Sport

Spoiler alert: This summer in Northampton is shaping up to be a bit of a belter – and it’s not just because of the Women’s Rugby World Cup (though yes, that’s very much a reason to get excited). From silent discos and stilt walkers to surfing simulators and poetry slams, the town’s Market Square is being transformed into an official Fan Zone that’s about a lot more than just rugby. We’re talking full-on festival vibes, cutting-edge tech, and enough family fun to make you wonder if someone slipped a theme park into the middle of town. And the best bit? It’s all free. "This is about more than just rugby..." Those aren’t just our words – they’re from Cllr James Petter, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure. And he’s not wrong. “Hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Fan Zone right here in Northampton Market..

After a soggy no-show last year (blame the thunder, lightning and sheets of rain), Northamptonshire’s much-loved cycling challenge, Cycle4Cynthia, is making a big, bold return this September—and it’s got its sights set on a record-breaking ride. Mark your diary for Sunday 21st September, because that’s when hundreds of wheels will hit the road, rolling out from the beautiful Althorp Estate for a day of pedal-powered fundraising. Whether you’re a lycra-loving long-hauler or someone who hasn’t ridden since the ‘90s, there’s a route for you—options range from a gentle 5 miles to a thigh-testing 70. And it’s not just about the ride. Cycle4Cynthia is famous for its warm, community vibe—with music, food, family-friendly fun and feel-good energy at the finish line. It’s a celebration of life, love, and the brilliant work of Cynthia Spencer Hospice, which provides vital care to people across Northamptonshire. “Last year’s cancellation was heartbreaking,” says Anita Frith,..

Wellingborough’s own Sammy Moore, a passionate advocate for women’s rugby, played a starring role in breaking a Guinness World Record during a 26-hour rugby marathon raising over £115,000 for mental health and children’s charities. The Guinness World Record attempt took place in Dublin on 18th and 19th June, backed by the British & Irish Lions. The event featured two simultaneous matches, one men’s and one women’s and welcomed 92 participants, four squads of 23 players. All skill levels were encouraged to apply, with endurance, passion, and purpose taking centre stage. Sammy started playing rugby at university, later playing for the Harlequins, Richmond and moved to Ireland at representative levels. After having children, Sammy ran her own Women’s 7’s team called the Pink Barba’s. She now coaches the undefeated Old Northamptonians U12 girls’ team. As a Rugby fanatic, Sammy took to the pitch for an astonishing 22 hours, helping to set..

The new LCS Stand at Sixfields has begun a phased opening process! The club are required to stage a gradual opening of the new facilities, and this process began at the Birmingham City game on Saturday when the general admission seats (available via ntfcdirect.co.uk), first floor lounge and boardroom and second floor executive boxes were open for the first time. Over the coming weeks, other parts of the new stand will open including the new raised wheelchair viewing area and the concourse and the club will communicate those dates in due course. Supporters and guests enjoyed watching the Cobblers draw 1-1 with the high-flying Blues from the club's first ever pitch facing hospitality areas in its 128-year history as the game attracted Northampton Town's biggest ever crowd at Sixfields and the biggest home league crowd since April 1987. "We were delighted..

On Sunday, 16th March, the StoneX Stadium, home to Saracens Rugby, played host to the highly anticipated Premiership Women’s Rugby final. Prior to the main event, a celebration of the future of women’s rugby took place with an exciting under-14s and under-12s girls festival. In a show of community spirit and support for the women’s game, each Premiership team selected local girls' teams to represent them in the festival. For Northamptonshire, Loughborough Lightning chose the Old Northamptonians under-12s girls’ team and Bugbrooke under-14s girls’ team to take part in this unforgettable experience. The event not only allowed these young athletes to play on the same pitch as the stars of the Premiership, but it also spotlighted the incredible growth of girls' rugby across the region. The Old Northamptonians under-12s girls’ team, in particular, have had an extraordinary season, achieving a remarkable record, being undefeated both at home and away. Their..

The daughter of a lifelong cyclist who spent his final days at Cynthia Spencer Hospice will now take part in a cycling fundraiser in his memory. Holly Shannon’s father Simon Bown was diagnosed with cancer in January and died just a few weeks later on 23rd March 2024. His last two days were spent at the hospice where his family were housed overnight so they could be close by. Holly, 50, said: “The hospice was absolutely amazing. Dad was admitted very quickly, and a bed was found at short notice which was very much appreciated. “He went downhill very rapidly. We were given the family room upstairs so we could stay at the hospice and my sister and I slept there. My mum was given a bed next to Dad so she could be with him all night. It would’ve been almost impossible to be with him when he died..

The Mayor of Northampton has congratulated the town’s Saints Rugby Club after their win in the Gallagher Premiership final on Saturday, which saw them become the champions of the English Rugby Union. The team’s 25 -21 win over Bath at Twickenham is their second Premier league title and was celebrated on Sunday, when an open-top bus drove Saints players on a victory parade from Franklin’s Gardens to Northampton town centre. Large crowds gathered outside the Guildhall to cheer the winning team, who were greeted by the Mayor of Northampton Cllr Paul Joyce, the Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council Cllr Jo Gifford and the Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Adam Brown. Addressing Saints players and supporters, Cllr Paul Joyce said: “I stand here today as a very proud Mayor, celebrating the team’s remarkable achievement of winning the Premiership trophy and being the Premiership Champions. “This was a season to remember..

The Ultimate Euro Fan-Zone Experience showing all the games, is coming to The Village in Northampton at Delapre Abbey between Friday 14th June and Sunday 14th July 2024, brought to you by Sky Bet. Expect giant outdoor screen, bars, street food, ping pong & sports activities, plus Wimbledon coverage. Open daily from Friday 14th June through to Sunday 14th July. Standing section tickets £9.50pp. Seated tickets £15.00pp (for a 6-seater table). Both sections have a view of the giant screen. It's open daily and ALL euro 24 games will be shown - entry is free to all fixtures except England games which is ticketed and strictly 18+. When football isn't on, Wimbledon coverage will be shown. Take part in sports activities and ping pong. Children are welcome with responsible parent/guardian and must be supervised at all times (NOT applicable at England games). Dogs also welcome but must be kept on..

Experience the excitement of playing on the legendary turf at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this summer. On June 5, the Northampton Saints will host their Corporate Touch rugby tournament, offering a fantastic afternoon of team-building through rugby. Businesses from across the region are gearing up to compete on the main pitch at the Gardens. The day will feature a BBQ and DJ, providing plenty of opportunities for interaction, bonding, and networking with colleagues, friends, and other businesses. Each team must consist of ten players, including a minimum of two women. Teams will compete for the latest piece of silverware, playing at least four matches throughout the afternoon. There are still spots available for you and your colleagues to join the tournament. Here are the details: Saints Corporate Touch 2024 Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 Time: 12:30 PM to 6:00 PM Location: Main Pitch, cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens Price:..

Moulton Leisure Centre is set to stage a celebration event after four athletes from Northampton Swimming Club were named as part of ParalympicsGB’s squad for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The centre, run by leading operator Everyone Active in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), is keen to showcase the quartet’s fantastic achievement. Attending the Paralympic Games this summer will be multiple Paralympic, world, European and Commonwealth champion Maisie Summers-Newton, European medallist Eliza Humphrey, world medallist Scarlett Humphrey and European medallist Bruce Dee. A celebration event will be held at Moulton Leisure Centre on Saturday, June 15 from 9.15am-9.45am. It will see the public given the opportunity to meet the athletes, take photos, secure autographs, ask questions and wish them luck at the Paralympic Games. Maisie is an Elite athlete on Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions programme, a scheme which offers up-and-coming athletes much-needed support. The Sporting Champions programme has helped..

Racers, motorsport fans and avid gamers can get behind the wheel to race the iconic Silverstone circuit at Silverstone Museum’s all-new Sim Suite At Silverstone. The Museum has launched its latest attraction, announcing the arrival of the Sim Suite At Silverstone, equipped with the UK’s leading racing simulators geared to offering a hyper-realistic racing experience.  Sky Sports F1 analyst and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Simulator driver, Anthony Davidson, visited Silverstone Museum to officially unveil its new bespoke, purpose-built space at the home of British motor racing. The state-of-the-art sims are situated in a new futuristic style, custom-built space at the Museum, which is located trackside of the world-renowned Silverstone race circuit.  The new Sim Suite At Silverstone, which is also available to hire for private events, parties and corporate bookings, is exclusively designed to entertain everyone from motorsport fans and pro-gamers to Museum visitors seeking an exhilarating and adrenaline-fuelled unique experience. Silverstone..

Northampton Bike Park is turning one this month. To celebrate the special milestone an open day is happening on Saturday the 23rd of September at the park on Eagle Drive Northampton. During the day, there will be free coaching sessions, bike maintenance workshops and fun races for juniors. The event is free to attend, the only charge is for car parking, which along with donations, fund the running and upkeep of the park. The event takes place from 9.30 am until 3.30 pm and welcomes both beginners and experienced cyclists to join the celebrations. Happening on the day: Specialist mountain bike demonstrations. Big Bike Revival – Free bike fixing sessions. Prior booking is essential, you can book here Free adult and junior coaching sessions run all day. The sessions are offered on a first come, first served basis and can be booked on the day, booking opens at 10 am...

Young people at risk of permanent exclusion from education or being lured into a life of crime will be among those who are put on the path to a brighter future following the opening of Northampton Saints Foundation’s Corby Hub. The hub, based at Stewart and Lloyds Rugby Football Club in the town, was officially opened by the new Mayor of Corby, Councillor Leanne Buckingham at an event on Wednesday attended by representatives from Northampton Saints Foundation, Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Stephen Mold and the Foundation’s ambassador, Jack Fleckney. The new hub will allow the Foundation to support young people aged between seven and 16 from across the north of the county who have become disengaged from mainstream education through its social inclusion programme, Engage. Each session uses the values of rugby to inspire, support and educate young people to develop new skills and build their confidence. The hub..

FOUNDATION Day – the biggest event in the fundraising calendar for Northampton Saints Foundation – is set to kick off on Saturday, February 25. Being held in partnership with Approved Business Finance and MPA, the event will be centred around Northampton Saints’ Gallagher Premiership clash with Gloucester at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens at 2.45pm. The atmosphere inside the stadium promises to be electric with the chance to meet Saints’ players in the Supporters’ Village, half-time entertainment and a host of incredible prizes to be won in an auction and raffle. Last year’s event raised more than £60,000 to support the foundation’s life-changing work supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and encouraging them back into mainstream education. The Foundation does this by running social inclusion and education programmes in schools and through hubs in Northampton, Milton Keynes and Ipswich. Managing Director, Catherine Deans said: “Foundation Day is an incredibly important..

Calling all you avid golfers! Join Northamptonshire Health Charity for an un-fore-gettable day at their 7th annual Charity Golf Day on Thursday 8th September. The independent charity, which supports local NHS hospitals and community services across the county, are looking for teams to help raise money towards their two current major appeals.  The charity team are working hard with the local community to raise funds for a new outside play area for the children’s wards at Northampton General Hospital. For a child, being able to play whilst being treated in hospital is really important for their recovery as it is reassuring and familiar, enabling children to express their feelings and anxieties. The funds raised from this year’s Golf Day will also benefit the Twinkling Stars appeal for the new maternity bereavement suite at Kettering General Hospital.  Lead Bereavement Midwife, Lisa Drummond, said: “Each year we care for up to 100..