News Articles

The British Canoe Union have appointed Sheffield-based sport and leisure consultants Montgomery Leisure Services to project manage venue logistics for the 2009 European Canoe Slalom Championships at Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham.

Montgomery Leisure Services, who trade as MLS, has been brought in by the British Canoe Union and UK Sport to support the smooth running of the venue, which takes place over four days, 28-31 May 2009

It is a prestigious appointment for MLS with the 2009 European Canoe Slalom Championships having more than 600 athletes and team support personnel from 30 or more countries across Europe competing.

Europe hosts the most talented Canoe Slalom athletes in the world and a number of the Beijing Olympic medallists will be competing for top European honours.

The list includes the current European Champion and Olympian in the Men’s kayak single (K1) class, Nottingham’s Campbell Walsh, who will be looking to defend his title on home ground. David Florence, Olympic Silver medallist from Beijing will, for the first time, be competing in two classes – Men’s Canoe Single (C1) and Canoe Double (C2). It will be the first time that a slalom canoeist has competed in two classes.*

Director John Timms, who will be heading the MLS team at Holme Pierrepont, said:

“We’re delighted to win the contract to provide event management

services at the European Canoe Slalom Championships. The British

Canoe Union is one of the most successful National Governing Bodies, so

we’re pleased by working with them and UK Sport on such a major event

in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

The contract award is the latest in a busy year for MLS, which has seen them event manage the 2008 British Transplant Games in Sheffield, the Nottinghamshire Youth Games and the European Hockey Championships.

Andy Goodsell, event director for the British Canoe Union, said:

“MLS’s expertise in venue management will be crucial to the smooth running of the Championships. They have a proven track record of success and we’re confident they will add to a memorable event at Holme Pierrepont.”