TRANSFORMING COMMUNITY SPORTS FACILITIES INTO INTERNATIONAL-SPECIFICATION COMPETITION VENUES

What is your involvement in the Sainsbury's UK School Games?

For the games I look after all the event production at all the sporting venues, that includes temporary infrastructure like marquees, flooring, power, seating, sports technology to name but a few - anything that we need to transform a venue ready for the games I have to source, cost and implement.

Of the seven venues being used to host the UKSG which has required the biggest transformation and how was it achieved?

Sunderland's Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis & Wellness centre has definitely required the largest transformation - We have had to squeeze two major sports Fencing and Table Tennis in to one centre with two halls. The halls have required flooring, temporary seating, draping, 7 fencing pistes 12 table tennis courts, 2000 seats fitted to stands, power distribution, temporary rooms, marquees and the list goes on... but all this requires serious logistical planning, man power, forklifts lorry's and a dedicated team. The other side to transforming the venues is the sport technology and so we consult with the National Governing Bodies for all the sports and The British Olympic Foundation.

You will be utilising the new Northumbria University Sport Central for the Volleyball event, what do you think of this new facility as a competition / spectator venue?

The venue is world class, it's a big investment and it's truly impressive, the multi sport functionality is fantastic - not just from a sport prospective but also for spectatorship. I think Volley Ball England will be very happy with the venue. It's fantastic that we have use of it for the games and we are all looking forward to being the first major sporting event to use it.

How many teams / expertise and how long will it take to ready all the venues?

From locating the right venues, sourcing all the materials, appointing contractors, health & safety and all that goes into the planning it takes 12 months to plan, and it takes a dedicated team some with incredible experience who I'm very lucky to work with. But for the entire games taking everyone involved into account around 1500 people help put the games together.

Fascinating fact(s)?

Is that about me or the games? Ok... the games. We need 15,000 packed lunches during the event... and for me...I once had to give Kevin Spacey back his shoe...!