Hundreds of London youngsters are preparing to battle for the opportunity to compete at one of the world’s biggest athletics events, the Müller Anniversary Games, in the London Stadium on the weekend of 20–21 July.

The London Boroughs Connect Relays will see young athletes representing their schools and boroughs, in an initiative which will bring community athletics in London, together with the elite end of the sport, as part a four-day Festival of Athletics at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, from 18–21July.

Teams of children from four age groups (under 11, under 13, under 15 and under 17), will race at a qualification event on Thursday 18 July, and the top teams will then go head-to-head in the grand final as part of the pre-show at the Müller Anniversary Games on Saturday 20 July.

Relays will take place over three distances; 4 x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The Anniversary Games are well established as one of the highlights of the international athletics calendar and we look forward to welcoming the elite competitors to London for what is sure to be another exciting edition of this event.

“What’s more, it’s fantastic that the best of London’s young up-and-coming athletes will have the chance to compete and I wish them all the best of luck.”

London’s European 100m and 200m champion, Dina Asher-Smith is just one of the big stars competing at the Müller Anniversary Games this year.

She said: “I love competing in the London Stadium, and I think it’s fantastic that so many young people from across London, will get the opportunity to be part of the Müller Anniversary Games and the Festival of Athletics.

“It will be a special week for everyone involved, and my advice to all the London Boroughs Connect Relays competitors is, run as fast as you can, but above all have fun.”

Newham’s Olympic and double world 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu added: “I’m so excited that children from community athletics programmes in London will be racing on the same stage as the best athletes in the world at the Müller Anniversary Games.

“The London Stadium is my home track and competing there is an unforgettable experience. I hope the London Boroughs Connect Relays will help young people from the city, to see how exciting and rewarding athletics and sport can be.”

Major Events Director for British Athletics, Cherry Alexander OBE said: “The London Boroughs Connect Relays is an exciting development of our successful Club Connect Relays, and will offer the opportunity, for children and teenagers from community athletics programmes in London, to be part of one of the world’s biggest and best athletics meetings.

“I’m delighted that so many young people from London will be part of the Festival of Athletics and the Müller Anniversary Games. I’m sure it will be a memorable experience for the competitors, and I hope their friends and families come along to support them and enjoy what will be a wonderful celebration of athletics.”

London Legacy Development Corporation CEO, Lyn Garner, said: “This summer we are proud to be hosting some incredible free sporting opportunities on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for people living in east London. Working with British Athletics, we have a fantastic opportunity for young sportspeople to enjoy the incredible atmosphere of the London Stadium - the best venue for athletics in the country.”

Track Academy, an athletics charity working with young people in London, is the Official Charity Partner to the 2019 Müller Anniversary Games.

Track Academy member Confidence Lawson said: “Borough connect relays is a great initiative for young kids around different boroughs to come together and showcase their talents. Relays is one event in track that creates team spirit and shows the value of working as a team. No one great gets to be where they are without a support system behind them.

“Athletics has been good to me in a sense of giving me constant motivation to always want to better myself and keep pushing forward. My only regret is not starting earlier than I did. Seeing my achievements inspires the younger generations is a blessing and I want to help as much as I can to motivate the younger generations.”

The Müller Anniversary Games has seen history made on numerous occasions in recent years, with some memorable performances from British names such as Sir Mo Farah, Laura Muir and London sprint star Asher-Smith, while para athletics stars Kare Adenegan and Sophie Hahn both broke world records at the 2018 edition of the event. Each participant in this year’s inaugural London Borough Connect Relays will be distributed with a Nike t-shirt as part of the event.

The region’s new congestion-busting transport co-ordination centre will step into action this summer as Birmingham plays host to the Cricket World Cup.

Birmingham’s Edgbaston Cricket Stadium is set to host five international matches during June and July with thousands of fans expected to add to the already pressurised road network during the morning rush hour. But transport bosses are working together through the new Regional Transport Co-ordination Centre (RTCC) to manage journeys and keep people moving.

Bringing together industry experts from rail, bus and Metro, transport bosses will monitor the whole transport system during the Cricket World Cup, including roads, 6am-9pm.

It will mean passengers, residents and businesses will have access to a consistent ‘live’ stream of information and travel advice to help them plan their journeys.

The plan is made possible by a £19.5m pot of funding from the Department of Transport and Transforming Cities Fund, which is set to be approved by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board on May 24. The money gives the green light to the first phase of the RTCC which will be in place by December 2019, monitoring roads and public transport 15 hours a day, six days a week with a duty manager available 24/7 and co-ordinating the entire network's response to congestion.

It will be the first time the West Midlands will be monitored at such a scale. The trial runs will take place following the closure of the Five Ways underpass on June 3 and during the Cricket World Cup.

Data monitored and collected by the centre will be used to help shape future improvements to the road network by highlighting congestion hotspots.

The investment will also see better co-ordination of multi-agency construction projects including HS2, Metro extensions and Sprint. Giving people access to more accurate travel information, better alternative options during disruption, more reliable journey times and ultimately, less time sitting in traffic especially during major events.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Birmingham and the West Midlands is on a global stage for the Cricket World Cup and during that time we need to make sure fans have the best possible experience, which includes getting to and from matches in good time. “Whether people are attending the cricket matches or just going about their day-to-day journeys, it is imperative there are no major disruptions and the region continues to run smoothly. I believe the RTCC, incorporating all the major transport operators in one room monitoring the network, can help achieve this.”

Councillor Roger Lawrence, WMCA portfolio holder for transport said: “Our congestion management plan sets out a commitment to improving journeys in the West Midlands. "A Regional Transport Co-ordination Centre with one view of the whole transport network is key to managing manage major disruption and events and delivering more reliable journeys.”

Greene King IPA, the Official Beer of England Cricket, has teamed up with cricketing legend Darren Gough to offer customers the chance to meet him and watch England this summer.

The former England fast bowler and talkSPORT broadcaster Darren Gough is calling out to cricket super fans to win a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch England take on Australia during the fifth test of the Ashes on Saturday 14^th September. Starting the day with a breakfast at a Greene King pub hosted by Darren, the lucky winners and their guests will then be whisked across to the Kia Oval Cricket Ground alongside Darren to watch the England super stars in action.

Fans can win this unique prize through ‘Goughie’s Giveaway’, a Greene King IPA pub promotion, spearheaded by Darren across over 2500 pubs throughout the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and Ashes. Punters who buy a pint of Greene King IPA at participating pubs will be given a scratch card with the chance to win top prizes. There are twenty-one pairs of tickets for the exclusive VIP cricket experience with Darren and over 99,000 instant prizes to be won including free pints.

Speaking about the promotion Darren Gough said: “What a summer of cricket we have ahead of us. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy watching England in action than with a group of cricket fans and a few pints of Greene King IPA. Get yourself down to the pub to be in with a chance to win and I’ll see you later this summer.”

Matt Starbuck, managing director of Greene King Brewing and Brands added; “For England cricket fans the chance to meet one of England’s greatest ever players and spend a day watching our national team is a dream come true. We are proud to be the Official Beer of England cricket and to celebrate our national team by rewarding our loyal customers with this money can’t buy experience.”

Ahead of the clash between Afghanistan and Australia the Bristol community was invited to the grand unveil of the ‘Take Part in Giant Art’ project that took place at Bristol’s Millennium Square over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The event marked the commencement of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 in the city, as it prepared to host three games, with the first game between Afghanistan and Australia.

To celebrate the world’s greatest cricket celebration coming to Bristol, an impressive 4-metre batsman has been painted to represent each of the ten competing #CWC19 nations, standing proudly in the city’s Millennium Square.

Bristol County Ground, home of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, will host three fixtures at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, doubling the number of Men’s World Cup games the ground has held, following one in 1983 and two in 1999.

On June 1, the community was invited to Millennium Square to join in the unveil of the cricketer that was hand painted by children, adults, artists and cricket stars, over three fun-filled days where the Bristol community came together.

The unveil was supported by ambassadors Jemel One Five, a born and raised Bristolian YouTube star, who unveiled the statue and comedian Mark Watson who also attended to partake in the day's activities.

The live #CWC19 day-night match between Afghanistan and Australia was screened during the day on Millennium Square, in addition to cricket games and activities, adding to the fantastic community event taking place in the square.

Director of City & Spectator Experience, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, Paul Smith, said: “The Giant Art installation is the culmination of a brilliant community effort of painting from Bank Holiday weekend.

We are delighted to bring the colour and creativity of the city to life in this way, hopefully giving the people of Bristol another reason to cheer on the tournament while it takes place here. The live screening in Millennium Square also gave those that couldn’t be at the game a chance to watch some of the action at Bristol’s County Ground.”

Captain David Warner led holders Australia (209-3 in 34.5 overs) to a routine seven-wicket win against Afghanistan (209-3 in 34.5 overs) with an unbeaten 89 at the start of their World Cup defence.

The FIFA Women's World Cup, held in France, starts tomorrow so whether you're new to the world of women's football, on the hunt for a second team, the tournament, held in nine cities, in nine different venues, runs to July 7 with England and Scotland among the 24 teams aiming to reach Final in Lyon.

The hosts – who have never gone beyond the semi-finals of the World Cup and have only reached the last eight at the European Championship - get the competition under way with their opening group match against South Korea in Paris, while Scotland, who are making their first appearance at the World Cup, will meet England, who are much-fancied, in Nice on June 9 in what is the opening game for both countries.

Defending champions are the United States - who are seeking a fourth title.

They have a squad bursting with talent and experience with the likes of Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe. It is also expected to be 36-year-old Carli Lloyd's last tournament - the former Manchester City midfielder was Fifa World Player of the Year and the Golden Ball winner at the World Cup in 2015.

The US will begin the defence of their title against Thailand June in Reims on June 11.

Olympic champions Germany are, along with England, a main threat - the side having been knocked out in the semi-finals in 2015 - and in the quarter-finals of the European Championship in 2017.

They remain ranked No.2 in the world.

Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg has not been included in Norway's squad but a few of her European Champions League winning Lyon team-mates are likely to be on show, including England's Lucy Bronze and the newly-signed Nikita Parris, plus Japan defender Saki Kumagai.

Speaking of Japan - as an outside bet the world number seven ranked team were World Cup winners in 2011 and runners-up in 2015.

European champions the Netherlands, with PFA Player of the Year Vivianne Miedema a leading figure, could also challenge for the title.

Australia captain and forward Sam Kerr guided her country to their first Cup of Nations in March.

Orlando Pride forward, the 6-times FIFA World Player of the Year Marta - who won the Best Female Player Award in September, is the driving force behind an ageing Brazilian team.

Just some to watch out for as the FIFA Woman’s World Cup takes centre stage.

Cheshire Phoenix have announced that Disraeli Lufadeju will be returning for a second season with the Nix for the 2019-20 BBL Season.

The 6'2 guard established himself as a standout defensive player, whilst averaging just under four points along with 2 rebounds per game in 14 minutes of play.

Coach Ben Thomas said: "I'm really happy that we have secured Dizzy for next season. He's a team first player and his work rate on the court is second to none.

"It's great that we have multiple guys coming back next year as we hope that builds on the success that we have had this season."

Lufadeju added: "I would just like to start off by saying I've had an amazing year being a part of the Cheshire Phoenix. The support throughout the year from the fans and people within the organisation has been consistently great.

"Therefore the decision to come back to Phoenix for the next season was an easy one. I can't wait to see what next season brings Go Nix!"

Lufadeju joins the returning Louis Sayers on the roster for the 2019-20 season.