Sports

Sheffield Badminton star speaks out over Olympic funding cut

Sheffield badminton and Team GB athlete Chloe Birch has spoken out against UK Sport’s decision to cut funding for badminton leading up to Tokyo 2020. Funding has been cut despite Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge winning bronze to secure Britain’s first men’s doubles medal at Rio this year. Badminton had its funding cut from £7.4m to £5.9m after London 2012, after no players managed the minimum fourth-to-eighth-placed finish that had been targeted. Yet despite the surprise success of Ellis and Langridge, the sport will not get a slice of the £345m of national lottery and government funding which UK Sport has announced will be invested over the next four years. Badminton England are appealing the decision and have started a petition on their website which has over ten thousand signatures. Our reporter Simon Thake spoke with Chloe Birch and Badminton Sheffield Chairman Alan Barber at the English Institute for Sport.

Sheffield Eagles reveal challenges of Don Valley closure

Sheffield Eagles have spoken of their struggle to secure a stadium for professional rugby league in Sheffield following the demolition of the Don Valley Stadium. It is hoped the new community stadium at the Olympic Legacy Park in Don Valley will open in spring 2017. In the meantime, lacking a temporary location in Sheffield the Eagles have been playing their home matches in Wakefield. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to head coach and acting chief executive Mark Aston.

Second FA football hub opens at Thorncliffe Park

A new football hub has been opened at Thorncliffe Park following the launch last month at Graves Park of the first of a network of grassroots football hubs. The Parklife programme is a new initiative to develop sustainable community football hubs across the country, raising playing standards and opportunities for all. It is funded by The Football Association, the Premier League and Department of Culture Media and Sport through Sport England and works in partnerships with local authorities and the Football Foundation. Sheffield Live! reporter Bailor Jalloh spoke to Councillor Mary Lea, cabinet response for culture, sport and leisure at Sheffield City Council.

Figure skating championships return to Sheffield

Britains brightest ice skating talents have returned to iceSheffield for the week long British Figure Skating Championships 2016. Starting with novice skaters and moving on to older professionals towards the end of the week, the event runs until 4th December. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke with Alistair Wilson, technical director at the National Ice Skating Association of Great Britain, and novice skater Ava Mclean, competing at the event for the first time.

Sheffield United: Wilder plays down injury concerns ahead of Bury game

Blades manager Chris Wilder expects Paul Coutts, Kieron Freeman and Mark Duffy to be available for Tuesday’s game against Bury despite weekend injuries. Goals from Billy Sharp and Stefan Scougall gave Sheffield United a 2-1 victory over nine-man Shrewsbury that lifted them into the automatic promotion places this weekend. However the game was marred for United with injuries to three key players. Paul Coutts, Kieron Freeman and Mark Duffy all had to leave the field with injuries. Paul Coutts was on the receiving end of a studs up high challenge by Shrewsbury’s Abu Ogogo. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

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.