After three months and 2,000 public nominations, VisitEngland’s Home of Sport shortlist is revealedand Manchester makes it onto the shortlist as having the best sporting attractions.
The judges say
“Manchester’s cityscape is full of iconic and ambitious sporting venues. The city is home to the National Cycling Centre, the world’s busiest velodrome and BMX track which is open to the public. The National Squash Centre and Manchester Aquatics Centre were both specifically built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games hosted by the city. Manchester is renowned of course for its football, and Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium are two of the most iconic venues for our national sport. There’s also the National Football Museum, and now Hotel Football, so fans can really make a break of it. ”
James Berresford, VisitEngland’s Chief Executive says: “shortlisting six destinations from a pool of 2,000 nominations was a tough job. Between them, these destinations showcase England’s diversity as a sporting country – its unrivalled sporting heritage, our expertise in hosting world class events, and the winning combination of iconic modern venues and natural wonders. We are excited to see which of our worthy shortlist the public crowns the country’s ultimate Home of Sport”.
The other nominations were as follows
The people’s choice (most nominations) – Nottingham
Historic cricket ground Trent Bridge was recently the site of our glorious Ashes win, while the Aegon Open returned to the city this summer for the first time since 2008. Robin Hood fans can try their hand at archery in Sherwood Forest or take the ultimate fitness test in the Outlaw Triathlon, a gruelling Ironman-distance course. Nottingham’s other assets include the historic Notts County FC and Nottingham Forest, which famously took the European Cup under Brian Clough. The number and diversity of nominations received for Nottingham made it our People’s Choice.
Sporting playground – Yorkshire
The rolling hills, expansive moors and untouched coastline makes Yorkshire a veritable sporting playground. Last year’s Tour de France, which took the peloton through beautiful Yorkshire scenery and the iconic towns of Leeds, Harrogate, York and Sheffield, paved the way for this year’s inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, and this vast county is now globally recognised for its cycling offering. With its network of caves, towering peaks and beautiful coastline, the countryside is awash with space for cavers, climbers and kayakers.
Biggest claim to fame – Rugby
It was on the playing field at Rugby School that, nearly 200 years ago, the game of rugby was born. Here in 1823 William Webb Ellis picked up the ball during a football match and ran with it, changing the game forever. Rugby School is also accredited with many of the words associated with the sport – from ‘try’ to ‘goal line’ – as well as giving the England team its defining white shirt and with inventing ‘caps’, originally given to the school boys deemed good enough to play for the main teams. Rugby became the winter sport of the British Empire, spreading to France, Argentina, Japan and the rest of the world, and today international teams still battle for the ‘Webb Ellis’ trophy in the World Cup. All thanks to this Warwickshire market town.
Quirkiest sports – Gloucestershire
Home to several of our nation’s quirkiest sports and pastimes, Gloucestershire earned its place in VisitEngland’s Home of Sport shortlist with such nominations as River Football in Bourton-on-the-Water, an annual match played in the trickling River Windrush, and the Cotswolds Olympicks, an unusual spectacular now over 400 years old. Tetbury’s Wacky Races sees competitors building their own vehicles for the annual Soapbox Derby, while visitors to the River Severn can try their hand at river surfing in spring and autumn and the fearless can hurl themselves down Cooper’s Hill in pursuit of cheese in the county’s annual cheese-rolling competition.
Iconic venues and events – London
London’s skyline is peppered with iconic sporting venues. The enduring legacy of hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has included such splendid structures as Lee Valley Velopark, Lee Valley White Water Centre, and the Aquatics Centre. South West London’s Twickenham Stadium and Wimbledon All England Tennis Club are recognisable worldwide; while the history of venues such as Lords, the Oval and Royal Blackheath Golf Club make them a must-see. Take a tour of one of many leading football club stadiums including Tottenham,, Chelsea and Arsenal, or hone your sporting trivia with a visit to the national museum for tennis (Wimbledon), rugby (Twickenham) or cricket (Lords).
