MS for North Wales speaks about sporting success in Wrexham
MS for North Wales
It's great news that the one of the biggest women's tennis tournaments in the United Kingdom is coming to Wrexham later this year.
The Lexus Wrexham Open will take place in October at Wrexham Tennis and Padel Centre, with players from around the UK and the rest of the world.
It's the first time that the competition is being held in North Wales, and it really is a brilliant opportunity for people in our area to watch some top-class sport and support the Centre.
Tickets start from £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for under-16s, with 800 seats available for each day of the competition.
They're already on sale, so I'd definitely encourage you to snap those tickets up and enjoy some live sport!
I particularly hope that the Wrexham Open will inspire the next generation.
It's important for young people to have access to occasions like this, and it's perfectly situated right on our doorstep.
Even if young people don't go on to hit the sporting heights of Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu, it's important for them to be active.
Not only is it essential for physical health, it has great mental health benefits too.
This applies to adults and older people as well.
The most recent Wales Activity Tracker (a regular survey run by Sport Wales) found that 49% of adults in Wales participate in physical activity 2 to 4 days a week.
I am sure we can improve those numbers, and it's essential to the future of the country that we do so.
I would argue that attracting quality sporting events to Wales can motivate and inspire people to pick up a tennis racket or cricket bat, put on their football boots or running shoes and get moving.
There's no doubt that the Open will boost Wrexham's reputation for professional sport and hosting major events.
The outstanding success of Wrexham AFC is well known around the world, and this tournament will further underline why Wrexham and North Wales more broadly is a great place to host events.
I certainly hope to see more in future, and I regularly call on the Welsh Government to prioritise North Wales as a destination location for these high-quality events.
If you'd like to get in touch, then you can drop me a line at sam.rowlands@senedd.wales
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
34 minutes ago
- The Independent
Emma Raducanu provides back injury update after opting out of Berlin Open
Emma Raducanu will miss next week's Berlin Tennis Open as she continues to manage a back problem. The 22-year-old has been struggling with the issue since competing in Strasbourg last month before the French Open and took an off-court medical timeout during her quarter-final loss to Zheng Qinwen at Queen's Club on Friday. Speaking afterwards, Raducanu said: 'It's been lingering for the last few weeks, and I have had back issues before. I think it's just a vulnerability of mine. I know I need to take good care of it. 'I'm not overly concerned that it's something serious, but I know it's something that's very annoying and needs proper and careful management.' Raducanu had elected to play in the German capital rather than Nottingham after being offered a wild card into the WTA 500 event, which is set to feature nine of the world's top 10. But the former US Open champion will instead prioritise rest and recovery to ensure she is fully fit for Wimbledon. Raducanu's decision means she will miss out on being seeded for her home grand slam but she is understood to be confident of playing in the Lexus Eastbourne Open the week before Wimbledon. Last year, Raducanu claimed the first victory of her career over a top-10 player by defeating Jessica Pegula on the south coast before going on to make the fourth round at the All England Club.
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as Wales coaches deploy brutal tactic again and Lions star pulled from team
Tonight's rugby news as Wales coaches deploy brutal tactic again and Lions star pulled from team The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond Dewi Lake empties the tank on the rowing machine. (Image: WRU ) Your rugby evening headlines on Saturday, June 14. Lions scare as player pulled from final Andy Farrell and his British and Irish Lions coaches will be concerned after seeing Jamison Gibson-Park withdrawn from Leinster's matchday squad for the URC final on Saturday. The Ireland scrum-half has been named in the Lions squad for the Australia tour, and is expected to start the first Test against the Wallabies. The tour begins on Friday with a match against Argentina in Dublin before the players fly out. Those not involved in end-of-season finals have been in camp for the past two weeks, including Wales players Tomos Williams and Jac Morgan. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. In a concerning new development, Leinster issued a statement on Saturday afternoon, revealing Gibson-Park had been removed from their team ahead of their huge match against South African outfit Bulls. "Unfortunately Jamison Gibson-Park has been ruled out this morning. Best of luck to Luke McGrath who starts and academy scrum-half Fintan Gunne named on the bench," the short statement read. Details about this removal have not yet been revealed, but Lions fans will be hoping it isn't anything serious. Article continues below Wales players face brutal training tactic again Wales' players have been beasted in suffocating conditions yet again ahead of their tour to Japan. Japan is very humid country, especially in the summer months, and Wales must adjust to playing in these conditions ahead of their two-Test visit next month. Humidity levels are expected to be around 85%, with the temperature set to feel like 40°C. Footage posted by the WRU shows players absolutely dripping in sweat in a confined space, with the temperature in the gym turned up. The players were tasked with the exercise bike, assault bike, SkiErg and rowing machine. Sweat could be seen dripping from the walls as players rested after emptying the tank. The WRU's cameras even got steamed up in the process of filming the content. Content cannot be displayed without consent The squad were put through similar conditioning on Monday, training at 38°C at their Vale Resort gym. Wales face Japan in the first Test on Saturday, July 5 at Mikuni World Stadium in Kitakyushu, before the second game in Kobe on Saturday, July 12. Welsh stars gutted in final Wales duo Nicky Smith and Tommy Reffell were on the losing side in the Premiership final as Bath beat Leicester Tigers 23-21 at Allianz Stadium. Their tries came from Thomas du Toit and Max Ojomoh on a brilliant afternoon for Scotland captain Finn Russell, who kicked three penalties and two conversions. Article continues below Jack van Poortvliet opened the scoring with a try for underdogs Leicester, while tries from Solomone Kata and Emeka Ilione – the latter with less than five minutes remaining – dialled up the drama, Handre Pollard adding three conversions but missing a penalty of his own. The Tigers twice had men sent to the sin bin – departing captain Julián Montoya late the first half, while it was not an ideal send-off for the retiring Dan Cole, who saw yellow late in the second. Van Graan's side ended the club's 17-year trophy drought earlier in the campaign by lifting the Premiership Rugby Cup, before then winning the European Challenge Cup last month with victory over Lyon in Cardiff.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Watch Queen's quarter-finals: Anisimova defeats Navarro after Raducanu loses
Update: Date: 18:43 BST 13 June Title: That's all from us Content: Zheng 6-2 6-4 Raducanu We're wrapping up this live text right now but you can still watch the final quarter-final match if you click the 'watch live' at the top of this page or by visiting BBC iPlayer (UK only). Here's our report from Emma Raducanu's defeat to top seed Zheng Qinwen, so have a read of that. See you soon! Update: Date: 18:41 BST 13 June Title: 'Just happy to get the win' Content: Zheng 6-2 6-4 Raducanu Queen's semi-finalist Zheng Qinwen, speaking to BBC: "I played really good today. It was really difficult, she's got more experience than me. I'm proud to be in my first semi-final on grass. I want to apologise for my shoes. I don't know how to run on grass! "I still don't know when I have to change to grass shoes. I think now is the time because I feel much better to run. "I have to keep my game more focused because I started really slow in the second set. Just happy to get the win. On support: "It feels good. I remember the first year in tour and no one supported me. Now I get a lot of support and I can use this energy to play better tennis. I'm a lucky girl." Update: Date: 18:36 BST 13 June Title: Post Content: Zheng 6-2 6-4 Raducanu Who's feeling confident about Emma Raducanu having a good run at Wimbledon this year? Thumbs up for yes and down for no, please. Update: Date: 18:32 BST 13 June Title: Zheng joins semi-final line-up Content: Zheng 6-2 6-4 Raducanu So, Zheng Qinwen joins Madison Keys and Tatjana Maria in the semi-finals. Next up is an all-American match between Emma Navarro and Amanda Anisimova. Update: Date: 18:29 BST 13 June Title: Post Content: Zheng 6-2 6-4 Raducanu Plenty of promise in that second set for Emma Raducanu but she just wasn't able to close it out against the top seed Zheng Qinwen. You wouldn't be shocked to see her lift the trophy come Sunday. Update: Date: 18:28 BST 13 June Title: Game, set and match - Zheng Content: Zheng 6-2 6-4 Raducanu A huge shout from Zheng Qinwen as she ends Emma Raducanu's dreams of becoming Queen's champion. It's the Olympic champion who advances to the last four. Update: Date: 18:26 BST 13 June Title: Deuce on the Raducanu serve Content: Zheng 6-2 5-4 Raducanu* And the third one is saved! Deuce. Update: Date: 18:26 BST 13 June Title: Post Content: Zheng 6-2 5-4 Raducanu* The second one is saved too. 30-40. Update: Date: 18:25 BST 13 June Title: Post Content: Zheng 6-2 5-4 Raducanu* There's the first one saved. 15-40. Update: Date: 18:25 BST 13 June Title: Three match points for Zheng Content: Zheng 6-2 5-4 Raducanu* Another double fault for Emma Raducanu brings up three match points for Zheng Qinwen. Update: Date: 18:23 BST 13 June Title: Post Content: Zheng 6-2 5-4 Raducanu* Emma Raducanu finds a first serve but Zheng Qinwen dispatches a winner with ease. It's all looking too easy for the top seed right now. 0-30. Update: Date: 18:22 BST 13 June Title: Zheng holds Content: Zheng 6-2 5-4 Raducanu* It's a routine hold for Zheng Qinwen to move to within a game of the last four. Emma Raducanu must hold serve right now or else her time at Queen's is over. Update: Date: 18:20 BST 13 June Title: Post Content: *Zheng 6-2 4-4 Raducanu Another perfect winner from Zheng Qinwen but this time it's her backhand up the line to bring up 40-0. Just too good. Update: Date: 18:19 BST 13 June Title: Post Content: *Zheng 6-2 4-4 Raducanu That is supreme hitting from Zheng Qinwen and she powers a forehand winner into the corner. The momentum is all with the top seed right now. 30-0. Update: Date: 18:18 BST 13 June Title: Zheng breaks again Content: *Zheng 6-2 4-4 Raducanu That's a real shame for Emma Raducanu as she double faults into the net and her double break is wiped away. We're all square. Update: Date: 18:17 BST 13 June Title: Break point for Zheng Content: Zheng 6-2 3-4 Raducanu* You just can't deal with those kind of returns and Zheng Qinwen brings up a break point. Big moment. Update: Date: 18:16 BST 13 June Title: Post Content: Zheng 6-2 3-4 Raducanu* It's gusty at Queen's now but Emma Raducanu gets her second serve in play before Zheng Qinwen shanks one long. 30-30. Update: Date: 18:15 BST 13 June Title: Post Content: Zheng 6-2 3-4 Raducanu* Zheng Qinwen has taken her level up a notch here and forces Emma Raducanu to go wide for 0-30. The Briton is up against it a bit but she produces a great serve. Update: Date: 18:14 BST 13 June Title: Post Content: Zheng 6-2 3-4 Raducanu* It's a great return right at Emma Raducanu's feet from Zheng Qinwen and she follows it up with a forehand winner. 0-15. Update: Date: 18:13 BST 13 June Title: Post Content: Zheng 6-2 3-4 Raducanu* Have to say that this match has been a really entertaining watch so far. Both players putting their all into the groundstrokes and going for absolute broke. Quality stuff.
