Warm-hearted students, staff and families from across all Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) schools have been digging deep to raise more than £1100 in support of Birmingham-based housing charity, the Geoff Horsfield Foundation.

A total of 10 schools across Birmingham, North Warwickshire and Staffordshire, also received an ‘unprecedented’ number of donations of warm clothing and bedding from their communities. They will pass the items and funds on to former Birmingham City Football Club legend, Geoff Horsfield, whose foundation provides quality, safe and secure housing accommodation and other services for vulnerable adults who have fallen through the current support network.

Geoff, one of the most respected sportsmen in the West Midlands, founded the charity as a ‘debt of gratitude’ to the local community.

He said: “We’re really touched by the amount of donations schools have generously given. The community spirit is alive in our schools and it’s heartening to see such a mass of support for others. I must give huge thanks for their combined efforts – this will really make a difference.

“Our foundation’s aim is to provide vulnerable adults and to make a sustainable impact on homelessness, vulnerability and its echo effect on the local community. Winter is a hard time and if we can provide safe, warm and secure homes for people who are at risk of falling through the system, then it’s a start to tackling this growing issue.”

ATLP’s Brookvale, Curdworth, Hill West, Mere Green, Scotch Orchard, William MacGreggor, Two Gates, Slade, Arthur Terry and Coleshill schools all took part in the fundraising initiative.

Lisa Dodd, headteacher of Curdworth Primary School, said: “We’re absolutely blown away by our community and their big hearts. They have all dug deep to support his worthy cause and we’re so grateful for their warmth and generosity.

“This is an issue that affects us all. We’re raising our young people to be responsible and caring citizens, to look out for one another and to work together to support those in need. The work that Geoff and his volunteers are doing is life-changing and this is the least we can all do to play our part in this worthwhile initiative.”

Former British middleweight champion Tommy Langford will buoyantly start a “new chapter” when he steps up to 168lbs for the first time and join the super middleweight division at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday March 9.

The 29-year-old features on BCB Promotions’ show at their most often used venue, with the bill titled ‘Pride of the Midlands.’

‘The Baggies Bomber’ will have the support of West Bromwich Albion fans behind him, as a season ticket holder and columnist for the match-day programme.

The Devon-born Birmingham man began life in Bideford, but went on to settle in Birmingham as a teenager. His dad, David, was born in Dudley and he still has family in the Black Country.

A rebuilding process currently awaits Langford, after relinquishing and failing to regain the British crown in two blistering clashes with Jason Welborn.

Two barnburners with Welborn in 2018 led to him outpointed on a pair of split decisions, leading to Langford deciding to leave middleweight behind.

That journey continues with his next fight night, where six-round action will begin to get him used to the different path that lays head,

He still dreams of achievements at the top level, having previously competed for an interim WBO world title unsuccessfully.

Avtandil Khurtsidze shattered those dreams in five rounds, handing Langford what remains to date his only TKO defeat.

He’s also held the Commonwealth and WBO Inter-Continental straps during his pro career and retains a thirst for further honours.

He said: “It’s been hard to make middleweight the whole time, to be honest, and I was always big at the weight. I just didn’t feel strong by the end of it.

“I look back at a few years ago and I had more power but, in the past 18 months, I felt like it wasn’t coming through because I was weight sapped.

“When you’re a champion, you carry on going along with it but, when that’s gone, you have to admit that it’s too hard.

“All I could do to get to the limit was run like crazy but, when that goes too far, you can end up wasting away muscle.

“I’ve always had a good engine, perhaps that’s what has got me through to the end of some fights. Those two with Jason Welborn are perfect examples.

“I want a reputation for being in exciting fights and me and Jason certainly managed that. Unfortunately, I didn’t get those decisions.

“Of course, I don’t like to lose and it’s not been easy when that’s happened, but I have to move on and leave that in the past.”

Gloucester Rugby and Music Plus Sport have announce Nile Rodgers & CHIC as the next headliners in their summer season of concerts, headlining on Sunday June 9.

Announcing Olly Murs (Friday June 7) as the first headliner at the end of last year, the show soon became one of the hottest tickets in the history of Gloucester Rugby with Nile Rodgers & CHIC expecting to follow suit.

Rodgers is truly exceptional. He amplifies his legacy as a multiple GRAMMY-winning composer, producer, arranger and guitarist by constantly traversing new musical terrain and successfully expanding the boundaries of popular music.

As the co-founder of CHIC, Rodgers pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits like “Le Freak,” sparked the advent of hip-hop with “Good Times,” and won CHIC 11 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations. His work in the CHIC Organization and his productions for artists like David Bowie (incl. ‘Lets Dance’), Diana Ross (incl. ‘Upside Down’, ‘I’m Coming Out’) and Madonna (incl. ‘Material Girl’, ‘Like A Virgin’) have sold over 300 million albums and 50 million singles worldwide while his innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk, Avicii, Sigala, Disclosure and Sam Smith reflect the vanguard of contemporary music.

Releasing their ninth studio album ‘It’s About Time’ in 2018, the release saw the band once again work the cream of the crop of the current music stars ranging from Mura Masa and Stefflon Don to Lady Gaga.

Stephen Vaughan CEO of Gloucester Rugby said; “We are delighted to announce that Nile Rodgers and Chic will be the second act performing at Kingsholm in the summer of 2019 a couple of days after Olly Murs.

Nile Rodgers is an absolute legend in the world of music. He has written, produced and performed on albums that have sold millions of copies worldwide.

Kingsholm Stadium is a unique venue which provides a special setting & atmosphere for concerts and Nile Rodgers and CHIC will put on a superb evening’s entertainment, one that we’re all really looking forward to.”

Co-Founder of promoters Music Plus Sport Simon Halden, MD said; “We are thrilled to bring the legendary Nile Rodgers & CHIC to Kingsholm Stadium for what will no doubt be a highlight of the summer alongside Olly Murs.  Gloucestershire crowds have consistently delivered a great atmosphere for the shows we put on and we know 2019 will be no different.”

Expect to hear some of the best-known pop anthems from the last four decades. With more than 200 production credits to his name, the scope of Nile Rodgers' peerless influence is undeniable.

Marlo Sweatman was the lone scorer as Jamaica's Reggae Girlz beat Chile 1-0 at the National Stadium in the first of two friendly international matches. It was the first match for the Reggae Girlz since they first created history by becoming the first Caribbean team to reach the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The Girlz’ slick movement and agility combined saw them take a deserved lead when Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler spilled a corner from the left, which set up the goal.

Jamaica's top attacker Khadija Shaw caused concerns to goalkeeper Endler minutes later with a free kick just outside the penalty area on the left, which caused the custodian to dive full stretch to her right to prevent another goal.

Shaw was given a grand opportunity to increase the lead close the end of the half when she was fed a through ball, but with only Endler to beat she fired straight at the goalkeeper from just inside the area.

The Chileans started the second half  on the attack and camped inside the Reggae Girlz' half for most of the first 20 minutes, with their best effort being a long-range shot from Yesenita Huenteo that goalkeeper Nicole McClure had to dive to her right to block.

Then a free-kick from the right by Huenteo had to be cleared off the line at the far post by defender Konya Plummer, after beating goalkeeper McClure.

The Reggae Girlz gradually settled and once again started to take the fight to Chile with a number of quick counter attacks that looked positive at the beginning but fizzled out in the final third or was fired over the crossbar from distance.

Chile was presented with a good opportunity to equalise close to the end when Plummer failed to properly clear from the area and the ball fell to an unmarked Yanara Aedo on the left. She fired powerfully at goalkeeper McClure who blocked the near-post effort.

The Jamaica Women’s team play their second match will take place at the Montego Bay Sports Complex tomorrow.

The three-day 119th Annual Sports of the Government College University Lahore began at a grand inaugural ceremony at Punjab Stadium. About 6,000 students from 30 departments of the University are participating in the annual sports including the march past, athletics meet and gymkhana events. The GCU athletes, led by Haris Qasim took oath that they would take part in annual games abiding by the rules and in the true spirit of sportsmanship for the glory of sports and the honour of their teams.

A good number of foreign students and faculty members also participated in the grand past at the Punjab stadium. About 34 contingents including of the university’s hostels participated in the grand march past, while the musicians hailing from GCU Nazir Ahmed Music Society (NAMS) presented a special anthem for 119th Athletics Meet.

Talking to the media, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah said sports and co-curricular were as important as academics for the overall grooming and personality development of students, so they should be widely promoted in educational institutions right from the schools to curb the inclination of youth towards negative and unhealthy activities. The VC also appreciated the participation of physically-challenged students in the annual sports.

GCU Director Sports Mr Khadim Ali Khan said that their sportsmen remained busy in camps throughout the year, but the basic objective of these annual sports was involve those students who were not sportsmen in healthy sports activities. He requested that it must be declared mandatory for schools, colleges and universities to have ample sports facilities especially grounds for their students.

Later, the first day of the annual sports event was marked by 1000-metre race which was won by Ali Raza from Physical Education Department. In 3,000-metre race, Physical Education student Ali Haider clinched the first position, while Ali Sukhera of Economics crossed the finish line first in men’s 100m race and break thirteen years old University record and in 400-metre race Waqar Younas break the 32 years old university record. Qasar Abbas from Physical Education Department clinched first position in men’s Shot Put. The most enthralling contest of 4×100 meters relay among boy was won by a team of Physical Education Department.

Sri Lanka batsmen Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando have made major gains in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings after anchoring their side to a memorable eight-wicket win in Port Elizabeth that helped complete a historic 2-0 series triumph.

The unbroken 163-run stand from the pair enabled Sri Lanka to become the first Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa and they had individual gains too. An unbeaten 84 from Mendis lifted him to 18th among batsmen while Fernando’s 75 not out helped him jump 35 places and reach 65th position in the list after just two Tests.

Niroshan Dickwella is another Sri Lanka batsman to make a notable improvement in the latest rankings update, moving up eight slots to reach 37th place with his first innings knock of 42 while left-handed opener Lahiru Tharimanne finds himself in the top 100.

Among their bowlers, Suranga Lakmal (up three places to 30th) and Vishwa Fernando (up six places to a career-best 43rd) have advanced after taking four wickets each in the second Test while Kasun Rajitha’s five wickets in the match have helped him move up eight places to 51st position.

The bright spot for South Africa is the continued progress of fast bowler Duanne Olivier, who has moved into the top 20 after only 10 Tests. The 26-year-old’s four wickets in the match have helped him gain three slots to reach 19th position in the list, which has two others fast bowlers from his team ahead of him – Kagiso Rabada in third place and Vernon Philander in fourth.

Meanwhile, South Africa have slipped to third place in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings, losing five points and finishing at 105 after losing both Tests to their lower-ranked opposition. Sri Lanka remain in sixth place, but have moved up to 93 points. New Zealand are second with 107 points and will need to win an upcoming three-Test home series against Bangladesh, starting Thursday, in order to retain second place. The predictor function is available here.