Colors: Yellow Color

A second workshop will be held today (Tuesday 29 June) for local sports clubs and physical activity providers which want to claim a grant of £1,000 towards the costs of being Covid-19 compliant.

Volunteer-led sports clubs and physical activity providers in Wolverhampton are eligible for a Covid Compliance Grant offered by the City of Wolverhampton Council to encourage regular rapid Covid-19 testing and Covid-safe environments by offsetting the costs involved in this.

Sports clubs and physical activity providers in Wolverhampton can apply for the grant by calling 01902 290242 or visiting www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidcompliant, and are invited to find out more at the virtual workshop taking place tomorrow from 4pm-5pm.

It will cover what being Covid-compliant looks like, how organisations can be Covid-secure and how to apply for the grant. There will also be a question and answer session and further information about testing and risk management. To register, please visit https://bit.ly/3iY5H1t. Please note, it is not compulsory to attend the workshop in order to apply for the grant, it is for guidance only.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “A third of people with Covid-19 don’t have any symptoms and could therefore pass it onto others unknowingly. Regular testing is helping to track down these cases and prevent onward transmission, protecting individuals and the wider community.

"That’s why we are asking people in Wolverhampton to get a free rapid test twice a week, either at one of our public test centres, at home or in the workplace where available.

“The Covid Compliance Grant is intended to help our city’s grassroots sports clubs and physical activity providers get back on their feet and, at the same time, encourage them to be Covid-secure and embrace a routine of regular coronavirus testing.

“This will give people confidence that clubs are doing all they can to protect participants from Covid-19 and keep the wider community safe from this deadly virus.


“I would encourage eligible organisations to join the free workshop to find out more about the scheme.”

Former Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, Marlon Harewood, has been named as an official ambassador for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, to help raise awareness of the organisation’s vital work across the region.

41-year-old Marlon, who led a successful footballing career across the world for over 20 years, now resides in the Midlands, and is supporting the rapid response service as part of his community-oriented activities.

For several years from 2007, Marlon played for West Midlands’ Premier League teams Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, clocking up over 45 appearances during his time at the local clubs. His affiliation with the charity is a natural fit for the sportsman, as sporting event incidents are a regular occurrence for the lifesaving crews of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Hanna Sebright, chief executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Marlon Harewood as an ambassador for the charity during our 30th anniversary year.

“His support will help to raise awareness and draw attention to the lifesaving work of the charity which receives no Government or NHS Charities Together funding and relies solely on the generosity of the general public for its 4,500 missions in the region each year.”

On becoming an official ambassador for the much-loved charity, Marlon said: “I have always admired the work of the charity and now as an ambassador, I look forward to officially supporting the organisation, starting with the Jail or Bail event. It’s so important to raise the profile of this lifesaving service, both locally and nationally, as no one knows when they could need the assistance of the incredible medically advanced aircrews.”

To find out more about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, visit midlandsairambulance.com and follow the service on social media.

A group of 22 athletes have been selected in the first of two waves of selections for next month’s European Athletics U20 Championships in Tallinn, Estonia (15-18 July).

Two athletes selected are currently ranked number two in the 2021 European U20 standings: Sophie Ashurst [women’s pole vault] and Temi Ojora [women’s triple jump].

Sale Harriers Manchester’s Sophie Ashurst cleared a personal best of 4.16m in the pole vault in Loughborough earlier this year and won the trial event at the England Athletics U20/U23 Championships last weekend. The 18-year-old earned her first British vest as GB Junior at the Loughborough International where she finished in third place.

Meanwhile, Temi Ojora has been in consistent form during the 2021 season to date and sits second in the European rankings with a mark of 13.62m last month. The US-based athlete earns her first call-up to a British team in Tallinn.

Welsh athlete Osain Perrin is ranked third in the European U20 rankings in the men’s 5000m, and he set his PB of 13.53.03 on his way to victory in the trial race at the BMC Grand Prix in Watford earlier this month.

Additionally, Mary John lies third in the women’s 400m rankings after she posted a career best time of 53.49 in Lee Valley at the start of the month.

Under 17 sprinter Success Eduan pipped Sophie Walton to the victory at the trials at the weekend, but both have received a call-up for the 200m in Tallinn. Walton is ranked fourth in Europe in the U20 rankings this year, with Eduan sixth, so both will be targeting high placings at next month’s championships.

In the men’s 100m, Toby Makoyawo booked his place in the team after clocking 10.64 to win at the trials at the weekend. His PB of 10.37 ranks him fourth in Europe (U20) so far this year.

Dominic Ogbechie and Charlotte Payne, both on the British Athletics Futures Academy Programme, are selected for the men’s high jump and women’s hammer respectively.

The rest of the team for the European Athletics U20 Championships will be announced in the second wave selections on Tuesday 6 July 2021.

The British team (first wave) for the European Athletics U20 Championships, Tallinn, Estonia

Women:

100m: Joy Eze (Michael Donnelly, Gateshead)

200m: Success Eduan (Anita Richardson, Sale Harriers Manchester) Sophie Walton (Trevor Williams, Horwich)

400m: Mary John (Alan James, Woodford Green Essex Ladies)

5000m: Alice Garner (Mick Woods, Aldershot Farnham and District)

100m Hurdles: Lily Parris (Julie Benterman, Chelmsford)

Pole Vault: Sophie Ashurst (Andy Ashurst, Sale Harriers Manchester)

Triple Jump: Temi Ojora (Nick Newman, Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow)

Shot Put: Nana Gyedu (John Hillier, Blackheath and Bromley)

Discus: Samantha Callaway (David Callaway, Newham and Essex Beagles)

Javelin: Elizabeth Korczak (Bob Willows, Brighton and Hove)

Hammer: Charlotte Payne (Paul Dickenson, Reading)

Heptathlon: Abigail Pawlett (Joe Frost, Stockport T&F)

Men:

100m: Toby Makoyawo (Peter Griffiths, Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow)

400m: Edward Faulds (James Wright, Rugby and Northampton)

5000m: Osian Perrin (Andrew Walling, Menai)

3000m Steeplechase: Kristian Imroth (Stephen Murphy, Shaftesbury Barnet)

110m Hurdles: Joseph Harding (Laura Turner-Alleyne, Basildon)

400m Hurdles: Adam Booth (Graeme Gourlay, Poole AC)

High Jump: Sam Brereton (Fuzz Caan, Birchfield) Dominic Ogbechie (Marius Guei, Highgate)

Long Jump: Brad Davies-Pughe (Jake Awe, Shaftesbury Barnet)

Six reigning Paralympic champions are among the first group of 12 athletes selected to represent ParalympicsGB at the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games this summer.

Hollie Arnold, Jo Butterfield, Hannah Cockroft, Aled Davies, Sophie Hahn and Richard Whitehead all won gold at Rio 2016 and are part of a stellar group of athletes who are announced in the first wave of para-athletics selections.

Five-time Paralympic champion Cockroft, who lowered her own world records in the women’s T34 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m in Switzerland last month, is joined by fellow T34 wheelchair racer and Rio 2016 silver and bronze medallist, Kare Adenegan, in the women’s T34 100m and 800m.

For Whitehead and Davies, Tokyo 2020 will be their third summer Games - both claimed gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016. Whitehead has been selected to compete in the T61 200m, while Davies will go in the F63 shot put.

Hollie Arnold – selected for her fourth Games - will be looking to defend the title she won five years ago in the women’s F46 javelin, while reigning world champion Jonathan Broom-Edwards – a silver medallist at Rio 2016 – is selected in the T64 high jump. Sabrina Fortune, who won her first world title in 2019 to add to the bronze she won in Rio, will line up in the women’s F20 shot put.

Reigning Paralympic, world, European and Commonwealth champion, Sophie Hahn will go for a tilt at her second T38 100m Paralympic title in Japan. Meanwhile, Rio 2016 bronze medallist Andrew Small has sealed his place in the men’s T33 100m.

Scottish sprinter Maria Lyle, who won three Paralympic medals in Brazil five years ago, was in terrific form at the recent European Championships, claiming two golds to take her tally of European titles to eight since making her debut in 2014. The 21-year-old will compete in the T35 100m and 200m in Tokyo.

Lyle’s compatriot and defending Paralympic F51 club throw champion, Jo Butterfield (Phil Peat, Forth Valley Flyers), completes the duo of Tokyo-bound Scots in this first wave of selected athletes.

20-year-old Thomas Young makes his Paralympic debut after impressive performances on the European and world stage in recent years, including T38 100m gold the European Para Athletics Championships earlier this month.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland finished third in the para-athletics medals table at Rio 2016, behind China and USA.

Para Athletics Head Coach Paula Dunn said: “I am very pleased to confirm our first wave of athletes for this summer’s Paralympic Games. It has been a long wait for these athletes, but this is a significant milestone in their career, so I hope they savour this moment and reflect on their achievement so far and use it to fuel them in the final few weeks of preparation for the Games. 

“I am proud of how these athletes have conducted themselves over the last year or so under very challenging circumstances. They have kept their focus on their goals in a year like no other, and I wish them all the best over these final few weeks of preparation prior to the Games. I am looking forward to seeing how they all perform out in Tokyo.”

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe said: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome such talented athletes to the ParalympicsGB team with just over 60 days to go before the Games get underway in Tokyo.

“This tremendous group of athletes from both track and field has already shown great ability on the global stage, including gold and silver medal-winning performances at the last World Championships. I am in no doubt that their talent and experience will stand them in great stead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and I look forward to joining them on that journey.” The rest of the para-athletics team will be announced on Wednesday 21 July 2021.

 

The athletes selected for the Paralympic Games:

Kare Adenegan (Job King, Coventry) – Women’s T34 100m and 800m

Hollie Arnold (David Turner, Blackheath and Bromley) – Women’s F46 Javelin

Jonathan Broom-Edwards (Graham Ravenscroft, Newham and Essex Beagles) – Men’s T64 High Jump

Jo Butterfield (Phil Peat / Shona Malcolm, Forth Valley Flyers) – Women’s F51 Club Throw

Hannah Cockroft (Jenni Banks, Leeds) – Women’s T34 100m and 800m

Aled Davies (Ryan Spencer-Jones, Cardiff) – Men’s F63 Shot Put

Sabrina Fortune (Ian Robinson, Deeside) – Women’s F20 Shot Put

Sophie Hahn (Leon Baptiste, Charnwood) – Women’s T38 100m

Maria Lyle (Jamie Bowie, Team East Lothian) – Women’s T35 100m and 200m

Andrew Small (Rick Hoskins, Stockport) – Men’s T33 100m

Richard Whitehead (Keith Antoine, Southwell) – Men’s T61 200m

Thomas Young (Joe McDonnell, Charnwood) – Men’s T38 100m

Johannes Vetter is the latest global track and field star to sign up to the Müller British Grand Prix and all eyes will be on whether he can break Jan Zelezny’s world javelin record at the Wanda Diamond League event in Gateshead on Tuesday July 13.

Zelezny’s mark of 98.48m was set 25 years ago in Jena, but Vetter came close to surpassing it last year with 97.76m in Poland – the longest throw in the world for more than two decades.

The 28-year-old from Germany looks in world record-breaking form this year, too, as he threw 96.29m to win his event by 11 metres at the European Team Championships last month. The omens are good as well when it comes to Vetter attacking Zelezny’s record at Gateshead.

The last time he competed in Britain he won the world title in London in 2017. It is also not unusual to see javelin world records set in England. Czech legend Zelezny threw a world record of 95.66m in Sheffield in 1993, whereas Britain’s Steve Backley broke the world record with 90.98m at Crystal Palace in London in 1990.

Vetter said: “I have been really pleased with my form so far this year and am hoping for another good performance at the Müller British Grand Prix in Gateshead next month. It will be an important test ahead of the Tokyo Olympics and I look forward to throwing well there.

“I have good memories of competing in England. My world title in 2017 was won in the Olympic Stadium in London and there is always good support at British meetings from their knowledgeable crowd.” On attacking the world record, the German said earlier this year: 

“The conditions have to be right and in the javelin you need your whole body. You need the right speed, a good plant foot, the right release point, trajectory and transfer of weight. Trying to throw long is like going into a casino and playing roulette – the odds are against you.”

The news of Vetter’s participation follows the announcement of a world-class women’s pole vault line up that sees British record-holder Holly Bradshaw taking on Olympic champion Katerina Stefanidi, world outdoor champion Anzhelika Sidorova, world indoor gold medallist Sandi Morris and world leader in 2021 Katie Nageotte. In addition, British star Dina Asher-Smith will be racing over 200m and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands will compete in the women’s mile, with further announcements to follow in coming days.

Gateshead staged the first Wanda Diamond League event of 2021 in May after it was moved from Rabat in Morocco to the North East of England and now, on July 13, the same venue will host the seventh Diamond League of the season after it was moved from its original home of London. The Müller British Grand Prix will be broadcast internationally from 7-9pm with BBC showing the action live for domestic viewers.

Birmingham Phoenix have finalised their coaching teams ahead of the start of The Hundred.

Andrew McDonald is unable to travel over to England this summer due to scheduling issues caused by the pandemic. Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori will step up from his Assistant Coach role to the role of Men’s Interim Head Coach this summer while McDonald will continue to support the side in an advisory role before his planned return as Men’s Head Coach in 2022, subject to international commitments.

After a hugely successful playing career that sees him remembered as one of New Zealand’s greatest ever cricketers, Vettori has gained extensive coaching experience having had spells in charge of Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash, Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and Middlesex in the Vitality Blast. He will be supported by two Assistant Coaches - Alex Gidman & James Franklin who have extensive experience in England, both on and off the field, and are currently Head Coaches at Worcestershire & Durham respectively.

Ben Sawyer remains as Head Coach of the Women’s side with some exciting additions to his backroom staff. Former England cricketer Caroline Foster (nee Atkins) is one of three Assistant Coaches alongside Dominic Ostler and Gareth Davies who currently coach the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Women’s sides.

Foster is a former World Cup and Ashes winner and coached Western Storm to the final of the Kia Super League in its inaugural season in 2016.

Daniel Vettori said: “I feel really honoured to be asked to step up and take the reigns from Andrew this year. Andrew has helped build a very strong squad we’ll continue to communicate regularly, and Andrew’s advice and support will be vital to hopefully bring The Hundred trophy to Birmingham.”

Andrew McDonald commented: “Unfortunately I am no longer able to travel to the UK this summer and coach the team, which is disappointing; but I will be doing everything I can in my revised role to support Dan, his coaching team and the playing group. Dan has been an integral part of the planning and I’m confident we can achieve success in The Hundred this year.”

Caroline Foster said: “I feel thrilled to be working with Birmingham Phoenix this summer. Ben is a fantastic coach who has experience around the world and I can’t wait to work with him and the players ahead of what is an incredibly exciting moment not just for Birmingham Phoenix but for women’s cricket as a whole.”

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.

Up to 10,000 Japanese fans will be permitted at Tokyo 2020 Olympic venues, despite warnings from health bosses. Overseas spectators are already banned but organisers said domestic fans could attend providing crowds did not exceed 50% of a venue's capacity.

Fans will not be allowed to shout or speak loudly, and must wear face masks at all times while in venues. The Olympics are scheduled to begin on July 23, while the Paralympics follow a month later, from August 24.

Spectator numbers for the Paralympics will be confirmed by July 16, said a joint statement from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, the Tokyo metropolitan government and the government of Japan. The decision to allow spectators comes despite the release of a report last week by Japanese medical experts that said holding the Games without spectators was the least risky and most desirable option.

Tokyo 2020 organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto said: "There are so many cases, domestically and internationally of sports events with spectators."

"By exercising thorough measures and based on the government criteria, we believe we can hold the Games with spectators. The entire world is facing the same issues and we have to work together to overcome them."

Should there be a rapid increase in Covid-19 infections and impact on Japan's healthcare systems, the five parties will consider further restrictions. This could include further reducing spectator numbers at venues.

There are fears that the Games may trigger a surge in coronavirus infections in Japan. As a result, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga last week encouraged the Japanese public to watch the Games on television, rather than attending events in person.

A state of emergency in Tokyo has been lifted, five weeks before the start of the Olympics with emergency Covid-19 restrictions having been in place in Japan's capital and other prefectures since late April amid a surge in infections. However, some quasi-emergency measures will remain in some areas, including Tokyo, until July 11.

One of India's greatest athletes, Milkha Singh, has died from Covid-related complications.

Popularly known as "the Flying Sikh", Singh won four Asian gold medals and finished fourth in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

In 2013, his story was turned into the Bollywood film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag - Run Milkha Run.

Singh's wife, Nirmal Kaur, a former volleyball captain, also died with Covid earlier this week, aged 85.

Singh had contracted Covid-19 last month and died of complications from the disease in a hospital in the northern city of Chandigarh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes to the athlete, who has been described as independent India's first sporting superstar.

Singh's exploits on the track and field are legendary in India.

He won five golds in international athletic championships and was awarded the Helms World Trophy in 1959 for winning 77 of his 80 international races. He also won India's first

Commonwealth gold in 1958.

Singh grew up in a small village in what, during his childhood, was still British India. As a young boy who lived in a remote village in Multan province, he saw his parents and seven siblings murdered during the Partition of India and the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

As his father fell, his last words were "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", exhorting his son to run for his life. The boy ran - first to save his life, and then to win medals.

Arriving in India as an orphan in 1947, he took to petty crime and did odd jobs for survival until he found a place in the army. It was there that he discovered his athletic abilities.

Singh won Gold at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff and went on to finish fourth in the 400 metres at the Rome Olympics, missing out on a bronze medal by a whisker. In 1960, he was invited to take part in the 200m event at an International Athletic competition in Lahore, Pakistan. He hadn't been back to Pakistan since fleeing in 1947 and initially refused to go.

Singh eventually did go to Pakistan. Despite the huge support for his main rival, Pakistan's Abdul Khaliq, in the stadium, Singh went on to win that race, while Khaliq took the bronze medal. As Gen Ayub Khan, Pakistan's second president, awarded the competitors their medals, Singh received the nickname that would stick with him for the rest of his life.

He said: "Gen Ayub said to me, 'Milkha, you came to Pakistan and did not run. You actually flew in Pakistan. Pakistan bestows upon you the title of the Flying Sikh.' If Milkha Singh is known as the Flying Sikh in the whole world today, the credit goes to General Ayub and to Pakistan.”

Even though he never won an Olympic medal, his only wish was that someone else should win that medal for India. When the biographic film was released in 2013, Singh told the BBC that it would inspire the next generation.

"We had nothing in our times,” he said. “The athletes and sportsmen in those days didn't earn much money. We worked for the applause, people's appreciation inspired and motivated us, we ran for the country." He was 91.

Holly Bradshaw faces a big test on the eve of the Tokyo Olympics when she takes on the world’s leading female pole vaulters at the Müller British Grand Prix in Gateshead International Stadium on Tuesday July 13.

The 28-year-old, who competes for Blackburn Harriers and is coached by Scott Simpson, cleared a British outdoor best with 4.82m at a meeting in Huelva, Spain, this month, whereas earlier this year indoors she cleared 4.85m, a mark which is close to her outright British record of 4.87m, which was also set indoors. The Müller British Grand Prix next month is part of the Wanda Diamond League series and Bradshaw’s competition includes:

Katie Nageotte – the world No.1 this year after clearing 4.94m at a meeting in the United States this month where the pole vault was moved indoors due to bad weather. However, the 30-year-old American also jumped 4.93m outdoors last month in the States and she produced the best jump in the world last year too with 4.92m.

Anzhelika Sidorova – the reigning world champion has a best of 4.95m, which was set when winning that title in Doha in 2019. The 29-year-old is one of a small number of Russian athletes who have been allowed to compete as Authorised Neutral Athletes.

Katerina Stefanidi – the Greek pole vaulter is the reigning Olympic champion and her national record of 4.91m was set in the UK when she won the world title at the London Stadium in 2017.

Sandi Morris – the reigning world indoor champion also has silver medals from the 2016 Olympics and 2019 World Championships and holds the No.2 outdoor mark in history with 5.00m. The American has a good record in Britain, too, as she won her world indoor title in Birmingham and was runner-up at the 2017 World Championships in London.

Bradshaw said: “After opening my season well in Doha last month, things have gone even better since with my best-ever outdoor height of 4.82m in Spain. My event is really competitive at the moment and in Gateshead I’ll be due to face most of the top pole vaulters in what promises to be a really good competition. With the meet falling so close to the Olympics as well it will be a great final test before heading out to Tokyo.”

Such is the quality of the competition, in good conditions the athletes could get close to the world record of 5.06m set by Yelena Isinbayeva in 2009. Several women’s pole vault world records have been set at Gateshead International Stadium in the past. Daniela Bartova of the Czech Republic, for example, set a world record of 4.14m at the venue in 1995 while Isinbayeva of Russia set world marks of 4.82m in 2003 and 4.87m in 2004 at the same track.

The pole vault line-up is the latest event to be announced for the Müller British Grand Prix following the news that British star Dina Asher-Smith will be racing over 200m and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands will compete in the women’s mile. Gateshead staged the first Wanda Diamond League event of 2021 in May after it was moved from Rabat in Morocco to the North East of England and now, on July 13, the same venue will host the seventh Diamond League of the season after it was moved from its original home of London.

The Müller British Grand Prix will be broadcast internationally from 7-9pm with BBC showing the action live for domestic viewers.

The Birmingham Bears have joined forces with two Midlands-based football freestylers to showcase the skill and talent of their players by taking part in a series of football-meets-cricket trick-shot challenges.

Ahead of the Bears’ first home Vitality Blast fixture of the season against Lancashire Lightning, club captain Will Rhodes, West Indies star Carlos Brathwaite, and opening batsman, Adam Hose, teamed up with two of social media’s most popular freestylers, Wolverhampton’s Ewan Baggott (@EABSkills) and Kieran Brown (@KieranDB), to test two key Twenty20 skillsets – their batting power, and fielding accuracy – in a range of challenges at Edgbaston Stadium.

Influencers Ewan and Kieran have spent the last decade creating viral clips on social media, and have racked up millions of views on Instagram and YouTube. Known for their incredible technique and tricks, the challenges they devised featured typical cricket drills with a freestyle twist.

Fielding drills became Clay Pigeon-style target practice, with Bears players aiming at footballs in mid-air; the bowling machine was fed by freestyler tricks for range-hitting, and Carlos Brathwaite practised his big-hitting from inside Edgbaston’s famous Hollies Stand. Not to be outdone, Ewan and Kieran demonstrated their own outrageous ability, showing off control and touches with cricket balls that most people could only dream of doing with a football.

The Bears return to Edgbaston for their first home game of this season’s Vitality Blast in a mouth-watering clash against Lancashire Lightning. With England stars Chris Woakes and Olly Stone available for the Bears, and Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone due to turn out for the Lightning, fans can expect fireworks and dynamic skills galore. A small number of tickets are still available for the game, and can be purchased at Edgbaston Stadium - Online ticket sales.

Will Rhodes, Birmingham Bears captain, said: “The boys always love the chance to show off our skills so we loved the challenges that Ewan and Kieran set us. We’re really excited to get back to Edgbaston after a run of away games. There’s a great atmosphere in the ground for these Blast games, and hopefully we’ll entertain the home fans with a few more skills!”

Football freestyler and influencer, Ewan Baggott, said: “A lot of people don’t realise how skilful cricketers are. I’ve been lucky to work with a number of top athletes, and the ability of the Bears players is right up there with the best I’ve seen.”

Birmingham Bears play seven home games at Edgbaston up until Sunday July 18. Under-16s go free to all games, and Vitality Blast Season Passes are still available, entitling the holder to entry to all home Bears T20 group games, and a free guest pass to use at any home game, excluding the Worcestershire Rapids fixture.

Police and council staff will be working together to keep fans safe from Covid-19 when England take on Scotland in Euro 2020 today.

Officers from Wolverhampton Police and the City of Wolverhampton Council's licensing team will be visiting pubs and bars around the city to ensure venues are operating in a Covid-secure manner.

Infection rates have risen in Wolverhampton and across the country in recent weeks, largely driven by the new, more transmissable Delta variant, with latest figures showing 112 people in the city tested positive for Covid-19 in the seven days to June 14 – though the true number of new cases will likely be higher.

As a result, the Government has delayed the further relaxation of coronavirus restrictions, meaning limits remain on the number of people who can mix indoors – up to six individuals, or two households – and that pubs, bars and restaurants still have to operate within capacity limits. Venues must only offer table service and customers should wear a face covering except when seated at a table to eat or drink, unless they are exempt for medical reasons.

Councillor Stephen Simkins, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: "The vast majority of our pubs and bars are doing an excellent job in ensuring they are able to operate in a Covid-secure manner and we are happy to give them all the support they need to keep their staff and customers safe from this deadly virus.

"Our staff were out and about with police over the weekend to ensure that venues showing the opening England game were doing so safely, and were able to offer help and advice where required. And we will be doing the same for today's big match between England and Scotland to ensure that fans can enjoy the action safely.


“Our aim is simply to ensure we can protect as many citizens as possible while at the same time allowing everyone to safely support their teams in the Euros.”

Supt Simon Inglis from Wolverhampton Police said: "We appreciate that our communities have had a really difficult 15 months and there is now an opportunity to let off some steam and enjoy the night time economy and the football.

“If last weekend is anything to go by it is clear that people are happy to do that and still stick within the rules and comply with the restrictions that are still in place.

“Our officers attended many venues in partnership with the council and it was great to see that both the licensed premises as well as those attending them were able to enjoy the football and the occasion in a really positive way as well as keeping themselves safe during these really difficult times.

“All we ask is that you continue to do so this weekend and throughout the coming weeks and please see our visits to the locations as a positive step that is there to keep you all and your families safe. You being able to enjoy the football and the night time economy in a safe and organised manner is really important to us and so please help us to help you by complying with the restrictions, whilst enjoying the occasion.”

Former Gloucester centre Jack Adams has died after being diagnosed with cancer.

Adams, who also had spells with Moseley and Bristol and featured for the England Sevens team, made 35 appearances for Gloucester between 2005 and 2009, and was head coach of Hucclecote RFC.

A statement on the Gloucester website said: "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jack's family and loved ones in this incredibly difficult time. Jack was a local lad who lived his dream of representing his hometown club.

"The outpouring of love and support from the wider rugby community over the last few days goes to show just how adored Jack was as a person." Adams, who also played for Cinderford RFC before retiring in 2017, was first diagnosed with cancer in mid-April.

The Rugby Players Association had set up a fundraising page to support Adams' family and a local charity.

He was 34.

England centre half Tyrone Mings has said that his teammates are out to educate and inform those who are not, in response to Home Secretary Priti Patel’s criticism of the young, multicultural representation of a country - that is today’s England - taking the knee. She accused the national side of participating in what she calls "gesture politics." 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on the other hand, has urging fans to cheer and defend their time - not boo them for taking a knee. This comes after the England players were again booed by some fans – this time prior to their Euro 2020 game against Croatia at Wembley.

"I don't support people participating in that type of gesture politics,” Patel said. "It's all well to support a cause and make your voices heard. Speaking now very much from what I saw in some of the protests last year and the impact on policing. It was devastating."

Despite that Mings – whilst actually being on the receiving end of racism – said: "We have our own set of beliefs. He added: "To the home secretary, I don't really have a direct message.

“Everybody's entitled to their own opinion and she is one of many people that oppose us taking the knee or refuse to defend it. We think about what we can do to help and there will be players that can be influential and can stand up for what we believe in.”

He went on: "We spoke about trying to educate or trying to inform the minority of people who refuse to acknowledge why we're taking the knee and want to do it. The English Football Association had asked fans to respect the players' wishes to highlight racial injustice.

The full event schedule for Birmingham 2022 has been released, allowing sports fans to see the detail of exactly which events will be held in each of the 286 sessions that will feature at next summer’s Games. Women’s cricket T20, basketball 3x3, wheelchair basketball 3x3 and mixed synchronised diving will all debut in Birmingham, with the schedule set to includes two ‘Super Sundays’ for spectators to look forward to, with the second set to be the ultimate showcase of women’s sport.

With limited opportunities to attend live sports events in recent months, a huge amount of interest in tickets for the Games is expected, especially as the sports programme is the biggest in Commonwealth history and from today Birmingham 2022 ticket accounts can now be set up. The event schedule was launched with the help of Team England hopefuls who visited the host city’s Alexander Stadium - an important Games venue currently undergoing a £72 million refurbishment which is on budget and on schedule to be completed in Spring 2022.

Birmingham City Council Leader, Councillor Ian Ward, said: “The summer of 2022 is set for a spectacular Commonwealth Games, with 11 days of world-class sport in our city and wider region. The redeveloped Alexander Stadium will be at the heart of the Games, as the venue will not only host the athletics but the opening and closing ceremonies.

“The Alexander Stadium redevelopment is progressing at a lightning speed, with the roof of the new West Stand now complete. Once finished the Alexander Stadium will be truly befitting for the world’s best track and field athletes and as a bold centre piece of leisure, health and well-being activity in a regenerated Perry Barr.” 

“To see a world-class stadium developing on budget is fantastic, said Director of Sport for Birmingham 2022, Matt Kidson. “With more detail for our sports programme now revealed, the Games is really taking shape and it’s time for people to start planning which sessions they want to attend next summer, as our tickets will go on sale very soon,” he continued.

Hannah England Matthew Kidson B2022 Ian Metcalfe CGE Delicious Orie and Kelly Petersen Pollard

Aspiring Team GB Olympic heavyweight Delicious Orie said: "Some say I'm the new Anthony Joshua, but one day I aim to be even better and dominate." Raised in Russia, built in Wolverhampton, in Britain, the Super-Heavyweight England Boxing National Amateur Champion is targeting Birmingham 2022 and Paris 2024.

“This is a dream period in my life,” he said. “I originally played basketball and knew nothing about boxing. Away from the ring the calm and humble Delicious is appreciative of the sacrifices his family made to give him the chance of a better life away from racism in Russia.

He said: "I was born in Moscow and life was harder out there. We didn't have a lot of money and some people didn't like me purely because of the colour of my skin.

"I was seven when we moved to the UK and although it was difficult because I didn't speak the language and there were cultural differences, I could see there were more opportunities for kids to succeed." His father, Justin, left Nigeria in 1995 hoping for a better life in Russia and although he met his wife Natalie while studying, he had arrived in a country where Black people were often subjected to severe discrimination.

Orie, 23, found a love of sport as soon as he came to the UK and settled in Wolverhampton, but he had not even considered boxing before turning 18. "My first love was basketball and I looked up to Luol Deng,” he recalls.

“Born in Sudan, he was ‘killing it’ in the NBA. I knew nothing about boxing until I was introduced to the Wolverhampton Amateur Boxing Club. Now I aim to do the same in my sport”. Orie's ultimate target is an Olympic title for his adopted nation at Paris 2024, but first he must secure British citizenship.

“With 19 different sports and eight Para sports, we have such a rich and varied programme and there will be medal moments on every single day of competition,” says Matt Kitson. “We also have a really interesting mix of venues, with established facilities like the NEC and Arena Birmingham, beautiful parks like St Nicholas Park and West Park and exciting redevelopments like the Alexander Stadium, where the progress in the last 12 months has been phenomenal.”

As a new Alexander Stadium is coming on in leaps-and-bounds, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games just can’t come soon enough!

deliciousorie

 

Christian Eriksen has been speaking to his national team-mates and remains stable in hospital, Danish football officials have said.

Eriksen collapsed shortly before half-time in Denmark's opening Euro 2020 game against Finland on Saturday. The 29-year-old Inter Milan player had emergency medical treatment on the pitch before being taken to hospital.

"His condition is stable and he continues to be hospitalised for further examination," said a statement. "This morning we have spoken to Christian, who has sent his greetings to his team-mates.

"The team and staff of the national team has received crisis assistance and will continue to be there for each other after yesterday's incident. We would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt greetings."

Saturday's incident happened as a throw-in was played towards Eriksen near the end of the first half. His distressed team-mates surrounded him and the shocked supporters at Parken Stadium were visibly upset as the player was treated.

Denmark team doctor Martin Boesen said Eriksen had been unconscious when he reached the player on the pitch. "When I got to him he was on his side, he was breathing, I could feel a pulse, but suddenly that changed and we started to give him CPR," he said.

"The help came really fast from the medical team and the rest of the staff with their co-operation, and we did what we had to do and managed to get Christian back." Last month, Eriksen helped Inter clinch their first Italian title for 11 years in his first full season with the club, after joining from Spurs for £16.9m in January 2020.

The Ajax youth player spent seven years with Tottenham, scoring 69 goals in 305 appearances.