Performance analysis in sport and leisure management

This commentary documents a programme of research conducted between 1995 and 2012 which, perhaps unconventionally, applied performance analysis techniques frequently used in the business context to evaluate and analyse performance, both financial and non-financial, in sport and leisure. Use of performance analysis in the sport and leisure sectors was found to be lacking by the Audit Commission and therefore provided considerable research opportunities. The research presented was carried out in: professional cricket; major sports events; elite sport development systems; and initiatives to stimulate demand in sport and leisure. The philosophical underpinnings of the research are influenced by critical realism and pragmatism. The former holds that we can have only a partial understanding of reality and that this is subject to revision. The latter focuses on the practical uses and successes of research rather than concern with grand theories and is based upon empirical evidence-based, rather than a priori, principles. In professional cricket, conventional ratio analysis found a seemingly healthy industry that was strategically vulnerable to fluctuations in the performance of the England team; and which was in urgent need of reform to become competitive. The establishment of UK Sport in 1997 created the opportunity for research into the economic and social impacts of major sports events; and, performance analysis in elite sport. Both of these areas of research are underpinned by an approach which devised methodologies for data collection; implemented standardisation techniques; and constructed predictive models which have been subsequently tested, refined and retested. In the context of stimulating demand for sport and cultural activities, price on it is own is found to be a crude weapon particularly for generating market development effects. The coherence of this research is founded upon its commonality of method: in all four areas of research the subject organisations were in receipt of subsidy and the effective use of this subsidy has been examined by employing performance analysis techniques

Howzat? The Financial Health of English Cricket: Not Out, Yet

In 1997 a review of the financial health of English county cricket highlighted strategic weaknesses within the professional game, principally an over-reliance by clubs on the annual grants provided to them by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Without such grants the teams, in general terms, would be insolvent. Using the financial statements of the First Class Cricket Counties, this paper explores how the financial position and performance of the county game has changed, 20 years on from the seminal study. A series of structural changes to the game had been made, yet financial problems are still evident. Counties are as reliant on central grant income as they were in 1997, although there are cases where clubs have made strategic enhancements and are becoming self-sustainable as going concerns. Rather than the ECB directly funding county revenue it should be working in collaboration with individual clubs to achieve developments in the game from the grassroots upwards, in order to help clubs grow their own revenue streams.</jats:p

Valuing the voluntary sector: rethinking economic analysis

The voluntary sector plays an important role in the sports industry, as a provider of sporting opportunities and in the development of sport, from increasing participation through to supporting excellence and elite performance. However, despite this importance, research on its contribution to sport-related economic activity is limited, with information on this sector remaining the weakest part of current economic assessments of the UK sports industry. The research presented in this article examines the economic importance of the voluntary sector, using a case study of Sheffield. It demonstrates that the sports voluntary sector in the city is considerably smaller than was predicted when using national estimates, and that this is largely a consequence of methodological issues relating to previous research. The article suggests that in the light of the findings and the increasing use of sport in urban policy, there is a need to rethink the methodology used to evaluate the economic contribution of the voluntary sector in the future.</p

Heavy Metals in Surface Soils of Kota Bharu Landfill Site and its Relations to The Growth and Macronutrients Uptake of Acacia Mangium

A study of heavy metals distribution in landfill surface soil, surface water and landfill leachate and its relations to Acacia mangium growth and macronutrients uptake was conducted in a landfill in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Five heavy metals, particularly Fe, Cr, Zn, Cu and Cd was analyzed in this study and results shows elevated heavy metals concentration level compared to the control surface soil. The distribution of the heavy metals in the surface soil from the landfill varies throughout the study site. The concentration decreased prominently in the river sediment adjacent to the landfill. The concentration of Fe was the highest that ranged between 1993.4 – 2404.6μg/g, followed by Zn, 18.08 – 54.10 μg/g; Cr, 2.67 – 62.10 μg/g; Cu, 5.21 – 18.60 μg/g and Cd, 0.70 – 1.52 μg/g of soil dry weight. However, compared to DOE soil threshold concentration, this landfill was only slightly contaminated with Cd that exceeds the threshold with an average of 0.94 μg/g. Heavy metals speciation by sequential extraction of landfill surface ii soil shows that the surface soil was not yet contaminated with heavy metals as the anthropogenic fraction is less than 30% of the total concentration of heavy metals of the surface soil and mainly attached to the organic matter. Concentration of heavy metals in landfill leachate shows higher level than the surface water. However, the levels of heavy metals in both water samples were still considered as low compared to other landfills due to dilution by rain and river nearby. Cu concentrations in water samples were generally higher than other heavy metals that ranged between 0.03 – 6.14 mg/L whereas Cd and Cr were generally very low, below detectable limits. The level of accumulation in A. mangium leaves was highest for Fe that ranged between 139.5 – 537.6 μg/g, followed by Cr 45.54 – 357.3 μg/g, Zn 29.36 - 57.23μg/g, Cu 6.88 - 15.61μg/g and Cd 1.63 - 3.48μg/g. However, Fe shows no significant difference in the level of accumulation between landfill and control plants. Heavy metals accumulation level in A. mangium leaves have very wide range dependent on the leaves sampled. However, from the soil-plant concentration ratio, heavy metals uptakes by A. mangium in landfill site were found higher than control plants especially for Cr and Cd. Generally the concentration of heavy metals was found so much higher in the plants tissues rather than in the landfill surface soil and landfill leachate or surface water. Relation between heavy metals accumulation in A. mangium and growth and macronutrient uptake was not demonstrated this study as the N, P, K level in control and landfill site do not show any significant correlation with heavy metals concentrations. Uptakes of N and P in landfill A. mangium were found higher than control but on the contrary, K was found higher iii in control plants. Growth of A.mangium in landfill was slightly different with control plants as there are tendency of A. mangium in landfill site to produce many branches, leaves and incisive increase of trunk diameter whereas, control plants tends to gained heights very quick. This is due to different soil type and climatic factors influence rather than heavy metals level in the plants’ tissue. This study also proposed A. mangium is tolerant to Cd and Cr however the use of A. mangium as general bioindicator for heavy metals was not probable as only Cd and Cr was highly accumulated. A. mangium can be used for phytoremediation of low contaminated soil as shown in his study. Furthermore, landfill site is this study found it suitable to be used as A. mangium culture site

Development of Regression Models for Predicting Properties of High Strength Concrete Using Nondestructive Tests

High strength concrete (HSC) is a relatively recent development in concrete technology. It is being used increasingly in major civil engineering and building projects. This leads to the need for quality assurance of the in-situ concrete. Testing of concrete traditionally involved compression testing of cylinders or cubes to obtain the properties and these may not adequately represent the in-situ properties of concrete. This necessitates the use of non-destructive test (NDT). There are no standard relationships that had been established for high strength concrete physical and mechanical properties using Sclerometer test, Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) methods and Pullout test. Prediction models need to be developed for concrete strength, density and static elastic modulus estimation. They are normally required in building or structural assessment, especially with the present trend of constructing modern structures using high strength concrete. Eight different mix proportions of HSC containing sandstone aggregate of nominal sizes of 10mm and 19mm and silica fume content were investigated in this study.The silica fume contents were varied at 0%, 5%, 10% and 15%. These mixes produced concrete at 28-day strength between 40 MPa to 100 MPa. A total of 360 standard cubes (150mm), 144 cylinders (150 x 300mm) and 16 reinforced beams were cast for this study. A total of forty-five standard cube specimens for each mix were tested at the age of 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days in both, nondestructive and destructive manner. On the other hand, eighteen cylinder specimens for each mix were tested at the age of 28 and 56 days in both, nondestructive and destructive manner. As for the pullout test some forty-five inserts were prepared for each mix at the age of 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days. For each destructive test, an average of 45 values of nondestructive tests was obtained, which depends on the type of NDT techniques used. The results were analyzed using statistical tools (SPSS ver.13). The prediction models for each NDT technique were developed based on the obtained experimental results. Statistical tests of significance on the predicted models were performed to ascertain their reliability in estimating the concrete properties. Predicted models were also further validated using data from other researchers. The models developed in this study are expected to be used to estimate strength, density and static elastic modulus parameters using Sclerometer test, UPV method and Pullout test. The generalized power models for strength, density and modulus of elasticity prediction using Sclerometer and Pullout test were found to be unaffected by the aggregate sizes. The maximum error of these models were found to be ±12.5% for strength-Sclerometer test, ±25% for strength-Pullout test, ±3% for density-Sclerometer test, ±2% for density-Pullout test and ±5% for static elastic modulus-Sclerometer test.Strength, density and static modulus of elasticity prediction for direct and indirect UPV methods indicated that aggregate sizes should be known in advance. Generalized quadratic models were proposed for concrete mix with nominal aggregate size 10mm (series A10) for strength, density and modulus of elasticity prediction using UPV direct method. The maximum error of these models was found to be ±20% for strength, ±3% and ±5% for density and static modulus of elasticity respectively. A linear model for strength, a power model for density and a logarithmic model for static elastic modulus was proposed for 19mm maximum aggregate size. The quadratic models are valid for pulse velocity range between 4.7 to 6.1 km/sec and the other models are 4.3 to 5.5 km/sec. All of these models are found to be capable of predicting strength between 30 to 110 MPa, density between 2320 to 2525 kg/m3 and static elastic modulus between 28 to 40 GPa. Combined NDT methods were found to improve some of strength prediction. Statistical significant tests on the prediction models have been carried out to ascertain their reliability in estimating strength, density and static elastic modulus properties of concrete. Moreover, validation of the predicted models with other researchers further enhances reliability of each model. Thus, the proposed models for different NDT techniques can be used as a practical guide in the assessment of in-situ concrete properties

The impact of engagement in sport on graduate employability: implications for higher education policy and practice

This paper analyses the impact of engagement in sport on graduate employability using a triangulation of views from three key stakeholder groups. Primary research was conducted with 5,838 graduates, 112 employers and 13 university senior executives as part of a mixed methods approach. The research found that engagement in sport was viewed as a sound investment from the perspectives of all three groups, with examples highlighting how sport provided 'added value' beyond subject-specific qualifications. This finding was particularly prominent where graduates demonstrated experience of voluntary roles through the leadership and management of sport, and could articulate how this had a positive impact on the development of additional employability attributes. We argue that there are important implications for Higher Education policy, sports policy, universities, employers and students. For students, employability can be enhanced through participation and volunteering in sport, which is shown to be a good investment in terms of both skill development and future earnings. For employers, when recruiting graduates, a history of sport participation (inclusive of voluntary experience) may be a good indicator of candidates with desirable traits for employment. For universities, meeting their customers' demand for sport with sufficient supply through strategic investment is an important consideration of their offer

Effectiveness Of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity And Impact- Echo Ndt Techniques To Assess The Quality Of Concrete

The deterioration of concrete in structure is a result of several internal or external degradation mechanism and which results in distress of the structure i.e. decrease in strength and integrity of the structure. The state of distress is often hidden from view and is only evident at a stage where there is significant reduction in strength of the structure. Defects are often introduced during construction and are viewed during in-service life. Some deterioration is viewed physically in the early age or during the service life of the structure in terms of spalling, surface crack, swelling and honeycombing. This deterioration collectively or individually results in reducing the load carrying capacity in terms of the distress of the structure. In this project, the common defects in the concrete structures and mapping techniques by nondestructive test are presented. Among the various techniques of the nondestructive tests, the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) and DOCtor's Impactecho were chosen for their effectiveness. The UPV is used to estimate the concrete strength, detecting flaws such as voids and cracks and also to investigate the effects of smaller diameter bar in the concrete. In detecting various sizes of voids by the Impact-echo test techniques a format was suggested to identify them from the frequency spectrum

School Games Mark Validation : Final Report : Year 3 (2013-14)

The Mark award scheme entered its third year of commission in 2013-14. The scheme is administered by the Youth Sport Trust and provides schools with the opportunity to assess themselves against a set of criteria to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold award which recognises their commitment to the provision of school sport and school sport competition. Schools are able to apply for the award annually. This report focuses on the independent validation of the Mark award scheme which was conducted by the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) at Sheffield Hallam University between June and December 2014

A comparison of simple methods to incorporate material temperature dependency in the Green’s function method for estimating transient thermal stresses in thick-walled power plant components

The threat of thermal fatigue is an increasing concern for thermal power plant operators due to the increasing tendency to adopt “two-shifting” operating procedures. Thermal plants are likely to remain part of the energy portfolio for the foreseeable future and are under societal pressures to generate in a highly flexible and efficient manner. The Green’s function method offers a flexible approach to determine reference elastic solutions for transient thermal stress problems. In order to simplify integration, it is often assumed that Green’s functions (derived from finite element unit temperature step solutions) are temperature independent (this is not the case due to the temperature dependency of material parameters). The present work offers a simple method to approximate a material’s temperature dependency using multiple reference unit solutions and an interpolation procedure. Thermal stress histories are predicted and compared for realistic temperature cycles using distinct techniques. The proposed interpolation method generally performs as well as (if not better) than the optimum single Green’s function or the previously-suggested weighting function technique (particularly for large temperature increments). Coefficients of determination are typically above 0.96, and peak stress differences between true and predicted datasets are always less than 10 MPa