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Mar 18

You could be missing this funding?

It’s our job to keep abreast of funding regimes – especially in those sectors that dominate our business, namely: sports, leisure and services. For a good few years, I have been preaching about Research and Development Tax Credit (R&D Tax). I confess in the early stages, I thought how can this be relevant, my clients don’t wear lab coats and show off large foreheads – but oh so wrong. Forget sterotyping or misconeptions, I have clients that have received significant financial gain in sports just by knowing the criteria for eligibility and approaching communication with the authorities in that informed, professional way. I make no apology for sharing the contents of one such Adviser that I work with for the benefits of my clients, @Sedulo (Manchester, Leeds, London and soon Liverpool).

“Essentially the Medical and Performance department is the one area of a sports club where much of the Research & Development naturally occurs. Sports Research & Development can include health and nutritional plans, dedicated exercises to aid in rest and recovery of athletes, warm-up designs, post-activation potentiation strategies and recovery techniques for example.

The Professional Sports sector is one of the many industries that does not take full advantage of the generous Research and Development Tax Relief that could be available. Qualifying Research and Development activities may be being carried out by professional sports clubs without them realising that a claim can be made. Therefore, due to the lack of advertising and information provided by the HMRC, this is still considered quite a niche sector and hasn’t yet been picked up in the Innovation and Research & Development storm.

Think:

1) Nutrition

2) Exercise

3) Recovery and Rehab

4) Equipment

5) Audiovisuals

6) CRM/Sales – Retail

7) Security

8) RFID/NFC – Sensors

9) Biofeedback

10) Uniforms

11) Pitch

12) Paint

13) Maintenance Systems

14) Civil Works

Plus:

Areas of Possible R&D?

i) Most physiological, biomechanical, motor control and strength and conditioning factors, that are able to predict human movement and sports performance. Also, there is an emphasis on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) applied to water sports and to special populations.

ii) The physical fitness levels of different populations and their relationships with health benefits and wellness. Corresponding projects in strength and conditioning, aiming at the development of reasonable and reproducible exercise prescriptions.

iii) “Marginal Gains Initiatives”

iv) Non-invasive recovery and rehab – holistic treatments, massage techniques, etc

v) Mental Health treatments/ hypnotherapy

vi) Some qualifying activities include rehabilitation development methods where public information is limited, head injury research and performance analysis tools.”

More information, you know where to find me: adrian.stores@acrobatfcsm.com

Mar 18

Stockport Volleyball goes viral on COVID-19

Somethings are bigger than our wonderful sport. All training and matches are postponed or cancelled with immediate effect. The S’PORT (Stockport Volleyball Club) has been diligent in following advice from both authorities and our National Governing Body, Volleyball England. As the Season is brought to a premature close, we will advise all members on next steps, when notified. It has to be said our Club fills us with nothing but immense pride. Men were in with a shout of runners-up with only three games remaining in NVL Division 1; Women sit at top of table for Greater Manchester Volleyball League; and u15 Boys get to the final 8s. All winners in our eyes – as are so many others.

Sport England has said:

“An important part of our work is to keep the nation active through this difficult period and our projects and programmes are vital in doing that. Interested parties can email serious and important comments to: coronavirus@sportengland.org“

Volleyball England’s guidance has announced:

“With the outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus set to worsen in the weeks ahead, these decisions have been taken with the health and safety of our members, their friends and families and the wider community in mind. We understand these decisions will result in inconvenience and disappointment to players, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters at what is a key point of the season, but it is our duty to protect everyone associated to our sport.

New government guidance stipulates that if you have coronavirus symptoms, however mild – either a new continuous cough or a high temperature – that you should stay at home for at least 7 days to protect others and help slow the spread of the disease. If this applies to you, please do not travel to a match or training session.

Members are reminded of our previous guidance:

  • League regulations regarding pre and post-match handshakes have been relaxed for the foreseeable future. Referees, coaches and players are advised to wave or bow instead as a small, precautionary measure;
  • Members are encouraged to hold off on greetings and congratulatory touches at matches;
  • Clubs should keep in regular contact with the owners of their facility, to ensure they’re up to date with their guidance, and to ensure they have access to appropriate hand washing facilities;
  • Teams should wash their hands before and after each match and training session;
  • Follow NHS guidance to help stop the spread of germs (as follows);
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze;
  • Put used tissues in the bin immediately;
  • Regularly wash your hands with soap and water – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available;
  • Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

As a further precautionary step, teams are advised to wash all equipment, particularly volleyballs, before and after matches and training sessions. Please seek instructions from the ball manufacturer on this (2 of the most common have been listed below):

   Mikasa: www.mikasasports.co.jp/e/support/maintenance

    Molten: www.molten.co.jp/sports/en/volleyball/product/volleyball/index.html

For general queries related to the coronavirus, please continue to follow government guidance. The latest information can be found using the links below:

    www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

    www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

We appreciate the coronavirus is creating an increasingly complex situation and we’re working hard to ensure we can provide appropriate solutions to your queries as soon as possible. Going forward, we will continue to monitor the situation, follow government advice and keep you updated.”

Stay safe our friends #volleyballfamily. We stand together!

***********************************

More than just a Club – a true philosophy – not surprising with our Chair having worked at FC Barcelona renown for its “Més que un club” strapline and culture. Stockport Volleyball Club, the S’PORT, adds values to our members’ lives in so many ways. In that spirit, with you at out heart, we want to announce a COVID 19 (coronavirus) task force.

In the light of Volleyball England and Greater Manchester Volleyball Association recommendations which we fully endorse, we wanted to say with the premature interruption and cessation of our training and match activities, that we are still here for you. The Chair, Adrian Stores and Club Captain’s for Women and Men, respectively, Becca Mastin and Adam Mitchell are available for serious and genuine enquiries as below:

Adrian Stores adrian@stockportvolleyball.com

Becca Mastin becca@stockportvolleyball.com

Adam Mitchell adam@stockportvolleyball.com

Furthermore, the Club’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts can be utilised for communications.

We recognise we are genuinely a #volleyballfamily and so if advice, sign-posting, urgent support is required throughout this difficult time in our lives, please do know we will not abandon our members and will try our utmost to help at least in some way, within our capabilities and resources. Stay Safe

[the S’PORT Management Committee].