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Clubs Get Chance To 'Grow Your Sport'

7 June 2011

In the run-up to the University of Ulster’s pioneering ‘Sport Comes 2 Town’ community festival, a world expert will be delivering two masterclasses in sports marketing for local clubs.
 
The Ulster Sports Academy has teamed up with thinkTASC for the special ‘Grow Your Club’ seminars in Craigavon on 9 June and Lisburn on 10 June, which will feature talks from Svend Elkjaer, Director of the Sports Marketing Network.

His international expertise has taken the Danish native all over the world advising the marketing strategies of over 2,500 sports clubs as well as organisations including the Rugby Football Union, the Football Association, Welsh Rugby Union, England Athletics and British Speedway.
 
Dr Nigel Dobson, Co-Director of the Ulster Sports Academy, said: “This is a great opportunity for local sports clubs to hear from Svend, Ken Belshaw from Grafton Recruitment and SkillsActive to learn the best ways to develop life skills to become the hub of the community, attract new members to their club while retaining existing members, increase attendances and media coverage of events.

“The University of Ulster is delighted to be hosting these two events which are part of our ‘Sport Comes 2 Town’ free community sports festival, whose showpiece event is taking place on 25 June in Portadown and Lurgan.”
 
“In the run-up to the big day, clubs and community groups in the area are hosting showcases and engagement days and what better way to make the most of these than come to ‘Grow Your Sport’ and learn new ways to promote and grow your club.
 
“Svend’s marketing leadership can help drive a club’s ambitions to grow in a competitive market.”
 
Craigavon Borough Council and Lisburn City Council have got on board with the University to host the events with the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre the venue for the Craigavon leg of the tour, with the Lisburn Racquets Club welcoming the speakers on the following day. Tickets for the event are £5.
 
Harry Porter from Thinktasc, said: “I am very happy that thinkTASC are promoting this event in association with the University of Ulster and Ulster Sports Academy. We appreciate the difficulties that clubs and community groups are facing in the current financial climate and the absolute need for them to employ new ideas and develop new skills to survive and prosper.”
  
To purchase tickets and further information on ‘Grow Your Sport’ please visit www.thinktasc.com.
 
For further info on ‘Sports Comes 2 Town’ visit www.sportsulster.com.