News On the wing


For more on these stories, see www.sgb- sports.com


Precision Training debuted its latest goalkeeping line, Schmeichology, at last month’s STAG buying show. The range has been designed in collaboration with Leeds United shot-stopper Kasper Schmeichel, who was in attendance on the first day of the two- day show to help Precision Training launch the gloves to the trade (see show review, p10).


Heart rate training technology specialist Polar has introduced a white variant of its FT40 training


computer for active women as an ‘elegant choice


for the style-conscious who want the best for both their fitness and looks’.


The FA has given its full approval to the new National Football Centre, St George’s Park, in Burton-on-Trent. Building work is to start in January next year, with completion due in the summer of 2012. FA board member and chairman of the National Football Centre Board, David Sheepshanks said the centre will be “an inspirational hub for everyone involved in football from the grassroots to the elite”.


Sports equipment retailers need to take advantage of EPoS systems to benefit from the early stages of the economic recovery, according to e-commerce systems specialist Cybertill.


A third Sport Traider store has opened its doors in Luton with the aim of encouraging local people back into sports through recycling old and unwanted equipment. The Active Luton Sports Traider store will take unwanted sports kit, such as out-grown trainers and boots, lost property and old equipment, clean and wash it, and then resell it an affordable price to the community.


Scottish rugby league player Ricky Munday has begun his quest to become the first person to reach the summit of the three highest peaks in Australasia in a single expedition.


 


 


SSC sees sport on the up T


Studd said there are positive signs for the sports industry going forward, in particular that consumers are valuing physical activity more highly than they have done during previous recessions in the 1980s and 1990s, when there were notable drops in consumer expenditure on physical activity.


This has been driven by a greater importance being placed on health and well-being by the government in recent years, as well as greater recognition of the sports industry as a viable career path.


For instance, Studd noted that coaching and instructing had been one of the biggest growth professions in the first 18 months of the recession.


SkillsActive’s role is to ensure there is enough competent and qualified staff to support future growth in active sport participation, a development that will grow the market sports retailers can target.


Studd said: “It is a challenging environment in which to be positive, but the indications are that the sports industry is weathering the storm.


“There are many positives in both the consumer environment, and from government and the public sector, which are giving a push to the industry.”


However, Studd said there may have to be new business models found for some publically- funded sports initiatives as cuts are made to stabilise the UK economy, which may include greater involvement from private enterprise to fund local projects and activities. Studd added that major sporting events, such as the Olympic Games in 2012 and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, will highlight the role sport can take in driving investment in other areas, such as regeneration and infrastructure.


“Big events raise the profile of the sector and show the impact sport can have,” he said.


Hi-Tec moves headquarters from UK to Holland


Hi-Tec is relocating its global headquarters from Southend-on-Sea to Amsterdam as it readies itself for growth in the coming years. Product development, design, marketing and finance functions will move from the UK to the Netherlands, although Hi-Tec UK will continue to run from Southend-on-Sea.


Hi-Tec USA has recently relocated its headquarters from Modesto, California to Portland, Oregon.


Hi-Tec general manager Ed van Wezel, son of company founder Frank, who is heading up the move, described


Amsterdam as a “creative environment” that will benefit the group’s brands as they move forward. The group consists of a global outdoor and sports business under the Hi-Tec brand, and a uniform business under the name Magnum.


The move will take place in January and coincides with a new brand philosophy, ‘Inspired by life’, being introduced.


Ed van Wezel said: “Hi-Tec is primed for growth and Amsterdam is the hub for some of the best talent in our industry and is also an extremely creative environment for the entire team to benefit from. We are extremely proud of our British roots though, and will continue to run and invest in our successful UK subsidiary from Southend-on-Sea.”


There have been a number of appointments announced alongside the move, including that of Martin Binnendijk, formally European chief executive, who will be the group’s new chief finance officer (CFO).


And former CFO Bob Kaiser has been announced with immediate effect as the chief executive of Magnum USA in Modesto, California, while Ian Cameron, previously UK sales director, will serve as Hi-Tec UK managing director from January.


he sports industry continues to weather the economic storm with participation and consumer expenditure holding up, according to Stephen Studd, chief executive of SkillsActive, the sector skills council for sport and active leisure.


www.sgb-sports.com

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