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Sustainability, Safety, Health & Wellbeing | Aug/Sept 2011 www.esb.ie/em
Health&Habitat
You are never alone
EAP Noticeboard
page 33
SPORTSCO meets leisure industry challenges
THE LEISURE INDUSTRY has been badly affected by the economic downturn. Survival is proving difficult during this time for many facilities and has resulted in the closure of numerous gym chains. Membership retention and growth is proving extremely challenging for all fitness and well-being businesses. Faced with these challenges, SPORTSCO embarked on a number of strategies to maintain and grow market share in the current economic climate.
The latest global report from the International Health, Racquet and Sport Association (IHRSA) showed that select health clubs experienced positive growth in 2010 despite a number of factors.
The budget club battle
The emergence of ‘the budget club’ became apparent over the past few years and the market became even more competitive. This trend was already experienced in the hotel and airline sectors. Gym membership became more affordable and more than 40% of budget club members were new to the fitness market. This was very positive for the leisure industry, as gym membership became affordable to most members of the public. Gym membership became incorporated into their lifestyle and interest in all aspects of fitness grew. This was great news for the health of the nation, but represented another challenge for premium facilities.
Consumer trends
Premium facilities such as SPORTSCO offer much more to the member, including good value for money. latest trends demonstrate a higher demand for value, not just from a financial perspective. This quest for value and the range of facilities available differentiates the budget clubs from the premium and midmarket operators. There is space in the market for several types of operator and consumers will choose which facilities best meet their individual requirements.
SPORTSCO can offer a wide range of facilities apart from pool and gym facilities. Tennis, soccer, squash, day spa and golf are available. This remains an attractive option for most members. Location, parking facilities and opening hours are also another major factor for new members. SPORTSCO can also offer activities for all age groups and members of the family.
SPORTSCO offers more value to members in a number of ways including
- Free monthly member workshops ranging from healthcare to sports psychology
- Free member fitness challenges
- Pricing strategy based on member needs
- Imaginative usage options based on individual requirements
- Extensive fitness timetable offering over 35 classes per week
The main factor, however, remains our commitment to quality and service excellence. High quality standards are imperative in consistently delivering customer satisfaction and these standards and our strategies already outlined have attributed to our success to date.
A recent member satisfaction survey demonstrates a high level of satisfaction with facilities and service. More importantly, 100% of members stated they would highly recommend us to a friend.
“SPORTSCO has succeeded in achieving the Q-Mark in Quality Management systems for the eighth year in a row and has been short listed as a national finalist in the national awards later this year. SPORTSCO has also been accredited with the prestigious ‘White Flag’ for leisure in 2011. These awards come at a time when the Irish leisure industry is highly competitive and these achievements, accompanied by fantastic facilities, distinguish SPORTSCO as a market leader in excellence,” says Lorna Brady, General Manager, SPORTSCO.
As part of SPORTSCO’s commitment to the Health & Wellbeing of all ESB Staff and their families, membership is available for €10 per month.
ESB staff on pensions payroll, who were SPORTSCO members up to retirement, are entitled to free SPORTSCO membership, plus free swims.
Please contact SPORTSCO at 6687022, info@sportsco.ie or www.sportsco.ie
SPORTSCO Summer Camp
4th July - 26th August 2011*, 9:30am – 4pm
Swimming & Games, Soccer, Unihoc, Basketball, Dance, Arts & Crafts, Treasure Hunt
SPORTSCO, South Lotts Rd, Ringsend, Dublin 4
Tel: 6687022 Email: info@sportsco.ie
www.sportsco.ie
Application forms are available on our website
ESB AC UPDATE – A RECORD FINISH AND A NEW TROPHY WIN
ESB ATHLETES HAVE been turning on the style this summer with increased numbers registering for and competing in the BHAA Summer League. The Irish Prison Service 5k Trail Race saw a record 19 ESB runners pass over the finishing line. This increase in numbers combined with improved performances has led to individual and team prizes becoming a regular occurrence. The icing on the cake was a team victory in the Trinity Track Series for Padraig Golden, Dermot Mangan (both IT Solutions) and Noel Clarke (ESBI). In addition to winning their grade they also secured the best overall team performance on the night which meant that for the first time in history the Optimeyes Trinity 400 Trophy is held by ESB. Well done guys! Also notable was Mick O’Brien’s first in the mile. See SharePoint for details.
Other Club News
- Our AGM was held on Tuesday June 21st, details of new post incumbents on SharePoint
- Olympian Catherina McKiernan ran a Chi Running workshop for ESB AC
- Speed work continues in Trinity, contact ESB AC for details
- A SharePoint survey has been launched to enable the ESB AC Coach to review new and existing runners backgrounds prior to giving some 1-2-1 advice
Fixtures
- Irish Life 3km 10 Aug 19:30
- Dublin Half-Marathon 17 Sep 10:00
For recent BHAA results and other Club Info see SharePoint site: http://esbmoss/sc/sust/esbac/default.aspx
€50 voucher reward!
SPORTSCO is delighted to introduce our referral reward scheme. Refer a new member and, on completion of their application, receive a €50 voucher towards your own membership or option renewal!
Terms & conditions
- Referrals must be made by an existing member
- Voucher can be used towards membership or monthly/annual option only
- New member cannot have been a member of SPORTSCO within the last two years
- Voucher will be posted to recipient on completion of successful application
- Voucher value is €50 regardless of whether new membership is individual or family
- Maximum of two referrals per member per quarter
- Corporate members, please check eligibility with reception staff
- New early-morning-only memberships are not included
Contact reception staff for more information
