ARCHERY… Britain's archers stand well placed in the latest European rankings. Both British recurve teams top their respective standings, Alan Wills and Simon Terry both feature in the top five of the men's recurve, and Olympic bronze medallist Alison Williamson is sixth in the women's order. It has also been an encouraging year for Britain's compound archers. The men are third – behind France and second placed Sweden - in the team rankings, with the women sixth in their order. Individually, Liam Grimwood is 8th in the men's rankings, with eight British archers featuring in the top 50. More@ The Grand National Archery Society
ATHLETICS… The European Athletics Council announced this week that the 2009 European Cross Country Championships will take place at Santry in Dublin. The Irish capital saw off competition from the cities of Carcassone in France and Bydogoszcz in Poland to host the event. Meanwhile Paris has been awarded the European Indoor Championships in 2011, whilst Gothenburg will play host two years later. More@ The European Athletics Council
COMMONWEALTH GAMES COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND… Sir Andrew Foster, author of "The Future of British Athletics" and Deputy Chairman of the Royal Bank of Canada Europe Limited, has today been appointed as the new Chairman of the Council – the organisation responsible for managing Team England at each Commonwealth Games. "I feel very honoured and privileged to be appointed Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Council. I very much intend to bring together my interest for sport and experience of business and government to ensure that Team England takes every opportunity leading up to the next Games in Delhi in 2010," he said. More@ The Commonwealth Games Council for England
CURLING… British Curling (BC) are seeking a registration of interest from athletes who wish to be considered for the Paralympic Curling Squad for the Winter Paralympic Games in Vancouver in 2010. An athlete information pack is available which covers the BC selection process, timelines and eligibility for the 2010 Games. The information packs can be obtained by contacting marc.scott@sisport.com. The closing date for applications is this Saturday. More@ British Curling
ENGLISH INSTITUTE OF SPORT… The Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe MP, made a visit to the English Institute of Sport (EIS) at Loughborough University this week to gain an insight into the role of the EIS in supporting elite athletes in the East Midlands region. Sutcliffe received a tour of the facilities and was introduced to athletes studying at the university whilst on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS). They talked to him about the challenges for, and requirements of, studying while training and competing as a performance athlete. "Today's visit has given me a real insight into the physiological and medical support our elite athletes need to keep them at the top of their sport," he said. "It was good to see so many athletes making use of the facilities and hear how well we are shaping up against our international counterparts." More@ The English Institute of Sport
JUDO… Britain's Craig Fallon and Sarah Clark both won gold in their respective World Cups at the weekend. Fallon beat Lavrentis Alexanidis of Greece in the -60kg class to claim his medal at the Baku World Cup in Azerbaijan. His second gold in as many months leaves him ranked third in the EJU Olympic Classifications. Meanwhile at the Minsk World Cup for women in Belarus, Clark overcame Kazakhstan's Kalzhan Taizhanova to win her title, whilst Georgina Singleton added to the haul with a bronze. Clark sits second in the classifications, with Singleton 12th. Elsewhere, Britain also won two bronze medals at the Junior European Championships which took place in Prague earlier this month. Ashley McKenzie came third in the -60kg whilst Ashley Fleming reached the podium in the +78kg. More@ British Judo
SHOOTING… Britain took four World Titles at the recent Long Range Rifle Championships in Ottawa, Canada. David Luckman won the individual crown by a single point in a field of over 380 competitors, whilst the rifle team set a new record score in retaining their title. The veterans and the under 25 team completed Britain's haul. More@ British Shooting
SQUASH… This week has seen the launch of the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships 2008 website. The event, which is being supported via UK Sport's World Class Events Programme, is still a year away but the website gives details on the tournament, features articles on the history of the sport and the World Championships, as well as profiles of the players who will competing for World crowns next year. There is also the chance to purchase tickets for the event next autumn. More@ World Squash Championships 2008
TAEKWONDO… Top class action is set to return to Manchester later in the year, with the staging of the BTCB (British Taekwondo Control Board) National Championships, which will be held from 15-16 December. The event follows the World Taekwondo Qualification Event for the Beijing Olympics which was also held in the city last month, and featured over 300 athletes from more than 100 countries. The National Championships will be held at the Regional Tennis Centre in Sportcity and will be open to all 15,000 BTCB members and its affiliated groups. The categories will include Child (under 10 years old), Cadets (10-13 years old), Juniors (14-17 years-old) and Seniors with a variety of weight divisions within each category. More@ Sport Taekwondo UK
TRIATHLON… Britain's Julie Dibens finished second behind Sarah Haskins of the USA in the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in Dallas, Texas – which meant podium finishes in all five USA events she took part in. Elsewhere, Chrissie Wellington has become Britain's first ever World Ironman Champion on the island of Kona, Hawaii – a remarkable feat considering it was also her first appearance. Compatriot Leanda Cave finished in eighth place. More@ British Triathlon
VOLLEYBALL… The British Volleyball Federation announced this week that Wayne Coyle will stand down as Performance Programme Manager for the Great Britain Programme. Having guided the programme through considerable developments in the initial phases, Coyle has stated personal reasons for his departure from the post and believes that, following the completion of the Beach Season and establishment of the indoor programme, now is the time for him to step aside. "It has been a fantastic journey and I feel the programme is on track for participation in 2012. It is the right timing for me personally to hand it over to someone who can commit to the next stages," he said. Meanwhile Britain's men lost out in their first Dutch Pro A League fixture as Club Martinus, losing 3-0 to reigning champions Piet Zoomers/D. More@ Volleyball England
WHEELCHAIR TENNIS… David Phillipson and Jordanne Whiley both defended their singles titles at the Cardiff Tournament. Phillipson defeated 12-time national champion Jayant Mistry 7-6 6-1, bringing an end to his opponent's unbeaten run against British players which went back to 1994. The 15-year-old Whiley beat second seed Susan Paisley 4-6 6-2 6-3, and also claimed the women's doubles title with Louise Hunt, and the junior singles crown too. More@ The British Tennis Foundation
