Archive May 21, 2025

The London Broncos have teamed up with Australian business Freshwater Strategy to create a new ownership structure and “catapult” the franchise back to the top of rugby league.

Gary Hetherington, the Rhinos’ current chief executive, will step down at the end of the current season.

In addition to reestablishing an academy as part of a five-year “rebranding” plan, the Broncos will remain based at AFC Wimbledon’s stadium.

Due to a new grading system, the club lost its Super League status at the end of 2024, and owner David Hughes sold it in September.

At an event held at Australia House in London, Hetherington claimed that “London needs to be a part of rugby league because it is at a significant time both nationally and internationally.”

The importance of rugby league in terms of our ties to Australia and the South Pacific is acknowledged by Stephen Smith, Australia’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom, and his team.

A statement from Freshwater Strategy states that their involvement is aimed at making the London Broncos a “world-class franchise under new ownership.”

In 1997, the Broncos reached the Challenge Cup final, where they placed second in owner Hughes’ first year of office, and they placed second in Super League.

According to Freshwater director Jonathon Flegg, “Our partnership with London Rugby is centered on growing sponsors and investment supported by NRL [National Rugby League] partnerships and an exciting and contemporary club rebrand.”

With the strongest brand, membership, merchandise, venue, sponsorships, governance, and on-field competitiveness, our goal is to help catapult the club back into the Super League.

The Broncos are currently tied for second place in the championship with just two victories out of their nine league games this year.

Director of rugby and performance Mike Eccles stated that “it is obvious that the team for 2025 needs to be strengthened, which is active and growing.

Rugby league reporter for BBC Sport Matt Newsum

Although this isn’t the Broncos’ first rodeo in terms of new ownership and grand plans, the identity of those involved in this endeavor definitely gives it some credibility and gives the hope that this won’t just be another sign of disappointment.

Gary Hetherington has lived at both ends of the rugby league world and helped to establish Sheffield Eagles from scratch. His knowledge and experience will be invaluable.

The urgency of restoring the academy is crucial because it benefits a club with a strong focus on producing players and a sizable catchment of athletic talent that can be drawn upon by other teams in the city if their development strategy is executed.

A thriving Broncos team is seen as essential to both their and their strategic partner IMG’s hopes for the game because Freshwater’s involvement highlights both the interest in and lure of London from the Australian perspective and the National Rugby League’s interest in investment in the game as a whole.

After learning of Damir’s passing, Jelena Dokic describes her grief as “difficult and complicated.”

Dokic, a former world number four until she retired in 2014, revealed in 2017 that her father had repeatedly abused her physically and mentally.

After becoming abusive in the players’ lounge during the US Open, Damir was suspended from all WTA Tour events for six months in 2000.

He was also imprisoned in 2009 for using a hand grenade to attack the Australian ambassador to Serbia.

Dokic had been separated from her father for ten years, and in 2000 made it to the semi-finals.

Australia’s Dokic wrote, “My relationship with my father has been difficult and painful with a lot of history,” in a caption that appeared beneath an Instagram photo of her father and herself as a young child.

It’s never easy to lose a parent and a father, even if you are separated from them, despite everything and no matter how difficult, difficult, or ineffective our communication and relationship were.

Dokic, 42, has won six WTA singles titles in her career.

Dokic claimed in her 2017 autobiography, Unbreakable, that she had just a suitcase and her tennis bag when she left home in the middle of the night after giving her father all of her income.

Dokic continued on Wednesday, saying, “Life as it is, and this is the end of a chapter.” For me, there are many conflicting and complex emotions and feelings.

I choose to concentrate on a memorable memory like this picture for the chapter’s conclusion.

“And as always, and especially significant to who I am as a person and what I want to stand for, which are respect, grace, kindness, dignity, and empathy.

I’ll leave it there for the time being.

Rory McIlroy, the masters champion, declares that he is “excited” to compete in India’s DP World India Championship in the coming year.

The new event, which will take place from October 16 to October 19, will feature the five-time major winner.

“I’m excited to visit a country I’ve always wanted to explore as well as tee it up in India for the first time,” McIlroy said.

“I’m proud to compete in the first DP World India Championship.” There is a lot of potential to grow golf further in the country, and I’ve always enjoyed playing a global schedule.

“I’m excited to play in front of Indian golf fans, and this is a great opportunity.”

McIlroy’s first visit to India comes as a result of his recent announcement to play the Australian Open for the first time in 11 years in December.

The world no. 2 will play at Royal Melbourne from 4 to 7 December, and he has also pledged to compete in Kingston Heath’s 2026 tournament. He won the 2013 Australian Open.

McIlroy makes his return to action at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio on May 29 after finishing tied for 47th overall at the US PGA Championship last week.