SERVICES
MAJOR EVENT PLANNING AND DELIVERY
MLS have delivered turnkey event solutions on behalf of International Federations, National Governing Bodies, local authorities, and charitable bodies. Ranging from world manifestations, Paralympic sport events down to mass participation events, MLS offer expertise across event delivery including games management systems, venue overlay, event logistics through to international administration and accreditation and registration and importantly legacy and community engagement. Our portfolio of events delivery in the last decade has generated conservatively £50m in economic impact across the UK.
FEASIBILITY STUDIES, HOST CITY SELECTIONS AND EVENT BIDDING CONSULTANCY
MLS specialises in working with National Governing Bodies, cities, facility partners and organisations to produce robust, detailed, and successful Feasibility Studies around the staging of major events. This includes bidding for UK Sport Major Events Funding, and bidding to international Federations and or other international rights holders. MLS also provide Consultancy and expertise within the event industry, from creating major events strategies, to members of the Team being appointed to deliver major components of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games.
OUR RECENT FEASIBILITY AND BID CONSULTANCY INCLUDES:
- 2026 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships
- 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships
- 2023 ITTF European Para Table Tennis Championships
- 2022 International Children’s Games
- 2019 World Transplant Games
- 2018 BISFed World Boccia Championship
- 2018 FIFA World Cup Bid
COMMUNITY AND MASS PARTICIPATION EVENT DELIVERY
MLS are committed to providing opportunities for communities across the UK and have been involved with events both large and small across the whole of the nation working alongside and supporting charities and organisations including Kent County Council, Sport Birmingham, University of Warwick, University of Birmingham, Transplant Sport, Autism Plus, Westfield Health, Decathlon, NHS Blood and Transplant, Marie Curie, Anthony Nolan and Kidney Care UK, to name but a few.
MLS are involved with annual mass participation events including the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, Kent School Games, Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k and Mud Madness in association with Bluebell Wood Hospice.
SOME OF OUR NOTABLE LARGER EVENTS:
- 2012 Olympic Torch Relay (Maidstone) – Delivered three safe torch relay points in Maidstone incorporating an overnight stop and seeing the Torch taken on rivers and engaging with communities throughout with over 150,000 people interacting over the two days.
- 2014 Tour De France – Meadowhall Fanfest - 200,000 people attended with 1000 hospitality guests
- 2016 / 19 – Decathlon Running Series - Delivering over 50 5km fun run events across Decathlon stores. With the events seeing 30,000 registered participants.
EXCELLENCE IN DISABILITY SPORTING EVENTS
MLS have a passion and strong history of delivering disability sports events to a very high standard.
Our understanding of disability grew through a decade (2001-2011) of delivering change in the leisure industry through the Inclusive Fitness Initiative. A £6m national lottery funded programme, on behalf of the English Federation of Disability Sport, empowered equipment providers, leisure chains and their staff to adapt to the needs of disabled customers, thereby growing participation amongst people with disabilities.
Furthermore, MLS provide the HQ administration for both the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation and the national charity, Transplant Sport UK, who promote the health and wellbeing of people who have received a life-saving transplant.
MLS' MAJOR DISABILITY EVENTS PROGRAMME INCLUDES:
- 2023 IBSA World Games, Birmingham (blind and partially sighted)
- 2021 World Para Power Lifting World Cup, Manchester
- 2020 World Para Power Lifting World Cup, Manchester
- 2018 BisFed World Boccia Championships, Liverpool
- 2015 Boccia European Team & Pair Championships, Surrey
- 2011 European Fencing Wheelchair Championships, Sheffield
- 2011 British Open Para Table Tennis Championships, Sheffield
- 2010 World Goalball Championships, Sheffield
SPONSORSHIP, FUNDRAISING & RIGHTS CONSULTING
MLS hold a track record of raising the funds needed, obtaining sponsorship and partnerships that lead to in-kind support and resources needed to host the events we stage/host. This has led to MLS being appointed to provide turnkey management of multiple sporting events, including the annual British Transplant Games, the World Transplant Games, the International Children’s Games and IBSA World Games. MLS Directors have supported over £20million in sponsorship, grants and fundraising for our clients.
Major brands with which we have worked with include the National Lottery, adidas, LEGO, Westfield Health, B. Braun Medical, Canon Medical Systems, NHSBT, Extra Motorway Services, British Heart Foundation, NHS Charitable Trusts, Redbrik Estate Agents, and Decathlon.
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE
MLS has years of experience and expertise in operating professional sports management, including the operations of a sporting club through to managing professional athletes - www.sheffieldsharks.co.uk.
Our work with NGB’s and IF’s alongside our other work enables us to understand the needs of Elite Athletes and Performance Directors’ and supporting them to success.
MLS’s directors set up and support the highly successful professional basketball franchise (B. Braun Sheffield Sharks); have operating governing body experience; and are serving Directors of other national and international sporting organisations.
FACILITY DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT AND VENUE OVERLAY
MLS, in partnership with the Sheffield Sharks is currently at the heart of developing a £10m community multi-sport arena (completion Autumn 2023) and medical diagnostic suite on the Olympic Legacy Park, Sheffield. It has initiated the entire development, the business case and business plans and is working with its private sector funding partner to develop the site.
We have consistently advised and supported organisations on community sports facility builds and have a trusted network of partners to bring to any project.
Throughout its major events work MLS has undertaken the role of temporary facility management, created venue overlays for major events, and developed temporary infrastructure building facilities in events such as the British Transplant Games and 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup. Below is a video showcasing the BISFed World Boccia Championship venue build.
HELPING COMMUNITIES
MLS prides itself on engaging with its local and regional community and has received numerous awards and recognitions for its programme to support young and vulnerable people. MLS staff are regularly seen speaking at career and curriculum days and have pioneered many curriculum programmes using sport as an engagement tool.
- Business in the Community Awards – National Recognition for our work in the Community.
- Community Mark Award – National Certification for our Community projects.
- Sheffield Business Awards for contributions to Health and Education.
- Sports Enterprise Challenge – Live Enterprise Challenge in Sports Arenas across the UK.
- Raising Attainment through Sport Programme – Guest Lectures by MLS Staff.
MLS and the Sharks Helped Raise over £130,000 for a new centre for the Homeless in Sheffield as part of the Cathedral Archer Project.
