ECHL team Alaska Aces announced that they have reached a one-year affiliation agreement with the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League for the 2014-15 season.

“It’s an exciting day to finalize an agreement with two NHL teams who are committed with their direction to prospect development,” said Parks. “The familiarity of the Blues organization and development structure, along with the geography of Minnesota’s farm system were very attractive opportunities. We’re proud to enter this as a development partner of two esteemed NHL clubs.”

“We are excited to renew our affiliation with the Alaska Aces,” said Blues Assistant General Manager Kevin McDonald. “They are a first class organization with a long track record of success and we’re looking forward to working with Terry Parks and Rob Murray.”

“We are excited to announce a new affiliation agreement with the Alaska Aces,” said Jim Mill, Minnesota Wild Director of Minor League Operations and Iowa Wild General Manager. “The Aces have enjoyed tremendous success in the ECHL, winning three Kelly Cup Championships in the last nine seasons including this past season, and will provide the Minnesota Wild organization with another outstanding option to develop our players. Aces head coach Rob Murray has enjoyed tremendous success at every level of professional hockey and we look forward to working with him and the Alaska Aces organization.”

Alaska will serve as the ECHL affiliate for Blues and Wild prospects at the premier ‘AA’ hockey league level, a partnership which includes Minnesota’s American Hockey League affiliation with the Iowa Wild. 

The partnership renews an affiliation between the Aces and Blues that previously lasted seven seasons (2005-12) with the Aces winning two Kelly Cup championships and making three Kelly Cup Finals appearances during that span. Additionally, several players who suited up for the Aces during that time of the affiliation advanced to make their debut in the NHL, including Chris Beckford-Tseu, Chris Holt, Ryan Reaves, Zack Fitzgerald, Tomas Kana, and Anthony Peluso. Currently, Reaves has 194 games of NHL experience with St. Louis. 

“Serving as a partner of two respected NHL clubs with tremendous personnel is a terrific opportunity,” said Aces head coach Rob Murray. “We’re returning to a mutually beneficial relationship with history in the Blues, while gaining committed partners in the Minnesota and Iowa Wild. It’s our goal to provide every resource possible to maximize prospect development and we’re extremely excited, moving forward with these affiliations.”

World Archery (WA) has signed a partnership agreement with OlympAfrica for the development of archery in Africa, adiposity especially for the youth.

OlympAfrica is a foundation founded by the late HE Mr Juan Antonio SAMARANCH, former President of the International Olympic Committee. The foundation is supported by the International Olympic Committee; the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa; the International Association of Athletics Federation and Daimler Chrysler for the development of sports at a recreational and grassroots level in 46 African countries.

In collaboration with the National Olympic Committees of each of these countries, OlympAfrica has set up centres dedicated to sports activities, workshops, HIV prevention, coach education and much more. The aim of these centres is to involve the youth in sports and activities that are good for their future development once they have finished their day at school. It’s an excellent talent identification initiative, particularly with the introduction of the Youth Olympic Games in the Olympic Programme. 

World Archery Secretary General Tom DIELEN, the Director of the WA Development Department Pascal COLMAIRE and Development Coordinator Deqa NIAMKEY, met with the Director of OlympAfrica, Thierno DIACK, at the WA headquarters in Lausanne to finalise and sign the partnership agreement. It was agreed that a pilot project will be introduced in Niger for 2013, followed by other countries in agreement with the WA Member Associations. 

Der Ligavorstand hat einen Fahrplan für die Umsetzung weiterer Maßnahmen mit Blick auf das Thema Sicherheit im Fußball beschlossen. Im Rahmen eines Gesamtkonzeptes wurden die auf der Sicherheitskonferenz am 17. Juli in Berlin definierten Handlungsfelder ausformuliert und zur Prüfung an die Clubs versendet. Bei der Mitgliederversammlung des Ligaverbandes am 27. September sollen die mit Hilfe erfahrener Praktiker aus den Vereinen erarbeiteten Eckpunkte zur Diskussion gestellt werden. Konkrete Beschlüsse und eventuelle Satzungsänderungen sollen dann erst in der letzten Mitgliederversammlung des Jahres im Dezember erfolgen. Den Clubs soll damit ausreichend Zeit gegeben werden, pharmacy um eine interne Abstimmung der einzelnen Punkte zu ermöglichen.

Das Konzept trägt der Tatsache Rechnung, order dass ein ehrlicher Dialog mit den Fans für ein friedliches Miteinander unverzichtbar ist, Liga und Clubs ihrerseits aber mit größtmöglicher Konsequenz die Voraussetzungen für einen sicheren Stadionbesuch zu gewährleisten haben. Oberste Priorität bei den vorgeschlagenen Maßnahmen haben Effektivität und praktische Umsetzbarkeit bei gleichzeitigem Erhalt der einzigartigen Fan-Kultur unter Einbeziehung von Stehplätzen. Ziel ist dabei, dass sich die Clubs auf gemeinsame Regelungen verständigen, die anschließend in die Statuten aufgenommen und dann auch von der DFL kontrolliert werden. Die Nichterfüllung dieser Regelungen könnte dann im entsprechenden Fall auch im Rahmen des Lizenzierungsverfahrens sanktioniert werden. Gleichzeitig soll bei der Verteilung der Medien-Erlöse darüber nachgedacht werden, gegebenenfalls Gelder einzubehalten, um die Finanzierung notwendiger Standards sicherzustellen.

Inhaltliche Kernpunkte des vorgelegten Konzeptes sind Verbesserungen in Bezug auf Ordnungsdienste, die Kommunikation unter allen Beteiligten vor und während des Spieltages sowie der infrastrukturellen Rahmenbedingungen. Hier werden unter anderem die Qualifizierung und Zertifizierung von Ordnungsdiensten vorgeschlagen. Zudem sollen Ordner der Gastclubs in die Sicherheitsabläufe der Heimclubs integriert werden. Insbesondere im Vorfeld von Spielen soll darüber hinaus die Kommunikation unter den Clubs durch standardisierte Abläufe intensiviert werden. Mit Blick auf den Einlass soll die Infrastruktur optimiert werden, damit – falls nötig – zusätzliche Kontrollen zügig und ohne unverhältnismäßigen Eingriff in die Persönlichkeitsrechte durchgeführt werden können. In Bezug auf moderne Videosysteme soll zunächst an jedem Standort eine Analyse stattfinden, die auch eine Einschätzung der Polizei beinhaltet, um dann gegebenenfalls einen gemeinsamen Standard zu definieren.

Für das Zusammenspiel zwischen den einzelnen Clubs und ihren Fans werden individuelle Vereinbarungen vorgeschlagen, die das Zusammenspiel unter Beachtung sportlicher Werte und geltender Vorschriften regeln. Auf Liga-Ebene soll durch die Einrichtung einer ständigen Kommission “Sicheres Stadionerlebnis” ein kontinuierlicher Austausch mit Vertretern der relevanten Stellen aus dem Bereich des Fußballs stattfinden. Dazu gehören beispielsweise auch Vertreter der Fan- und Sicherheitsbeauftragten sowie der DFB. Ferner ist der Ligaverband im Gespräch mit dem DFB mit Blick auf die Sportgerichtsbarkeit.

Bookmaker William Hill, based in the UK and online gaming provider GVC Holdings have revealed that they are considering a possible joint offer for Sportingbet.

The pair confirmed that any possible offer would be structured so that on completion ‘William Hill would acquire the Australian and certain other locally licensed businesses of Sportingbet’ with GVC acquiring the remainder of the business.

Sportingbet has around a 30% share of the Australian online gaming market which provided the firm with around 90% of its profits.

“The Boards of William Hill and GVC believe that by acting in combination they represent a highly credible possible offeror for the entire Sportingbet business, substantially in cash,” read the joint statement.

A separate release from Sportingbet confirmed that its board has received no approach. William Hill and GVC have until 16 October to announce a formal offer.

Sean Holt, CEO of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) has urged the UK government to help raise standards within the industry, following a £500 million cash injection into UK sport.

Speaking on BBC News recently, David Cameron announced that the boost for UK sport would be over the next four years to maintain Olympic sports at the same level before the 2016 Games in Rio.

UK Sport, the body that distributes money to Olympic and Paralympic sports, will receive £125 million per year.

Cameron said that the decision was to provide £125 million every year until 2016 aimed “to reward the success of the UK’s outstanding elite sport system” following the British team’s success at the London Games.

The Prime Minister also highlighted last week the need to introduce “more competitiveness” within schools across the UK to bring about a lasting sporting legacy.

“CIMSPA welcomes the announcement from David Cameron confirming that funding is secure for the sporting infrastructure in the run-up to Rio,” said Holt.

“We will be asking Government to ensure that the education and professional development of the sport and physical activity workforce is at the forefront of investment proposals. Without investment in the workforce – to raise standards of achievement – the much talked about continuation of elite sporting success and the competitive school agendas will not be achieved.”

Holt added that “those who work behind the scenes, the unsung heroes who made Team GB medals a reality, should not be overlooked in terms of workforce development.”

“It is the David Brailsford’s of the world who know what it took to get it so right at these games and we need his generation to educate the up and coming sporting administrators to ensure that their knowledge and experience is passed on.” 

The Prime Minister also announced on the closing day of the London Olympics that he will appoint Lord Seb Coe as his Olympic legacy adviser.

Coe, chair of the London 2012 Olympic organising committee who led the bid for the London Games, will advise the prime minister on the best way to secure long-term benefits for the UK. 

“Thankfully, as a great supporter and Companion of the chartered institute, Lord Seb Coe will no doubt have the issue of workforce development already in his sights,” added Holt.

“The bottom line is that CIMSPA, the chartered body created specifically to drive sustainable Olympic legacy within the workforce, is ready to take over the professional development baton to ensure that our sporting workforce keep up the good work.”

About CIMSPA

1. Launched in April 2011, CIMSPA is the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector.
2. The new Institute was formed, following pressure from Government, for the sports industry to merge and streamline existing workforce development bodies to create one single professional development body to represent the entire sport and physical activity sector.
3. CIMSPA provides leadership, professional development and a single unified voice for the sector. It also aims to drive standards of professional practice, which in turn will support increased participation, outcomes and contribution to UK plc.
4. CIMSPA was awarded Chartership status by the Royal Privy Council in January 2012, creating the first Chartered professional body for the sport and physical activity workforce.
5. CIMSPA is entirely self funded from membership fees and professional development training courses and to date has not received any grant funding or Government subsidy.
6. The title of the Chartered Institute reflects the need to support not just those working within sport and ‘formal’ sporting environments but those working in physical activity disciplines including health and community workers.
7. The Chairman of CIMSPA is Miles Templeman – former Director General of the Institute of Directors (IoD) and current Non Executive Director of the RFU.
8. In May 2012, the CIMSPA Rising Talent programme was launched to cater for the 30% of the 1 million workforce (ref SkillActive) who are under 30 years of age.
9. In August 2011, Sebastian Coe was awarded the position of Companion of CIMSPA in recognition of his significant contribution to the sports and physical activity sector.  In acceptance of the award, Lord Coe said, “I am  honoured to become a companion of CIMSPA, which marks a real milestone for the sports and physical activity sector in the UK.  By bringing together the skills and expertise of everyone in the industry, we will be in an incredibly strong position to ensure that the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be felt throughout the UK for many years to come.”

YouTube, under the ownership of Google Inc. since there US$1.65bn buyout in 2006, are reportedly in talks with major sporting leagues across North America and Europe, such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Hockey League, to show live games.

Google’s director of content partnerships for Asia Pacific, Gautam Anand revealed in an interview in Seoul yesterday, February 22, that YouTube aims to show more live sports in the second half of the year.

According to the head of YouTube Partnership at Google’s Korean unit, Brian Suh, Google is in talks with “most pro sports leagues” including NBA and NHL, as well as soccer leagues in Europe.

The company are hoping to build on the popularity of cricket’s Indian Premier League last year, with Anand stating: “One of the good things about IPL was that it really proved to a lot of sports leagues that broad-scale live- streaming type of exercise is something that’s possible. They took notice of IPL and have come to us, and entered into a lot more serious discussions.”

Adding live sports broadcasts may help YouTube expand revenue by keeping viewers on its site longer to woo more advertisers. YouTube’s contract to show cricket from the Indian Premier League, which gives the Google unit a share of ad revenue from games and the league’s website, brought in 55 million visits from more than 250 countries.

Anand added: “It’s fair to say that there will be a lot more appealing sports content you’ll see on YouTube. We have ongoing conversations with pretty much everyone.”

Although senior vice president for public relations at the NHL, Gary Meager, did not reply for comment, Michael Bass, senior vice president for marketing communications at the NBA, stated: “We’re pleased that YouTube recognizes the value of live sports.”

According to a report by the National Audit Office (NAO), Britain’s spending watchdog, construction of all the main London 2012 Olympic venues is on track, but the deadlines for the Aquatics Centre and part of the Athletes’ Village are becoming tight.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is currently on track to meet its budget and construction targets, with all 24 main infrastructure and venue projects due to be handed over to London 2012 for testing on or ahead of schedule.

5 of the 24 have already been finished, though construction on the Zaha Hadid-designed aquatics centre has slipped by two months to June 2011 because of complications with its wave-shaped roof. Additionally, two of the 11 residential blocks in the athletes’ village have taken 15 weeks longer than planned.

Despite the construction progress being on track, the NAO continued to express concern about London 2012 finances with question marks still surround funding for some projects.

The overall cost to the public purse of security during the Games has increased well over US$1bn from $967.85m to $1.22bn. 

This is mainly because the Government has now agreed to provide $454.9m from the $15bn Public Sector Funding Package for work to secure the perimeter of the Olympic Park and venues during the Games, offset by expenditure on wider security and policing which is now forecast to be $201.6m less than it was in March 2007, the report said.

Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, stated: “Good progress is being made in the preparations for the 2012 London Games which will begin in 17 months.

“All construction and infrastructure projects are forecast to be completed on time, albeit in two cases with little room to spare before the deadline for handover to LOCOG, the Games organiser, and operational planning has improved.

“However, the final cost of the Games to the taxpayer is inherently uncertain and as the Games near there will be less flexibility to make savings in response to any unforeseen financial pressures.”