This week in Sports Construction News – As the redeveloped Adelaide Oval clocks its one millionth visitor today, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Stephen Mullighan said the popularity of the oval was a reflection of the work the State Government is doing throughout the Riverbank Precinct. The sports technology industry hopes to get a boost from a collaboration deal with the manufacturing sector that will be announced this week. Collingwood president Eddie McGuire’s first phone call on Monday morning will be to AFL headquarters, demanding compensation for the “six-figure” sum lost to Collingwood as a result of its Sunday night fixture against Carlton that he described as “one of the greatest examples of vandalizing a key event that I’ve seen in years.” Almost 15,000 seats from Hindmarsh Stadium have been donated to community sporting clubs across the state. More than 20 venues and clubs have claimed the seats, which are being removed and replaced with red seats as part of a $1.7 million refurbishment. International practice Grimshaw has been selected to create a new range of community sports facilities across Qatar with a unique ‘kit of parts’ design concept. Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios has pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Wimbledon history, beating world number one Rafael Nadal in four sets to reach the quarter-finals.
Adelaide Oval milestone underlines Riverbank Precinct benefits
29/ 06/ 2014 – South Australia
As the redeveloped Adelaide Oval clocks its one millionth visitor today, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Stephen Mullighan said the popularity of the oval was a reflection of the work the State Government is doing throughout the Riverbank Precinct.
“It was initially predicted annual attendances at the oval would increase from around 400,000 to 1.371 million, but with already one million people visiting and more AFL and International Cricket to be played before the first anniversary, this figure will surely be eclipsed,” Mr Mullighan said. “In addition, AFL attendances were predicted to grow to 802,000 throughout the home and away season – 107,000 more than AAMI Stadium – but if current averages continue attendances could reach as high as one million for this year’s home and away AFL season.”
New hub will foster innovation in sports technology industry
30/ 06/ 2014: John Stensholt – Financial Review
The sports technology industry hopes to get a boost from a collaboration deal with the manufacturing sector that will be announced this week.The Australian Sports Technologies Network will on Wednesday unveil a collaboration with META, a network of 250 manufacturing businesses and researchers, to launch the Sports Advanced Manufacturing Hub.
The hub will aim to connect sports technology firms with manufacturers in the hope of closer collaboration and joint ventures and the commercialization of emerging technologies.
James Demetriou, the chairman of the ASTN, says the hub could facilitate business deals between emerging sports technology firms and manufacturers looking for alternative clients as several industries, such as motoring, cut capacity and operations.
Eddie McGuire wants compensation for lowest Collingwood-Carlton crowd in 93 years
29/06/ 2014: Emma Quayle – Real Footie
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire’s first phone call on Monday morning will be to AFL headquarters, demanding compensation for the “six-figure” sum lost to Collingwood as a result of its Sunday night fixture against Carlton that he described as “one of the greatest examples of vandalising a key event that I’ve seen in years.”
Just 40,936 people watched the Magpies beat the Blues in the game that started at 7.10pm, the lowest MCG crowd between the two clubs since 37,813 attended the 1921 semi-final.
Around 13,000 people with reserved seats decided not to attend, and while that money will still end up at Collingwood, the crowd was around 10,000 less than the AFL had expected
About 15,000 seats from Hindmarsh Stadium donated to sports clubs
26/ 06/2014: Thomas Conlin – Herald Sun
Grimshaw designs recreational sport facilities with deployable bespoke elements for Qatar
26/ 06/ 2014: Geraldine Chua – Architecture & Design
International practice Grimshaw has been selected to create a new range of community sports facilities across Qatar with a unique ‘kit of parts’ design concept.
Featuring bespoke elements, the components of the 37,514sqm Al Farjan Recreational Sports Facilities will be deployable in arrangements of various sizes, and easily adapted for the construction of future recreational facilities throughout Qatar.
This strategy allows the sport centres to suit the distinct requirements of different sites, and be embedded into the landscape. The concept design is set against the desert dunes, and includes public and social spaces that facilitate interaction and engagement while promoting healthy lifestyles. The multipurpose sports facilities will be equipped with a variety of sport amenities, including football, volleyball, basketball and handball courts and pitches
Wimbledon: Nick Kyrgios shocks Rafael Nadal in incredible upset to claim quarter-final place
02/ 07/ 2014 – ABC Grandstand Sport
Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios has pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Wimbledon history, beating world number one Rafael Nadal in four sets to reach the quarter-finals.
The 19-year-old, the youngest man in the draw, turned a remarkable Wimbledon main draw debut into a spectacular one, defeating the Spaniard 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in just under three hours on Centre Court on Tuesday.
The world number 144 will face Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals. “I was in a bit of a zone out there, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” Kyrgios said.
“I played some extraordinary tennis. I was struggling a little bit on return but I worked my way into it and I got that break in the fourth set. I served at a really good level all throughout the match so I was really happy.”