Shorts: London Stadium, Target Darts, Daisy May Cooper
London Stadium has appointed Julie Harrington and Vikram Banerjee as Non-Executive Directors to strengthen its board. In other major UK sports developments, Beau Greaves has signed a long-term management deal with Target Darts, and England has launched a promotional campaign for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Who are the new London Stadium board members?
Julie Harrington and Vikram Banerjee have joined the London Stadium Board following the retirement of Phil Mead. Chair Lyn Garner stated the appointments come at an “exciting time” for the venue, which hosts Premier League football, athletics, and concerts.
Harrington brings experience as a former Managing Director of Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park, as well as roles as Chief Executive of British Cycling and British Horseracing. She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Chester Race Company.
Banerjee is the Managing Director of The Hundred at the England and Wales Cricket Board. He joined the governing body in 2018 and helped launch The Hundred in 2021 to increase the appeal of domestic cricket.
How does Beau Greaves’ Target Darts deal change the game?
Target Darts has signed Beau Greaves to a long-term management agreement covering career management, brand development, and commercial representation. Greaves is the first woman to win a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) ranking title.
This deal places Greaves under the same management as reigning PDC World Champion Luke Littler. Target Darts now represents the world number one-ranked players in both the men’s and women’s games.
James Tattersall, chief executive of Target Darts, said Greaves is helping inspire a new generation of fans. Greaves, a multiple Women’s World Darts Federation (WDF) World Champion, noted that the partnership comes after she made history with her first PDC title.
What can fans expect from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026?
England will host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 from June 12 to July 5. The tournament begins at Edgbaston and concludes with the final at Lord’s.
A new promotional campaign features Daisy May Cooper, Guz Khan, Max Fosh, Hannah Botterman, and Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE. The campaign uses a fictional writers’ room to discuss the importance of female sporting role models.
Rainford-Brent stated the home tournament could drive interest and participation in cricket, comparing the potential impact to the success of the Red Roses and Lionesses. Increased broadcast audiences and attendance for women’s sports in the UK may further support the event’s growth.
How is Sussex Cricket expanding state school access?
Sussex Cricket has signed a three-year partnership extension with Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA). The collaboration has operated for ten years to develop cricket in state schools.
Under the guidance of former England coach Mark Robinson, BACA provides sports development opportunities for over 100 students. The academy also recently started a girls’ cricket programme for students in years 7 to 11 to support the Sussex women’s pathway.
The Aldridge Foundation will remain the front of shirt sponsor for the Sussex women’s team until September 2028. Gary Wallis-Tayler, Director of Sussex Cricket Foundation, said the partnership helps identify talent for Sussex Men, Women, and Disability teams.
What are the new UK National Lottery Lotto odds?
Allwyn, the operator of the UK National Lottery since February 2024, has introduced a two-draw format for Lotto. The new “One ticket, Two chances to win” structure changes the odds of winning any prize from 1 in 9.3 to 1 in 4.9.
This update is the most significant change to the game since its 1994 launch. The accompanying marketing campaign includes outdoor advertising at over 1,000 locations and partnerships with platforms like Twitch.
The campaign was developed by VCCP with support from Studio 59 and media buying by Hearts & Science.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 take place?
The tournament will run from June 12 to July 5, 2026, starting at Edgbaston and ending at Lord’s.
Which professional players does Target Darts now manage?
Target Darts manages world number one-ranked players in both the men’s and women’s games, including Beau Greaves and Luke Littler.
What is the new probability of winning a Lotto prize?
Under the new two-draw format introduced by Allwyn, the odds of winning any prize have improved to 1 in 4.9.
Which of these developments do you think will have the biggest impact on the future of UK sports?