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Spalding become offi cial teamwear partner of basketballscotland T


S 


SPALDING are the new offi cial teamwear partner


of Falkirk Fury basketball team.


palding has announced a new partnership


agreement with basketballscotland – the national governing body for basketball in Scotland.


Established by Boston 


MANTIS appointed as offi cial racquet partner


to the Allam British Open Championships.


Red Stockings pitcher A.G.Spalding in 1876, Spalding has long been a leader in the sporting goods category and has extensive sponsorship agreements throughout the world, most notably as the Offi cial Ball and Backboard sponsor of the NBA. Kevin Pringle (basketballscotland CEO) commented on this news stating: “basketballscotland are delighted to put pen to paper on a partnership with Spalding. To have a world-leading basketball brand supporting our National Team programmes provides a real boost as we move towards a busy summer


continue to aggressively target


We will


sponsorship activities to re-


establish the brand in the marketplace


of activity throughout Europe.” The agreement also includes a partnership with Scottish retailers Gilmour Sports and RJM Sports which will allow basketballscotland to announce additional services and benefi ts to players, coaches, offi cials and clubs throughout Scotland and open up further opportunities for Spalding to penetrate the Scottish market and beyond. Paul Sherratt, Country Manager for Spalding


stated “Having only taken Spalding under the Uhlsport UK wing in January this year, I am delighted to see that we have already made progress in developing a partnership with a UK governing body, and we will continue to aggressively target sponsorship activities to re-establish the brand in the marketplace.”





UKGCOA releases fi rst in-depth golf industry analysis


CANTERBURY replace Nike as official kit partner


to the RFU. The deal will see Canterbury represent the RFU beyond the Rugby World Cup in 2015.


 


MARY PORTAS


High Street recommendations have been accepted by the government.


WINMAU’S laser oche is now available to purchase.


T


he UK Golf Course Owners Association (UKGCOA) has released its fi rst Golf Facility


Benchmarking Report, which shows member clubs have seen a dramatic rise in rounds played throughout 2011 The report – conducted by Sports Marketing


Surveys Inc – shows that UKGCOA members have seen a 20% increase in rounds played compared to the national average of just 8%. Utilising data provided by UKGCOA member


clubs over the course of 2011, the report allows them to monitor their performance and benchmark against an industry standard in an easy and effi cient way. Through the report members also have access to a wide range of business performance indicators such as green fee yields, membership numbers, annual subscription rates and operating costs of


many diff erent types of golf courses and clubs across the UK. Jerry Kilby, UKGCOA Executive Director, said:


“When we founded the association in 2010 one of our principle aims was to set up a benchmarking system so members could measure their performances against regional and national trends – with the release of this survey we have achieved that. “This report is extremely encouraging, with


statistics showing that if you manage your operation successfully and have a strong team around you there is extremely good business to be had, despite the continued economic challenges.” While the executive summary of the report


is available to all members of the UKGCOA, the in-depth statistics produced can only be viewed by those who have actively participated in the survey. “This report is a real appetiser to what we are able to produce with the support of our members


Dream team nets fashion fi rst


wo leading brands from the worlds of football and fashion have collaborated


in a Premier League fi rst, with the launch of the Harvey Nichols concept box at the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club. What was a traditional 8ft x 11ft


platinum hospitality box has been transformed into a designer paradise by the Club’s partner, in a bid to create the ultimate experience for men and women within the stadium. The bespoke Harvey Nichols box has been custom designed by Manchester-based refurbishment specialist, Preferred Spaces. The design experts have created a space that incorporates luxury and practicality, and within which visitors can enjoy a range of the very best Harvey Nichols’ experiences, on or off match day. A fi rst in world football, the box includes carefully selected designer clothes for men and women together with jewellery, handbags and shoes from designers including Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and Dolce & Gabbana. Guests are able to purchase goods, with a dedicated


– if we could encourage more of them to input data into the survey then the fi gures that we get back will be even more accurate,” added Jerry Kilby. “It is a fantastic tool for club owners, enabling


them to plan their businesses and make investment decisions based on facts. Rather than guesses and gut feelings they have credible information to take to the bank manager, show shareholders and their team – these are hard facts which have not been available to the UK golf industry for years.” John Bushell, Sports Marketing Surveys Inc


Chief Executive, said: “Findings from the fi rst UKGCOA members benchmark report reporting on the calendar year for 2011 show an excellent performance for members. Last year saw the country have one of the best golf seasons for many years – due to an early spring and late autumn – and also 2010 did see snow in January and December close venues. “However, UKGCOA members outperformed the


national average and the growth in rounds played translated into an increase in green fee revenues of just over 8% at UKGCOA venues – and so average yield is down.


Last year saw the country have one of the best golf seasons for many years 04 | SGB-SPORTS.COM


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