International

Winners announced at Sheffield’s international junior squash tournament

Denis Gilevskiy, the first Irish finalist since 1920, was among the winners at the British Junior Open Squash Championship held in Sheffield this week. The competition is one of the most prestigious events in the junior squash calendar with the best young players from around the world battling it out for the coveted titles. Held annually in Sheffield across three venues the championship attracts more than four hundred competitors representing over thirty nations. The titles include eight age categories from under 13s to under 19s for both boys and girls. Sheffield Live! reporter Sham Powell spoke to under 13s boys championship winner, Denis Gilevskiy.

Sheffield campaigners celebrate Human Rights Day

Human rights campaigners in Sheffield observed international Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Held annually on 10 December, this year’s Human Rights Day campaign calls on everyone to stand up for someone’s rights. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Musheir El- Fassa, chair of Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Group, and former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett.

 

Local charity campaigns on disability hate crime

On International Day for People with Disability, local charity, Disability Sheffield, is raising awareness of hate crimes against people with disability. In partnership with the Showroom Cinema and Warp Films, Disability Sheffield screened the BAFTA nominated film “Dead Man’s Shoes” which takes a stark look at the effects of disability hate crime. The main aim of the screening is to raise awareness of disability hate crime in the region. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Kathryn Littlewood, development officer at Disability Sheffield.

Campaigners raise plight of Kashmir in Town Hall protest

A demonstration outside Sheffield Town Hall has sought to raise awareness of the unresolved conflict over Kashmir and related human rights abuses. The conflict, which dates back to the partition of India in 1947, has its roots in the contest for territorial control of the Kashmir region primarily between India and Pakistan, but also involves China and a number of local insurgent groups, including independence supporters. The conflict has led to many civilian deaths and widespread human rights violations. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to campaigners outside the Town Hall.

Sheffield Eagles welcome decision on 2021 Rugby League World Cup

Sheffield Eagles are hoping the decision to hold the 2021 World Cup in England signals a brighter future for the game. The Rugby League International Federation gave England the nod ahead of the United States in the competition to stage the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. The decision, recognising the popularity of the sport in England together with government backing, is expected to boost fan numbers and bring more cash into the game. Sheffield Eagles has been looking for a new home since the demolition of Don Valley Stadium and with players reverting to part time status finding new financial backers has been a priority. Sheffield reporter Simon Thake spoke with Eagles head coach Mark Aston.

Protestors urge UK to accept more child refugees from Calais

Protestors gathered outside Sheffield train station on Friday to call for the UK to provide more support in accepting child refugees from the Jungle camp in Calais. The peaceful demonstration was designed to raise awareness of the plight of refugee children. Children’s shoes were lined up outside the station to symbolise the young refugees in need and protestors lit candles and waved banners. A similar protest was also organised in Barnsley. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Val Huzzard from Sheffield Donations for Refugees.

Sheffield celebrates Black History Month

Events and activities for Black History Month are being organised in Sheffield as part of an international celebration. The month recognises the contribution of Black and ethnic minorities in Britain to cultural, political, social and economic life. Black History Month has been celebrated in Sheffield since 1997 though its origins date back to the United States in the 1920s. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Vena Truscoft, director of SYAC.

Bryony Page returns to hero’s welcome

Olympic trampolining medalist Bryony Page was greeted by fans at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on her return from the Rio 2016 Olympics. Page made history with her silver medal, the first ever Olympic medal in trampolining for a British athlete. The Sheffield-based Olympic athlete, who trains at Hillsborough Leisure Centre, narrowly missed out on the gold medal after finishing 0.425 points behind Canada’s Rosannagh MacLennan. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

Bryony’s delight at Olympic medal success

Sheffield Olympian and silver medal winner Bryony Page contributed to Team GBs record medals tally at Rio 2016 and is the first British woman to win a trampoling medal in the Olympics. Team GB came second place in the Olympics medal table, behind the USA and ahead of China, with 27 gold medals, 23 in silver and 17 in bronze. Bryony first broke into the international spotlight in 2012, winning gold at the World Cup in Sofia. She has since been crowned three times British champion. Paul Greaves, Bryony’s trampolining coach, spoke to Sheffield Live! reporter Shamaan Freeman-Powell.

Bryony Page trampolining team bouncing with delight

Whilst Bryony Page was winning a trampolining silver medal in Rio, her team mates and training partners were cheering her on at Hillsborough Leisure Centre. The Sheffield University Biology Graduate will shortly be rejoining her colleagues when she returns from the 2016 Games. In the meantime her fellow trampolinists are busy training hard to see if they can match her success. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake went along to a session.