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Wales Online
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Underrated family day out in Cardiff both kids and parents will love for less than £40
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Allow me to tell you about an underrated family event in Cardiff that you can walk to within minutes from the city centre, take your own food, which you and your kids will love, costs less than £40 for a family of four and yet you've probably never thought of going to. Last week we went to Sophia Gardens, the home of Glamorgan Cricket, to watch the T20 Blast cricket and within a few minutes of the first ball being thrown I turned and asked: 'Why aren't more people here doing this?' Now I'm from a family of cricket fans and grew up watching it at various levels but if you don't know anything about the game, this is a great intro to it. It's two teams playing 20 overs of cricket each. With six balls in each over the whole game is short and sweet, which is important when two of your fellow spectators are under the age of six. Play started at 2.30pm and was finished by 5pm but, crucially, that's not sat in silence. Noise and cheering is encouraged and there are plenty of interactive bits in between to keep your small people happy. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here . For adults there is live sport, bars, street food, and on our day, glorious sunshine – although rain does stop play in cricket so keeping half an eye on the forecast is a good idea. We'd bought earlybird tickets which were £13 an adult and £5 for kids but there are a whole host of ticket deals. As an example advance tickets are £18 for this weekend's double-header for both the women's and men's Glamorgan teams. As we arrived at the ground the kids were given free cards to hold up when a four or six was scored while they also got paper glasses to wear. (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) Unintentionally, but by happy coincidence on our day, it was emergency services day so there were motorbikes to sit on and fire engines to explore. The cricket nets were open and there was free face painting and some great giveaways from the police – thankfully when our youngest fell over she did so in her new police helmet and escaped any injury. As their parents made their way to the bar we spotted former Welsh rugby star Josh Navidi DJing on top of a bright pink pop-up bar as our pints (£6.20) were poured. As the seating was unreserved we could pick an area with room for the littlest fans to roam and before long the mascot, Dewi the dragon, was making his way around the crowd waving. The first ball was bowled at 2.30pm and almost immediately the cries of: 'I'm hungry' came out – but because you can take your own food and drink in (excluding cans and alcohol) we handed both kids picnic boxes and that kept the youngest entertained for a good few overs. Our eldest was getting involved in the game, asking questions, waving at the mascot, cheering, and trying to join in with the chants. On our way in we'd been directed by a steward to get a wristband in case the kids went AWOL, which included a QR code to scan if we lost them. The super-friendly steward also explained that at the halfway point of the match the kids can head to a meeting point and go on a tour of the pitch. So, as the players took a refreshment break, we joined dozens of others kids of all ages – and some incredibly lovely stewards – for them to walk around, wave at the crowds, and see the players warming up nice and close. (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) The crew who were doing the broadcast content for the big screen were playing games with fans between overs, handing out T-shirts, and even presided over some giant apples being pushed around for a half-time game, which all added to the entertainment value for our kids. As Glamorgan scored the winning runs I couldn't quite believe that we adults had got to see almost every ball – I had feared we'd be chasing them around the concourse or sat hearing the cheers from the crowd from afar. As far as I was concerned that's an unmitigated success. Yes, I'd taken a well-stocked bag of snacks but I wasn't compelled to spend a lot of money to keep the kids' bellies full and in return the kids (as well as us adults) had had one of those experiences we're really blessed to get on our doorstep by living in a capital city. The 20/20 Blast is one option which is probably suited to kids at the younger end of the scale because the games are short. But if a test match isn't quite your vibe there's also The Hundred, where the stage, fire cannons, and music and games are pitchside. It's louder but all that too will definitely buy you enough time to sit back, relax, and soak up the live sport right here on your doorstep. You'll see us there.


Wales Online
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
England flags and hats spotted in Cardiff as hundreds flock to city
England flags and hats spotted in Cardiff as hundreds flock to city Merchandise is being sold in the city centre with hundreds seen waiting in queues Merchandise is sold at Cathedral Road in Cardiff as the English flag waves in the air (Image: Richard Swingler ) Seeing English flags waving in the air in Wales is a rare sight. But that is the scene in Cardiff today as England take on the West Indies in the men's one day international cricket series. Hundreds were pictured flocking to Sophia Gardens this afternoon to watch the second ODI. Merchandise is being sold on Cathedral Road outside the cricket ground, including England hats and flags as fans make their way in to watch the game. The game marks the first time that West Indies have headed to England and Wales for a white-ball series since 2017. Fans could earlier be seen queuing outside the ground with some still waiting to get in as of the 11am start time, though the crowds have since dispersed. Fans queue to get into the game (Image: Richard Swingler ) Speaking ahead of the event, chief executive officer at Glamorgan Cricket, Dan Cherry, said: 'We always look forward to announcing our International fixtures each year and are proud to be hosting South Africa and West Indies in 2025. Article continues below 'It will be fantastic to welcome the West Indies back to Sophia Gardens after eight years and will allow us to continue our excellent relationship which strengthened in the 1990s due to the great Viv Richards representing Glamorgan with great distinction." There was a significant wait (Image: Richard Swingler )


Time of India
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Back-foot sweep? Bizarre batting technique goes viral
Glamorgan Cricket shared a video of a batter executing a highly unusual back-foot sweep shot, captivating cricket fans online. The unconventional technique, resembling a tennis swing, has garnered thousands of views and humorous reactions. While likely improvised, the viral clip sparks debate and highlights the sport's capacity for fun and innovation, potentially marking a memorable moment in cricket. NEW DELHI: Cricket fans were treated to an unexpected and highly entertaining moment when a video posted by Glamorgan Cricket on Instagram showed a batter pulling off an unconventional sweep shot that has since taken social media by storm. What made it so bizarre? Instead of the traditional front-foot lunge usually associated with a sweep shot, the batter opted to execute it entirely off the back foot, a move that's rarely seen at any level of the game. Operation Sindoor Amid flare-up hours after thaw, officials say things will settle down with time Ceasefire on, but pressure stays: Key decisions by India against Pak that still stand 'Will work with India & Pakistan to seek solution on Kashmir': Trump In the short clip, the batter calmly rocks onto the back foot and swings across the line, sweeping the ball square, almost like a tennis shot with a cricket bat. The form might make a coach wince, but the result was surprisingly effective and downright hilarious. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo Glamorgan, clearly amused by the technique, captioned the video cheekily: 'Tag a mate who sweeps off the back foot' Watch: What started as a casual post has now racked up thousands of views and shares, with cricket fans and players chiming in with reactions ranging from disbelief to admiration. 'Reverse Reverse Sweep,' one fan commented, referencing the player's hilarious approach. Another quipped, 'I play this whenever there is a slower ball as it is hard to hit it out of the park.' India's probable Test squad for England Tour Though likely an improvised shot rather than a deliberate invention, the viral moment has sparked debates and chuckles across platforms. It also serves as a reminder that cricket — often steeped in tradition — still has room for fun and flair. Whether it becomes a trend or remains a one-off oddity, the back-foot sweep has earned its place in cricket's growing reel of viral highlights.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wales' brand has become blurred for investors, adviser says
Wales' image has become "blurred", making it harder to attract foreign investment, according to a Welsh government adviser on the economy. Mark Rhydderch-Roberts, director of the Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board, said Wales was traditionally "incredibly successful in attracting foreign direct investment" but has seen a reduction in recent years. First Minister Eluned Morgan said growing the economy was her "top priority". The Welsh government is planning to hold an international investment summit in December to attract investors. Hopes for thousands of jobs from investment summit Welsh entrepreneurs abroad 'ready to invest here' Are we selling Wales to the world? "I think currently the image of Wales outside of Wales is quite blurred," said Mr Rhydderch-Roberts. "Is it castles and dragons, is it a centre for investment?" The former investment banker said the nation was currently attracting 3.5% of the UK's Foreign Direct Investment projects, while Scotland was attracting 8.4%. "During the late eighties and nineties we were one of the best in the UK at attracting inward investment," he told BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement. "Since then we've really struggled. I think for all sorts of reasons." Mr Rhydderch-Roberts said some reasons were part of UK wide issues. "Our tax burden is very high, our infrastructure is creaking, our energy costs are the highest in the world," he said. "Those kind of structural factors are pretty much out of the Welsh government's control." Mr Rhydderch-Roberts is also chairman of Glamorgan Cricket which recently sold a 50% stake in Welsh Fire, its Hundred franchise team, in a multimillion pound deal. "One of the things that really resonated with investors... was that Cardiff as a events city is second only to London but, also, the Welsh brand which made us unique among the other seven franchises," he said. Mr Rhydderch-Roberts said Wales as a nation could do more to improve its branding. "What are we selling here in Wales because sometimes our image is rather tarnished by 20 mile an hour speed limits for example," he said, referring to the Welsh government's controversial decision to reduce speed limits across the country. "Those kind of things... the noise in the background... prevents us from looking at the real positives." The Welsh government has confirmed its international investment summit will take place in Newport on 1 December. The first minister told BBC Wales on Friday that she was "looking for billions of pounds of investment to come in and thousands of jobs to be delivered". Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board


BBC News
23-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wales' brand blurred for investors, adviser says
Wales' image has become "blurred", making it harder to attract foreign investment, according to a Welsh government adviser on the economy. Mark Rhydderch-Roberts, director of the Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board, said Wales was traditionally "incredibly successful in attracting foreign direct investment" but has seen a reduction in recent Minister Eluned Morgan said growing the economy was her "top priority".The Welsh government is planning to hold an international investment summit in December to attract investors. "I think currently the image of Wales outside of Wales is quite blurred," said Mr Rhydderch-Roberts."Is it castles and dragons, is it a centre for investment?"The former investment banker said the nation was currently attracting 3.5% of the UK's Foreign Direct Investment projects, while Scotland was attracting 8.4%. "During the late eighties and nineties we were one of the best in the UK at attracting inward investment," he told BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement."Since then we've really struggled. I think for all sorts of reasons." 'Infrastructure is creaking' Mr Rhydderch-Roberts said some reasons were part of UK wide issues."Our tax burden is very high, our infrastructure is creaking, our energy costs are the highest in the world," he said. "Those kind of structural factors are pretty much out of the Welsh government's control."Mr Rhydderch-Roberts is also chairman of Glamorgan Cricket which recently sold a 50% stake in Welsh Fire, its Hundred franchise team, in a multimillion pound deal. "One of the things that really resonated with investors... was that Cardiff as a events city is second only to London but, also, the Welsh brand which made us unique among the other seven franchises," he said. Mr Rhydderch-Roberts said Wales as a nation could do more to improve its branding."What are we selling here in Wales because sometimes our image is rather tarnished by 20 mile an hour speed limits for example," he said, referring to the Welsh government's controversial decision to reduce speed limits across the country. "Those kind of things... the noise in the background... prevents us from looking at the real positives."The Welsh government has confirmed its international investment summit will take place in Newport on 1 first minister told BBC Wales on Friday that she was "looking for billions of pounds of investment to come in and thousands of jobs to be delivered".