Hibernian Community Foundation is "working with local organisations to create 'A GameChanger Christmas' by inviting up to 250 people" to Scottish Championship side Hibernian's Easter Road for a Christmas lunch. Activities are also planned, "ranging from Christmas carolling through to enjoying a big Christmas movie -- all with good food and good company." The club's partner organizations will identify people "who would most enjoy and benefit from taking part" in the event and transportation is being organized. Over 4,000 people in Edinburgh are homeless and 40,000 elderly people in Scotland will face Christmas Day alone and these will be Hibs' "priority" for its Christmas lunch (SCOTSMAN, 12/5).
Five Hong Kong schools run by the English Schools Foundation have "closed their artificial sports pitches due to safety concerns over chemicals" exceeding int'l health standards. The ESF "would not confirm the reason" for keeping students away from the rubber-crumb, astroturf pitches at Discovery College, King George V School, Renaissance College, Sha Tin College and South Island School, saying only that they were closed to "allow for ongoing safety testing and investigation." A source said, "The pitches are being tested. ... The problem is there are so many different standards" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 12/6).
Sports flooring manufacturer Gerflor renewed its contract with the Int'l Volleyball Federation (FIVB), extending the partnership through '20. Gerflor was the official flooring supplier for FIVB’s competitions from '97-00 and became FIVB’s regular partner in '05 (Gerflor).