They're the driving force behind the Vertu Motors Arena - the North East's most vibrant and versatile new venue. We talked to Eagles Community Foundation CEO Sam Blake and her multi-talented colleagues.
Vocal ECF Chief Executive Officer Sam Blake leads from the front. The former Olympic swimmer oversees every aspect of a slick operation that puts the Vertu Motors Arena front and centre of the local community and pitches the vibrant venue as the new home for large scale sporting competitions, high profile corporate events and, most recently, as an accessible and welcoming Covid vaccination centre. Then there’s Susan Hunter. Back in the late 90s, one of the most familiar faces on the North East basketball scene went from wide-eyed fan to junior coach before becoming a key cog in the wheel of a community sport programme that continues to go from strength to strength. The ECF’s Chief Operations Officer has been there, done that and worn the tee shirt during a two-decade association with the Eagles. In 2019 Rachel Sweeney joined from Close House Golf Club as Events, Food and Beverage Manager and don’t forget Taylor Rendles. Once a shy and retiring apprentice, the ECF administrative officer and coach has risen through the ranks to take on increased responsibility across the board — organising everything from player and coach diaries to the day-to-day running of the Vertu Motors Arena. “There’s been a renewed focus on women in sport in recent years and the #ThisGirlCan campaign proved to be really effective in terms of encouraging increased female participation,” said Sam. “But we provide opportunities for girls and women at the Vertu Motors Arena from top to bottom, on and off the court. The management team of the ECF is female-led and we’re proud of the fact that so many women are key decision makers within the organisation. “On the court the Newcastle Eagles WBBL team had a fantastic run to the Playoff final last season — the biggest game in the women’s basketball calendar in this country — and won thousands of new fans across the country on the back of some amazing performances live on Sky Sports. “They’re a real focus for the club and the ECF this season. Again, they represent strong female role models on and off the court and can inspire girls to pursue their dual career dreams.” Maddy McVicar is a compelling case in point. The US college graduate made her debut for Newcastle Eagles WBBL last season and will head up the ECF’s ground-breaking STEM project this year — encouraging young people to get excited about science. “Maddy’s completing her Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Northumbria University and returning to the WBBL team,” added Sam. “We feel she can really break down the stereotype of what a scientist is and she’s a great role model for aspirational women across the North East.” For Susan, the chance to be part of a proactive team willing to enable positive change is an opportunity she relishes. “It’s a privilege working at the Vertu Motors Arena,” she said. “Finding and owning a permanent home for the ECF seemed like a pipe dream for so many years but Sam and Paul Blake (MD, Newcastle Eagles) put their heart and soul into making this happen. “I can remember the first day I walked through the doors at the start of 2019. I experienced feelings of joy and trepidation because we’d never run our own building before. “Fast forward to the summer of 2021 and we’ve staged international sport, hosted major conferences, welcomed thousands of kids through the doors and operated within a global pandemic. “In the last 12 months we’ve been home to a food bank, delivered sports packs to under-privileged communities, opened up as a testing centre and, most recently, become an NHS vaccination centre. “We always knew we could be a hub for community sport. Who knew we could do so much more?” Taylor readily admits she never believed her time with the ECF would extend beyond a week. Ten years down the line and she’s yet another shining example of the strong female presence underpinning an ambitious and forward-thinking organisation. “I wasn’t very confident at all when I was first offered a job at the ECF,” she admitted. “Slowly but surely I came out of my shell. I was encouraged to take on more responsibility and I was supported every step of the way. “In the last 10 years I’ve done anything and everything…from working behind the bar to setting up match night equipment and from erecting NHS pods to organising player visits to schools. “It’s been a whirlwind and a steep learning curve but I’ve loved every minute.” Given her team’s growing experience, resilience and confidence it’s little wonder Sam sees the Vertu Motors Arena going from strength to strength. “We’re ready for anything,” she added. “Earlier this summer we hosted 16 of the best men’s and women’s basketball teams in the country across four days at a time when strict Covid protocols were still in place. “A few weeks later we had a thousand boxing fans inside the main arena and both events were live on Sky Sports. The pressure was on but once again we showcased just what a fantastic facility we have here. “Right now we’re talking to all kinds of entertainment-focused and corporate clients, as well as welcoming back our community groups post-lockdown. Our ambition is to make the Vertu Motors Arena the go-to destination for indoor events on Tyneside and I have the team to make that happen.”