Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink joined leaders in the sports, regeneration and government sectors at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds today (Wednesday, 20th May) to call for sporting venues that deliver lasting social impact.
The former footballer spoke at an event discussing how sport and leisure facilities can leave a lasting legacy for communities. The event was hosted by UKREiiF and independent construction and property management consultancy Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK).
Jimmy attended in his capacity as ambassador of the Football Safety App which empowers fans and clubs to report safety issues such as abuse, hate speech, discrimination and suspicious behaviour, whether it happens in the stadium, on the way to the game or online, with real–time alerts and clear guidance on what crosses the line. He said:
“The evolution of football stadiums over recent times has been incredible. You just have to look at the likes of Hill Dickinson Stadium to see how the fans’ experience has improved. But just as important is the impact these grounds have on the wider area in which they are situated. New stadiums are now 24/7 destinations with wider leisure, retail and food and beverage offerings included in and around the grounds.
“Sports venues are vital community assets. To its credit, Brighton & Hove Albion recently announced construction of a new 10,000 capacity stadium for its women’s team, designed specifically for women’s football and social spaces designed for a family-oriented atmosphere. These are the are the kind of changes sports venues should be delivering to act as a catalyst for community regeneration.”
The event was chaired by Gretta Starks, Partner and Head of Project and Programme Management at RLB UK.
RLB UK has worked on projects such as the London 2012 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Edgbaston and the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Gretta said:
“Venues have long been at the heart of their communities, and as leaders like Jimmy and our amazing female sports people help drive inclusivity more and more of us are enjoying the benefits they bring. The most successful sports infrastructure projects are those that create sustainable venues that work hard all year round, delivering long-term social impact in order to create healthier communities, improve wellbeing and delivering lasting value.”
Also on the panel was Stephen Scott, a real estate disputes partner and head of the sports sector at national law firm Shakespeare Martineau, the official legal partner of the Football Safety App. Stephen said:
“I am passionate about real estate, football and sport in general, so it was an absolute no-brainer for me to become involved in such a worthwhile project aimed at making football a more pleasant environment to be involved in and feeding into stadium safety. I also get to sit next to and learn from people like Jimmy, which is an absolute privilege.”
Nathan Spencer, Managing Director at UKREiiF, said:
“UKREiiF exists to bring together the people and ideas shaping the future of our places, and this discussion perfectly captured why sport, and regeneration must go hand in hand. Modern sports venues have the power to be engines of inclusion, wellbeing and community pride, not just on matchdays but every day of the year. Hearing voices like Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink champion the social legacy of these developments underlines the responsibility we all share to ensure investment delivers genuine, long-term value for communities.”
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