Sports Events

Changing the venue for the Warriors likely opening National Rugby League finals match to avoid a clash with the opening of the Rugby World Cup would be impractical, says the club’s chief executive Wayne Scurrah.

If the Warriors reamain in the top four they’ll host the first match in the NRL finals series a fortnight on Friday at Mt Smart stadium, wiht the World Cup also kicking off that night with the All Blacks playing Tonga, at Eden Park.

The two games will put a strain on Auckland infrastructure but CEO Wayne Scurrah says the possible clash of dates has been been known for months and the club’s working with Auckland Transport.

He says the NRL draw was done before the World Cup match schedule and the NRL was asked to consider switching the first round dates but couldn’t because it would’ve affected the other teams adversely.

This event news story was originally published at http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/83175/warriors-boss-says-venue-change-for-finals-impractical. Got your own event story – get in touch into eventsecrets.com – bringing you the latest event management news stories from around the world.

World champion Mariana Pajon of Columbia has hailed the picturesque London 2012 BMX track as a stunning venue as the Olympic Park staged its first outdoor test event in the form of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup.

There were fears tthat the two-day event – the second test event on the Park following the start of the basketball test event earlier this week – would have to be postponed if heavy rain occurred on the mud track which is made up of some 14,000 cubic metres of soil taken from elsewhere on the site.

But those fears were dispelled as the sun shone brightly for the entire day and all 3,000 seats for the competition were filled by excited spectators of all ages.

The spectators were taken through the construction work on the Olympic Park to and from the venue by a fleet of buses which left from the Alma Street entrance Park located just behind Westfield Stratford City and, despite long queues, the crowd were not left disappointed by the fast-paced action.

Magalie Pottier of France triumphed in the women’s BMX Supercross time trial in 40.126sec with Lauren Reynolds of Australia taking second in 40.170 and Britain’s Shanaze Reade claiming third in 40.309 to the delight of the home crowd.

Pajon finished in fifth position, with the main race coming tomorrow, and admitted she was highly impressed with the course and confident of winning gold on it next year.

“I love this track,” she told insidethegames.

“It is very special and it is my dream to come here next year and win Olympic gold on it.

“Today I was just having fun and getting used to it as it is quite technical but it is brilliant for us and brilliant for the spectators.”

Reade (pictured) agreed that the track was phenomenal and that she had enjoyed the chance to compete on it.

“It has been an amazing day on an amazing track and the home support was very special,” said the 22-year-old from Crewe.

“It’s amazing to think that in a year’s time I’ll be competing here on this track in front of a massive crowd and millions of people watching on TV and hopefully I can go a few places better and get that gold medal.

In the men’s time trial test event, which saw the course extended slightly, Australia’s Sam Willoughby took gold in 24.625 ahead world number one and world champion Joris Daudet of France who finished second in 42.767 and his compatriot Sylvain Andre who took third in 43.317.

“It is a spectacular course in a spectacular setting and I can’t wait to come back here next year and compete for gold,” said Willoughby.

The two-day test event will conclude tomorrow and the 3,000 seat stand will be taken down with a temporary 6,000 seat stand set to be in place for the Olympics next year.

The 400 metre long track, located next to the Velodrome in the north of the Olympic Park, will remain in place but after the Games it will be reconfigured to make it suitable for riders of all ages and abilities.

It will become a key part of the legacy VeloPark where the Velodrome and BMX Track will be joined by a road cycle circuit and mountain bike course to combine facilities across all disciplines in one cycling hub.

This event news story was originally published at http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/summer-olympics/2012/13956-london-2012-bmx-track-hailed-as-qspectacular-course-in-spectacular-settingq-. Got your own event story – get in touch into eventsecrets.com – bringing you the latest event management news stories from around the world.

Weymouth and Portland is in a “win-win” situation by staging the Olympics, Government Minister Bob Neill claimed today as Britain claimed its first medals at the 2012 Olympics sailing test event.

Neill, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Communities and Local Government, whose portfolio includes Olympic legacy, toured the facilities at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, where he met the chief executive John Tweed.

Neill claimed that Weymouth’s reputation as a holiday destination would be enhanced by hosting the Olympic and Paralympics sailing but the improvements to the infrastructure being put in place for the Games would also make it more attractive to businesses.

“The new superfast broadband being installed for the Games will make a huge difference to attracting companies to the area,” said Neill.

“That, plus improvements to the road network, despite the inconvenience of roadworks, will make Weymouth and Portland “more attractive for businesses to relocate here which will be a positive economic legacy.

“This is going to be a ‘win-win’ situation for Weymouth and Portland and I am also very impressed with the level of local volunteering for the Olympics.”

Nick Dempsey and Bryony Shaw (pictured above), meanwhile, were in good form at the Weymouth and Portland International Regatta, winning silver and bronze in the RS:X men’s and women’s windsurfing events.

Dempsey went into the medal race assured of silver, but gunning for gold after a week of almost neck and neck racing with Dutchman Dorian van Rijsselberge, who had a seven point margin over the Briton going into the final day.

With Dempsey needing to put three sailors between himself and van Rijsselberge to grasp gold, the 30-year-old Athens 2004 bronze medallist took the fight to the Dutch sailor, forcing him onto the back foot at the start and leaving him to pull his way through the fleet.

At one stage, it looked as though Dempsey had done enough, but the Greek competitor positioned between the Briton and the Dutchman fell in on a tack, and allowed van Rijsselberge to come back and finish the race in fifth just three places behind Dempsey’s second, instead of the four places the Briton needed to clinch gold.

Dempsey lost out on test event gold by a single point.

“I am happy, it’s just a shame I did not win,” said Dempsey.

“It is very, very difficult to sail someone down the fleet and then sail yourself back up past everyone and that is exactly what happened.

“I managed to sail him back to last place, so we were effectively ninth and tenth, and then got myself up to second and so that’s all I can ask of myself.”

Dempsey hopes that the event will help him come back even stronger next year.

“This is the most important event of the year for me because this is event that really most resembles the Olympic Games,” he said.

“Really, it’s about winning here, about winning under pressure, in the Olympic format so it has been great experience.

“The organisers have thrown us a few swerveballs this week and I think we’ve dealt with them quite well.”

Shaw (pictured above with Dempsey) was buoyed by her bronze in the RS:X women’s event, having pushed into the top three positions for the first time heading into the final day.

The Beijing bronze medallist did not enjoy the best of medal races, finishing seventh after falling in on a tack, but it was enough maintain her overall third behind Poland’s Zofia Noceti-Klepacka and Spain’s Marina Alabau.

“This is my target regatta for the year, so to medal here I am really, really happy,” Shaw explained.

“There’s a year to go and all the preparation is about board speed, and just making sure again that I am minimising mistakes, getting the experience and reeling in the Spanish and Polish girls.”

“I feel like I am so much better than I was in Qingdao [where the sailing events were held at the 2008 Olympics].

“This is about being an all-rounder in Weymouth, so I feel like I am on track.

“There has been a real buzz, Skandia Team GBR is really tight, building towards next year and so we always try to emulate this [event] as a full dress rehearsal.

“It is all about preparing for next year.”

This event news story was originally published at http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/sailing/13880-weymouth-in-qwin-winq-situation-claims-minister-as-olympic-test-event-reaches-climax. Got your own event story – get in touch into eventsecrets.com – bringing you the latest event management news stories from around the world.

There are 14 applications for every available place to carry the Olympic Torch when it arrives in Britain next year to travel around the country in the lead-up to London 2012, it was revealed today.

More than 28,000 nominations have been made for the 2,012 Torchbearer places available through the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Moment to Shine programme.

The applications were all received between May 18 and June 29 this year and it will now be left to 12 selection panels held across the UK to decide on the most inspiring people to carry the to carry the Torch.

The 12 selection panels will be established over the next month and comprise of representatives from the local culture, sport, voluntary, education, youth and local Government sectors.

They will be held from October 3 until 14 this year as they judge the thousands of applicants and London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe admitted they have a tough job ahead of them.

“We are thrilled with the response we have had to the London 2012 Torchbearer nomination programme and would like to thank everyone who took the time to put friends, colleagues or family members forward for consideration for one of the 2,012 Torchbearer places on offer through the Moment to Shine campaign,” said Coe (pictured with former Olympic heptathlon champion Denise Lewis).

“With the selection panels set to review an average of 14 nominations for every one available LOCOG Torchbearer place, difficult decisions will need to be taken.

“However, we should be proud so many inspiring people have been put forward to carry the Olympic Flame next summer and receive recognition for their achievements.”

Individuals who received more than one nomination had one selected at random to go forward to the selection panels while thosethat did not comply with the terms and conditions of entry or were incomplete were removed from the programme.

Nominees going forward to the selection panel stage will be now emailed and invited to verify the 150 word maximum nomination story provided by their nominator earlier in the summer.

They will also have to give London 2012 their consent by September 16 this year for their story to be considered at their local selection panel.

Every nomination going forward to the selection panels will be read by two individuals who will be looking for inspirational people who have personally achieved something great and/or contribute to the local community.

The Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect will also feature in the selection criteria and Torchbearers will be selected on the strength of their nomination story as the representatives on the selection panel will not be told the names of the nominees, London 2012 revealed.

“The Olympic Torch Relay will bring the magic of the Games to communities up and down the UK and give local heroes a once in a lifetime experience of carrying the Olympic Flame,” said Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson.

“I am delighted that London 2012′s Torchbearer nomination programme has received so much support and I wish all the entries good luck in the next stage of the selection process.”

An average of 110 people a day will carry the Olympic Flame on its 8,000 mile journey around the UK after it arrives at Land’s End on May 18 before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford on July 27 to light the cauldron at the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony.

Exactly 90 per cent of the total 8,000 Torchbearer places are available to the public through a number of channels, including the four public nomination campaigns run by London 2012 and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay: Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.

The public nomination programmes run by each of the three Presenting Partners remain open until September 2011.

This event news story was originally published at http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/summer-olympics/2012/13878-london-2012-torch-relay-heavily-oversubscribed. Got your own event story – get in touch into eventsecrets.com – bringing you the latest event management news stories from around the world.

The Event Awards shortlisted firm has been asked to develop a new identity and strategy for the stadium under the United Events brand, as well as oversee the communications and marketing of the new division.

“Manchester United is one of the most iconic brands in worldwide sport,” said venue marketing manager Nadine Callan. “A business can benefit…by aligning itself to a successful and globally recognised brand, which sits within an environment hotel and conference centres cannot compete with.

“WRG has come on board to add its wealth of experience to our team and help us deliver a venue, customer offering and brand that does justice to the hallowed name of MUFC.”

The facilities at Old Trafford can cater for events for up to 1,100 people.

This event news story was originally published at http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/news/bulletin/newsbulletin/article/1084528/?DCMP=EMC-CONNewsBulletin. Got your own event story – get in touch into eventsecrets.com – bringing you the latest event management news stories from around the world.

The Cloud, on Auckland’s Queens Wharf, is expected to be one of the city’s hot spots throughout the tournament.

Construction of the $10 million facility is still underway but should be completed before the end of August.

Rugby World Cup minister Murray McCully on Friday unveiled two 18-metre screens expected to draw the crowds, especially on opening night.

Forty local musicians will perform at the venue which will also host a fashion parade and business expos during the Rugby World Cup.

The tournament begins on 9 September.

This event news story was originally published at http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/82378/work-on-the-cloud-venue-close-to-completion. Got your own event story – get in touch into eventsecrets.com – bringing you the latest event management news stories from around the world.

One of several proposals submitted to Tulsa city council for the development of the city’s west bank of the Arkansas River includes the development of a site as part of a possible Tulsa bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

The site would include the Olympic stadium and parking, an Olympic park, Olympic and Native American sports museum, with a large statue, and a World Fit Olympic and River Parks walking trail.

Tulsa city council is now reviewing the proposal, but there are reports that all the proposals are now on hold.

Meanwhile, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) said recently it is not considering a bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

This event news story was originally published at http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/2020_bid_news/1216135844.html. Got your own event story – get in touch into eventsecrets.com – bringing you the latest event management news stories from around the world.

Following a one-year experiment with a route change that took riders from the start out into the Vale of Glamorgan before reaching its famed big mountain climbs, the Wiggle Dragon Ride will return to something close to its traditional format for 2012. Elevated to UCI Golden Bike World Series event status for next year, it will also have a new start venue at Margam Park near Port Talbot, south Wales and, following feedback after a somewhat problematic running in 2011, will offer significant improvements to the start/finish and parking arrangements and to toilet facilities.

For 2012 the two routes on offer once again concentrate on the superb climbs South Wales has to offer.  The Medio Fondo Ride will include the Bwlch, Rhigos and Cimla climbs while the Gran Fondo Route will in addition have one new major signature climb and may see the return of a severe ascent not used since 2007.

Due to the Queen’s Diamond Anniversary holiday weekend and to avoid a potential clash with another established sportive, the Wiggle Dragon Ride will be moved back a week from its regular slot at the beginning of June to Sunday 10^th June 2012.

Online entry will now be open on the 14^th December 2011 at 09.00 hrs.

For 2012 Wiggle will continue as main title sponsor to the BreakAway Cycling organised event with The Prostate Cancer Charity as supporting charity.

Other changes will see amalgamation of the online booking fees into the entry price, the provision of a significantly greater number of toilets and further improvements to the food on offer at the feed stations.

Details of the routes will be announced at the end of September 2011.

This event news story was originally published at http://roadcyclinguk.com/news/wiggle-dragon-ride-2012-date-and-venue-changes-announced.html. Got your own event story – get in touch into eventsecrets.com – bringing you the latest event management news stories from around the world.

The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff has become the UK’s first ever certifiably sustainable event stadium.

The venue has been certified by engineering standards organisation BSI with the BS 8901 – the standard in sustainability events management.

It confirms the stadium’s commitment to managing the social, economic and environmental impact of events at the Millennium Stadium.

The certificate has been awarded less than a year after the stadium sought to improve its sustainability credentials in line with the standard.

Gerry Toms, manager of the stadium, said: “The Millennium Stadium is leading the way in sustainability throughout the UK events industry and I am extremely proud to receive the British standard.

“To attain the standard ahead of any other UK venue is a fantastic achievement and this is especially impressive when you consider the size and structure of our building, which was built over a decade ago.

“Sustainability has brought its challenges, but with a lot of hard work we have proved that we can run our business more efficiently and build for the future.

“This sends a clear message to all our stakeholders, many of which have also stepped up their commitment to sustainability, and I look forward to the competitive edge the certification will afford us in the UK.”

The stadium uses a unique palletised pitch system to increase its sustainability. It harvests rainwater below the grass beds, re-uses root zones and recycles the 40mm rye-grass turf in rugby clubs throughout South Wales.

Additional design elements include infrared controls fitted in the urinals to prevent unnecessary flushing, meters to monitor energy and water consumption, new LED lighting and lighting controls and alternative methods of water heating to allow boilers to be shut down in summer.

And Compass Group UK, the venue’s caterer, ensures all food is made from locally sourced ingredients.

Viki Bell, portfolio manager for sustainability at BSI, said: “Sustainability is about much more than just being green.

“Gaining certification to BS 8901 demonstrates that an organisation has taken into consideration its social and economic impacts, such as community involvement and fair employment, is securing local investment and long-term viability where possible, as well as reducing carbon emissions and waste, as demonstrated by the Millennium Stadium.”

This event news story was originally published at http://yourcardiff.walesonline.co.uk/2011/08/09/millennium-stadium-achieves-sustainability-standard/. Got your own event story – get in touch into eventsecrets.com – bringing you the latest event management news stories from around the world.

Hambantota is looking forward to hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games as an opportunity to demonstrate how Sri Lanka can interact with the rest of the world, bid chairman Ajith Nivard Cabraal (pictured) has said with only 100 days left until the vote to decide whether they or rivals Gold Coast should be chosen to stage the event.

Since their surprise decision to put themselves forward in April 2010, Hambantota have moved from rank outsiders to serious contenders and are growing increasingly confident ahead of success at the Commonwealth Games Federation Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11, where the host city will be chosen.

Cabraal, who is also the chairman of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, believes that Sri Lanka can continue the recent trend of major events being awarded to emerging markets.

“Hitherto it has traditionally been the most advanced nations that have done this [staged the major Games],” he said.

“But it is not necessarily so now.

“There is a general feeling in the world that emerging countries should also be given the opportunity.

“Given the opportunity there is more countries like us who can emerge and do well.”

Hambantota was hit hard by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and s currently undergoing a number of major development projects funded by China and India.

But Cabraal claims that hosting the Commonwealth Games is a chance for Sri Lanka to show that it can develop by itself.

“We must move away from this aid mentality where we have to eternally go and ask people for aid,” he said.

“That is not the way we should be looking at it.

“We should look at how can we participate with the rest of the world, how do we make ourselves opportunities, how we interact with the rest of the world.

“And that is the opportunity we will receive when we host the Games and I am very much looking forward to doing that.”

Cabraal’s confidence has been fuelled by the recent visit of a delegation from the Caribbean, who visted Hambantota to inspect the bid.

“The hsopitaly has been overwhelming,” said Steve Stoute, the President of the Barbados Olympic Committee.

“I’ve been to vitrually every Commonwealth Games going back to 1966 and this is the first time I’ve seen such a compact bid with all the venues and facilities within walking distance from the Games village.

“So, from my perspective, I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen.”

Jamaica’s Teddy McCook, a member of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) ruling Council, claimed that if Hambantota were to win then they had to sell their message.

“I think it’s now up to the Sri Lanka Organising Committee to market what you have produced,” he said.

This event news story was originally published at http://www.insidethegames.biz/commonwealth-games/2018/13785-hambantota-2018-is-qlooking-forwardq-to-hosting-commonwealth-games-claims-chairman. Got your own event story – get in touch into eventsecrets.com – bringing you the latest event management news stories from around the world.