Latest news with #AshesTest
West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
WACA Ground redevelopment: WA Cricket want venue to be hub for country's women's team
WA Cricket is making a push for its redeveloped ground to become the heart of women's cricket in Australia. The $170 million redevelopment of the historic WACA Ground — which is now set for completion in November — will host a day-night Test match between Australia and India's women's teams in March next season. It will be the first international match played at the venue after its facelift and just the second Test at the ground since a men's Ashes match in 2017. Sports minister Rita Saffioti was on hand to celebrate the 'topping out' of the ground's new northern pavilion on Friday morning. The project had originally been slated for completion in the middle of the year, but that has now been pushed back to beyond the start of the domestic season. It is likely the ground will be opened in line with Perth's Ashes Test from November 21. That could open the door for England's touring side to use the facility Australian stars Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner and Western Australia's own Beth Mooney and Alana King are set to star in the Test from March 6. That match will be the WACA Ground's first-ever pink-ball Test. There had been strong momentum when Australia played South Africa at the venue early last year around the prospect of the WACA becoming a regular venue for the national team. The size of the venue, the family-friendly nature of the grass bank, the soon-to-be upgraded facilities make it a strong option for women's internationals, while the fast and bouncy wickets make for entertaining cricket and the timezone means matches are beamed into the east coast in primetime. WA Cricket chief executive John Stephenson said the ground was well placed to host more women's matches. 'I think the WACA Ground 2.0 is going to be the perfect place for women's cricket and Cricket Australia definitely acknowledge that by allocating us a women's Test match,' he said. 'It will be our first pink-ball Test match, day-night women's Test match, which is an incredible thing us historically to be staging. 'One of our priorities is developing women's cricket, so everything we do here benefits Cricket Australia. The West Australian understands Cricket Australia had been keen to host the clash with India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground — after the success of last year's Ashes match there — but the schedule meant the match would be played too close to the start of the AFL season. Perry — Australia's highest-profile women's cricketer — is among the top players that have pushed for more matches to be played in Perth. The redevelopment of the facility includes the public pool and gymnasium, the nation-leading indoor cricket nets, function space and new public viewing areas.
Hospitality Net
5 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Melbourne a ‘Sporting Chance' of Delivering Accor's Best Annual Performance since 2019
British & Irish Lions Tour and Ashes Test series tipped to deliver bumper second half of 2025 for Melbourne's hotel industry Surge in leisure demand soaks up record increase in city hotel supply Accor supports diversity in employment with new partnership Melbourne's reputation as the sporting capital of Australia is set to drive the strongest annual performance for Accor since 2019. Accor is Australia's largest hotel operator, with 51 hotels in Greater Melbourne and 13 hotels across regional Victoria. The city began 2025 by hosting the most successful Australian Open on record (1.2 million fans through the gates) and a record-breaking Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix (465,498 attendees across four days). Last month, Accor's hotels – including Sofitel Melbourne on Collins and Pullman Melbourne on the Park – were central to Melbourne's largest-ever international incentive event, with the city successfully hosting almost 16,000 delegates for the Amway China Leadership Seminar. Amway China's top sellers arrived in groups of 2,500+ delegates, each experiencing five days of business seminars, tours, and a gala dinner. The incentive generated $100 million in economic impact for the State. This momentum is expected to continue into the second half of the year, with Melbourne poised for a major uplift from two marquee events: the British & Irish Lions Tour in July and the Boxing Day Ashes Test at year's end. While Melbourne is not traditionally considered a rugby union stronghold, it stands to benefit significantly from the anticipated 40,000 international visitors travelling for the Lions Tour - the first since 2013. The MCG is expected to be at full capacity (100,000+) for the match, with many UK fans likely to extend their stay in the city for up to a week. The Ashes clash between Australia and England at the MCG also holds the potential to draw a record-breaking crowd, potentially surpassing the venue's Test cricket attendance record of 373,691 set during the 2023 Boxing Day Test against India. Events-driven hotel supply increase Melbourne's reputation for hosting world-class events has driven a substantial expansion in hotel supply, with the city accounting for the largest share of new hotel openings in Australia in recent years. Over the five year period between January 2019 and January 2025, Melbourne added 22 new hotels (more than 5,000 rooms). This represents an impressive 21% growth in hotel inventory. Accor and Ennismore – the Group's fast-growing lifestyle collective - have been at the forefront of delivering new hotels across Melbourne, including the Australian debut of the Hyde Hotels brand with Hyde Melbourne Place, The Sebel Melbourne Kew, and Novotel and ibis Styles Melbourne Airport. A major refurbishment of Mantra Melbourne Airport is also scheduled for completion in September. A strong development pipeline includes Mercure Melbourne La Trobe (opening early 2026), The Hoxton Melbourne (opening late 2027), and SO/ Melbourne (opening 2028). Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Adrian Williams, said Melbourne's proven track record in delivering major events was ensuring demand kept pace with the growing hotel supply. Melbourne is offering some of the finest new hotel product in a generation, which combines exceptionally well with the city's reputation as a dynamic leisure destination to keep building visitor numbers. Recovery in international, group, business and conference travel, combined with a packed events calendar, is seeing our occupancy forecasts tracking 7 per cent ahead of last year. Winter is traditionally a quiet time for Melbourne hotels, but not this year. Over the past four weeks, the average booking pace has increased 6 per cent on last year across Melbourne and surrounds. The fact that the British & Irish Lions rugby tour and the Boxing Day Ashes Test will draw substantial international, interstate and intrastate visitation gives us every confidence we're on track to deliver the strongest year for our Melbourne hotels since 2019. The AFL, meanwhile, continues to be a powerhouse for tourism, consistently drawing interstate and regional visitors throughout winter and significantly boosting hotel occupancy rates. As the official accommodation partner of the AFL, we recognise the league's pivotal role in sustaining the city's tourism and hospitality economy. While the Lions tour will roar through Melbourne for one week in July, the AFL delivers a season-long influx of fans - culminating in peak occupancy during the Grand Final weekend. Sporting events have become one of the most important demand drivers for our Melbourne hotels, but the benefits of hosting these international events go far beyond the actual event. They generate extended stays, repeat visitation, and global exposure for the city. The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Australian Open are world-class events that attract a massive international audience. We continue to see guests prioritising these global events as non-discretionary leisure experiences, choosing to extend their stay and make the most of the city and State's attractions. Next year, Melbourne will diversify its sporting pedigree even further through Visit Victoria's multi-year agreement to host regular American National Football League games, which will attract a new and high yielding audience to the city. The strength of recovery across various market sectors this year is very encouraging, and given there is further potential to increase both international tourism and business travel, the outlook offers real optimism for the hotel sector – even against the backdrop of cost-of-living pressures and international trade uncertainty. Mr Williams Supporting diversity in employment - Diversity Pathways project launches in Melbourne Mr Williams said the significant expansion in hotel supply was creating exciting opportunities for hospitality professionals, with strong demand for qualified and passionate people to support the opening of new hotels across the city. The recruitment and development of hotel and hospitality staff remains a priority for the industry. Our preference at Accor has always been to grow from within the organisation, but the pace of hotel expansion in Melbourne has been unprecedented and we need governments to support skilled migration, while also investing in tertiary and trade education for the hospitality industry. One solution is to attract new entrants to the industry and, to help achieve that, Accor has partnered with Flinders University's Centre for Social Impact to launch the Diversity Pathways project in Melbourne, commencing this month. This is a six-phase initiative designed to boost employment opportunities for people with cognitive disabilities in the hospitality sector. The program will see Accor hotels and lounges in Melbourne, and later across the country, take part in a tailored mentoring program, supported by experts in disability employment, hospitality and Disability Employment Services (DES). Accor has long been a leader in developing programs to address diversity and inclusion barriers to attract, retain and grow our teams, and this new partnership reinforces our commitment to fostering more inclusive and diverse workplaces across the industry. Mr Williams From luxury to economy, Accor operates more than 400 hotels in the Pacific region under renowned brands such as Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Handwritten Collection, Novotel, TRIBE, Mercure, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget, as well as Ennismore's Hyde and SO/. About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,600 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars & restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing around 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. ALL, the booking platform and loyalty program embodies the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay and gives its members access to unique experiences. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Accor's mission is reflected in the Group's purpose: Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France. Included in the CAC 40 index, the Group is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Naomi Hammond Communications Manager - Pacific +61(0) 434 738 380 Accor
7NEWS
11-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Bob Cowper dies aged 84 as Australian cricket mourns death of another great
Australian cricket is mourning the loss of another great after Bob Cowper died aged 84 following a cancer battle. The Victorian played 27 Tests and averaged 46.84, scoring five tons including his famous 307 across an astonishing 12 hours in the 1965-66 Ashes Test at the MCG. It was the first triple-century scored on Australian soil. He also took 36 wickets at an average of 31.63 — but would not play a single Test match after the age of 27. He retired for good before turning 30, finishing on a high with Victoria's Sheffield Shield triumph in 1970 before turning his focus to business. Cowper, a Victorian Cricket Hall of Famer and life member of Cricket Victoria, went on to have a lucrative career as a stockbroker and merchant banker. He is the third Victorian great of the 1970s to die in the past six months. Ian Redpath died aged 83 late last year, while Keith Stackpole died at 84 last month. Cowper was recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2023.
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
NHS worker wins £30,000 compensation after ‘insulting and upsetting' comparison to iconic film character
Scroll down to see what the judge had to say about the comparison JIBE WORKER'S COMPO NHS worker wins £30,000 compensation after 'insulting and upsetting' comparison to iconic film character AN NHS worker won almost £30,000 compensation after being likened to Star Wars villain Darth Vader. A tribunal ruled the comparison is 'insulting and upsetting', despite being told the evil Sith Lord had 'positive attributes'. Advertisement 1 An NHS worker has won almost £30,000 in compensation after being likened to Star Wars villain Darth Vader Credit: Alamy It came after NHS blood donation supervisor Lorna Rooke and her colleagues took a Star Wars-themed questionnaire as part of a team-bonding exercise in 2021. Mrs Rooke had to take a phone call so a colleague filled it out for her. She returned to find her personality type was deemed the same as murderous Vader, who was feared and despised throughout the galaxy. The supervisor told the hearing in Croydon, South London, it made her feel 'unpopular' and was one of the reasons she left the next month. Advertisement Claims that Vader — real name Anakin Skywalker — was a 'very focused individual' who can bring a team together were rejected. Employment Judge Kathryn Ramsden said 'being aligned with his personality is insulting', and it was 'little wonder' she was upset. However the tribunal found that Mrs Rooke's decision to leave was prompted by personal circumstances. She lost claims for unfair dismissal, disability discrimination, and failure to make reasonable adjustments. Advertisement But she won her case for detriment and was awarded £28,989.61. Darth Vader kicked out of England's Ashes Test vs Australia at Edgbaston as fans joke 'the umpire strikes back' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.
Telegraph
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
James Anderson snubbed in Hundred draft as Rocky Flintoff overlooked by his own father
James Anderson and Rocky Flintoff have been snubbed for this year's Hundred after missing out in Wednesday's draft. David Warner, meanwhile, was snapped up by London Spirit. The former Australia batsman will return to Lord's for the first time since his flashpoint with spectators in the Long Room during the Ashes two years ago. But neither Anderson nor Flintoff, son of Northern Superchargers head coach Andrew, were selected while Jason Roy, England's 2019 World Cup-winning opener, was overlooked for the second year in a row. England's record wicket-taker Anderson put himself forward despite not playing a T20 since 2014 and, having been snubbed at December's Indian Premier League auction, the 42-year-old found no takers again. At the other end of the spectrum is 16-year-old Flintoff but while he attracted no bids, his England Lions team-mate Ben McKinney, an opener with Durham, was bought by Manchester Originals for £78,500. After finishing bottom of the men's standings last year, the Lord's-based Spirit were handed first pick and selected England fast-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton, who receives a bumper £200,000 pay day. Also in the top wage bracket was former England left-armer David Willey, who will move to Trent Rockets, while spinners Noor Ahmad and Michael Bracewell went to Manchester Originals and Southern Brave respectively. Seventeen-year-old Harry Moore, an emerging prospect with Derbyshire and England Under-19s, was acquired by Birmingham Phoenix for £41,500, with Jafer Chohan fetching the same price for the Spirit. England Test opener Zak Crawley is set for a £125,000 windfall after being purchased by the Superchargers and compatriots Joe Clarke, Lewis Gregory and David Payne were put in the same banding. But the highest-profile acquisition was former Australia Test opener Warner, snapped up by London Spirit to seal his return to Lord's this summer. Warner and Usman Khawaja had an extraordinary altercation with Marylebone Cricket Club members, one of whom was expelled and two others suspended, during a fiery conclusion to the second Ashes Test in 2023. But Warner is set to call Lord's home from August 5-31 and play in the Hundred for the first time after the Spirit agreed to pay the 38-year-old's base price of £120,000. New Zealand pair Lockie Ferguson and Rachin Ravindra, who like Bracewell helped the Black Caps reach the Champions Trophy final last weekend, were also in the same six-figure bracket. England paceman Mark Wood's recent injury issues always meant he was unlikely to be signed up, with his £200,000 reserve effectively a placeholder in case he appeared as a replacement player later on. England-capped players Reece Topley, Rehan Ahmed and Dawid Malan made the cut, signed for £52,000 as 39 slots in the men's draw and 29 in the women's were filled out of more than 800 player entries. In the women's draft, England captain Heather Knight was signed by Spirit after leading them to their maiden title last year. Birmingham had the first pick and tried to recruit Paige Scholfield, Sophia Dunkley and Knight, but were dashed by other teams' right-to-match-option, so instead plumped for Australia's Georgia Voll. Australia captain Alyssa Healy, who set a reserve price of £50,000, was conspicuously overlooked.
