The Vitality Netball Superleague is entering its 15^th year and to help mark the occasion and continue building the excitement that surrounds the league, the 2020 Season Opener event is changing.

This season the opening round will be in addition to the normal 18 rounds. This will make the regular season 19 rounds long, giving fans more action-packed and thrilling netball to look forward to.

The fixtures for this extra round are determined by where teams finished in the 2019 Vitality Netball Superleague. Reigning champions Manchester Thunder will take on second place Wasps Netball, third place Team Bath will play Loughborough Lightning and so on.

The new and highly anticipated Season Opener will see the teams return to Arena Birmingham on Saturday 22 February 2020.

The additional round will contribute to the regular season and count towards each club total points, the other 18 rounds will see teams play each other home and away, deciding who finishes in the top four to fight for a place in the Grand Final. The top seven sides will qualify for the British All-Star Fast5 Championship along with the competitions’ defending champions.

The additional round means that each team will play the Season Opener as well as nine home and nine away fixtures.

With Vitality Netball Superleague television audiences up by 27% in 2019 compared to 2018, this new addition to the calendar contributes towards the growing demand for elite netball in the United Kingdom.

Mark Evans, Independent Chair of the Vitality Netball Superleague, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Arena Birmingham after a very successful event in 2019. It is always a wonderful start to the season and this year a change in format should see five really tight competitive games – making a great event even better.

“A re-run of last year’s Grand Final will be the highlight of the day but fans of all the clubs will be excited to see their favourites in action. The season itself should be our best yet, as the sport goes from strength-to-strength.”

The fixtures are as follows:

11:00 Strathclyde Sirens v London Pulse 12:30 Celtic Dragons v Surrey Storm 14:00 Saracens Mavericks v Severn Stars 15:30 Team Bath v Loughborough Lightning 17:00 Wasps v Manchester Thunder

Surrey Storm Director of Netball, Mikki Austin, said: “Season Opener 2020 is sure to be a hugely exciting start to the season! Not only does the Vitality Netball Superleague provide world-class sporting action but also exceptional entertainment and events.

“With all teams under one roof you get a chance to look at all the line-ups really early on. This time though the formatting will be different, with this being a bonus additional round with a chance for teams to get some extra points on the board, we know how vital that can prove to be at the end of the year!”

Charity cash raised at the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon is on target to smash previous years – with donations through the Official Fundraising Partner up by a FIFTH on 2018.

Donations through Virgin Money Giving are already up by a fifth on 2018, when £24.8m was raised, contributing to the overall event total of £63.7million - a world record for an annual single-day fundraiser for a twelfth successive year.

The average raised per runner last year through the Virgin platform was £2,100, and organisers expect that to rise significantly for this Sunday’s event.

Meanwhile, research by London Marathon sponsor, Virgin Money, to find out what drives people to run a marathon shows that raising money for charity close to their heart was the main motivation for a fifth of those who have run one, while the same number did it for a personal challenge.

That’s compared to 22% of men and 14% of women who are inspired to run purely for the enjoyment of running. 12% of marathon runners have taken on a marathon to improve their fitness, whilst other personal goals like weight loss (9%) and mental or emotional health benefits (9%) are also big motivators. 10% of marathon runners find motivation in honoring a lost loved one.

Over two thirds (67%) of young Brits have running a marathon on their ’bucket list’ and of those surveyed 24% of men have already run one compared to 11% of women.

For marathon virgins, their biggest fear of participating in the event is not being fit enough (63%). Just over a quarter (27%) feel apprehensive about the amount of personal time training would require and another quarter (24%) cite fear of failure as a barrier to participation.

The cost of the preparation for the event also raises a few concerns, with people feeling that if they are going to do it, it should be done properly and with the right training and equipment. Within the list of items needed, 43% feel that healthy eating is a priority, followed closely by purchasing a new pair of running shoes (33%), stocking up on gels and energy drinks (27%) and buying a heart monitor such as a FitBit (16%).

58% of those polled feel that running a marathon would have zero negative effects on their life however for 16% of people there is concern that marathon training would negatively affect personal relationships and their sex life.

Over a third of the respondents are prepared to change their lifestyle and cut down on their eating and drinking habits as well as socialising in order to prepare for the event. Over a third are happy to cut down on things like alcohol and eating sweets or eating treats (34%). 28% would give up having late nights, while 17% would give up smoking and 16% would avoid partying.

Running in fancy dress is a huge part of this annual fundraising event. A fifth of the respondents feel that if their friends or family participate in the marathon dressed up, then this would encourage them to donate to their cause.

The most popular fancy dress choices people feel would motivate friends and family to sponsor are:

• Donald Trump
• An adult in a nappy
• Dressing in a tutu
• A nun
• Lederhosen
• A banana
• A Smurf

Louise Hodges, Head of Consumer Communications at Virgin Money, said: “The psychology of running is fascinating and the reasons people choose to take on a marathon are innately personal and unique. Our research shows however that running with a purpose and cause in mind is the most motivating influence on both the runner’s motivation and the support friends and family offer them. We are delighted that this year’s fundraising efforts look set to smash all previous year’s records for the Virgin Money London Marathon.  Whatever their motivation we wish each and every runner every success at Sunday’s event and are so grateful to them all for going the extra mile for their chosen charities and causes. These are the heroes of the day and the reason why the marathon is an iconic event every year.”

The best in the country will descend on Birmingham this coming weekend as British titles and spots on the Great Britain & Northern Ireland team for the IAAF World Championships are decided.

Dina Asher-Smith headlines a weekend of incredible athletics at the Alexander Stadium where the top athletes in the country compete alongside the up-and-coming.

Triple European champion from 2018, Asher-Smith is fresh off the back of a second-place finish in the 200m at the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham but will contest the 100m where she’ll look to defend her title after clocking a Championship record on the way to victory in 2018.

In the men’s equivalent, Zharnel Hughes is huge favourite to claim his first British 100m title. Hughes’ time of 9.95 seconds at the Müller Anniversary Games makes him the fastest man in the field, with his presence in the 200m field as well an eye-catcher given no man has won both titles since Marlon Devonish in 2007.

In the women’s 200m, Beth Dobbin will look to defend her title in the same stadium where she broke the Championship record last year, with closest competition likely to come from Jodie Williams and Ashleigh Nelson among others.

In field action, European indoor silver medallist Holly Bradshaw (Scott Simpson; Blackburn)goes in search of a seventh British outdoor title in the women’s pole vault, while Commonwealth champion and world No.4 Nick Miller goes in the hammer throw. With both athletes already holding the world qualifying standards in their events respectively, they will look to secure a top-two finish to complete the job.

On the long jump runway - and having finally leapt the qualifying mark at last Sunday’s Müller Grand Prix Birmingham at the Alexander Stadium - Abigail Irozuru will be seeking to confirm her place on the team in Doha as she continues a fine return to the sport.

Sure to be hot on Irozuru’s heels, though all in need of the qualifying mark themselves, areLorraine Ugen, Shara Proctor and Jazmin Sawyers, with the trio all playing starring roles in a memorable competition last time out.

Leading the charge in the men’s 800m is European indoor silver medallist Jamie Webb, with his personal best of 1:44.52 set this year the quickest time produced by a Brit since 2013. With the event seeing eight athletes hold the world qualifying standard however, it is all to play for.

With only five of the eight qualifiers racing the 800m, the other three missing qualifiers have opted for the 1500m instead. Jake Wightman, Josh Kerr and Charlie Da’Vall Grice all hold the standards over both events,three of five in total who have the world qualifier in the 1500m with all of them racing the distance this weekend.

The women’s 5000m sees international medallists Eilish McColgan, Laura Weightman and Melissa Courtney as the leading trio coming into the event, with five out of the seven in total who have the standard racing.

Major Events Director, Cherry Alexander OBE said: “The Müller British Athletics Championships is one of the stand-out fixtures in the calendar for our sport and holds pivotal importance in the season.

“With places up for grabs in the team for the IAAF World Championships, and also several of the country’s leading para athletes competing here as a crucial part of their preparation for the World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai later in the year, this is set to be a hotly-contested two days of domestic athletics action.

“In regards to engaging the local community, we are also playing host to another Couch to 5k for women only before the action begins on day two (Sunday 25 August) of the championships, with all of those who take part receiving a complimentary ticket to watch Sunday’s action.”

“Finally, we look forward to welcoming both fans and athletes to Birmingham for this bumper weekend of athletics, and once again we are delighted to have the support of BBC once again who are broadcasting the Championships across the network.”

Khadijah Mellah made history yesterday by becoming the first British Muslim jockey in the UK to win a race when landing the Magnolia Cup charity race on day three of the Qatar Goodwood Festival in dramatic style.

The 18-year-old, from Peckham, remarkably beat a field of 11 other riders in the female only charity race which included Olympian Victoria Pendleton and Vogue Williams.

She first learnt to ride at the charity, Ebony Horse Club in Brixton and her journey from South East London to winning at one of the world’s most famous racecourses will be the subject of a documentary, ‘Riding A Dream’, which will air later this year.

Of her incredible and ground-breaking achievement, Khadijah said, “That was such an unbelievable experience. It is just mind blowing to think that I was even in the same race as Victoria Pendleton, let alone to beat her and the rest of the women. Even in my wildest dreams I never imagined this could happen. I only sat on a racehorse a couple of months ago and I am just never going to forget this day. To be honest, I want to go back and do it all over again – what an incredible feeling!”

ITV Racing presenter, Oli Bell who is producing the film ‘Riding A Dream’ said, “That was completely and utterly amazing, I had my heart in my mouth the whole race. I can’t believe she’s done it and I couldn’t be prouder of Khadijah. We’ve been documenting her journey for the last six months and what she’s accomplished is nothing short of remarkable – it’s hard to overstate the extent of her achievement. She’s been learning to race-ride whilst also having to take her A-levels and a large period of this process was during Ramadan but she has taken it all in her stride, as was the case in front of a massive crowd. I hope that people will see what Khadijah’s achieved and feel inspired. This is a significant moment, not just in racing but in the wider sporting world.”

Charlie Fellowes who trained Khadijah’s horse, Haverland, and with whom she has been based for much of her training said, “Khadijah’s just a legend. I’ve never known anyone with so much focus and determination. I’ll be honest, when she came to the yard probably six – eight weeks ago, I wasn’t sure that she would make it. Racehorses are such highly strung animals and they are completely different to the horses that she will have ridden at Ebony Horse Club. But with every setback she has just worked harder. She’s turned up, put the hard hours in and she has done it. I had a winner here earlier this week but seeing her cross the finishing line in first place is definitely up there with that. I am absolutely thrilled for her.”

David Fleming, Engagement Manager from the charity Ebony Horse Club was on course with a group of ten young riders from the club to watch Khadijah compete. He said, “We all got a real kick out of watching Khadijah do so brilliantly. It takes a special kind of person to do what she has done and that’s why we put her forward to ride in the race and be in the documentary, ‘Riding A Dream’. Ebony Horse Club is a special place and we support 160 children and young people each week with horse related activities. To see one of our riders win at Goodwood is amazing and hopefully more of them will want to get into racing after today.”

‘Riding A Dream’ has been funded by Great British Racing, Goodwood Racecourse and the Racing Foundation as official partners. It is directed by Mattia Reiniger and Tom Bolwell, and produced by Oli Bell and his brother Philip Bell.

When he finished breaking records on the track, Usain Bolt’s newest venture had a lot to live up to. But, with the latest Tracks & Records breaking records of its’ own, the legendary multi Gold Medal-winning ‘Sprint King’ is making sure that he’s first past the post – in a ‘fine dining’ way.

The first of what he intends to be a worldwide ‘explosion’, the fourth of the chain of restaurants, in London, in the UK, is already proving a massive hit for all connected.

Opened just a short walk away from the Liverpool Street train and underground tube stations in EC1, the concept is attracting a massive, regular, flow of high-profiled personalities, as well as ‘quality cuisine’ fans since its launch in October 2018.

Already wowing foodies in Kingston, Ocho Rios and Motego Bay,in Jamaica, this latest Tracks & Records, on Middlesex Street, is creating the most tantalising of aromas - with Bolt's own favourite scintillating dishes like; jerk chicken, pork and fried fish Caribbean-style spring roll and cassava,packed full of authentic seasonings and spices –is already proving to be a crowd-pleaser.And with over 100 varieties of authentic Jamaican rums available,for that perfect accommodating drink, along with a unique selection of signature cocktails, the Olympic champion’s bold, new dawning will prove to be the start of big things in Britain.

Split into two floors, there’s a large dance area downstairs where DJs can provide guests with music and entertainment until the early hours with a large space decked out with a variety of Bolt’s sports memorabilia, modern art and classic vinyl discs. Or, for something more intimate, you can spend your time away in a personally acquired booth.

Not one to rest on his laurelsTracks & Records – endorsed by. His Excellence Seth George Ramocan, CD, the High Commissioner for Jamaica. In London, and his lady wife, Dr Lola, both of whom have already maid several visits - offer an authentic Caribbean experience; with Olympic hero Bolt planning 15 further sites across the UK alone.

Statistics gathered by the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out shows that reports of racism in English football has risen by 43%.

And, according to the charity’s chief, Roisin Wood, the claim is that reported racist abuse in the game can be linked to Brexit.

Figures released have marked an increase last season; from 192 to 274, with the charity’s director declaring, "I think you can't not link them together.

"We're seeing a lot of reports of 'go back to where you came from' which we haven't seen for a while which seems to be on the back of Brexit."

Reports of abuse in professional and grassroots football have increased by 32% to 422, up from 319 during 2017-18. A further 159 reports were received via social media, with faith-based discrimination - including Islamophobia and anti-Semitism - rose by 75% from 36 to 63, a higher percentage than any other form of abuse during the period.

“It is the seventh consecutive year reported incidents of discrimination within football have increased, with the 581 total reports is more than double the figure from five years ago”, Wood said.

"If we're seeing a rise in hate crime, the Home Office, and other bodies, are seeing a rise in hate crime.

“And it's linked because that's what is going on in society at the moment.

"Some of the social media reports we've seen you wouldn't want anyone to see.

“Education is key to combating racism”, said England manager, Gareth Southgate:– which must mean ‘in all aspects’ of the game – from boardroom to grassroots!