February 2010 Newsletter

Volleyball England

SportPark welcomed its latest tenants this week with the arrival of Lisa and the Volleyball England team.

Another ‘founding partner’, Volleyball England are occupying the rear space on the first floor of pavilion one. Lisa’s personal commitment to the SportPark concept has been unwavering, and with her Chair Richard Callicott’s support and Head of Operations Martin Lindsey’s meticulous planning and attention to detail the passage to SportPark has been smooth and trouble free. It's great to have another set of smiley faces join the party and signs are they will be settling in very quickly.

Next in will be Leicestershire County Sports Partnership and EFDS (East Midlands).

Exciting news from ISRM

The Board of ISRM confirmed they are to move to SportPark and now want to have staff in residence by April!

They are occupying the rear space on the third floor of pavilion two and under new Chief Exective Sean Holt there is a renewed sense of urgency and purpose to getting into their new office and contributing to the developing learning community at SportPark.

The icing on this particular cake is the agreement we have reached with Institute of Sport, Parks And Leisure (ISPAL) that effectively means if the proposed new Institute emerges from its application for chartered status its preferred future home will be here at SportPark.

Work in progress

Work continues on a number of fronts and over the coming weeks you will continue to see further improvements. There are exciting plans to add some finishing touches to SportPark making it an even more homely and welcoming environment so watch out for the branding, signage, plants and pictures.

We’ve also resolved the problem that caused three evacuations in quick succession!

The completion of the Activity Lawn in the rear garden and the Energy Track are held up by planning issues but we aim to have them both up and running for when the weather is a bit more conducive to outdoor exercising.

Brand guidelines

The University Design and Print Service have produced the brand guidelines for any use of the SportPark Logo and associated images.

To see the guidelines please click here

To download the logo pack (Zip File) please click here.

Dates for the diary

There’s always exciting sport to watch at Loughborough with our students competing in national leagues in several sports. If you are interested in attending any of the events listed below please ask Bridget or Karen at SportPark reception who will be able to help you with tickets which will be available at staff rates for charged events.

February:
15th Loughborough Lightning v Leeds Carnegie (Netball Super League)
Online tickets available here.

March:
1st Loughborough Lightning v Glasgow Wildcats
20th Loughborough Lightning v Northern Thunder
27th Loughborough Lightning v Team Northumbria

April:
15th Loughborough Lightning v Team Bath
19th Loughborough Lightning v Surrey Storm

May:
12th Loughborough v Bath Rugby Varsity Match KO 7pm
19th Loughborough v RFU England U20s Rugby KO 7pm
23rd Loughborough International Athletics Match

June:
22nd to 23rd MCC Twenty:20 Tournament (Cricket)
 

“Jabulani – how science and engineering helped develop the World Cup football”

As part of National Science and Engineering Week, Dr Andy Harland will be giving a public lecture on Monday 15th March 2010, 6.30pm-7.30pm.

Having carried out research into major tournament match balls for adidas since 2002, Andy Harland talks about his latest research project developing and testing the new “Jabulani” ball for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.  For a video with more info click here.

The event is open to SportPark staff and families and is free of charge (suitable for 12 yrs upwards). Places must be reserved in advance.

To book your place click here.

Details of the venue will be provided on booking.
 

Sport & activity update

At SportPark there will be no excuse not to get healthy!  However you want to get active we aim to provide it for you.  A group is being formed to manage these activities, but in the meantime the following are available:

Facilities

Facilities at SportPark include showers, changing rooms and lockers accessible via a key at reception but soon via your staff card. The Energy Track and Activity Lawn are subject to planning but are expected to be in action as the weather warms up.

The 800m Energy Track will circle SportPark and extends to the end of the car park and will have 'training buddies' developed by our neighbours in Sports Technology Institute (STI) which will be located at intervals along the track designed to help you complete a variety of exercises to give you a whole body workout.  We are planning a number of fun sport leagues and events using the Activity Lawn and Car Park Pitch starting in early summer.

Running

We’ve already been busy organising the SportPark running club which will take place every Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime, with runs beginning on Tuesday 23rd February.  Volunteers from a variety of different organisations are taking their Leadership in Running Fitness qualification this weekend thanks to Leics County Sport Partnership. The runs are aimed at those who fancy a 3 mile gentle jog rather than a long slog, catering for those who run at between 9 and 11 min mile pace. To get involved just meet in SportPark reception on Tuesday 23rd February 2010 at 12.30.

For those of you who are looking for a more testing run we will be holding lunchtime interval sessions using the Energy Track as the weather improves – watch this space!

If you’re not yet ‘up and running’ and think you might need some additional support then the Active Lifestyle Huffers and Puffers Running Club is for you. The runs take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12.40pm meeting at LUFS gym and follow a walk/run programme - free to SportPark tenants.  Reception will be able to direct you to LUFS.

Active Lifestyles classes

The University’s Active Lifestyles programme has lots of sporting and fitness activities you can enjoy at staff rates. You can attend a class or session regularly or as a one off – it’s completely flexible and most classes take place in the Hub which is located behind the Pilkington Library just a 5 minute walk from SportPark.  Classes and activities on the Active Lifestyle programme are designed to get you fitter, tone you up and get you moving…not make you a super star athlete!  Most activities cost just £3 and there are some fantastic offers if you pay up front which means classes start at just £1.70. Contact LUFS Gym on 01509 228470 or see www.loughboroughsport.com/active

There are plans to have selected Active Lifestyles classes at SportPark, the first being Pilates and you will soon be able to book any of the University’s Active Lifestyle sessions from SportPark reception.

Cycle loan

We are developing a cycle loan scheme for SportPark tenants, for leisure cycle rides or just to get about campus. We are working on providing secure storage, bikes, helmets and locks, and route maps. More details will be available soon.

Healthy You Club

In the same way as athletes need the best advice for sports performance gains, everyone can benefit from up-to-date and accurate health and lifestyle advice. The SportPark Healthy You Club has the answers!

We’re working with the University’s Lifestyle Service to develop SportPark Healthy You Club which offers health assessments, nutrition and psychology advice and helps you achieve a lifelong commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

The first Healthy You Club based at SportPark will cost £30 for 10 weekly sessions 12.30-1.30pm Thursdays, starting 15th April. For more info contact Beth Hanson in the Sports Development Centre who manages the programme.

More health news!

If you like walking, then we have a series of campus walks which can be enjoyed as part of your healthy lifestyle.

Route maps are available from SportPark Reception, or can be viewed online here.

The Link is open for Business

The University has recently acquired the former Quality Hotel, situated a stone's throw from SportPark on Ashby Road.  The hotel – which will be rebranded as The Link at Loughborough – will be managed by imago Ltd, the University’s subsidiary company, and will complement the facilities and services offered at Burleigh Court, the University’s existing hotel and conferencing facility.

“I am delighted that the University has been able to begin the purchase of the hotel and its land,” said Professor Shirley Pearce, Vice Chancellor of Loughborough University.

“This is an excellent opportunity for us to build on the strengths and successes that imago Ltd has achieved within the hotel, hospitality and catering industries, and to provide visitors to the area with additional high standard accommodation.”

Prices for an ensuite with nutrition breakfast will be approx. £50 for a single room, and £60 for a twin or double.  For more information please contact imago.