Q & A: Drew Ward, general manager of operations, Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games - February 2006  

As the general manager of operations for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth
Games (M2006), Drew Ward is responsible for leading a team of some 600 staff and 5,000 contractor personnel who are tasked with the provision of all operations, services and equipment for the duration of the Games. S&T found out exactly how he has been filling his days in the build-up to the event that starts on 15 March.

Please describe the functions of your division at M2006:

“The operations department consists of seven key divisions; sport - responsible for the sport and competition components of the games; venue operations - responsible for the planning and operational delivery at each of the games venues; venue delivery - responsible for the additional infrastructure required to deliver the games to commonwealth standards, at the venues; support services - including transport, cleaning, catering and waste, games family services, logistics, spectators services, accreditation; villages - responsible for the accommodation facilities M2006 is providing for the athletes and their officials, and technical officials; technology - responsible for all technology requirements; broadcast - managing the needs of the host broadcaster and rights holding broadcasters.”

What size team will be looking after technological needs?

“Brian Nourse, group manager of technology for M2006, is leading the team delivering the technology and ongoing support required for the Games. The team consists of 90 full time M2006 staff who are responsible for the planning and delivery of the technology requirements and 550 technology-specific volunteers who will be delivering ongoing support during the Games. In addition, hundreds of technology provider personnel are playing their part in ensuring the technology their respective companies are providing operates effectively. In addition, Bob Kemp, group manager of broadcast for M2006, leads a small team of professionals who manage the needs of the host broadcaster and rights holding broadcasters for M2006. The host broadcaster is TWI Australia which will have a team of some 1,200 personnel at Games time.”

What main technologies will be used to broadcast the games - will new media platforms be used as well as traditional broadcasting?

“Traditional broadcasting will be the most common type of coverage. The basic broadcast feed will be offered in PAL SDI 16:9 with stereo TV audio and a separate ISR track. An English commentary track will also be available at the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) for Rights Holding Broadcasters (RHBs) to access. Telstra, one of the Games Partner's, has secured the Australian broadband and mobile rights to the Games. Telstra BigPond has certain broadband streaming rights to Games events while Telstra Mobile will make material available to the growing new broadband mobile market.”

Will any interactive TV applications be available during Melbourne 2006?

“Each RHB will determine whether they will deliver interactive TV applications within their respective territories.”

How long have you been getting everything ready for the Games?

“The technology department was established in 2003 and has been tasked with developing the technology strategy from a near clean slate. Since that time, the team has been built to support this strategy and has bought valuable sponsors on board to deliver it. The broadcast department was established in 2004 with the successful conclusion to negotiations with the host broadcaster, TWI. Bob Kemp has successfully led his team through the planning and now delivery stages of the broadcast strategy.”

How many broadcasters will be covering the Games?

“The primary RHBs that have purchased rights to take the Games to
the world are as follows. NINE Network, Australia - will broadcast the Games on its free-to-air television network; ABC Radio, Australia - will broadcast the Games across its national network of stations; Southern Cross Radio Network, Australia - will broadcast radio coverage to a commercial audience throughout Australia; Fox Sports, Australia - will offer a 'pay-per-event' package of seven channels with more than 1,100 hours of coverage; BBC, United Kingdom - will originate television, radio and online coverage for the whole of the UK with particular programming for the regions separately represented in the Commonwealth Games: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; Television New Zealand - will originate television, radio and online coverage for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. In addition, TVNZ will co-ordinate a six-channel service to deliver Games coverage to some of the smaller Commonwealth nations; South African Broadcasting Corporation - as well as broadcasting free-to-air coverage of the Games, SABC has also sub-licensed the pay-TV provider SuperSport certain rights for more live coverage into this important market; Doordarshan, India - Doordarshan has a special interest in taking the television coverage to the sub-Continent as the next Commonwealth Games will be held in Delhi in 2010. The radio rights for India are held by its affiliated organisation, All India Radio; Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - CBC/Radio-Canada will broadcast highlights and other Games events on television and radio; Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) - The ABU will provide programming for 18 individual Asian territories including Radio Television Malaysia (RTM); Fox Sports, USA - will show highlights and other Commonwealth Games programming on its Fox College Sports cable stations.”

Does M2006 have any technology sponsors/partners? If so, please explain who and describe their roles/responsibilities?

“M2006 is working with a range of technology sponsors and partners to deliver IT solutions. This includes at the highest 'partner' level support of Microsoft and Telstra, through Games sponsor Konica Minolta for imaging equipment and a number of provider level supporters, including Tower Software, Australia Project and Consulting Services, Dell Australia and Bytecraft.”

Were technology companies (including broadcasters) consulted in the design and build of stadia and venues?

“The Games venues are all existing venues and many of them have previously been used for major international events including the Australia Open Tennis and international cricket. Where additional technology or broadcast requirements have been added or overlayed, relevant professionals from technology and/or broadcast have been included in the planning. In the case of broadcast requirements, the domestic RHB and the host broadcaster in particular worked with professionals at M2006 to advise on additions/overlay requirements to all Games venues during the planning of the event.”

What will the biggest technological challenge for the Games be?

“The first challenge for the technology team was starting from scratch and designing a strategy to deliver the technology solutions the Games would need. The team determined to keep it simple and also ensured the right sponsors were on board with the necessary skills, expertise and experience to assist them in their delivery. Three years may seem a long time but starting from scratch and then ensuring that everything has been designed, built, tested and is ready to operate on time is no mean feat within this relatively short period. It has also been important to ensure that products were integrated and the technology team achieved this by ensuring they used existing and proven products and services, rather than risking un-tried cutting-edge systems. The team is very conscious of the fact that there is only one chance to get it right!”

What will the technology legacy be for Melbourne itself?

“A number of local Melbourne companies are involved in the provision of technology and are gaining significant knowledge which can be used in
similar events, both in Australia and overseas. The telecommunications infrastructure in a large number of venues, including some non-competition venues, has been significantly updated which will provide lasting benefits for those venues.”

For further information about M2006, visit the official Games site at www.melbourne2006.com.au

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