Grassroots MMA in Sheffield celebrates growing success
A gym and mixed martial arts academy based in Kelham Island recently celebrated its second birthday after two members were rewarded with silverware for their efforts.
Amy Dalrymple, who has attended Unrivalled MMA for two years, won her first competitive fight last month in a local match at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield.
Speaking about the experience, Amy said: “It was really scary initially, but I’m so glad that I did it.
“I just felt so tired, so heavy. But then I went into that third round and something just clicked for me. It felt like I’d done it for myself and for the coaches.”
She was joined in her success by the recent victory of Adam Clarke, a fellow Unrivalled member who won a no-gi grappling bout in Manchester along with a belt for an MMA victory last June.
The gym was founded two years ago by coach Brett Baker, a former MMA fighter who made the decision to train others after a period of illness.
Commenting on the success of the fighters, Mr Baker said: “I’m just really in awe of a lot of the people who come in and put the work in and the achievements they have.
“I’m not just teaching them what I know, I’m watching them grow.”
This growth has come rapidly, with the gym expanding to include other coaches and members to spur each other on to success.
Of her own journey, Ms Dalrymple said: “It’s that constant striving to better myself, and be the best version of myself, and that’s how I ended up in my first competition.
“It might only seem like a local competition, but it was an amalgamation of all this hard work and it’s a testament to the club and my teammates that I’ve got to this point.”
After her victory in her first competitive match, when asked if she is looking to compete again in the future, Ms Dalrymple said: “Even if it’s just once or twice a year for me, it’s that self-improvement.
“I know there’s no pressure from Brett, he just wants me to do the best that I can and that I’m fulfilled by whatever this is.”
Mr Baker is also looking at ways to promote the sport to youngsters, including by establishing a charity called Unrivalled Mental Health to work with local communities to make the gym accessible to young people at risk of being groomed into gangs.
The project will look to give these at risk young people a safe space and an outlet to get away from street violence.
For people interested in getting into the sport, the coaches encouraged prospective members to find the right gym for them to feel comfortable in and grow by searching online.
They also suggested attending a session with no pressure to get involved immediately, but that being engaged with one another when training began was key.
Mr Baker said: “There’s nowhere to hide on the mats, everyone’s equal when you train in martial arts.
“You’ve all got to be equal because you’ve all got to help each other. That’s what brings a sense of community I think.
“Remember, everybody started somewhere and the best time to start is today.”
Downing Street denies PM ‘backseat driver’ to Budget
An official spokesperson for No. 10 rejected the suggestion that Rishi Sunak is the driving force behind Wednesday's upcoming Budget.
When asked if Rishi Sunak sees the Chancellor as timid and lacking imagination, the spokesman said "absolutely not".
“The Chancellor is working very closely with the Prime Minister to deliver our plan for the economy and obviously the Chancellor will be setting out further measures in line with that on Wednesday at the Budget,” said the spokesman.
These statements come after a photo of the Prime Minister closely studying the Chancellor's laptop surfaced.
International Women’s Day event a “cultural and diverse celebration of women”
International Women’s Day is on Friday 8 March, today Zest held an event to celebrate women.
Zest is a community enterprise based in Upperthorpe which works to tackle local inequalities and works closely to support women in the community.
The event included crafts, poetry, an international traditional dress fashion show, international food and dancing.
Rachel Mills, organiser of the event, said: “It is a cultural and diverse celebration of women, in particular, Zest is based in Upperthorpe and there’s a lot of different cultures that are represented.
“We want to celebrate that as an organisation and the richness that they bring to Zest.
“Relationships with women in the community are really important and we want to empower women to do even more in the communities.”
International Women's Day is a global movement to unite and celebrate the social, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide and rally for women's equality.
Miss Mills explained what challenges most impact women today from her experience working with women at Zest.
She said: “Being respected and seen as equal is something women struggle with, being appreciated for their skills including leadership or skills not traditionally associated with women.”
“So the event is important for seeing the strength of women and how much they have to bring.”
Freyja Pearman,19 , campaigning for student women's officer for the University of Sheffield, explained that International Women's day events like Zests are important to showcase the leaps and strides that women have achieved.
She said: "the main challenges are that women are unheard and their problems are played down in terms of societal expectations."
"Especially coming from a place of neurodivergency, like I am with my campaign, a lot of women with autism and ADHD are not listened to properly."
Zest's event took place earlier this afternoon at Shipton Street Hall.
BREAKING: Sheffield councillor suspended by Labour Party
Councillor Peter Price has been suspended by the Labour Party pending investigation for alleged antisemitic posts on social media, according to BBC Sheffield's senior political reporter Lucy Ashton.
Cllr Price has been a city councillor for 52 years and currently represents Shiregreen and Brightside ward.
More to follow.
“The women we’re supporting, we want them to thrive”
Kings Active Foundation has partnered with Mums In Need, a charity that supports women who have left abusive relationships, to subsidise 90% of the cost of a week’s sports camp for 20 families.
Case co-ordinator at Mums In Need, Nicola Rickwood, 40, said some of the women that come to the charity have suffered economic abuse and been left in debt by their ex-partners, so would not be able to afford this otherwise.
She said: “The women we’re supporting, we want them to thrive.
Their goal is to have 3.5% of their UK camp places funded through the program and they are also trying to provide around 10,000 children a year with free activity sessions in schools across the country.
Pollution in Sheffield’s River Don poses urgent threat to wildlife
A new report on UK rivers has found Sheffield’s River Don is in "poor health", with ongoing pollution from sewage discharge.
Last autumn, Yorkshire Water announced they would raise water bills in South Yorkshire by £150 a year until 2030 to pay for the sewer network improvements needed to reduce discharge.
The company also plans to spend £1.4bn between 2025 and 2030, including some of the revenue from increased water fees, to reduce sewage overflows by 35%.
In addition to sewage, pollutants in the Don include high levels of flame-retardant chemicals, fabric stain protectors, mercury, ammonia, and pesticides. This is largely caused by urban runoff, such as chemicals and oil from cars washing from the roads into the river.
The Wire’s own wins big
A Sheffield Wire student journalist stunned viewers when he took home over £5,000 on ITV's The Chase on Friday afternoon.
Tom Burton, 28, who is studying an MA in Journalism was one of three winning contestants who collectively beat the chaser to win £17,000.
The two minute general knowledge chase down was nail-bitingly close, coming down to the final question where the chaser failed to answer in time.
Mr Burton said of his experience on the gameshow: "I barely slept a wink the night before, I was up all night with anxiety and palpitations and when I got into the studio my whole body was just shaking."
“Bookies have us as the whipping boys” against Gunners
Sheffield United host Arsenal tonight at Bramall Lane as massive underdogs, as the Blades fight to stay in football's top league.
A victory for the Blades would elevate it from nineteenth, ahead of Burnley, who lost 2-0 to Bournemouth yesterday.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have won their previous five Premier League games and are currently third in the league, behind only Liverpool and Manchester City.
Sheffield United's manager, Chris Wilder, said: "The bookies will have us as the whipping boys tonight.
“We understand that but the game’s not always built like that. Results aren’t decided on league position.”
Read more below.
Red Bull dominate season-opener in Bahrain, but Horner remains talk of the paddock
Max Verstappen and Red Bull got a perfect start off the line in Bahrain and drove to a commanding victory, with teammate Sergio Perez coming home to take second place.
Team principal Christian Horner has been at the forefront of the drama in and around the Red Bull garage following allegations of "inappropriate behaviour" towards a female colleague, with Verstappen describing him to be "a little bit distracted" after qualifying.
Verstappen's father - former F1 driver Jos - said he believes the situation “is driving people apart” and "there is tension here [at Red Bull] while he [Horner] remains in position.”
The teams are currently preparing for the second race of the new season in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Teenager hospitalised with “serious” injuries after stabbing in Burngreave
A 17-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of affray which led to a teenage boy being hospitalised this morning.
The boy, also 17, was stabbed outside a property on Shirecliffe Road and received "serious, but not life-threatening or life-altering injuries", South Yorkshire Police said.
Many locals were unaware of the incident, but one resident said it was not uncommon for the area, and described witnessing a gun incident last November.
Jennie Chapman, whose parents live on Musgrave Road said: “It’s not the best area. I’m not happy about it because my parents are vulnerable.”
Part of Shirecliffe Road, between Longley Avenue West and Musgrave Road was cordoned off at 6.18am but has since reopened.
The boy remains in police custody and enquiries are ongoing.
Wilder: “Results aren’t decided on league position”
The Blades host Arsenal tonight as huge underdogs at Bramall Lane.
The Gunners are hoping to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City at the top and they come into tonight's game as clear favourites.
Arsenal have scored 19 goals in their previous four games and are unbeaten in 2024.
The Blades, rooted to the foot of the table, have only won three games all season, taking just 13 points.
Blades boss Chris Wilder said: "The bookies will have us as the whipping boys tonight.
"We understand that but the game's not always built like that. Results aren't decided on league position."
The idea of throwing the form book out of the window and focusing on the game as a stand-alone fixture could be crucial in determining if the Blades can get out of their current rut.
Especially with the game being at Bramall Lane, as United's fans can create a hostile environment for their opponents.
On how he is preparing his side for the game, Wilder said: "We're going to dress it up as a cup tie.
"I said to them, if it were an FA Cup match, you'd have nothing to lose. Go out there and make a good account of yourself."
Wilder also confirmed that the squad has been given a boost by players returning from injury.
Brereton Diaz has scored two in three games since joining from Spanish club Villarreal, whereas Greek international George Baldock hasn't played for the Blades since December.
Both could be vital in their hopes of causing an upset tonight.
The odds are certainly stacked against Sheffield United, who have only scored 22 times this season. Arsenal on the other hand, have scored 25 goals since 20 January.
Wilder doesn't want those stats to deter the fans, however.
He had a message for those who are doubting his side's chances tonight: "What would you rather do? Would you prefer to be playing a Championship club on the night, or Arsenal in front of the world?
"I know where I'd rather be" he said.
Lawrence Fox broke broadcasting rules, says Ofcom
The regulatory body announced that GB News was in breach of rule 2.3 concerning harm and offence following a five month investigation.
Following a misogynistic rant on GB News’ 'Dan Wootton Tonight' in September 2023, both Fox and programme host Dan Wootton were suspended by the broadcaster. Both were ultimately fired.
Ofcom said it has "significant concerns about GB News’ editorial control of its live output" and has requested a meeting with the news organisation to discuss compliance practices.
The broadcast was the most complained about show of 2023 and as of September 2023, Ofcom had at least 12 investigations into the organisation.