass

Chief Executive SAPCA @sapca

Chair SAPCA @sapca

Richard Shaw

Barry Horne

Incoming CEO SAPCA @richardshawlbd

CEO Activity Alliance @activitybarryh

DIGITAL

SportsNation is the single, authoritative voice for the provision, delivery, maintenance and management of sports and physical activity facilities. Published bi-monthly, the magazine focuses on the people, places, policies and products that help to build active communities throughout the UK. Subscribe now and we will email you a complimentary copy of the magazine every two months.

And, as the official magazine of SAPCA (the Sports and Play Construction Association), every issue of the magazine will also include information about technical guidance, funding, standards and product innovations.

Register for your FREE subscription at www.sportsnation.org.uk Follow us:

Marianne Boyle

Lee Warren

Head of Partnerships & Strategic Lead Infrastructure ukactive @marianneboyleuk

Project Manager Women in Sport @leekwarren

6

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

@SportsNationMag

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT JOHN T: +44 (0)1202 742968 E: john@sportsnation.org.uk

NEWS

Get your free subscription at www.sportsnation.org.uk

IN BRIEF Alexander Stadium works completed Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium has been handed over to Birmingham City Council, following the completion of a £72m redevelopment project.

Birmingham 2022 has now taken up tenancy and will turn the stadium into a 30,000seat venue hosting the athletics competitions at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

Wakefield stadium work to begin The home of Wakefield Trinity is set to undergo a major transformation in the next year, with the stadium’s East Stand being completely rebuild as a 2,500-seater © SPORT ENGLAND

Football participation has bounced back since lockdowns were lifted

Team sports lead recovery in post-COVID participation levels

stand. The North Stand terrace will also be given a significant makeover during the works, which are set to get underway on 4 July.

Goodison Park demolition approved

Team sports are leading the slow

to pre-pandemic levels with players

recovery in physical activity levels

returning to grassroots clubs as

Liverpool City Council has

in England. Data from Sport

lockdown measures were lifted.

approved plans to demolish

England’s latest Active Lives Adult

Everton FC’s historic

Football saw the number of

Survey, covering the period from

people playing regularly increase by

Goodison Park stadium.

November 2020 to November

2 per cent across mid-July – mid-

The club will replace the

2021, shows that weekly physical

September 2021, with cricket (+0.3

venue with a mixed-use

activity levels are recovering

per cent) and basketball (+0.3 per

complex that will “celebrate

slowly following the large drops in

cent) also among those to have

the legacy” of the club.

participation numbers caused by

seen people returning to play.

Everton is set to move to

the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Team sports participation numbers have bounced back close

In total, 61.4 per cent of the

its new Bramley-Moore

adult population in England are

Dock stadium in 2024.

now deemed physically active.

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

7

NEWS PEOPLE

SWIM ENGLAND

Industry bodies met with MPs in April

Gareth Male

Physical activity sector bodies have

owners and operators to increase

warned that the huge increases

prices and consider closures.

Swim England and other

in energy prices pose a ‘clear and present threat’ to swimming pools.

industry representatives attended

Figures from ukactive show that

a meeting of the All Party

the total energy bill for the leisure

Parliamentary Group for Swimming

sector has risen from £500m in

in Westminster in April. They

Arena Group is expanding

2019 to between £1.0 – £1.2bn for

called for the government to work

its specialist stadia seating

this year. Energy cost increases of

with them to deliver the support

team to support a growing

such magnitude – between 100

needed to ensure swimming pools

client base in the UK market.

-150% – are already forcing pool

can continue to provide services.

Arena adds Gareth Male to team

The company has appointed Gareth Male as Stadia Seating Manager, a role which will see him extend client relations to deliver permanent fixed seating along with safe

1Life’s mental health campaign

standing barrier solutions for

To coincide with Mental Health

sport with regular refreshment

future stadium refurbishments

Awareness Week in May – and

breaks to have 1:1 conversations

and new builds.

ahead of Men’s Health week in June

about their mental health with

– 1Life has launched an initiative

coaches. The fourth session

to support men struggling with

includes an hour of sport followed

mental health at its Cotlandswick

by a 30-minute open discussion.

Jon Turnbull joins S&C Slatter

Leisure Centre in St Albans.

The operator is using weekly

SAPCA member S&C Slatter

sports sessions – including football,

has appointed Jon Turnbull as

dodgeball and boxing – to enable

its contracts manager. With

and encourage men over the age of

15+ years of experience in

18 to get more active and to speak

the sports building industry,

openly about their mental health.

Turnbull joins S&C Slatter from

Figures released last year show

fellow SAPCA member SIS

that approximately one in eight

Pitches. In his new role, he will

men suffer with mental health

work closely with S&C Slatter’s

problems, although there is often a

team of site managers and

stigma surrounding the issue so the

site supervisors to source and

real figure could be even higher.

organise sub-contractors.

For three sessions a month attendees will play 90 minutes of

8

The project mixes sports sessions with open conversations

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

© TOMO WORKMAN PIXABAYPIXABAY

ARENA GROUP

Swimming pools ‘under threat’

Get your free subscription at www.sportsnation.org.uk

© SPORT ENGLAND

The funding will see 78 organisations receive investment

Sport England reveals details for £360m funding Sport England has revealed

Among those to receive funding

details for a £360m investment

in the latest around are The

round, which will see 78

Football Association (£26.1m),

organisations receive funding

Basketball England (£8.58m),

towards their projects to get

Sport for Confidence (£1.34m),

people more active. The funding

UK Coaching (£10m) and the

comes on the back of an initial

Youth Sport Trust (£17m).

Sport England CEO, Tim

© SPORT ENGLAND

£193m investment in 43 partners that Sport England announced in

Hollingsworth, said: “At the

March. The latest round brings the

heart of our strategy is a focus

total funding dished out by the

on tackling inequalities to help

grassroots organisation to more

everyone get active – no matter

than £550m across 121 partners.

what their background is. We

The organisations currently

cannot do this alone, and that’s

receiving funding range from

why we’re building a movement

NGBs and leisure operators to

of partners.” To read more

charities and other industry

about Sport for Confidence,

bodies, with each given

one of the new partners

investments for up to five years.

receiving funding, see pp. 52

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

9

NEWS New Sport England funding looks to encourage innovation among NGBs Sports bodies are being

Commonwealth

encouraged to use innovative,

Games and will be

non-traditional or digital ideas

split between the 21

to drive participation through

national governing

a £6.5 million investment by

bodies involved

Sport England. The funding is

in the Games.

part of the grassroots body’s

Each NGB will

£35m commitment to creating

receive up to

a lasting national impact

£500,000 and the

from the Birmingham 2022

fund will focus on areas in Birmingham and the West to parts of London, Manchester and Bristol. NGBs will

SPORT ENGLAND

also be required to

Tim Hollingsworth

Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England

participate in an Innovation and

CEO, said: “Today’s funding is

Digital Accelerator programme,

an opportunity for us to work

run by CAST, which will give

innovatively with sports and to build

them access to expert support

a national activity legacy targeting

and help them with their plans.

the people who need support.”

Big Sister campaign breaks down barriers A new programme looks to help teenage girls find and reclaim the joy of sport and exercise during puberty.

Big Sister provides girls with a range of resources and support created and shaped by other girls.

Teenage girls are being encouraged to visit the Big Sister online digital hub – (www.big-sister. co.uk) to access free content, support, and practical advice from peer mentors and also addresses the stigmas and gender stereotyping which can prevent girls from leading happy, healthy and active lives.

Aiming to help prevent girls from slipping into a WWW.BIG-SISTER.CO.UK

lifetime of inactivity, the Big Sister programme has The Big Sister initiative combines online resources with practical support

12

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

formed partnerships with Places for People and schools and community groups to help inspire girls to get active through their local leisure centres.

SPORT ENGLAND

The funding was launched by PM Boris Johnson

Midlands, in addition

Get your free subscription at www.sportsnation.org.uk

SIS becomes first sports surface company to become B-Corp SAPCA member, SISGroup,

legally binding commitments –

has become a B-Corp certified

such as taking responsibility to

company – the first sports surface

place the interests of workers, the

firm to achieve the accolade.

community and the environment

B-Corps (which stands for Beneficial Corporations) voluntarily

alongside shareholders.

George Mullan, CEO of SIS, said:

meet high standards of social and

“It has taken two years to achieve

environmental performance, legal

this milestone, but it is only the

commitments and transparency.

beginning for us. Our commitment is to change how sports surfaces are delivered globally by utilising

assessment process alongside the

sustainable materials, delivering

BLab verification team, addressing

a positive impact in communities

all aspects of its business practice.

and ensuring our employees are

Achieving the status also requires

active partners in the company.”

© SIS GROUP

In order to gain B-Corp accreditation, SIS undertook an

SIS specialises in the design and delivery of sports surfaces

FIH adds sports lighting to its Quality Programme The International Hockey https://sapca.org.uk/guide/codes-of-practice/ Federation’s FIH Quality Programme was first launched in 2015 to help raise the overall standard of the sport’s venue infrastructure. With an initial focus on the playing surfaces, UK SPORT

The policy covers all Olympic and Paralympic NGBs

the programme has since expanded to include a range of field and sports equipment.

UK Sport updates Eligibility Policy UK Sport has published an

independent Eligibility Panel where

updated version of the Eligibility

there are alleged breaches.

Policy that applies to all Olympic

Most recently, the FIH added sports lighting for outdoor hockey fields to the programme.

FIH says the expansion – called FIH Approved – is

Included within the update to the

a natural progression for a

and Paralympic NGBs in receipt

policy is the ability for decisions

sport that aspires to high

of funding. The Eligibility Policy

made by the Eligibility Panel to now

levels of professionalism

was first introduced in 2013 and

be published on a case-by-case

across all levels of the game.

provides a framework for UK

basis. This would be particularly

Sport to uphold the “highest

relevant where it is strongly in

member Midstream Lighting

ethical standards of behaviour”

the public interest and helps to

became the first company to

by those in receipt of funding,

maintain trust and credibility in the

be awarded the status of FIH

including referring cases to an

high-performance community.

Certified Lighting Supplier.

In November 2021, SAPCA

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

13

NEWS £1.6m indoor tennis project gets under way in Moray Work has begun on the first

Association (LTA) and

tennis facility to receive

Tennis Scotland. Moray

investment from the new

Sports Foundation will

Transforming Scottish Indoor

contribute the balance

Tennis fund (TSIT). A project

of £511,000 towards

to build a new £1.63m facility

the new centre.

in Elgin secured investment

Work has started on the new £1.6m facility

The new four-court

worth £1.12m from TSIT, a fund

facility, managed by

delivered in partnership by

Moray Sports Centre,

sportscotland, the Lawn Tennis

will provide players in the local area with © SPORT SCOTLAND

year-round access to indoor tennis in an affordable and inclusive space.

Scott Lloyd, LTA

© LTA /GETTY

CEO, added: “More

Scott Lloyd

“The centre will be a valuable

indoor facilities are absolutely

addition to the existing network of

crucial to our ambition to open up

89 community indoor tennis centres

tennis to many more people, and so

across Britain that play a pivotal

it is fantastic to see work start on

role in supporting the health of

this milestone project in Scotland.

people in their local communities.”

LTA takes over Nottingham centre – plans major works The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Nottingham City Council have signed an agreement for the LTA to take over the long-term lease and management of Nottingham Tennis Centre. As part of the deal the LTA will provide significant investment to redevelop and upgrade the centre.

The centre has eight indoor courts, 19 outdoor hard courts and 13 grass courts, including its show court. LTA has secured a 150-year lease on the site and took over operations on 1 May. Redevelopment works will include the re-surfacing of the outdoor hard courts, upgrading of outdoor floodlights, new fencing installed around outdoor courts and an upgrade of the existing “air bubble”,

14

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

© LTA

which covers three courts.

LTA has pledged to invest in improving the centre’s facilities

Get your free subscription at www.sportsnation.org.uk

The multi-activity ballcourt can host a number of sports

Playinnovation creates community hub for Newham SAPCA member, Playinnovation,

Together initiative, a project

has helped transform an unused

designed to help tackle social

space into a thriving community

and environmental inequalities

hub in Newham, East London.

through community action.

The new multi-activity ballcourt

Greener Together is a

in Alma Street – which will be

partnership between local

capable of hosting a number

residents, environmental charity

of sports and activities from

Hubbub, the Mayor of London,

football through to basketball

Ten Years’ Time and Afterparti.

and netball – includes art design

Playinnovation founder, Marco

Playinnovation’s patented target

space in which all young people,

games and Playinnovation’s

regardless of age or ability, will

signature white “Hype” combi

feel confident to play sport

goals with sensory basketball

and to exercise. By doing so,

backboards in pinks and yellows

we’re helping to tackle the

to reflect the sunshine from

social inequalities in the area

different angles. The project is at the heart of the Greener

PLAYINNOVATION

Boi, said: “We’ve created a

by providing the community with a hub for everyone.”

© PLAYINNOVATION

basketball backboards, four of

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

15

NEWS

Get your free subscription at www.sportsnation.org.uk

‘Very different’ fund helping Welsh grassroots Burying low-hanging power lanes underground and a project to remove poisonous algae from a swimming lake are among the initiatives to benefit from ‘A Place for Sport’ funding in Wales. Launched in 2021, the fund offers up to £15k worth of investment to projects designed to help community clubs and organisations to improve the overall Some of the projects also delivered environmental improvements

As well as supporting some unusual projects, the way the funding initiative works is nontraditional too. While up to half of

raise at least half of the money

months and are pleased to now

each investment is provided by

themselves by crowdfunding via

be extending it for the next year.

Sport Wales and public funding,

the Crowdfunder website,” says

it also relies on crowd-funding.

Owen Hathway, Sport Wales’

created some really appealing

“Clubs across the country have

“It’s a very different fund to

Assistant Director for Insight,

crowdfunding campaigns that

anything offered previously in

Policy and Public Affairs. “We

have drawn support from well

Wales, as it requires clubs to

trialled A Place for Sport for six

over a thousand people.”

£1m park works aided by soil importation initiative Work has begun on a project to deliver £1 million worth of improvements to Central Park in Dagenham.

What makes the project innovative is its funding model. The works will be paid for largely through income received from the importation of 230,000 m3 of environmentally clean soil, which has been removed from other build projects within the © LONDON BOROUGH OF BARKING AND DAGENHAM

M25 that would otherwise end up in landfill.

The project, commissioned by Barking and Dagenham Council and delivered by Alliance Leisure Services, in partnership with Golf Leisure Experts (GLE), is expected to take two years to complete.

Work will see the park’s community-use tennis courts being refurbished and the creation of a new Central Park is set to undergo significant improvement

16

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAR/APR 2022

‘story telling area’ (or amphitheatre), capable of hosting an array of events and performances.

© SPORT WALES

experience of grassroots sport.

Swim England receives legacy project cash to fund participation Swim England has received a

as recruiting swimming teachers

share of £6.5m to help diverse and

from diverse backgrounds.

Swim England will also

to swim as part of a Commonwealth

pilot innovations in ‘swim

Games legacy project.

lesson gamification’ and

The cash injection is part of

use a digital campaign and

Sport England’s £35m package of

toolkit to upskill and educate

investment to make this summer’s

swimming clubs on inclusion.

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth

Jane Nickerson, Swim England

Games a success and create

CEO, said: “A home Commonwealth

a lasting national impact.

Games offers a once-in-a-

Swim England will use digital and

generation opportunity to inspire

community engagement to tackle

a huge audience and this funding

issues of water safety and help

will be a vital starting point to

youngsters learn to swim – as well

help us tackle inequalities.”

© SWIM ENGLAND

disadvantaged communities learn

The funding will look to fund efforts to tackle inequalities

Schmitz focuses on circular economy and sustainability SAPCA member Schmitz Foam https://sapca.org.uk/guide/codes-of-practice/ Products is responding to the need for more sustainable practices by focusing on a circular economy model.

The company has adopted the ‘3 R’s of Sustainability’

© RFU

England won the 2022 Six Nations

approach, which is based on “reducing, reusing and recycling”.

To support the drive, Schmitz

England to host women’s RWC

will install an in-house shock

England has been named as the

facilitate great opportunities for

year. The equipment will help

host location for the women’s

people living in different parts of

the company recycle more

Rugby World Cup 2025.

the country to attend, promoting

products and, as a result,

rugby and enhancing participation

better serve the market for

in the sport nationwide.

end-of-use shockpads.

For Rugby World Cup 2025, the RFU and host partners World Rugby, plan to adopt a multi-

According to England Rugby,

pad washing device later this

Schmitz Foam Products

city and multi-region approach

female participation in the country

supplies a range of shock

to delivering the tournament.

has grown from 13,000 to 40,000

absorption and drainage

This will be the first time that the

registered players in clubs, with a

products, which are

tournament will be made up of 16

growing pipeline of girls playing in

manufactured under the

teams and the hosting model will

schools, colleges and universities.

ProPlay trademark.

P ROMOTION

So you want to redevelop a ballcourt?

Great sports and play facility projects begin with great ideas. Especially if those ideas come from the end-users

R

edeveloping an ageing facility

Listen to your users

can be a daunting prospect. For

But while all of the above are important

one, there are so many things

considerations, there is one aspect that we at

to consider. What should you

Playinnovation feel goes above all else in the

replace it with? Should you go

early stages of deciding on the nature of your

with a similar layout as before and simply

new facility – to engage with your partners.

renew what’s there? Or completely change

And by partners, we mean the end-users. Yes –

the design and make space for new facilities?

the children, the young people and the mums

You’ll also need to sort out all the technical

and the dads (and other carers, of course).

aspects of the project early on. What are

Talk to them. Consult them in some way.

the ground conditions under the playing

They are, as facility users, your ‘consumers’.

surface – will it need replacing too? Do you

What would they want to see included?

need new lighting? What about fencing?

Which sports would they like to play?

As with any facility development, your

While it’s impossible to please everyone,

starting point should be to create a strong

a well-managed consultation will give

project brief as early as possible. This should

you an overview of what the surrounding

include the exact sporting, play and non-

community requires – and what it wants.

sporting needs – including access. It’s a good

This is the part of a project journey that we,

idea to consider whether there needs to

as a company, are most passionate about.

be a business case for the facility too – are

Listening to, understanding and considering

there certain clubs/societies playing certain

families – and ensuring their needs are at

sports you want to accommodate for rent?

the heart of the project. For us, it is the only way to create inspiring sports facilities and

The ballcourt includes games which promote wider learning and skills

playgrounds for children, young people and families to thrive, learn and bond in – and for visitors to return and feel inspired.

Think about making decisions based on how the end-user (the child, the family, the shy child, the disabled child, etc.) will feel.

Then use that as your guide and seek out designers and manufacturers not because they are cheap, but because they are innovative. Do that, and everything else – all the technical stuff – will fall into place.

18

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

The Alma Street project in Newham was designed in partnership with the local community

Putting the vision into practice One of the projects that exemplifies this approach is the recent transformation of a disused ballcourt into a thriving community space in Newham, East London. Working together with local residents, Playinnovation completed an incredible refurbishment of two previously unusable ball courts and a central activity zone just a stone’s throw from the Olympic Village – in time for the 10-year anniversary of the London 2012 Olympics.

The new playzone includes four of Playinnovation’s patented target games, art design basketball backboards and Playinnovation’s signature white “Hype” combi goals with sensory basketball backboards in pinks and yellows to reflect the sunshine from different angles.

The new multi-activity ballcourt in

My primary aim in my professional life is to persuade everyone that, when it comes to creating sports or play spaces for towns, schools, communities or even private enterprises, people should feel inspired to think about it from a position of freedom and creativity Marco Boi, founder, Playinnovation

Alma Street – which will be capable of hosting a number of sports and activities

During planning, Playinnovation listened

from football through to basketball and

to what the community needed and wanted.

netball – is at the heart of the Greener

The end users – young people and their

Together initiative, a project designed

families – played an intrinsic role in deciding

to help tackle social and environmental

what the facility would look like. Thanks to

inequalities through community action.

this process, Alma Street is a space in which

Greener Together is a partnership

all children and young people, regardless

between local residents, environmental

of age or ability, will feel confident to play

charity Hubbub, the Mayor of London, Ten

sport, be active and exercise. As a result, the

Years’ Time and Afterparti. The pioneering,

ballcourt and play zones help to tackle the

community-led project brings residents and

social inequalities in the area by providing the

local authorities together to take climate

community with a space for everyone. Want

action and create a greener, healthier,

to know more? Get in touch +44 (0) 20 3409

and more connected neighbourhood.

5303/Email: contact@playinnovation.co.uk ●

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

19

P EOPLE

RICHARD SHAW SportsNation talks to the new SAPCA CEO and learns about his passion for creating positive outcomes for society

T

he Sport and Play Construction

Leading from the front

Association (SAPCA) has

Richard’s first leadership roles at director level

appointed Richard Shaw as

were at charity Age Concern – where he spent

its new CEO. Richard joins

nearly two years as director of development

the association from Learn by

– and at education outreach company,

Design, an education outreach company,

University of the First Age (UFA), where he

where he has spent the past three years

was director of operations and development

as chief operating officer. He will begin

for four years. While at UFA, he was

in his new role on 1 June, replacing the

responsible for running the National Citizen

retiring Chris Trickey, who has steered the

Service (NCS), a voluntary personal and social

association since its inception in 1997.

development programme for 15–17-year-

Richard started his career journey helping people find – and maintain – work as an

olds in England and Northern Ireland.

“NCS was launched as one of David

employment manager at Birmingham City

Cameron’s ‘big society’ projects, designed to

Council. During his nine-year stint at the

involve young people in society more,” Richard

council, he oversaw a range of employment

says. “The project takes young people on

projects aimed at helping under-represented

outdoor and team building activities and then

groups access sustainable employment.

gets them volunteering in their communities.

The youngsters also get a taste of independent living and have the opportunity to learn a variety of skills for their future.”

Richard’s involvement in overseeing the NCS saw him lobbying – and working with – central and local government at the highest levels. It also led to him being headhunted

by Learn by Design, which secured the NCS contract following a tender in 2019.

“I’ve always been passionate about getting involved in projects which have real-world outcomes for society and NCS has been fantastic in terms of helping young people engage with their communities,” he says.

Richard with Rupert McNeil, the government’s chief people officer

20

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

Making a difference Richard adds that it was his passion for creating positive outcomes that

“

I’ve always been passionate about getting involved in projects which have real-world outcomes for society initially attracted him to apply for the role of SAPCA chief executive.

“Having worked on the NCS programme for around six years I was ready to look at how I could help provide positive societal

and the nation’s health. That’s another

outcomes in some other way,” he says.

aspect that drew me to SAPCA – the

“That’s why SAPCA really appealed to me

opportunity to play a small role in elevating sports and play on the government’s

believe the outcomes associated with sport

agenda and to make sure it’s something

and play are massively undervalued.

that is talked about more consistently,

“Through my professional experience – and

© shutterstock_Day Of Victory Studio

when I saw the role advertised, because I

especially when it comes to funding.”

having been involved in sport throughout my life – I know that good quality sports provision

Positive challenge

truly matters in society. We need high-quality

As well as having a devotion to creating

facilities in order to achieve the outcomes

worthwhile outcomes and positive change,

that we all want – a healthier, happier,

Richard is passionate about sports. In

resilient and more inclusive population.

addition to coaching his daughter’s team,

“I’ve experienced it first-hand. I coach my

he still turns up for football on a weekly

daughter’s football team who, this season,

basis, plays tennis for his local club and is

benefitted from a fantastic, well-maintained

a season ticket holder at Aston Villa FC.

pitch they loved to play on. But for next

The combination of his professional

season, the team might not play on that pitch

background in operations, projects and

and face the prospect of having their games

stakeholder management – as well as

on a poorly maintained public authority pitch.

his experience in dealing with local and

My daughter is now considering joining a

central government – and passion for sport

different team – all because of that pitch.

should stand him in good stead as he

“For me, that is the difference that good quality sports provision can make

takes up his role as SAPCA CEO in June.

Richard says he can’t wait to get going. “In

– it is the difference between people

my previous roles, I’ve delivered programmes

enjoying sport and not playing at all.

to young people on behalf of government and

“Every now and again we hear politicians and people in power talk about the importance of sport – especially during

business,” he says. “The decision to step away from this type of work has not been easy.

“But the work that SAPCA does and the

major events. But beyond that, I feel there

potential it has to respond to the challenges

is a lack of consistent appreciation of just

that we face as a country post-COVID-19 are

what sport can do to improve communities

exciting and will be a fantastic challenge.” l

sportsnation.org.uk MAY/JUN 2022

21

POLICY

BARRY HORNE CEO

We need proactive and meaningful change to help disabled people

P

rior to the pandemic, we had reason

Activity Alliance

Disabled people are twice as likely to be physically inactive

to feel quite optimistic about changing attitudes with a steady improvement to disabled people’s

participation in sport and physical activity.

Our vision - fairness for disabled people in sport and activity – felt like a realistic ambition to achieve in a generation.

There have always been significant disabled people’s activity levels. The stark reality is disabled people participate less than non-disabled people and they are also twice as likely to be inactive. This is not right or fair.

The pandemic had a considerable impact on everyone’s lives, but insight shows disabled people are disproportionately

© SPORT ENGLAND

inequalities between disabled and non-

“NO ONE MUST FEEL LEFT OUT OR FORGOTTEN”

affected. The latest Sport England’s Active Lives Survey showed signs of a stabilisation

more inclusive future for everyone, and

of disabled people’s activity levels from

that includes for millions of disabled

the previous year. But the data shows that

people living in our communities. One

activity levels are still down compared to

in five people identify as being disabled

before the pandemic – and disabled people

– that is 11.5 million people and a large

are facing a slower return to activity.

proportion of everyone’s customer base.

Pre-pandemic numbers show inactivity

Boosting disabled people’s confidence

levels for disabled people had dropped

and reassurance to be active again or

to 40.4% in 2019-20. This year, 42.4% (4

for the first time is only one element

million) disabled people were classed as

in addressing these barriers. We need

inactive (doing less than 30 minutes of

leaders and activity providers to set

physical activity a week). This is compared

out what they will change right now.

to 22.6% of non-disabled people.

We know from our own research that

It is vital that disabled people are included fully in the conversation as we make

disabled people face many barriers to

efforts towards a full recovery following

being active. The pandemic has both

the pandemic. To truly change attitudes,

exacerbated existing issues and created

and increase activity levels, there needs

new ones, which is why, at this crucial

to be involvement in decision making.

stage, it is vital we treat our recovery

We need to ensure every organisation

from the pandemic as a reset moment.

embeds inclusive practice in all they do.

We must use this as an opportunity to

Sport and activity bring incredible

rethink the way we do things inclusively.

benefits for individuals and for society. No

The priority must be for a fairer and

one must feel left out or forgotten. ●

22

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23

LEE WARREN

POLICY

Project Manager Women in Sport

Building male allies for women’s sport

T

The formative years of your life, and the experiences you have, help to build attitudes, perceptions and behaviours that will live with

The DADs programme breaks down gender norms

you for a lifetime. Parents are significant influences in young people’s lives, and it’s vital they understand their role in creating positive lifelong experiences and memories through sport and exercise for their children.

Girls don’t grow up hating sport, it’s the wider influences across society that often tells girls that sport isn’t for them.

The continual reinforcement that they aren’t good enough, sport is for boys or the constant messaging that girls should be valued on their appearance. Why do we let this be the norm? Why can’t girls be defined by how they use their body rather

“IT’S THE WIDER INFLUENCES ACROSS SOCIETY THAT OFTEN TELL GIRLS THAT SPORT ISN’T FOR THEM”

than how it looks? Why can’t girls be valued for being strong and determined? These

The Daughters and Dads Active and

unhealthy and constraining values that

Empowered (DADs) programme at Women

have been placed on girls drive negative

in Sport breaks down these outdated gender

beliefs and perceptions about possibilities.

norms and expectations. Through educating and empowering the influencers in girls’ lives as well as inspiring girls themselves, we can

About Women in Sport The charity Women in

The charity has a track

create a society of opportunity, in which all girls can fulfil their ambitions and potential.

We need a collective and collaborative

Sport was founded in 1984

record of success in

approach to break down the entrenched

and its vision is that no-

securing change, based on

barriers young girls face to living healthy,

one is excluded from the

its deep understanding of

happy and active lives. Gender stereotypes

joy, fulfilment and lifelong

the needs and aspirations

aren’t a problem girls and women can

benefits of sport and

of women and girls at

solve alone – men and boys need to

exercise. Recognising that

each life stage and its

stand up and be allies for change.

gender stereotypes and

determination to break

institutional bias are holding

down gender inequalities

girls, call out limiting language and behaviour

women back in life and in

through its work within the

and provide an inclusive environment. This

sport, the charity’s purpose is

sports sector and beyond.

starts with education; understanding what

to give every woman and girl

Find out more about

life looks like through a gendered lens by

the opportunity to take part

Women in Sport here:

listening to women and girls. Together we

and inspire them to do so.

www.womeninsport.org

can create an equal and equitable society. ●

24

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sportsnation.org.uk MAY/JUN 2022

25

POLICY

MARIANNE BOYLE Head of Partnerships & Strategic Lead Infrastructure

Shifting the dial on inequalities in physical activity

U

kactive and Sport England have enjoyed a productive working relationship for many years – one that has been built upon a

common purpose and shared values. The announcement this month, of ukactive’s

ukactive

WE HAVE BIG AMBITIONS FOR WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP AND WILL NOT REST UNTIL WE HAVE BUILT BACK FITTER

role as a System Partner of Sport England, cements the impact that both organisations

ever before. Our partnership projects

believe working together can have on

include the publication of the This Girl Can

tackling inequalities and to level up access to

guide for gyms – which helps the sector

sport and physical activity across the country.

to better support women and girls – and

The partnership will focus on supporting the structure around local leisure facilities, so that every local leisure facility can

the launch of Everyone Can, a joint agenda for disability inclusion and accessibility.

This partnership and investment provide

provide an opportunity for everybody to

the opportunity for us to listen, engage and

be active, regardless of your background,

utilise insight and data to identify the key

gender, bank balance or postcode.

areas that we can continue to support the

While we have worked collaboratively

sector with to enable it to recover, reinvent

for many years, we are extremely proud of

and grow so that it can become more

how our partnership has strengthened over

sustainable and resilient. If we can achieve

the past two years, despite the disruption

this, the sector will be empowered to tackle

and challenges posed by the COVID-19

inequalities and achieve our shared ambition

pandemic. We are making significant in-roads

to unite the movement and reach many

to enabling the sector to address inequalities

more people, across every community.

and be more inclusive and accessible than

As we enter the first year of this five-year partnership, we do so with a forensic focus

© SPORT ENGLAND

on these priority areas for the development Sport England and ukactive will work together to tackle inequalities

of the sector: campaigns; children, young people and families; digital transformation; health and wellbeing; inclusion; infrastructure; and quality standards.

Running parallel to these crucial developmental areas, we commit to working collaboratively across our workforce and with local, national and devolved governments and the wider sport and physical activity eco-system to support and drive progress within the sector.

We have big ambitions for what we can achieve through this partnership and will not rest until we have built back fitter. ●

26

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27

P OLICY

Bouncing back in higher education A report compiled in partnership by British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) and fitness equipment specialist Technogym has offered insight into the state of higher education sport and physical activity in a post-pandemic world

B

ritish Universities & Colleges

also had an obvious impact on student

Sport (BUCS) invited a panel of

routines and mental wellbeing, with first- and

higher education representatives

second-year students spending much of

to discuss the status of sport

their academic life, so far, unable to access

and physical activity in the

formal or informal sports opportunities.

sector. The resulting whitepaper – published

“As higher education institutions welcome

in partnership with equipment supplier

students back on site, we can’t forget

Technogym – has been designed to open

that these young people have had an

up discussion and play a part in guiding the

unprecedented two years,” the report states.

sector to a strong recovery so that it can

“At the start of the current academic year

continue to serve the needs of students,

(2021-22), most second year students hadn’t

staff and the wider communities.

spent any time in person with their peers or staff, and first years may not even have

PANDEMIC IMPACT The paper shows that the impact of lockdowns have had far-reaching effects

spent time at college for their A-levels. Higher education institutions should put measures in

BUCS provides

place to deal with the impact on their social

institutions

skills, emotional health and confidence.”

on higher education staff and students.

competitive

Entire sports facilities have sat unused,

sport and other

Staff, too, have been severely impacted by

physical activity

COVID-19, with a stark divide noted between

opportunities

those furloughed and those working through

many of them representing significant new investments for the university. The pandemic

lockdown. The challenges continue, with many preferring to continue hybrid working.

HEALTHY DEMAND The BUCS report found that the appetite for recreational and competitive sport, however, is “clearly there”, even among students who have spent much of the last two years isolated from activity and social interaction.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 continues to have an impact on the running of higher education sport and physical activity.

sportsnation.org.uk MAR/APR 2022

© Alex Burstow

28

© TECHNOGYM

Many higher education institutions now offer first-class fitness and physical activity facilities for students and staff

that endured the longest lockdowns in England – only had four weeks of formal sport access in 2020. The impact of this can be seen in De Montfort’s budget cuts, recruitment challenges, and knock-on effects on facilities and timetabling.

University of Stirling, meanwhile, observed

“

For example, students at De Montfort University in Leicestershire – the region

We can’t forget that these young people have had an unprecedented two years

an interesting split in student responses to membership fees for the university gym, which were increased when the new

Interact with students – advertise newer sports

facilities were opened. Third- and fourth-

programmes outside the traditional ones

year students gave feedback that it was

● Connect through digital

too expensive, but first- and second-year

Look at apps to engage and

students questioned if they needed to pay

connect with students and staff and

more. The students who have not been on

observe their exercise habits

campus and have perhaps experienced

● Collaborative partnerships

the worst effects of lockdown are quicker

Utilise key partners and organisers to

to see the value of enhanced facilities.

support overall wellbeing message

IDENTIFYING THE ACTIONS

● Community engagement Work collaboratively with public

The report highlights and recommends

health sectors and encourage them

a central theme around six key actions

to publicise the facility offering

to consider and market when it comes

● Building solutions for staff

to the wellbeing lifestyle of higher

Offer a flexible working environment and

education. These six key actions outlined

develop staff to help grow and retain

for those working in HE sport are:

them, improving their wellbeing.

● Increase memberships Promote and highlight sports facilities to

For more information (and to download the

showcase how they support overall wellbeing

white paper), see: https://www.technogym.

● Provide new opportunities

com/land/en/bucs-whitepaper-hcp/ ●

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

29

P EOPLE

The Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

SportsNation spoke to SAPCA chair Jason Douglass, who was appointed to the role in December 2020 and has since set out to oversee the association’s transition to a more business-like organisation

JASON DOUGLASS It’s SAPCA’s 25th anniversary. How would you describe its journey so far?

recognised as an invaluable resource for

SAPCA has had a fantastic 25 years

both at home and abroad. With input from

and has established itself as a key voice

relevant governing and standards bodies,

in the sports and play industry. As an

they provide an up to date summary of

association, we are respected by – and

the current requirements for installation

have excellent working relationships with

and maintenance across a range of sports

– all the sector’s governing bodies.

surfaces, facilities, and associated equipment.

those looking to design and build facilities –

Having developed a consistent level of

We’ve delivered on several initiatives that have improved standards within the

SAPCA’s main

quality within our codes, we recognise the

industry and have led the charge in the

focus is to help

opportunity to grow that aspect of our work

promotion of good working practices and

build an active

even further. We want to use our reputation

ensuring a degree of quality control in the

nation through

as a major, credible source of information

marketplace. This is perhaps best seen

the work of its

and guidance to expand the resources

in the SAPCA codes of practice, widely

members

we offer into new areas of our industry.

We also want to develop a broader range of technical guidance for those looking to undertake facility projects, not just for those constructing or maintaining them.

By providing valuable and transparent information to end users, we can help them make better choices – and ensure they invest their money wisely.

What will SAPCA’s direction of travel be as it sets out for the next 25 years?

As we look into the future, we want to build © SPORT ENGLAND

on the very solid platform we’re on and really

30

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAR/APR 2022

SAPCA provides a wide range of guidance for those developing sports facilities

© SPORT ENGLAND

turn up the dial. Our marketplace is facing challenges as we’ve never seen before – from Brexit and climate change to rising energy costs and volatility within the construction materials market. But as well as challenges, they present opportunities: to further improve industry standards and to refine and enhance the way we and our members do business.

Take environmental sustainability, for future plans. As customer demand for environmentally sustainable solutions grows in our marketplace, our members will be more driven to offer them.

© SPORT ENGLAND

example, which is at the heart of our SAPCA works in close partnership with national governing bodies of sport

When I took up the role of SAPCA chair in late 2020, I was keen that we breathe more life into what we do as an association - to build on the great work we’ve done, but also ensure we’re not resting on our laurels. One of the decisions we took, as a result, was to adjust the way the board was composed.

If you look at the SAPCA board, there are a lot of individuals around that table who are successful in business and hold senior leadership positions in their respective companies. It, therefore, made a lot of sense to shift the focus, moving away

We want to build on the very solid platform we’re on and really turn up the dial

from having a board that operated like a

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

31

P EOPLE

governing body and, instead, becoming more business-like in its operations.

The vast majority of our members are commercial operators and businesses – and I believe their trade association should reflect that way of working. A shift towards a more business-like SAPCA is now one of the main directions of travel for us.

What this means in practice is that we will have clear strategic objectives, measurable performance targets and meaningful deadlines for our activities and projects. It also means that our initiatives will be directed at supporting and growing our members’ businesses. We want to engage in delivering credible projects - from which members will see positive and beneficial outcomes.

An example of those specific targets is our Codes of Practice. By producing a roadmap and clear timeline for the publication of new and updated codes, our membership will know which codes help them in their respective industries.

Furthermore, we want to ensure SAPCA members are recognised for their standards of service and workmanship by creating a

Industry challenges

O

f the challenges facing

and materials essential to

account for the current material

building projects,” he says.

price and delivery volatility.

“Add to that inflation and the

the industry Douglass

“These issues are not

huge increase in the cost of

limited to our specific sports

out three which have significant

fuel and energy and what you

and play construction sector.

cost implications on sports and

have is a perfect storm that is

These are problems of a

play projects – the increases in

pushing prices of projects up.

global and national scale.

mentions, he picks

“This volatility, added to

the cost of fuel and energy, the

“Those developing sports

ongoing volatility within the

challenging labour supply

and play facilities may find it

supply of construction materials

conditions, and the consequent

helpful to take this situation into

and the Bank of England’s

impact on the timeframes and

consideration when planning

forecasting of a recession and

delivery costs of many projects,

and managing their projects for

of double digit inflation.

is likely to be something we

the coming year. For example,

must live with for a while to

contractors and suppliers may

kinds – not just those within the

come. It’s also worth pointing

need to review the periods of

sports and play sector – have

out that contractors may be

time that they are able to hold

been affected by constant

exposed to added commercial

prices when giving quotations,

changes in the availability and

pressures, as some of their

and the timescales for project

cost of a range of products

existing contracts may not

delivery may also be affected.”

“Construction projects of all

32

© SPORT ENGLAND

are being published, and when, which will

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

The SAPCA Environmental Sustainability Working Group launched in 2021 and is dedicated to helping create sustainable and inclusive sports facilities

We have an opportunity to help our members become leading lights in sustainability

© SPORT ENGLAND

quality programme that is recognised for driving up standards in the industry, led by members. My goal is to see tangible value being found as a SAPCA member, whether as a minimum pre-qualification

through design. The group is now developing

criterion for project opportunities or through

guidance on all these fronts, some of

helpful and relevant technical support,

which will be published later this year.

regional showcase events or networking opportunities within the SAPCA Community.

We are also embarking on an initiative to support members to develop and help improve their environmental sustainability

You mentioned sustainability being at the heart of what SAPCA does?

practices. We have to be honest: some

Yes. Last year we set up the SAPCA

environmental policies and sustainability

Environmental Sustainability Working Group,

practices within their businesses, so

which places sustainability as one of the main

we will be providing support for them

priorities for our ongoing work. Among the

to be able to progress and improve

group’s main tasks is to help provide enhanced

their systems and approaches.

guidance on the various environmental sustainability issues impacting our industry.

The working group comprises three

of our members probably have outdated

We will start that process by working on their behalf and building links and relationships with relevant and respected

individual focus groups around three key

accreditation services. The aim is to provide

areas where enhanced guidance is required:

our members with a supportive signposting

maintenance, recycling and betterment

service - through which they can access pre-

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

33

P EOPLE Through their work, SAPCA members are helping to raise the standard of the UK’s sports facility stock

© SPORT ENGLAND

selected accreditation services and get the support they need. That work is now underway and we’re working with accreditation services to secure group discounts and to put on workshops to help our members with their sustainability “journey”. This is particularly important for our smaller member companies, who might need help with resources. to develop their own environmental policies

The SAPCA membership covers a wide range of businesses

that are recognised and accredited, to help them align their operating procedures with

sector, which I think will be a great

the latest standards. This will not only benefit

thing. When we began looking for Chris’

the environment but members’ businesses

replacement, we had some very strong

too – as well as SAPCA as a whole.

candidates from a variety of professional

The construction industry in the UK is

backgrounds – which is a testament to

moving forward on sustainability matters,

the high regard in which SAPCA is held.

so SAPCA must help its members have an opportunity to be leading lights in this space.

Richard has an impressive track record and is familiar with lobbying on behalf of organisations at the highest levels – both the

One of the big changes for SAPCA in 2022 is the appointment of a new CEO?

national government and local authorities. He

Yes, Chris Trickey is retiring from SAPCA

business and strategy and is also a leader who

and will be replaced by Richard Shaw.

is familiar with – and capable of – delivering

Chris has been an incredibly loyal servant

change within organisations. His skill set is, I

to the association and has steered SAPCA

feel, exactly what SAPCA needs at this time

ever since its inception in 1997. You can’t

and the fact that he’s coming from outside

overstate the role Chris has had in getting

the industry excites me. These really are

SAPCA into the strong position it’s in today.

exciting times for SAPCA in many ways!

Richard steps into the role on 1 June and comes to us from outside our

34

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

is an individual who is highly experienced in

To read an interview with the incoming SAPCA CEO, Richard Shaw, see p.20 ●

© DENNIS

Ultimately, we want all SAPCA members

P ROMOTION

Sportex Group and tiger up! launch recycling co-operative

S

portex Group and tiger up! (a

industry – will be available for re-use within

subsidiary of TigerTurf UK Ltd)

sports facility projects. tiger up! current

are delighted to announce a new

plastic agglomeration technology has

working co-operative agreement

been moved to Sportex’s existing recycling

to facilitate the UK’s first closed

factory in Grangemouth, Scotland where a

loop recycling facility for end-of-life synthetic

constant feedstock of un-filled end-of-life

turf facilities. This exciting development

artificial turf will be processed and facilitate

combines the unique technology of both

the production of tiger up!’s innovative and

companies to bring together a fully traceable

sustainable products for sale back into our

and compliant recycling solution to ensure

industry, including trekboards, which are

that all components from a synthetic

gaining enormous traction across the UK as a

turf pitch can be separated, thoroughly

sustainable alternative to timber kickboards.

cleaned and most importantly processed

Conversations are already taking place

into a condition to be re-used within the

with industry partners who share our

sports facility construction industry.

vision and ethos for sustainable change

Using Sportex’s existing recycling

in the UK sports facility industry, but

technology, reclaimed sand and SRB rubber

crucially also see tremendous benefit

– that meets the existing standards of the

in collaborating together to promote sustainable practises and behaviours through

The partnership will utilise the expertise of the two companies

action, not words. We believe this to be a watershed moment in the UK for end-oflife recycling (EOLR) for synthetic turf.

David Hook, Sales Director at TigerTurf says “We’re delighted to announce our collaboration with Sportex Group, a longstanding partner of TigerTurf. When we launched tiger up! in 2021 our goal was to create easily accessible sustainable alternatives for the sports industry and beyond, as well as providing a solution to the mounting issue of recycling endof-life artificial grass. Our collaboration with Sportex helps us do that. We are ecstatic to be leading our industry into a new era of sustainability and recycling.

More information visit: www.tigerup.co.uk

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

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© GETTY IMAGES FOR LTA

The Lawn Tennis Association’s plans to increase participation across Great Britain include a £30m investment in redeveloping courts located in public parks

Growing the game

TENNIS

T

he governing body for tennis

future, it needs healthy grassroots – and the

in Britain, the LTA, published

work must start with the youngest players.

its five-year strategy in March

“The insight tells us that if you pick up a

2019. Led by the vision “Tennis

racket when you’re younger, you’re more likely

opened up”, the document

to develop a lifelong habit,” Scadgell says. “So

outlines the five-year plan for tennis from

it’s critically important that we get rackets in

2019 to 2023. At the heart of it is a mission

the hands of more young people. The way

to grow tennis by making it more relevant, accessible, welcoming and enjoyable to all.

Olly Scadgell, LTA’s participation director, says that the ultimate ambition is to open

we’re doing that is through our innovative LTA Olly Scadgell, participation director, LTA

Youth programme, which we launched in 2021.”

The LTA Youth programme has been designed for children aged four to 18. Packed

tennis up to anyone who wants to get involved

full of fun games and drills designed to develop

regardless of their age, gender, background,

physical literacy, the idea is for more children

ability or disability. “The strategy aims to

to be able to access the sport and have fun

address the historical notion that tennis has not

playing tennis. There are five stages – from the

perhaps been as open to everyone as we would

introductory “Blue Stage” aimed at four to six-

like it to be,” Scadgell says. “So our plan is

year-olds, to the “Yellow Stage”, designed for

headed by a vision to open tennis up to anyone

those aged 11+. In addition, there are the LTA

who wants to get involved – whether that’s

Youth Start courses, which are for kids aged

as a fan, player, coach, volunteer or official.”

four to 11 years old and who are new to tennis.

“LTA Youth has been created to help more

YOUNG PEOPLE

children access the sport, whether they play

The LTA strategy outlines how, in order to

in school, at clubs or at park sites,” Scadgell

open up tennis and to ensure the sport’s

says,“For schools, we’ve devised the LTA

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SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAR/APR 2022

Youth Schools programme to

© GETTY IMAGES FOR LTA

© GETT Y IM AG ES FO RL TA

The LTA Youth programme is designed for young people aged between four and 18

“What we’ve overlaid on top

support the curriculum and

of that is wrap-around support.

wider school outcomes. It brings

For example, the teachers who

together inclusive PE lesson plans,

go through the training get a £250

personal development resources

reward voucher which can be spent

and teacher training – and it’s free.

on tennis equipment or 10 hours of team

“The way we’ve designed it is to develop

teaching with an LTA accredited coach. The

not only a child’s tennis skills, but also their

Role models such

benefit of that is that it provides an automatic

character and life skills, which is important

as Emma Raducanu

link to a coach in a school environment, so

as it is delivered in the school environment.

can inspire young

that the children who are interested and

people to pick up

want to, can maintain and sustain their

tennis a racket

enjoyment in tennis at a local venue.”

“We’ve been really pleased with how it’s gone. We now have 10,000 schools registered for LTA Youth and more than 6,000

“It’s also great that Emma Raducanu is

teachers who’ve taken the training and are

one of the Ambassadors for the LTA Youth

now delivering the programme in school

programme and we’ve been taking her 2021

environments. One of our big focuses this

US Open Trophy on a tour of schools to help

year is to grow that even further with the aim

inspire more children to get involved in tennis.”

to reach a third of all primary and a fifth of all

INVESTING IN PARKS

secondary schools in Britain by year end.”

Scadgell adds that ‘opening up’ tennis is

While getting more young people to play

at the heart of LTA Youth, too. “A hugely important aspect of the programme is its accessibility and inclusivity,” he reveals.

“The content of the curriculum of LTA Youth Schools has been designed so it’s suitable for any school – whether they have tennis courts or not. It can be delivered by teachers in a classroom environment, in a small sports hall or in a playground area – which is critically important if we want to reach as wide an audience as possible.

tennis is a key focus, there is also a drive

“

Packed full of fun games and dynamic training, the idea is for kids to “bring all their energy” to tennis SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAR/APR 2022

37

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“

We know that, in terms of participation, about 1.7 million people pick up a racket at least once a year and play in those park environments generate sinking funds, so that local authorities

key strategic pieces of work in this area

can continue to invest in facilities over the

is to improve GB’s large, but somewhat

long term and ensure they are available for

neglected, stock of public park courts.

future generations. The LTA and its partners

To drive this, the LTA announced, in October 2021, that it had secured an impressive £22m © SPORT ENGLAND

The model also provides opportunities to

try – or return – to tennis. One of LTA’s

worth of funding from the government to

will work with local authorities to ensure provision can be as accessible as possible.

“There are some 1,700 park sites with about

improve public park courts across Britain.

5,000 courts across 360 local authorities in

Together with around £8.5m from its own

Great Britain,” Scadgell says. “We know that,

coffers, the LTA hails the £30m+ investment

when it comes to participation, about 1.7

as “transformational”. The project will see

million people pick up a racket at last once a

thousands of public park tennis courts in poor

year and play in those park environments.

or unplayable condition brought back to life for the benefit of their local community.

The goal is to drive participation across

“This is a greater volume of players than we have playing at clubs. But our research also tells us that about 45% of those park

park tennis sites and to also ensure the

courts are either unplayable or in a poor

future sustainability of the facilities. As

condition. So in order to bring them back to

well as paying for the refurbishment of

a playable standard, they need investment.

public park courts, the new investment will

“With the government funding – coupled

pay for the implementation of sustainable

with our own investment – we are looking

operating models for the facilities, with

to improve and secure the future of those

specialist programmes and support to ensure

5,000 community courts in parks for

courts are both affordable and utilised.

the next generation, ensuring they are

Following refurbishment, the LTA will

sustainable and of a playable standard.”

work with local authorities to help support

Scadgell adds that the facility investment

them with a variety of operating models to

will be focused on macadam court surfaces,

help increase participation. This includes

fencing, nets, net posts and other affiliated

making it easier for people to find and book

infrastructure. While bringing the park

a court through the LTA’s digital booking

courts back to life is a huge step, it isn’t

platform, combined with digital gate access

enough to guarantee that players will find

technology so people can turn up knowing

and use them. This is where in the LTA’s

a court is available for them to use.

digital online booking platform kicks in.

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SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

© SPORT ENGLAND

to engage with adults and get them to

Schools can benefit from free resources offered through the LTA Youth programme

The LTA’s strategy aims to make tennis open and available to everyone

© SPORT ENGLAND

“We will work together with local authorities

– which identified 96 locations across

to put in place our digital infrastructure,”

Great Britain where there were gaps in

Scadgell says. “This will give people the ability

indoor, community-accessible provision,”

to find, book and access their local courts.

Scadgell says. “Our long-term ambition is to

“This is a key part, because we know that it isn’t always easy for people who want to play tennis to actually find a court to play on, or indeed find someone to play with.

“That’s why we’re investing in our

plug those gaps in provision working with partners to help fund these facilities.”

HELPING CLUBS But it’s not just about developing new courts.

digital capabilities and putting in place a

Scadgell says that it is crucial to ensure

system for each park site through which

that current courts are properly maintained

people can find and access the courts we

and that their futures are secured too.

are investing in. Ultimately, our objective

“It’s important to invest in existing facilities

is to increase participation in parks by

across the country,” he says. “To help with

between 500,000 and 1 million players

that, we have a quick-access loan scheme

over the next two to three years.”

which enables clubs and venues to apply

INDOOR STRATEGY

for up to £250,000 worth of interestfree loans. These loans can be used on a

Among the challenges LTA faces in increasing

number of facility improvements: on court

participation is one shared by many NGBs

resurfacing, floodlighting, club facilities – or

– the British weather. Tennis is predominantly

even covering a court to create an indoor

an outdoor sport and, as most of the courts in

facility using “bubbles” or similar structures.

Britain are outside. dark, cold nights during the

“We’re also very open to offering financial

winter and regular rain throughout the year can

help to clubs who are prepared to open

place pressure on court availability – especially

their facilities to the general public.

at facilities where there is no floodlighting.

One solution would be to invest in more

“Ultimately, all these strands – from investment in parks and indoor facilities to

covered, indoor courts. The LTA has recognised

helping clubs with their existing courts – are

this and recently completed a study which

all about making tennis more open. We

will guide its indoor facility strategy.

need more children to start playing tennis,

“We did some detailed analysis – based

while also helping adults pick up a racket.

on population density and the demand

We want to make sure people of all ages

for tennis within a 20 minute drive time

and abilities can and do play more often.”

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

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How to build a tennis court?

Thinking of developing a tennis facility or court? SportsNation and SAPCA answer some of the most common questions asked when planning a project

How much space do I need to build a tennis court?

How long does it take to build a court?

A tennis court usually comprises the area within

but on projects of between one and three

the play lines (called the principal play area

new courts, the development should

or PPA) and the surrounds or run-offs. The

take six to eight weeks, allowing for the

Rules of Tennis define the size of the PPA as

curing of materials during the project.

This is dependent on the number of courts,

23.77m x 10.97m. To ensure satisfactory playing area adequate run-offs are also needed. The

Do I need planning permission?

recommended run-offs for a single court are

Yes, formal planning consent needs to be

6.40m at each end and 3.66m on either side,

sought from the relevant local authority. The

giving a total court area of 36.57m x 18.29m.

location and layout, surface type, fencing

Some sites are not large enough to

design and use of floodlighting will all need

accommodate the recommended court sizes,

to be considered, along with the visual and

so the LTA has also established minimum club

acoustic impact. The site owner or client is

court sizes, which are 5.49m at both ends and

responsible for obtaining planning consent and

3.05m on each side – giving an overall court of

may wish to appoint a consultant to prepare

34.75m x 17.07m (further reduction in overall

and submit the application on their behalf.

dimensions may be permitted in public parks).

When courts of the same surface type are

Do I need lighting?

laid side by side, it is possible to share the

The use of lighting is not a prerequisite of

side-run between adjacent courts. Common

a tennis facility. However, for year-round

side-runs should be between 4.27m (LTA

use it is essential. To fund a project, Sport

recommended) and 3.66m (LTA minimum).

England and the LTA will often require a facility to be lit to ensure year-round usage.

Does the orientation of the court matter? constructed in a north – south orientation

What standards are there for the design and construction of tennis courts?

as this minimises the effects of a setting

In the UK, the SAPCA Code of Practice for

sun – but this is only a recommendation.

the Construction and Maintenance of Tennis

In the UK it is recommended that courts are

BACKGROUND IMAGE: EAST GLOS CLUB

Courts and the SAPCA Code of Practice for the

40

How much space will the contractor need for access to building the court?

Construction of Padel Courts are seen as the

The size of the project will often depend

of tennis and padel facilities. The ITF and

on the size of the area required. Ideally the

IPF also have standards and classifications

contractor needs access to allow the delivery

for the playing surface, but these don’t

of materials such as stone foundation,

generally cover the construction quality.

‘go to’ design guidance for the development

asphalt, floodlighting columns, rolls of carpet and other construction materials.

How do I choose the best surface?

These materials will usually be delivered in

Consideration needs to be given at the

relatively large vehicles. The contractor will

outset to what the venue can afford, the

also need a working area for site compound

demographic of the user groups, other court

and storage and this should be factored in.

surfaces currently in situ at the venue and

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P OLICY

– often most importantly – the needs of the tennis venue. The resource section on the LTA website has some great information on the things to consider when developing both new and existing facilities at your venue.

Which surfaces are the most popular in the tennis club sector at the moment? the most widely used tennis surface in the UK, due to its cost-effective nature and the surface requiring the least maintenance,

Do you know which type of surface you need?

synthetic turf – and more recently artificial clay – are very popular across the tennis

be in accordance with our Codes of Practice

club market. Both surface types, while

and in line with industry standards.

requiring more maintenance, are popular forgiveness underfoot, with a level of shock

How much and what type of maintenance will the court need?

absorbency not found in hard courts.

Like all sports surfaces, tennis courts require

due to both their playability and their

regular maintenance to keep the playing

Once I know which type of surface, how do I know which product would be best?

surface at an optimum level. As well as

The best way to gain a practical experience

maintenance is also required – such as

of a playing surface is to actually play-

rigorous brushing of carpets or rejuvenation

test different products. Talking to

of surfaces to prolong the life of the court.

other tennis venues will help too.

If you want to find out where different types

weekly ‘housekeeping’, more intensive

SAPCA’s Code of Practice for tennis courts has a dedicated section for the maintenance of

of surfaces are in use, products are available

all surface types and includes surface-specific

for play-testing in your local area. Get in

guidance. Furthermore, the Operations and

touch with SAPCA and its Tennis Division –

Maintenance Manual produced by SAPCA

the association is happy to offer advice.

members on completion of projects also include manufacturers’ guidance for the

What do I need to consider if I want my court to be multi-use?

maintenance of their specific products.

In 2021 SAPCA published its Code of Practice for the Construction of Multi-Use-

What is the typical “life expectancy” of a tennis court?

Games-Areas, a document dedicated to

It is dependent on both the level of usage and

the subject of MUGAs. When designing

frequency of maintenance, but a venue would

a MUGA, careful consideration should be

normally expect a minimum of 10 years.

given to the sports which you are looking combinations of sport work better together

Should I start a sinking fund to cover the costs of replacement of the court(s)?

than others. The document is designed to

Yes. It is essential that venues have a sinking

assist in this decision-making process.

fund so courts and other facilities can be

BACKGROUND IMAGE: EAST GLOS CLUB

to facilitate on the surface, as some

42

replaced when required, without having to seek

How do I choose a contractor?

external funding. The LTA has a sinking fund

The SAPCA website and its ‘Find a member’

calculator within its web-based resources. ●

function is a great starting point. SAPCA’s Quality System audits on members on the work that they deliver, so you can rest assured that the construction of tennis courts will

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

To access the SAPCA resources, including the codes of practice, visit: https://sapca.org.uk/guides/

© SPORT ENGLAND

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43

P LACES

TAKING IT OUTDOORS T

hanks to fresh air and natural light, exercise outdoors can feel less strenuous than similar exercise indoors. Training outside can, therefore, help push the exerciser closer to their maximum

Outdoor training areas can add variety to a facility operator’s services

44

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

performance. Creating an outdoor training area can also provide a solution to facility operators with limited indoor space. SportsNation looks at three recent outdoor training area projects at three very different settings.

CASE STUDY 1

Public operator

The flexible functional training area has been well received by Abbey Stadium’s customers

Abbey Stadium Sports Centre Abbey Stadium Sports Centre, managed by Rubicon Leisure, is in the heart of Redditch and serves a dense and diverse community through a range of health and fitness facilities and services. During the pandemic, Rubicon Leisure established a partnership with Alliance Leisure, through the UK Leisure Framework, to develop an outdoor functional training facility that extends the venue’s capacity to cater for all segments of the local population without undertaking large scale construction works.

The result is a 15m x 6.1m, all-weather, outdoor, open sided, flexible functional training environment designed to

Scott Brinkworth, General Manager, Rubicon

accommodate a wide range of abilities

Leisure, says: “Once design and equipment

and training preferences reflective of

were agreed, the outdoor training space was

the diverse needs of the community.

built from scratch in just eight weeks providing

Branded Area7, each end of the environment is serviced by a fully lit, insulated,

a new, highly marketable asset quicker than any other option would have delivered.

container that can be used for equipment

“The facility opened in January 2022 and has

storage or small group training. These are

been incredibly well received. Our trainers also

connected by a steel canopy providing

love the creative license the space provides, in

protection from the elements and covering

terms of workouts and training programmes.

a Duratrain floor and 10m x 6m turf track.

In the centre the area is a durable, multistation, training rig which integrates six lifting stations and numerous attachments for a wide

“There is nothing like this outdoor training facility elsewhere in the local area, giving us a much-needed competitive advantage.”

Through the UK Leisure Framework,

range of functional training equipment from

Alliance Leisure worked with Indigo Fitness

battle ropes to suspension training straps,

to design, install and supply the functional

creating a flexible training environment perfect

equipment with Surfacing Standards

for 1-to-1 and mixed ability small group training.

Limited as appointed project manager.

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

45

P LACES CASE STUDY 2

Elite/performance sport Norwich City FC After investing heavily in its performance gym and outdoor 3G pitches at the Lotus Training Centre – all within the Colney training ground – Norwich City FC is preparing a

performance. The multiple attachments

Recovery Hub for the 2022-23 season.

for the rig mean coaches can cater for large

Working with its equipment partner, Jordan

groups of players on different individual

Fitness, the club has created a world class

plans as well as during team sessions. In

training facility. Within the gym, the partners

addition to their more focussed training

have focussed on the club’s brand identity,

regimes, players can also make time for

The Recovery Hub

customising the free weights, turf tracks and an

Teqball training to enhance their ball skills.

will open in time for

outdoor Ignite Rig, featuring the club’s iconic

“We feel very privileged to have so many

crest and brand colours of yellow and green.

dedicated training spaces for our teams,”

The special, three-lane outdoor track and

says Glyn Lewis, Norwich City FC’s Head

outdoor Ignite rig can support multiple athletes at once with a huge variety of

the 2022-23 season

of Physical Performance and Nutrition.

“Working with Jordan as our fitness partner

exercises and workouts. The track can be used

has been a great experience. Together, we’ve

for speed and agility work with cones, ladders,

created a facility with everything we need to

sleds and prowlers – or in conjunction with

deliver individually bespoke programming that

the rig to increase endurance and athletic

can optimise the physical state of our athletes.”

CASE STUDY 3

Education sector Bluecoat Sports

storage solutions. This makes equipment selection safe and easy for members and students, whilst also providing a secure lock-up for kit when the area is not in use.

Walsh says: “The centrepiece is a free-

Bluecoat Sports is a dual-use site, situated

standing Escape Octagon frame, enabling

within Christ’s Hospital independent school

our team of instructors to deliver almost

in Sussex and open to both the public and

limitless workout types from general,

students. Operating as a charity, Bluecoat

low impact bodyweight programmes

Sports wanted to extend its fitness offer without

for beginners to specific body weight

additional building works. The result is a fully-

conditioning for high performance athletes.

equipped outdoor training area, called The Yard.

This is complemented by an all-weather

“The Yard has added depth and versatility to our training offer and provided us with a

speed rack, a training space for grid style workouts and 4 Escape mono lifting stations.”

competitive edge over other fitness facilities,” says Caitlin Walsh, Fitness Manager.

“To design and deliver the environment we employed the expertise of Escape Fitness.

They walked us through from concept to creation, to ensure the result delivered a durable, weatherproof facility that enables our team of instructors to engage all abilities in 1-on-1 and small group training sessions.”

The training facility incorporates a container, kitted out with Escape’s space saving

46

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

The Yard offers a range of training opportunities

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS

BY JOINING SAPCA 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

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

Want to join us?

For more information, call 024 7641 6316 or email info@sapca.org.uk and we’ll be happy to help

www.sapca.org.uk

© SAPCA

■ keep up on industry trends and policy

P OLICY

GOING Sustainability is on everyone’s lips. But how can the sport and physical activity sector – which relies on facilities that are often energy and resource “hungry” – do its bit?

O

ver the past two decades,

Climate change, and the risks of

climate change and

extreme weather that it brings, are already

environmental sustainability

understood and the impact on community-

have become salient

based sport is very real. The need to

topics for debate among

raise awareness, find solutions and build

government leaders

resilience is an ever more pressing matter.

and corporations on a global scale. It is

As part of its sustainability guidance to

no longer something only discussed in

the sector, Sport England states that while

pockets – among academics, scientists

responding to climate change is not an easy

or people with a specific interest in

task, there’s “no choice” not to address it.

the environment – but by everyone.

The changing climate is also changing the

“The sport and physical activity sector is a force for good and has a major contribution

way we live our lives. Extreme weather, forest

to make,” Sport England says. “We know

fires, water shortages and rising sea levels

sport and physical activity is essential to

are among the very real threats now faced

physical and mental wellbeing, and part

by millions of people around the world – all

of encouraging and enabling physical

attributed to the warming of the planet. Even

activity is about making positive choices

in areas which have so far escaped existential

– choosing to get around without using

environmental threats, the changes have

polluting vehicles, making neighbourhoods

affected everything from transport and

more easily negotiated on foot or by

energy to housing and diets – and sport.

bike and connecting neighbourhoods to where we need to get to and from.

Sustainable sport

“Sports organisations should continue

The search for alternative, more

to lead by example, take a critical look

environmentally sustainable ways of doing

at how we operate, quantify and record

things has now reached every sector –

consumption and waste, and set challenging

including sports and physical activity.

targets to reduce or eliminate it.

Therefore, as we enter a crucial period in

“Everyone understands there’s much

time, in which we must do everything to

more to be done, from the management

cut down our carbon footprints – in order

of major events, sustainable travel

to curb rising temperatures – sustainability

policies and selection and use of

should play an increasingly important

recyclable materials, to the creation and

role in the design and management of

operation of less energy and resource-

sports, recreation and leisure facilities.

hungry sports and play facilities.”

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SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

GREEN © SPORT ENGLAND

Creating environmentally sustainable facilities will become increasingly important for the sector

It’s important to consider the practical measures helping to make sports facilities more comfortable, make more efficient use of energy and other resources and help change attitudes and behaviours.

Sport England has highlighted this very issue with its own guidance and produced a sustainability check list to help both designers and operators of sports facilities.

“Environmental sustainability involves a wide range of issues and is best considered in a holistic and joined-up way from the outset of a project,” Sport England says.

“It's important to consider the whole picture. Sometimes there's resistance to implementing sustainable building designs, because they're initially considered more expensive and sustainable design is often the first casualty when savings are made.

“Any decisions should be made on the basis of an analysis of the total cost over the life of the project and taking into account not just the initial purchase and installation but also the running and maintenance costs.

“It's important to weigh up the pros and cons and long term implications of the use of new and different technologies, in order to decide what may be most suitable in a particular situation.”

As part of its checklist document, Sport England presents a diagram which indicates a possible framework for developing a

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

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robust strategy for any facility. It is based on a practical and cost-effective approach to

WHAT IS SECC?

achieving environmental sustainability and

The Sport Environment and Climate

reducing carbon emissions – from establishing

Coalition was founded in March 2022.

a sustainability strategy early on to reducing

The eight co-founding members

consumption and using renewable energy

of the alliance are:

technologies (see bottom of this page). ● Sport and Recreation Alliance

Holistic approach

● ukactive

Sustainability is a very broad subject,

● The Association for Public

which presents both an opportunity and

Service Excellence (APSE)

a challenge. While the task of ensuring a

● The British Association for

facility is environmentally friendly can feel

Sustainable Sport (BASIS)

overwhelming at times, the level of choice

● Sport England

available means that “every little helps”.

● sportscotland

And let’s face it, promoting sustainability

● Sport Wales

can help drive down running costs and

● UK Sport

make a real contribution not just in the battle against climate change, but also in making a facility economically sustainable.

There is help available too. Sport England

most significantly, earlier this year a number

provides a comprehensive resource,

of industry organisations got together to

offering information and guidance on a

form the Sport Environment and Climate

wide range of issues – from advice on

Coalition (SECC). The new body will support

sustainable design practices to dealing with

the sector to decarbonise by setting up an

environmental issues caused by climate

ambitious roadmap on how a transformation

change, such as floods and droughts.

to net-zero can be achieved across the

Environmental sustainability is also

industry, in parallel with SECC support and guidance. The alliance will also generate and

and Play Construction Association

promote a campaign that shines a spotlight

(SAPCA). Last year, the association

on the threat of climate change and the

set up its Environmental Sustainability

importance of environmental sustainability.

Working Group, whose main task is to

See Leigh Thomson from the Sport and

help provide enhanced guidance on the

Recreation Alliance (SRA), one of the

various environmental sustainability issues

founding organisations of SECC, explain

impacting the sports industry. Perhaps

the alliance and its aims (right, p. 23).

© SHUTTERSTOCK/TOMOCZ

at the heart of the work of the Sport

Sport England’s diagram for developing a robust sustainability strategy for any sports facility

50

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

A central role of the SECC is to provide strategic leadership and coordination for the whole sector Sport Environment and Climate Coalition Sport and recreation and the

Achieving these reductions

environment are intrinsically

in the coming decade will

linked. Our natural and built

require every sector across

environment provides the

the economy to play its full

places and spaces for people

part in decarbonising and

to play sport and be active.

contributing to the wider effort

And being active has hugely

to transition to net zero.

positive benefits for our

So what is the sport,

environment and the wider

recreation and physical activity

community in which we live,

sector doing to reduce its own

through reducing emissions and

environmental impact and

improving health and wellbeing.

make a positive contribution

But climate change and wider environmental impacts are a

to the climate agenda?

A key step has been to

Leigh Thompson Head of Policy, SRA Recreation Alliance, Sport England, sportscotland, Sport Wales, ukactive and UK Sport.

threat both to our way of life

recognise that environmental

and our sector. The evidence

sustainability and climate

is now clear that there is a

change is a challenge we all

to provide strategic leadership

narrowing window within

face and one which requires a

and coordination for the

which to reduce greenhouse

collective, joined up response.

whole sector on environmental

gas emissions and avoid

Against this background,

A central role of the SECC is

sustainability. We are committed

dangerous and irreversible

the Sport Environment and

to working collaboratively

changes to our climate.

Climate Coalition (SECC) has

together to ensure that, as a

been formed to bring together

sector, we not only reduce our

Government has legislated

key funders and representative

own environmental impact and

to achieve net zero by 2050

organisations from across the

contribute to the UK’s wider

supported by carbon budgets

sport, recreation and physical

net zero ambitions but also

which establish a downward

activity sector including

maximise the power and reach

trajectory for emissions in the

Active Partnerships, the

of sport to make a positive

intervening years. Through this

Association for Public Service

contribution to the climate

process, the UK is committed

Excellence (APSE), the British

agenda. There is much work

to cutting emissions by 78%

Association for Sustainable

to be done but as a collective

by 2035 relative to 1990 levels.

Sport (BASIS), Sport and

we are up for the challenge.

In response, the UK

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

51

© SHUTTERSTOCK/TOMOCZ

Sports have already experienced the effects of climate change through extreme weather

P EOPLE

IN CONVERSATION

LYNDSEY BARRETT We talk to the founder of Sport For Confidence, a social enterprise which uses sport and physical activity to enhance people’s wellbeing

What is Sport For Confidence and what does it do?

Sport for Confidence has a vision to

environment, transport issues and cost.

Sport For Confidence brings together

tackle inequalities and create an equitable

the expertise of occupational therapists

society where everyone can enjoy

and sports coaches. Together, our teams

community spaces that promote movement,

use sport and physical activity to create

activity, wellbeing and friendship.

inclusive, person-centred, opportunities

Currently, in the UK, many people such as those with a physical or mental

© EDWARD STARR PHOTOGRAPHER

physical inaccessibility caused by the

that break down barriers to participation and drive positive occupational outcomes.

impairment and those living with a long

Few of our participants arrive at our

term health condition who could hugely

door with the primary aim of improving

benefit from regular participation in sport

physical fitness. Mostly, they attend to feel

and physical activity face barriers which

valued, make friends, build vocational skills,

make access extremely difficult. Some

manage their health and enjoy themselves.

very common barriers include: a lack of

Therefore, we take a holistic, whole person

provision in terms of inclusive programming,

approach empowering each individual to work towards highly bespoke goals.

Over the last 6 years we have developed a ‘no labels’ occupational model of practice which caters for, and welcomes, everyone.

Our model is evidence-based. All our delivery decisions result from a mix of indepth clinical reasoning, feedback from our participants and regular consultation with our growing network of community partners.

Where did the idea for it come from?

Sport for Confidence was established by 2015, when, as an occupational therapist of nineteen years working for the NHS, I recognised the potential in taking occupational therapy practice Sport For Confidence engages more than 2,500 people every month

52

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

outside of its clinical setting and moving it into the community.

Barrett founded Sport For Confidence in 2015

“

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

© EDWARD STARR PHOTOGRAPHER

SPORT FOR CONFIDENCE BRINGS TOGETHER THE EXPERTISE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND SPORTS COACHES 53

P EOPLE

I have always been a keen sportsperson and recognised the huge value that could be gained from using sport and physical activity as a platform to drive positive occupational outcomes.

I began Sport For Confidence working with a single client at Basildon Sporting Village.

Today, Sport For Confidence engages more than 2,500 people every month. Most of leisure centres or in care homes although we also reach people in their homes through our virtual Stay Connected service.

Why is it so important to tackle inequality in sport?

At the moment, those who could

© EDWARD STARR PHOTOGRAPHER

our interventions are in-person at either

One in four people in the UK live with a disability

arguably gain the most health and social advantage from physical activity

At Sport for Confidence we are creating

are not doing so. This needs to change

opportunities for everyone to participate

and it is in our gift to change it.

and to gain, from the sessions, personalised

1 in 4 people in the UK live with a disability

outcomes most relevant to them. If we do

but are almost twice as likely (43%) to

not tackle inequalities in sport, significant

be inactive (Sport England Active Lives

segments of the population will continue to

Survey). In addition, an estimated 40 per

be excluded. This is to the detriment not only

cent of the population is living with a long

of that individual but also to the population

term health condition. The vast majority

as a whole as it limits collective prosperity.

of these individuals are reliant on the and care plans. Unfortunately, there is a

Could you share an anecdote/story on how sport has changed someone’s life?

disparity between the positive impact

It’s so difficult to pick out one story

physical activity could deliver to these

because every one of our participants

populations and the number of people

is on their own, very individual journey

who are taking advantage of this benefit.

and whilst not all outcomes make great

© EDWARD STARR PHOTOGRAPHER

already stretched NHS for their treatment

media headlines they are all potentially life changing for the individual. That said, one case study does stand out.

A young man with autism, who we shall call ‘Keith’, was referred to Sport For Confidence just after he lost his job.

An occupational therapy assessment identified he lacked a balance in his occupations and had limited structure to daily activities. He also had difficulty with social communication and interaction skills and was keen to develop vocational skills to secure new, paid employment.

Sport For Confidence creates opportunities for everyone to participate in physical activity

© EDWARD STARR PHOTOGRAPHER

Lyndsey worked for the NHS as a therapist for 19 years

“

TODAY, SPORT FOR CONFIDENCE ENGAGES MORE THAN 2,500 PEOPLE EVERY MONTH Keith attended Sport for Confidence

Through Sport For Confidence, Keith was

groups which increased opportunities

also referred to an employment specialist

to engage in sociable activities, practice

to support him through the process of

his social communication and interaction

securing paid employment. The specialist

skills; increase his circle of support and

observed Keith in Sport For Confidence

make new friends. Keith begin to establish

sessions and worked with our occupational

a rapport with others and spent time with

therapist team to investigate voluntary work

individuals who had similar interests and

to re-establish routine, improve mood and

sporting ability. Keith also demonstrated

motivate him to continue to search for paid

good physical competencies in a number

work. Observations from our team, Keith’s

of sports. As a result of his progress and

employment advisor, and his wider support

positive reinforcement from the coach, Keith

network, recognised that he was developing

gained the self-confidence he needed to

and applying social skills learnt in the sessions

extend his sporting participation to other

to other areas of his life. The group setting

local sports clubs outside of Sport For

created the opportunity to for him to improve

Confidence, including a climbing club, which

his self-esteem and confidence, whilst

were incorporated into a weekly routine.

provide regular opportunities for success. ●

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

55

w

PREVIEW

Thousands flock to register for Elevate 2022 The industry is eagerly awaiting the return of Elevate, which will take place on 15-16 June 2022 at ExCeL London.

H

With the sector clearly keen to get back to face-to-face business, visitors will be able to take advantage of meeting over 250 exhibitors, trying and discovering thousands of product innovations as well as learn

aving waited since 2019

from talks, demos and workshops from

for an edition, thousands

over 200 speakers across seven theatres.

Michelle Dand, Head of Fitness Product

of decision makers from

and Programming at David Lloyd Clubs is

sports clubs, gyms, health

one of those industry professionals looking

clubs, local authorities, This year’s event

forward to visiting Elevate this June, saying

have already secured their free trade

will feature 200

“Elevate 2022 is the most important event

ticket for the UK’s largest physical activity

speakers across

of the year for the UK fitness industry - it'll

and fitness trade show this June.

seven ‘theatres’

be great to see all the latest innovations in

sports therapy, universities and schools

one place for the first time since 2019!”

EDUCATION PROGRAMME: Thoroughly researched and independently developed, the Elevate 2022 speaker programme remains the largest live learning opportunity for the physical activity sector.

Contributed to by hundreds of thought leading organisations representing public and private interests the entire programme is both trade only and free-to-attend thanks to Elevate supporters, sponsors, exhibitors and Future Fit, the Elevate education partner.

One conference theatre, five seminar

56

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

“

The Jordan HIT bench is one of the new products being exhibited

The Active Nation team and I can’t wait to get back meeting our key suppliers face to face and Elevate is the perfect place to do this Stuart Martin, Managing Director, Active Nation

theatres and five workshops will host over 200 speakers sharing the very latest insights in fitness, sports therapy and physical activity.

Tom Godwin, Group Operations Director at Future Fit, shares; “We firmly believe in the power of education and how by developing

Exhibitors for 2022 include Active Edge,

the workforce we can support change in

Apex Rides, BlazePod, BodyTone, Box12,

whole communities. Elevate recognise this

CIMSPA, Core Master, eGym, Eleiko, Gantner,

and place a clear emphasis on creating

Hippo Leisure, Hussle, Indigo Fitness,

an environment that is focused on the

Innovatise, Legend by Xplor, LesMills, Matrix,

development, and growth of the sector.

MyZone, Orbit4, PlayFinder, Poolview, Power

This is why we feel Elevate is such an

Plate, Rocktape, Shapemaster, Swim England,

exciting event, one that has grown and

SwimTag, Third Space, Wattbike, Xenios USA,

developed over the years. It has embraced

Xplor Fitness and Wellbeing and many more.

the changes in the sector, brought people together, sought to promote innovative ideas, and really helped to support all those involved in the industry.”

OVER 250 EXHIBITORS Elevate 2022 will feature exhibiting companies from right across the physical activity and fitness sector. Decision

Elevate is the UK’s largest trade show for the workout industry and it takes place on 15-16 June 2022 at ExCeL London. For more information, including exhibitor list and agenda, and to book free trade tickets visit www.elevatearena.com

makers from across the sports industry will have the opportunity to try new equipment, meet those behind the products and discover something new

Turn over for a sneak preview of just a few of the products you can discover this June at Elevate…

to delight their customers and clients.

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

57

w

P REVIEW

Product innovations at Elevate 2022 The CoachBike utilises the iFIT platform and features thousands of workouts

Prestera Rack Series by Eleiko Inspired by athletes, the Prestera Rack Series reflects Eleiko’s meticulous standards for precision, quality, and performance. Rooted in our six-decade heritage in professional lifting, Prestera takes a lifting first approach

Prestera is focused on user experience

Meeting the demands of today’s

that considers all aspects of the

facilities and lifters, Prestera

user experience. From the width

provides flexible and scalable

Technology in Motion by Freemotion

of the uprights to the carefully

training spaces with many uses for

The CoachBike™ is a centre-

considered interaction points

athletes, members and coaches

piece of the immersive and

and incremental adjustments,

alike. Racks can be tailored to

interactive, content-driven

Prestera gives lifters greater

your needs. The modular design

22 SERIES cardio line. The

control, improved safety, and

is available as a Half Rack, Double

CoachBike delivers a game-

better support in their training.

Half Rack or Power Rack.

changing, interactive coachled training experience for riders. Utilising the iFIT digital platform, CoachBike features thousands of

Fusion HIIT Bench by Jordan Fitness

FLEX powered

by GymAware

Designed and manufactured

IndigoFitness will be creating

classes and outdoor cycling

in the UK, the Jordan Fusion

a world class gym experience

experiences to the gym floor.

HIIT Bench offers a 3-in-

at Elevate. Showcasing their

1 multi-functional training

expertise in gym innovation

station; weight bench, plyo

and design, the best of

box and storage unit.

British manufacturing and

workouts that bring both high-intensity studio

how the digital world is

Fitway

studios looking for space-

now changing the way we

New to the UK - FitWay is a

saving workout station as

workout and ultimately

perfect mixture of futuristic

part of their fitness class or

design a training space.

and easy-to-use technology.

For gyms and boutique

PT provision, not only does

As part of the stand you

the HIIT Bench offer storage

can experience the wireless

and hardware solutions to

for 5 pairs of Dumbbells, 2

barbell tracker, FLEX

increase revenue by improving

Kettlebells, and a Medicine

powered by GymAware.

engagement and increasing

Ball or Studio Barbell Plates,

It offers end-to-end software

FLEX measures lift

retention at the centre. The

it also adds value with

performance with laser

FitWay ecosystem delivers

Rope and Resistance Band

accuracy and gives powerful

an amazing experience to

attachments with an optional

real-time feedback through

gym/online members to help

core trainer available too.

your smart device.

them make fitness a habit.

58

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

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P EOPLE

IN CONVERSATION

LYNN BURMAN The associate director at SAPCA partner Clover HR outlines the merits of outsourcing HR operations on the skills and experience of one or two

The human resources department deals

people. Instead, you have access to a bank

with your most important resource:

of knowledge through the outsourced HRs

your people. This encompasses all

network of employees and consultants.

your employees and potentially any

You have access to specialist knowledge.

workers, contractors or volunteers.

2. Compliance

The HR department is also responsible

Legislative changes are continuous and

for managing an employee life cycle.

without an individual in your organisation

This starts with recruiting, hiring and

to track all these and see the implications

onboarding new employees; training;

for your business you risk falling foul of

dealing with their individual issues and

changes. Outsourced HR make it their

needs; administrating payment and

business to know of these changes and

benefits; and ultimately offboarding them.

inform clients before they happen.

HR also provides the function to

3. Efficiency

ensure employees not only work but

You are experts in what you do. As a

thrive in their roles and as part of the

business, the focus should be on what

organisation. Employee wellbeing is

you do and by outsourcing your human

of significant importance in ensuring

resource department you will be able to

you get the best from people.

focus on doing what you do as a business.

4. Reduced Costs

Why do some companies outsource their HR?

Ignoring the need for someone with a

Sometimes it may be difficult to manage the

the business can be costly. The cost of

HR processes in-house, so companies may

poor people management can be high

find it beneficial to hire an HR company. This

and if the law is breached the business

could be because a company is growing

could end up with a costly claim at an

in size, for example – but is not quite large

employment tribunal and/or legal costs.

enough to create an entire HR department.

5. Time-Saving

detailed understanding of HR within

The cost of management time alone for

What are the benefits of outsourcing HR operations?

dealing with HR issues – for example, a

I would say that there are five main things

disproportionate. Having the resource

an external company can add. These are:

to deal with this externally, or to use

1. Skills and knowledge

the expertise to stop issues escalating,

With outsourced HR you are not reliant

saves both time and money. ●

62

SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAY/JUN 2022

troublesome employee – is usually wholly

Burman says outsourcing HR can free up valuable resources for growing companies

© CLOVER HR

What is an HR department for?

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