Tag: Sport

The Watsonian Football Club’s 150th anniversary celebrated with memorial plaque

On Thursday, 30th January 2025, a commemorative plaque was unveiled at 50 Yeaman Place, near the site where The Watsonian Football Club’s rich history began with its very first game.

On 30th January 1875, The Watsonian Football Club played its inaugural game of rugby union against St George’s at Bainfield, a farm then located at Yeaman Place in Polwarth, Edinburgh. While the game ended in a draw, it laid the foundation for a club that has since achieved remarkable success. Over 150 years, Watsonians has consistently competed at the pinnacle of Scottish rugby, producing national team players across all levels.

The unveiling captured the Watsonians spirit and the community that the club has created over the last 150 years with many members in attendance including: Honorary President, 96-year-old Dennis Carmichael, Men’s 1XV Captain, Neil Irvine-Hess, Women’s 1XV Co-Captain, Freya Walker, Watsonians highest capped international player, Scottish and British & Irish Lions legend, Scott Hastings and two of the youngest members of the Watsonian Warriors and Watsonian Wildcats mini section, Alexander Wright and Amelia Boyle. 

Scott Hastings shared his thoughts on the plaque unveiling and The Watsonian Football Club’s 150th year: “Today was a truly special occasion, standing near the very spot where The Watsonian Football Club played its first game 150 years ago.

“It’s incredible to reflect on how far the club has come, from that first match to becoming such a cornerstone of Scottish rugby. Seeing members of all generations come together – young players, lifelong supporters, and legends of the game – was a really great moment. This plaque is a fitting tribute to our history.”

The unveiling of the plaque marks the start of The Watsonian Football Club’s 150th anniversary celebrations, with further events taking place throughout the year including a gala dinner on 21st November 2025 at the O2 Academy with Sir Ian McGeechan and Sir Chris Hoy as guests of honour.

The club has also released a maroon and white limited-edition jersey to mark the important milestone which features its unique crest and the words, ‘ex corde caritas’, the Latin motto which means “love from the heart”.

Additionally, this year will see the club publishing a 150-year history of Watsonians book in partnership with Peter Burns of Polaris Publishing.

Alistair Hamilton, General Manager at The Watsonian Football Club commented: “The unveiling of the commemorative plaque at Yeaman Place is a proud moment for everyone connected to The Watsonian Football Club.

“It marks the site where our journey began in 1875 and celebrates 150 years of history, tradition, and community. This milestone is not just about looking back but also about bringing together players, members, and supporters – past and present – throughout the year.

“With a host of exciting events planned, including our gala dinner and the release of a commemorative book, we look forward to celebrating the history and bright future of Watsonians.”

2025 is another important chapter in the 150-year history of The Watsonian Football Club. To find out more about The Watsonian Football Club please visit: 

watsoniansrugby.com 

Musselburgh’s richest meeting of the year under Starter’s Orders

Musselburgh Racecourse’s richest racing festival of the year in under Starter’s Orders with an impressive £430,000 on offer over the bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials weekend.

On Saturday (1 February) with £230,000 in prize money on offer, the £100,000 bet365 Scottish Champion Chase takes centre stage at the six-card meeting.

And if the East Lothian course plays its cards right, the BHA have indicated that in time this 2m 4 furlong handicap chase could be elevated to Listed status alongside other Class 1 event the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle.

Scottish-owned The Kalooki Kid heads the betting in the Champion Chase (2.50pm). The Nicky Richards-trained gelding, who carries the colours of Kirkcaldy businessman Eddie Melville, has been raised 7lbs for an impressive strike at Doncaster in December.

Last year’s winner Corrigeen Rock defends his crown with Milnathort-based trainer Lucinda Russell also set to saddle Traprain Law. Minella Drama, trained by Donald McCain, is top-weight on a BHA mark of 150 while Marble Sands, the winner of last year’s Frodon Novices’ Chase, represents joint-trainers David Killahena and Graeme McPherson.

Paul Nicholls, who has a tremendous record at the Scottish Cheltenham Trials, is set to be to have runners from his Somerset stable on both days. The 14-time champion trainer is bidding for a hat-trick of wins in the opening race, the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle (1.42pm) and he relies on once-raced €135,000 purchase Nardaran, who is prominent in the market along with Maitre En Science, trained by his nephew and former assistant Harry Derham.

Nicholls, who last year enjoyed five winners over the two days at Musselburgh, could again be the one to beat in the bet365 Scottish County Hurdle with Afadil, a previous winner of the Scottish Triumph Hurdle, bidding to repeat his victory of twelve months ago. A wide-open race sees Dundee United director Jimmy Fyffe double-handed with Florida Dreams (Nicky Richards) and Maghlaak (Adrian Keatley).

Sunday’s feature race of a seven-card meeting with prize money totalling £200,000 is the £75,000 bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase over a marathon 3m 7f (2.25pm)

Top-weight King Turgeon could be an interesting runner for his West Country trainer David Pipe as his three wins in the autumn included a strike over the Grand National fences at Aintree. Last year’s hero Iris Oirr (Lucinda Russell) and Magna Sam (Alistair Ralph), the 2023 winner, are also among the entries.

Classy Flat recruit Wise Eagle, winner of the 2023 Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh, is a fascinating entry for the bet365 Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for Northumberland handler Adam Nicol.

In the bet365 Frodon Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (1.55pm), Benson, successful over hurdles at the track’s New Year’s Day meeting in 2023 and 2024, has been pencilled in by Borders trainer Sandy Thomson and he could be joined by Breizh River, trained by former jockey Paul Robson.

Musselburgh’s February racing festival is long established an important staging post for leading trainers looking to compete at the famous Cheltenham and Aintree festivals in the Spring and the coastal track has hosted some great prospects over the years, with many of the country’s top trainers happy to make the trip north to take on Scotland’s best home-trained horses.

With seven races screened lived on ITV, racecourse general manager Bill Farnsworth is delighted with the quality of runners. He said: “Each year we aim to attract the most progressive racehorses and the country’s leading trainers and this year’s bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials will not disappoint.

“The track is in excellent condition, we have no weather concerns with a forecast of dry and sunny spells, so the stage is set for an excellent weekend of first class national hunt racing. We hope racing fans will take advantage of the opportunity to get up close to the next generation of potential Cheltenham and Aintree champions.”

Gates open on Saturday at 11.30am with the first race scheduled for 1.42pm and Six Nations rugby fans will not miss out with the Scotland v Italy match screened in all bars. On Sunday gates also open at 11.30am with the first race scheduled for 1.22pm

For further information and to book tickets visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Rethink kick-off times during 2026 FIFA World Cup to protect footballers from extreme heat, report warns

Almost 90 per cent of stadiums hosting the 2026 World Cup could face potentially dangerous levels of heat, Queen’s University research has revealed.

With climate change and extreme heat becoming a growing problem for sport, some governing bodies for football recommend delaying or postponing games if a metric of heat stress termed “wet bulb globe temperatures” reaches above 28°C.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Dr Donal Mullan from Queen’s University has modelled this metric using 20 years of meteorological data to predict how hot the host stadiums are likely to get if it’s an average summer or a more extreme one.

Of the 16 stadiums, 14 could exceed the potentially dangerous 28°C level at least some of the time – with up to nine stadiums facing this heat at least half the time in a hot summer. Four stadiums could also reach a more dangerous 32°C level of extreme heat.

His research shows that temperatures are likely to be at their peak in the afternoon, when games are usually scheduled. Outside afternoon hours, levels of extreme heat reduce greatly at all host stadiums.

Dr Mullan comments: “Climate change and extreme heat are becoming bigger issues for all areas of our lives, and this includes sport.

“After analysing 20 years of data, our modelling shows that high temperatures are extremely likely, and these will have a major impact on players. We can see that afternoons are the peak time for higher temperatures, regardless of whether 2026 turns out to be an average or hot summer.

“To protect players, and spectators, organisers must rethink the timing of games. The best solution would be rescheduling kick-off times outside the hottest afternoon hours for the locations with highest temperatures, especially those without air conditioning. This is primarily Miami and Monterrey, but also Philadelphia, Kansas City, Boston and New York.”

The research findings have been published in The International Journal of Biometeorology.

The research was led by Dr Donal Mullan from the School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen’s University Belfast. He worked with a team of researchers from a range of universities across the UK and Canada.

Darts wonderkid Luke Littler celebrates World Darts Championship with bespoke 24-carat gold Phone

Teen prodigy collaborates with luxury £5,000 brand strada x IDG to design a personalised gold device to mark his victory

Darts superstar Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler has marked his World Darts Championship triumph by awarding himself a bespoke 24-carat gold iPhone 16 Pro Max, valued at £5,000.

The extraordinary gesture celebrates the 17-year-old’s historic win, as he continues to take the darts world by storm and establish himself as one of the sport’s brightest talents.

Luke’s collaboration with luxury design brand strada x IDG has resulted in a one-of-a-kind phone, personalised with his name and championship details. 

The golden device serves as both a reward for his hard work and a symbol of his remarkable achievement at such a young age.

The celebration was taken to a global stage, with Luke unveiling the phone during his trip to Bahrain, where he competed in the prestigious Bahrain Darts Masters. 

The event showcased the teen sensation’s talent alongside the sport’s elite players, further solidifying his status as a darts prodigy.

Gary Allen, a spokesperson for strada x IDG, said: “Working with Luke Littler on this bespoke gold phone has been an incredible experience.

“His World Darts Championship victory was a momentous occasion, and we’re thrilled to create a unique luxury item that reflects his exceptional talent and dedication. This collaboration embodies our passion for crafting meaningful, high-end pieces that celebrate personal and professional milestones.”

The phone, crafted with strada x IDG’s signature precision and attention to detail, stands as a luxury statement piece. Beyond its cutting-edge functionality, it represents Luke’s relentless drive and the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary career in darts.

strada x IDG has become synonymous with bespoke luxury technology, catering to elite athletes, celebrities, and tastemakers worldwide. Renowned for their craftsmanship, the brand specialises in designing personalised tech that transcends utility to become symbols of achievement and style.

This collaboration highlights strada x IDG’s growing influence in the world of sport, as they continue to work with top names across various disciplines. From football legends like Lionel Messi, Kevin De Bruyne to NBA superstars, their clientele is a testament to their unparalleled quality and exclusivity.

With plans to expand into the Middle East and USA retail markets in 2024, strada x IDG is redefining luxury tech on a global scale.

For Luke Littler, this golden phone is more than a piece of technology, it’s a trophy that embodies his journey, his passion, and his meteoric rise in the sport of darts.

For more information on strada x IDG and their bespoke luxury devices, visit:

www.stradauae.

Golden Moment wins World Sports Photography Awards

A photograph of Brazilian Surfer Gabriel Medina, which captures an incredible moment where athlete, spectacle and photographer come together in perfect harmony, has won this year’s World Sports Photography Awards.

The image was taken by Tahiti-based French Photographer Jerome Brouillet on the third day of the Surfing event at the 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia.

This image is one of 24 winning images across sports categories including American Football, Baseball, Equestrian, Golf, Racquet Sports and Football. More than 2200 professional sports photographers from over 96 countries around the world submitted more than 13000 images to this year’s competition.

The World Sports Photography Awards are the only global awards for sport photography. Entered by the world’s best sports photographers, judged by leading figures from sport, media, photography, brand and creative.

Designed to recognise and celebrates incredible sports images and the photographers who take them. World Sports Photography Awards tell compelling stories of the emotion, passion, athleticism and focus that are at the heart of sport.

Sophie Collins, Chief Marketing Officer at awards sponsor MPB, said: “As a judge and sponsor of the World Sports Photography Awards, I am once again inspired by the extraordinary talent and creativity showcased in this year’s entries.

“Sports photography holds a unique power to freeze dynamic action and evoke profound emotion in a single frame, capturing stories that transcend the boundaries of the playing field. It’s been thrilling to see the innovation and passion from this year’s participants, setting a remarkable standard for the years to come.”

The full gallery of winning images including Top 10s in every sporting category are available to view on the World Sports Photography Awards website.

For more information, visit www.worldsportsphotographyawards.com

Harness racing trots back to Musselburgh Racecourse

Harness racing will return to Musselburgh Racecourse this year after a revised format was agreed between the British Harness Racing Club (BHRC), Musselburgh Racecourse Committee and East Lothian Council.

The one-day fixture on Saturday 14 June will feature the famous Musselburgh Pace – the most important race in the harness racing calendar – equivalent to the Epsom Derby in horseracing.

The BHRC is a member of the governing body of the International Trotting Association which consists of all the key countries staging the sport and includes the likes of France, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, where the sport enjoys the status of being a multi-million-dollar industry. 

The Musselburgh fixture was the pinnacle of the harness racing calendar in the UK but it ended in 2022, partly because it clashed with Musselburgh’s sell-out Ladies Day meeting and it was also scheduled in middle of the track’s busy summer race season.

A reduction in the number of race meetings held at Musselburgh each year and moving Ladies Day to August has relieved pressure on the East Lothian facility, and a gap in the fixture list in June has provided an opportunity for a revival of the premier harness racing meeting.

BHRC director, Julie Park, said: “The British Harness Racing Club is pleased to see the return of harness racing to Musselburgh and would like to thank Musselburgh Racecourse, The Chester Race Company, Musselburgh Golf Club and the BHA for making this possible.

“The Musselburgh Meeting has a rich tradition and attracts the best pacers and trotters, with the Group 1 Famous Musselburgh Pace the flagship race.

“This has always been an integral part of the British harness racing year and traditionally the fixture attracts harness racing followers and competitors from all over the UK and Ireland.”

In the UK, there are approximately 500 licence holders involved in harness racing, with a great many depending on it for their livelihoods, and in addition there are many breeders and buyers investing in bloodstock

Previously, the event was mainly run by the racecourse management team but the new format will see the BHRC hire the racecourse and a special Committee set up by the BHRC will manage the event.

Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, Bill Farnsworth, said: “We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with the BHRC to welcome British harness racing’s most important event back to Musselburgh.

“With a less congested fixture list than in previous years, which reduces the pressures on our staff, the facilities and the track itself, the new one-day format is a solution which all parties will work towards making a success.”

Sporting Memories Club seeks volunteers to support older adults through sport

Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland (SMFS) and Edinburgh Leisure are calling for volunteers to help launch a new weekly club that tackles depression, dementia, and loneliness through the power of sport.

The proposed Sporting Memories Club would be based at Meadowbank, with plans to start in the new year, pending volunteer support.

Following a successful one-off session at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, to mark the launch of Edinburgh 900 exhibition, organisers are eager to establish a regular programme for older adults passionate about sports.

Volunteer Opportunity Highlights

The clubs are run by trained by Sporting Memories volunteers who use a wide range of Sporting Memories reminiscence resources developed specifically to help prompt conversation and discussion. There is always great fun and laughter, friendships are forged, and some remarkable sporting stories often emerge.

Sporting Memories has developed an innovative and engaging approach to tackling the challenges of our ageing society. Their work focuses on reducing loneliness and isolation; getting older people physically active; and helping people to live well with dementia.

Donna Mackey, Partnership Manager at SMFS, emphasised the need for volunteers: “We’re looking for people with a love of sport and some spare time. No expert sports knowledge is required – we’ll provide full training and resources.”

Key points for potential volunteers:

  • No specialised sports expertise needed
  • Comprehensive training will be provided
  • Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in community health
  • Support for older adults, including those living with dementia

Community Impact

Sam Scott from Edinburgh Leisure explained the broader significance: “These clubs support Edinburgh Leisure’s mission to keep people active and well, no matter what age or stage.

“Using the rich history and heritage of sport, we’re creating a space where older adults can connect, reminisce, and build friendships through their shared love of sport.”

The clubs offer:

  • A welcoming environment for sport enthusiasts
  • Opportunities to share sporting memories
  • Social connection and support
  • Activities designed to combat isolation and support mental well-being

Who Can Participate?

The club welcomes:

  • Older adults who enjoy talking about sport
  • Individuals living with dementia
  • Carers interested in supporting their loved ones’ social engagement

Contact Information

Volunteering Enquiries:

Donna Mackey, donna@thesmf.co.uk

Further information on running a club: 

https://www.sportingmemories.uk/volunteer/

Attendance Registrations:

Sam Scott, active@edinburghleisure.co.uk

Sean Woodburn Memorial Trust support for local footballers

Craigroyston Community Youth Football Club would like to take this opportunity to thank Denise Syme of the Shaun Woodburn Memorial Trust for their very generous donation of £1,465.

This donation will go towards helping our teams who are travelling to Craig Tara Tournament in May 2025.

The purpose of the Shaun Woodburn Memorial Trust was to raise funds for children up to 18 yrs of age and to help them in any sporting endeavour that they have. The fund is registered as an SCIO in Scotland and is registered with the appropriate government bodies.

The funds generated by the Trust will be used to help individuals, and clubs to purchase equiptment to be used in any sporting endeavour, football, rugby, hockey, basketball etc, these funds will only be used within Edinburgh and the Lothians and focusing on the more under priveliged areas of our community.

Shaun was a very talented young man, and not only in a sporting sense.

He regularly sponsored and mentored others in various ways , particularly fitness, and the trustees are all family and close friends of Shaun , and as such we are determined to keep his legacy going forward into the future.

Thank you from all at Craigroyston CYFC

Rising boxing star Lee McGregor prepares for career-defining moment at Meadowbank Sports Centre

Scottish boxer Lee McGregor is gearing up for the biggest fight of his career at the state-of-the-art Meadowbank Sports Centre, ahead of his upcoming bout on the high-profile Tyson Fury – Oleksandr Usyk world title rematch undercard in Saudi Arabia on 21 December.

Just days before his 28th birthday, McGregor sees this opportunity as the culmination of his lifelong boxing journey. He will face Isaac Lowe in what promises to be one of the most anticipated fights of the year.

McGregor has been meticulously preparing at Meadowbank, adapting his training schedule to match the fight’s timing in the Middle East. His camp has included diverse sparring partners from England, Glasgow, France, and Spain, ensuring comprehensive preparation for the crucial match.

The venue holds special significance for McGregor, who previously trained at Meadowbank’s amateur boxing club as a young kid, where he represented Meadowbank Amateur Boxing Club, training in the old gym.

“Being able to train back at Meadowbank with their state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated boxing gym, is incredible,” McGregor said. “It’s where my boxing journey began, and now I’m preparing for a world-class event.”

Josh Anderson, Operations Manager at Meadowbank Sports Centre said: “It’s been a huge privilege to welcome someone of Lee’s calibre to our facilities.  We’ve enjoyed meeting him, his team and sparring partners for his final training camp, ahead of what will be the biggest fight of his life. 

“We wish him all the best and will be rooting for him.”

The £47m Meadowbank Sports Centre, reopened in July 2022, represents a significant investment in community sports and wellness, offering expanded facilities to support physical activity and athletic development.

The new venue supports accessible participation and has improved indoor facilities including two multi-sport games halls with seating, three fitness studios and a gym with triple the number of exercise stations and a boxing gym, among its facilities.

Fans interested in boxing can explore Hatton Boxing classes through Edinburgh Leisure: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/hatton-boxing

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/venues/meadowbank-sports-centre

Musselburgh Racecourse set for another successful Jumps Season

As Musselburgh Racecourse launched its nine fixture winter jumps season last week, things are already looking good for a potential capacity crowd New Year’s Day celebration.

Back-to-back fixtures on Thursday and Friday 28-29 November heralded the start of the Jumps season at the popular East Lothian track.

And with strong ticket sales for the traditional Virgin Bet New Year’s Day meeting, boss Bill Farnsworth is confidently looking forward to a repeat 6,500 sell-out, with additional covered tented facilities being added in case the weather fails to keep its part of the deal.

With two races featured on ITV1, highlights of the 1 January meeting are the £40,000 Virgin Bet Auld Reekie Handicap Chase and the equally competitive £30,000 Virgin Bet Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle.

“We expect it will be another sell-out so the message is, if you want to welcome in 2025 in the most exciting fashion and plan to celebrate New Year with us at Musselburgh, buy your tickets in advance,” said general manager Farnsworth.

The premier attraction of Musselburgh’s jumps season is the February favourite – the two-day bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials Weekend on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February – which is an important staging post for leading trainers looking to compete at the famous Cheltenham and Aintree festivals in the Spring.

Musselburgh has hosted some great prospects over the years with many of the country’s top trainers happy to make the trip north to take on Scotland’s best home-trained horses. So much so that the BHA have signalled that the £100,000 bet365 Scottish Champion Chase, which is currently a Class 2 handicap chase, could be upgraded to a Class 1 event if it continues to perform so well.

Bill Farnsworth added: “It is one of the season’s best quality two-and-a-half mile handicap chases but it has to perform at that level for three consecutive years.

“It would be great to have that sitting alongside our other Grade 1 race over that weekend, the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle, and we will be doing our best over the next few seasons to make that a reality.

“With the £75,000 bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Race our feature race on the Sunday, we have again lined up a strong programme over two days which gives our race goers a genuine opportunity to get up close to future Cheltenham and Aintree champions.”

The Farmers Race Day on Sunday 16 February and the Go North Finals Race Day on Friday 21 March, which features four finals with £30,000 prize money for each, round off the National Hunt programme at Musselburgh.

For full fixture details and to book tickets, visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk