The Department for Communities is holding its highly acclaimed Annual Sports Safety Conference as a virtual event on 25 March 2022 from 10am - 12:30pm at SSE Arena | Belfast.
There will be opportunities to hear about the latest developments impacting on safety at sports grounds and major sporting events.
Who should attend?
- Owners/Operators of sports grounds who have overall responsibility for safety at sports grounds
- Emergency Services Personnel (Police, Ambulance and Fire)
- Council Safety Officers who have responsibility for enforcing the legislation around the Safety of Sports Grounds 2006 (NI) Order
- Government Policy officials who have responsibility for legislation
- Sport NI and Sports governing bodies who provide support/training to sports clubs
- Architects and construction sector with responsibility for design and build of new sports stadia
Topics to be discussed:
- Current issues impacting safety at sports grounds both within the UK and around the world – Ken Scott (Sports Grounds Safety Authority)
- The rise in anti-social behaviour affecting sports grounds in England and measures being taken to counter – Mark Holland (Sports Grounds Safety Authority)
- The recent pilot of safe standing at some English Premiership Grounds – Peter Weymes (Sports Grounds Safety Authority)
- Integrated safety demonstrations – Lloyd Major MSc (CEO & Co-Founder at Halo Solutions Ltd
- Issues affecting Sports events arising from Covid-19 (Round table discussion between officials from GAA, IFA, Ulster Rugby and the Odyssey)
Our Speakers
Ken Scott
Head of Inspectorate at the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA)
Ken Scott MBE has been the Head of Inspectorate at the SGSA since 2016, having joined as an Inspector in 2013. He was previously involved in local government, including being Chair of the Safety Advisory Group for the English soccer team Sunderland. Ken will provide a brief overview of the current issues impacting safety at sports grounds across Europe and beyond.
Mark Holland
Inspector for Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA)
Mark Holland joined the SGSA as an Inspector in 2018. During his time with the SGSA, Mark has been integrally involved in the SGSA’s work in Northern Ireland, working closely with Sport NI, sports grounds and local authorities. Mark will provide a brief overview of the current position regarding counter terrorism measures at Sports Grounds
Peter Weymes
Inspector for Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA)
Peter Weymes joined the SGSA in 2018. He is an Inspector covering grounds in the North of England. He also works with grounds in Northern Ireland. Peter will provide a brief update on the recent pilot of safe standing at some English Premiership Grounds.
Lloyd Major MSc
CEO & Co-Founder at Halo Solutions Ltd
Lloyd Major MSc has worked on many local, national and international public events across the full spectrum of sport, festivals and public order protest. Lloyd has provided Tactical Support to the National Counter Terrorism Police Operations Centre, assisting Government and Intelligence partners operating throughout the UK, Europe and further afield as a subject matter expert in domestic extremism/crowd behaviour. Lloyd will share his experiences of integrated safety demonstrations.
Paula Bradley, Claire Cosgrave, Anita Hamilton, Stephen McGeehan
Round table conversation
Round table conversation between: Paula Bradley – URFU | Claire Cosgrave SSE Arena | Anita Hamilton - IFA | Stephen McGeehan - Ulster GAA Governing Body panel to discuss issues affecting Sports events arising from Covid-19 including:
- the positive and negative impacts;
- local adaptations;
- moving to paperless tickets;
- owning your audience; and
- what Covid-19 has meant in a local setting
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