After recently securing funding from Innovate UK, Source BMX and Harvey Ells from the School of Sport and Service Management at the University of Brighton worked together to develop new management systems to enhance the expanding businesses model of this Hastings based company (who are Europe’s largest online BMX retailer.) Having acquired a ten year lease of the old White Rock Baths under Hastings promenade, The Source are continuing to expand their company by developing a regional sports destination in the space. They are anticipating this will attract international riders for a regular series of sport events while creating a year-round indoor experience for BMX riders that is unique to the UK. This is increasingly important to the UK sport sector now that BMX Park Freestyle is being considered for inclusion in the 2020 Olympics.

The initial partnership work has now been expanded through a successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) application which over the next 2 years will review the application of all aspects of the service management sectors taught at the Eastbourne Campus including Events, Hospitality, Tourism and Sport Business Management. Furthermore, under the guidance of Dr James Wallis a range of sports coaching programmes will be developed to enhance the learning aspects of BMX and skateboarding and encouraging greater levels of participation in both these sports.