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BBC News
17 minutes ago
- BBC News
Classic TT return aims to reverse post-Covid August visitor dip
The return of the Classic TT has been designed reverse a post-pandemic slump in visitors to road racing on the Isle of Man in August, organisers have in 2013, the brand was scrapped by the Manx government after a review in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic but is set to return alongside the 2025 Manx Grand Prix (MGP).A peak of 16,019 people visited the event in 2019 but that had dropped to 14,229 last year after being run solely under the MGP banner since government's head of motorsport Paul Phillips said while the three-year return of the Classic TT would provide a "spectacle", it aimed to boost the economy by growing visitor numbers beyond pre-pandemic levels. Mr Phillips said: "The event exists to boost the economy, it is funded by several million pounds of public money and it exists to generate a benefit to the visitor economy."As part of the reintroduction, the event has been expanded to a 13-day format from its truncated 9-day schedule introduced in said early indications on accommodation and ferry travel showed that bookings "were up" for 2025, but it was too early to say to "what degree".Organisers were "optimistic" that "over a number of years it could return to pre-pandemic levels".It was hoped the figures would "ultimately surpass" the previous peak in order to "ensure the financial sustainability" of the event in future, he the return of the Classic TT late last year, the Department for Enterprise (DfE) said the "strategic intervention" was designed to "encourage additional visitors to the latter part of the event".As there had been a "significant increase in global interest" in the TT the move looked to "leverage this momentum", it added. Wednesday evening sees the start of qualifying for the Classic TT classes, with racing on classic and vintage machinery scheduled for 27 and 29 Phillips said the paddock would become "a home to a whole lot of really interesting bikes and memorabilia" during the event."At TT the machines are kind-of similar, whereas at Classic TT there's a huge range of motorcycles from decades of motorcycling racing," he "great bikes from yesteryear being ridden to their maximum" was a "spectacle" and a "really important" part of the competition, he with the mountain circuit's "unique heritage" and there were also "lots of stories from over 100 years of racing that the Classic TT can tell", such as motorcycle legend Joey Dunlop's final three wins on the island 25 years ago, he feat is set to be showcased in a pop-up exhibition featuring Joey's race leathers, helmets, and trophies at the Mercury Club located near the TT the milestone will be marked again n the final day of the festival when Joey's nephew and all-time TT race win record holder Michael Dunlop will ride a replica of his uncle's 2000 Honda SP1 in a tribute lap."That will be big moment, it will be special," Mr Phillips said. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Telegraph
19 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Sport should not get involved in taking the knee or wearing rainbow armbands
One of the reasons that sports, music and other entertainment enthrals us is that they provide an escape from the hard realities of everyday life. Whether as a spectator or participant, when we enter the venues of our choice we should be able to block out these challenges and frustrations and focus on the event or activity ahead of us. However, this is proving to be increasingly difficult. Sports organisations and personalities are constantly posturing for political and social causes. With its worldwide audience, football is particularly prone to these distractions. Lighting the Wembley arch, taking the knee, the wearing of armbands or other symbolic adornments, displaying inappropriate flags or banners and commentators airing their prejudices. They are examples of an increasing trend which, if not controlled, might get further out of hand. These actions are clearly supported by some but are a source of extreme irritation to many others who I would guess form a very silent majority. These public exhibitions tend to be highly and disproportionately selective and dangerously simplistic. They distract from the event itself. They are bound to create resentment and possible counter actions. The authorities should act. Enough is enough. As this new season begins with the usual anticipation and excitement, there is also a second thorny subject which merits consideration – one that is particularly important to fans, highlighted at the weekend by the supporters of Newcastle United and Aston Villa. Together they strongly complained about the existing Premier League profitability and sustainability rules and the impact they were having on their clubs. I am in total agreement with them. These fans are right to argue that, in effect, these rules are anti-competitive and prevent ambitious clubs who have the funding from accelerating their development and challenging the established 'Big Six'. The existing rules place restrictions on the quantum of wages that can be paid depending on the club's income. Of course, it is important to have proper controls because nobody wants to see clubs get into trouble because of financial excess. But to deal with this equitably, what is needed are rules based upon cash-flow, proper long-term financing and sustainability. Those three elements are the key to getting us out of this mess. A substantial club owner should be allowed to demonstrate it can increase spending via sustainable means. If a club can provide evidence that it is a solid, well-financed organisation, it must be allowed to reach for its ambitions. This will enable aspiring clubs that are properly financed to accelerate their development and even to do what Manchester City have done in the recent past. Unless these changes are made, it is extremely difficult for either smaller or larger clubs to challenge the establishment. This country cherishes its footballing fairy tales. Without reform, there can be no more against-the-odds breakthrough successes at the top of our Premier League. It is this issue – and not political posturing – that I dearly hope our footballing powerbrokers can focus on in the new season ahead.
Telegraph
19 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Stuart Broad interview: I don't want to be an old pro who rants
Stuart Broad is used to studying cricketers obsessively for any nuggets that he could take into his own performance. Now he does the same, but with commentators instead. 'I take it seriously – I want to grow,' Broad tells Telegraph Sport. 'I want to become a really good broadcaster.' Many believe that he already is. Yet the early praise for Broad's work with Sky has not sated his desire to improve. 'Nasser [Hussain] and [Mike] Atherton are brilliant to learn from. Ian Ward's a fantastic presenter, and the way he thinks of questions on the spot is something that I need to improve at,' Broad explains. 'The level of analysis that Ricky Ponting gives, the detail that he's going into. The tone of voice with Ravi Shastri – how he can go up and down and pick moments to really go. I'm always looking and learning. 'I'm definitely all in on the broadcasting at this moment in time, because I'm certainly not at a level that I'm comfortable with. I want to get better and better and be in those moments where I'm calling great cricket.' 'How do I improve if I don't get feedback?' As a player, Broad welcomed feedback, using how rarely batsmen were able to leave him as a gauge of whether he was bowling well. In the commentary box, Broad also welcomes self-analysis. 'I think that comes from being in professional sport – I want feedback, because how do I improve if I don't get it?,' the 39-year-old says. 'I do feel very fortunate that I've left a changing room in England cricket, and I've walked into another changing room that is helping me grow.' Broad has worked extensively with Paul Allott, the former England bowler and Sky commentator, on his craft. Allott's initial advice to Broad was that he should always seek to add value to what viewers can see: 'Don't just read the bowling figures.' Charlie Dagnall, Broad's former Leicestershire team-mate who is now a broadcaster for Sky Sports and the BBC, implored Broad to watch footage of himself. 'It's quite cringe to do that, you're like, 'oh God'. But you actually need to do that, because then, you're like 'I should have lifted my voice more there',' Broad concedes. 'I was on colour for Gus Atkinson's first Test wicket, and I didn't go up enough – a big moment in his career. When I watched it back, I thought, oh yeah, I need to be more excited there.' Second ball in Test match cricket! 🔥 Yes Gus! 💪 #EnglandCricket | #ENGvWI — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 10, 2024 Commentary, then, is like playing: only very occasionally will a day bring a perfect performance. To Broad, that is part of the thrill. 'I'm always learning, and I did that in my cricket. My whole mindset has always been continuous improvement, continuous improvement. I don't see that as I'm an ex-player pundit. I think there's a bit of a difference, actually. I'm not someone who doesn't do any research,' Broad adds. 'I research what I want, talking points. I want to become a lead commentator as well as an analyst, which are two very different skills as well. So I see myself as a young, new growing broadcaster, rather than an old pro just ranting around.' Broad's commentary led directly into his other post-playing career: as a coach. While Broad was working in South Africa last winter, Ashwell Prince, the Proteas batting coach, asked him whether he would like to be a consultant for the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June. He agreed. On the Sunday evening before the final, Broad had dinner with South Africa's coaches in London. Rather incongruously wearing South African kit, he worked with the players on Monday and Tuesday, before the Test began on the Wednesday. 'I didn't want to come in with loads, and that's why I wanted to tell the coaches everything, and then they can feed back to the players a bit,' Broad recalls. 'I was really conscious that I didn't want to come in with loads of information before one of the biggest games of their careers. 'I just chatted to the bowlers about different things. You can try getting wider on the crease from the Nursery End a little bit, so you can draw the batters into playing. And we talked about the lengths you try and hit at Lord's; how the conditions can change in the blink of an eye. Sometimes it might do nothing; get a bit of cloud and you can pick up three wickets in that hour.' While commentating, Broad remained in touch with South Africa's players, and was 'thrilled' when they toppled Australia to lift their first World Test Championship crown. 'I haven't set any coaching targets or dates' Broad hopes that this will just be the start of his coaching career. For all his dedication to his new role as a commentator, his schedule should allow him more scope to act as a coaching consultant. 'I haven't set any sort of targets or dates of coaching or what's to come, but probably next year I'd start looking at dipping my toe into it a little bit more.' Broad has already talked to Rob Key, England's managing director, about potential opportunities to work with the national set-up, or the teams lower down in the pathway. 'It's certainly something I want to stay connected to, the coaching,' Broad says. 'I've chatted to Rob Key a little bit about doing some stuff with the younger bowlers in the England setups when the schedule suits.' While Broad relished the chance to work in Test cricket with South Africa, he believes that he could accelerate the development of younger bowlers in the England set-up. 'The U19s or even U17s – you really know what you're developing, and you've got your base of technique, but the growth you can make between 15 and 20 is huge.' 'I've got a lot of knowledge I can share' For all his theatrics on the field – the 'celebappeals', the Aussie-baiting, the late-career penchant for changing the bails to try and change his luck – Broad always leaned on his brain on the field. As a thinking cricketer, he believes he is well-equipped to add value as a coach. 'I wasn't one of those players who the game came easy to. I had to work at it. I had to figure out exactly what my strengths were and where I could improve all the time. So I feel I've got a lot of knowledge that I can share. 'As a player, I think I had one of the best filters going, which meant I could get loads of information, and I would filter that down to what was relevant to me. That's such a crucial skill, from 15 to 20, because you will get loads of different information, and not all of it's correct, probably only five per cent of it's relevant to you. But if you can use that five per cent to your advantage, you grow so quickly.' While Broad has yet to get any coaching badges – though he is open to enrolling on courses – Key has enlisted more recently retired players to share their knowledge. Andrew Flintoff and Graeme Swann are among the ex-players who have been involved in the pathway programme before completing their off-field qualifications. 'I'm completely on Rob Key's side,' Broad says. 'You want your best cricket brains still sharing information to the best players, and you don't want them to be put off by having to jump through loads and loads of hoops that might be a bit unnecessary with the knowledge they've got. 'What excites me the most is, where's the next Jofra Archer? Where's the next Jimmy Anderson? I watched on Instagram, Harry Moore, who's been out with a stress fracture. I look at him and go, 'huge talent, 6ft 6in, swings it both ways, hits good areas' Where could he be in four years' time? Maybe even less than that? Where can you spot these players whose ceiling is very high?' Whether commentating or coaching, Broad is determined to find out.
