The Phoenix – May 2016
Page 43
SPORT - WITH STEVE WILLIAMS
Big things ahead for Handsworth Cricket Club
A
fter the last-day battle between the two best teams in last season’s league, eventual Warwickshire Premier Division winners, Handsworth Cricket Club, made every effort to be fully prepared and raring to go as life back in the Birmingham District & Premier League got fully under way this term. Winning the championship was the ultimate achievement for the well-run club as they set out this year to emulate their efforts which were richly earned. It was the culmination of years of determination, courage an d very hard work that came together from a team who gelled together, from the off. The Caribbean-led multi-cultural outfit - the only one in the league – playing their home games at Handsworth Park and is continuing their search for local, national, or international businesses who would like to sponsor one of their teams. The club, with teams ranging from, Under-11s and Women’s teams, through to the highly successful First XI, run Junior outdoor training sessions - for children ages 8 -15 years old - on Wednesdays, from 6pm until 8pm, and continues until end of August, as well as offering unisex cricket catering for both young males and females. A sponsored walk in aid of the Junior Club took place around the circumference of Handsworth Park – a distance estimated at approximately 3 miles (twice around) – in aid of their fundraising with donations still welcomed to make Handsworth C.C. move forward as they continue nurturing the abundance of local talent who yearn the chance to place top quality cricket in a top quality team.
Foxes star, Mahrez, a history-making PFA Player of the Year
L Dedicated Dad Fuel’s Son’s Golfing Success
l PGA Captain Nicky Lumb, Lord Derby, Jamie Carney, Bernard Gallacher, Titleist’s Matthew Johnson. Credit: Dave Warren/Picture Team
A
former county teammate of Ryder Cup hopeful Andy Sullivan has chalked up his own notable victory after taking top honours on his route to being a PGA Professional. Jamie Carney, based at Robin Hood Golf Club near Solihull, has secured the prestigious Lord Derby Trophy and a cheque for £1,000 at the Titleist PGA Assistant of the Year awards after coming top of the Year Two assistant
professionals on the PGA Foundation Degree. The 24-year-old, who was in the same Warwickshire amateur team as European Tour star Sullivan, was recognised for his achievements at The PGA’s annual graduation ceremony held at the University of Birmingham on Friday April 22, where former Ryder Cup winning captain Bern-
Squash Legend, Jonah, Receives Special Birthday Honour
ard Gallacher was the guest of honour. Carney collected the trophy from the current Lord Derby and cheque from Matthew Johnson, Titleist brand director. “I’m really chuffed as I have taken this very seriously and put in significant time and effort,” said Carney. When I finished school I wanted to play and so I was a full tie amateur until I was 21, getting to plus three. I played for the county in
some events with Andy Sullivan, and I also represented England boys.” Carney was introduced to the game by a friend’s grandad, who took him down the range. He then joined Shirley Golf Club aged 11 and was indebted to his dad for supporting his passion. “My dad worked shifts for Cadbury so he would pick me up from school and take me to the club to practise for a couple of hours before he would go to work. He’d stand with me, go and pick up balls and take me to events. He didn’t play golf, but my dad’s dedication and support is the reason why I got to where I did in the game and the opportunities I now have. I am very lucky to have a dad like that.”
F
ormer 6-times World Squash Champion Jonah Barrington celebrated his 75th Birthday by being a Guest of Honour at the Edgbaston Priory private Members' Tennis, Squash and Leisure Club in Birmingham as a squash court was open, in his name, at the home of the Aegon Classic. Jonah, present with son, Joey, marked his very special personal day with special guests, at the leading racquet sports club posing for pictures and reminiscing about his career in the sport he loved from a very early age in his life and the pleasures he got from being the leading exponent in the fast-paced game. He recalled; “I was squash’s first full-time player when I took a plunge into the unknown in 1969 and became a lonely prophet of a sport with no circuit, no television, no World Championship, and no obvious pathway forward.” Barrington brought about the birth of professionalism. He did it as much by force of character as by the force of his squash. Although he was also an extraordinary player, it was as a driven pioneer, a passionate talker, and an inspiring visionary that he argu-
ably achieved more. “I was a ‘lone ranger’ in the game in this country as it never really got the media attention that it does in other countries throughout the world, saw I was determined to bring it to the fore, at any given opportunity, and make it accessible to all.” He once said that he was even prepared to run naked around
eicester City star, Riyad Mahrez’s vote as this year’s PFA Player of the Year wasn’t just a victory for him it was personal recognition for the outstanding achievement by Foxes manager, Claudio Ranieri, the East Midlands surprise outfit this season and, equally, the African continent as the Algerian-born star has been an instrumental part of Leicester’s title run and thoroughly deserves his award. The 25-year-old was the favourite ahead of the ceremony, in London, as he saw off competition from two team-mates, N’Golo Kante and Jamie Vardy, as well as West Ham’s Dmitri Payet, Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane and is the first Leicester City player to win the award and the first player from Africa to be handed the trophy. It was a clean sweep for the Premier League leaders as Vardy came in second place, while Kane finished third. Meanwhile, Spurs midfielder Dele Alli picked up the Young Player of the Year award. The talented England international has enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season in the Premier League. Both players were named in the PFA Team of the Year.
Birmingham’s Bull Ring if needed to get squash publicity it deserved. Barrington was a star almost wherever he went and was refreshingly forthright, a magnetic story-teller, a great humorist, and an incisive commentator. For him to have a squash court in his name is the very least the outspoken, innovating, inspirational man of the people deserves.
Have you got something to say? Send in your stories to newsdesk@thephoenixnewspaper.com