Tag: Sport

Edinburgh Leisure launches new Basketball Coaching for younger players

Edinburgh Leisure, the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, is excited to announce the launch of a comprehensive basketball coaching programme tailored specifically for younger children.

This initiative comes in response to valuable feedback received from a recent coaching customer survey involving parents and carers who expressed a keen interest in additional coaching options and diverse sports development opportunities for their children. 

The basketball coaching is being offered at Meadowbank and Ainslie Park and sessions are now live for booking through the Edinburgh Leisure app and the Edinburgh Leisure website.  Monthly coaching costs £24.30 for 45-minute classes and £26.60 for a 60-minute class.

The basketball coaching is being offered at Meadowbank and Ainslie Park, and both venues will follow the same times and schedules. 

The sessions are now live for booking through the Edinburgh Leisure app and the Edinburgh Leisure website.  Classes are held weekly and the monthly coaching costs £24.30 for 45-minute classes and £26.60 for a 60-minute class.

1:00 – 1:45pm             Little Ballers

2:00 – 2:45pm             Junior Ballers

3:45 – 4:45pm             Mighty Ballers

4:45 – 5:45pm             Game Time Ballers

Edinburgh Leisure recognises the importance of offering a variety of coahing options to cater to the specific needs of different age groups. Therefore, the basketball coaching programme encompasses four distinct pathways:

Little Ballers – 18 months to 3 years

An interactive and play-orientated introduction to basketball for the youngest learners. Children will have the opportunity to explore basketball equipment in a child-friendly and realistic setting. Parental participation is encouraged to foster early education and enhance cognitive and social skills development.

Junior Ballers – 3 years to 5 years

A step-by-step introduction to the world of basketball, where children will learn the basics of the sport, gradually progressing towards structured techniques. The classes will foster a sense of teamwork and cooperation, with parental involvement as needed. 

Mighty Ballers – 5 years to 7 years

Mighty ballers are confident with boundless energy, and this is catered for in the lesson plans, with the classes designed to be fast-paced and engaging. Children will delve deeper into basketball fundamentals, while enjoying a fun and dynamic environment that emphasises teamwork and incorporates small-sided games.

Game Time Ballers – 7 years to 9 years

A holistic learning approach that seamlessly integrates play, practice, and understanding. These sessions not only teach essential basketball skills but also instil an understanding of when and how to apply these skills effectively in a real game scenario.

Gary Hocknull, Sports Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Recognising the well-established network across Edinburgh engaging teenage basketball players, we’ve responded to the call from parents and guardians for more diverse opportunities in sports development.

“Basketball emerged as a natural choice for younger children.  Our new pathways cater for children from 18 months to 8 years, split into four age groups.”

Women’s sport to be boosted by new investment scheme

Women’s sport investment is set to be boosted by a new scheme launched by the Department for Business and Trade, the Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator.

In association with Deloitte’s Sports Business Group and supported by the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport, the new initiative will run for a year starting from autumn 2023.

It will bring UK-based women’s sports rightsholders – leagues, teams, competitions and events – who are seeking investment together with industry experts and sports investors.

The new programme will provide a series of sessions offering market insights, connections and networking events alongside comprehensive mentoring for rightsholders who are looking for investment.

Elite women’s sport competitions such as the FA Women’s Super League and Netball Super League are among those which could benefit.

Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said: “We want to make the UK the world’s top destination for women’s sport investment, and with this new scheme we can build on the Lionesses’ fantastic World Cup run to help attract investment in women’s sports’ next success stories.

“This is an open goal for women’s sports leagues, teams and competitions looking for backing and will give rightsholders the tools they need to secure investment and drive growth.”

The application process is open to rightsholders of any UK-based women’s sports leagues, teams, competitions or events aiming to attract investment and boost their growth.

It is also being made available at no cost to taxpayers, with all speakers and mentors providing their time and expertise on a pro bono basis and the scheme being delivered through DBT’s partnership with Deloitte, who are providing event space and facilitating several of the scheme sessions.

Investment in women’s sport is growing rapidly and the popularity of the Lionesses’ run to the final of the Women’s Football World Cup demonstrated the scale of the opportunity available, in an industry expected to be worth over £1 billion a year by 2030.

Lisa O’Keefe, Secretary General for the IWG on Women and Sport, said: “The Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator is a fantastic initiative for the UK and one which the IWG is very pleased to support.

“This year has been exciting for women’s sport around the globe, and we’ve seen some superb performances on the field of play and fanbase growth off it. The standard has risen, and the increased long-term investment has undoubtedly played a part in this.

The Accelerator pilot programme will help women’s sports teams and leagues capitalise on this opportunity and help push forward women’s sport.”

Rightsholders for UK-based professional women’s leagues, teams, competitions, and events seeking investment can apply to take part in the programme via the following link, by 8 September 2023: https://eu.eventscloud.com/website/12237/.

Flying Dutchman: Mathieu Van der Poel crowned UCI World Champion after epic road race

Over 300k spectators lined the demanding 271km route, cheering on the best riders in the world as they took on hills, scenic vistas and changeable weather in a dramatic fight for the rainbow jersey.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships wishes to thank the hundreds of thousands of fans who lined the streets to create a rousing atmosphere for riders and an unforgettable spectacle during the men’s road race from Edinburgh to Glasgow. 

The organisers have estimated the number of fans across the entire route was in excess of 300,000, with 190,000 of those turning out around the Glasgow circuit specifically.

Avid cycling fans and curious locals of all ages showed their support for one of the showpiece races of the 11-day mega event – which encompasses 13 UCI World Championships – taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland.

The route from the capital to Glasgow, taking in Fife, Falkirk, Stirling, Clackmannanshire and East Dunbartonshire, was lined with spectators, culminating in a spectacular finish around a challenging 10 lap, 14.3km city centre circuit. Crowds cheered the epic finale in the heart of George Square, as Mathieu Van der Poel became the first men’s Dutch UCI World Champion in the road race for nearly forty years.

Paul Bush OBE, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, Chair, said: : “Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the fans who came out in such huge numbers, in towns and cities across the Edinburgh to Glasgow route, to inspire the riders and create such a memorable men’s road race experience for everyone.

“The excitement and atmosphere generated reinforces Scotland’s status as a world-class major event destination and it was particularly heartening to see so many young people savouring the experience.

“The race was temporarily interrupted in the Carron Valley and was successfully re-started.  It was clear from the enthusiasm of the crowds lining the streets that it did not detract from a memorable race against a backdrop of Scotland’s most stunning and iconic landmarks.”

Trudy Lindblade, Chief Executive Officer, said:  “Today was a pivotal moment in this history making Championships, with a magnificent spectacle on the road in front of thousands of fans and millions more watching on TV across the world.

“We now look forward to another week of world-class cycling across the country, culminating in next week’s showpiece event when the women’s road race brings the curtain down on this first-of-its-kind championships.”

The first four days have been hugely successfully, we now look forward to another seven days of world class cycling across Scotland, including BMX Racing at Knightswood, Road para-cycling in Dumfries and Galloway and the Individual Time Trial races in Stirling.

Pictures: SWpix

Tennis courts set to reopen after renovation

THIRTEEN park tennis courts in four Edinburgh parks will reopen this summer after state-of-the-art renovations worth £190,000.

The improvements to the courts in Inverleith Park, Leith Links, Victoria Park and St. Margaret’s Park has been managed by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation. 

Through the Parks Tennis Project, the LTA is delivering the biggest ever investment in parks tennis facilities across Britain, which has been used to transform 13 courts across the capital providing a significant boost to sporting facilities.

The courts have undergone extensive work to ensure viability for years to come, including; resurfacing, repainting, some new fencing, nets and a new booking gate system.

This nationwide programme of investment is seeing thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition brought back to life for the benefit of communities across the country, providing vital opportunities for children and adults to get active.

As part of the partnership, the Council’s Parks and Greenspace service will manage the courts and will adopt the LTA’s Clubspark booking system to manage community access which will be connected to a smart access gate at each of the refurbished venues.

The new booking systems and gate access technology means it is now easier to get on court by booking in advance to guarantee availability. The small booking fee of £1 will ensure that the courts are maintained at their new high standard for years to come. The LTA and the Council will work together to ensure free park tennis sessions are also available on the courts providing regular opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and play.

Investment into parks is one way in which the LTA is working to open tennis up across Scotland, in partnership with Tennis Scotland. The LTA, Tennis Scotland and sportscotland are also delivering the £15million Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis fund to provide more year-round community accessible tennis provision. Oriam, Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre at Heriot-Watt University’s Riccarton Campus, has benefitted from this fund with new indoor tennis courts scheduled to open in September 2023.   

The refurbishment works for courts at Inverleith, Victoria Park, and Leith Links have now been completed. Residents will be able to begin using these courts immediately, with the online booking system launching in the coming weeks. Works at St Margaret’s Park are expected to be completed by early September.  

Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, City of Edinburgh Council added: “We very much welcome the funding boost that the LTA project will bring to the city’s provision for tennis. Working together we’re investing in and improving four of our park tennis courts giving more opportunities and availability for residents to get involved in the sport.

“I am delighted that courts at three out of four of these parks, Inverleith, Victoria Park, and Leith Links have now had works competed and will reopen this weekend, with St Margaret’s Park expected in the near future.

I” am looking forward to seeing residents and visitors take advantage of these fantastic new facilities.”

Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “After months of hard work, we’re delighted that we will soon see park tennis courts across Edinburgh officially back open to the public, and in better shape than ever. 

“Public tennis courts are such vital facilities for getting active and we want as many people as possible, of all ages and abilities, to pick up a racket and enjoy playing tennis. Thanks to this investment the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.”

Stuart Andrew MP, Sports Minister, said: “We are committed to levelling up access to sport which is so important for the nation’s physical and mental health.

“The Government and the LTA are working together to deliver thousands of refurbished courts across Great Britain, supported by £30 million of investment including in Edinburgh.

“These improved Edinburgh Tennis Courts will provide the local community with fun opportunities to get active and potentially become the next Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu.”

Cycling champions to be crowned at Scone Palace

Scone Palace, the Crowning site of Scottish Kings and the original home of the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, will now see UCI World Champions crowned as it welcomes the finish of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo road races on Friday 4 August.

In an update to the previously announced routes, both races will now finish at Scone Palace, rather than their original finish on Tay Street in Perth city centre. The updated finish location follows consultation with event partners as part of ongoing event planning and development to ensure impacts are kept to a minimum across Perth city centre, while delivering a world-class event finish in a truly iconic Scottish location.

There have also been two other amendments to the routes, made to ensure the safest possible experience for riders and spectators. The Gran Fondo race through Pitlochry will now travel Southbound into Pitlochry from Garry Bridge, then turn left up Larchwood Road, right onto Strathview Terrace and left onto the A924/ West Moulin Road towards Moulin, before rejoining its original route travelling east towards Kirkmichael.

The change to the Medio Fondo race sees it take a new route in Bankfoot, travelling through the town from Prieston Road onto the B867 towards Waterloo, and turn right on the Pittensorn Road towards Murthly, before rejoining its original route on the B9099 towards Caputh.

An updated list of road closures reflecting the above changes can be seen here and the new race routes can be accessed and downloaded here.

The new finish line at Scone Palace will see both races conclude in one of Scotland’s most iconic settings. Once the ancient coronation site of Scottish Kings, the rich history and spectacular setting of Scone Palace will create a stunning backdrop for riders and spectators.

Scone is perhaps best-known as the former home of the Stone of Scone – also known as the Stone of Destiny – the red sandstone block used in early Scottish Kingship ceremonies and during the coronation of British monarchs. It was most recently used during the ceremonies for King Charles III, ahead of its return to Perthshire in 2024 as the centrepiece of a new £26.5m museum at Perth City Hall.

The UCI Gran Fondo World Championships are one of 13 UCI World Championships being brought together as part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3 – 13 August. 

Trudy Lindblade, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships CEO, said: “We thank Perth & Kinross Council and the communities across Perth and Perthshire for allowing us to bring this first-time global event to your region. 

“The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is set to be the biggest cycling event ever held and is an opportunity to showcase Scotland as the perfect stage for major events. We look forward to welcoming thousands of riders from around the world to the region as they prepare to compete for the World Championship title on 4 August.”

Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Grant Laing: “The Gran Fondo will be an unforgettable event and will showcase Perth and Kinross to a worldwide audience.

“Scone Palace will make a spectacular backdrop to the finishing line and people all over the world will be able to see our stunning scenery and learn about the Stone of Destiny, which will come home next year as the centrepiece of the new Perth Museum.”

Gran Fondo (which translates as “Big Race”) is a long-distance, mass participation event that celebrates competitive cycling. The top 25 percent of riders from 27 qualifying events held around the world earned the right to compete in Scotland as part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

Women aged 19 to 49 and Men 19 to 59 will take part in the Gran Fondo, while qualified riders in the Women 50+ and Men 60+ age categories will complete the Medio Fondo course. 

Full details for riders, including updated routes, technical information and course maps can be found on the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships dedicated Gran Fondo website. GPS files of the route courses can be downloaded at these links: Gran Fondo, Medio Fondo, and Gran Fondo time trial. Information for spectators can be found on the main 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships website. 

Race spectators, visitors and local communities are encouraged to prepare by making travel plans ahead of the event, with more information about traffic management available on Traffic Scotland’s website.   

For those taking part in the Gran Fondo races, Sportive Breaks, the official fan and amateur participant travel and experiences provider of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, have packages on offer now offering a large selection of ideally located hotels that cater for a range of budgets.

Plus, Sportive breaks are offering VIP and hospitality throughout the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships offering participants the chance to extend their visit and experience some of the other disciplines from the best seats in the house. More information on packages can be found on the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships website.   

With something for everyone to enjoy, the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds will feature 13 high-adrenaline, exciting UCI World Championships including Track and Para-cycling Track at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, BMX Racing at Glasgow BMX Centre, BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland) and Trials at Glasgow Green, Indoor Cycling (artistic cycling and cycle-ball) at the Emirates Arena, Mountain Bike Cross-country, and Cross-country Marathon in Glentress Forest, Tweed Valley, Mountain Bike Downhill in Fort William and Road and Para-cycling Road across Scotland.  

Tickets are on sale from as little as £8, with concessions from £5, plus there are many free events to watch throughout the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships including the Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo road races and time trials. 

UCI Cycling Men’s Elite Road Race: Road closures announced

SUNDAY 6th AUGUST

The route for the UCI Men’s Elite Road Race has been announced. This forms part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the “biggest cycling event ever.”

The race will begin in Edinburgh on Sunday 6 August 2023 at 9.30am. We expect the event to attract many visitors from across the world to follow the race as it makes its way from the capital to Glasgow. The city will be busy and some roads will be closed as the event passes through.

Route

Competitors will start off in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat and the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood Park. The race then heads up the Royal Mile and through Edinburgh’s Old Town, passing under Edinburgh Castle.

They will then head down the Mound and towards Stockbridge before moving onto Queensferry. Competitors will then cross the Firth of Forth via the Queensferry Crossing. The race will eventually finish in Glasgow’s George Square, covering a distance of 270km.

Road closures

These roads will be closed from 6:30pm on August 5 to 12 noon on 6 August:

  • Queens Drive
  • Horse Wynd
  • Dukes Walk

These roads will be closed from 11:59pm on August 5 to 1:45pm on 6 August:

  • Canongate
  • New Street (between East Market Street and Canongate)

These roads will be closed from 11:59pm on August 5 to 11:15am on 6 August:

  • High Street (between South Bridge and St Giles Street)
  • Lawnmarket (between St Giles Street and Bank Street)

These roads will be closed from 11:59pm on August 5 to 12 noon on 6 August:  

  • High Street (between St Mary’s Street and South Bridge)

The following roads will be closed from 8:00am to 9:45am on 6 August:

  • Abbeyhill (between Canongate and Abbeyhill Crescent)
  • Calton Road (between Abbeyhill and Abbeyhill Crescent)  

The following roads will be closed from 9:00am to 9:45am on 6 August:

  • George IV Bridge (between Lawnmarket and Victoria Street)
  • Lawnmarket (between Bank Street and Castlehill)
  • Bank Street
  • North Bank Street
  • The Mound
  • Hanover Street
  • Queen Street Gardens East
  • Heriot Row (between Dundas Street and Howe Street)
  • Howe Street (between Heriot Row and South-East Circus Place)
  • South-East Circus Place
  • Circus Place 
  • North-West Circus Place

These roads will be closed from 9:10am to 9:45am on 6 August:

  • Kerr Street 
  • Deanhaugh Street
  • Raeburn Place
  • Comely Bank Road
  • Craigleith Road

These roads will be closed from 9:15am to 9:50am on 6 August:

  • Queensferry Road (between Craigleith Road and Hillhouse Road)
  • Hillhouse Road

These roads will be closed from 9:20 to 9:55am on 6 August:

  • Queensferry Road (between Hillhouse Road and Maybury Road)

These roads will be closed from 9:40am to 10am on 6 August:

  • Queensferry Road / A90 South-eastbound (between the dual carriageway section and Whitehouse Road)

These roads will be closed from 9:40am to 10:40am on 6 August:

  • Queensferry Road / A90 North-westbound (between Maybury Road and the boundary of City of Edinburgh Council’s responsibility).

Vehicle crossing points on closed roads

On 6 August, traffic will be held at the junctions with the race route for up to 10 minutes while the race passes. Once the final support vehicle passes, traffic will be able to flow as normal. The timings may change slightly to fit with the event as it passes through Edinburgh.

  • St Mary Street – Jeffery Street at Canongate/ High Street 9:25am to 9:35am
  • North Bridge – South Bridge at High Street 09:25am to 9:35am
  • Princess Street at The Mound/ Hanover Street 9:25am to 9:35am
  • Queen Street at Hanover Street/ Queen Street Gardens East 9:25am to 9:35am
  • East Fettes Avenue – Comley Bank Avenue at Comely Bank Road 9:30am to 9:40am
  • Orchard Brae – Crewe Road South at Comely Bank Road 9:30am to 9:40am
  • Telford Road – Strachan Road at A90 Hillhouse Road 9:30am to 9:40am
  • Quality Street – Craigcrook Road at A90 Queensferry Road 9:30am to 9:40am
  • Whitehouse Road – Maybury Road A90 Queensferry Road 9:45am to 9:55am

Please note that these planned restrictions and closures may be subject to change.

You can find more information, on the event website 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. I

f you have any questions, please email events@edinburgh.gov.uk

Springboard into diving

With our divers ramping up their preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Edinburgh Leisure is on the hunt for the next generation of divers.

For those who have been inspired by divers such as James Heatly, Grace Reid, Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix (daughter of Fred!), Tom Daley and Matty Lee, Edinburgh Leisure is offering the opportunity for children to come and try diving with their Performance Diving Coaches at the Royal Commonwealth Pool to see if they have a talent for the sport.

Children should be between 5 and 16 years old, able to swim 10 metres unaided, confident in deep water and submerge in water without googles. 

No experience in necessary as they will be learning basic skills but those interested in gymnastics, trampolining, acrobatics or similar sports might enjoy this opportunity to try a new sport.

Priced at just £3, the diving taster sessions at the Royal Commonwealth Pool are offered on:  Monday 31 July – Friday 4 August at 16:00 – 16:25.

To secure a place, interested people should visit the Edinburgh Leisure website – https://edinburghleisure.bookinglive.com/book/add/p/307

Edinburgh Leisure offers a world class diving programme at their diving pool at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, complete with a dedicated Dry Dive Area with trampolines and harnesses, which enables more experienced divers to practice the twists and turns before trying them out on the boards.

Their diving programme follows the National Diving Award Scheme right through to competitive level.

Athletes training at the Royal Commonwealth Pool include local Edinburgh boy, James Heatly (GB) and Yona Knight-Wisdom (Jamaica). Grace Reid, who grew up in the capital, previously trained at the Commie.

For more information:   https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/dive

The most influential Wimbledon players of 2023

Novak Djokovic is the most influential tennis player at Wimbledon 2023 but who else makes the top ten?

  • Novak Djokovic is the most influential tennis player competing at Wimbledon this year, generating up to £54,700 per sponsored Instagram post 
  • Nick Kyrgios is the second highest earning on Instagram, earning potentially up to £22,700 on each sponsored post
  • Andy Murray is the third most influential, earning up to £12,800 on each post, whilst Stefanos Tsitsipas is fourth and earning up to £12,200

A new study names Novak Djokovic as the most influential tennis player competing at Wimbledon in 2023, earning potentially £54,700 per sponsored Instagram post. 

The research, conducted by CasinoAlpha.co.nz used an Instagram pricing calculator to create a list of the most influential Wimbledon tennis stars competing in this year’s tournament and established how much they can earn per sponsored Instagram post.   

Novak Djokovic, the current men’s singles Wimbledon champion, is the most influential tennis player at Wimbledon this year. He could earn up to £54,700 from each sponsored post on Instagram.

He has the highest following of any Wimbledon tennis player at 13 million and an engagement rate of 2.7%. Djokovic earned his following through winning seven Wimbledon titles throughout the years and 94 single titles all together throughout his tennis career at various competitions.

Nick Kyrgios has been named as the second most influential tennis player at Wimbledon this year, earning up to £22,700 per Instagram post. Although never having won Wimbledon before, Kyrgios is a favourite to win in 2023. He has the second highest follower count at 4.1 million and a high engagement rate of 3.7%. 

The third most influential competitor is Andy Murray who can earn up to £12,800 on each sponsored post on Instagram.

Another men’s singles champion, Andy Murray has won the Wimbledon championship twice and holds 46 single titles leading to him becoming one of the favourites to win for the third time at Wimbledon this year. He has a following of 2 million and a large engagement rate of 6.1%.

The fourth most influential tennis player at Wimbledon this year is Stefanos Tsitsipas, potentially earning up to £12,200 per sponsored Instagram post. The tennis star, currently living in Monte Carlo, has a large following of 1.8 million and a 3.3% engagement rate.

Matteo Berrettini is the fifth most influential player at Wimbledon on Instagram. His following of 1.6 million and an engagement rate of 7.1% can earn him up to £11,100 on each sponsored post. 

Iga Swiatek is the sixth most influential tennis player at Wimbledon and the most influential female tennis player at Wimbledon this year.

Her combination of a follower count of 1.3 million and a high engagement rate of 9% could potentially earn her up to £9,300 on each sponsored Instagram post.

Commenting on the findings, Tudor Turiceanu, CEO of CasinoAlpha.co.nz said: “Overall, Wimbledon is accepted as one of the greatest tennis tournaments in the tennis calendar and is the oldest tennis tournament in the world dating back to 1877.

“The players at Wimbledon are considered to be the best in the world and the Wimbledon title can allow a tennis player to become more influential on social media, reaping rewards both on the court and off.”

NameInstagram handleInstagram follower count Engagement rateHow much they can earn per sponsored Instagram post 
Novak Djokovic djokernole13,000,0002.7%£54,700
Nick Kyrgios k1ngkyrg1os4,100,0003.7%£22,700
Andy Murrayandymurray2,000,0006.1%£12,800
Stefanos Tsitsipas stefanostsitsipas981,800,0003.3%£12,200
Matteo Berrettini matberrettini1,600,0007.1%£11,100
Iga Swiatek iga.swiatek 1,300,000 9%£9,300
Ons Jabeuronsjabeur 913,1005.1%£7,100
Coco Gauffcocogauff890,5000.2%£7,000
Jannik Sinnerjanniksin841,0005.8%£6,700
Aryna Sabalenka sablenka_aryna661,6009.7%£5,600

WWE Live returns in October

WWE Live is returning to the UK with three shows in London, Nottingham and Glasgow in October with general tickets on sale today – Friday 14 July – at 10am.

The epic night of entertainment will land in the following locations:

  • WWE Sunday Stunner: London’s OVO Arena on Sunday 29th October 
  • WWE Live: Nottingham, England on Monday 30th October
  • WWE Live: Glasgow, Scotland on Tuesday 31st October 

Fans attending WWE Live will see their favourite WWE Superstars in action, including Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits* – with many more due to be announced. 

‘WWE Live returns to the UK in October 2023, visiting London, Nottingham and Glasgow. For tickets please click here: London, Nottingham and Glasgow.’

Musselburgh Racecourse promises kids’ paradise of free treats and family fun

Lucas Ice Cream Family Day set to hit the sweet spot 

A FREE ice cream for every child will be on offer at Musselburgh Racecourse thanks to Luca’s Ice Cream as it hosts a family friendly raceday in partnership with legendary local brand, S.Luca Dairy Ice Cream.  

With schools out for the summer, the venue has announced the return of its hugely popular summer extravaganza with loads of free activities for the youngsters, and some thrilling horseracing for the adults.  

Lucas Ice Cream Family Day will take place on 25 July 2023, offering pony rides, kids disco, face painting, chill out teepees and fairground rides – all free of charge for children aged 17 and under, including their entry.  

Aisling Johnston, Commercial Manager for Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to partner up with the delicious Lucas Ice Cream and invite families along to relax, have fun, create lifelong memories and of course, indulge in some seriously good ice cream! 

“Our dedicated kid’s Clip Clop Zone features some great activities for all ages, while the kid’s disco is sure to provide some quality entertainment – especially for the parents! 

“There will also be two special guest kid’s TV mascots in attendance. We won’t reveal who it will be just yet, but lucky little ones will have the chance for an exclusive meet and greet!” 

There will be six exciting flat races going on throughout the day, as well as some uniquely engaging pony races to delight spectators.  

A selection of delectable street food options will also be available, with attendees having the option to further elevate their event experience with special food and drink packages, including a Well Hung and Tender burger and beer package, before washing it down with some refreshing frozen treats.    

Lucas Ice Cream, which originates in Musselburgh, partnered with the racecourse for this fun-filled event to provide luxury ice cream to visitors, renowned for its smooth textures and magnificent flavours. 

Yolanda Luca, owner of Lucas Ice Cream, said: “As a family-owned company, it’s fantastic to be involved with an event of such value, being able to connect with the local community throughout the day. 

“We can’t wait to see everyone’s smiling faces and hope that the free ice cream adds an extra magical touch!” 

Gates for the event will open at 12pm, with the first race beginning at 2:30pm and the final race commencing at 5:20pm. 

Children 17 years and undergo free when accompanied by an adult, and tickets purchased before midnight on 24 July 2023 will save £2 per person. 

Located just six miles from the city centre, direct public transport links are available along with a courtesy bus from Wallyford and Newcraighall train stations. 

General admission prices are £23 when booked online and then £25 on the day of the event. All timings are provisional and subject to change. 

Musselburgh Racecourse provides year-round racing action, with 27 race days across the flat and jump racing season – weekend, midweek, and evening.  

To book your tickets for Lucas Ice Cream Family Day now, please visit:

 www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/tickets/lucas-ice-cream-family-day-2023