A spectacular light and sound projection show was beamed on to the iconic clubhouse of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews as the countdown to The 150th Open continued in the historic town last night.
Ahead of the move into British Summer Time and the Major Championship season, The R&A Celebration of Light was attended by residents of St Andrews who gathered at the world-renowned Old Course to watch celebrated moments from the Championship’s cherished history brought to life through the dramatic projection show.
The state-of-the-art production was narrated by actor and lifelong golf fan Gerard Butler. It charted the remarkable journey of golf since The Open began in 1860, celebrating renowned Champion Golfers and unforgettable performances from many of the sport’s greatest names.
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The R&A Celebration of Light was a spectacular way to continue our countdown to The 150th Open at St Andrews. You felt a real sense of excitement among the spectators who attended this evening as we enjoyed reliving the iconic moments which have made this great Championship so revered by millions of fans around the world.
“The 150th Open is a going to be a momentous occasion for golf and we look forward with great anticipation to seeing the world’s best men’s golfers create more history when they compete for the Claret Jug over the Old Course in just over three months’ time.”
A tribute in support of Ukraine and its people also took place as colours of the nation’s flag were projected onto the clubhouse building. A live performance from the City of St Andrews pipe band entertained the attending crowd prior to the show.
For those unable to make it in person to experience the show, the entire display is now available to watch via The Open’s social media channels (@TheOpen) and TheOpen.com.
The show was the latest activity in a schedule of special events taking place before the first tee is struck at the Championship. The R&A is also hosting the Celebration of Champions on Monday 11 July, a special exhibition of golf on the Old Course that will bring together a number of the world’s most renowned golfers during the week of The 150th Open.
The R&A has been working with Rolex, a Patron of The Open, to develop a series of exclusive content which will be published via TheOpen.com in the lead up to the Championship.
‘The Journey’ will provide a unique insight into golf’s oldest major championship and focus on players, fans and the moments that have been written into history. The series launched last month and will continue over the coming months.
For more information on The R&A Celebration of Light, and latest news on The 150th Open, please visit TheOpen.com
The World Cup play-off between Scotland and Ukraine was meant to take place on the 24th of March. It was postponed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Moved by the recent events, Spartans have decided to team up with the Edinburgh-based charity, Dnipro Kids Appeal, and host a five-a-side football tournament to raise money to support Ukrainian orphans forced away from their home.
Join us on the 3rd of April at Ainslie Park Stadium and support our cause.
Get your friends together and play football for those in need!!!
Grassroots football facilities across Scotland will benefit from an initial £2 million of UK government funding to improve grassroots football facilities, as part of a major commitment to levelling up access to physical activity across the nation.
Beneficiaries of an initial £2 million direct investment in grassroots football facilities across Scotland this year announced
Spartans is one of 18 projects to benefit from first tranche of £230 million investment in football facilities across the UK to level up access to quality sport provision
Improvements to be made in partnership with the Scottish Football Association
SPARTANS Community Football Academy is one of eighteen projects across Scotland to receive funding to create and improve pitches, changing rooms and pavilions, so that more local communities can access high-quality facilities.
Projects have been chosen for their ability to deliver improved facilities in deprived areas, support multi-sport use and increase participation among currently under-represented groups, including women, girls and disabled players.
As well as North Edinburgh social enterprise Spartans Community Football Academy, other examples include:
Drumchapel United in Glasgow – a community club powered by volunteer coaches, which keeps the local community active at all ages from nursery to walking to football, who will use this £150,000 grant to regenerate their pitch;
Kilwinning Community Football Academy in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire – who have just signed the community asset transfer of the pitch and pavilion and are using this funding to regenerate the pitch as part of wider plans to improve the site. The pitch will support everything from school PE to mental health programmes for the local community. The £120,000 grant will be combined with the club’s own funds and funding from North Ayrshire Council.
Buckie Thistle High School where, combined with funding from the council, the renewed 3G pitch will support year round use for the ladies team there.
The funding, combined with contributions from clubs and other local partners, will improve the quality of community facilities, bring people together to enjoy playing sport in their local area, regenerate communities and enhance social cohesion.
It forms part of a £25 million UK-wide investment in grassroots facilities during this financial year, out of a total of £230 million set to be invested to help to build or upgrade up to 8,000 quality pitches across the UK over the next four years. The funding will also support the construction or refurbishment of clubhouses, changing facilities and community buildings.
The Scottish Football Association is delivering the programme on behalf of the UK government in Scotland.
UK Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “We are committed to improving access to high quality sports facilities for the underprivileged and underrepresented in Scotland.
“From Almswall Park in Kilwinning, to pitches in Buckie and Stenhousemuir, this will ensure more people can enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of sport at top class facilities in their local community.”
Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack said:From the Borders to Moray and from Inverclyde to Dundee, this £2million UK government funding will breathe new life into grassroots football facilities right across Scotland.
“The investment will help communities all over Scotland become winners on and off the pitch by inspiring people from all walks of life to get active and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that playing the beautiful game can bring.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish Football Association Ian Maxwell said:“Our goal in Scotland is to harness the power of football, with the positive physical and mental wellbeing benefits that football offers being perfect examples of this.
“This funding will open opportunities for increased participation across many different demographics, including boys’ and girls’ football and para-football disciplines, some of which will be in areas that currently suffer from severe deprivation.
The announcement follows a joint ‘Expression of Interest’ submitted to UEFA by the Football Associations of England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales on Wednesday (23 March).
The governments of the UK, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have confirmed their support for the EOI submission and, given the Northern Ireland Executive is currently not meeting formally, officials there continue to observe the process closely.
Formal discussions on the technical specifications for the tournament are expected to take place with European football’s governing body over the coming weeks, before a final decision is made on submitting a formal bid.
On the prospects of hosting UEFA EURO 2028, Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston added:“This is welcome news from the FAs, and the government remains committed to working closely with them and our partners in the government of Ireland and the Devolved Administrations to bring UEFA’s flagship festival of international football to the UK and Ireland.
“Our unprecedented partnership creates the potential for the best EUROs ever, and we are passionate about bringing another world-leading sporting event here, creating a real celebration of football for people across the UK and Ireland.
“The government continues to demonstrate its commitment to sport and recreation, recently announcing that it is also investing £30 million to refurbish more than 4,500 tennis courts across the UK.”
Scottish rugby fans in their thousands are getting ready to head to Cardiff for match day. But once they cross the border how will they find the Principality Stadium without understanding the Welsh language?
Wales-based temporary insurance provider, Veygo, is issuing an A to Y (there’s no ‘Z’ In Cymraeg) guide to Welsh road signs so Scottish fans can safely navigate their way to the Capital:
James Armstrong, CEO at Veygo said: “Thousands of rugby fans will make the long road trip from across Scotland to the Welsh capital ready for Saturday’s face-off.
“For those driving the ship, reaching the border at the seventh hour with a backseat of weary fans and then being faced with unfamiliar road signs and markings is enough to push the most patient driver to their limits. Brushing up on your Welsh before you leave is one way to take the edge off what will undoubtedly be a long and trying journey.
“Another way to take some stress out of the journey is to rope one of your mates in to sharing the drive. Just make sure you get some temporary cover before you switch seats. You can take out temporary driving insurance with Veygo from just one hour to help with the driving.
“You could also keep your travelling companions entertained by testing their knowledge en route. Don’t panic – the road signs are bilingual, something many people from Scotland are familiar with.”
Welsh road sign translations
· Welcome to Wales – Croeso I Gymru
· Please drive carefully – Gyrrwch yn ofalus
· Slow – Araf
· Stop – Stopiwch
· Speed cameras – Camerâu cyflymder
· Mile – Un filltir
· One way – Unffordd
· Give way – Ildiwch
· In / out – I mewn / allan
· No Exit – Dim ffordd allan
· No Entry – Dim mynediad
· Services – Gwasanaethau
· Ring Road – Ffordd gylch
Finding your way into and around the city
Once you’re in the city, you’ll need to know how to get around. The Welsh for ‘bus lane’ is definitely one to know as Cardiff is hot on its fines, with 20 ‘always on’ bus lane cameras across the city!
The areas where drivers are most likely to get a penalty charge notice are on Kingsway outside the Hilton Hotel, North Road City Centre and Custom House Street. So watch out for lôn fysiau signs!
· M4 (W) – M4 (Gn)
· M4 (E) – M4 (Dn)
· Cardiff – Caerdydd
· Bus lane – Lôn fysiau
· Town Centre – Canol Y Dref
· City Centre – Canol y Ddinas
· Castle – Castell
Public transport
Cardiff is a very walkable city, and the City Centre is mostly pedestrianised. Plus if you’ll be enjoying a drink with the game, you’ll be looking to take a bws/bwsiau, tacsi or tren to get around. You’ll need to keep an eye out for these signs.
· Central station – Gorsaf ganolog
· Park and Ride – Parcio a theithio
· Bus stop – Safle Bysiau
· Bus station – Gorsaf fysiau
Getting to the stadium
The Principality Stadium is in the heart of the city, but it is vast, and finding the right entrance can be a challenge. So brush up on your Cymraeg to avoid any added confusion.
As Edinburgh’s Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds compete out in Beijing, back home David Aitken can reflect on his contribution to their journey with pride – as one of their ever first curling coaches.
David Aitken watched on as Mouat and Dodds lost out to a strong Sweden team in the bronze medal match. Despite not coming home with a coveted Winter Olympic medal, the team can be immensely proud of their performances in a world class field of opposition.
Representing GB and at an Olympic Games is the pinnacle of sport for the pair, but David can recall their first steps onto the ice having coached them from complete beginners to promising young curlers.
David reflected on the value of coaching, and what it means to ‘make an athlete’:
“I used to be a player myself, and initially started by just helping out with absolute beginners. At first, it was tricky to work out exactly how best to communicate some of the more technical things as I transitioned into being a coach – but eventually you develop that skill.
“When I first started coaching, it was just from a participation perspective – I wanted more and more people to play the sport that I enjoyed so much. But then as the players progressed, you see this opportunity for them to experience something at an elite level, and that journey is a magical thing to be part of.
“There’s so many opportunities through coaching to develop not just as a player but as a person. Bruce wasn’t from a ‘curling community’ – it was just a case of parents bringing a child along to try a sport that looked like fun. Part of the responsibility of a coach is to ensure that your sport is inclusive, that anyone can get involved.”
David is still very much involved – currently British Curling’s Performance Foundation Manager based in Stirling. And regardless of medals, he could not be prouder of the talent emerging from GB’s curling scene:
“Britain are good at curling, because we have a very well-funded programme thanks to The National Lottery, we have a lot of experience regarding coaching and the support staff, and that input towards athletes really highlights the team behind the team.
“The breadth of input was a real eye-opener for me as I became a full-time coach, seeing how the athletes can be supported to perform to their best.”
Following an encouraging showing from the British curling contingent in Beijing, Aitken will be hoping for even more to follow – and with all the right coaching behind the team, they have everything they need!
If you are inspired to get into coaching, visit www.ukcoaching.org for support and resources to start your coaching journey.
Edinburgh Napier Knights host University of Glasgow
The annual American Football Varsity match returns to Meggetland Stadium on Sunday (February 13) as the Edinburgh Napier Knights host Glasgow Tigers.
The Super Bowl Sunday event is now in its tenth year and is one of the high points of the student sporting calendar, with the game a shop window for domestic American Football. A great family day out, the fixture has seen some memorable matchups and this year’s promises to be the best yet.
Both teams enter the game undefeated, meaning it’s winner takes all for the division title, playoffs, promotion and the prestigious MacKenzies Challenge Trophy.
The Glasgow team features a grind it out, run heavy, offense whilst the Knights have eschewed their traditional running game and taken to the air this year, smashing the previous club scoring record.
There is game day entertainment of a DJ, music, and the Edinburgh Napier Cheer Squad with hot food, barbeque and a licensed bar at the Canalside.
Varsity tickets include entry to the Knights Super Bowl party at the Canalside bar with late 3am licence.
Gates open from 1.30pm, with kick off at 3pm, and the Super Bowl party from 8pm.
Tickets are £5 adults, £3 students and free entry for under 16s, and can be purchased in advance online or on campus, or on the gate.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street, the eight-floor visitor attraction in the heart of Scotland’s capital city, has today unveiled its plans for the Guinness Six Nations Championship.
Kicking off this weekend, 4 February, rugby fans can treat themselves to special match day breakfasts in the stunning rooftop 1820 Bar, be in with a chance of winning the ultimate match day experience just by visiting the ground floor retail store, snap a selfie with the Guinness Six Nations Trophy, take part in exclusive tastings and more.
Johnnie Walker is the official whisky of the Guinness Six Nations, here’s how Johnnie Walker Princes Street is celebrating:
Guinness Six Nations Breakfast Menu (available 5-6 and 26-27 February from 9.30am-12pm in the 1820 Bar)
Johnnie Walker Big Breakfast:
Sausage, bacon, potato scone, black pudding, haggis, mushrooms and fried egg
Guinness Six Nations Prize Draw (4-23 February in the ground floor retail store)
To enter, simply speak to the team in the Johnnie Walker Princes Street retail store who will guide guests through the process of entering this exclusive prize draw. Winners will be announced on 23 February on the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Instagram.
Prizes include:
Ultimate match day experience which includes 2 x tickets to pre-event plus match. On Friday 25th February, between 10am – 12pm the winner will be invited to have breakfast in one of the hospitality boxes, before heading out into the stadium bowl at BT Murrayfield to watch the Scotland team on their final training session before the match. The winner will also receive 2 x tickets to Scotland vs France on Sat 26th February.
A Scotland Rugby shirt
2 x tickets to the Scotland vs France game
Two tickets to Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s Whisky Makers’ Cellar tour worth £190
A bottle of Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s fill your own ‘Winter Blend’ worth £80
Johnnie Walker Princes Street staff will guide fans through the ‘Flavour Wheel’ to help them find their perfect whisky, tasting a number of options along the way
Those who make a purchase on Murrayfield match days can store bottles at Johnnie Walker Princes Street free of charge and collect by the following Monday. Free engraving is also being offered for eligible bottles on Murrayfield match days
Guinness Six Nations Trophy Display (22-24 February)
The Guinness Six Nations Championship Trophy will be proudly displayed at Johnnie Walker Princes Street for three days, situated in the ground floor retail space. Fans are invited to come in, snap a selfie with the trophy, and share using #JWPrincesStreet.
Journey of Flavour tours:
Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s flagship experience, the Journey of Flavour tour, continues to wow whisky lovers and novices alike. The perfect follow up to breakfast in the stunning 1820 Bar, guests are taken on a 90 minute exploration of Johnnie Walker’s search for flavour, discovering their own perfect way to enjoy whisky during this one of a kind personalised tour.
The achievements of former Kelty miner, Robert Stewart, who held the title of World Draughts Champion, are to be celebrated through a new event, the Scottish Draughts Championship, fittingly held in his home town on the centenary of his first victory.
Robert Stewart reportedly lost only two out of 8,000 games and was otherwise unbeaten at draughts for 21 years, holding the title of World Draughts Champion from 1922 to 1933.
A century on from his first Championship win, this exceptional feat of skill and strategy is to be acknowledged in an annually held tournament to find a new Scottish Coal Draughts Champion as part of the Scottish Coal Carrying Championship.
Commencing in parallel with the 2022 programme, these events together will celebrate the history of the town of Kelty and also aims to increase the profile of the game of draughts in Scotland.
The Robert Stewart Tournament is for adult elite players of the game and will be held between the 25th-27th August 2022 with the final being played on Coal Race Day on Saturday 27th August 2022.
To encourage wider interest in the sport, especially for new participants of all ages and skill level, there will also be an opportunity to take part in an ‘all comers open competition’ which will be run in parallel with the main tournament and will consist of both a Junior Competition and a Senior Competition.
The draughts events will be sponsored and supported by the Scottish Coal Carrying Championships, the Scottish Draughts Association and head sponsor National Pride UK.
Founded in 1995, the annual Scottish Coal Carrying Championships was created by Michael Boyle whose aim was to create an enduring link between the modern-day village and its rich coal mining heritage.
The men’s race requires participants to carry a 50-kilo bag of coal and the ladies’ race requires a 25-kilo bag of coal to be carried over 1000 metres through the village of Kelty. There are races for children too carrying a 15-kilo bag of coal.
National Pride UK was principal sponsor in 2021 and continues its support in 2022, as part of its involvement in community wellbeing. National Pride UK sponsors community events and supports community groups through social value projects to ensure economic resurgence in the town and surrounding area.
National Pride UK, as new owners of the neighbouring St Ninians former opencast mine, have plans to develop an ecologically friendly and environmentally sensitive health, wellness and leisure destination at the site. Design proposals are forming into an initial masterplan details of which will be released as soon as the plan become mature.
The extensive 976-acre St Ninians and Loch Fitty site will promote health and wellness in mind and body accessible and affordable for all. It will also deliver an exciting leisure, entertainment and tourism destination creating significant employment opportunities and supporting local businesses.
Donald Oliphant of the Scottish Draughts Association commented: “A century on from Robert Stewart claiming the World Draughts Title in 1922, the Scottish Draughts Association is delighted to partner with the Coal Carrying Championship organisers to increase the profile of the game in 2022.
“This will allow the community and the rest of Scotland to see for themselves the high level of skill required to play the game at its highest level. Nearly everyone has played at draughts but very few move to the next level and begin to realise the vast depth of skill and knowledge required to become a master player. This competition gives an opportunity to the people of Fife to see world class draughts on their doorstep.”
Irene Bissett, National Pride UK, said: “We are delighted to be again sponsoring the Scottish Coal Carrying Championship in Kelty, which is such a fantastic community event.
“The Robert Stewart Tournament not only celebrates his incredible achievement, but we are sure it will inspire all generations to participate in a new annual community event and have fun.”
Ski instructor marketplace calls for clearer plans for the travel industry with regards to how future variants are managed
Ski instructor marketplace, Maison Sport has reported a 100% increase in bookings overnight since the latest announcement that rules on testing are to be eased for people travelling to the UK, following numerous pleas from the travel industry, who are amongst those hit hardest amidst the pandemic.
Commenting on the new guidelines, Nick Robinson, Founder and CEO of Maison Sport said: “This is brilliant news for the industry and we expect to see ski lesson availability snapped up for the busy month of February over the coming days.
“This is typically our busiest month of the season so it’s great to see things ramp up again so quickly – this is just the news we have been waiting for. Not only is it brilliant news for those travelling but it will also provide a welcome boost to all of our ski instructors”
Maison Sport has proven to be a game-changer for independent ski and snowboard instructors who can significantly increase their earnings using the platform. The marketplace has surpassed 34,000 hours of lessons taught in 364 ski resorts across Europe.
Nick Robinson comments: “The old rules were perhaps in place for 2 to 3 weeks more than they needed to be based on the fact that they were implemented mainly to slow the spread of Omicron, but Omicron was dominant in the UK from the 17th of December or earlier so it’s clear that rules were causing more harm than good to certain industries.
“It’s really important that moving forward there is a clearer plan for the travel industry with regards to how we deal with new variants in the future.”
Founded in 2016 by former ski champion brothers Nick and Olly Robinson and fellow ex-British Ski Team member Aaron Tipping, Maison Sport now boasts the third-largest selection of instructors in comparison to any ski school in the world.
With its innovative platform continuing to grow, overcoming the significant challenges facing the global travel industry, the company plans further expansion into Asia and South America over the course of 2022.
Football fans will be able to stand in some of the biggest stadia in England and Wales from today, as the UK Government launches its landmark trial of safe standing for the remainder of the domestic football season.
Supporters attending Chelsea against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge this afternoon will see new facilities in use within the Matthew Harding Stand lower tier and Shed End upper and lower tiers.
It follows Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston recently visiting the stadium to inspect the arrangements put in place, and meet with fans and club representatives.
Five clubs – Cardiff City FC, Chelsea FC, Manchester City FC, Manchester United FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC – will be the first in the top two tiers of football to have licensed ‘safe standing’ in designated seated areas for home and away fans, as the Government works towards fulfilling its manifesto commitment.
The grounds have been selected following an application process, open to all grounds covered by the all-seater policy, led by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA).
The clubs involved in the pilot will have to adhere to strict conditions including enhanced use of CCTV, improved steward training, and fans utilising licensed safe standing areas being strictly limited to ‘one person, one space.’
Each supporter will occupy the same area that they would take up if they were sitting, with a traceable, numbered ticket. Barriers will be in place behind and in front of every individual. Seats must not be locked in the up or down position, so fans can choose to sit if they wish to, and the standing areas must not affect the views of other fans.
Standing areas are already commonplace in Germany’s Bundesliga and there are similar examples across the rest of Europe, the United States and Australia.
https://youtu.be/i4qWNl18L7U
Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport, said: “Fans have long campaigned for the introduction of safe standing, so I’m pleased that Stamford Bridge will launch this pilot programme that will allow us to carry out an in-depth trial at some of our biggest stadia over the remainder of the season, and inform a decision on a widespread roll-out.
“Safety will be absolutely paramount at all times. Detailed work is being carried out to monitor these early adopters, and the SGSA will work hand-in-glove with football clubs, supporters groups, local authorities and the police.”
The introduction of licensed standing areas follows research conducted during the 2019/20 season, prior to the onset of the pandemic, which found that seats with barriers/independent barriers helped reduce the safety risks related to standing in seated areas.
Over the remaining part of the season, research will be carried out at the grounds by CFE Research, to evaluate the implementation of licensed standing areas at early adopter grounds.
This research will be provided to the Government to inform its decisions about the potential wider roll-out of licensed standing from the start of the 2022/23 season for Premier League and Championship clubs that wish to introduce it and have met the strict conditions.
Ken Scott, Head of Inspectorate of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA), said: “The focus of the SGSA is the safety of all fans at sports grounds. We know there is a safety risk arising from fans who persistently stand in seated areas, demonstrated in independent research.
“The advent of new engineering solutions and the findings from our research has shown this can be managed safely. The early adopters programme will enable us to properly test and evaluate licensed standing areas and advise the Government in its next steps.”
Kevin Miles, Chief Executive of the Football Supporters Association, said: “This is a huge step forward. This is something we’ve been campaigning for 30 years on. It’s great to see people now being offered the choice on whether to sit or stand at a football match.
“I will feel more secure having that safety rail in front of me there. I think that will make a difference to the confidence of fans in the stands about their own safety.”
