Spain reign supreme following pulsating win over brave Lionesses

Spain overcame dispute and internal turmoil to lift the FIFA Women's World Cup trophy as England's wait to win a first title goes on after the winner’s deservedly triumphed in the final in Sydney.

Looking to become the first England senior side since the men's team in 1966, the Lionesses suffered heartbreak after being outplayed by a side full of flair and creativity. Winning captain Olga Carmona was the difference as she scored the winning goal after sliding the ball past goalkeeper Mary Earps in the first half after England's Lucy Bronze lost possession in midfield.

Spain the all-round winner at this year’s Ballon d'Or

It was Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri who came out as this year’s Ballon d'Or award winner for the best player in the world, with Brazil's Vinicius Jr and England's Jude Bellingham, both of Real Madrid, beaten to the prestigious prize.

The Madrid native becomes the first defensive midfielder to come out on top since Lothar Matthaus in 1990 and the third Spaniard to claim the prize after Alfredo Di Stefano in 1957 and 1959, and Luis Suarez in 1960. While the award has been dominated by Spanish league players, no Spaniard had won since Barcelona great Luis Suarez more than 60 years ago, despite Spain's "golden generation" that won the 2010 World Cup, the 2008 and 2012 Euros.

But Rodri finally ended that run with a unique skillset that has made his club the dominant force in England and helped Spain rule Europe again. "Today is not a victory for me, Rodri said – it’s is for Spanish football, for so many players who have not won it and have deserved it,” he said.

"I'm a regular guy with values, who studies, who tries to do things right and doesn't try to follow the stereotypes and even, so I have been able to get to the top, and it is thanks to all of you," he went on.

It was the first time since 2003 in which neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo made the final 30-man list of nominees.

Rodri has only lost a match once in the past 18 months -- City's surprise FA Cup final defeat by Manchester United last season. Earlier, his national teammate Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21 player by helping Spain to a perfect Euro 2024 campaign, winning all seven games en route to lifting the trophy.

Aitana Bonmati won the women's Ballon d'Or for the second consecutive year while compatriot Jennifer Hermoso was awarded the Socrates Award for her role in the fight for women's rights in football and her courageous stance against sexism in sport. Real Madrid had decided to boycott the ceremony in anticipation of Vinicius not winning the men's award.

No-one from the club was present when they won the men’s club of the year award, and their manager Carlo Ancelotti was named men’s coach of the year while Barcelona grabbed the trophy for women’s best club after both teams won the European and Spanish league double last season. Other winners saw the Yashin Trophy going to the Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Real’s Kylian Mbappe getting the Gerd Muller Trophy.

Other winners saw Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal get the vote for the Kopa Trophy, Jennifer Hermoso collect the Socrates Award, Real’s Carlo Ancelotti voted Men's coach of the year, former Chelsea coach, Emma Hayes getting the Women's coach of the year award, whilst Real Madrid coming up trumps again with the  Men's club of the year nod and Barcelona getting the Women's club of the year nod.

Spanish FA president apologises for kissing Hermoso after country's World Cup win

Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has apologised for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women's World Cup. Rubiales kissed the Spain forward during the presentation ceremony following the team's 1-0 win over England in Sunday's final.

"I didn't like it," Hermoso said on Instagram, but a statement released later on her behalf defended Rubiales. On Monday, Rubiales said: "I was completely wrong, I have to admit it."

Spirit of 2012 announces funding to create a volunteering legacy in the West Midlands

£40,000 grant awarded to help the Birmingham 2022 volunteering programme live on beyond the Games. Spirit of 2012 has announced the award of a grant of £40,000 to the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee to help secure the future of the Commonwealth Games’ volunteering programme.

The 14,000 people, known as the Commonwealth Collective, generously volunteered their time over the summer are credited as the most diverse group of volunteers ever seen in the UK.

Sponsors ending partnerships with Yorkshire as Azeem Rafiq investigation continues

Following the news that MPs are investigating claims of institutional racism at Yorkshire Cricket Club, leading sponsors Emerald Publishing and Yorkshire Tea have severed their ties with Yorkshire Cricket Club.

This latest fall-out comes as news came out that former player, Azeem Rafiq, will be giving evidence in person (to MPs) into a report about allegations of racism he made against the club.

Sport 4 Life UK strengthens board with three new trustee appointments

Sport 4 Life UK, a leading sport-for-development charity delivering life changing programmes to young people, has announced the appointment of three new trustees to its Board: Carolyn Keenan, Gurdeep Boparai, and Chris Sharman.

Sport Caerphilly opens applications for 2025-26 Facility Grant

Sport Caerphilly is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2025-26 Facility Grant.

Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel launch Race Report Card on anniversary of George Floyd killing

The Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel has announced it is developing a Race Report Card. The Panel will use the Race Report Card to encourage and measure National Governing Bodies of Sport and professional sports clubs against progress for inclusion of Black communities at all levels in their organisations.

The Race Report Card will play an integral role in holding sporting organisations to account by monitoring progress, with the Panel advising organisations and showcasing good practice demonstrated throughout the sector to increase opportunities for Black communities. One of the Panel’s key goals is to keep up the momentum with a sustained commitment rather than a knee jerk response, that included many positive statements announced last year after George Floyd’s death and the public outcry on the systemic racism that disadvantages Black communities across the country.

The Race Report Card, which will be developed over the Summer of 2021, will be distributed to senior representatives from National Governing Bodies of Sport and professional sports clubs once finalised and will require statements and evidence amounting to the following:

1.    Policies, strategies, and action plans that were put into place after the Black Lives Matter protests of Summer 2020, and how these were for the benefit of Black communities in particular;

2.    The effectiveness of these policies, strategies, and action plans. Importantly, this will involve examining the workforce statistics to monitor diverse appointments of those in decision making roles (professional coaches, middle management, senior leadership, Chief Executives and Board members);

3.    Examining ethnically diverse representation of national sports teams across different levels, leagues, competitions etc.

After receiving the required information via collation of digital survey results, the Panel will analyse the data and evidence, with reports on findings expected at a later date. By collecting, analysing and reporting on this data, the Panel is looking to showcase best practice and positive impacts made within the sector but also highlight areas for improvement. A year after the inequalities faced by Black communities came to the fore in all areas of society, and across the world, the Panel is hoping to see real evidenced change and effort towards improving experiences within the sport sector.

Sporting Equals devised the Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel as a broad response to the increasing instances of racism and the Black Lives Matter protests of Summer 2020. The Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel consists of a group of esteemed individuals dedicated to all sport, passionate about race equality and determined to create more opportunities to Black communities throughout the sport sector.

On the announcement of the Race Report Card, Densign White MBE, Chair of the Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel commented: “The societal disadvantages faced by Black communities are evident, and put more into focus, a year after the tragic death of George Floyd.

“I am pleased to announce that we are developing a Race Report Card that will score the progress made by sports organisations on policy and strategy, workforce profile and national team representation. The Race Report Card will actively hold sporting organisations to account, specifically looking into what has been done to improve inclusion and representation at all levels.

“The Race Report card is a conclusive assessment of recruitment of ethnically diverse people in the sport sector and considers composition assessed by the racial makeup of players, coaches, management and leadership in sports organisations.  I am proud of the progress the Panel has made in such a short period of time and grateful to Sporting Equals for founding the Panel and aiding with the development of this Race Report Card.”

Maggie Alphonsi MBE, Panel member and a former Rugby Union England International and Captain, said: “I got involved with the Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel because I wanted to ensure that the sport sector in the UK did more to support the inclusion of Black communities at all levels, particularly after the statements of intent from sporting organisations following the tragic death of George Floyd.

“I want to see greater representation not only at the national level, but also at a local or grassroots level where there are many key decision-making roles on Boards and Committees. It is important that we see greater diversity here to ensure the opportunities are available at every level within the leadership pathway. The Race Report Card will play a key role in measuring positive change and ensure that organisations stay focussed when it comes to race equality.”

The Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel meets regularly throughout the year and will share results and analysis from the Report Card, as well as highlight good practice via Sporting Equals.

Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel launch Race Representation Index in Black History Month Reminding Sport Sector Black Lives Matter Pledges Must Be Actioned!

Over the course of the pandemic the global community has seen the true extremity of disparities that pre-dated and were exacerbated by Covid-19. This included key events such as the death of George Floyd and subsequent worldwide outrage that brought the Black Lives Matter movement to a boiling point. A universal point of reflection and action was required, this stretched to individuals, institutions and sectors; including the sport and physical activity sector.

Sport Relief announced as official charity partner for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Sport Relief has today been announced as an official charity partner of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, marking an exciting new future for the brand. Through the partnership, there will be a host of public and high-profile events and activities planned in the run-up to the highly anticipated international sporting event taking place in Birmingham, this summer.

Sport stars, school and club join city’s Sporting Hall of Fame

Two more sport stars, a school and a cricket club were inducted into the city’s Sporting Hall of Fame during a celebratory event held last weekend.

Sport's finest gather under the stars for the grand finale of the XXVI Fair Play Menarini International Award

Intense emotions and immense satisfaction were in the air during the final event of the XXVI Fair Play Menarini International Award. The evening, the award ceremony for the winners of the 2022 edition in Castiglion Fiorentino (Arezzo) drew an enjoyable end to this celebration of the values of sportsmanship, organised by the Fair Play Menarini Foundation.

SportAccord Summit 2024 logo unveiled

The organisers of the World Sport & Business Summit 2024 have unveil the official logo for the prestigious event, set to take place in Birmingham, West Midlands.

Sporting Equals announce new Trustee appointments

Following on from the announcement of its new Chair, Dr Howard Haughton, Sporting Equals has welcomed four new trustees to their team.

Sporting Equals announced as official charity partners for Kabaddi World Cup 2025

Sporting Equals have just announced its role as the official charity partner for the Kabaddi World Cup 2025.

Sporting Equals announces leadership change

The Board of Trustees of Sporting Equals, a leading voice for race equality in sport and physical activity, confirm the departure of CEO, Arun Kang and thank him for his positive contributions to the work of the Charity.

Sporting Equals BAME Terminology Survey Statement

There has been a growing concern and appetite for change when looking at terminology and language surrounding how we describe the communities impacted by racial discrimination. The mainstream term in use is Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME). The problem with BAME, and other now outdated phrases as terminology, is that there are issues of generic and casual branding of communities. This is whilst also avoiding the varying issues impacting specific communities in more severe ways, as highlighted by the recent advocation for change through Black Lives Matter. The term BAME also leaves room for ambiguity and confusion around ethnicity, geography and nationality.

The term BAME collates large swathes of groups together and places recognition on some communities whilst ignoring others entirely. The emphasis of such behaviours tends to be on the physical differences of some while relegating ethnic and cultural complexities. The insinuation that any of the communities impacted by racial discrimination are simply 'minority' ethnic groups is uncomfortable for many due to the negative connotations that are attached to the word minority, which subconsciously makes ethnic groups seem inferior to white counterparts, and connotes a general negative subtext.

This is as well as the idea that all communities and individuals who fit into the umbrella term of 'BAME,' are impacted the same way by racism. These wide and non-specific groupings fail to recognise the multiple complex strands of diverse cultures. What we need to do is get specific and avoid the use of umbrella terminology where possible.

Systematic racism is incredibly complex and to tackle it effectively, we need terminology which is more specific to the communities experiencing racism in order to improve inclusivity. We believe the term BAME is too generic and allows organisations to hide behind this term to cover up underrepresentation and racial discrimination of specific ethnic groups. The only way we can begin to unpick and deconstruct the systematic racism and discrimination towards these varied communities, is by recognising specific communities, their underrepresentation and the experience they face with racism.

We must reflect on their experiences, work with them to resolve these issues and develop best practice. The first step to take is to stop using BAME and other such problematic terminology and to start looking at these communities in a more detailed way and identify them as specific groups, with an intersectional approach to identify any forms of multiple discrimination taking place. We must measure engagement from the varied communities more effectively and become accountable for the shortfalls to develop a more anti-racist approach.

We as a sector must recognise and highlight the varying and often multi-layered forms of discrimination and racism impacting communities. There are issues that would impact South Asians differently to the African or Caribbean communities, and within those communities are even more intersects of diversity that need to be recognised from ethnicity to intersectionality.

We need to be willing to embrace diversity as organisations and individuals, by knowing the communities we serve and once we do that; we need to understand and accept the diversity and complexity that communities and individuals self-identify as. Without this focus on measuring specific communities we will continue to fail to eradicate discrimination and exclusion. Being specific regarding the communities and individuals who are in need of support and engagement is the way forward. Sporting Equals recognised the weaknesses and hinderances of terminology and conducted a survey in October to aid in the development of best practice for our sector.

Our initial consultation was to our Associate Member network base of over 200 grassroots organisations in building our response to this call for evidence. This group represents 150,000 service users and almost 4,000 volunteers. The consultation reinforced our view that communities would prefer more specific definition of their identities. However, the communities also recognised and agreed that for organisational administrative purposes, they would be happy for a more sensitive and respectful term to be adopted.

The terms which were most highly favoured by our members included Diverse Ethnic Communities or Ethnically Diverse Communities, these terms allow the terminology to have more positive and broader spectrum. This is to ensure that organisations must become more specific as a result. We are placing the responsibility of specificity on our organisations and bodies of power to adopt these phrases, but then further specify the level of detail as to which groups they are engaging and why. These phrases require more detail and specification than an acronym like BAME. Diversity is the first and foremost point of importance, we need to recognise the diversity between the communities from their cultural diversity to their experiences of racism. But we must be wary to not use these terms in a casual and dismissive way. When speaking of research, marketing, engagement, and targets we must be very clear about which specific groups we are seeking to engage. We cannot continue to casually group people consistently with umbrella terminology – there must be a justified administrative or bureaucratic reason.

Following this, we at Sporting Equals will take this matter further consulting on where we should limit its usage, and we will then develop best practice to assist in cultivating a more welcoming sector for all communities. We must remember none of us win unless all of us win and with each of these changes we get one step closer to an inclusive and equal sector for all.

Sporting Equals Statement Response to UK Home Sports Councils’ Race in Sport Review

In light of the recent statement, report and review by the Home Sports Councils we at Sporting Equals wanted to highlight a few points we feel are important to reflect on. We have seen a definitive shift post the summer of 2020 Black Lives Matter protests regarding how society began to view and discuss race. This had impact across all walks of life and for organisations such as ours this marked a point in time where real progress in terms of introspection and intervention could finally begin. 

We witnessed many organisations reach out to us to engage in dialogue with people wanting to learn how they can be anti-racist to create truly equal and inclusive spaces. For our organisation it meant the beginning of many community consultations to inform and develop tangible interventions which we have worked to present, deliver and instil in sport in the UK. 

Sporting Equals wanted to take this opportunity to thank and support the Home Sports Councils in their recognition and dedication to resolving the historic issues of racism within sport in the UK. Their adoption and support towards our terminology work within their report, which highlights the need to retire outdated terminology such as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic 'BAME' and use specific terminology or where ethically justifiable the community supported phrases – ethnically diverse communities and diverse ethnic communities. This is significant for all the communities who have supported and informed our work on terminology, to have their views reflected in language changes to allow for respectful and relatable engagement. This is an important first step to our sector becoming an evolved and equal space for all. 
 

We really welcome the five common themes for action that have been reached as a result of the review undertaken. Similar themes were identified within our racism in sport survey, and we feel that Sporting Equals is uniquely placed to assist and enable the Home Sports Councils to achieve and deliver meaningful interventions. The five key areas that require meaningful reflection and commitment to change – the internal system of sport, representation, workforce, insight and investment. It is our sincere hope that with time the commitment to the agenda of racial equality and wider equality in sport does not waver and future actions which are yet to be determined, have a resonating impact for the communities we serve.
 

Throughout our time as the UK's leading sports racial equality charity, we have become all too familiar with the issues that have contributed to the systematic racism that the Home Sports Councils report acknowledges. Prior to the summer Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, we have been working to ensure that we have captured insight before mapping interventions and actions through the Sporting Equals Charter. We have also been working to improve issues around the lack of diversity in workforce and representation through our LeaderBoard Academy. This project enables individuals from ethnically diverse communities to develop their leadership skills and reflect on lived and learned experiences to become pragmatic yet empathetic and knowledgeably anti-racist board members who are more than capable and ready to influence the change outlined in the Home Sports Councils' report.

In the coming months Sporting Equals will be actively working with our Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel to develop and administer the Race Report Card. This initiative will enable us to spotlight key steps already being taken by bodies in the sport sector. As well as determine an accurate picture of the demographic landscape of decision making-roles, the workforce and talent which we feel will be valuable to assist informing future actions for the Home Sports Councils' post the Race in Sport Review. The issue of race and racism is a historic and systematic one which requires real focus, commitment and dedication. We are encouraged to see the reflection and dedication from the Home Sports Councils and hope that moving forward they will seek the support of experienced organisations who have been driving and leading the calls for change. That they engage with organisations across the UK who have appropriate expertise and a view from grassroot level right through to the boardroom to ensure that the committed actions have the real impact and consistency necessary for change. 
 

Sporting Equals look forward to seeing the tangible actions and outcomes from this initial review in addition to continuing to see how we can further work as a sector to measure, reflect and hold ourselves accountable in order to deliver better outcomes for the communities we serve. We are glad to see that the Home Sports Councils have sustained the momentum with this review and report, our sincere hope is that this will continue to inform and allow for real engagement and change.  

Sporting legends announced as newest Members of Laureus World Sports Academy

Four of the greatest sports stars of our generation are officially announced today as members of the Laureus World Sports Academy. Three formidable giants of women’s sport – Lindsey Vonn, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Nicol David – join Paralympic hero Daniel Dias in the most exclusive team in sport, pledged to use the power of sport to improve the lives of young people around the world.

The news was announced two days before the Winners of the 2021 Laureus World Sports Awards are to be unveiled from Seville on May 6, and brings the number of Laureus Academy Members to 71.

The new Academy Members add further best-in-class achievement to the Laureus movement:

LINDSEY VONN was honoured by the Laureus Academy in 2019 with the Spirit of Sport Award to mark the end of her remarkable career as the greatest women’s Alpine skier of all time. She won four Overall World Cups, one of only two female skiers to do so, and a record eight World Cup downhill titles in a total of 20 World Cup crystal globes, surpassing Ingemar Stenmark. She won the Olympic downhill gold medal and super g bronze in 2010 which led to her receiving the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Award. She has won eight world championship medals, including two golds. Her total of 82 World Cup race victories is a women's record. She won in all five disciplines.

Lindsey said: “I feel incredibly honoured to be one of this year’s Laureus World Sports Academy Member inductees. Laureus Members have always represented best-in-class athletes who use their tremendous superpowers to create good and positive change in the world. As an athlete, one can strive to be the best, but for me, what has always been most important is to help people along their journey. Together, with Laureus and my Lindsey Vonn Foundation, we will work to create a better world through sport.”

JESSICA ENNIS-HILL was the hope of the British nation and the talisman of the British athletics team in the 2012 London Olympic Games. Despite the enormous national pressure on her, she dominated the heptathlon and won the gold medal with a British record score of 6,955 pts. She was subsequently honoured with the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award. In a stellar career, she also won three world championships and one European title. She also won a silver medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 as she narrowly failed to defend her Olympic title.

Jessica said: “I am really proud to have been elected onto the Laureus Academy. I very much hope as a member of such an amazing group of influential sports people to be able to help make a real difference at a grassroots level to the lives of young people, with a real emphasis on women. My focus at the start of my role with Laureus is to help promote the benefits of sport in changing lives at home in the UK."

NICOL DAVID is arguably the greatest women’s player in the history of squash. She was No.1 in the world for a record-breaking 108 months until September 2015, and won the World Open a record eight times between 2005 and 2014. She also won the British Open five times and two Commonwealth Games gold medals. A huge star in her home country of Malaysia, she became a Laureus Ambassador in 2014.

Nicol said: “This is truly an incredible honour to be recognised by Laureus as an Academy Member together with all the sporting greats in their field that have impacted the world of sports. I’ve always dreamed of being part of Laureus even when I was a young athlete. Sport is life changing and it has certainly changed my life. I will do my very best to contribute in fulfilling Laureus’ vision by reaching out to more children and communities in need through sport in my own country Malaysia and globally as well."

Brazil’s DANIEL DIAS is one of the most decorated athletes in history, having won 24 Paralympic medals, including 14 gold, and 31 IPC Swimming World Championship gold medals. He was the home star of the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with four gold, three silver and two bronze medals. His remarkable successes in the pool not surprisingly resulted in him three times receiving the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award – in 2009, 2012 and 2016. He will become a fully active Academy Member after the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in August.

Daniel said: “I am delighted to become a Member of the Laureus Academy today, although it will be a few months before I can take up my role, as first I hope to complete my swimming career with a successful Paralympic Games in Tokyo. I have been lucky to win three Laureus Awards in my career, and I can tell you what an honour they are for an athlete. I am really looking forward to being able to help young people in the future and do my best to change the world."

Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick hailed the new Members of the Laureus Academy. “This is an incredible group of sporting super stars. We are delighted to have four such illustrious new members of the Laureus Family, I have spoken at length with them all and they cannot wait to begin to help us achieve our Purpose to support the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation which uses the power of sport to improve young people’s lives and help us fulfil the visionary words of our First Patron Nelson Mandela - ‘Sport has the power to change the world."

Laureus has now become one of the most influential and active sports-driven social enterprises operating in the field of Sports for Development. Since its inception Laureus has helped to improve the lives of more than six million children and young adults, and now supports over 250 sports-based community programmes around the world.

Academy Members are also the ultimate sports jury, voting each year to decide the Winners of the Laureus World Sports Awards, and have voted to select this year’s Winners who will be revealed tomorrow, May 6, in Seville. The current Laureus World Sports Academy Members are now:

Giacomo Agostini, Marcus Allen, Luciana Aymar, Franz Beckenbauer, Boris Becker, Ian Botham, Sergey Bubka, Cafu, Fabian Cancellara, Bobby Charlton, Sebastian Coe, Nadia Comaneci, Nicol David, Alessandro Del Piero, Yaping Deng, Marcel Desailly, Kapil Dev, Daniel Dias, Mick Doohan, David Douillet, Rahul Dravid, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Luis Figo, Emerson Fittipaldi, Sean Fitzpatrick (Chairman), Missy Franklin, Dawn Fraser, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Ryan Giggs, Ruud Gullit, Bryan Habana, Mika Hakkinen, Tony Hawk, Maria Höfl- Reisch, Mike Horn, Chris  Hoy, Miguel Indurain, Michael Johnson, Kip Keino, Franz Klammer, Lennox Lewis, Tegla Loroupe, Dan Marino, Yao Ming, Edwin Moses, Nawal El Moutawakel, Li Na, Robby Naish, Martina Navratilova, Alexey Nemov, Jack Nicklaus, Lorena Ochoa, Brian O’Driscoll, Gary Player, Morné du Plessis, Hugo Porta, Carles Puyol, Raul, Steve Redgrave, Vivian Richards, Monica Seles, Mark Spitz, Sachin Tendulkar, Daley Thompson, Alberto Tomba, Francesco Totti, Lindsey Vonn, Steve Waugh, Katarina Witt, Xiaopeng, Yang Yang.

SportLocker - The Key to Sport streaming

SportLocker is a 24 hour on-demand sport service showcasing highlights, news, real-time statistics, and live scores, with 150+ new content appearing each day. 

Users can enjoy access to highlights of global major sporting events from a single platform through an affordable sports subscription model. One partner, MTN Group, Africa’s largest mobile network operator, reached over 45k subscribers within 5 days of launch in November 2022, with the subscriber base sitting at over 260,000 after the first two months.