news & jobs at www.leisureopportunities.co.uk Probe launched by Lords committee


Relationship between grassroots sport and the EU studied in wide-ranging report By Pete Hayman


A new inquiry has been launched by a House of Lords committee into the relationship between grassroots sports and the European Union (EU). The EU sub-committee for


social policies and consumer protection aims to look at the benefits of grassroots sport and how the EU's 'competence' in sport can boost participation. Other issues that are to be


debated include whether sport is given enough recognition across relevant EU policy areas and how the new EU Sports Programme should be organised going forward. Baroness Young of Hornsey, chair of the committee, said:


"We want to get to the heart of how participating in grassroots


New Quest team appointed


Five new people have joined the Quest and National Benchmarking Service (NBS) following Sport England's recent appointment of consultants Right Directions and Leisure-net Solutions as scheme managers. Dave Monkhouse and


David Constantine have been appointed by the Quest team as regional managers while in the Quest office, Jenny Hawtin has been appointed as the new Quest Manager. Carrie Stroud,


previously with training provider Rising Stars, becomes the Quest coordinator. Alison Dack, has assumed the role of NBS coordinator.


© Cybertrek 2010 IN BRIEF The inquiry will look at how the EU can help boost participation


sport helps individuals, communities and society more widely. However, we are aware that there are sometimes obstacles or barriers to people participating, particularly for minority groups, thus prevent- ing sport from fulfilling its potential in all spheres."


The committee is now


inviting contributions from a range of sector agencies, with written evidence to be submitted by 17 November. Oral evidence will be heard during November. The committee is set to


report its findings in early 2011. Aberdeen pool scheme approved


Glasgow to bid for 2015 gymnastics event British Gymnastics has revealed that it is bidding to host the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow. The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) has been identified as the proposed venue, which is to stage the gymnastics competition at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. British Gymnastics is being supported in the bid by UK Sport, EventScotland and the City of Glasgow's major events team.


Official launch for new- look Farnham facility Waverley Borough Council has


officially reopened the new-look Farnham Leisure Centre, following a £5m overhaul of the facility. The council carried out the renovation in partnership with the centre's operator, DC Leisure. London-based contractor ISG was responsible for delivering the improvements. Work has included doubling the size of the gym to incorporate 90 stations and an upgrade of the swimming pool to competition standard. The learner hall also benefited from improvements.


The project will see a Commonwealth/Olympic-standard pool built By Pete Hayman


A new 50m swimming pool is to be built in Aberdeen after the plans put forward by the city's Sport Village were given the green light by councillors. Aberdeen City Council (ACC)


backed the FaulknerBrowns Architects-designed proposals, which will see the Linksfield Academy make way for a Commonwealth/Olympic-stan- dard pool with facilities, such as a health suite and a café.


The proposed development


will comprise two elements – a main pool hall to the north of the site and a diving hall, which will be sited closer to Aberdeen Sports Village and will provide a link to the complex. ACC development manage-


ment sub-committee convener Kate Dean said: "The pool will be a great asset to the city, both in terms of attracting events, and also in ensuring that our home-grown champi- ons can train in their own area."


LCC closes South Leeds Sports Centre South Leeds Sports Centre has been shut by Leeds City Council (LCC) as a result of falling visitor numbers at the venue. Last month, the local authority had also announced that the facility's £25,000 monthly running cost was causing "financial strain in the context of broader budget pressures". Although South Leeds Sports Centre has closed to the public, the council's executive board has approved a six-month deal with Tiger 11 – a community group that is looking at the possibility of taking over the running of the venue.


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