Latest news with #SimonWillis
South China Morning Post
27-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong turn to ex-Sri Lanka Test player Kaushal Silva after trio of Malaysia thrashings
Former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper batsman Kaushal Silva has been appointed as the new head coach of Hong Kong's cricket team, the sport's governing body in the city said on Monday. The 39-year-old, who played 39 Tests and scored three hundreds between 2011 and 2018, is expected to start his new job sometime next month, once his visa has come through. After a short coaching stint in England, Silva has been working in Australia since 2019, most recently at the Superkings Cricket Academy, but will now make the step up to associate cricket as Simon Willis' replacement. Silva said he was excited at the prospect of coaching the team and 'looked forward to working with the talented group of players'. His first significant challenge, other than improving an underperforming side, will be the Asia Cup, which will return to its T20 format and be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 9th to September 28th. Kaushal Silva has been coaching at the Superkings Cricket Academy in Box Hill, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Handout While India and Pakistan have been thrown together alongside the hosts and Oman in Group A, Hong Kong face Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Group B. The top two sides in each group will progress to the semi-finals.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Films celebrating South West landscapes released
A series of films described as "visual and verbal poetry" have been released which show landscapes of Devon and Cornwall. The films, named Wild Westcountry Odyssey, have been co-funded by Natural England and made by Plymouth-based filmmaker Simon Willis. Contributions have also been made by the University of Exeter and National Trust. The first film - which was released on Monday - celebrates the landscape and wildlife in Kynance and the return of the chough to the Lizard peninsular in Cornwall. More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall Each film features two short poems written by John Wedgwood Clarke, professor of Poetry at the University of Exeter. The remaining five films will be released weekly until 21 July. Mr Wedgwood Clarke said: "I hope these films, and the visual and verbal poetry they contain, inspire people to explore this beautiful part of the world and think about how they can support, in whatever way they can, the work the goes in to helping people and nature thrive together in these special places." Mr Willis said: "It's been a privilege to work with all the nature reserves and John. "The human effort that goes into keeping them thriving for wildlife is remarkable. "I hope our images and John's words encourage people to look beyond the picture postcard and really value the wildlife that makes the South West such a great place to visit." And David Burton, of Natural England, added: "We supported the production of the films to research how creative media can help re-set the relationships between people and nature within the framework of Protected Site Strategies. "The approach is to educate and highlight the need for nature recovery to everyone." Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Cornwall offers great cast and crew, says director Natural England University of Exeter National Trust
BBC News
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Films celebrating Devon and Cornwall landscapes released
A series of films described as "visual and verbal poetry" have been released which show landscapes of Devon and Cornwall. The films, named Wild Westcountry Odyssey, have been co-funded by Natural England and made by Plymouth-based filmmaker Simon have also been made by the University of Exeter and National first film - which was released on Monday - celebrates the landscape and wildlife in Kynance and the return of the chough to the Lizard peninsular in Cornwall. Each film features two short poems written by John Wedgwood Clarke, professor of Poetry at the University of remaining five films will be released weekly until 21 July. 'Special places' Mr Wedgwood Clarke said: "I hope these films, and the visual and verbal poetry they contain, inspire people to explore this beautiful part of the world and think about how they can support, in whatever way they can, the work the goes in to helping people and nature thrive together in these special places."Mr Willis said: "It's been a privilege to work with all the nature reserves and John. "The human effort that goes into keeping them thriving for wildlife is remarkable. "I hope our images and John's words encourage people to look beyond the picture postcard and really value the wildlife that makes the South West such a great place to visit."And David Burton, of Natural England, added: "We supported the production of the films to research how creative media can help re-set the relationships between people and nature within the framework of Protected Site Strategies. "The approach is to educate and highlight the need for nature recovery to everyone."
South China Morning Post
16-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Simon Willis quits as Hong Kong cricket head coach days after side's T20 failure
Simon Willis has resigned as head coach of the men's Hong Kong cricket team, days after his side failed to make the final of their home T20 quadrangular series. Advertisement It was the latest in a string of disappointing performances from a side that has lost ground on its Asian rivals over the past year, struggling to beat the likes of Qatar and Kuwait on several occasions. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Englishman said he was leaving to pursue new challenges, but the 51-year-old's future had been in doubt for some time, and sources said the search for a replacement was likely to start as soon as possible. Still, just four days ago, Willis was discussing how Hong Kong could move forward, even while raising concerns over his team's commitment and focus. Wishing Willis 'all the best in his future endeavours', the cricketing body said the coach had achieved significant milestones since he was appointed in March 2023, which had culminated in qualification for the T20 Asia Cup in India later this year. Simon Willis had been in charge for two years. Photo: Facebook/Simon Willis 'Under Simon's leadership, a larger pool of players has been identified and developed through a clear and aligned men's talent pathway to the international game, marking a substantial advancement for the team,' the CHKC statement said.
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
CCTV captures coach before Isle of Wight hotel crash
Two cars have been written off after a runaway coach crashed into them outside an Isle of Wight hotel. CCTV footages shows the vehicle, which had reportedly suffered a handbrake failure, seconds before it smashed into a white van and white Ford was hurt in the incident, which happened outside Ocean View Hotel on 12 April at about 18:00 BST. The manager of the hotel, Simon Willis, said the driver had been dropping people off so no-one was in the vehicle at the time. He explained: "The coach was badly damaged. It got towed away on Sunday. The van is mine, it's a write off."It ended-up on its roof and another car parked nearby was written-off. It's near-enough demolished the bin store."Police reckon that if it hadn't hit the van it would have carried on going down the road."A statement from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: "We were called just before 18:00 on 12 April to a report that a coach had collided with two parked cars and a building at the Ocean View Hotel in Shanklin."No one was injured during this incident." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
