The Legacy of International Sporting Events in Young Nations – Populous
June 29, 2015
Formerly the Chief Executive of the British Olympic Association and Ipswich Town Football Club, Simon Clegg is the Chief Operating Officer of the Baku Organizing Committee. He commented during a recent sports business conference on the value of the Games to Baku.
“These European Games are a great opportunity to demonstrate how sport can act as a catalyst for change as well as showcasing a young and dynamic country, “he said.
“The development that Baku has seen in a relatively short amount of time is very exciting for the region and demonstrates just one dimension of what mega events can deliver. However, legacy must extend beyond physical infrastructure if Games are going to have a long-term benefit for the host nation on both a political and social level,” added Simon Clegg.
Meanwhile, next month, (4-18 July), 3000 athletes from 23 neighbouring Pacific nations will converge upon Port Moresby for the Pacific Games. For the first time in its 15 year history, Australia and New Zealand have been invited to take part to commemorate PNG’s 40th Anniversary of Independence. The Games will be an integral part of the grand celebrations. Shaun Gallagher reflects on the journey so far.
The Games have been the catalyst for the redevelopment of PNG’s sporting facilities. Populous is working with Leighton Contractors and the client, the oil and gas exploration company Oil Search on the National Football Stadium (formerly Lloyd Robson Oval) which has been the home ground of the country’s national sport of Rugby League since 1975.
While the stadium isn’t finished in time for the Games, when it’s complete, the 25,000 seat National Football Stadium will be capable of hosting international competition and included 500 corporate seats and viewing deck.
The stadium will feature affordable and modular grandstand seating and a fabric roof made of PTFE. The National Football Stadium is a great example of what can be done on a budget with limited local resources.
Its price tag is AUD $86M and not only has cost been a constant challenge, so has getting hold of the building materials. Building costs are 20% higher in PNG because with limited local manufacturing, major elements of the stadium have had to be shipped in from elsewhere; like the main structural steel components, the modular seating system and the fabric roof.
Rugby League is part of the national psyche of PNG. Introduced to the country by Australian gold miners in the 1930s, its popularity has grown to the extent for many it is like a religion. A PNG team, the Hunters, plays in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup competition and the National team holds its own on the international stage.
In a nation where communities are far apart and many people live at a minimal subsistence level, Rugby League is a way of bringing communities together. Australia, through its aid program, is helping fund an NRL Rugby League in Schools pilot programme engaging a new generation of young school children to the sport focusing on qualities like “respect” and the “importance of education for all people”.
Sport has become a great vehicle to engage with youth and bring a very diverse country together.
Richard Breslin is a Senior Principal at Populous and a Director of the Asian/Pacific office headquartered in Brisbane. Richard also sits on the worldwide strategic Board of Populous and is responsible for all of the firm’s projects in New Zealand and Australia.
Richard is currently leading the Populous team on the Darling Harbour Live project in Sydney in a HASSELL+ Populous joint venture. The $1B project includes the design of a convention centre, exhibition centre and theatre. He was Director in charge of the redevelopment of Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne.
In 1997, Richard began work with the team on the design of Stadium Australia (now ANZ Stadium), the main venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympics before moving to London where he worked on Wembley Stadium, and the design of the Soccer City Stadium in South Africa, for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He was also project leader for Populous’ successful master plan for the London 2012 Olympic Park.
In 2007, Richard headed home and led the teams on Eden Park redevelopment in Auckland and Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin in preparation for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Richard’s 
Soaad Islam – Architect
Soaad joined the London 2012 Olympic Games Overlay team in 2009 where she became the lead overlay architect for the design of several temporary venues such as Lee Valley White Water Centre, used for Canoe Slalom, Eton Dorney, the Rowing and Canoe Sprint venue and North Greenwich Arena where Gymnastics and the Basketball finals were held. She also became the lead designer in the development of several strategic packages including accessibility, circulation, egress, way finding and security that were used throughout the venues of the Olympic Games.
Soaad is currently working on the Circuit of Wales, leading the master plan and overlay team.
Soaad’s
Shaun Gallagher – Principal
Shaun is a Principal of Populous and on the management team of the Asian Pacific office based in Brisbane.
He is an architect with 30 years’ experience, and highly developed project management skills. Shaun has a particular interest in planning for the legacy of major events, stadia developments and racecourses. He worked on the legacy elements of the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, and the London 2012 Olympic Bid team, as well as the Review of the Beijing National Stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games and the Overlay planning for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
On Australian projects, Shaun was involved in the 25 year vision Masterplan for ANZ Stadium and Sydney Olympic Park. He is currently project director of Populous’ work for Brisbane Racing Club and advising Moonee Valley Racing Club in Melbourne.
Shaun’s
