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What links the 2012 Olympics, the IOC recognised International Children’s Games and the TSUK?

The answer is the TSUK’s new event management company Montgomery Leisure Services Limited (MLS).

MLS are currently supporting two regions to exploit the potential of the Olympics and creating legacy for 2012 and beyond. Last year they delivered the 39th International Children’s Games (ICG) for the first time it has been held in the UK, which brought an economic impact of £4million to the City of Coventry. Due to the success of the Games the ICG Executive Committee have appointed as their advisor, John Timms, Head of Events and Director of MLS.

MLS have been appointed by the TSUK to develop, manage and fundraise for the British Transplant Games (BTG) for the next three years and to support the delivery of TSUK events such as Badminton, Volleyball etc.

Based in the centre of the UK with its headquarters in Sheffield, MLS have associates in Belgium, France, India, Singapore and the US. With a total of 25 staff working on a number of projects who all have experience of working on major events and sports programmes.

Delivering major events like the BTG is not the only facet of MLS, which has won several national awards including recognition by Business in the Community for its successful impact in the community. MLS’s portfolio includes delivery of the £6million lottery funded Inclusive Fitness Initiative, the £10million Outdoor Basketball Initiative and the management of the Sheffield Sharks Professional basketball team.

Working with John is events manager, Emma Dean, who will lead on the project with the support of John, the TSUK Director of Events. John played a key role in the delivery of the 1995 BTG in Sheffield and was also the Event Director of the 2002 Games in Loughborough. Emma was involved in the delivery of the 2002 Games and has since graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University and delivered 14 Youth Games nationally and was Director of Administration for the ICG. Emma is one of the most experienced event managers in the UK organising multi-sport events.

We caught up with John and Emma at the recent launch of the TSUK in Edinburgh and asked them a few questions:

What made you want to be the TSUK Event managers?

JT – Having worked with the TSAGB before, we really enjoyed delivering the Games and in 2002 wanted to take on the role to link the Games year on year. TSUK is a great organisation with amazing commitment from athletes, Team Managers, committee members and the administration team. The BTG is an important event and we want to work with the TSUK and its members to make it bigger and better.

ED – I believe in the ethos behind the Transplant Games and want to enhance the Games and make it the most magical and fantastic experience for the athletes - children and adults alike. I admire the athletes, the courage they show and the zest for life. They showcase the benefits of sport and cities can use this to help develop and promote their Sports Development programmes.

What do we plan to do?

JT – Great question! Lots, but we know we have to take it in stages, initially we want to make sure we deliver a great Games in Edinburgh, and begin to put into place systems that will really help and benefit in 2008 & 2009. We are not going to re invent the wheel each year!

We need to make the event more attractive to City’s looking at hosting events in the build up to the 2012 Olympics. We can do this by adding value to the Games by listening to its members and getting the sports and social mix right, but also expanding the Games to include non transplantees further, enabling everyone to promote organ donation to an even wider audience. At the Bath BTG I spoke to many athletes and team managers, a few key themes came through, new sports and team sports would be great, more competitors and the possibility of linking to other events. We have built some of these plans into the Edinburgh Games already.

We need to find ways of supporting and rewarding the Team Managers. These are the people at present who bring the most people to the Games. Some team managers are amazing, but some units are struggling to bring teams and we need to find ways to help Team Managers and get the message to existing and new transplant patients.

ED – We want to ensure that professional standards of delivery are implemented across the Games, from administration to sports and social programmes. Keeping the systems consistent year on year so team managers and athletes find it easier to enter and a more enjoyable experience. However we will make each Games unique to the city, with improvements, changes, new events and social activities so keep coming year on year – you don’t want to miss out!

What does the TSUK need to do now?

JT - Support and advise us to make sure how we go forward is in the best interests of the members.

Image is everything and we really need to create a professional image at the Games. From teams being dressed in uniform, if possible, through to volunteers but above all the venue branding. I want TSUK athletes to be proud to walk out onto the playing area and for it to feel like their Olympics. They have come through a lot to get there! We need to invest in the branding and imagery used.

We need to bring together the Games to create that larger atmosphere. We will be jointly staging Children’s and Adult sports at the Games so we can bring the Games family together, hopefully we can help create links between the Children’s and Adults teams, to stop the drop out that occurs.

Fundraising is key and we need all TSUK members to help support the Games and the administration. If people have contacts and links with organisations that may support the Games we need them to be approached and then passed on to us so we can follow them up. The more income we can raise the cheaper the Games will be for everyone.

We also need the TSUK to be contracted with cities 3 years in advance, I want host cities to come to at least the Games the year before so they understand clearly what is coming to them.

ED – We need guidance, experience and support. We are part of the TSUK team and supporting the work that everyone is doing is crucial to the future success of the charity and the events. TSUK support and input for our ideas and vision for the future will strengthen the development and experience of the Games for the members.

If you could pick a sport at the Games what would you choose?

JT – Mine would definitely be the new Family Fun Run, I can be involved, my family can be involved and we will all be promoting organ donation at the same time.

Although I would like to take up Golf in the future.

ED – I would really like to be part of the new Family Fun Run as well, I love doing runs such as this, it will be a great experience for everyone and the satisfaction of running in a group and crossing the finish line gives you a great sense of personal achievement.

My other sporting choices would be archery and canoeing because I would love to try these sports again and learn from the other competitors and Tennis as I enjoy competitive sport where you have to run a lot!

Favourite Sporting moment?

JT – Personal, would be winning the National Basketball Championship as a player for both University and National League Team Mansfield Express. Other would be listening to the coxless fours race in Sydney when Sir Steve won his 5th Gold Medal. That race was amazing.

ED – Kelly Holmes winning 800m and 1500m gold medals at the Olympics in 2004. Showcased for me personal determination and a life of training, a real figure head for sport. But Sheffield Wednesday winning the League 1 play off finals against Hartlepool at the Millennium Stadium, was a fantastic atmosphere and in true Wednesday style, went right to the end!




John attended the last TSUK committee meeting and presented to the group, MLS ‘s ideas and plans. Feedback from the committee was very positive and the way forward for the TSUK events looks to be in safe hands.

To contact John or Emma please call them on 0114 257 1992 or email john.timms@mls.gb.com or emma.dean@mls.gb.com