News
Keep up to speed with The Sport Business News and Projects here.
If you would like more information about any of the news items listed below, or indeed about any of our projects, don't hesitate to contact us.
Media Thai-Up
Fri, 20 Aug 2010
Bangkok was the venue as The Sport Business played its part in a unique trade, education and sport exchange between the UK and Thailand.
The Thai Culture Forum UK commissioned the company to organise all press and publicity during the tour which included partners Manchester City Council, Tameside College and the Blackburn Rovers FC Under 18 squad.
The Rovers Academy team - a huge attraction in the Premier League obsessed nation - played two friendly matches, winning both, against Suphanburi School and the Thai National Under 18 side.
TSB delivered media training and advice for the young footballers, who were national headline news, along with all press liaison during the eight-day visit.
The Thailand itinerary included a visit to the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, a trip to honour King Bhumibol Adulyadej who’s in ailing health, and a tour of the Golden Palace.
Olympic Flame
Mon, 09 Aug 2010
A group of young reporters got their hands on the Olympic Torch during a media workshop at Lancashire Cricket club.
The new recruits to the 'Supporter to Reporter' initiative enjoyed a presentation by Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong - better known as 'The Snow Leopard'.
Kwame - the first Ghanian skiier to qualify for the Winter Olympics - regaled the group with tales from the Vancouver Games, before taking part in a series of TV, radio and written interviews with the reporters.
Before heading back to his Milton Keynes home, Kwame found time to visit the Chill Factore and conduct one last interview.
The Sport Business delivers broadcast journalism training for S2R and organised Kwame's visit to help inspire the young people.
Sun and Sand in Manchester
Fri, 16 Jul 2010
When the beach came to Manchester, The Sport Business was hand to organise community events.
The World Cup Fan Park in Castlefield included big screens for all to watch the tournament, while beach soccer was played on a specially contructed sand pitch.
Boys and girls from local schools received expert tuition from FIFA accredited beach soccer coaches.
The Sport Business works in partnership with England Beach Soccer helping to promote this fast-growing and exciting sport.
Experience the Key
Thu, 15 Jul 2010
With students of all ages now under increasing pressure to secure work experience, The Sport Business was delighted to offer a placement to a Sale sixth-form student.
Kieran Madden, 17, from Ashton-on-Mersey School spent a week with the company, assisting with client liaison and helping to organise media training and broadcast workshops.
The keen footballer also attended meetings with the Football League Trust, the Supporter to Reporter project, Tameside Sport Services and boxing legend Ricky Hatton.
More Than A Game
Wed, 23 Jun 2010
Employment opportunities in sport journalism were on the agenda when The Sport Business delivered workshops to Greater Manchester pupils.
Director Dominic McGuinness presented to Year Nine students from Salford and Trafford schools at the 'More Than A Game' event at Bolton Arena.
The initiative raises awareness and aspirations for those interested in sport as a career, but are unsure of education pathways and employment options.
Unity in Manchester
Wed, 19 May 2010
The Sport Business is working alongside Unity Radio Manchester to deliver broadcast workshops for young people.
Using street art and sport, the programme helps build confidence by improving communication and presentation skills.
The young people get the chance to create their own designs and stories, gaining AQA qualifications in the process.
Super Liga Plans
Thu, 29 Apr 2010
Paul Smith is heading back to Serbia to help develop some of the country's leading football clubs.
The Sport Business Director is preparing two projects for EU funding. The first is to deliver community programmes for Super Liga clubs in North East Serbia. He is working in partnership with the Football League Trut.
The second will provide assistance to local authorities in the strategic development and management of sports facilites.
Pool of Talent
Wed, 21 Apr 2010
The Sport Business has secured funding for a womens boxing programme in Greater Manchester.
A scheme is now up and running at The Pool of Life ABC in Atherton following a refurbishment and the provision of specialist coaches.
The Gloves Are Off
Thu, 08 Apr 2010
Boxer-turned-actor Steve Bell proved a big hit on a visit to the Supporter to Reporter scheme - revealing his ambition to be the next James Bond!
The 34-year old spoke of his interesting career path. Following a hugely successful spell as an amateur he turned professional in 2003, all the while acting in TV series like Hollyoaks, Shameless and The Street. He also played a gay bareknuckle boxer in a film and recently played the role of 'Quinny' in Coronation Street (an army friend of Gary Windass).
The Sport Business has been delivering Broadcast Workshops for 'S2R' - an initiative which helps disadvantaged young people learn media skills such as newsgathering, interviewing and presentation techniques.
The Phoenix
Thu, 11 Mar 2010
The Sport Business has been taken on by Salford City FC in a bid to secure £500,000 for a new clubhouse development.
The old venue at Moor Lane was gutted by a fire which also wiped out all the club's memorabilia.
While devastating, the club 
has taken positives out of the situation and is now keen on developing new facilities which will enable it to become a community hub.
Pally On The Spot
Thu, 04 Mar 2010
Gary Pallister showed the same unflappable qualities he had as a player when he faced rapid-fire questioning from a team of budding reporters.
The former Manchester United and England defender was part of The Sport Business team, helping out with a media training day at the 'Supporter to Reporter' scheme.
The Sport Business Director Dom McGuinness has been delivering broadcast journalism training to S2R - an initiative which helps disadvantaged young people gain media skills through hands-on experience.
Along with regaling tales from his glorious career, Gary also took part in a live interview with talkSPORT radio
Question Time in Salford
Wed, 17 Feb 2010
The Sport Business Director Paul Smith was a special guest on a Queston Time-style panel to discuss plans for a non-league football club.
Following an arson attack which destroyed it's clubhouse, Salford City FC is looking to redevelop stadium facilities and become a community hub.
Built Environment students from Salford University are using the club as a case study and are helping draw up plans for the new development.
More than 350 students and staff packed a lecture theatre for the Q&A session which featured local MP Hazel Blears and other key players in the project.
The Unibond First Division North club lost 30 years of memorabilia in the attack which destroyed the clubhouse in October 2009.
Cricket Plans
Mon, 08 Feb 2010
The Sport Business is advising a Lancashire Cricket Club over plans to upgrade facilities.
Great Harwood CC, near Blackburn, is looking at a long-term project to develop the clubhouse, changing facilities and playing surface.
Rebels Advance
Mon, 18 Jan 2010
Grassroots football in a Manchester district is set to grow following a successful Sport England bid.
The Sport Business helped Higher Blackley Rebels JFC win a small grant for training equipment, match-day kit and coach development.
"The award allows us to build for the future", said club chairman Pat McDonagh. "We can now set up two new teams and get more than 30 young people involved in a proper community club."
Net Boost For Cricket Club
Thu, 14 Jan 2010
Funding has been secured for a new net facility at a Cheshire cricket club.
The Sport Business helped Hale Barns find £27,360 towards a two-bay, non-turf practice facility. Funding has been awarded by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Community Football in Serbia
Tue, 15 Dec 2009
The Sport Business is helping a struggling region of Serbia develop sport community projects.
Director Paul Smith has been working in the north-east of the country, advising professional football clubs about how they can use their influence to support the development of vulnerable groups in the community.
While community schemes have been successful and an integral part of UK football clubs for a number of years, Serbia has little or no experience in this field.
Paul has 15 years experience working in central and eastern Europe.
Boxers Prove a Class Act
Thu, 26 Nov 2009
A trio of the UK's best boxers have been given a tough workout by a class of budding journalists.
British lighweight champion John Murray, his brother 'Genius' Joe - a former Olympian - and hot prospect Anthony 'Million Dollar' Crolla were invited to take part in a special press conference at Walkden High School in Salford.
The year 10 media students threw questions quicker than the fighters' jabs and more than once had them on the ropes.
As well as learning the practicalities of planning and hosting a press conference, the students got a chance to see a variety of media professionals at work.
ITV Granada, Channel M, Key 103, Real Radio and the Manchester Evening News all covered the event.
The Sport Business is delivering its Broadcast Workshop and Press Conference programme in schools and colleges.
The course caters for Creative Media Diplomas and BTEC qualifications and is presented by The Sport Business Director Dominic McGuinness.
World Cup Countdown
Fri, 16 Oct 2009
Former England international Gary Bailey called on The Sport Business for help on a recent visit to the UK.
The man who won two FA Cups in a ten-year stint as goalkeeper for Manchester United, was in the country promoting safe accommodation for supporters travelling out to next summer's World Cup.
The Sport Business arranged for the Johannesburg resident to appear for an hour on talkSPORT's Alan Brazil sports breakfast.
Gary spoke of the excitement building in the 'Rainbow Nation' along with the community benefits the competition will have on the country and Africa as a whole.
To hear the full interview click here.
Link with Leeds Met
Fri, 02 Oct 2009
The Sport Business has established ties with Leeds Metropolitan University in a bid to help students gain real experience of working in sport.
Sophie Whittingham, an undergraduate on the BA Sport Business Management course, has joined the company on a work placement scheme. She will assist in funding and media matters, develop her own projects and work closely with The Sport Business team.
The Sport Business In Serbia
Fri, 25 Sep 2009
The Sport Business is heading to Serbia to help design projects which use sport to achieve wider social objectives.
As part of a wider EC funded initiative, the assignment involves training and hands-on support to develop mature schemes and identify appropriate funding.
The Sport Business Director Paul Smith has 15 years experience working in central and eastern Europe.
Club Looks to Net New Facility
Thu, 24 Sep 2009
Hale Barns Cricket Club has appointed The Sport Business to help it prepare a funding application for a new two-bay net facility.
The club's current nets are in a state of disrepair and as a result, the senior cricket team is unable to train on site.
The total value of the project is approximately £40,000.
Beach Pitches Up in Hyde
Tue, 15 Sep 2009
The famous Ian Brown quote about Manchester having 'everything except a beach' doesn't quite ring true anymore.
Well, not in Tameside anyway as young people converged on the sand pitch at Hyde Technology College to show off their beach soccer skills.
The Sport Business helped publicise the event, encouraging more boys and girls to take up the fast growing sport.
Coaches from England Beach Soccer and players from the national team were on hand to put everyone through their paces, and young newshounds from the Supporter to Reporter scheme joined local TV crews to cover the event.
The beach has proved such a success in engaging local communities, Tameside Youth Services is planning to install a permanent sand pitch facility.
Eric Found......at Butlins!
Tue, 28 Jul 2009
Manchester United legend-turned movie star Eric Cantona was back on English sand at the weekend to promote the Euroleague Beach Soccer event at Butlins in Minehead.
After retiring as a beach soccer player, Eric's been manager of the French national side. His young team didn't enjoy the best of times over the course of the three-day event losing to Norway and top-ranked Portugal.
Eric spoke to The Sport Business director Dom McGuinness about his love of beach soccer and his hopes for the game expanding in the UK. He also commented on his old club's new number 7 and gave his thoughts on mega-rich Manchester City's chances of succes in the new season.
Contact England Beach Soccer for more information about this growing sport and how you can get involved.
(Broadcast on talkSPORT and ITV4's Beach Soccer programme, click here to listen to Eric's interview in full).
Gatt in Hand
Tue, 07 Jul 2009
A Stockport cricket club's new pavillion made local and national news, with a little PR help from the Sport Business.
Compstall recently opened the doors to their proud new facility with former England captain Mike Gatting on hand to cut the ribbon.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Gatting praised the club and its achievements: "It's a lovely village cricket club, and it's so good to see so many kids playing cricket."
Click here to listen to Mike's interview.
Click here to read the Manchester Evening News article.
Click here to read an article on the ECB's website.
Sporting Chance
Wed, 17 Jun 2009
The Sport Business is working on a bid to boost sport facilities in south Manchester.
The company has been employed by Burnage Media Arts College, on behalf of the Burnage Community Sports Alliance, to prepare an application for Sport England funds.
If successful, the development will include a new boxing gym, Olympic weights room, four-bay cricket net facility and a coach education suite.
Along with the College, the Alliance is made up of local football, rugby, boxing, badminton and cricket clubs.
Big Plans for DFC
Tue, 10 Mar 2009
Dumbarton Football Club has employed The Sport Business to help boost its community work.
The Scottish Third Division side, currently pushing for promotion, wants to extend its reach into the local area.
The Sport Business Director Paul Smith said: "This is a great opportunity for us to work with a club which is ambitious and has a clear desire to help improve facilities and programmes for the town and beyond."
Set For Sale
Mon, 09 Feb 2009
The Sport Business has moved into new offices in Sale.
We can be contacted at:
Vantage House
26A Northenden Road
Sale
Manchester
M33 3BR
Boxing Clever
Wed, 28 Jan 2009
Boxing in the North West is set to benefit from a new partnership between The Sport Business and the region's ABA.
Our services - identifying and accessing funding - are available to 75 clubs stretching from the Isle of Man and Lancashire in the west, Cumbria to the north, Derbyshire in the east and Cheshire to the south.
In a bid to attract new members of both sexes, all ages and from all backgrounds, we'll be looking at ways to improve facilities with refurbishments, new equipment and coach development.
Ricky Hatton chat show.
Thu, 16 Oct 2008
The Sport Business Director Dominic McGuinness is co-presenting a TV chat show with world champion boxer Ricky 'the Hitman' Hatton.
'Ricky Speaks' features celebrity guests from showbiz and sport and takes an in-depth look at the light-welterweight's preparations as he builds up to his forthcoming fight against Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas.
Amir Khan, Floyd Mayweather Snr and David Threlfall are just a few who've appeared on the sofa to date.
The show is broadcast live at 10pm each Sunday from the Press Club in Manchester.
