Giles Bayliss, AXS Europe

Premiership rugby team the Wasps will become the first team in the Rugby Premiership to offer a virtual 3D viewing platform for its premium hospitality experiences.

The new technology, provided by the club's ticketing partner AXS, will enable fans to experience a 360-degree, 3D view of all of the Wasps' hospitality suites before making their booking.

The 3D viewing platform, which launched at the end of 2019, is billed as an 'industry exclusive', and provides a fully immersive, 360-degree experience that includes everything from scoreboards to player benches. It will allow supporters to immerse themselves in the Wasps' hospitality portfolio, including the Ricoh Arena's Pure Legends Lounge, the Heineken Lounge, Directors Lounge, Premier Club and The Boardroom.

James Wootton, head of commercial sales at Wasps, said: "This investment takes top flight rugby hospitality to the next level. Each of our lounges has a distinct offering. We want to show as many people as possible the first-class environments on offer and the online viewing tool does just that."

Giles Bayliss, business development director at AXS Europe, said: "We believe that by combining immersive views of the lounges along with seated views of the pitch, it will provide the perfect launch pad to attract even more supporters into the hospitality lounges."

"We are extremely proud to drive innovation to enhance and enrich the purchasing experience of Wasps fans via the 3D visualisation of the hospitality experiences."

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sport-kit keyword: AXS

The tech, by the club's ticketing partner AXS, will enable fans to experience a 360-degree, 3D view of all of the Wasps' hospitality suites

The modular system allows flexible installations

The Premier Grandstand, developed by UK-based seating specialist Audience Systems, is a turnkey outdoor seating solution, designed for football clubs and sports grounds.

Available in both seating and standing options, the Premier Grandstand is a fully assembled, modular system that can be joined together to form large seating banks or standing areas.

The seated grandstands can accommodate 42, 50, 58 or 72 spectators, while the standing modules can hold 70, 85, 100 and 125 people. Both also offer accessible options for wheelchair users.

Compliant with FIFA, UEFA and the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (also knows as the Green Guide) standards, the Premier Grandstand is made specifically for outdoor use, and features a welded steel construction and galvanised seats.

It also offers a level of customisability with buyers able to choose from a number of seat and cladding colour options, as well as siding and shelter options.

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sport-kit keyword: AUDIENCE SYSTEMS

The system is available in both seating and standing options

David Loud, Paynters Flooring Services

Sports flooring specialist Gerflor has completed a major fit-out at the new Axholme North Leisure Centre in North Lincolnshire.

The purpose built centre is housed inside a converted secondary school and offers a four lane, 25m (82ft) swimming pool, a multi-use fitness studio, a 16-station gym, as well as a 9v9 football pitch and netball and tennis courts.

A total of five of Gerflor's flooring solutions were installed throughout the centre by Paynters Contract Flooring, including the Taralay Impression Control flooring. Fitted in the customer facing areas, Taralay is a high-performance option that combines slip resistance sith a 'design-led' aesthetic.

Gerflor's Taraflex Comfort in Oak was fitted in the multi-use fitness studio, while Gerflor's Mipolam Cosmo homogenous flooring was installed in the fitness and storage areas.

Faye Colver, area sports facilities manager at Axholme North Leisure Centre, said: "The flooring specifications were based on durability, performance and lifespan.

"Gerflor's floorings do their job as our centre is steadily growing in capacity as more members take part in the leisure activities we can now offer."

David Loud, estimator at Paynters Contract Flooring, said: "Gerflor products were pre-specificed to the client's requirements and Gerflor is a main supplier of these types of flooring – and we find their products particularly flexible and good to work with.”

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sport-kit keyword: GERFLOR

Gerflor provided five different flooring products for the centre