Leicestershire County Cricket Club chief executive Mike Siddall has revealed he will step down from the role at the end of the season.

Siddall said Leicestershire’s FLT20 triumph in 2011 was the highlight of his time at Grace Road, but he also cited various off-field achievements including securing the release of the city council covenant on the club’s traditional home.

The University of Colorado has signed a partnership with SSB Consulting, a Denver based enterprise data management and business intelligence consulting company.

“We are thrilled that our home-town team, the University of Colorado, has joined our roster of college and pro teams,” said Andrew Brodie, SSB president. “SSB’s Central Intelligence platform will enable CU’s athletic department to have a much greater understanding and quality of engagement with its customer base, and near real-time dashboard reporting will enable CU executives to make critical decisions in a timely manner in order to maximize revenue.”

The Central Intelligence platform gives teams a previously unavailable view of their customers across all of their touch points with the athletic department, including ticket purchase history, seating preferences, donor status, merchandise purchases, and other aspects of the relationship.

“The high level of customer intelligence and instantaneous reporting will allow us to interact with our season ticket holders, donors, alumni, sponsors and fans in ways that we’ve never been available to do,” said Matt Biggers, University of Colorado Associate Athletic Director. “Imagine arriving at a Buffs’ home game where a CU team rep greets you by name and offers to upgrade you to a premium seat or suite. Having access to this level of customer intelligence is going to be game-changing for CU.”

Progress on the Rio 2016 Olympic golf course may be halted according to reports out of Brazil.

Rio organizers confirmed that a state prosecutor could halt work on the course unless the developer shows it is following environment regulations and other requirements under Brazilian law.

Rio 2016 spokesman Mario Andrada confirmed the inquiry on Saturday and said developers had been asked to provide documentation that would allow the work to continue.

“The state prosecutor is asking for the papers to show the work is proceeding according to the law, symptoms ” Andrada told The Associated Press. “We believe all the rules are being followed.”

Gil Hanse, the 2016 Olympics golf course designer, says work is moving ahead, with the entire layout now shaped and getting ready for grassing. 

Hanse, who lived on site for the first year of construction and now spends a week to 10 days every month on site, is set to return to Rio on June 9 to oversee the final preparation of the two or three greens so they can get the Paspalum. Hanse’s own on-site crew, consisting of two shapers and a finish man, will be floating out the surface contours and making sure the greens mix is properly amended with nutrients for successful grown in.

“Work was being done on the course today,” said Hanse, who is currently working on the East Course at Winged Foot. “I have no knowledge of any issues about halting construction or environmental issues.”

There are an additional 40 laborers on site manually weeding and transplanting grasses. Three holes have operational irrigation, with more slated for the summer and fall. Hanse says the hope is to get all of the grassing done by October 2014. 

Ty Votaw, the vice president of the International Golf Federation, said that the process is in the hands of the Brazilian government and will take about 10 days before a determination will be made.

Australian Football League team St Kilda have renewed their partnership with Victorian Football League (VFL) Sandringham Zebras until the end of 2015. 

Through the new deal both parties are looking to establish their own stand-alone VFL teams from 2016 onwards. 

“The objective for both St Kilda and Sandringham to field stand-alone VFL teams from 2016 would mean that there is a clear development pathway for players of each respective club,” said St Kilda head of football Chris Pelchen.

“In the meantime, our partnership continues to be an important part of St Kilda’s development program and we remain committed to bringing success to Sandringham in the VFL competition.”

The Saints have been aligned with Sandringham since 2009, strengthening the alliance in 2012 with the appointment of Simon McPhee working in a dual role as Sandringham’s senior coach and as a development coach with the Saints

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority Board of Governors voted unanimously to validate the contract for 360 Architecture to be the lead architect for the Atlanta Falcons’ new $1 billion stadium.

The maximum price for the firm’s design is capped at $35 million. Conceptual design approval is scheduled for early June, stomach with design approval in late October and design development approval in April 2014.

“Selecting a lead architect is a very significant decision in the new stadium process, unhealthy ” said Falcons President and CEO Rich McKay, in a statement. “360’s creativity and qualifications made them the best fit for this project, and we believe they will put us in the best position to deliver the ultimate game day experience for our fans, as well as serving at the highest level the needs of current Georgia Dome events and other new events in the future.”

360 Architecture designed the most recent NFL stadium — Met Life Stadium in New Jersey, home of the New York Jets and Giants.

For the Kansas City, Mo. firm, the Falcons project is an opportunity to “re-imagine the entire game day experience” and “create an icon for the city and state,” Bill Johnson, senior principal for 360 Architecture, told GWCCA at a meeting on Tuesday.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has revealed they have been forced to change the host city for the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2013 in Chile from Antofagasta to Temuco.

The Rugby-loving city of Temuco will now replace Antofagasta after the city confirmed to the IRB this week that it was no longer in a position to host the key developmental event that brings together the finest players at Under 20 level from eight nations.

Tournament organiser La Federación de Rugby de Chile (FERUCHI) and the IRB are confident that Temuco will deliver a spectacular and hugely successful event that will further the development of Rugby in the country.

The match days of the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy will be May 28, June 1, 5 and 9, while fixtures also remain unchanged for a tournament that features hosts Chile, Canada, Japan, Italy, Namibia, Portugal, Tonga and Uruguay.

IRB Tournament Director Santiago Ramallo said: “It is disappointing that we have been forced to switch venues owing to factors outside of our control. However, we have secured a great venue and superb facilities for the teams in a city and region that is passionate about Rugby.”

“On behalf of the IRB I would like to extend my gratitude to the Temuco authorities and FERUCHI for their desire and commitment to delivering an outstanding event. I’d also like to thank the Rugby community in Antofagasta for their tireless work up to this point.”

“With 28 days to go until kick-off planning and preparation remains on track and I am sure that the people of Temuco will embrace what is set to be a compelling and highly-competitive event.”

Antofagasta was originally selected to host the prestigious event following a rigorous selection process and the event hosting came with the full backing of the city authorities.

However, the city confirmed to the IRB that it would pull out of hosting the Trophy following a decision by city officials.

The RBC Canadian Open is headed back to Royal Montreal Golf Club in 2014.

Renowned as the oldest golf club in North America and the site of the inaugural Canadian Open in 1904, ailment Royal Montreal will play host to Canada’s National Open Championship for a 10 time.

Royal Montreal last staged the Canadian Open back in 2001, which was won by Scott Verplank. The Club previously hosted the Championship in 1904, 1908, 1913, 1926, 1950, 1975, 1980 and 1997.

“Royal Montreal shares a long and storied history with both Golf Canada and Canada’s National Open Championship dating back more than a century,” said Golf Canada Executive Director and CEO Scott Simmons. “We are thrilled to add to that special legacy again in 2014.”

One of the five founding clubs of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now operating as Golf Canada), The Royal Montreal Golf Club most recently hosted The Presidents Cup in 2007.

“To play an important role in Canadian golf is a part of the Club’s Mission Statement.  This will be another opportunity for spectators to watch some exciting golf on our challenging Blue Course.  With the anticipated support of the Quebec golf and business communities, we are looking forward to making this a very successful and memorable event,” stated Royal Montreal President George Waters.

 

Austin Grand Prix officials are adamant they have followed the proper process in pushing on with their race at the Circuit of the Americas, despite fresh doubts about the venue’s eligibility for Texas state funding.

A ruling by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott at the end of last week failed to resolve the issue of whether or not Austin was eligible for £30 million (USD) worth of revenue from a Major Events Trust Fund – which was set-up to help finance national and international sporting events taking place in the state.

Abbott suggested that because there had not been a local application for the funding, then Austin should not receive the money – which had been expected to be released after this year’s event that takes place on November 18.

Abbot said: “Unless an application for an event as defined in the statute is submitted to a site selection organisation, that event is ineligible for METF funding.”

There is a dispute, however, over whether or not Austin did apply locally to Formula One Management rather than simply being selected to host a grand prix – and this will be key to the issuing of funding.

In a statement issued by the Circuit of the Americas, circuit president Steve Sexton said: “We have worked with the local organizing committee in following the process to secure and host this international event.

“This event will pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the Texas economy while creating thousands of new full and part-time jobs and will have a positive impact on our community.

“We look forward to the first Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin this November, and to working with state, county and city officials to create another key economic driver for Central Texas.”

Worcestershire County Cricket Club has today announced a profit after interest of £211, medic 893 for the year ending 30th September 2011.

Chief Executive, therapy David Leatherdale commented, “having gained promotion to the 1st division of the LV= County Championship in 2011, retaining this status for 2012 was a key target and to have managed this with a young and developing squad is a major achievement.”

“The support from members and spectators continues to be strong which has seen a growth in revenue from both membership and ticket sales, as well as an increase in physical numbers attending matches, and is no doubt a reflection on the loyal and growing support the Club has.”

“The recent announcement with regards the potential new hotel and additional conference facilities for the Club, combined with the already successful Graeme Hick Pavilion, will continue to develop the Club as a 365 day a year sporting and conference venue, which in these uncertain economic times, is key to our sustainability as one of only 18 First Class County Clubs.”

“It is encouraging to see in excess of 150 new members have already joined for the 2012 season, which gets underway on the 5th April against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge and at New Road against the same opponents on the 26th April.”

“I am sure 2012 will be another challenging year but we hope to continue the progress made during 2011, both on and off the pitch, and look forward to another exciting summer ahead.”

The National Basketball Association (NBA) owners and its players’ union will continue talks in New York today after 12 hours of discussions yesterday bore no fruit for a new collective bargaining agreement.

NBA Commissioner David Stern’s Wednesday deadline came and went with no deal on the table but the two sides have decided to pick up where they left off with discussions.

“Nothing was worked out,” Stern told reporters after leaving the Manhattan hotel where talks are taking place. “Right now, we’re not failing and we’re not succeeding.”

The union has rejected a proposal from team owners that offered them 49 percent to 51 percent of basketball-related income. The sides have yet to agree on how to divide revenue, although the union is willing to move closer to a 50:50 split.

Players, who got 57 percent under the contract that expired July 1, are willing to compromise on their demand for 52 percent of basketball-related income in return for concessions on rules governing player movement and salary, union Executive Director Billy Hunter said last night.

“There was enough give and take that warranted our coming back,” Hunter said early this morning after the latest meetings ended, about 11 hours before negotiations are set to resume.

The sides are at a crossroads over how to divide about $4.3 billion of league revenue. Stern has said the 30 teams collectively lost $300 million last season. With each percentage point worth about $40 million, the players would be giving up $280 million a year by dropping to a 50 percent share, the New York Times reported.

Stern told NBA TV yesterday that the season can’t start until 30 days after an agreement is reached. The league has canceled the first month of the regular season, which was scheduled to start Nov. 1.

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