Shorts: The Open, Alex Brooker, BBL

The 154th Open will be played at Royal Birkdale from 12^th to 19^th July 2026.

The Southport links course has previously hosted golf’s original Championship on ten occasions, the last of which was in 2017 when Jordan Spieth emerged victorious in a final-round duel with Matt Kuchar to lift the Claret Jug for the first time.

Martin Slumbers, CEO of the R&A, said, “Royal Birkdale is a world-class Championship venue and its outstanding links will once again provide the world’s best men’s professional golfers with a tough but fair test of their talents and capabilities as they compete for the Claret Jug.

“It has produced many memorable moments that are woven into the story of this historic Championship, including a dramatic final round in 2017 when Jordan Spieth won for the first time. We look forward to another special occasion in three years and it will be fascinating to see which player will emerge to join a list of renowned Champion Golfers to have won at Royal Birkdale.”

Andrew Maxwell, Captain of Royal Birkdale and Chairman of the Championship Committee, added, “We are thrilled and honoured to have been chosen as the host venue for The Open in 2026. Royal Birkdale Golf Club has a rich history with The Open having hosted it ten times previously.

“We look forward to welcoming the world’s best golfers to our magnificent course and providing them with a true test of links golf. The Club is already working hard to ensure that The Open in 2026 will be an unforgettable event for players, spectators and fans around the globe.”

Alex Brooker, the journalist, comedian and co-host of the Last Leg, has become Bloomsbury Football’s first official Ambassador.

The London-based football charity uses a financial assistance model to tackle the barriers to football participation, to ensure every young person has access to a pitch.

The charity also runs a Disability Programme that was launched in 2020 to provide a fun & inclusive space for young people living with disabilities to get on the pitch and experience the power of football.

As a life-long football player and fan, Brooker will be supporting the team at Bloomsbury Football to develop and improve the provision of sessions for young people living with disabilities.

Brooker, commented, “It’s an absolute privilege to join Bloomsbury Football as an ambassador. When I was a teenager, discovering disability football was massive in boosting my confidence and helping me enjoy the game I love. I’m very passionate about everyone having the opportunity to play football and think Bloomsbury Football are doing fantastic work. I’m looking forward to helping them develop their disability programme and getting involved with this brilliant charity.”

The British Basketball League (BBL) has appointed a new Head of Communications, Director of Team Services and Head of Communications.

Neil McKeown joins the organisation as Exec Producer after almost seven years with DAZN, where he oversaw the editorial of every live game at the UEFA Women’s Champions League last season. He has also worked at ITV and Perform – where he was part of its joint venture with FIBA before it became part of DAZN.

McKeown said, “I’ve seen the plans for the growth of the League and how the live coverage is going to play such an important part in that, and I’m delighted to be joining at an incredibly exciting time. Returning to work in live basketball was an easy decision to make and I can’t wait to get started.”

The BBL has also added Anna Jones as its new Head of Communications. She has recently been directing her own PR agency, HERO Communications, which specialised in breaking barriers in sport and helping clients grow participation and awareness from grassroots to elite level.

Finally, Natasha Riall joins the league as Director of Team Services. Riall has experience as a creative project manager from her work with large international sporting events, corporate mass participation challenges, the charity sector, and national governing organisations. 

The Southern Knights, a professional rugby union club that competes in Super 6, has renewed its partnership with global IT and business consulting services company CGI.

As well as playing an active part in the Knights’ rugby development initiatives across the local community, CGI’s logo will also continue to be displayed on the Knights’ match and training kit for the 2023-24 Super Series season.

Knights’ General Manager Kieran Cooney, said, “CGI have been an amazing supporter of the Knights programme since its inception in 2019 and it is tremendous news that they have renewed their partnership with the club.”

“This partnership has a huge impact and has allowed us to restructure our community programme which will enable us to deliver a more enhanced rugby and well-being provision to the local community”.