Sports News

As the IAAF World Indoor Championships drew to a close in Portland the USA handed the baton to the UK who will host the next edition in 2018 at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena. The city previously hosted the Championships in 2003 as well as the European Indoor Championships in 2007, giving t a proven track record and pedigree in staging major championships.

As the sporting world mourns the death of Johan Cruyff, it’s rest assured that his legacy will live bright in the game he so uniquely graced. The Dutch master, who lost his following a five-month battle against lung cancer, will always be remembered for being the leader of that great Netherlands team who brought a new dimension to the world game, with their newly invented brand of ‘total football.’

The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, has confirmed that he will compete on the night of Friday July 22 at the two day London Anniversary Games this summer. The world record holder will take to the track for the IAAF Diamond League meeting at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London for what will be one of the best athletics meetings in the world and one of the showpiece events in the British sporting summer.

A sign banning ball games has been removed from an estate in Haringey as a borough-wide drive to encourage children to live more active lifestyles gathers pace. The sign on the Stellar House Estate in Northumberland Park was removed by Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Peter Morton and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club Ambassador Ledley King.

Italian champions a record 33 times, Juventus is deservedly regarded as one of the world's elite footballing powers, and children have the chance to learn the secrets of the most successful side in Italian history at the deluxe Verdura Resort this summer. Featuring a galaxy of stars including Paul Pogba, Alvaro Morata, Gianluigi Buffon, Patrice Evra and Mario Mandžukić, Juventus continues to set the standard in Italy having won the Serie 'A' title the last four years in a row.

Premier League, Championship, League One and Two football clubs across the country have joined force, pledging their support for the ‘Sign for Life’ campaign to urge fans to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. With around 10,000 people, across the UK, need a transplant, clubs including; West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, Stoke City, Manchester City, Southampton, Everton, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Sheffield Wednesday and Notts County are all onboard.

Following on from its success at the 2015 BBL Play-Off Final, Hoops Aid is returning again this year to add yet more razzmatazz to an already spectacular day of basketball action. It promises to be another memorable day for British basketball when a huge crowd prepares to once again descend on The O2 for what is going to be the first ever BBL and WBBL Play-Off Finals double-bill.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has announced that recruitment for their biggest ever grass roots kids initiative, following Great Britain’s Davis Cup by BNP Paribas win, is complete. 1,000 experienced and passionate coaches have been successfully recruited and are now poised to deliver the Tennis for Kids in partnership with Highland Spring initiative.

While not a traditional past-time in Canada, rugby is readying for the spotlight in British Columbia during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Vancouver will host the inaugural Canada Sevens between 12 and 13 March 2016. This spectacular destination is one of the most talked about additions to the HSBC World Sevens Series.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) have announced the launch of a national Trophy Tour of Great Britain with the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, following Great Britain’s historic win against Belgium, hoisting the Trophy for the first time in 79 years. The LTA want the nation to help celebrate this momentous occasion by delivering a Trophy Tour that will begin in Scotland from the start of April and will be visiting every county and major tennis tournament over the coming months.

Reigning Olympic and World champion Greg Rutherford and London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Robbie Grabarz have today been announced in a 23-strong British Athletics team for the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Portland, USA on 17-20 March.

Action for Children is looking for runners from West Midlands to join its Virgin Money London Marathon team ahead of the world famous event taking place on April 24^th. The event is the perfect opportunity for runners already registered in the race to raise money for disadvantaged children and their families.

Fans of Britain’s greatest ever distance runner Mo Farah completed the most unforgettable two mile run of their lives, alongside the double Olympic champion himself, at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium. The #TwoMoMiles run for 25 lucky fans was a thank you to Farah’s supporters and also heralded his return to the city for the Birmingham Diamond League on Sunday 5 June, where he will begin his countdown to Rio.

Runners are being urged to up their pace and take part in the Dudley Kingswinford Running Club’s 10k road race after leading commercial property firm London & Cambridge Properties (LCP) signed up as main sponsors of the event. It is the second consecutive year that LCP has supported the LCP DK10K race, which takes place on the evening of Wednesday, May 4. Hundreds of athletes are expected to sign up for the annual spectacular, which has a 1,100 runner limit.

British Athletics has announced that the Indoor British Championships will be streamed live online on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February. The event takes place at the EIS – Sheffield and will feature the country’s best athletes as they battle it out to be crowned British champion and secure their place on the team for the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Portland in March.

Cape Town will experience the Barclays Premier League like never before when the official fan park, Barclays Premier League Live comes to the Mother City. Soccer fans will get the chance to get up close and personal with the Barclays Premier League Trophy, meet former players, visit team tents and watch matches live on a giant 118-square-metre screen.