sport Beckham’s new ambassador role


David Beckham has signed a long-term agreement with Sky Sports as an ambassador in an effort to get more peo- ple involved with sport at the grassroots level. Te global sports star will


support Sky Sports Living for Sport – a free initiative that uses the stories and expertise of athlete mentors to inspire young people to learn new skills. Around 30,000 young people from around Britain and Ireland participate in the programme each year. Beckham said: “I’ve always


Curler appointed chef de mission for Sochi 2014


Former champion curler Mike Hay has been appointed chef de mission for Team GB at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. He will lead a delegation of around 50 athletes and a further 50 support staff to next year’s event. Currently head of sport engagement at


BOA, Hay has won five European titles and two World Championship silver medals during his competitive career in curling, and has also coached the sport. He has an MBE for his services to the sport. Details: http://lei.sr?a=Y1p7g


David Beckham aims to inspire more young people into sport


been passionate about the importance of sport in the lives of young people. “It’s not all about winning; just getting


involved in sport gives you confidence and skills for life. I was lucky to have some amaz- ing role models when I was younger, and I’m excited about the opportunity to work with


Sky to pass on some of that knowledge to the next generation.” Other athletes who work with Sky include


track and field athlete and Olympic med- allist Jessica Ennis and road and track racing cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins. Details: http://lei.sr?a=8b8o8


Te new 3G pitch received £0.5m in funding New squash courts for Hull ahead of Open


Five new glass backed squash courts have been officially opened at the University of Hull as it prepares to host the British Open Masters compe- tition in May. World number three James


Willstrop officially opened the courts and was joined by uni- versity vice chancellor Calie Pistorius and British Open sponsor Dr Assem Allam. Te tournament will run


alongside the main British Open event, which will be held at the all-glass court at KC Stadium. Willstrop said: “As a Yorkshireman it’s


James Willstrop tries out the new court with young squash players


even more prominent for me that by holding the British Open in Hull we can also create a lasting legacy for students and the local community. Sport and in particular squash


is really thriving in Yorkshire and these courts will only help to get more people involved in our sport.” Students from the local Humber Squash


Academy also enjoyed trying out the new courts. Details: http://lei.sr?a=c1p0r


Gleneagles experiences flat profit in lead up to Ryder Cup


Gleneagles has reported flat before-tax profit for its financial year to the end of June 2012, due to costs related to preparations for the Ryder Cup in 2014. The golf and spa resort in Perthshire, Scotland said room sales were level with the


© Cybertrek 2013


previous year but an increase in turnover was mainly attributable to improved revenues for leisure activities, restaurants and bars. Gleneagles includes three championship golf


courses, a 232-room hotel and luxury ESPA spa. Details: http://lei.sr?a=j8s7Y


Twitter: @leisureopps


Finsbury sports clubs to take over local facilities


An umbrella group representing commu- nity sports clubs will now run the Finsbury Park Track and Gym and local tennis courts under a new agreement with Haringey Council. Finsbury Park Sports Partnership Limited will now be required to meet spec- ified milestones over the next three years as part of the agreement, before the full 25-year lease is granted. Improvements for the facility include


floodlights for the tennis courts, refur- bishment of the running track and a tennis pavilion. Details: http://lei.sr?a=i5w9A


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 3


Money redirected from crime into grassroots sport


A government initiative that redirects money from crime into community proj- ects has helped fund a new 3G pitch at Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Sports Centre. Te synthetic surface was funded through


£300,000 from the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities scheme and a further £200,000 from the City of Edinburgh Council. Leith Athletic FC has successfully bid to become the home club for the venue and the council will work with the club and the Scottish Football Association to manage pitch bookings. Details: http://lei.sr?a=Y7w5A


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