Michael Wood
@michaeldwood74
Dad, Husband, Researcher - Sport Management @ Northumbria University, #PhD student - #Sport #Culture, #Places, #Spaces, #People. Future #Lidos co-founder. Frequently #Swimming or #Cycling. Views my own.
Yes. The public have seemingly understood this place based economic opportunity for a long time if the public planning consultation was anything to go by. Powered by the people, we keep looking for an answer to the funding puzzle. idoxpublicaccess.northtyneside.gov.uk/online-appli...
From wearing Patrick books as a kid, to your transformation of #NUFC, you inspired my love of football. Rest in Peace King Kev.
As the school hols are upon us, I drift back to my time spending 6 weeks playing football, tennis, cricket, roller hockey etc on school yards, fields and courts that are now inaccessible due to fences. Where do kids meet, hang out and play? Have these spaces been commoditised to sports camps?
Finally time to retire the old @passpixi.bsky.social and replace with some new brighter ones. The simplest and greatest device to keep people who travel by pedal cycle safer on the roads. It works to improve the quality of passes. I'll never cycle without it.
Out filming iconic sports places, starting in Northumberland. Excited that project that has had many years as a concept is coming to life. We've had sunshine and wonderful participants which is all we could ask for.
Historic Pools picked the right day for visiting Peterborough Lido in their 90th year. A wow day and joyful venue. Fantastic to catch up with many wonderful experts from across the community who care about pools and @future-lidos.bsky.social
Happy Fathers Day! Thanks for everything and more. Stay awesome. x
I was there on holiday for my 50th two years go. Amazing place. Pure vida.
While my daughter was at orchestra, a great wander round North Shields and Tynemouth. Art, community projects, challenges and potential. Same again next week when the King Eddie's Stairs NSVL challenge will be in full swing! Still time to register.
My lido was Tynemouth, which we've been working for over a decade to reimagine. The platform is there but the buildings were bulldozed into the tank in 1995. They're such amazing places. Hearing peoples stories and visiting different ones for research has become one of life's great pleasures!
West Ham at home is a full circle moment going back to my first ever #NUFC game in 1985. East Stand with dad, to finally see the spectacle of SJP and Newcastle United live. An explosion on the senses. Songs, smoke, pies, bovril, swearing. I'd long been a fan, but this was the baptism! HWTL.
Wonderful experience supporting thousands of families running at the Greggs sponsored Children's Cancer Run at Gosforth Park today. Everyone out in the cool sun putting in plenty of effort, having fun together, staying active and raising money for a fantastic cause.
Ominous rows of desks in the usually active @northumbriauni.bsky.social Sport Central is a sure fire sign that it's exam season. Good luck to all those involved. You've got this!
The UK isn't yet on the map for numbers of padel courts. The forecast is for it to hit 2,000 by the end of this year, then 3,000 next year. Growth and market size is going to be hard to predict. It's a dynamic social game, building communities, through apps and indoor courts allowing 365 play.
Outdoor pools are much loved places of joy, and so they symbolise something. In this case, happiness and living well in later life. Presumably linked to pension security. Yet there are only around 130 available and accessible to the public in the UK. And no government plans to change this.
The padel phenomena has hit M&S. Reflecting the scale of growth, and M&S being tuned into public leisure trends. The Club de padel range means kids can now be dressed in their parent's favourite sport! Vamos!
An Easter weekend exploring the Lakes with the family didn't dissapoint. A wealth of weather, walks, views, chat and fine food to nourish the soul.
Out with Masters students talking the business of cricket at Durham, where it's always sunny. Thanks as ever for the team for hosting.
The most fascinating thing I've found as we chat over the years is that the Neat metal label never really made any money. It was all subsidised by other more profitable artists and by hiring the studio! He chased hits or big deals to get bands up the ladder, but it just never materialised.