By Christian Radnedge

UK Sport chair Rod Carr admits there’s always pressure on his organisation when it comes to funding as he aims to lead the country to more medals than ever at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Carr (pictured left) was speaking as UK Sport appealed to the nation from the Brazilian Embassy in London on Monday.

‘We Need You’ was the message displayed on screens as the campaign revealed itself to be a plea to the public to buy tickets to more than 30 World and European level events held in the UK in the 500 days between now and the opening of the Rio Games.

UK Sport say there will be more than 900,000 tickets available to the public at events which will provide up to 95 qualification spots for Team GB.

But with a general election coming up, the status of sports funding may change. However Carr was adamant that plans for Rio would not be affected by a new government.

“We are confident that as we come to the end of this cycle that our funding is in place for Rio, and subject to the profits of the national lottery which is going really well at the moment because we get a lot of lottery share, people keep buying lottery tickets, then we’re in a good place” Carr said.

“We can never say we’re absolutely sure, but we’re very confident that our money and our support to our sports and our athletes will continue right through to Rio.”

Team GB’s aim is to win more medals than ever at Rio, which would buck the trend of host countries suffering a decline in medals at the subsequent Games.

A big performance in Rio would not only create history, but also secure the immediate future of UK Sport.

“Spending government money, public money, is a privilege and a right and we understand there’s lots of pressures on the economic situation” Carr said. “We hope that by performing really spectacularly well in Rio that the government, whoever that is, will see fit to retain the level of funding that we’ve enjoyed over the past few years.

“Of course, there’s always pressure. It’s sport.”

The events in the #everyroadtoRio programme kick off with the AIBA World Series of Boxing in London next month. The final event before the Games will be the IPC Athletics Grand Prix Final in July 2016.

Carr was joined at the presentation by a number of young Team GB athletes and Brazilian Ambassador to the UK, Roberto Jauaribe.

The ambassador gave an update on Rio’s preparations to the assembled crowd saying of the venues; “they are well on their way, some of them are already there because of different activities including the opening game stadium which is Maracana which was rebuilt for the World Cup.

“We know we’re going to be increasingly the focus of attention, particularly from the British media which is so powerful, so forceful as they were prior to the World Cup.”

Nothing creates competitive spirit better than the opportunity to race colleagues from across an industry sector.

Sailing presents a natural team building activity, unhealthy offering unique networking opportunities.

iSportconnect offers this platform to sports business executives to compete in this regatta, using this latest bespoke fleet of ocean racing yachts.

The Clipper 70-foot yachts are tried and tested by non-professional crew members who have raced on a 40,000nm adventure around the world.

Soon the fleet will compete in its second circumnavigation in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

Date: 18th June 2015

Itinerary: The objective of the iSportconnect Regatta is to create a compelling environment through which to build business relationships, however, the day also offers a fun and exhilarating sailing experience.

Each yacht is skippered by a professional and each team will receive two hours of training and a safety briefing before taking control.

There will then be up to three races on the water before proceedings are capped off with a relaxing awards ceremony.

Boats: Each boat can take a maximum of 12 guests. LIMITED BOATS NOW AVAILABLE

Cost: Participation in the iSportconnect Regatta costs £650 + VAT per person. This includes, breakfast, lunch, refreshments throughout the day and the awards ceremony.

Should a company wish to charter a whole boat, the cost would be £7000 + VAT per boat.

For further information please contact: Mike Rocha-Keys

In Association With:

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Sportlobster have expanded their network of users by adding six sports stars to their platform, buy pills representing the growth and popularity of the sports social network.

Italian international footballers Gianluigi Buffon and Leonardo Bonucci, both of Juventus FC, have joined Sportlobster along with England and Liverpool defender Glen Johnson.

They are also joined by NBA basketball star Luol Deng, Formula One’s Jenson Button and rising British boxer Anthony Joshua MBE.

Sportlobster is a social network for sport lovers from around the world and is a tailored experience for fans of every sport, with the aim of creating online communities between users and athletes.

Sports stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Owen, Kieran Gibbs, Giorgio Chiellini and George Groves are all current ambassadors of Sportlobster.

Sportlobster has also teamed up with clubs and leagues in England and the US in recent months after announcing deals with Premier League club Crystal Palace, the NBA and the NFL.

Cheltenham Racecourse has installed the new temporary Arkle Stand ahead of The Festival in 2014 as part of their renovation plans.

The stand replaces two A&R buildings which were brought down as a part of the £45m development of the racecourse.

The Arkle Stand will have an extra bar and viewing facilities in an attempt to improve the customer experience.

The stand is named the Arkle Stand because The Festival in 2014 marks the 50^th anniversary of the Champion’s first Gold Cup win.

The British Grand Prix’s cheapest race day ticket is £145 ($219), making it one of the most expensive races on the Formula 1 calendar.

A report from the BBC showed that only Brazil and Abu Dhabi are more expensive than the race at Silverstone, with Abu Dhabi’s price costing £339 ($513) and Brazil costing £229 ($347) – Abu Dhabi’s price is from 2012 as the 2013 price has not been released.

To purchase the same ticket at the infamous Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, spectators would pay just £30 ($45).

Richard Phillips, Silverstone Managing Director defended the ticket prices to the BBC: “While not cheap, I believe British Grand Prix tickets are competitively priced and offer good value for money.

“It frustrates me when people compare the cost of a ticket to watch a 90-minute football match or 80-minute rugby match with a ticket for the British Grand Prix.

“For example, a ticket to watch Arsenal play a category ‘A’ game at The Emirates – one of 38, 90-minute league matches that they will play this season – can cost as much as £126.”

Motorsport sponsorship expert Brian Sims echoed the views of Phillips but believed that prices could be lowered.

Sims told iSportconnect: “I think that one has to put ticket pricing into context. Yes, of course £145 is a lot of money, but then if compared with watching the recent Rolling Stones tour it seems remarkably inexpensive.

“On the other hand, you can watch Mick Jagger on stage non-stop for 2 hours, whereas at Silverstone you see the cars only once every 90 seconds or so. Then there’s the lack of facilities at a race track, parking issues etc.

“On balance, yes I do think it is a bit much for many enthusiasts. There definitely should be a basic, lower entry level ticket at around £75.

“What I think is more important, in my opinion however, is the whole issue of TV viewing options. Now there is a can of worms to open up!”

The F1 season starts this weekend in Melbourne, Australia, which costs £66.

Prices for Race Tickets

Abu Dhabi* (£339) ($513), Brazil (£229) ($347), Britain (£145) ($219), Spain (£104) ($157), Belgium (£103) ($156), USA* (£102) ($154), Singapore (£100) ($151), Germany (£85) ($128), Japan (£76) ($115), Korea (£72) ($109),  Italy (£69) ($104), Hungary (£69) ($104), Bahrain (£68) ($103), Australia (£66) ($100), Canada (£62) ($94), China (£45) ($68), Monaco (£30) ($45), India* (£24) ($36) and Malaysia (£13) ($20).

*2012 prices as 2013 are unavailable

Bold and italic – No-race only ticket available so prices are for full race

Statistics courtesy of the BBC

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Location: Glasgow, sales UK

Closing Date: 1st November 2016

Overview:

• Support the implementation of the Non-Professional Game National Plan, in consultation with the ANAs, member Clubs, Community Clubs and Local Authorities.
• In conjunction with the Regional networks, monitor participation levels in the non-professional game (NPG) and work with key stakeholders to develop a strategy to increase participation levels
• Work with the ANAs and all key stakeholders to develop Futsal programmes in Scotland
• In partnership with the ANAs create, manager and evaluate annual targets for the NPG Performance Awards programme
• In conjunction with the ANAs oversee the continuation and development of the National Player Pathway
• Support the delivery and organisation of the C Licence, Children’s Award, Advanced Children’s Licence and Futsal courses and assist the Department and Regions in the delivery of Coach Education and development of new courses and resources when required

Support the delivery of a Regional in-service programme that meets the development requirements of our recreational Clubs and ANAs.

• Lead the retention of 14-21 year old players in our game by improving opportunities.
• Lead the development of the 2020 Development Centres in support of the establishment of a clear pathway for talented recreational players, working closely with the Performance department as required.
• Coordinate and support regional in-service training, ensuring a quality service is delivered throughout Scotland.
• Deliver a Course Tutors Programme to support all Scottish FA certificate and Level 2 course tutors

Any other reasonable duties as directed by the Director of Football Development

How to Apply

If you think you have the necessary experience, skills and competencies for the role, and you wish to apply please go to the Application Process page and follow the relative instructions. Applications should be sent to HR@scottishfa.co.uk no later than Tuesday 1^st November, with your salary expectations for the post. Please state the Reference No HR/029 in the subject field of your application email. Please be aware that CVs will not be accepted.

Hull City have signed a Club record, order multi-million-pound deal to have Kenyan online gaming company SportPesa as their official sponsor.

As the official sponsor, ampoule SportPesa have signed a three-year deal and will have their name and company logo on the Tigers’ home, away and third shirts for the 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons.

The new sponsorship deal is the most lucrative in the Club’s 112-year history.

Simon King, Commercial Manager at Hull City Tigers, said: “We are delighted to form a three-year partnership with SportPesa.

“SportPesa are so much more than a betting brand, this is a company with a huge footprint across grassroots sport in Kenya, as well as the rest of Africa.

“The deal is by far the largest in our history and a sign of our ambition to grow our Club and become a household name in our sport globally.”

The company are also official sponsors of two its countries clubs – Gor Mahia, who are currently the defending champions of the SportPesa Premier League, and AFC Leopards.

Ronald Karauri, Chief Executive Officer of SportPesa, said: “This is a big milestone for SportPesa as it marks the scaling of a Kenyan brand into the global market. The SportPesa platform will now be available in the United Kingdom and later in the year present in several African countries. One year from now we will have presence in at least four continents.”

“Even as a global brand, staying consistent with our core values that center around grassroots sport and community development will replicate the success SportPesa has enjoyed in Kenya.”

Chinese Internet-based eco-sports company Le Sports has secured the exclusive broadcasting rights for the FA Cup for the next three seasons.

The deal will run from the 2016/2017 to 2018/2019 seasons.

More info HERE.