Coaches have played a vital role in 2020 and now that sport is returning we need them even more December 2, 2020 Sport and physical activity have never been more important to society and many of the UK’s 3m coaches have proved instrumental in helping communities stay connected and active this year, even in full lockdown. We have seen real recognition that high-quality physical activity is absolutely central to the mental and physical well-being of the nation. [...]
NFL poaches World Rugby boss Brett Gosper as it aims to increase its presence in UK and Europe December 2, 2020 World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper will leave the governing body next year to run the NFL in Europe and the UK. Gosper has been in his current role for eight years, during which time he has overseen the staging of two successful World Cups. The Australian has agreed to become head of Europe and [...]
It’s coming home: Former City banker bids to bring England’s 1966 World Cup glory back to life December 1, 2020 A former City banker hopes to bring England’s finest footballing hour back to life by showing the 1966 World Cup final in colour for the first time. Neil Canetty-Clarke is one of the leading figures behind #FullColour66, which aims to raise £700,000 via a unique crowdfunding campaign that launches today. Investors can pledge as little [...]
Return of fans to sport will encourage brands to lift the handbrake on big campaigns November 30, 2020 When The Beatles walked off-stage at Candlestick Park, San Francisco in August 1966 it would be another two and a half years until they played live. When they walked out onto the roof of Apple Records HQ on Savile Row a small matter of 885 days later, they launched straight into a brand-new track: Get [...]
Diego Maradona’s maverick spirit lives on in a new wave of athlete activists November 27, 2020 Maradona’s rebellious nature and habit of hanging out with the wrong crowd was a product of his upbringing in the shanty town of Villa Fiorito, and it’s fair to say it never left him. In a world where athletes and celebrities are increasingly held up as role models, Maradona, through his own words and actions, [...]
How to stage a limited capacity match in the Covid era, from socially distanced seating to ordering drinks November 25, 2020 Sports clubs across England are preparing to host limited-capacity events when lockdown ends next week, but Harlequins are one step ahead. The Premiership rugby club had 2,800 at their home, The Stoop, for a match against Bath in early September, as part of a nationwide pilot scheme. Here, Adrian Wells, chief marketing officer at Harlequins, [...]
Leyton Orient happy to lose money and keep bars closed if to means getting fans back through turnstiles November 25, 2020 Leyton Orient chief executive Danny Macklin says the football club is happy to lose money in order to get fans back into their stadium. Supporters will be allowed to return to live sport in tier 1 and 2 areas when lockdown ends next week, but the restricted numbers mean clubs are unlikely to cover their [...]
Surrey and Harlequins welcome return of fans but warn that capacity limits will lose clubs more money November 24, 2020 Two of English sport’s biggest clubs have welcomed the imminent return of fans but warned that staging matches with restricted capacity is not financially sustainable. Spectators will be able to attend live sport in limited numbers when the country’s second lockdown is lifted on 2 December, it was announced on Monday. The move is a [...]
PM confirms return of fans to live sport when lockdown lifts on 2 December November 23, 2020 Spectators will be allowed back to live sport when the second national lockdown is lifted in England next week. Prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed today that up to 4,000 fans will be able to attend sport outdoors in low-risk Tier 1 areas. Up to 2,000 will be able to attend outdoor sport in Tier 2 [...]
Cover story: How the Premier League ‘wrapped’ every stadium and hid the empty seats November 20, 2020 Football fans will by now be familiar with Premier League “stadium wraps” or “seat kills”, even if they don’t recognise the terminology. The vast seat coverings, typically emblazoned with club colours and slogans, have provided a backdrop to the action since English football returned to empty grounds in June. But who makes these displays and [...]