DCMS fear rugby future as £30m in taxpayer loans expected to be written off December 18, 2024 The government could be forced to write off nearly £30m of taxpayers’ money loaned to sports bodies, clubs and the arts during the Covid-19 pandemic. The figures, revealed today by the National Audit Office, provide a stark update on the £474m aid package provided by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Rugby union was [...]
Every BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award winner this century December 17, 2024 On Tuesday the nation will crown the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award winner with six candidates up for the award. Jude Bellingham, Luke Littler, Alex Yee, Keely Hodgkinson, Dame Sarah Storey and Joe Root are up for the main gong. But who has picked up the trophy in recent years? Here is [...]
Vannes shows Top 14 and France are doing it right. England should learn December 17, 2024 Matt Hardy went to Vannes this December and saw exactly why French rugby and the Top 14 is exactly what every league should aim for. Rounding a grand piano in the courtyard of a music school to reach the turnstiles at the Stade de La Rabine is not something you’d expect – posh boy stereotypes [...]
All BBC Sports Personality of the Year category winners December 17, 2024 On Tuesday the nation picks its Sports Personality of the Year with a grand ceremony crowning the winner. Jude Bellingham, Luke Littler, Alex Yee, Keely Hodgkinson, Dame Sarah Storey and Joe Root are up for the main gong. But there are a number of awards that celebrate teams, individuals and unsung heroes. An all-female cast [...]
Back Christmas cracker Banbridge for King George glory December 17, 2024 CHRISTMAS is nearly upon is, and for racing fans, bar Cheltenham, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. Kempton’s King George on Boxing Day (2.30pm) is undoubtedly the centrepiece of the festive feast which awaits punters, with top quality racing on offer across both sides of the Irish Sea all the way [...]
Squirrel some Christmas cash with help from Victtorino December 17, 2024 SATURDAY’s racing offers up some tasty festive appetisers ahead of next week’s festive bonanza, which begins with a bang on Boxing Day. It’s always nice to attempt to pay for the Christmas turkey before it’s cooked, and Ascot’s card presents a few good chances of doing just that. The Grade One Long Walk Hurdle is [...]
Talented Bowman has Ambition to add to winning tally December 17, 2024 THERE can be no doubting that jockey Hugh Bowman will be licking his lips with anticipation when he arrives at Sha Tin with a strong book of rides in six of the eight races. Presently lying second in the Jockeys’ Championship with 25 wins, the Australian maestro will be disappointed if he doesn’t add to [...]
Dragon looks a Force to be reckoned with on Sha Tin dirt December 17, 2024 HONG Kong city track Happy Valley loses its regular mid-week slot to Sha Tin today, when the premier course hosts an eight-race programme on the all-weather surface. Normally at this time of the year would-be experts and bettors are looking to find a galloper who could work the oracle and get their turkey money in [...]
Chelsea star denies wrongdoing after club confirms failed drug test December 17, 2024 Chelsea’s £89m winger Mykhailo Mudryk has denied any wrongdoing after the Ukraine international tested positive for a banned substance. The Premier League confirmed on Tuesday that they had been notified by the Football Association of Mudryk’s test result, which could carry a ban of up to four years. “I can confirm that I have been [...]
Royal Albert Hall to stage British boxing grudge match on special date December 17, 2024 London’s Royal Albert Hall will host an all-British blockbuster fight between arch-rivals Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price on International Women’s Day next year. The world welterweight unification fight between Liverpudlian Jonas and former Wales footballer Price will top a women-only bill at the historic venue on Friday March 7. It comes after both fighters defended [...]