Industry Shorts: Adi, Bg, Vmlm, Efl…
Event LED specialist ADI has delivered more than 200m2 of LED across two cities over two weekends as part of its work with British Gymnastics.
The firm, which is also a supporting partner of the BT Sport Industry Awards 2019, provided two high-resolution superscreens for the British Championships at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool and the FIG World Cup at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham.
In Liverpool, the super-wide format created a dramatic backdrop, offering organisers a flexible canvas for displaying different content.
Outside the venue, ticket-holders were greeted by a further, revolving Epoch 15 mobile LED screen, displaying event branding and information, alongside sponsor activation.
In Birmingham, the arena featured a 60m2 high-resolution modular screen to provide dynamic image magnification and sports presentation elements including live data feeds.
Nick Robinson, ADI’s Screen Rental Director, commented: “We’ve developed an incredible range of solutions for live sport environments, with some of the largest screens we’ve ever built featuring at the biggest events on the international gymnastics circuit. As the quality of sports presentation increases the platforms for delivery must also evolve, which not only means using high res LED but adding wow factor, with aspect ratios beyond traditional 16:9 and creative play-out solutions.”
Since 2015, ADI has supplied to both national and international gymnastics competitions, including the 2018 Glasgow European Championships, for which it was Official Video Display Provider. A gigantic 225m2 screen in 4.6mm outdoor product delivered in excess of 10,500,000 pixels in a single display inside the SSE Hydro Arena – the largest, highest-resolution modular display ever built in Scotland.
Andy Murray has been announced as the official starter of the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 28th April.
The former world number one, who is currently rehabilitating after surgery on his right hip, supported his wife Kim when she ran the race in 2014.
He said: “It’s an honour to be asked to start the London Marathon. It’s such an amazing race that means so much to so many people. It raises millions each year for charity and helps inspire people to get active. I have nothing but admiration for everyone who runs – I may even run it myself one day.”
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the Virgin Money London Marathon, added: “Sir Andy Murray is one of Britain’s greatest sporting superstars and it is so fitting that he will be the official starter for one of the country’s greatest sporting events and the world’s greatest marathon.
“Andy is renowned as one of the toughest and most competitive sportsmen on the planet and someone who does not recognise barriers in sport. We are delighted that he will be with us on Sunday 28 April to start the field of 42,000 runners undertaking the legendary 26.2 mile challenge – including both the very best marathon runners in the world and thousands of first-timers who have been inspired to get active and raise money for charity.”
EFL has confirmed that its clubs will support Kick It Out’s ‘Week of Action’, which runs from Saturday 30th March to Sunday 7th April.
Matches played during the week will see captains wearing Kick It Out armbands and a pennant exchange at each match.
The Checkatrade Trophy Final between Portsmouth and Sunderland will also be dedicated to the Week of Action with the Wembley Arch to be lit in Kick It Out colours, supported by LED and big-screen messaging and Kick It Out captains’ armbands.
In addition, EFL and its clubs will support the Premier League’s No Room for Racism messaging across their various channels.
EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey said: “Progress continues to be made in tackling all forms of discrimination across every level of the game but, clearly, it is evident from a number of recent high-profile and distasteful incidents at matches at home and abroad that racism remains an issue society needs to address and football can play its part.
“Over the last 25 years Kick It Out has made a significant contribution to the ongoing fight for inclusivity across the game and those efforts have supported and supplemented by the work of the EFL which include the introduction of the Code of Practice, the BAME recruitment code and other EFL-wide initiatives such as Enjoy the Match.
“We will continue to work with Clubs, Kick It Out and other football bodies at such an important time, to ensure the EFL remains visible and committed to promoting a fully welcoming, diverse and inclusive environment for supporters, players, staff and within wider communities.”
