Birmingham black-belt karate champion Chloe driven to success with new Lookers sponsorship

Local teenager and second black-belt UK karate champion Chloe Barnes is getting set to kick the competition with a renewed boost from local car dealership Lookers Vauxhall Birmingham for a third year running.

The Streetly Shukokai Karate Club pupil has taken the martial arts world by storm over the last number of years, reaching new highs and adding coveted sports titles to her impressive list of accolades. The World Karate Championship title holder has collected an outstanding 70 gold, silver and bronze medals, four trophies and was named 2020 GB Karate Sportsperson of the Year.

Birmingham Brummies to return for 2022 season

Following uncertainty about the future of the Birmingham Brummies, there’s great news with confirmation that the speedway club will be riding again next season after a deal was agreed for its purchase from owners David and Peter Mason.

Manager Laurence Rogers confirmed that three consortiums expressed an interest in buying the club. Nigel Tolley, on behalf of the winning consortium made the following statement:

Birmingham business guru joins Sport 4 Life UK Ambassador Programme

Renowned Birmingham entrepreneur and corporate networker Professor Paul Cadman is to help disadvantaged youngsters from across the West Midlands secure better life chances after becoming a ‘Business Ambassador‘ for a leading personal development charity.

Paul, who was recently made an Honorary Fellow of University College Birmingham, is the latest influencer to join Digbeth-based Sport 4 Life UK, which harnesses the power of sport to improve employability skills among 11- to 29-year-olds.

Birmingham charity delivers sports activities and meals to kids this summer

Busy Birmingham parents looking for activities to keep their youngsters entertained during the summer holidays are encouraged to take advantage of a series of Sports Camps during the next six weeks. Delivered by Digbeth-based charity Sport 4 Life UK, children aged between 11 and 16, including those who are eligible for free school meals, will be targeted to participate in sports including football, golf, dodgeball and tennis.

The camps run throughout the day Monday to Thursday at sites including Hodge Hill College, the Muath Trust and Fox Hollies Leisure Centre in Acocks Green. People are advised to book in advance via the StreetGames website, as some events have limited availability. The sessions are being funded by the Government’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme and are part of the Bring it on Brum initiative aimed at keeping young people active and entertained during the break.

At the camps, Sport 4 Life UK, will distribute food and refreshments among participants. There is also an ‘enrichment’ element to the sessions covering personal responsibility and skills development opportunities. Commenting on the Sports Camp initiative, Sport 4 Life UK CEO and founder Tom Clarke-Forrest said: “The summer holidays can be a stressful time for families, with parents juggling work commitments while trying to keep children entertained.

“The Sports Camps can help to alleviate those pressures by providing fun sports activities alongside mentoring and skills development.” He added: “We’ve been delivering Sports Camps for a number of years and they are a great way to engage youngsters who perhaps wouldn’t have been reached by our programmes, which can make a real difference in terms of enhancing someone’s life chances.

“Our teams of trained sports coaches are really excited about welcoming youngsters along in the next few weeks.”

Established in 2006, Sport 4 Life UK exists to provide sports-themed personal development programmes to people aged between 11 and 29 years old and who are not in education, employment or training. In the year to June 2021, the charity supported a total of 1015 youngsters with on and offline mentoring, qualifications, and training programmes, in addition to structured sports sessions.

That figure is expected to grow over the next 12 months, as a result of the impact of the pandemic on the economy. Sport 4 Life UK will be delivering Sports Camps at the following locations during the summer holidays:

List of venues where Sport 4 Life UK is hosting Sports Camps:

Hodge Hill

Hodge Hill Academy,
AstroTurf & Sports Hall,
Bromford Road, B36 8HB

Week one: Monday 26th – Thursday 29th July
Week two: Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th August
Week three: Monday 9th – Thursday 12th August
Week four: Monday 16th – Thursday 19th August
Week five: Monday 23rd – Thursday 26th August

All camps run 11am – 4pm

The Muath Trust

Muath Trust,
Stratford Road, B11 1AR

Week one: Monday 26th – Thursday 29th July
Week two: Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th August
Week three: Monday 9th – Thursday 12th August
Week four: Monday 16th – Thursday 19th August
Week five: Monday 23rd – Thursday 26th August

All camps run 2pm – 7pm

Acocks Green

Fox Hollies Leisure Centre,
Shirley Rd, Acocks Green,
Birmingham B27 7NS

Week one: Monday 26th – Thursday 29th July
Week two: Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th August
Week three: Monday 9th – Thursday 12th August
Week four: Monday 16th – Thursday 19th August
Week five: Monday 23rd – Thursday 26th August

All camps run 11am – 4pm

Sandwell

Action For Children,
Greets Green Children’s Centre (off Claypit Ln),
West Bromwich, B70 9EZ

Week one: Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th August
Week two: Monday 9th – Thursday 12th August
Week three: Monday 16th – Thursday 19th August
Week four: Monday 23rd – Thursday 26th August

All camps run 11am – 3pm

Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 start delayed

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will start 24 hours later than the original scheduled time because of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the sporting calendar.

The move will allow all the athletes who are competing at the World Athletics Championships in Portland, Oregon, in the United States – which finishes on July 24 – an extra day of recovery.

It will also avoid a clash the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Football Championships which is due to take place in England from July 6 to 31.

Both Championships were originally scheduled to be held in 2021 but had to be postponed to 2022 after the rescheduling of the Tokyo Olympics following the global outbreak of coronavirus.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Executive Board has approved the change for the Games and it will now run from July 28 to August 8.

A joint announcement from the CGF said: “It ensures that Birmingham 2022 will now boast two full weekends of Commonwealth Sport whilst extending the rest and recovery period for those athletes competing in the World Athletics Championships.

“The alternative to the opening ceremony date also avoids a potential clash with the semi-finals of the recently rescheduled UEFA Women’s Football Championships, helping to protect and promote the profile of women’s sport”.

John Crabtree, Chair of Birmingham 2022 said: “As well as this slight change to our dates we are working on a detailed competition schedule for our 19 sports, looking at how we can maximise the recovery time for those athletes who will be looking to participate in more than one major event in two years time”.

Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 Ticket Ballot Opens

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is coming – be there to witness history in the making. The ticket ballot is open now and will close at 8pm on September 30.

Following the success of the West Midlands ballot, we’re back for the main ticket ballot, which is open now. 

Birmingham cricketer Amy Jones: Commonwealth Games will be “a real light at the end of the tunnel” after lockdown

Birmingham cricket star Amy Jones says that competing for gold for Team England at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be “a real light at the end of the tunnel” after a period of lockdown which has seen the 2021 ICC Women’s World Cup postponed. 

Jones grew up in Sutton Coldfield and has more than 90 international caps for England as well as playing county cricket for Warwickshire. She is one of the stars of Birmingham 2022’s latest campaign, celebrating elite athletes with a link to the West Midlands. She will appear on billboards across the region from this week as the build up to the Commonwealth Games continues.

Women’s T20 cricket is part of the Commonwealth Games programme for the first time in Birmingham, and Jones says it is an absolute dream come true to be able to compete in her home city: “With how things are at the moment, I think it will just be a real light at the end of the tunnel and something for everyone to look forward to. I think it’s a brilliant opportunity for the city; all eyes will be on Birmingham for that period of time. I’m proud to be from Birmingham, and having such a global event coming to the city will just be brilliant.”

Birmingham 2022 will be the first time Jones and her England teammates will have competed as part of a multi-sport team, something that she says will add to the already special occasion as he adds: “It’s something that will be extremely special. We’ve never really been part of a bigger team, and being around that whole Team England squad of athletes is something that we’re really looking forward to.”

Amy Jones says the Commonwealth Games will be a chance raise the profile of women’s sport in general and women’s cricket in particular, and she welcomes the decision to award more medals to women than men at Birmingham 2022: “I think it’s the first global event to do that which is a really special occasion and just shows how far women’s sport has come. It’s really nice to see women’s sport being rewarded with more medals, and hopefully we just broaden the reach and attract more and more young girls to take up sport in general.

“Every athlete wants to inspire, and the more people that can see us and see what we do and see how much fun we have when we’re out there, if that comes across to young girls maybe watching cricket for the first time, I think that is hugely important.

“As a team we always try and engage with people that come and watch us and really just make it an experience that makes them want to come back and watch again. Hopefully that will be the case in 2022.”

The current world’s top eight women’s T20 cricket nations are all eligible to compete at the Commonwealth Games (Australia, England, New Zealand, India, South Africa, West Indies*, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), promising an extremely high quality tournament.  England qualify automatically as hosts, with the top six highest ranked sides as of 1^st April 2021 also qualifying directly. The eighth spot will go to the winner of a qualifying tournament.

The Birmingham 2022 cricket competition will be held at the iconic Edgbaston cricket ground, home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club. And Amy Jones, who plays for Warwickshire, says that will make the competition even more special: “I first started playing for Warwickshire at under 13 level so it was really where I learned how to play cricket; it’s definitely a special place for me personally. I’ve only been able to play out on the main pitch a handful of times, so just to be able to play out there is one thing, but to represent England out there will be unbelievable, and I’m sure the support we’ll get there will be great as well.”

Amy Jones features in Birmingham 2022’s latest campaign, featuring elite athletes who have an association with the West Midlands. She says it’s an honour to be part of the campaign: “It’s incredible, I don’t think it will have sunk in until I’ve seen a billboard or my family walk past and see it. It’s definitely a bit crazy to be honest but it’s something I’m hugely proud of and I feel very lucky to be one of the athletes that’s up there. It’s definitely something that I’ll not forget.”

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Birmingham Gears Up to Go Cricket Crazy This Summer with 50% of Brummy Parents Saying It’s A Great Way to Get Active

As cricket’s new 100-ball competition The Hundred launches later this month, aiming to open the game up to more families, research shows that nearly half of Brummy parents think playing cricket is a great way to get active – but 38% have never played the game as a family.

Birmingham Phoenix announce Dan Vettori as men’s team Head Coach

Birmingham Phoenix have appointed Dan Vettori to the role of Head Coach for the men’s team in The Hundred following the appointment of Andrew McDonald as the new Australia men’s team Head Coach.

Vettori, was previously Assistant Coach for Birmingham Phoenix and acted as Head Coach on an interim basis during the first year of The Hundred, having previously coached in roles with Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League, Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash, Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and Middlesex in the Vitality Blast.

Birmingham Phoenix confirm coaching line ups

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.”

Birmingham Phoenix confirm sell out for return to Edgbaston in The Hundred

It’s a sell out at Edgbaston for Birmingham Phoenix on Sunday 1 August as the women’s and men’s team return home to play their second home games in The Hundred versus Midlands’ rivals Trent Rockets.

Having welcomed more than 12,000 spectators for the first back-to-back games at Edgbaston one week ago, ticket sales have soared with Sunday sold out and limited space available for the subsequent home games against Oval Invincibles (Wednesday August 4) and Welsh Fire (Monday August 9).

Birmingham’s role as Proud Host City for the Commonwealth Games to be showcased at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show

Birmingham’s status a Proud Host City for the 2022 Commonwealth Games is celebrated in the city council’s entry for this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. A mixture of flowers grown at the council’s own nurseries and sporting-themed features make up the eye-catching display, which has an interpretation of the official Games logo as its centrepiece.

Black Stars and Super Eagles set for mammoth battle for Qatar berth

The Ghana Football Association has confirmed that CAF (the Confederation of African Football) has moved Ghana’s 2022 World Cup playoff first leg from the Cape Coast Stadium to Kumasi, with the match now set be played at Kumasi Yara Sports Stadium.

The Cape Coast Stadium was initially billed to host the African classic on March 25, en route picking one of Africa’s five representatives to Qatar.

Blake and Jackson win 100m senior titles at JAAA National Trials

The 2011 World champion Yohan Blake turned back the clock and his young challengers in winning the men’s 100m at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Championships at the National Stadium. He clocked 9.85 (1.0 mps) to be crowned national champion once again.

Blast Off double-header to return to Edgbaston in 2024

Vitality Blast Off is back and the Bears will launch their home T20 campaign with a huge men’s double-header featuring two big Midlands rivalry games.

BLM gave me extra drive during the season says champion Hamilton

Formula 1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton says the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement helped to drive him on to his seventh title. The 35-year-old took a knee on the grid and wore anti-racism slogans in support of the cause during the season and his Mercedes team also adopted a black livery for the 2020 campaign in a stand against discrimination.

Having been voted the 2020 BBC Sports Personality of the Year earlier this month after equalling Michael Schumacher's record of winning seven World Championships and passing the German's total of 91 grands prix victories, he said: "I had this extra drive in me to get to the end of those races."

Speaking to historian and presenter Professor David Olusoga, Hamiltion said: "It was a different drive than what I've had in me in the past - to get to the end of those races first so that I could utilise that platform for Black Lives Matter and shine the light as bright as possible." Asked if he had been concerned about the response to his stance, Hamilton replied: "There is no way that I could stay silent. And once I said that to myself, I didn't hold any fear."

When asked by presenter Nick Robinson about racism in his sport and the fact that he is the only Black F1 driver, he said: "There are many other young kids of colour that deserve the opportunity to progress, have a great education, be an engineer or whatever it is they want. But the fact is, the opportunity is not the same for them." The Mercedes driver also hinted that activism might represent a new avenue for him when he retires from racing. Lewis added: "The happiness and success of winning these championships is a wonderful thing, but it's short lived."

As well as Black Lives Matter, Hamilton also discussed the Hamilton Commission, the programme set up in his name to increase diversity in motorsport, the power of sport to bring positive change, electric cars and animal rights.

Blockbuster field set to take on the ‘Toon’ at International Series England

Global golf stars are lining up to take on the ‘Toon’ at the acclaimed Close House in Newcastle for the US$2 million International Series England from August 17-20.

Lee Westwood, the former world number one with 44 career victories – including eight on the Asian Tour – spearheads a cohort of 10 LIV golfers set to wow the crowds over the Colt Course, situated just a few miles from Newcastle upon Tyne. Despite being born and raised in Worksop, and an ardent Nottingham Forest FC fan, ‘Westy’ moved to the region a number of years ago and struck up a long-standing partnership with Close House as its attached tour professional.

Blues insist on commitment to women’s team following complaints

Birmingham City has insisted that they are committed to their women’s team after the players raised a series of complaints with the board.

The Football Association has opened an investigation after City’s squad sent a letter to the Women’s Super League club’s hierarchy highlighting a lack of support for them compared to that given to the men’s team. The complaints were reported to include players earning less than the minimum wage, delays over treatment for injured players, a lack of access to the training-ground gym and changing rooms and travel arrangements for away fixtures.

In response, the club said in a statement: “We are keen to emphasise that the club remains committed to providing support for our women’s team.

“We will further the conversation internally in a bid to address players’ concerns, the details of which, will remain private.”

Head coach Carla Ward said: “This week we have held positive discussions with the board relating to the concerns raised by the players. It was never the intention of the players for the letter to be made public and many of the points were misrepresented.

“We are working together to move forward and will remain in communication with the board to resolve matters internally. We are now approaching a vital stage of the season and will focus all our efforts on winning as many games as possible to keep the club in the BFAWSL.” The issue was raised at England’s press conference ahead of the Lionesses’ friendly against France.

Former Birmingham player Ellen White said: “Well, it’s not OK, is it? For a club of Birmingham’s stature, to be playing in the WSL, it’s not OK for players to be experiencing what they are.

“I was at Birmingham for a couple of years, and I’ve got friends there. I think it’s important that it’s been brought to attention, and something needs to be done, especially with them having been in the WSL from pretty much the start. It’s not OK to be happening.”

Birmingham’s statement also said that their women’s side will be playing home fixtures at St Andrew’s next season if they retain their place in the WSL. The team, who currently play home matches at the SportNation.Bet Stadium, which is also used by Solihull Moors of the men’s National League, are ninth in the WSL table, three points above the relegation spot with four games left.

Blues launch fundraiser to change lives of local homeless community

Birmingham City Football Club’s Community Trust has launched a new project with local charities to change the lives of homeless people across the city, offering them life skills, safe accommodation and the guarantee of a job interview on completing the programme.

The Blues For Life project will work in partnership with Changes UK and Let’s Feed Brum to identify an initial cohort of 12 homeless people, and from there provide a three-month support network.

Blues star, Troy Deeney up for new BBL franchise in home city

Birmingham City striker Troy Deeney has revealed that he may be interested in creating and owning a basketball club, in his home city, following a recent conversation he had with BBL (British Basketball League) side London Lions’ minority owner Femi Oyeniran.  

On his ‘Deeney Talks’ podcast, the football star, 34, was challenged by the business man to start a professional franchise in Britain’s second biggest city – who have had no major top-level basketball team to represent it for some years.