The Junior Fencing Championships took place at the English Institute of Sport over the bank holiday weekend. Fencing has recently had its Olympic funding cut but at grassroots level the sport is thriving and is keen to shake off accusations of elitism. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Commentator, coach and former world champion Terry Griffiths looks back on 40 years of World Snooker in Sheffield. Griffiths won the World Snooker Championship in 1979 at one of the earliest tournaments at the Crucible. He is coach to 2017 semi-finalists Barry Hawkins and Ding Junhui. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed spoke with Terry Griffiths about how the game has changed.
The tournament, now into its fourth year, is hosted and managed by the Stephen Harrison Snooker Academy. Children under eighteen, with physical and learning disabilities, compete in knock out frames of snooker to win the prize trophy. Parents and carers assist to ensure the children are safe and fully supported. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
The US tech giant is rolling out a network of digital skills centres across the UK with Sheffield among the first. A former shop in Barker’s Pool has been converted into the Google Digital Garage with computers, superfast broadband and access to free training courses and advice. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Torsten Schupper, vice president of marketing at Google.
With snooker leading this week’s Sheffield sports news and resident snooker player Ding Junhui into the semi final, Sheffield Live! took a peek behind the scenes with MC Rob Walker. Azz Mohammed reports.
Ding Junhui held his nerve to knock out five-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the World Snooker Championship 2017 at The Crucible. In a classic quarter final match Ding edged to a 13-10 win despite a strong start from O’Sullivan including a magnificent 146 break. It is Ding’s first ranking-event win against O’Sullivan since 2006. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed was at The Crucible.
The head of World Snooker Barry Hearn has defended himself against charges of bullying aired by snooker star, Ronnie O’Sullivan. Hearn responded at a press conference in which he rejected the allegations, adding “I don’t like being called a bully”. Discussing the future of the game, he predicted Europe as well as China will have a big say in shaping its direction. Hearn also announced that the the prize fund for the World Snooker Championship is set to increase again in 2018, with the winner to receive a whopping £425,000, an increase of £50,000 on 2017. Hearn spoke to Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake.
Meadowhall Shopping centre are trialling a new fitness scheme using wristbands to record customers step count whilst they visit the indoor shopping centre. The Move More campaign saw volunteers participate using fitness technology with the aim of contributing to making Sheffield the most active city in the UK by 2020. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield Libraries have launched their Bath, Book, Bed campaign to promote reading to children as part of the bedtime routine. Parents and young children were invited to join the launch event at The Moor Market featuring a special appearance by Pepper Pig, children’s stories from the Little Library and advice on safe sleeping from the Lullaby Trust. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Age Better in Sheffield has launched a neighbourhood toolkit to promote the well-being of older people and to combat loneliness and isolation. The initiative, launched at the Terminus Café in Lowedges, provides a menu of options and things to do in Beauchief and Greenhill Ward to help older people connect, stay active and engage in the local community. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Hannah Thornton of Age Better in Sheffield.