Sports clubs invited to apply for grassroots funding boost

Sports clubs in Wolverhampton are being invited to apply for funding to enhance their coaching and officiating capabilities and increase participation rates.

Sports equipment said to present low Covid risk

The risk of coronavirus transmission from sharing sports equipment is "lower than once thought", a study suggests. Researchers, led by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, applied live virus particles to nine types of sports equipment and a control material. They concluded that it seems unlikely that sports balls and accessories are a major cause for transmission.

Last June Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that cricket balls are a "natural vector" of coronavirus. The Strike study found the virus was least transferrable on absorbent materials like cricket gloves and tennis balls, compared with non-porous equipment like racing saddles and rugby balls. The researchers found that there was rapid decay of viral particles across several types of equipment, and it was very difficult to transfer live virus back off it. Close contact between players is likely to be a more important mode of spreading the virus than sharing equipment, researchers concluded.

James Calder, from Imperial College and Fortius Clinic, said: "The findings in this study are important not only for elite athletes, but also for community sports and our schools.

"It shows that the risk of transmission when sharing sports equipment is lower than was once thought and it highlights the importance of promoting other infection control measures in sports, whilst urging equipment manufacturers to identify surfaces that may be less likely to retain viable virus."

During the study a low dose and a high dose of live coronavirus was applied to a cricket glove, a football, a golf ball, a piece of gym pit foam, a horse saddle, both red and white cricket balls, a rugby ball and a tennis ball, as well as a piece of stainless steel as a control material. Each was tested after one minute, five minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes and 90 minutes, to see whether live virus could be transferred off the equipment at time points that were relevant to sports events.

When the low dose was applied, virus was recoverable on seven of the 10 items tested after one minute, one of the 10 after five minutes - the horse saddle - and none of the 10 after 15 minutes. When the high dose was applied, virus was recoverable on nine out of the 10 items after one and five minutes - all except the cricket glove - six out of 10 after 30 minutes, and two out of 10 after 90 minutes (the rugby ball and horse saddle). However, the study - which is awaiting peer review - found that the "mean recovery of the virus fell across all materials to 0.74% at one minute, 0.39% at 15 minutes and 0.003% at 90 minutes".

Dr Emily Adams, a senior lecturer at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said: "Anything that is slightly absorbent like a tennis ball or some of the leathery cricket balls, it's very difficult to transfer any live virus off those. So we think that transmission from sports equipment is probably very low in these cases. In many sports, like tennis, really the public health intervention should be focused on players and how players interact before a game, during a game and after a game and in transport rather than the sports equipment itself." The study found there was a noticeable difference in the viral recovery of red and white cricket balls.

It says: "Despite the white and red cricket ball surfaces both being composed of bovine leather, the different coatings used to finish the surfaces (synthetic grease on the red ball, nitrocellulose on the white ball) had a noticeable effect on viral recovery, with the red ball having a lower level." The study concludes that, given the differences in virus transfer between the types of sports equipment, the findings could "direct the engineering of materials that retain and absorb virus" as opposed to water-repellent materials, where the ability to transfer virus particles back off a surface is greater.

Sports Fans Around The World Vote For The Most Inspiring Moment In Sport

Sports fans around the world can be part of next month’s Laureus World Sports Awards by voting in a global online poll to pick the Laureus Sporting Moment of the Year. Voting opens today!

The Laureus Sporting Moment Award celebrates fair play, sportsmanship, dedication or overcoming adversity. It recognises a unique, emotional moment or story that touches the hearts of millions and inspires people worldwide.

Recent winners have included the FC Barcelona Under 12 team (2017), who consoled their losing Japanese opponents after the final of the World Challenge Cup, the Brazilian Chapecoense side (2018), who returned to football after the disastrous air crash which wiped out almost all the team, and Chinese double amputee Xia Boyu (2019) who reached the summit of Mt Everest.

Each of this year’s shortlisted moments, below, symbolises the true value of sport and brings to life the message that sport has the power to change the world and can unite us all.

AN INCREDIBLE DREAM BECOMES REAL

It took 16 hours, 46 minutes and 9 seconds for Chris Nikic, a 21-year-old from Florida, to make history, becoming the first person with Down’s Syndrome to complete a full Ironman - 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile marathon run.

DELIVERING INSPIRATION FOR CHINA

Zhang Fangyong has never given up his dream of becoming a boxer, no matter what the obstacles. Now he works as a delivery man to support his family and to allow him to afford to train. In China delivery men have made a great contribution to normal life during Covid-19, and his determination has made him a national sporting hero.

GERMANY KICKS CORONA TOGETHER

Bayern Munich players Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka set up the ‘We Kick Corona’ initiative to support charities, groups and organisations, who have struggled during the coronavirus pandemic.  So far it has raised more than €5 million.

MATCH POINT AGAINST COVID

An improbable tennis match between two young girls staged on the rooftops of Finale Ligure in Italy showed that not even Covid-19 lockdown rules could stop their spirit of friendship and love of sport. Their reward was an unexpected visit by Roger Federer.

RACE AGAINST THE ELEMENTS

When Storm Filomena brought the heaviest snowfall in decades to Spain, everything stopped. But Dr Álvaro Sanchez was typical of the resolute spirit of health care workers, walking 17km (10.5 miles) to reach his Covid-19 patients in hospital.

SPORT UNITES ACROSS LOCKDOWNS

When sport was cancelled in Japan because of Covid-19, many high school boys and girls lost the chance to showcase their performances for applications to universities and sports teams. #NeverStopPlayingSports, founded by two rugby internationals, has filled the gap.

Sean Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said: “In the last five years this Award has given us a new impetus. Firstly it has involved the sports fans of the world who can now have their own voice and pick their own Award winner. But also, it has moved away from the scoreboard or the winner’s rostrum and celebrates something very special in sport, something very special in life.”

Founded in 2000 as the Laureus World Sports Awards, Laureus has now also become one of the most influential and active sports-driven social enterprises through its charitable arm, Laureus Sport for Good.

Since its inception Laureus has helped to improve the lives of more than six million children and young adults, and now supports more than 250 sports-based community programmes around the world, fulfilling the visionary words of its First Patron Nelson Mandela - ‘Sport has the power to change the world’.

Laureus also provides a platform for sportsmen and women to use their collective voice to highlight and promote the value of sport in society and use their positions of influence to make a powerful impact on issues and conflicts which go beyond sport

Sports figures gather for coaching conference in Birmingham during Commonwealth Games

Coaches, sports scientists, performance analysts and competitors, including former Olympians, are coming to Birmingham City University next month for an international summit on sports coaching. 

The University is hosting the Global Coaches House Birmingham 2022 Conference at its city centre campus from Tuesday 2 to Thursday 4 August – during the mid-point of the upcoming Commonwealth Games taking place in the city.

Sports Marketing Group to support Flatrock Motorsports Park and Motorclub

Flatrock Motorsports Park and Motorclub have announced the Sports Marketing Group (SMG), a global sports communications agency, has been selected to support its international motorsport communication program and digital strategy.

Sports Personality of the Year shortlist announced

The shortlist of six contenders has been announced for the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Sports powered this Paralympian's recovery

A year ago, Ali Truwit, a gifted athlete with a lifelong love of the water, was afraid to get in a pool.

Sports scholarship supports students, athletes, coaches and match officials

The University of Wolverhampton is supporting 29 talented student-athletes, coaches, and match officials across 11 different sports through its WLV Sport Scholarship Programme.  

Sports-themed charities team up to support disadvantaged youngsters

West Midlands charity Sport 4 Life UK has forged a new partnership with the Solihull Moors Foundation as part of a drive to help more disadvantaged young people in the town harness the power of sports-themed personal development. 

The initiative is aimed at widening access to Sport 4 Life UK’s renowned training expertise and will kick off in earnest at October half term with the launch of a Sports Leaders Qualification course for 13- to 18-year-olds.

Sportsman of the Year Messi scores historic double at 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards

Lionel Messi was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year tonight at an inspirational celebration of the best of sport as the prestigious 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards were staged in Paris.

The biggest show in sport was back as a live and in-person event for the first time since 2020 – and every one of the eight Award winners was there to celebrate an extraordinary sporting year. They were joined by the sporting legends of the Laureus World Sports Academy, Laureus Award winners from previous years and some of the world’s greatest athletes at a glittering ceremony at the Pavillon Vendome.

Sportworld announces major content partnerships with DFB Play TV, FIA World Rally Championship, and Red Bull TV

Sportworld, the disruptive sports streaming platform, have announced the integration of the new German Football Association's FAST channel ‘DFB Play TV’ in 65 countries globally, the ‘FIA World Rally Championship’ with all live races via ‘Rally.tv’ in 74 countries, and ‘Red Bull TV’ in Germany and Austria, further underlining its position as the fan-centric destination for sports fans and rights holders worldwide.

SPOTY contenders revealed for 2020 award

A shortlist of six contenders has been announced for the 2020 BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) award.

The nominees are Formula 1's Lewis Hamilton, jockey Hollie Doyle, boxer Tyson Fury, footballer Jordan Henderson, cricketer Stuart Broad and snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Voting will be open to the public during the Sports Personality programme on BBC One on Sunday, December 20.

The show is being broadcast live from Media City in Salford.

Football pundit Alex Scott will join the presenting line-up alongside Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan to look back on a truly unusual year of sport in front of a huge virtual audience and millions of viewers on television.

The ceremony will champion the teams that triumphed despite the pandemic, sports stars that achieved greatness even with interrupted schedules and the coaches and local heroes that made it possible.

The public can vote by phone or online on the night for the main award, with full details announced during the show.

Other awards to be announced include Team and Coach of the Year, World Sport Star of the Year and Unsung Hero, while Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford will receive a special award in recognition of his work to raise awareness of child food poverty in the UK.

SPOTY winner Hodgkinson says she’s close to breaking 800m world record

Keely Hodgkinson says she feels "pretty close" to breaking the 800m world record after the Olympic champion capped a memorable 2024 by being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Spring King Matt wins $100,000 at Grand Slam Track

Britain's Olympic medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith won $100,000 (£77,500) on Saturday after victory in the 200m at the inaugural Grand Slam Track in Kingston, Jamaica.

Springboks beat All Blacks to win record fourth Rugby World Cup

South Africa clinched a record fourth Rugby World Cup title by doing just enough to deny 14-man New Zealand and retain their crown in Paris, as captain, Siya Kolisi goes down in History.

Springboks begin World Cup victory tour

Thousands of people flooded the streets of Pretoria and Johannesburg as South Africa's rugby team begin a World Cup victory tour.

Springboks return as national heroes

Hundreds of thousands of screaming South Africans greeted their heroes as they danced and sang at OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg to welcome the returning Springboks who arrived home with their most valued cargo - the Rugby World Cup.

With star attractions, captain Siya Kolisi, leading the victorious team off the plane, with the Webb Ellis Trophy in hand, the exuberant delight proved overwhelming as the mass crowd – a true reflection of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ that the country is perceived to be – joined in unison to hail the three-times champions.

Following their much-hipped exploits in Japan, people of all varying backgrounds - Black and white, male and female, young, middle aged and old, low-income earners and the wealthy – all stood side-by-side as one mass sea of green to salute their heroes as a carnival atmosphere enveloped the normally sedate international arrivals section of the airport with every Springbok receiving a deafening seal of appreciation.

Francois Pienaar, who captained the memorable Springbok 1995 World Cup winners, hailed the Springboks' latest World triumph as bigger than then.

“This is bigger because it is a transformed team”, he said. “58million people watching in South Africa and all races woken up wearing green - which wouldn’t have happened in my time.

“It has evolved from my time. We had an incredible moment with Mr Mandela, but just the support from the nation for this team and captain.

“Seeing Siya Kolisi as the the first Black captain of South African rugby - in his 50th game  - and with his dad flying for the first time in his life to watch his son play.

“Wow! You don’t get much bigger than that”.

A visibly tired Kolisi said: "We are hugely grateful, humbled and overawed by the support in Japan and here.

"This reception is something else - we couldn't begin to thank everyone for backing us throughout this journey.

"We did this for all South Africans”, he added. “Ordinary people who work tirelessly all day long to care for their families and friends, and ultimately make our wonderful country an even better place.

"Winning the World Cup on foreign soil was very special and arriving home to this wonderful support is the cherry on top".

Following their first dominant display in the crushing 32-12 victory over pre-match favourites England, in Yokohama, South Africa became the first side to win the Webb Ellis Cup having lost a match in the tournament - they were beaten by New Zealand in the pool stage.

But, their fans – from all backgrounds – couldn’t care a j

Sprint King Bolt welcomes newly born twin sons Thunder and Saint Leo

Sprinter Usain Bolt has had twin boys, named Thunder Bolt and Saint Leo Bolt. Bolt, 34, announced the news on Instagram on Father's Day, with a lightning bolt emoji next to each of his children's names. The Olympic champion posted a photo of him and partner Kasi Bennett, with their twin boys and one-year-old daughter Olympia Lightning. The couple did not say when exactly the twins were born.

Bennett also posted a photo with the babies, saying that Bolt was the rock of this family and the greatest daddy to our little ones. Olympia Lightning was born in May 2020, and her name was announced publicly two months later. Before her birth, Bolt had kept followers updated of Bennett's pregnancy on his social media. However, neither he nor Bennett had posted about her pregnancy with the twins. Bolt, a Jamaican sprinting icon, retired from athletics in 2017 and still holds the 100m and 200m world records, making him the fastest man in history. He is also the only man to have won three 100m Olympic titles and 23 major gold medals during his career.

After leaving athletics he tried to play professional football, but then announced he was leaving sports entirely in 2019. Bolt is not the first celebrity to use a play on words when naming children. In 2013 Kanye West and his wife Kim Kardashian West, who are currently separated, made headlines when they named their child North West. Musician Jermaine Jackson named his son, who is now 20 years old, Jermajesty.

And television actor Rob Morrow from 1990s series Northern Exposure named his daughter, who is now also an actor, Tu Morrow.

Sprint-Queen, Dina ‘bags’ victory by design

After having to be content with silver in the 100metres, sprint queen, Dina Asher-Smith, majestically stepped from behind the shadows of that disappointment to reign supreme at the top of the world with a oh so comfortable win in the 200m final in Doha – thus becoming the first British woman ever to win a major global sprint title.

The 23-year-old was the outstanding favourite, stormed to World Championships as she outclassed the field to take gold in a British record of 21.88 seconds and become the first Briton to win a world or Olympic sprint title since Linford Christie at Stuttgart 1993.

The race, in front of yet another sparsely-filled Khalifa Stadium, was a formality for Asher-Smith as she came off the bend comfortably in front before powering away from the rest of the pack in the final straight.

Though near-empty, a large contingent of British fans and fellow-Team GB competitors did their extra-loud ‘bit’ to see her over the line in no uncertain terms.

"I woke up today thinking, 'This is it”, an overwhelmed and joyously tearful Asher-Smith said. “This is the moment you did all your work for' and the tiredness disappeared."

Inspired to glory after her mum, Julia, and father, Winston, offered her a Chanel handbag if she hit her target.

Now Dina will be looking to fill her new, shiny exclusive designer-wear with further gold medals as she prepares herself for the sprint relay, then Tokyo, for the 2020 Olympics.

American, Brittany Brown, took the silver medal whilst Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji took bronze.

Sprinter, Ohuruogu, cleared of anti-doping violation for prohibited association

Sprinter, Victoria Ohuruogu, has been cleared of an anti-doping rule violation concerning alleged prohibited association with a banned athlete.