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Backspindle Games in Newtownards has implemented a Kickstarter campaign for its MourneQuest board game targeting the international hobby market.
The MourneQuest board game is filled with creatures and characters from the Irish fantasy novel of the same name by Garry McElherron from Newry. It is the latest in a series of innovative board games that Backspindle has created with support from Invest Northern Ireland.
There is nine days left of the Kickstarter campaign and you can check it out and add your support at www.kickstarter.com
Backspindle Games benefited from trade development support to attend SPEIL and Gen Con in 2017, the original, longest-running gaming convention in the world. These visits offered valuable profile and networking opportunities among potential new customers and distributors.
Commenting on its progress, David Brashaw of Backspindle Games, said: “The hobby market is a growing industry, particularly in the US and Germany and we are excited to profile our latest product offering to an international audience.
“Invest NI’s support has been instrumental in bringing the concept of MourneQuest to life. Its technical experts helped us to create the game’s 3D sculptures which have been generating encouraging feedback from gaming enthusiasts.
Invest NI’s support has been instrumental in bringing the concept of MourneQuest to life.
Commenting David Brashaw of Backspindle Games said “The help we’ve been offered previously to exhibit and market our product offering at gaming conventions such as Gen Con has resulted in new export business and increased our profile among key influencers.”
Mark Bleakney, Invest NI’s Southern Regional Office Manager, added: “Backspindle Games is operating in a market with considerable growth potential. The business has a popular product offering among international board gamers and this Kickstarter campaign it’s an exciting stage in its development. We are delighted to be supporting this entrepreneurial business make its ambition a reality.”
BackSpindle Games Ltd specialises in the creation and design of strategy board games and has created this digital animation to explain how to play MourneQuest.
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Over 50 social enterprises and their supporters attended a celebration of the work of the sector at WIN Business Centre. The event was part of the Social Enterprise Newry Mourne Down programme which is an innovative programme of support helping individuals and groups explore new social enterprise ideas to help them find sustainable socially innovative solutions to local social problems.
Local Social Enterprises sell goods and services in the open market, then reinvest the money they make back into their business or the local community. This allows them to tackle social problems, improve people's life chances, support communities and help the environment. So when a social enterprise profits society profits.
Participants on the programme include those working in social farming, horticulture, craft, training, retail, childcare, catering, day-care, health & wellbeing, sport, counselling, media production, alternative therapies, yoga and meditation.
Speakers included Colin Jess, Director, Social Enterprise Northern Ireland; Cllr Roisin Mulgrew, Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council; Dr Conor Patterson, CEO, Newry and Mourne Co-Operative and Enterprise Agency and Denise Cowan and Stephen McClelland, SENMD Programme.
Representing some of the social enterprises the programme has supported Jacinta Linden from SPACE NI, with bases in Newry and Kilkeel spoke about their formation and how they support people and communities. Jenna Stevenson also spoke about setting up the Made in Mourne brand based in Kilkeel, which gives an outlet for local creatives to sell their products. The enterprise took just 98 days to open, with the help of many people freely giving their time and donations.
The Newry Mourne and Down District Council programme delivered jointly by Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency and Down Business Centre provides tailored 1-2-1 support to individuals, community groups and organisations with ideas development, market research, strategy, company setup, business planning, start-up support and levering in financial and other resources.
The programme also facilitate co-operation and co-production to strengthen the social enterprise network across the council district through building partnerships, group mentoring and networking events.
Ends
Event was on Thursday 29 March 2018
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Newry based company STATSports have sealed a ground-breaking deal with the U.S. Soccer Federation which should see millions of registered footballers wearing performance technology similar to that used by the game’s top players within three years.
STATSports is the world’s leading provider of GPS player tracking and analysis solutions for elite sports teams and is worn by athletes during practice games and matches to collect intricate data on their performance and physical wellbeing.
The partnership with the US Soccer Federation will result in the world’s largest player data monitoring programme and is seen as a platform to identify future stars of the game in the U.S. It is also the first step towards giving footballers at all levels across the U.S. access to the performance technology used by the top professionals and teams around the world.
Worn in a vest and positioned between the shoulder blades, the APEX Athlete Monitoring devices quantify physical performance including, physical load and movement during training and matches. The high-resolution units measure physical metrics including distance, speed, acceleration, deceleration, high-speed running, load and heart rate. A typical training session will see millions of data points collected on a player, providing an unparalleled insight into their performance.
STATSports’ suite of player development hardware and software provides U.S. Soccer coaches, high performance staff and players the ability to holistically analyse each player’s individual response to training sessions and games, through real-time feedback. This ability will continue to remain a crucial element in enhancing performance on the field while also reducing the chances of players under-training or picking up injuries through over-training.
“We are extremely excited to partner with STATSports,” U.S. Soccer Director of Sport Development Ryan Mooney said. “This technology will drive our support, improve performance, and better monitor health and safety across all of our National Teams and our nation’s elite players in the Development Academy. By partnering with a world leader in wearable performance tracking, we will help drive and improve player environments through the exchange of data between clubs and U.S. Soccer as players enter and leave National team camps. Over time, this information will be used to research, support and educate the entire landscape."
STATSports Group Managing Director Jarlath Quinn said. “Players, parents and coaches are looking for data that can really help them improve and the APEX Athlete series GPS units do just that.
“Our expectation is for millions of registered players in the U.S. to be wearing these devices by 2022 and this will revolutionise the way young players train, recover and perform. This will be the world’s largest data collection programme on athletes in any sport across both professional and recreational levels. The information is so rich it enables everyone to make better decisions on training and performance.
“Key Performance Indicators are emerging by position that will assist with developing national standards, player development initiatives, national team selections, in-game tactical considerations, reviewing training responses in real time and adjusting practices based upon environmental change and conditions.”
The system can stream data to a phone, iPad or smart watch giving the option during training for player actions to be adapted in real time as necessary.
STATSports already supply clubs in the English Premier League, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur and the Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Belgium and England football associations. NFL, NHL, Rugby Union, NBA, Track and Field and Hockey also use the company’s APEX Team Series GPS units which provide real-time data to players and coaches to drive improved performance.
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Earlier this month participants from Newry, Mourne and Down celebrated the end of the £2.7 million Social Investment Fund’s ‘Work It’ training and re-employment programme at it's closing event at Craigavon Civic Centre.
The Social Investment Fund (SIF) received £80 million from the Northern Ireland Executive, under the Delivering Social Change framework. The Fund is intended to make life better for people living in deprived areas by reducing poverty, unemployment and physical deterioration.
The programme identified a number of investment zones; Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, along with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, and Mid Ulster District Council were grouped together in the Southern Zone.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew said, “The programme has been a great success. The individual success stories from those who have participated are a testament to the impact of the Social Investment Fund. Everyone who has taken advantage of the opportunities offered by this programme have their own stories of personal and professional success and the closure event captured a snapshot of these accomplishments.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank The Executive Office’s Social Investment Fund; the Southern Zone Steering Group for guiding our project; Network Personnel as our Delivery Agent and all the employers and community/voluntary groups that supported our participants through their individual journeys.”
The aim of the Southern Zone ‘Work It’ programme was to give those who are most removed from the labour market a bridge to the world of work. It did this by improving participant’s skills and general employability through providing 48 weeks training and employment for 160 participants. The participants gained 352 accredited qualifications, including 99 improving employability courses, while 107 or 80% of those who completed a work programme secured employment.
The programme also aimed to build confidence, increase self-esteem and provide accredited training opportunities for participants of the programme, while delivering 500 community regeneration projects, including reimaging, community events, gardening, health and wellbeing, training, summer schemes and sports activities.
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With the aim of increasing the number of women applying for driver jobs on Metro, Glider and Ulsterbus, Translink are organising ‘Have A Go Days’ with the opportunity to drive a bus and find out more about a career as a bus driver.
Over 100 women will have the opportunity to take part in the ‘Have A Go Day’ sessions that will take place on April 10 – 12 at Nutt’s Corner Circuit, Crumlin. Each session will provide women with practical experience of driving a bus, presentations from female Translink employees and useful advice on the recruitment process.
Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, said “We want to encourage more women to become bus drivers and reduce any misconceptions out there that it’s a male-only career. At Translink, we’ve over 150 female bus drivers and nearly 100 of them have been with the company for over 10 years."
Speaking about her career as a Translink bus driver Clare McGowan commented “Bus driving isn’t something I’d say was always in my career plan but now it’s happened I love it! It never gets boring and every day brings new experiences; it can certainly be an entertaining job too with the mix of customers and colleagues you engage with making shifts fly by.
“Translink is a large organisation and there are lots of opportunities for career progression and job stability both of which are important to me. I suppose I’m also breaking stereotypes that bus driving is a male occupation - there’s no aspect of the job that women can’t deliver. All the buses are very modern and easy to drive with power-steering – I actually find it easier to reverse a bus than a car!"
Bus Driver job applicants must be aged 21 and over, have a full car driving license with a minimum of two years driving experience since obtaining it. Both Full-Time and Part-Time positions are available. Booking is essential to secure a Translink Have A Go Day session - call 028 9027 7880 or emailaine.magennis@translink.co.uk.
A free Have A Go Day shuttle bus service will be available from Europa Buscentre to and from the event venue. For further information click www.translink.co.uk/haveago/
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Buttercrane Shopping Centre has launched a new VIP Smart Fob with personalised offers and discounts for loyal shoppers.
The limited issue Fobs, follow on from a pilot VIP programme last year.
The new Buttercrane VIP Fob is lightweight and the software has been streamlined to offer personalised, relevant, real time offers sent direct the customers phone when they enter the store.
There is a one-off membership fee of just £5 for the new fob which comes pre loaded with up to £200 of offers and discounts.
VIP customers can enjoy year-round discounts and rewards such as free gifts and free parking.
The VIP Launch
Special VIP events take place today Friday 23 March with extra discounts and goodie bags for new VIP customers. PLUS the chance to win a £50 Buttercrane Gift Card.
Don't miss your chance to secure your limited issue VIP Key Fob, just complete the details at www.buttercranevip.co.uk
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If you are a local food or drink company in Newry or surrounds why not enter this Lidl Kick Start initiative with the potential of you having your products available in over 190 Lidl stores across the island of Ireland.
The Kick Start Supplier Development Programme is designed specifically to provide small and medium-sized suppliers with the support they need to grow their brand and build their supply network. It was successfully trialled in the Republic of Ireland in 2017 providing a valuable ‘kick-start’ for over 50 suppliers. This year, up to 80 new products, sourced from Northern Ireland and Ireland, will be selected to feature in a limited edition Kick Start in-store food promotion on sale in September 2018. From these, three products will go on to be showcased to some 150 global buyers at Lidl’s International Food Expo opening the door to potential listings in 29 Lidl countries across the world, including the US.
Liam Casey, Commercial Director for Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, says Kick Start is an unmissable opportunity for local suppliers wanting to showcase their products on a local, national and international basis and urges them not to miss the deadline of Sunday 15th of April.
“We are extremely proud of our Northern Ireland supplier portfolio, and see Kick Start as an opportunity to support more local companies, particularly those who are keen to enhance and expand their distribution capabilities. Lidl recognises that moving into higher-volume markets, and gaining national, international and indeed global reach, is a challenge for many SMEs and Kick Start is aimed precisely at equipping local companies to meet that challenge head on.”
The Kick Start programme, which represents an investment of almost £180,000 by Lidl, will also see all entrants benefit from a series of free business development seminars delivered by a panel of Lidl and wider industry experts and covering such topics as quality control, packaging, marketing and brand building.
Liam continued “We also want to find exciting new products for shoppers who enjoy Lidl’s unique quality and affordability commitment and share our passion for championing world-class products produced right here in Northern Ireland. The response to last year’s programme was nothing short of phenomenal. Over 450 different products were entered, ranging from artisan chocolate chip and honeycomb sausages to gourmet marshmallows to premium granola. We want to build on that success finding up to 80 new products for this year’s promotion.”
Niall Moloney, Founder and CEO of PowCow was one of the successful suppliers last year with his high protein frozen yoghurt. His product sold so well it has now been listed permanently in all Lidl stores. Niall commented;
“Kick Start was a fantastic opportunity for us. It allowed us to partner with one of Europe’s largest retailers and gave us a chance to showcase our products with Lidl. The workshops were ideally timed and were very informative. The Kick Start team did everything they could to ensure we were ready for the launch date. The programme was a great success and we are delighted to be moving to the next stage with Lidl.”
If you are a Northern Irish supplier of a food or drink product and would like the opportunity to sell your product in all Lidl stores, you can enter online now at www.lidl-ni.co.uk
Entry is very simple with just a picture of your product and a short questionnaire required. Deadline for entries is 15th April 2018.
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Autoline Newry have chosen Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI) as their 2018 charity of the year and staff members Roisin Cowan, Aislinn Allen and Ryan McElroy recently visited the Air Ambulance Base at the Maze to hear for themselves about the service.
The charity, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, provides a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service that responds to severely ill or injured patients, seven days a week, 12 hours a day.
From its base in Lisburn the Air Ambulance can reach any part of Northern Ireland in just twenty-five minutes.
Caroline Currie, Autoline’s Sales Director, said “The Air Ambulance is making an amazing difference to people right across Northern Ireland and staff at Autoline Newry will be hosting fundraising events throughout the year.
“Autoline already runs a road safety programme that has reached 25,000 young people and we have strong links with Northern Ireland’s farming community. AANI’s remarkable work is, therefore, a perfect fit and complements our passion for supporting the local community through Autoline’s ‘We’re With You’ ethos.”
Kerry Anderson, AANI’s Head of Fundraising, said “Serious or life-threatening situations can and do happen regularly and, on average, every single day in Northern Ireland one individual finds themselves in desperate need of the Air Ambulance NI service. We are dedicated to delivering the very best possible patient care, so our service is often the difference between life and death.
“Since our first deployment in July 2017 the medical crew have been tasked to attend 240 incidents. Given the level of need and the fact that each day we need to raise £5,500; partnerships like this one are greatly appreciated. We are really looking forward to working with each of the branches and head office to raise funds and awareness amongst staff and Autoline Insurance customers.”
AANI’s primary role is to deliver advanced critical care, benefitting those whose lives are at serious risk following significant injury or trauma by bringing urgent medical assistance directly to the patient at the scene.
Most of the responses to incidents are by air, but the team also has a rapid response vehicle, Delta 7, for times when the helicopter isn’t able to fly or the incident is in close proximity
Contact Autoline at www.autoline.co.uk
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Celebration time yet again for Newry based Around Noon who were last night named as one of Ireland’s Best Managed companies in the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards programme. The company, which demonstrated superior business performance, was recognised at an awards gala dinner in Dublin.
The Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards programme is celebrating ten years of recognising management excellence. Over 20 new companies join a requalifying network of more than 100 companies, built over a decade of the programme.
The awards, in association with Bank of Ireland, culminated with the Best Managed Companies Awards symposium and gala, which was attended by over 1,000 people from the Irish business community.
In total 137 companies were recognised as Best Managed Companies and have a combined turnover of over €12 billion. 26 of the 32 counties across the island of Ireland were represented by winning companies.
Commenting on the award, Gareth Chambers, CEO of Around Noon, said:
“We are delighted to be recognised in the 2018 Deloitte Best Managed Companies programme, a real endorsement of our business and the work of our team, following on from a successful 2017 when we were recognised with numerous industry awards, the most recent of which was being listed in The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100.
“This is our first year being recognised in the Deloitte Best Managed Companies programme, a recognition that we will build on and continue to raise the bar for the food-to-go industry, ensuring that Around Noon is leading the way in management, growth, practise and innovation.”
Commenting, Deloitte Partner, Anya Cummins said:
“2018 marks the 10th year of the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards programme, which has grown from 25 companies in year 1 to 137 in year 10. The programme represents companies from different industries with many industry-specific challenges but also common characteristics such as adaptability, innovation and ambition. Their stories are the stories of Irish business this past decade, and they are stories of resilience, recovery and confidence.”
Andrew Graham, Director, Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking said:
“The Best Managed programme puts the spotlight on well managed companies that are generating strong returns, as well as growing their businesses through investment in technology, a customer centric approach and commitment to developing leaders of the future. The process and frameworks used by these businesses continues to serve them well in adapting to and succeeding in the dynamic and ever evolving global markets in which they now compete. We have been really impressed by not only the breadth of businesses but also their ambition, drive and determination. I have no doubt that they will continue to set the benchmark for excellence in the years to come and we wish them continued success.”
The Deloitte Best Managed Companies programme, in association with Bank of Ireland, promotes and recognises excellence in Irish/Northern Irish owned and managed companies. It is the only awards scheme on the island of Ireland that considers a business’ performance from every perspective.
For more information, visit www.aroundnoonsandwiches.com and keep up to date on Facebook (@aroundnoon) and Twitter (@AroundNoonFood).
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