Category:

Other Sports

Dive into a world of diverse sports with our comprehensive coverage. From basketball and soccer to tennis, golf, and beyond, we’ve got the latest scores, thrilling highlights, and in-depth analyses. Explore the achievements of your favorite athletes, the drama of intense competitions, and the heartwarming stories that make sports so captivating. Stay connected to the excitement of various sports, all in one place. Whether you’re a fan of the pitch, court, or fairway, our content brings you closer to the action.

Other Sports

Thoughts on swimming for Brisbane 2032 to be held at a legacy venue instead of Brisbane Live but only if they add retractable hard floor system on top of a permanent pool

by Sports Benches

Over the past 1-2 days, it seems the Queensland Government wants to axe the prolonged proposal of building the multi-use Brisbane Live arena so they can allocate federal funding of a new stadium at Victoria Park, even though the latest independent review report recommends this to be built on a vacant GoPrint site next to The Gabba.

Now the best foot forward for them is to build a National Aquatics Centre next to the existing Centenary Pool in Spring Hill – also next to a proposed 60,000 seater Olympic Stadium venue in Victoria Park.

That way, the aquatics centre can be cheaper to build in the region of just $650 million than the inner-city arena itself which is currently set at $2.5 billion thanks to support from the Federal Government.

Okay, as someone who follows swimming here from time to time, particularly with the Dolphins – yeah, wouldn’t mind a world-class swimming venue for the state that can set up the next golden crop of swimmers for years & decades to come. 

But only if they insert a retractable flooring system to be built on top of a permanent swimming pool so indoor sports and concerts can be played there on top of everyday swimming use to maximise revenue potential for the best of both worlds – Swimming Australia + Brisbane Bullets (NBL) and also top-tier Netball.

They can do this for around $200 million either before or even after the games when the existing Boondall arena and even the current Swimming Centre in Chandler are both approaching “end of life” post-games and they can use the funds from their own suggested relocation sales and insert that world-class retractable flooring system at a legacy swimming venue in Spring Hill.

Then the seating layout is a bit of another concern when it’s a dedicated swimming venue and not a multi-use arena, especially with the front-tier layout.

Perhaps, they could also add some retractable front-tier seating by turning it into a proper indoor vibe and back for netball & basketball + combat sports like WWE or AWE wrestling when they’re not swimming for laps at the main pool.

All of this can be achieved while Swimming Australia can continue to use the main pool everyday including future Swimming Championships at all levels including a potential Worlds event (regardless if it’s 50m or 25m) someday.

While it’s kinda disappointing that the current state government leadership is unable to get the best out of an inner-city Brisbane Live arena, they can solve that issue by adding a retractable flooring system that makes this legacy swimming place so unique on its own when there should be room for other indoor sports.

And last thing, call it the National Centenary Centre when it comes to the main swimming section but use this to replace the “Aquatics” wording and make it a retractable swimming and indoor main venue post-games.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

2024-25 League Cup Final: Newcastle United break their 70 year wait for a Domestic Cup trophy following their 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley Stadium 

by Sports Benches

It’s been 70 years since Newcastle United won a domestic trophy that went way back as the 1954-55 FA Cup season and now that long wait has now finally come to a close thanks to their 2-1 win over Premier League leaders Liverpool in the League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. 

They’ve been so dominant all along with two goals coming from centre-half Dan Burn and star No.9 Aleksandar Isak, although Liverpool scored one back but then that was a consolation one towards the final whistle by Federico Chiesa.

Don’t get me wrong, they are a mega rich club indeed under Saudi Arabia ownership since late 2021. But still, they have all the money and power to get back to where they want to be – and that is by regularly competing at Top 4-6 every season while they look to make a statement in Europe. 

Well, they are going back to the UEFA comp after all with Conference League qualification now guaranteed. However, they are currently flying high though in 6th on the ladder & if they finish 6th and above at season’s end, they too could play in the Europa League instead or even Champions League again like it was two seasons ago back in 2023-24. 

That means, the 7th best PL team would take Newcastle’s spot for Europe’s 3rd tier competition in their place.

Don’t forget they’ve previously been at Wembley with the same League Cup Final a little over two years ago – that didn’t go well v Man Utd 2-0 but now they’ve gone one better as congrats once again including to one of England’s finest head coach/managers in the country in Eddie Howe.

Plus, shoutout to Toon supporter Adam Peacock too and he’s currently the host of Stan Sport’s UEFA club competition coverage with Craig Foster & Mark Bosnich.

Sure we will see him on the screens of Nine soon when each of the Grand Finals from Champions League to Europa and Conference level will be around sometime in late May.

And on Liverpool, not their day today as Arne Slot still doesn’t have a trophy yet as this is his first season in the hot seat following the departure of long-time manager Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. Although that can wait since they are leading the PL but with Cup competitions, not so much until at least next season….for now.

One thing Liverpool could’ve pulled off there is if they had at least a few more of their own kids from the academy on the biggest stage at least in men’s soccer like they did in last year’s League Cup Final v Chelsea. 

Shame it wasn’t worth the risk to go a bit braver this time when Newcastle’s starting XI was full of more established stars instead and they were the team to beat unfortunately at the end of the day.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

2024/25 EFL Championship Matchday 36: Burnley win back-to-back against Luton Town with Sheffield United on shared points for top spot with Leeds United following their 1-0 win v fellow Northern team Preston North End

by Sports Benches

Also from the weekend earlier this morning was Burnley winning again over the course of this week against another relegation threatened side Luton Town 4-0 who competed in the Premier League last season and was sent straight back to the 2nd tier after they finished 18th/20th.

Yes, the opening goal was a Luton error from their own half but the good news is though that chances were converted into goals on its own as it goes on following a team-effort shift at Turf Moor.

There’s a striker or two sharing the goals actually up front like starting 9 Lyle Foster from South Africa as well as veteran sub Ashley Barnes at the last few mins along with midfield goal scorer who can go a bit further afield by Josh Brownhill. 

They could have made up another one at the last window or have done sooner to avoid just insipid 0-0 draws when Scott Parker used an attacking midfielder 10 in its place. But now Burnley have to kick on from here as long as the defensive record stays intact as well as improving their conversions with 10 games to go – and they’re just three if not five points behind Leeds United towards top spot should they win tomorrow for Round 36 v Portsmouth.

Their next game though will be against Play-Off hopefuls West Brom this Wednesday AM as this will certainly be a bit different indeed especially at the expense of Southampton-owned No.9 Adam Armstrong who has been back scoring goals recently which was a change of fresh air along with a coach he knows pretty thanks to Tony Mowbray.

Glad to hear Tony is back in full health and able to hold a head coaching job again following his bowel cancer diagnosis 12 months ago when his last post was at Birmingham City and had to step back over the next months – unfortunately without him, they were relegated at season’s end. However, BCFC is flying high on top of League One as no doubt they will coming straight back here sooner rather than later by having a real go at being a PL team again thanks to their American Owners Tom Wagner and NFL legend Tom Brady who also owns a minority cut of Legacy Motor Club as well.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United happy to keep 2nd thanks to a 1-0 win over Preston North End at the same time courtesy of Tyrese Campbell where they are also tied on points with Leeds not just for the championship trophy + straight promotion back to the PL ahead of August 2025.

So all in all, still a bit tight; but again, up to Leeds who still hold the cards. Although an upset win by Portsmouth would put both teams back in the running and the 24/25 regular season isn’t over just yet.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

Thoughts on this year’s Masters Golf Tournament will only be on Fox Sports and Kayo under Foxtel’s new exclusive deal

by Sports Benches

So there you have it, this year’s upcoming Masters Golf Tournament next month on the 10th-13th at Augusta National will only be aired on Fox Sports and Kayo going forward under a new multi-year contract. 

That means, all four PGA Tour majors will only be on the one place for the first time. 

Unless Kayo would be keen on some freebies content internally like just The Masters LIVE or even having mini highlights of each tournament for example, there’s no way this will be aired under Nine or another free-to-air network.

I see Nine still has some golf left to air this weekend with the Women’s Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast which will be aired on 9Gem in simulcast with Fox Sports. 

Update: now it’s not going ahead unfortunately due to the ongoing typhoon.

But then that’s really it for now unless Nine wants to stay onboard a bit longer when it comes to the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Open Golf at the back end of this year that can take place throughout the day. 

Although without the Masters golf that would have probably wiped away all of that free-to-air golf value there where you got the most popular major to start off April before rounding off with back-to-back end of year all important PGA Australian tour golf tournaments.

Don’t know what will happen next but seems Kayo Freebies may be the perfect next destination for all free content golf if they really wish to do so themselves – we’ll see.

And as part of Fox’s exclusive coverage of the Masters, they will send both Warren Smith and Paul Gow on-site in the same way Nine has done with 1-2 reporters mainly from their sports news team or news team via a US correspondent for some extra content up until last year.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other SportsRugby

2025 Festival of NRL at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas: From a string of clear margins by few winning teams including a Super League UK first to one close thriller all across a Super Weekend of Rugby League for another year

by Sports Benches

Yes, may not been into Rugby League when it’s always Rugby Union – sure we will see some top Rugby in the US when the All Blacks will take on Ireland this November at Soldier Field in Chicago. 

However, the NRL did a great job selling their fastest game on earth to the US especially Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium for another year on what has been a brilliant weekend on show through the course of today and some of night locally.

It began with the arvo Super League US-first Wigan Warriors v the Sam Burgess-led Warrington Wolves as head coach and Wigan was simply too good 48-24, the same goes to the Canberra Raiders over NZ Warriors 30-8 (a free-to-air FOX US first btw) as well as the Jillaroos v England 90-4 in the women’s International match, and the 4-peat Penrith Panthers just staved off the threatening Cronulla Sharks that wraps up a festival of Rugby League in the US of America by 28-22.

There’s still a lot to play for having lost Jerome Luai recently to the Wests Tigers, who has club legend Brett Hodgson back onboard to help out Benji Marshall.

Didn’t know he was wearing a Wallabies hat when he stopped by at Netball Central the other day to see out a training session for the GWS Giants Super Netball team to share some of his intel with the other Giants head coaches across the men’s and women’s AFL (Aussie Rules) teams. 

That’s because he was previously part of the Wallabies coaching staff as defensive coach two years ago under the management of Eddie Jones. We do understand his logic between RL & RU when it comes to Joseph Suaalii – he’s in Union now at senior level with the Wallabies and Tahs. However, Eddie’s second spell didn’t go so well sadly that only lasted just less than a year including the team’s first-ever early World Cup exit.

While the NRL will go back home to continue the opening round starting Thursday night, also didn’t know Nine’s NRL team stopped by at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the other day but on the infield road course rather than the oval where they’ve raced some fast cars for their pre-recorded post-game segments. 

Thought there was a NASCAR race weekend happening at the same time as the Footy like it was last year but they are racing in between left and right turns at COTA in Austin, Texas instead. But they will back though for the first of two annual races in the middle of this month at the same time as the opening F1 race weekend at Albert Park in Melbourne.

One of the presenters there has just been named to read the sports news for Nine’s flagship breakfast show called Today effective immediately in none other than Danika Mason. We wish her the best of luck and she will still play a major role throughout the year too for the WWOS across the NRL & Australian Open Tennis – she could also be part of next year’s Winter Olympics now that Alex Cullen had to part ways unexpectedly a few weeks ago.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

Brisbane Olympic Stadium 100-day review update for the 2032 Summer Olympics as of the end of February 2025 – Victoria Park being the favourite over The Gabba

by Sports Benches

Going into the final day of February which is the 28th before we enter the crucial last few weeks of March, the current Brisbane Government party will officially reveal their choice of venues for the home 2032 Summer Olympics including the much-divided Olympic Stadium based on yet another 100-day review assessment by an independent group come Tuesday, March 25 2025. 

Looks like in recent days that Victoria Park seems to be the front-runner for an Olympic Stadium to be built rather than doing anything to rebuild or even renovate The Gabba – or even make a second Gabba up West to replace one.

Yes, there’s also ongoing protests from both places like Save Victoria Park and Rethink The Gabba where both of whom are trying so hard to protect that is theirs which is their own community.

This goes from running the risk of diminishing green space to knocking down a heritage-listed school as well as homes and even making daily traffic more difficult to get around all because of the Olympics. 

Albion wouldn’t be bad and they’ve got a train station nearby but then that’s gonna take like 20 mins to get there via walk unless they’re more than willing to take extra shuttle buses just for the Stadium and back itself – a bit too much there.

The same goes to Hamilton Northshore even though that area would be built on state-owned industrial property that can complement with the Athletes’ Village. Not only it’s even further away from the CBD when you go past Albion, they’re also more suited for a mixed-use development like the Athletes’ Village/Apartments post-games and there’s a reason why the State Government isn’t bothered with this idea where they may as well struggle to generate as much commercial potential when it’s easier to do so within the city for world-class sport.

Plus, don’t get us started on the QSAC over in Nathan, Mt Gravatt as there’s no way they will host Athletics for a few weeks and then it will just be home for something that isn’t world-class after that other than the yearly athletics meets as that sport there does not have the same hype and audience as AFL & Cricket except it’s every four years at random spots worldwide.

The better solution before all this would’ve been Brisbane and its protest groups going to the IOC saying no due to the fact that building/rebuilding a new stadium does tarnish tight-knit communities that makes no sense when people’s needs do come first but no can do and Brisbane is way behind at hosting world-class sporting events including entertainment concerts anyway – so hosting an Olympics is a good opportunity for them to catch up with Sydney & Melbourne as well as the world.

At the end of the day, Victoria Park would be the least worst option tbh just like how Perth decided to put Optus Stadium on the map over redeveloping Subiaco Oval. 

Just replace the golf course with a 55,000 to 60,000 seater stadium and a 5,000 seat warm up track alongside a dedicated train line to make commuting a bit more accessible if possible – nothing more.

That way, the Gabba can continue to host games until then with the Brisbane Lions (AFL) and Cricket along with a beautiful send off for one last time at Brisbane 2032 with Cricket as a 2 x Olympic sport before they reach the “end of life” stage, Brisbane Lions and Cricket both relocate to Victoria Park and they can knock that down afterwards to either create that green space or even scaling it down as a boutique cricket/AFL venue.

Everything else will stay where they are like the Brisbane Live arena in the Roma area as I get having a dedicated world-class swimming venue helps but swimming is beginning to be like athletics now and it’s important for Olympics swimming to be held at a world-class arena or stadium even like the one in Paris last year and SoFi Stadium in LA for 2028.

Over to you now QLD.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

2024/25 EFL Championship: Leeds leave it late to spur an amazing comeback that also extends their lead up front against 2nd-placed Sheffield United by 3-1 at Bramall Lane

by Sports Benches

So there you have it, Sheffield United thought they could stop the clear 2nd tier leaders as of late in Leeds United thanks to a Leeds own goal by lIlan Mesiler (GK) earlier on – and have led the way 1-0 for the most part until Leeds struck back this late on their opponents’ hallowed turf (Bramall Lane) with 15-20 odd mins to go thanks to three stunning late strikes that secured yet another win by 3-1.

Gotta say the Blades have came a long way from minus two points to challenging at the top end of the table but they’ll just have to find another way now since Sheffield United were unable to hold off their 1-0 lead when Leeds have been searching with attacking intent all game long.

Which other team is gonna try and stop them in its tracks now that Leeds have gained another few points up front? 

We started the new season back in August 2024 with 2-3 teams closely trying to snatch that elusive first spot where one of them will not just be crowned the Championship winner but also regain Premier League status for next season (2025/26) come May.

Now looking at February 2025 as of Matchday 34/46, it seems that Leeds have set the benchmark once again tonight even though they nearly had all game to connect the dots, and they did that successfully with all the time they’ve got left to lock this game up with the win.

Meanwhile, if Burnley win next time around v relegation battlers Cardiff City and Sheffield United lose, then looks like hope is not lost after all when it comes to reclaiming 2nd off Sheffield United by a two point difference. Although there’s a still long way to go as they are currently eight points behind Leeds – despite the way they play is based on defensive football rather than the bang, bang attacking ones that Leeds are so happily craving right now.

If Leeds win the title with Daniel Farke onboard for the third time coming, good for him as no can do for others trying to stop them – just wait and see how they go in the PL and he hasn’t been that great at the bottom end of the table unfortunately not once but twice after topping the Championship with Norwich City all those years ago.

Next up, Leeds will go back home at Elland Road at the same time this weekend v West Brom & Sheffield United travelling to London against Queens Park Rangers while Burnley look to go into the sixth round of the FA Cup comp v fellow Lancashire team in Preston North End.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

Thoughts on Sky Sport NZ regaining the home Black Caps and Black Ferns rights off TVNZ from 2026/27 to at least 2031/32

by Sports Benches

So there we have it, Sky Sport NZ has earlier today just reclaimed the whole home International cricket rights involving the Blackcaps and White Ferns off TVNZ and previously Spark Sport when they last brought the rights back in 2020 but has since been shutdown two years ago. 

This next TV rights contract will cover at least the next six years beginning from the 2026-27 to 2031-32 season. 

There’s no agreement with the Super Smash T20 Tournament being finalised at this stage since this will be dealt with separately but I guess this will either be streamed on its own by New Zealand Cricket or see another broadcaster like Three or even TVNZ cover this comp elsewhere unless Sky really wants it.

Looks like the return of the famed intro music or even the Tea Party segment may be coming back after all but remember times have changed and so does some of the commentators themselves.

Ian Smith, for example, is no longer employed by Sky after a long run with both cricket commentary and sideline commentating rugby. He could come back since he knows cricket all too well but I guess Sky’s Rugby team going forward seems to be more diverse from a Pasifika and female-led hosting perspective.

It’s very likely that Laura McGoldrick will be around once again and so would Simon Doull and Scott Styris with most of them jumping ship from TVNZ like Katey Martin – just speculating though, it’s still too early.

For now, there’s only more season to enjoy non-stop free of charge on TVNZ since they don’t have the funds to retain on its own and it’s being run by the Government.

They could’ve taken the risk and have most of the stuff go behind a paywall had they retain the rights – it’s a shame their TVNZ + is only free & ad-run at this stage. 

It’s also a bit of surprise that Warner Bros NZ wasn’t in the bidding process either where they got their own Max subscription streaming service but then having cut their own news team with Newshub mid last year, they would rather run three as a cost-effective free-to-air network rather than do anything to compete against Sky.

At the end of the day, it seems that Sky is the winner out of this but the battle isn’t over when it comes to the next round Rugby and Netball rights later this year.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

EFL Championship 24/25: Burnley continues to draw again this time against Preston North End from the weekend 0-0

by Sports Benches

Another week, another draw other than the win last week v one of the relegation contenders Hull City via their own goal and Burnley hasn’t scored one in a while.

This goes on from the weekend following a 0-0 draw against fellow Lancashire and North side Preston North End at Deepdale.

Now they are five points behind Sheffield United who continued to keep on winning on 70 if not eight points if Leeds United go on to beat Sunderland come tomorrow morning, who has been in free-scoring form over the past 2-3 weeks, and there they are now keeping up with the Championship table after Round 32 of 46.

Although do understand how much Burnley wants to hold on their rock-solid backline that is built around star keeper James Trafford despite starting to slip away from the Top 2 automatic spots. 

Maybe they want to keep that good build up base after all & not bother about the Championship table but if Burnley do miss out Top 2 & go into Play-Offs, this could turn out to be a dangerous game that could see them miss out on a last-chance promotion back to the Premier League. 

However, Leeds and Sheffield United haven’t been consistent though when being tested in the top flight. So this could be one reason as to why Scott Parker (Head Coach) would may as well look to play it safe going into the 2025/26 season.

That is when his biggest test will come into play having only last two full seasons at Fulham back in 2019-21 as well as a season and a bit (2021-22) with Bournemouth – all of which were Premier League promotions during his first year in charge before things came to a crashing end. Don’t forget he did have a spell over in Belgium with Club Brugge but then his time was sadly short lived after 67 days.

It would be great if he can find a way to get them scoring again but I guess he wants to look at something long-term when it comes to stability just like Sean Dyche did throughout the past decade, even though his tactics are dull just like Parker and somehow this could pay off – both getting out of the second tier at first before going on to become a consistent Top 10-15 side in the Premier League. 

For now, Burnley’s next game will be against Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday morning not far within the North at their home ground (Turf Moor).

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Other Sports

2024-25 EFL Championship 29/46: Burnley hold out another draw this time against another title contender in Leeds United

by Sports Benches

Another week, another draw between two of the Championship title contenders in 3rd-placed Burnley & 1st-placed Leeds United at Turf Moor. The good news is that Burnley is still three points away off top spot with Sheffield United standing in the way by one place & point behind in 2nd, so still plenty of time as of Matchday 29/46 + a bit more if they end up outside the Top 2.

It would be awesome if Scott Parker can add that Championship trophy to his silverware cabinet like the Leeds manager (Daniel Farke) has done twice before when he was managing Norwich City (although his record at the PL wasn’t great much like Parker) so he can complete his hat-trick of Championship honours 1 (champion), 2 (runner-up), 3 (play-off winner).

However, it’s been frustrating and insipid at times when it comes to Burnley’s final third attacking play unlike Leeds and even Sheffield United except their defensive record including the goalie James Trafford is ever so strong. They wish they could do that more often like the Plymouth Argyle game last week 5-0 but then Burnley would rather hope for the best for a draw, especially when it’s against a top side.

Yes, the January transfer window isn’t the best time as always but it can also be a good time to make a few changes that could hopefully help them with the distance on the road towards May & be accepted back in the Premier League. 

So far two of the signings they made were free transfers on short term deals with another being a young right back from Denmark while a few have already left to get more minutes on-loan.

They could’ve also done any better when it comes to signing right winger Morgan Whittaker who did extremely well at Plymouth Argyle last season but again, it seems Burnley weren’t serious enough to get over the line at all and Middlesbrough won that race instead. Although you can tell he had attitude issues having declined to play v Burnley the other day just 48 hours before he joined Boro for £6m + another £2m in add-ons.

You never know what could happen like they did by surprise lately going into deadline day. Even if they don’t sign more after January 31, maybe giving Mike Tresor a chance initially as a sub in the second tier while starting out for their next FA Cup game v Southampton would be great – as he still has something to offer despite his setbacks in last recent months.

Burnley will be back a few days later this weekend on the road to Fratton Park v Portsmouth and Leeds return home at Elland Road v 18th-placed Cardiff City.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail