Thursday, July 2, 2009
Britain's scientists and engineers have just eight days left to apply for the UK Sport Garage Innovators Award 2009, which close on 10 July. The Garage Innovators Award, worth up to £25,000 in research and development funding and now in its second year, is designed to find the best and most innovative solutions to aiding success in Olympic and Paralympic sport.
This award forms part of the UK Sport Ideas4Innovation programme which acknowledges and harnesses outstanding research and innovation concepts designed to improve the performance of elite athletes, supporting the mission to 2012 and beyond.
The award is aimed at individuals with a passion to see the Great Britain team succeed. The prize of £25,000 will enable the inventor to realise their idea, whilst enabling UK Sport to utilise any outcomes prior to 2012 during a period of exclusivity.
In its pilot year, the Garage Innovators Award received 57 applications from individuals based throughout the UK with a variety of backgrounds from engineering, to sports science and the arts.
Last year's winner Alasdair Wylie designed a novel device for canoeing and was delighted to have an opportunity to make it a reality. Wylie says: "Winning this award gives us the funding for the project and also the access to those within the sport itself, which will be the key to making it a success. Since winning the Garage Innovators Award UK Sport has been liaising with experts in their network to obtain additional knowledge to maximise the performance impact of the project. My idea might actually enhance Team GB's performance in 2012 and I'd recommend anyone with an idea that can improve the performance of British athletes to put it forward to UK Sport and see it realised."
UK Sport's Head of Research and Innovation, Dr Scott Drawer said of last years winning idea "The project excelled in its simplicity, application and ability to directly impact on some of the UK's medal winning sports. Alasdair's winning idea came from an observation during the Beijing Games. This really highlights how something can be taken for granted when you are immersed in the environment day in and day out."
Alison Neall, UK Sport's Ideas 4 Innovation coordinator said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals to apply their knowledge to help us achieve British sporting success and as Alasdair highlights, successful applicants would also have access to our extensive network of contacts in world class research and innovation."
Neall also commented on what she is expecting from this year's applicants: "Your idea or design should be a novel, based on sound research or evidence, and you should be able to demonstrate how it can have a clear performance impact on Olympic or Paralympic sports and athletes. The idea should fill a gap in our current knowledge base and should not conflict with the rules and regulations of the sport. Some of the most effective innovations are often the most simple so don't be afraid to state the obvious."
"Most importantly, you should be able to demonstrate an application to elite sport on the front line. The idea could be related to any one of the research and innovation work streams - athlete equipment and accessories, coaching technologies, training science or performance medicine - and there's no limit to how many ideas each applicant can enter."
Inventors with a passion for sport and a winning idea are asked to submit their application by 10 July 2009. Finalists will be invited to UK Sport's head office in London to present their idea to an expert panel that will include Ideas4Innovation Ambassador and Olympic gold medallist Jason Queally.
This award forms part of the UK Sport Ideas4Innovation programme which acknowledges and harnesses outstanding research and innovation concepts designed to improve the performance of elite athletes, supporting the mission to 2012 and beyond.
The award is aimed at individuals with a passion to see the Great Britain team succeed. The prize of £25,000 will enable the inventor to realise their idea, whilst enabling UK Sport to utilise any outcomes prior to 2012 during a period of exclusivity.
In its pilot year, the Garage Innovators Award received 57 applications from individuals based throughout the UK with a variety of backgrounds from engineering, to sports science and the arts.
Last year's winner Alasdair Wylie designed a novel device for canoeing and was delighted to have an opportunity to make it a reality. Wylie says: "Winning this award gives us the funding for the project and also the access to those within the sport itself, which will be the key to making it a success. Since winning the Garage Innovators Award UK Sport has been liaising with experts in their network to obtain additional knowledge to maximise the performance impact of the project. My idea might actually enhance Team GB's performance in 2012 and I'd recommend anyone with an idea that can improve the performance of British athletes to put it forward to UK Sport and see it realised."
UK Sport's Head of Research and Innovation, Dr Scott Drawer said of last years winning idea "The project excelled in its simplicity, application and ability to directly impact on some of the UK's medal winning sports. Alasdair's winning idea came from an observation during the Beijing Games. This really highlights how something can be taken for granted when you are immersed in the environment day in and day out."
Alison Neall, UK Sport's Ideas 4 Innovation coordinator said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals to apply their knowledge to help us achieve British sporting success and as Alasdair highlights, successful applicants would also have access to our extensive network of contacts in world class research and innovation."
Neall also commented on what she is expecting from this year's applicants: "Your idea or design should be a novel, based on sound research or evidence, and you should be able to demonstrate how it can have a clear performance impact on Olympic or Paralympic sports and athletes. The idea should fill a gap in our current knowledge base and should not conflict with the rules and regulations of the sport. Some of the most effective innovations are often the most simple so don't be afraid to state the obvious."
"Most importantly, you should be able to demonstrate an application to elite sport on the front line. The idea could be related to any one of the research and innovation work streams - athlete equipment and accessories, coaching technologies, training science or performance medicine - and there's no limit to how many ideas each applicant can enter."
Inventors with a passion for sport and a winning idea are asked to submit their application by 10 July 2009. Finalists will be invited to UK Sport's head office in London to present their idea to an expert panel that will include Ideas4Innovation Ambassador and Olympic gold medallist Jason Queally.
posted by Circleyou News @ 11:24 PM permanent link | 0 comments
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
It has been announced that the UK will host the prestigious Laser World Championships in 2010, with the backing of UK Sport's World Class Events Programme.
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has confirmed that Largs Sailing Club in Ayrshire, sportscotlands championship sailing venue and home of the Scottish Sailing Institute, will welcome two out of four sailing regattas comprising the Laser World Championships: the Laser Radial Womens World Championships from 7 - 14 July 2010 and the Laser Radial Mens and Youth Worlds from 18 - 25 July 2010.
In addition to the two regattas which will come to Scotland, the further two regattas which make up the 2010 Worlds, the Laser (standard) Senior and Junior World Championships from 27 August - 5 September 2010 and the Laser Masters Worlds from 11 - 19 September 2010, will be staged at Hayling Island Sailing Club in Hampshire.
The announcement was made by Skandia Team GBR Laser Radial sailor Charlotte Dobson in Glasgow. Dobson, from Helensburgh, was a Youth Worlds bronze medallist in the Laser Radial in 2004 and was also a strong contender for selection to the Laser Radial class at Beijing in 2008. She said: Having sailed and competed all over the world, I really appreciate just how sensational Scotland is as a destination for the sport. Not only is it a challenging environment, it is also rewarding in that it offers up spectacular scenery and warm hospitality.
Hosting the Worlds in 2010 is a fantastic opportunity to compete on home waters and an opportunity to showcase Scotland as a sailing destination around the world. Hopefully it will also inspire sailing fans locally and Scotland wide to develop their skills and get out there and enjoy the coastline.
The Laser World Championships have been secured for Britain and will be hosted by the RYA and supported through a partnership of UK Sport, EventScotland (the national events agency) North Ayrshire Council, the Scottish Sailing Institute and Scottish Enterprise.
The RYA is both delighted and excited to be staging these key events, said RYA Racing Manager John Derbyshire. The Laser Worlds will not only provide high quality racing opportunities so close to home for our British sailors, but also give us the opportunity to increase the profile of sailing throughout the UK during a crucial period for the development of the sport. Largs Sailing Club offers ideal sailing conditions and shore-side facilities, and is a fine example of what world class sailing venues we have throughout the UK.
UK Sport Events Consultant, Esther Nicholls, said: The 2010 Laser World Championships will provide a great opportunity for British sailors to compete at the highest level on home waters ahead of London 2012, which is key to UK Sports events strategy.
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has confirmed that Largs Sailing Club in Ayrshire, sportscotlands championship sailing venue and home of the Scottish Sailing Institute, will welcome two out of four sailing regattas comprising the Laser World Championships: the Laser Radial Womens World Championships from 7 - 14 July 2010 and the Laser Radial Mens and Youth Worlds from 18 - 25 July 2010.
In addition to the two regattas which will come to Scotland, the further two regattas which make up the 2010 Worlds, the Laser (standard) Senior and Junior World Championships from 27 August - 5 September 2010 and the Laser Masters Worlds from 11 - 19 September 2010, will be staged at Hayling Island Sailing Club in Hampshire.
The announcement was made by Skandia Team GBR Laser Radial sailor Charlotte Dobson in Glasgow. Dobson, from Helensburgh, was a Youth Worlds bronze medallist in the Laser Radial in 2004 and was also a strong contender for selection to the Laser Radial class at Beijing in 2008. She said: Having sailed and competed all over the world, I really appreciate just how sensational Scotland is as a destination for the sport. Not only is it a challenging environment, it is also rewarding in that it offers up spectacular scenery and warm hospitality.
Hosting the Worlds in 2010 is a fantastic opportunity to compete on home waters and an opportunity to showcase Scotland as a sailing destination around the world. Hopefully it will also inspire sailing fans locally and Scotland wide to develop their skills and get out there and enjoy the coastline.
The Laser World Championships have been secured for Britain and will be hosted by the RYA and supported through a partnership of UK Sport, EventScotland (the national events agency) North Ayrshire Council, the Scottish Sailing Institute and Scottish Enterprise.
The RYA is both delighted and excited to be staging these key events, said RYA Racing Manager John Derbyshire. The Laser Worlds will not only provide high quality racing opportunities so close to home for our British sailors, but also give us the opportunity to increase the profile of sailing throughout the UK during a crucial period for the development of the sport. Largs Sailing Club offers ideal sailing conditions and shore-side facilities, and is a fine example of what world class sailing venues we have throughout the UK.
UK Sport Events Consultant, Esther Nicholls, said: The 2010 Laser World Championships will provide a great opportunity for British sailors to compete at the highest level on home waters ahead of London 2012, which is key to UK Sports events strategy.
posted by Circleyou News @ 11:03 PM permanent link | | 0 comments
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