Pictured from left, Tan Geng, Vice GM F+H Trade Co; second from left, Prof. Xue Lei, Associate Dean, School of Economics & Management, Tsinghua University; third from left, Feng Jianzhong, Deputy Minister of General Administration of Sports, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee; second from right, Leighton Wood, CEO of Sport Knowledge Australia; first from right, Simon Weatherill, CEO of the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre

Sport Knowledge Australia Brings Australian
Expertise To China

Sport Cities & Venues
Monday 5 September, 2005

Sport Knowledge Australia has delivered the first seminar in China on design, financing, management and operations of multi-sport facilities. Beijing’s Tsinghua University played host to the event which was opened by China's vice-minister for Sport and the Olympics and was led by Simon Weatherill, CEO of the Victoria’s State Sport Centres Trust, which comprises the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) and Melbourne School of Sports & Recreation Management (MSSRM) at Albert Park, as well as the State Netball and Hockey Centre (SNHC) at Royal Park, Melbourne.

Participants were given an overview of strategic planning relating to each phase of the successful establishment and operation of a major sporting infrastructure. A case study was presented on Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC), which is a major venue for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, and 2007 World Swimming Championship. The facility is not only equipped for major games but also suits community use.

“Participants included facility and venue operators, project and event managers, builders, architects and government officials,” said Leighton Wood, CEO of Sport Knowledge Australia.

It is estimated China has 380,000 sports facilities with many more to be built as a result of interest generated by the 2008 Olympic Games. Simon Weatherill’s expertise in managing a thriving and profitable sports venue, similar to the Chinese needs, proved an appropriate educational opportunity for officials and private enterprise within China.

The relationship with Tsinghua University spearheads Sport Knowledge Australia's push into the Chinese education marketplace. This first offering addresses local demand for facility management and operations courses with immediate practical applications. “We covered topics such as infrastructure conceptualisation, feasibility and business planning, design and documentation, facility establishment, financing operations, project and event management,” said Weatherill.