MLS' Sporting Journey

Sponsorship and Fundraising Agency for Sheffield largest cultural festival.

Turnkey Management and Commercial Management Team for the 1993 European Swimming Championships incorporating swimming, synchro, diving and water polo. MLS provided full logistical and technical build.

Having previously competed in the English amateur basketball leagues, MLS, under Yuri Matischen established the professional basketball franchise The Sheffield Sharks.

Working on behalf of Basketball England and Basketball Scotland, MLS managed the installation of 10,000 outdoor vandal proof basketball goals throughout the UK, in community settings. MLS secured £10m of lottery funding for the project over a 10 year programme, embellished by £1m Adidas sponsorship for the sport also negotiated by MLS.

MLS provided the Event Director and senior operations roles to the delivery of one of the largest Masters Swimming Championships.

Logistics management on behalf of the National Basketball Association.  A major, TV promoted, high profile basketball clinic based in 11 cities at major indoor arenas / venues.  The task involved the co-ordination of staff, participants, venues and physical equipment ‘road show’ style throughout the UK, for a 2 year period which generated 11,000 participants. The NBA Mall Tour extended into a basketball and merchandising promotion within major shopping malls throughout the UK, covering 32 events over a 6 month period.  MLS coordinated a full fashion show set build and managed all operations, logistics and liaison with retailers across all venues in the UK.

MLS were appointed to develop a comprehensive feasibility study for the City to present to the English Commonwealth Games Federation in the hope of becoming the preferred candidature. Though Manchester won MLS’ Gerry Montgomery was subsequently appointed as Sports Director to the Games.

Contracted by Adidas, MLS provided turn-key servicing operation of Adidas’ sponsorship of 8 Prince Naseem Hamed international flights, including New York and Dublin. Co-ordination of sponsorship branding, VIP itinerary, hospitality management and logistical operations even oversees.

MLS Community programmes receive national recognition.  MLS staff establish Sports Enterprise Challenge which is delivered across the UK.

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.

MLS Co-ordinated all operations, logistics and the "Welfare Plan" for the event which comprised, 1100 participants across 9 sports, utilizing 400 officials and coaches. Sir Trevor Brooking popped in to address all the coaching team and organisers.

The MLS Team managed the delivery of a number of Youth Games working with NGB’s, venues and coordinating all suppliers and logistics.

MLS delivered 3 of the inaugural Sport Relief Mile Flag Flagship events in Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle. MLS provided turn key management across all three sites for live coverage on the BBC.

Turnkey Event Management taking on the full management of the Event working with key stakeholders (Coventry City Council, ICG, University of Warwick). Roles included complete venue overlay, Competition Management, International Administration, Logistics, Financial Management in association with Coventry City Council, Legacy, Marketing & Comms and Protocol.

A £0.5million project. MLS were the private sector partners in Sportspulse developing the Sports industry in South Yorkshire with Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Yorkshire Regional Development Agency. As part of the project MLS conducted the work for the regions 2012 Training Camp opportunities.

MLS were appointed to support Kent County Council in the delivery of the fore runner of the school games programme. 

One of the largest School Games in the world with over 30,000 students taking part. The MLS team delivered the venue operations for the Games finals with a team over 20 strong.

John Timms appointed as Venue Director with responsibility for venue development at Holme Pier Pont. Involved live TV broadcast, significant venue infrastructure provision for spectators, parking, and corporate guests.

Turnkey Event Management including all International Administration & financial management of a Paralympic Qualification event, IBSA Goalball stating that it was the best ever.

Turnkey Event Management with all international Administration linking with the FIE’s entry systems, financial management in association with British Fencing and Sheffield Major Events Unit successfully staging the first ever European Championships in the UK.

MLS delivered and held a number of roles throughout 2012, including:

• The Olympic torch relay in Maidstone, Kent over 3 days.
• Sailing venue operations at Weymouth.
• Volleyball sports presentation at Earls Court and Excel.
• Competition manager for Hockey.
• Competition manager for Wheelchair Rugby.
• Technical Delegate for the Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Tournament.

Delivery of the site logistics and venue build, plus onsite management throughout the event, plus liaison with TV production and provision of media management and spectator tribunes.

Stage 2 Finish Fan Fest, over 60,000 attendance, 2000 hospitality guests. Total project management including development, partner engagement, commercial project managed through to delivery.

Turnkey Event Management taking on the full management of the Event working with key stakeholders (British Canoeing, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and UK Sport). Roles included complete venue overlay and build, contractor management, full CDM Management, Competition, International Federation liaison, International Broadcast, Financial Management in association with British Canoeing, Participation and Legacy, Marketing & Comms and Protocol.

Delivery of site logistics and venue build for the World Cup with onsite Management throughout.  Delivered between 2010 - 2016.

Turnkey Event Management of the Event working with key stakeholders (English Lacrosse, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and UK Sport).

Roles included complete venue overlay and build, contractor management, full CDM Management, Competition, International Federation liaison, International Broadcast, Financial Management in association with English Lacrosse, Participation and Legacy, Marketing & Comms and Protocol.

Turnkey Event Management of the event from feasibility study to event completion working with key stakeholders (BISFed, UK Sport, Liverpool City Council).

Roles included complete venue overlay and build, contractor management, full CDM Management, Competition, International Federation liaison, International Broadcast and International Admin.

To watch a timelapse of the event build click here: https://youtu.be/QdbDq24QdJA

MLS delivered the games sports programme comprising 17 sports, 1500 competitors and managed the international administration and online registration for 3000 attendees from 50 countries.

Turnkey Event Management of the event working with key stakeholders (IOC BTF, GB Boxing, UK Sport, BOA, GLL). Roles included Event Director, complete venue overlay and build, contractor management, full CDM Management, Competition, International Federation liaison, International Broadcast and International Administration.

Delivery of event operations and logistics with onsite management throughout. Roles included complete venue overlay and build, contractor management, full CDM Management and International Administration.

Having hosted the games in 2005, MLS have been reappointed to manage the 2022 International Children’s Games.

To watch a video recap of the 2005 Games click here https://youtu.be/hK2fXAAxgcc

With an over 9 billion audience reach, the IBSA World Games are the largest high-level international event for athletes with visual impairments, with more than 1000 competitors from more than 70 nations.