Steve Wilson’s Post

Lessons from the Non-League. How do you transform a football club off the field in just 18 months? Club Director Harry Hugo is making big changes at Farnham Town Football Club. "It's a business, rather than just a football club... we are trying to build an entertainment brand that plays football twice a week." 🏟️ Infrastructure changes, such as the position of the filming gantry, the orientation of stands and viewing areas and additional supporter-focused amenities such as the Mystery Kitchen. 💵 Incremental fan spending targets on merchandise, food and drinks help to increase the revenues needed to make a sustainable football club. 🖥️ Placing high importance on social media to drive whole week-long engagement and interest. Want to know more about the £10 theory? #clubmanagement #footballbusiness #clubdevelopment https://lnkd.in/gjXrUPBS

On my way to the rugby last Saturday in traditional Twickenham sporting attire – brilliant entertainment and a grand day out with clients and colleagues. Not quite the result or taxi ride we had in mind, but as Ronan Keating would say, “Life is a rollercoaster!” But my true highlight of last week was being invited to the 5th Flock event, run by the Exclusive Collection. This two-day conference, titled ‘Comfortable with the Uncomfortable’, offered a wealth of insights. Standout moments included deeply impactful presentations by Sinéad Burke and Sam Conniff who challenged us with raw, personal, and inspirational stories. Taking time out to reflect is a rare luxury. My thoughts coalesced around the delicate balance between individuality and the collective. We all desire respect and recognition as individuals, yet we’re part of a society, a community, a team – a dynamic that calls for compromise and a perception of fairness and equal treatment for all. Often, I believe, decency and common sense are the best guides but there is an inevitable tension. The takeaway? It starts with individuals feeling valued and managing their own responses. Grand strategies don’t go far unless each person feels inspired and motivated to act. As leaders, we must understand this distinction. In commercial disputes, this perspective is invaluable. Recognising how a conflict makes people feel is crucial. Even the best legal knowledge and tactical strategies fall short if we don’t address underlying feelings, wants, and needs. That’s what drives success in resolving disputes. If you’re facing a dispute and feel misunderstood or unheard, reach out to me or someone from our team.

#GroundsWeek, now in its fourth year, looks to raise awareness and recognise the work of grounds care volunteers and professionals in the UK, with a focus on inspiring new recruits to consider a career in the industry. Research carried out by the GMA, highlights that the industry is in need of new recruits to join the sector. Currently, 40% of the workforce is over 50 years-old and, without an influx of new recruits, this could result in a significant employment gap within 5 years. Sport simply could not take place without the contribution of grounds management and, without quality grass pitches, not only will our nation’s health and local communities suffer, but so will our talent offering when it comes to professional teams and leagues. We know that, if we improved existing grass pitches, almost 1,400,000 (1,376,252) more children could play rugby or football every week and 489,859 more could play cricket every season. That means 4,000,000 more children’s football matches could happen every year on existing pitches – this is why #GroundsWeek and encouraging more people to join the sector is so important. Activity and events taking place over the week are all aimed at introducing new people to the industry and improving the provision of grass pitches, so keep an eye on the #GroundsWeek webpage for information about the events when they’re announced. If you have any questions regarding #GroundsWeek and how you can get involved, please get in touch with us at communications@thegma.org.uk. Sign up for more information on #GroundsWeek and GMA activity by clicking here.

Today, Ace Battle Association President Yurii Podnebesnyi met with representatives from European Athletics to discuss potential collaboration. Our aim is to foster international partnerships and strengthen sporting values focused on supporting community health and unity. Significant joint initiatives lie ahead, with important work for the benefit of the sports industry. #AceBattleAssociation #EuropeanAthletics #SportsLeadership #InternationalCollaboration #CommunityHealth #SportsForUnity #GlobalImpact

Incredibly proud of this team and these superstar athletes! 💙 This incredible group of Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) athletes, along with members of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Texas (LETR) representing the Dallas Police Department, recently competed in their first regional Topgolf competition together....and, everyone brought home medals!! What makes this even more remarkable is that DPD is the first LETR agency in Texas to establish a Unified LETR Delegation-- and now they're starting a movement. Other law enforcement agencies are starting to follow suit, working to create more opportunities for SOTX athletes in a Unified manner. It's amazing to see how this initiative is spreading and providing a platform for inclusion and support for athletes across the state. Despite the incredibly tough week leading into this Topgolf competition having lost one of their own and with two other officers injured, these DPD officers still showed up with courage and resilience. They supported their athlete partners, cheered them on, encouraged them, and competed alongside them. I can't imagine what they're going through, but I hope spending some time with the team, even for just a few hours, gave these officers some comfort. LETR members are some of the bravest people I know, and it's been an honor to watch this idea of starting an LETR Unified Delegation come to life & a privilege to have helped make it a reality for the Dallas Police Department. None of this would have happened if it wasn't for an officer who came to me and asked this question, "What more can we do for the athletes in our community, and do it in a Unified way?" INCLUSION MATTERS, and being part of a group that celebrates and supports everyone-- regardless of ability-- makes all the difference! If you are a LEO, Fire Rescue member, active duty or retired military member reading this, and want to get involved in the LETR movement with Special Olympics Texas...connect with me, send me a message and I'll be glad to help you and your department out! #inclusionmatters #LETR #SOTX #PlayUnified #LiveUnified #lawenforcement #firerescue #military

Community Partnerships

🌟 Calling All Football Enthusiasts! 🌟 Are you ready to showcase your skills and team spirit while contributing to a noble cause? Join us for the inaugural Call & Contact Centre Cup and be part of a thrilling football tournament that promises not only a competitive edge but also a fun community experience. This is the first year of running the tournament, and we already have some really excited teams taking part. However, to make it a full tournament, we need a few more teams or individuals to make up some teams. Here’s what’s in store for you: BBQ Lunch: Refuel and enjoy delicious BBQ delights. Quality Play: Matches played on grass pitches. Professional Officiating: Games overseen by FA qualified referees. Safety First: Full medical team present onsite. Comfort: Full changing facilities to prepare and unwind. Champion’s Glory: Trophy and medals await the victors. Celebrate: A bar to toast to your team’s efforts and new friendships. Whether you’re a full team or an individual looking to join a team, this is a perfect opportunity to get involved. The tournament is dedicated to raising funds for Crisis, making every goal you score a step towards helping those experiencing homelessness. The event promises a day of fun competition and a great way for the community to come together. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of something special. 📅 Date: Thursday, 27th June 2024 📍 Location: Beaconsfield For more information or to sign up, feel free to send a direct message or comment below. Let’s kick off this tournament with enthusiasm and make it a day to remember! For further details, visit the event page on the Call and Contact Centre Expo website. Let’s make this inaugural tournament a success! #FootballForACause #CommunitySpirit #CallContactCentreCup #JoinTheGame #PlayToSupport #CrisisCharity #FootballTournament #Networking #TeamBuilding #Sportsmanship

Wonderful news to share regarding United City FC Women's player Darielle O'Brien who joins Utah Royals in the NWSL as a national team replacement players. https://lnkd.in/gtgMNtHm United City FC Women is a development club for female players. When I started UCFC in 2019 I had a vision to build an academy style club where players were there based on talent, and not financial means. We wanted to be a club that helped female athletes who fell through the cracks or went unnoticed, players who could not afford to go to college, players from minority backgrouds, players who needed a second chance. Unlike all the pay-to-play clubs, we do not charge players to be at UCFC, we invest in players to move on. We want to be a blueprint for other clubs. We want to move the needle for women's soccer by showcasing talent that has typically been overlooked. We are United City FC.

Interested in learning more about JLG? Listen to this episode of Upstate Trail Talks!

Video is a great medium for charities wishing to highlight their impact, and this is a great example! I was sent this by Kieran Connolly and wanted to share it to show what can be achieved with visual storytelling using video. A glossy report full of professionally captured images, a well developed written narrative, case studies, and testimonials would do a fantastic job of showcasing the work and successes of Sports Fun 4 All (and I'd recommend investing in that, if it's not already being done) but seeing and hearing it in video form like this makes for a more emotional and human connection. Not only that, research and anecdotal evidence suggests that people increasingly prefer to consume content in the form of video. Anyway, here it is, take a look and see for yourselves https://lnkd.in/e-FJpqtb And well done to Keiran and team, this kind of community sports initiative is really important - I know from a previous connection to AFC Fylde Foundation in Lancashire that it's not just about getting young people into physical activity and allowing them to develop sporting skills, it helps in all sorts of other ways too, from fostering a sense of community, teaching social skills, healthy eating, and keeping them out of trouble, to giving parents and carers some respite and enabling young people to acquire skills and behaviours that will boost employability in later life.