Tag: Birmingham 2022

A new report on the success of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has revealed the impact that it’s had on our local and national economy.

The independent interim evaluation report uncovered that the West Midlands has received a huge boost that has benefitted local businesses and communities by approximately £450 million, over half of the £870 million that it contributed to the UK economy.

The report also reveals that three-quarters of the local businesses involved had secured new investments since the success of the Games and generated 7,440 full-time equivalent jobs at its peak.

Since the Games ended in August 2022, the council has put plans forward to further enhance the legacy of the games with re-investment.  This has included the new aquatics centre in Sandwell, regeneration projects in Perry Barr, including a new train station, and the redevelopment of Alexander Stadium.

Sir John Crabtree, outgoing Chair of Birmingham 2022, said: “One of the key parts of our Birmingham 2022 mission was to help the region to grow and succeed, an ambition which took on even greater significance following the impact of the global pandemic. This report, which outlines a beneficial boost for the West Midlands economy, is evidence that the Games successfully achieved this aim, and this is further demonstrated by the figures for employment.

“It has been an incredible honour to lead the organisation of such an important event for the West Midlands and, as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee nears the end of its journey, we would like to thank all of our partners for their support and contributions which helped to make the Games so successful and secured such a sizeable economic impact for the host city and region.”

You can read the report in full at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-birmingham-2022-commonwealth-games-interim-evaluation-report

Nominations are open for a Batonbearer for the Queen’s Baton Relay at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Applications can be made online with local individuals sought who have provided a difference in their community, or anyone who has a “unique and inspiring” story to tell.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will take place in the lead up to opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, with the Batonbearer arriving at Alexandra Stadium on 28 July 2022.

Nominations are open until 14 February.

Councillor Garry Perry, Deputy Leader for Resilient Communities said:

“We have an abundance of people across Walsall who fit the criteria and this has been demonstrated more than ever during the ongoing pandemic.

“To nominate, all you need to do is explain how your nominee is making a difference in their community and why they deserve to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Please do get your nominations in before the closing date of 14 February and help to get Walsall on the map.”

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The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth games which centres at The Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr has launched free online learning resources for Primary Schools, themed around Queen’s baton rally.

The Rally is a tradition that celebrates and brings together communities from across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games.

It officially began on October 7^th when the Queen placed her message to The Commonwealth in the baton which is now embarking on a journey visiting all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth before returning to the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on July 28^th 2022.

The Learning Resources have been created for Reception, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and are aimed at developing children’s understanding of the Queens Baton Rally.

The activities in the resources range in length and can therefore be selected to suitably fit into school’s learning schedules and timetables.

The programme will develop transferrable skills in communication, confidence building, presentation, and research.

These resources were developed by Games organisers with support from an external creative education company who’s aim is to connect children and learning using creativity and imagination.

Alton Brown, Head of Youth Programmes and Policy at Birmingham 2022, said: “These free online resources will provide real value in the classroom offering pupils a greater understanding of the significance on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and the Queen’s Baton Rally.

“The Learning packs are now available to download for Schools across the West Midlands and beyond to delve into and enjoy and our hope is that they provide hours of enjoyment for Pupils.

Were launching these resources ahead of our wider Youth Programme which will go live early next year.

“The Programme will see us work closely with Teachers, School Networks and Youth Organisations and engage with at least 1 million young people across the region.

Andy Street, The Mayor of the West Midlands said: “The Queen’s Baton Rally resources will be a fantastic asset for Children across the West Midlands to broaden their knowledge of The Commonwealth Countries as well as build excitement ahead of the Games next year.

“This is a great initiative and shows how Birmingham 2022 is so much more than just medals.”

Written by Craig Winyard.

You can now apply for tickets to attend events at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Following the West Midlands-only ballot, anyone can now apply for tickets to watch some of the best athletes in action.

From boxing and hockey to athletics and cycling, the Commonwealth Games features 19 different sports and takes place between 28 July and 8 August, 2022.

With 286 sessions of sports during the games spread across multiple venues, including the Alexandra Stadium, Sandwell Aquatic Centre and the NEC, there’s plenty to choose from!

The closing date for the ballot is 30 July at 4pm and there’s only one application per household allowed. You must be over 18 to apply and the billing and payment address must match the lead booker’s information.

Birmingham 2022 Tickets

To apply for a chance to get tickets in the Birmingham 2022 ticket ballot, simply:

1. Register at the official Birmingham 2022 website
2. Select which events you’re interested in to view various price packages
3. Choose how many tickets you need (tickets for some events are capped)

Once you’ve selected your events, you’ll see a final amount that you would have to pay if you are successful. Payment isn’t taken immediately, but will be requested once the ballot has closed.

Further information can be found on the Birmingham 2022 webpage.

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The redesigned £30.8million Perry Barr railway station is shaping up nicely to be ready in time for Birmingham 2022.

Concept image of Perry Barr Station

In fact, it’s going so well that the West Midlands Combined Authority expect it to be ready for Spring 2022 ahead of June’s Commonwealth Games.

Current progress includes the erection of the huge steel frame which forms the base of the new station building.

The station, which is a couple of miles from Alexandra Stadium, will be fully accessible and include lifts, as well as a new ticket office and toilet facilities.

Cllr Sleigh said: “It was only a few weeks ago that the old station was demolished so it is encouraging to see such rapid progress being made on site.

“This railway station will not only be a new gateway for visitors to Alexander Stadium for the Commonwealth Games next year, but also provide a more welcoming and accessible facility for residents of Perry Barr for years to come.

“This investment in rail and bus travel will be complemented by the development of the Sprint rapid bus route on the A34 and new cycling and walking routes to offer residents alternatives to the car and help the region achieve its ambition to be net-zero carbon by 2041.”

The project is part of the Perry Barr regeneration programme, which will see new housing, public spaces and improvement to public transport in the area.

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Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight has been named as executive producer for the Birmingham 2022 opening and closing ceremonies.

The star-studded cast of talent lending their expertise to the ceremonies also includes Birmingham-born theatre director Iqbal Khan, who will take the role of artistic director.

Other talent includes Hamish Hamilton, who will take the role of broadcast director. His resume includes directing the half-time Super Bowl shows over the last 10 years.

Rapper Joshua ‘RTKal’ Holness has been recruited as music director, while Misty Buckley, more recently known for her BAFTA Award nominee for her work involving Stormzy’s performance at the Glastonbury festival, will be set director.

The opening ceremony of Birmingham 2022 is expected to attract 30,000 visitors to Alexander Stadium on July 28 and will feature a cast of over 1,200 participants.

Recruiting the talent for the opening ceremonies is Birmingham 2022 chief creative officer Martin Green.

He said: “As a showcase of creativity and innovation, a successful opening ceremony will be remembered by athletes, spectators, and broadcast audiences alike for many years to come. It is a defining moment for Birmingham, the West Midlands, and the UK as we welcome the Commonwealth and set the stage for the Games ahead.

“As we create these Ceremonies, it is our intention to utilise the new range of tools at our disposal. From CGI to special effects, the UK is a world leader in cutting-edge broadcast technology. The core creative team assembled to imagine the Opening Ceremony is drawn from a diverse range of disciplines, from theatre to literature, TV to stage production; we have had access to the very best UK and West Midlands talent to create this.

“This talent and these tools are nothing without a story, and this city and region are full of rich and diverse narratives to share with the world. Ten years, almost to the day, since London 2012’s opening ceremony, these Games in Birmingham present a unique opportunity to create a global advert at a moment of renewal as we emerge from the challenges of the pandemic.”

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The Commonwealth Games 2022 represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only showcase the West Midlands on the global stage but also see massive investment and regeneration in Perry Barr and further afield.

Next year’s Games, which promise to boast the biggest ever sports programme in Commonwealth Games history, hope to leave a lasting legacy for Perry Barr, Birmingham and the wider West Midlands Region.

Bosses behind next year’s Birmingham Games have set out an exciting vision for not just sport but for the development of the area – typified by exciting projects such as the major redevelopment of Perry Barr’s Alexander Stadium and the ongoing building work to create the new Sandwell Aquatics Centre which will have various facilities, such as a 50m Olympic-sized swimming pool, to the people.

Birmingham 2022 Firsts

Organisers of the Games say the competition will be the ‘Games for Everyone’, as it will deliver the largest fully-integrated para-sport programme for any Commonwealth Games and, for the first time, in global multi-sport event history, more medals will be awarded to women than men.

Birmingham 2022 aims to deliver many Games’ firsts;

• Being the first carbon neutral Games,
• The first time a social value requirement has been embedded in every tender for goods and services,
• The largest Business and Tourism programme of any Games,
• The first comprehensive and most ambitious community engagement programme,
• The first Games to fully integrate volunteers, from all delivery partners, into a united volunteering programme.

The Games is community focused and through it, it hopes 35,000 much needed new jobs and skills opportunities, including volunteering and training opportunities, will be created. A tonic despite Covid.

The Gazette now looks at what key players in the Games, includes sports’ people themselves, think the sporting extravaganza will bring to Birmingham, the UK, and to its people and communities.

Kofi Joseph’s relationship with basketball began at primary school. In his 18 years of playing the sport, Aston-born Kofi has competed in the British Basketball League for Worcester Wolves and took part in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Despite living in Manchester Kofi remains a Brummie at heart.

Kofi said: “(Birmingham) defines me as a person. A lot of my core values and beliefs are engrained in me because of Birmingham.

“The people are so diverse. I love Brummies. Wherever I go you know where I’m from and I represent it. We’re just so diverse and multicultural, we have got a certain swag to us.

“Birmingham has a lot to offer and it will be great to let people know about our diversity, the culture we have and how talented the young people are.

“This will be a really good way to finally have the opportunity, on a world stage, to show what we can do.”

A key element of the Games is its focus on the importance of the environment and, as a result, organisers are keen to make Birmingham 2022 the first carbon-neutral Games.

Severn Trent has formed a new partnership with the Games and will be Birmingham 2022’s Official Nature & Carbon Neutral Supporter.

They will be responsible for delivering a host of initiatives to help the Games off-set the carbon generated and Severn Trent hopes to leave a ‘positive social and environmental legacy of sustainability in the West Midlands.

One such bold initiative will see the creation of 2022 acres of forest, as well as 72 tennis court sized mini forests, to be built in urban areas across the West Midlands.

Ian Reid (CEO of Birmingham 2022 and Liv Garfield, CEO of Severn Trent

Liv Garfield, CEO of Severn Trent, commented: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Commonwealth Games and to play a leading role in helping make Birmingham 2022 the most sustainable Games ever.

“We’re passionate about making a positive impact on the communities and the environment where we live and operate, and to the lives of everyone that we serve.”

Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, said: “The Birmingham Commonwealth Games will provide some of the most memorable moments in what is set to be an incredible year of celebration for the UK in 2022.

“I’m delighted to support Birmingham 2022’s ambition to be the first ever carbon neutral Commonwealth Games.

“I hope this will set a new standard for major events as we look to build back greener and play our part in building a more sustainable future for us all.”

Ian Reid, Chief Executive of Birmingham 2022, said: “We’re on track to stage a magnificent edition of the Commonwealth Games and we have seen huge interest in tickets in recent weeks.

“Now, more than ever, people are searching to look forward to and that is certainly what we will deliver.

“There are millions of sports fans out there who, because of the pandemic, have not been able to attend events for 12 months and with things moving in the right direction, we are anticipating a huge amount of interest when our tickets go on sale later in the year.

“We have always had strong ambitions to set new standards in all that we do with the Commonwealth Games and make significant progress in areas that matter.

“Our plan not only outlines how we will continue to support the regionwide economic recovery, but also demonstrates how we will leave a credible piece of social and environmental legacy.”

For further information about the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games please visit the Games website at www.birmingham2022.com

By Craig Winyard.