Sports News

Outstanding contributions by the city's sportsmen and women were recognised at a special presentation hosted by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Ian Brookfield. Wolverhampton City Sports Advisory Council's annual awards recognised the efforts of athletes, coaches, officials and administrators from clubs across Wolverhampton.

Europe's leading golf destination, the Algarve, is celebrating after hosting a feast of superb golf from some of the world's finest disabled golfers at its annual international disability golf tournament. Nearly 50 golfers from 13 countries descended upon the charming region for the second European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) Algarve Open, held at Pestana Vila Sol, which saw Manuel de Los Santos crowned champion after an exciting two-hole play-off against Frenchman Mathieu Cauneau.

The 62nd Macau Grand Prix has come to an exciting end with British drivers Alexander Sims and Sam McLeod claiming the third and fourth positions, respectively. A total of 24 drivers, including a third Briton, competed in the world-class event last weekend, which represents the climax of the Formula 3 calendar.

Britain’s Got Talent favourites Flawless are ready to light up British Basketball’s major Finals in 2016. In a series of special one-off performances, Flawless will firstly headline the entertainment for fans at the BBL Cup and WBBL Trophy Finals on Sunday 17 January at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham.

The Aegon GB Davis Cup Team will be rolling into Birmingham for the exciting Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first-round clash against Japan in March. The tie, which takes place between 4-6 March 2016 at the 9,000 capacity Barclaycard Arena, will be only the second time the sides have met in the biggest team competition in tennis.

Manager of Walsall Football Club, Dean Smith visited Walsall College’s recently launched £11m Business and Sports Hub this week and presented Supported Learning students with silver medals following their success at a regional football tournament.

Council staff are broadening their horizons and helping the local community as part of the Employee Volunteering Scheme. A scheme run by the City of Wolverhampton Council allows employees to take up to two days of paid volunteering leave providing it fits in with business requirements, is of benefit to not for profit organisations, and is within Wolverhampton.

The rugby world is in mourning following the tragic death of All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu. The former New Zealand winger, the star of the 1995 World Cup, was 40.The All Blacks team doctor said it was an unexpected death, according to a report from New Zealand television station 3News. But it has also emerged that Lomu was on the waiting list for a second kidney transplant after his first, in 2004, failed in 2011.

Warwickshire County Cricket Club have announced the appointment of Neil Snowball as Chief Executive. He will commence the role in January 2016, replacing current Chief Executive Colin Povey who is retiring from the position next month. Neil is currently Chief Operating Officer of England Rugby 2015 Ltd, the Organising Committee for Rugby World Cup 2015.

Birmingham golfer, Daanyal Spalding, is being marked as the biggest name in the game since Rory McIlroy MBE and he is now on the verge becoming one of the biggest British Asian golfers in the world.  

The race continues to reach the prestigious 2016 BBL Cup Final at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham on Sunday January 17 as the last remaining teams all continue to dream of stepping out in front of another huge crowd at the venue. One of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the British Basketball calendar, this season's first piece of silverware will be handed out to one of five clubs still left standing.

Amongst a star-studded room of internationally renowned high-achievers,at the Sunday Times & Sky Sports Sportswomen of the Year, in association with Vitality, one of the outstanding winners, on a night of outstanding winners, football coach Annie Zaidi, stood out receiving the Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration award as the first South Asian and Muslim woman to acquire a Level 2 coaching badge from the Football Association.

Birmingham-based mechanical building services provider J S Wright is packing an even bigger punch after teaming up with a budding world boxing champion. The award-winning contractor, which has its headquarters in Aston and offices in Bristol and London, has marked its 125^th anniversary this year by becoming the official sponsor of rising local star Tommy Langford.

Bath is to get the UK's first outdoor Glow in the Dark Mini Golf. The Victoria Falls 18-hole adventure golf course is located in Royal Victoria Park with the world famous Royal Crescent as its backdrop. It is situated alongside the Bath on Ice festive real ice rink.

Proposed plans for the new Erdington Leisure Centre have been shared as part of a public consultation process. The £6.5 million investment will include a six-lane 25m swimming pool, learner pool, workout studio for classes, gym, sauna and steam facilities, changing facilities plus a community room. The new building will be located on Orphanage Road in Erdington and work will start in spring 2016.

A further three medals were added to British Athletics’ tally at the IPC Athletics World Championships, as Jo Butterfield won gold and six-time world champion David Weir and double European champion Maria Lyle both won silver in Doha.