Region urged to 'dream big' for sporting future

2 hours ago

Helen RichardsonNorth East and Cumbria

News image — North Shields teenager Maisie has to travel outside the region to play netball

BBC Maisie is in her teens and has long blonde hair. She is wearing her school uniform and pictured on an indoor netball court in her school sports centre. — North Shields teenager Maisie has to travel outside the region to play netball

A new organisation is aiming to help the north-east of England host major sporting events like the Olympic and Commonwealth games.

United by Sport wants to bring together local authorities, sporting organisations and the private sector, to turn the region into a centre of sporting excellence.

As the North East does not have a netball Super League, Masie, from North Shields, is one of many potential sporting stars forced to travel for her sport, playing in Leeds Rhino's performance development programme.

"The more elite facilities are quite far away and I think there are girls that would want the opportunity, but would struggle to get there." she said.

Tyneside-born James Hamilton of United by Sport, works with cities around the world bidding to host major sporting events.

He said the north of England could be "an amazing host for an Olympics".

"If you don't dream big then nothing will ever happen," he said.

James has short grey hair. He is wearing a suit and is pictured standing on the athletics track at Gateshead International stadium. — James Hamilton is the global host cities director at Turner and Townsend

United by Sport was set up in 2025 by a group at project management firm Turner and Townsend, who wanted to bring sports-led regeneration seen around the world to English regions.

"We really want to see the North East becoming a premier region for sport and investment," said Hamilton.

While it has already hosted some big sporting events, with Newcastle's St James' Park to host five Euro 2028 matches, Hamilton said "we want to make sure investment goes in at grassroots level benefitting communities all the way through to elite sport".

He said a "clear vision" was needed.

"Councils, private sector and sporting organisations need to work together to make sure the North East is seen as a first-stop for hosting major international sporting events."

He highlighted the success of Loughborough, recognised as a centre of sporting excellence, and Manchester and Birmingham which have held the Commonwealth Games.

"The power of setting an aspiration in place such as hosting an Olympics is phenomenal," he said.

"We call it the glucose factor. It's the energy that can be created by that economic stimulant that makes everybody work together."

Harley is pictured in a tracksuit on a playing field at school. He has dark brown hair and is in his mid-teens. — North Shields teenage Harley said trying boxing was the best thing he ever did

Sports facilities in the North East are varied - there are two major football stadiums, but only one 50-metre pool in Sunderland and many towns have ageing leisure centres.

It has taken four years for work to start on a government-funded sports centre to replace West Denton pool.

Hartlepool Marina is also getting a new swimming complex.

However, there is no velodrome, and only one ice rink in the region.

Charlie enjoys water-skiing but has to travel to Kielder in Northumberland.

"I think if it was closer, lots more people would come," he said.

However, teenage boxer Harley believes facilities in his sport are "amazing".

"The coaches are amazing, anything you need it's there," he said.

Nicola Sanders is in the stands at Ashington Football club. She has blonde hair tied away from her face and is wearing dark-rimmed glasses and a red coat. — Ashington Football Club chairwoman Nicola Sanders said niche sports were often "overlooked"

Football is king in the North East sports scene and grassroots teams want better investment in niche sports.

Chairwoman of Ashington Football Club, Nicola Sanders, said a multi-purpose, indoor sporting facility in the region was needed.

"It would help us to develop talent from grassroots level, help us maintain talent and give us the opportunity to host mega sporting events."

She would like other sports to get the recognition and funding that football enjoys.

Steve McIntyre has short white hair and wears dark rimmed glasses. He is wearing a white shirt. He is pictured in his office, standing beside a 3D scale model of a skyscraper. — Architect Steven McIntyre said communities need to be involved in designing sport facilities

However, if the region does manage to get the funding for a velodrome or an indoor sporting arena - would it be a worthwhile investment?

Architect Steven McIntyre, designs leisure facilities at Faulkner Brown, in Killingworth, North Tyneside.

He said encouraging sporting participation brings social benefits.

"If people lead a more active lifestyle, it becomes a no-brainer.

"Why wouldn't you invest in something that stops people being referred to the NHS?"

He also said that when people use leisure centres in high numbers, the initial cost is offset.

"Rather than becoming a drain on a local authority, they can contribute financially."

Developing the North East as a centre of sporting excellence has been backed by the region's Labour Mayor Kim McGuinness.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said any future Olympic bid would be decided by the British Olympic Association, rather than government.

A DCMS spokesperson said the government wanted to continue the UK's "world-leading reputation" for hosting major sporting events.

"We will continue to work closely with our expert arm's-length body UK Sport to identify opportunities that will strengthen the UK's major events pipeline," they said.