Colors: Yellow Color

Team England will send a 12 strong boxing team to the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia which starts on 4 April.  In total 8 men and 4 women will travel to the Gold Coast to compete for team and country.

Welterweight, Pat McCormack, competed for England at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and Team GB at Rio 2016 and is a two-time European Championships silver medalist.

He said: “It’s great to be selected for the Commonwealth Games.  I competed at the one in Glasgow but I was young and inexperienced then and did not win a medal.  Since then I have been to the world championships twice, won two silver medals the Europeans and been to an Olympic Games so I will have a lot more confidence and experience going into the competition this time.

“I have always wanted to go travelling to Australia, so to be able to go there through boxing is even better.  I know it will be a tough tournament but I have trained hard and I am going there to win gold.

“Competing alongside my twin brother (Luke McCormack, who has been selected at light-welterweight) will make the tournament event more exciting, and if we both come home with gold, it will definitely put us out there.  We just need to make sure that we perform on the day.”

2014 flyweight world championship silver medalist and 2016 European Championship bronze medalist, Lisa Whiteside said: “It is absolutely fantastic to be selected for the Commonwealth Games, it will be my first multisport event and to represent England on the Gold Coast feels unreal. Boxing’s major tournaments don’t always get covered on TV, so to be competing and knowing that my friends and family back home will be able to watch is going to be out of this world.  I am feeling confident, my ultimate goal is to go out there and win that gold medal. I have a few tournaments coming up in preparation, and I will make sure that when I arrive on the Gold Coast that I’m the fittest and strongest that I’ve ever been.”

Commonwealth Games boxing medals have helped to launch the career of some of England’s best ever boxers including Richie Woodhall, Nicola Adams and James DeGale.

Team Leader Darren Chapple said: Team Leader Darren Chapple said: “I’m pleased that we’ve announced a strong team of 12 athletes. This team has two Olympians and a wealth of experience between them however for the majority of the team this will be their first taste of the Commonwealth Games.

“I know that they are all excited and they are all going to be focused on performing at their best. We know there will be tough competition during the Games especially with strong teams from our other home Nations like Scotland, Wales and Ireland and not forgetting of course our host nation Australia too who will have a huge home following.”

Team England Chef de Mission Sarah Winckless said English boxing is in an extremely strong position and to be able to welcome 12 boxers to the team this week give me great pleasure. The Women’s side of the sport goes from strength to strength and I look forward to working with our 4 talented female athletes. Our male team is also strong and notably contains two brothers, Pat and Luke McCormack, and 2 Olympians alongside 10 debutants. It is an exciting mix and one I look forward to supporting at the Games.”

There is a buzz around British Basketball right now and one of its biggest events is returning back to Arena Birmingham for 2019.

Now the home of the British Basketball Cup Finals, the 2019 edition will see another spectacular event and fans are being urged to grab their tickets and be one of the first to guarantee they get closer to the action.

Set to take place on Sunday 27 January 2019, the exhilarating menu will offer a pair of showpiece games, with the WBBL Cup tipping of the day and the BBL Cup Final taking centre stage after the 2019 Dunk Contest.

With all the usual courtside fun and entertainment in addition to the on-court action, it will be a day you really can’t miss. Tickets are on sale from 9am 11 February 2018.

Sandwell fitness enthusiasts can get on their bikes (literally!) for the latest immersive cycling experience with the opening of a £160,000 state-of-the-art spin studio at Portway Lifestyle Centre in Oldbury.

The new Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) offering, which will also double up as a top quality dance fitness studio, features 24 top-of- the-range Life Fitness Spin Bikes with an exciting colour coded system to maximise output – a virtual indoor cycling system that allows first timers and experienced spinners alike to experience world level classes with and without an instructor.

Apart from being fully immersive, the sessions at the Newbury Lane centre will also be fully inclusive with wheelchair accessible features provided too.

Ash Rai, CEO of Sandwell Leisure Trust, says:  “This innovative technology puts Portway a step ahead of its competitors and with over 20 additional fitness classes each week and  flexibility in attracting additional bookings to the centre, this provides further opportunities to grow our membership base. The project has pulled together all of the stakeholders within the centre, including Adult Services, the Local Authority and Sandwell Liftco, who have provided both financial and technical support to ensure the scheme is delivered within budget and on time, presenting excellent value for money for the Leisure Trust.”  

Cabinet Member for Leisure Cllr Paul Moore commented: “I’m delighted to see this new facility opening at Portway Lifestyle Centre. It provides yet another fantastic opportunity for residents to get active and healthy within a first-rate facility. Portway has gained national and international recognition for its innovative and inclusive approach and I’m particularly pleased that this ethos will continue with the spin studio.” 

 

This latest facility at Portway Lifestyle Centre is called ‘The Wall’ because management wanted to recognise and remember the room’s previous use as an indoor climbing wall, which closed in September 2016 after becoming unsustainable. Extensive customer and local research confirmed that a spin/dance studio was the preferred new option.

The indoor cycling experience at Portway follows recent and similar spin facilities being introduced at three other SLT centres - Haden Hill Leisure Centre on Barrs Road, Cradley Heath, Wednesbury Leisure Centre on High Bullen and Smethwick Swimming Centre on Thimblemill Road.

Legendary Cricketer Sh. Kapil Dev inaugurated India’s first ever Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018 – the biggest adventure sports event in the country at the Four Points by Sheraton, New Delhi on January 27. This unique and first of its kind expo is expected to witness the participation from over 60+ brands and 15000+ visitors over the 3-day long adventure extravaganza.

The expo has received strong support by various Ministries & forums- Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Air India – the official Airline partner, ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association), UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation), OTOAI (Outbound Tour Operators Association of India), IATO (The Indian Association of Tour Operators), ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators of India), ADTOI (Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India), ESOI (Ecotourism Society of India), WAS (World Adventure Society).

Sh. Kapil Dev at Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018’s platform said: “I am in favor of encouraging all kinds of sports but adventure sports is particularly good because it gets you close to nature and into clean fresh places which calms the body and mind. It is heartening to see so many adventure sports enthusiasts assemble here in Delhi from all over India and the world at Adventure Sports Expo Asia and I am sure in years to come more people will discover the joys of participating in Adventure Sports. I wish the organizers and visitors all the best for the next three days.”

Various eminent dignitaries, like Mr. Suman Billa, IAS – Joint Secretary of (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Mr. Tejbir Singh Anand – Vice President – Adventure Tour Operators Association of India, Mr. Ajeet Bajaj – Padma Shree Awardee & MD – Snow Leopard Adventures Pvt. Ltd and Mr. Rishi Narain – Asian Games Gold Medalist, Founder & MD, RN Sports Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Ms. Aanchal Thakur-first Indian to win a medal at an international skiing event , Ms. Malvath Poorna- Youngest Woman to climb Mount Everest and Mr. Shekhar Babu-First Indian Mountaineer to climb Mount Everest as an individual of Adventure Sports industry will be gracing the occasion.

Mr. Ajeet Bajaj, Padma Shree Awardee & MD – Snow Leopard Adventures Pvt. Ltd, said: “I am thankful to Mr. Kapil Dev for giving us his time and sharing his views on Adventure Sports industry. We are elated to see such amazing beginning of the first edition of ASEA 2018 and we already planning for a bigger ASEA 2019 as well.”

He further added: “India already has huge potential as an Adventure Sports destination with so much diversity from mountains to rivers and desserts. ASEA 2018 will be marketing India as an iconic destination for Adventure Sports to the world with the support of ATOAI. Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018 would also be recognizing individual/groups and companies in the field of adventure on the opening night of the show.”

Mr. Shannon Stowell, CEO-Adventure Travel Trade Association, said: “ India has so much to offer the world when it comes to Adventure Sports and Adventure Tourism. This is my first trip to India which has been planned for past 14 years and I thank the Adventure Sports Expo Asia for making the visit happen. I certainly look forward to taking the message of what India has to offer back to America and my network of Tour Companies and we look forward to working with the Adventure community that has gathered here for this show and putting India on the world map of Adventure Tourism.”

The three-day expo will be presenting exhibition, speaker sessions, adventure activities, workshops and award night that will act as a one-stop destination for adventure sports fraternity. Adventure Sports Expo Asia is aimed to catalyze the growth of adventure sports & responsible tourism by bringing in world-class gear equipment makers, expert trainers, best practices, and technology advancement.

Capt Swadesh Kumar, President- Adventure Tour Operators Association of India, said: “ I have been working in Adventure Travel for over 20 years and this is the first time such a gathering is happening among all stakeholders in Adventure Sports. I encourage everyone to visit the show in the next three days whether you are connected to or aspiring to participate in Adventure Sports. I am sure the success of this show will create many opportunities for growth in this industry and I hope the show grows from strength to strength. We at ATOAI will continue to support such efforts.”

ASEA 2018 has also exhibited a vivid collage of Exhibitors and Buyers. While the Exhibitor profiles will deal with all adventure gear manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers along with adventure and eco-tourism tour operators all over Asia; the Buyer profiles will consist of government bodies such as Army, Navy Force, Para-Military Organizations, Travel enthusiast, potential investors from hospitality and also countries like US, UK, Australia, South America, Asia and Europe. The expo has exhibited the norms of what new trends are running the adventure sports and tourism industry.

The main focus of Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018 is to provide a unified global networking platform to facilitate the growth of adventure sports & responsible tourism vis-à-vis products and services. This will not only help them in exploring new business opportunities but also will act as a body where they can voice their opinions and grievances and find a solution through dialogue with the exhibitors.

Tributes will be paid to legendary Coventry City striker and FA Cup winning hero Cyrille Regis at their home game against Swindon Town on Saturday.

There will be a minute’s applause ahead of kick-off on Saturday, while Regis will adorn the front cover of the match-day programme.

Inside, there will also be an obituary for him, with photos from his time at the club and messages from the world of football in a six page tribute.

Players will wear black armbands, while there will be a tribute video played on the big screen at half-time.

A Memory Book will be available for fans to sign & share their memories of Cyrille Regis in the Family Zone.

This year’s Legends Day on Saturday March 3 against Lincoln City, held in association with the Coventry City Former Players Association, will be dedicated to Regis, who played 238 games for the club, passed away at the age pf only 59.

 

The fifth installment of Thailand’s biggest and most enjoyed tournament for club golfers, the Centara World Masters Golf Championship, returns to the popular beach-side resort town on Hua Hin in Thailand from 10 to 16 June 2018.

Such is the event’s popularity, more than 300 golfers have signed up for the tournament since registrations opened 3 months ago. Testimony to the events worldwide appeal, golfers from Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, USA, Canada, Great Britain, South Africa, India, Pakistan, France, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea and host country Thailand have already confirmed their participation.

Centara Grand Hua Hin Beach Resort & Villas hosts spectacular welcome and presentation dinners as well Asia’s biggest 19th hole with entertainment events every night of the week-long tournament. Centara Hua Hin’s old world charm, beachfront location, modern facilities and Thai hospitality makes it a popular place to stay. The hotel is 90% sold-out, with a number of room types already on waitlist.

Open to golfers aged 35 and over, the Centara World Masters is played in age and handicap divisions for both men and women. Playing and competing with golfers of a similar age and standard is part of the tournaments winning formula.

Golfers will play Hua Hin’s four premier golfing resorts for this year’s 72 hole championship. Asia’s number one ranked course, Black Mountain will headline the tournament along with perennial favorite Banyan will headline the course rotation. With a major new pipeline now delivering unlimited water to neighboring Springfield Country Club and Lake View golf courses, these impressive layouts now boast lush, emerald-green fairways where you never get a bad lie.

“Severe drought over the past couple of years had really impacted these two courses that were dependent on mother nature for watering. It’s amazing how lush both the courses are now that they have regular water supply. Last time I inspected Lake View the fairways had major cracks down the middle of them and we had to play ‘tee-up’ at Springfield. Now these courses have the lushest fairways and your ball sits up perfect. The transformation in course conditioning is amazing and I just know golfers will really enjoy playing these courses.” Mark Siegel, Managing Director, Golfasian.

Tournament veteran Daryn Kitchener from Brisbane Australia is among the first to register every year. “I travel to a lot of tournaments around the world and it just doesn’t get any better than the Centara World Masters. Organizers look after absolutely everything for you. Buses take you to and from the courses, you finish your round and leave your clubs on your cart and they just appear on your cart at the next course – cleaned!

The courses are much better than Australia’s golf resorts and I’ve never been so spoiled on a golf course like I am at the Centara Masters. There’s cold towels, unlimited water and sports drinks and even a free beer when you finish. The caddies are well-trained, join in the fun and banter and playing 4 rounds without filling a divot, repairing a pitch mark or raking a bunker is just bliss. Just like the PGA Tour, caddies wear a bib with your name and country flag on it. The caddies are awesome and found my ball no matter how wayward my shots and having my putts lined up for me, it’s a real advantage on courses I’ve never played before. I went on my own the first year and you just meet all these wonderful people from all over. It’s great catching up each year and making more friends. To say I’m excited is an understatement. The screensaver on my phone has a countdown to the start of the tournament.”

According to Go Golfing founder Peter McCarthy, we love spoiling golfers at the Centara World Masters. “I don’t know any other tournament where you get a one-hour massage on arrival. We have 30 hospitality staff who look after everything for the golfers and the non-playing partners. You don’t carry a bag or line up for a drink all week. Our sponsors love the event so much they are coming up with more and more things to make the event more amazing. The whole town of Hua Hin has signs welcoming golfers and special offers for the players. It’s humbling to have this kind of support and hospitality.”

The tournament is a collaboration between Australian based Go Golfing and Thailand based Golfasian. Go Golfing pioneered World Masters tournaments 23 years ago in Australia and now take more than 13,000 golfers each year to 24 countries for their tournaments and hosted group golf tours. Golfasian have forged an enviable reputation as the trusted company for golfers to book with when travelling to Thailand, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Each year both companies are awarded as the best golf tour operators in the Asia Pacific region at the World Golf Awards.

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