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BBC News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Family's mission to help kickboxing son compete for England
The family of a rising star in the kickboxing world are raising funds to pay for him to represent England in the youth championships later this 11, from Bristol, started the sport six years ago and since then his overall confidence has coach and seven times world champion kickboxer, Sharon Gill, said the cost of competitions can put people off, as its mainly "self-funded and very expensive".His mum Kelly is hoping to raise £3,000 to pay for him to compete in the European championships this September. He has already won two national championships and now hopes to bring a title from for his country this autumn. "It really makes me feel so good about myself," Theo told BBC Radio Bristol."The first time I went to a lesson I was too nervous, but the second time...I loved it so much."I love that I can just go to kickboxing and not worry about anything." "It's given him so much more confidence," Kelly said."He's so brave, it's a big thing to go out and compete and go onto the mats and have everybody watching you." Ms Gill said the the standard of the European championships Theo will compete in is "very high"."For many people [competing] it's all self-funded and very expensive," she said."It is the hardest thing. [People] sometimes can't go because of how much it costs." Ms Gill added how "amazing" it is to see the people she coaches follow in her footsteps and go on to excel at the hopes to compete in the WAKO European Youth Championships for Team GB in Italy in September.
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Premiership Cup final 'massive' for Bath
Bath lock Ewan Richards says Sunday's Premiership Rugby Cup final against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park is "massive" for the squad's younger 22-year-old, who signed a new contract until 2027 last month, has captained the side throughout the club's Premiership Cup campaign and stressed the importance of ending a run of 17 years without a trophy."This cup run has been pretty special for the wider group," Richards told BBC Radio Bristol."We've seen 49 lads play in this competition this year which is unbelievable; it just shows the depth that we've got in this squad and we know the aim is bigger."We want to win the league this year but this opportunity this weekend for some of us younger lads is massive."We get the opportunity to express ourselves and bring some silverware back to the club." Bath assistant coach Andy Robinson admitted he had used the competition to develop the squad from the outset but, now the Blue, Black and Whites have reached the final, the former England coach is fully focused on winning at all costs."There's a real expectation amongst everyone, but it's a real belief in what we do," he added."It's the first final we're in, we have the opportunity of being in three finals this year but you talk about trophies when you've won them."We know what Exeter are about and at Sandy Park, they're a very tough team to beat."Veteran wing/full-back Ruaridh McConnochie, now in his seventh season with the club, said he is enjoying some of his best rugby in the twilight of his career."I've massively enjoyed it, being that older head in the team," the 33-year-old said."I think the first game I played in, I was 15 years older than the youngest player in the team but I've loved it - its been cool to watch some of these guys develop from the first game away at Ampthill to now stepping into a final this Sunday."I don't take anything for granted. I know I'm at an age where I'm in the last year or so of my career and I'm really enjoying being out there on the pitch."
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'We've shown we can play against the top teams'
Bristol City have proved they can match the very top teams in the Championship, says midfielder Mark Republic of Ireland international came off the bench to score a last-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United, the new leaders, on Tuesday."I watched the game in the first half and thought we were the better team and it felt like that when I was on the pitch and it was getting the message to the lads the game was there for the taking," Sykes told BBC Radio Bristol."We've played Sheffield United a few times and it's felt like we've been the better team and not got anything from the games."The draw moves the Robins to within two points of the play-off places with nine games remaining."We've got to move on quickly with another game in a few days at Ashton Gate and hopefully we can get another good result," added Sykes."We know as a group we can play against these teams and I feel we've shown we were much the better side and hopefully we can show that for the rest of the season."Bristol City host Norwich City on Friday, when a win would take them into the top six ahead of the weekend's other games.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manning unhappy with 'dangerous' schedule
Bristol City boss Liam Manning hit out at the "ridiculous" recent fixtures schedule following his side's 1-1 draw at Cardiff City. The Robins were playing their fourth game of the month and have picked up five points to lie eighth in the table, two points outside the play-off places. "I think the schedule is quite neglectful for the players, it becomes quite dangerous," Manning told BBC Radio Bristol. "Energy wise we were a little bit flat at times, especially first half, hence we made the changes to try and bring a bit of energy into the team. "We did well to get ahead and then it becomes about how you manage the game. When we drop points, it tends to be away from home and we've just got to keep the ball better, rather than sitting that deep. "At Championship level, you should never take points for granted. It's another game unbeaten his week and it's now about taking the learning from it and taking it into Friday (against Middlesbrough). Manning lost Ross McCrorie with a hamstring "twinge" just before the hour. "To go Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday, you run that risk, you're exposing players, it's dangerous and I just don't get it," he added.
BBC News
15-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Manning unhappy with 'dangerous' schedule
Bristol City boss Liam Manning hit out at the "ridiculous" recent fixtures schedule following his side's 1-1 draw at Cardiff Robins were playing their fourth game of the month and have picked up five points to lie eighth in the table, two points outside the play-off places."I think the schedule is quite neglectful for the players, it becomes quite dangerous," Manning told BBC Radio Bristol."Energy wise we were a little bit flat at times, especially first half, hence we made the changes to try and bring a bit of energy into the team. "We did well to get ahead and then it becomes about how you manage the game. When we drop points, it tends to be away from home and we've just got to keep the ball better, rather than sitting that deep."At Championship level, you should never take points for granted. It's another game unbeaten his week and it's now about taking the learning from it and taking it into Friday (against Middlesbrough).Manning lost Ross McCrorie with a hamstring "twinge" just before the hour. "To go Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday, you run that risk, you're exposing players, it's dangerous and I just don't get it," he added.
