Tag: Sport

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby and Wooden Spoon launch Junior Regional Academies to fuel the future of Wheelchair Rugby

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby has partnered with Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of Rugby to launch the Wooden Spoon GBWR Junior Regional Academies, an initiative that will expand inclusive playing and training opportunities for juniors to engage with wheelchair rugby at both grassroots and performance levels.

Wooden Spoon has a long-standing commitment to supporting children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage, through the power of rugby. This partnership with GBWR is a natural extension of that mission; creating a dynamic, inclusive, and empowering space for young people with disabilities to thrive.

Building Tomorrow’s Champions: Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Junior Regional Academies

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) is proud to announce a landmark partnership with Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby to launch the Wooden Spoon GBWR Junior Regional Academies; a transformative initiative set to redefine the landscape of junior wheelchair rugby across the UK.

This exciting collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the sport’s development, creating a structured and inclusive pathway for young athletes and expanding opportunities for juniors to engage with wheelchair rugby at both grassroots and performance levels.

A Game-Changer for Junior Wheelchair Rugby

The new academies will provide increased playing and training opportunities for junior athletes in both wheelchair rugby (Paralympic discipline) and Wheelchair Rugby fives, while also welcoming young people who are not currently affiliated with local clubs. Wooden Spoon’s sponsorship is instrumental in supporting this growth, helping to build a vibrant and sustainable junior community.

Why Junior Academies Matter

Many junior players currently train within senior clubs under “Safe to Play” rules. While this has enabled participation, it often limits peer-to-peer engagement. The new academies will offer a dedicated space for juniors to connect, compete, and grow alongside athletes their own age; fostering personal development, confidence, and a shared passion for the sport.

Aligned with GBWR’s Performance Pathway

The academies will serve as the first step in GBWR’s performance pathway, offering consistent, high-quality coaching and a clear route for talented young athletes to progress. This structured environment is designed to nurture the next generation of Paralympians.

Key Pillars of the Junior Academies

  • Talent Development: A structured environment aligned with GBWR’s talent pathway.
  • Inclusivity: Open to all junior players, including wheelchair ruby fives athletes.
  • Accessibility: Welcoming juniors regardless of club affiliation.
  • Competition: Regional teams will compete in tournaments, starting with the inaugural Junior Tournament on Saturday, 7th February 2026.
  • Academy Identity: Each academy will choose its name and design bespoke kit.
  • Geographic Boundaries: Players will join their nearest academy, with flexibility for border regions.
  • Regularity: A minimum of five sessions per year, complementing club commitments.
  • Junior Voice: Each academy will elect a player representative to a Junior Panel.
  • Coaching Excellence: Led by passionate GBWR club coaches, supported with CPD and a structured syllabus.

Launch Details

The first academy sessions will take place on the weekend of Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October 2025, with initial locations in:

North – Galashiels (Coaches: Adam Robson & Aaron Kilpatrick)
Midlands – Corby (Coaches: Jamie Higgins & Kascie Higgins)
London & South – Reading (Coaches: Sally Sycha & Omar Foster)
Wales – Location TBC (Coaches: Byron White & Dominic Evans)

Following the launch, regular sessions will be held in November, January, and March, leading up to the Junior Tournament in February 2026.

GBWR and Wooden Spoon Launch Junior Regional Academies to Fuel the Future of Wheelchair Rugby

Contact Jamie Higgins to find out more information or register your child jamie.higgins@gbwr.org.uk

Voices from the Community

Jason Brisbane, GBWR CEO, said: “This partnership with Wooden Spoon is a powerful step forward in our mission to grow the sport from the ground up.

“Junior athletes deserve a space where they can thrive, connect and dream big. These academies will be the launchpad for future Paralympians and community leaders.”

Sarah Webb, Wooden Spoon CEO, said: “Every child deserves the joy, confidence, and sense of belonging that sport brings.

“That’s why this partnership is so important, it opens the door for more young people to discover wheelchair rugby, to fulfil their dream of representing their country at the Paralympics, and to build lifelong friendships along the way.

“Together, we’re not just creating opportunities to play; we’re building a future where every child with a disability can see themselves as an athlete”

Jamie Higgins, Junior Programme Development Officer and Midlands Coach, added: “These academies will not only provide consistent, high-quality coaching through links with the Talent pathway, but also create a sense of community and competition among young players.

“We are confident this will lead to increased participation and pave the way for future wheelchair rugby stars.”

A 9-year-old junior player from the North Academy shared: “I can’t wait to play with other kids like me!

“It’s gonna be so fun making new friends and learning new stuff together.”

A Shared Mission for Inclusion and Empowerment

Wooden Spoon has a long-standing commitment to supporting children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage, through the power of rugby. This partnership with GBWR is a natural extension of that mission; creating a dynamic, inclusive, and empowering space for young people with disabilities to thrive.

🔗 Learn more about Wooden Spoon at woodenspoon.org.uk

Craigroyston CYFC AGM

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) NOTICE

The Craigroyston CYFC management committee would like to invite you all, to our annual general meeting. It will be held at the club on the 4th of October 2025 at 9.30am. Space will be tight so please arrive in plenty time.

All required info is in the below notice. If anybody has any question regarding the meeting, please reach out via the email address in the notice.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Thanks

Craigroyston CYFC committee

MAN V FAT teams up with Football Rebooted – the sport’s biggest ever environmntal movement

New partnership set to change lives and help the planet

MAN v FAT Football has embarked on an exciting new partnership, having teamed up with Utilita Energy’s Football Rebooted campaign – the beautiful game’s biggest ever environmental movement.

Football Rebooted launched in May 2021 after findings from a Utilita-commissioned report into the combined impact of the pandemic and the cost-of-living-crisis on grassroots football.

The response from fans was immediate and within the first few weeks, thousands of pre-loved football boot donations had flooded in, not only reducing potential landfill but also making a difference to the lives of children and adults in the UK.

MAN v FAT, the UK’s leading men’s weight loss programme, guides over 8,000 men every week on their wellbeing journey – with MAN v FAT Edinburgh meeting up on Thursdays at 6:30pm at Powerleague Portobello. 

Having joined forces with Football Rebooted, the scheme will not only be saving families a few quid but will be reinforcing the importance of upcycling and reusing items that still have a lot of life left in them. 

Pro-pocket, pro-planet 

Sam Cook, Utilita’s Partnerships Marketing Manager, commented on the environmental impact of rehoming boots: “Since its launch in 2021, the Football Rebooted campaign has collected and reallocated thousands of quality football boots, saving hard-pressed families a small fortune and helping to reduce landfill and carbon emissions.

“To put the environmental benefits into context, our aim is to prevent at least a million pairs of boots from ending up in landfill and saving 136,000 tonnes of carbon – the same as taking 7,000 cars off the road for a year.”

Chris Hawkins, Utilita’s West Bromwich Energy Hub Supervisor, helped to instigate the partnership, having recently joined the MAN v FAT Dudley League in May 2025. Chris said: “Given the financial hardship that families are facing, we understand that it may be challenging for people to be able to take part in team sports.  

“The 2025 MAN v FAT National Football Tournament, held at the Lilleshall National Centre, provided a perfect stage to launch the partnership and I was delighted to take along the Football Rebooted collection boxes.

“As a regular MAN v FAT Football competitor, I consider the partnership to be a natural fit as we share so many goals to help adults and youngsters be active, participate and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of team sport.”

Community focus  

Matt Hudson, Associate Director of Marketing and Partnerships at MAN v FAT Football, commented on the why the weight-loss initiative is supporting the campaign: “The Football Rebooted scheme delivers an extremely fun and unique claim system that avoids any family needing to feel embarrassed at taking second-hand items. 

“If you have any spare or unused football boots, please consider donating and helping us make football accessible to everyone in the local community!

“We’d like to thank our players and their supporters for getting behind the Football Rebooted scheme, which plays a vital role in giving both children and adults the opportunity to take advantage of the physical, mental, and social benefits of playing a sport.”

How can you get involved?

Anyone with a spare pair of football boots (or astroturf boots) should simply give them a clean and drop them off at their local Football Rebooted collection point.

Boots can also be donated at the Edinburgh Utilita Energy Hub – located at 41 Newkirkgate in Leith – keeping them in the local eco-system to ensure they’re re-used. 

Anyone requiring football boots, including individuals and families, can simply reach out to their local collection point to check what sizes are available before coming to collect them.

Schools and clubs in need of football boots can also submit their kit requirements via the Football Rebooted website.

To get a FREE Football Rebooted box and start collecting and redistributing boots within your sports club, school or local community, visit:

www.footballrebooted.co.uk. 

MAN v FAT clubs wishing to take part should contact Matt Hudson via email matt@manvfat.com.

BBC ALBA to show champions Corstorphine as Scottish women’s rugby is given World Cup boost

BBC ALBA is set to feature Arnold Clark Premiership champions Corstorphine’s latest challenge in the defence of their title as they travel to play Watsonians tonight (Friday 29 August), with coverage starting at 7.30pm.

The coverage is part of BBC ALBA’s plans to show the top domestic rugby competitions in Scotland for free on TV, including both the men’s and women’s Arnold Clark Premiership finals and 12 league matches throughout the 2025/26 season.

These matches will be available live and on demand on BBC ALBA, via BBC iPlayer, on the BBC ALBA YouTube channel and on bbc.co.uk/rugbaidh, with the games available worldwide on a live and on-demand basis.

Corstorphine started the defence of their title earlier this month with a hard-fought 26-17 win away to Biggar. For Watsonian FC, they will be hoping home advantage will help them bounce back from an opening day 34-17 defeat to Stirling County.

The players of all Premiership clubs were given a free weekend last week so they could take the opportunity to travel and support Scotland’s national women’s side as they made a successful start to their Rugby World Cup campaign, beating Wales 38-8.

Fiona MacKenzie, BBC ALBA commissioning editor, said: “BBC ALBA will be showing the best of Scottish women’s rugby across the season, thanks to our renewed agreement with Scottish Rugby as the popularity of the sport continues to grow.

“Interest will, of course, also be heightened across Scotland thanks to the impressive start our national team made against Wales in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.”

Watch champions Corstorphine’s trip to Watsonians tonight live or on demand on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer:

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hq7g

Next Friday (5 September), Hillhead Jordanhill will play Biggar, with live coverage on BBC ALBA again beginning at 7.30pm:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002j11h

New disc golf course approved for Hailes Quarry Park

DISC Golf, a new free golf attraction, has been approved for installation at Hailes Quarry Park.

Disc golf is a fun and fast-growing sport where players throw a frisbee-like disc towards a target, following rules similar to traditional golf. Players complete a hole by throwing their disc from a tee area towards a target, throwing again from where the previous throw landed. The target is a metal basket that is fixed into the ground. Lowest number of throws wins.

Installed and maintained by the Edinburgh Disc Golf Community (EDGC), the course at Hailes Quarry Park will be open to all and free to access.

The disc golf course will remain fully open to the public, with no fenced or restricted areas. Players will be expected to wait until the space is clear before taking a shot.

Disc golf is a rapidly growing sport with over 12,000 courses worldwide. Until last week’s approval from councillors the nearest course to the capital was in Dunbar.

Culture and Communities Convener, Cllr Margaret Graham, said: “We are really pleased to be able to offer more activities at Hailes Quarry Park and the fact that they are free and accessible to everyone makes them an excellent resource for the community. And I hope more people give the sport a try.

“A priority for the Council is to provide more opportunities for people to get active and encourage greater participation in sports as part of a healthy lifestyle.

“The new course will help us to achieve this and will be a real asset for local people of all ages.”

Peter Dawson, EDGC Founding Director, said: “Everyone connected with the Edinburgh Disc Golf Community are thrilled to be able to install the capitals first ever free to play disc golf course.

“This project has been years in the making and to finally have our own permanent free to play course is a huge step forwards for Scottish Disc Golf.

“We can’t wait to share this growing sport with the local community and get frisbees flying in the Hailes Quarry Park.”

Scottish Women’s Rugby embraces the outdoors at Foxlake Adventures and Ocean Vertical

Players swap the pitch for paddleboards, high ropes, and coastal challenges in East Lothian

THE Scottish Women’s Rugby team recently took a break from the training pitch to connect, recharge, and challenge themselves in a different way – by spending a full day immersed in the Scottish outdoors at Foxlake Adventures and Ocean Vertical in East Lothian.

The squad – made up of 32 players and 17 support staff – took part in a range of outdoor adventure activities designed to boost confidence, build resilience, and strengthen team bonds ahead of a busy competitive season.

Ellen Dickson, Team Manager, and former Scotland International, said: “We wanted to give the players a chance to reset and have fun away from the pressures of training, and Ocean Vertical and Foxlake were perfect for this.

“The team had a brilliant time on the water, and are looking forward to visiting again in future.”

The day kicked off at Foxlake Adventures, where players threw themselves into the inflatable Aqua Park, diving, balancing, and cheering each other on across the over-water obstacle course. 

Next, the team travelled to Ocean Vertical, an outdoor adventure company based in East Lothian offering guided outdoor experiences, where the Scottish Women’s team enjoyed a relaxed, fireside lunch provided by FieldFireFork, before breaking into smaller groups for an afternoon of exhilarating coastal activities – including coasteering, stand-up paddleboarding along the East Lothian coastline, and electric mountain biking through nearby trails.

“It was a real pleasure to organise this away day for the Scotland Women’s team,” said Mollie Hughes, Director at Ocean Vertical. 

“It was the perfect blend of fun, challenge, and downtime ahead of what will be an intense and exciting summer for the squad.”

To round off the day, the team returned to Foxlake where some players tackled the high ropes of the iconic FoxFall, while others unwound in the HotFox Sauna before braving a refreshing ice-cold plunge.

“It was fantastic to welcome the Scottish Women’s Rugby team to Foxlake,” said James Barbour, Director of Wild Shore. 

“Our experiences are all about pushing limits in a fun and supportive environment – and watching the team enjoying this experience together, away from their ‘day job’, captured that spirit perfectly.”

The day offered not only a physical challenge, but also a valuable opportunity for Scotland’s top female athletes to reconnect, relax, and prepare together.

For more information on activities, bookings, and events, visit: 

www.foxlake.co.uk and follow foxlake_adventures on Instagram. 

For more information about Ocean Vertical, please visit:

https://www.oceanvertical.com/ 

The Scottish Women begin their Rugby World Cup campaign with a game against Wales in Manchester this afternoon – KO 2.45

BBC ALBA kick off renewed SWPL partnership with champions Hibernian on opening weekend

BBC ALBA is set to feature ScottishPower women’s premier league champions Hibernian this weekend as part of the broadcast partnership extension, as the 2025/26 season gets under way.

The multi-year deal announced last month – funded by BBC ALBA’s partner, MG ALBA – will see the channel continue to bring live coverage of top flight women’s football to viewers across the country until the end of the 2027/28 season, cementing BBC ALBA’s role as the home of the SWPL.

BBC ALBA kicks off its broadcasting schedule with live coverage of Hibs’ opening clash against Aberdeen this Sunday (17 August) as the Edinburgh side launch their bid to defend the league title in their first game of the season. Full match coverage is available from 4pm with Alex O’Henley, live from Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium.

The following weekend (Sunday 24 August), BBC ALBA will feature Rangers’ first home fixture of the campaign when they host Hearts at Ibrox Stadium.

Fiona MacKenzie, BBC ALBA commissioning editor, said: “The broadcast partnership agreement between BBC ALBA and the SWPL reaffirms our strong commitment to showcasing the very best of women’s football, ensuring the continued visibility and growth of the game.

“Women’s football in Scotland has gone from strength to strength and fans all over the country will be excited to see how their favourite teams fare in the 2025/26 SWPL season.”

This year’s SWPL features 10 teams, rather than the previous 12, setting the stage for an even more competitive season as the popularity of women’s football continues to grow. The sport’s rise is reflected in the record-breaking attendance figures at this summer’s UEFA European Championships which attracted as many as 657,291 spectators.

Watch the 2025/26 season action live or on demand on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer:

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hfl4

Putting on the Style at Musselburgh Racecourse Ladies Day

More than 8,000 glamorous racegoers enjoyed a sun-kissed start to the weekend at Scotland’s most stylish race day.

Musselburgh Ladies Day, in  partnership with Champagne Pommery, rolled out the red carpet for another sell-out event combining horseracing and high fashion, which was rounded off with an After Party hosted by DJ and former JLS band member Marvin Humes.

The Style Awards fashion show, sponsored by Tiger Lily Boutique and hosted by River City star and BBC Scotland present Grant Stott, drew huge crowds around centre stage as the best-dressed ladies and gents competed for more than £6,500 in prizes.

Winner Erika Paterson (TOP, CENTRE)was judged to be the best attired and returned home to Peterhead with a £5,000 trip to France to visit  the Champagne Pommery Domaine, £1,500 in spending money and a voucher for Tiger Lily Boutique.

The judging panel for the Best Hat Award, sponsored by Sally-Ann Provan Millinery, included the first winner of TV’s hit show The Traitors, Meryl Williams.

The judges put their faith in winner Jayne Kirk from Dundee who collected a £300 voucher for Sally-Ann Provan Millinery, a bottle of Champagne Pommery and a cut, colour and styling session at Edinburgh’s Charlie Miller Salon.

Musselburgh Racecourse Ladies Day

Musselburgh Racecourse Head of Marketing, Aisling Johnston, said: “Everyone makes a huge effort for Ladies Day and that was borne out again this year with many stunning racegoers taking the opportunity to dress to the nines.

“So many of our Ladies Day guests return year in year out and that is great testament to the popularity of the event which has sold out for more than 20 years, but we are not complacent and always try to freshen things up and improve the offering.

“Erika was a worthy winner of the Style Awards but the lovely thing is the effort that all racegoers have gone to dress up for the day. It was a hugely successful day and we can’t wait to do it all over again in 2026.”

PICTURES: Alan Rennie / Jess Shurte

Crimestoppers launches campaign to highlight the rise in violence against women and girls linked to major sporting events

Crimestoppers the independent charity dedicated to giving people the power to speak up and stop crime, has launched a powerful new campaign to draw urgent attention to a distressing trend: increased levels of violence against women and girls during and after major sporting events.

Recent statistics and reports from frontline services have shown that incidents of domestic abuse and gender-based violence spike around the time of significant sporting occasions.

  • During the 2024 UEFA European Championships, police in England and Wales recorded 351 football-related domestic abuse incidents, almost double the figure from the previous tournament. 
  • Additional research indicated a dramatic association between alcohol-fuelled celebrations (or disappointments) and violent incidents. On days when England won, there was a 47% rise in alcohol-related domestic abuse.

These events, while a source of national pride and community, can also act as triggers for harmful behaviours in some individuals, putting women and girls at greater risk.

Lydia Patsalides spokesperson for the charity Crimestoppers said: “Sport should unite and inspire us, and for the most part it does. But we cannot ignore the well-documented rise in violence towards women and girls that coincides with major fixtures.

“These are not isolated incidents – they represent a national issue that affects communities across the UK.”

The new campaign encourages the public to recognise the signs of violence and use Crimestoppers anonymous reporting service to speak up safely if they are concerned about someone’s wellbeing.

Crimestoppers is also working with sporting bodies, law enforcement agencies and support charities to spread awareness, challenge harmful attitudes, and promote prevention strategies at every level.

If you see something say something. By speaking up – 100% anonymously – you could help save lives. No tip is too small, and your voice is vital.