As Chair of Tamworth Spartans Volleyball Club, and having worked as a consultant for Volleyball England, he was well aware that the governing body was encountering difficult times.

Encouraged to stand as an Elected Board Director by then-Chief Executive Janet Inman, he has since played an important role in helping the organisation get back on a sound financial and structural footing. 

Only then, in later years of his eight-year tenure, has he been able to help drive and develop the game in England, as Chair of the An Ace Service Sub-group. 

“Going back nine years I was doing (communications) consultancy work for Volleyball England, having gone self-employed in 2016, when Janet asked me to work in the office two days a week,” said Simon. 

“Eventually the communications went back to an in-staff role, but Janet asked me if I would consider applying to be on the Board. 

“I’d been Chair of my club for five years, so I thought it was something I could use my experience to get involved with.” 

Since then, it’s been a tenure of “two halves” for Simon, who has helped Volleyball England through the Covid-19 Pandemic and overseen much positive change. 

First, though, came some challenging times when keeping the organisation functioning remained the number one priority. 

He said: “Volleyball England was in trouble in 2017, and, in the first two years, it was all about trying to safeguard the organisation. 

“At that time, Volleyball England was essentially on Sport England’s naughty step, and it was a hand-to-mouth existence just to make sure we continued. 

“It was not always a fun time as Janet and the Board tried to get the sport back on an even keel. We spent a lot of time plowing through financial updates and Sport England submissions. We had to make some hard choices. 

“But all that effort paved the way for the second half, which was to be more interesting and proactive.

“One of the best things was creating The Game Plan, which was launched in 2020. In the second half of 2019, I spent a lot of time with Adam (Walker), Seyram (Atubra), Sue (Storey) and Clare (Francis) working on the plan. 

“I am very proud of the contribution I have made and the progress we have made as an organisation, which is unrecognisable now from when I first became involved.”

Among the highlights of Simon’s stint on the Board has been the staging of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. 

As a proud West Midlander, he was delighted to see its impact on the city, with the Bello brothers, Javier and Joaquin, winning a bronze medal for England in the beach volleyball. 

“To be involved in an organisation that is helping something like the Commonwealth Games in your home city was amazing,” said Simon. 

“Another thing from which I take great pride is starting the process of reviewing the refereeing structure, and also looking at some of the challenges facing the NVL. 

“Some of the things that have been implemented might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we have been doing what we think is right to try to raise standards in the sport.” 

While thoroughly enjoying his time in post, Simon believes now is the right time for other people to step up, having served a maximum of eight years on the Board. 

His replacement in the role will be decided by a vote of member clubs at this weekend’s AGM, where they will choose between Anton Kornilov and Jeanne Riot. 

“Eight years is a long time,” said Simon. “This will give other people the chance to come in with fresh enthusiasm… I think eight years is about the maximum. 

“I’ve said to Adam (Walker) and the other directors that if they need help or advice, then they can always come to me, just as remains the case with Clare (Francis, former Deputy Chair). 

“Like her, I will continue to play a big part in volleyball, both on the club scene and helping with the West Midlands Volleyball Association (for whom wife Kara is Chair). 

“In my professional life I’ve been setting up a new board game café close to where I live in Moseley. 

“That’s happening alongside me continuing my other work, so it’s going to be a very busy time for me, even after coming to the end of this role.

“I’d like to thank Adam, as Chair. I’ve learned a lot from him and being in contact with him. I really like the working environment he has established for the Board and he’s been able to make sure that everyone’s voice has been heard.”

Friday, 14 July 2028 will be a day to remember for fans, athletes and performers alike, as the Olympic Games LA28 spring to life with an undoubtedly memorable Opening Ceremony split between two iconic venues: the ​​LA Memorial Coliseum and 2028 Stadium in Inglewood.

Beginning at 17:00 local time (GMT -7), the ceremony will be perfectly timed to take full advantage of the afternoon sun, so-called “golden hour” lighting and what will hopefully be a spectacular sunset over the City of Angels.

The timing of the Opening Ceremony was revealed as part of the first version of the detailed competition calendar released by LA28 on Monday, 14 July, which coincided with the three years to go milestone for the Olympic Games LA28.

The competition schedule – which can be viewed by day and by session – sets the tone for two (and a little extra) incredible weeks of sporting competition, beginning with preliminary action across seven sports on Wednesday, 12 July.

There will certainly be plenty of excitement in the air along the world-famous shores of Venice Beach during the early morning hours of Saturday, 15 July, with triathlon set to award the first set of medals at the Olympic Games LA28.

In fact, the first week of the Olympic Games LA28 will have an entirely different flavour than the Olympic Games Paris 2024, as athletics swaps places with swimming on the competition calendar, bringing track and field finals forward by a week, while leaving the marathons in their traditional slot at the end of the Olympic Games.

Of course, that doesn’t mean the second week of the Olympic Games LA28 will be any less entertaining, with swimming finals at the 2028 Stadium in Inglewood creating a once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere in the heart of Los Angeles.

For fans interested in wall-to-wall action, Saturday, 29 July will likely be a highlight of the Games. Featuring 16 gold and bronze medal team sport matches, along with 19 finals in individual sports, there’ll be an almost endless buffet of sports to choose from on what could easily be dubbed “Super Saturday.”

Unfortunately, as the idiom goes, all good things must come to an end – and the Olympic Games LA28 are no exception.

After 19 days of unforgettable action, the Olympic Games LA28 will reach their conclusion during a highly-anticipated Closing Ceremony at 18:00 local time (GMT -7) on Sunday, 30 July.

Stay tuned for more updates about the Olympic Games LA28 on Olympics.com.

BYU freshman Suli Davis had 800 kills during her senior season at Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas.

That’s not a misprint.

The number is almost unbelievable. The high school leader in kills in Utah last season according to MaxPreps was Bountiful’s Taylor Harvey. The state’s Ms. Volleyball and University of Texas signee totaled 604 kills in 105 sets, or 5.8 kills per set.

Davis, who was named national Player of the Year by PrepVolleyball.com, produced her 800 kills in 122 sets, which works out to 6.6 kills per set. For her career, Davis had 2,099 kills.

They play some pretty good volleyball in the state of Texas and Colleyville Heritage is a AAAAA (5A) school with more than 1,800 students.

So just how good will Davis be in her freshman season at BYU? Good question, and one that will be answered next month when the Cougars get started on the 2025 season.

In the meantime, Davis has proved she can do her thing at the world level.

Davis’ play led the U.S. U19 National Team to a silver medal at the 2025 World Championships this weekend in Croatia. The Americans fell to Bulgaria 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 29-27) in the final on Sunday. Davis contributed a 13-kill, 16-dig double-double, along with three aces. She finished with 88 kills and 16 aces in all matches and was named the tournament’s Best Outside Hitter.

The 6-foot-2 Cougar freshman led the Americans in kills in four of their eight matches in Croatia, tallying double-digit kills in five of them. She paced the U.S. in aces on five separate occasions as well.

Davis helped the Americans medal for a fourth straight World Championship after the U19 U.S. team won gold in 2023 following the FIVB’s event age group switch. The U18 squad took bronze in 2021 and gold in 2019.

“Its a great opportunity,” Davis said during a recent interview on BYU Sports Nation. “When I go into it I’m really hard on myself but I have to give myself grace and just think that not everyone gets this chance. Only 18 went to training and only 12 get to go to Croatia, so it’s fun. Everyone is really good and competing. It’s a whole mix of emotions, but you have to to let it go and just play volleyball.”

Davis leads a strong freshman class into the 2025 season for BYU, a group that also includes 6-2 opposite hitter Anna Blamires (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 5-8 libero Kaylee Tingey (Overland Park, Kan.) and 5-11 setter Grace Fredrick (Salt Lake City).

All four of the freshmen enrolled in January, participating in spring practice as well as a summer player-run workouts.

“Suli is very physical at the net,” BYU coach Heather Olmstead said. “She has a great arm and jumps well. She really uses her physicality. She can pass and play defense so she’s a six-rotation player. We played four freshmen last year and freshmen don’t know what they don’t know. All of them (this year’s freshmen) are learning our systems. They are in the gym and in the weight room working hard and utilizing all of our resources.”

Returning junior Claire Little Chambers had this to say about Davis: “Players like that come in and change programs. We’re excited to see what she will bring to BYU.”

Olmstead, meanwhile, will spend the next month coaching the U.S. U21 team in the Pan Am Cup in Costa Rica. Then its back to Provo for preseason workouts in the Smith Fieldhouse to prepare for Year 3 in the Big 12.

“Everyone in the Big 12 is really good, from top to bottom,” Olmstead said. “We cant rest on our laurels. We have to bring it every night and that’s what the players want. Not everyone is going to have their best game every night. Sometimes we have to figure things out and problem solve that night. All of the girls have a great growth mindset.”

Life is good.

You can’t help but get that feeling during beach season on the Great Lakes.

It’s lying out in the sun in pursuit of a tan. Or sitting in the shade to avoid the rays.

It’s diving into the waves. Or running away from the tide.

It’s noticing the music and the scent of barbecue cutting through the air.

That is how photographer David Zurick describes summers on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, which he documents in his new book, “The Third Coast: America’s Great Lakes Shoreline.”

But Zurick is just as fond of those quieter moments on the beach, like just before sunrise on Lake Michigan in St. Clair County. There, he photographed two people capturing the pink and blue hues of the horizon on their phones.

“You can almost see the earth turning on its axis,” said Zurick, 69, who lives in the hills outside of Berea, Ky.

That is just one of many unplanned moments recorded in the book, which he said reflects his personal view of the Great Lakes.

“The beauty of any art is it allows you to see the world in a certain way and, frankly, to see yourself in a different way while you’re engaged in it,” he said.

Photograph copyright © David Zurick. Cover design: Marianne Jankowski.

Released July 15 by Northwestern University Press, “The Third Coast” celebrates the Great Lakes’ 4,500-mile shoreline, which covers more distance than the country’s Atlantic and Pacific Coasts combined. Organized by season and lake, the collection highlights cherry blossoms along Lake Michigan in spring, golden foliage bordering Lake Huron in autumn, ice climbers and fishermen braving Lake Superior in winter, and even more merrymaking in the presence of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

The book inspires readers to consider not just the beauty and diversity of the Great Lakes, but the industries it feeds, the challenges it faces and the people it influences.

Known for his international work photographing sites such as the Himalayas and Polynesia, Zurick had to put his travels on hold during the pandemic. Instead, he decided to embark on a stateside project with personal ties. Having grown up in a town on Lake Huron, exploring the Great Lakes with his Sony RX1R digital still camera proved to be a meaningful experience.

“The biggest surprise that I had is the realization that I had just as big of an adventure and came away as creatively satisfied as I have on any of my projects anywhere in the world,” he said.

While “#SummerTime Chi is top of mind this time of year, readers won’t see familiar images of North Avenue Beach or Oak Street Beach in the book. Instead, they may be inspired to take a road trip north to see the sand dunes in Michigan. Zurick showcases the scale of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, as well as the fun of riding a dune buggy at Silver Lake Park. He also photographed the downward slope of a dune in Oceana County. The perception is that trees are growing out of the sand, but the reality is that the dune is migrating into a forest.

The book’s cold-weather images of Lake Superior are just as intriguing. The journey to capture the cover shot began with a walk on the ice at the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin. After a couple miles, Zurick spotted a rock formation with a narrow base and wide top covered with snow and vegetation.

“It looks like it’s going to topple over at any second,” he said.

Zurick also met people who seemed unfazed by the frigid temperature. In Marquette, Mich., he took a portrait of a woman and her dog, Shadow, both bundled up in the below-zero weather.

“It was amazing to see this woman out there,” he said. “I don’t know how much her dog was enjoying it, but she was definitely enjoying being out there.”

Photos of ice-bearded surfers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan didn’t make it into print, but Zurick found the men fascinating.

“These are wild guys,” he said. “They get in wetsuits and they go out and ride these waves. And when they’re done, they’re just frozen.”

Zurick illustrates the lakes’ impact on the economy through simple yet interesting photos of mill logs in Alger County, Mich., a sugar beet harvest in Sebewaing, Mich., and a nuclear power plant in Port Clinton, Ohio.

And he doesn’t shy away from showing the effects of pollution. The book features images of leftover materials from an iron ore mine in Marquette County, Mich.; a layer of smog in Lake County, Ind.; and brown runoff in Ottawa County, Ohio.

Documenting those environments prompted Zurick to reflect on the downside of human interaction with the lakes. But he said he was heartened by their resiliency, especially when regulations are put into place.

“That is a great lesson for us to know about the planet at large,” he said. “The lakes gave me an opportunity to explore that as well.”

“Come help me build the future!” This is what Alexis Ohanian has urged as he rallies support to elevate track and field. It all started on July 6, after the 2025 Prefontaine Classic, when an X user posted the intense photo finish between Yared Nuguse and Niels Laros, wondering how track isn’t already the world’s biggest sport. Ohanian jumped in with a bold promise: “It will be one of the most popular.” He followed up with the rallying call and dropped a link to his upcoming Athlos NYC event on October 10, 2025. The tech entrepreneur has big plans for the sport, though one has to wonder if he’s keeping the Grand Slam Track fallout in mind.

The track and field world had been eagerly awaiting the final leg of the Grand Slam Track in Los Angeles. But on June 12, Michael Johnson announced the abrupt end of the league’s inaugural season, cancelling the much-anticipated LA event. The news disappointed many, especially after the excitement generated by the previous stops in Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia. So what caused the cancellation? While Grand Slam Track has consistently denied financial troubles as the reason, there are clear signs the once well-funded venture is scaling back. This wave of cost-cutting has directly impacted the athletes, enough to prompt Alexis Ohanian to finally speak out.

Front Office Sports published a report on July 12 featuring Alexis Ohanian’s take on the situation. Tensions between Grand Slam Track and Ohanian’s Athlos NYC had flared up before, with public back-and-forths between the two sides. Still, the sudden collapse of Michael Johnson’s ambitious league didn’t please Ohanian. He remarked, “No one is celebrating this. … No one wants to see less investment in the sport.” As for the ongoing payment disputes with athletes, Ohanian didn’t hold back: “Nothing could prepare me for the broke-ness that exists in the infrastructure around this sport, and the sort of low-integrity behavior. … It’s sad.” But what exactly are these payment disputes about?

At its launch, Grand Slam Track promised a groundbreaking financial model: $12.6 million in prize money spread across four events, plus salaries for its 48 core “racers” and smaller appearance fees for “challengers” making single appearances. Winning an event group came with a hefty $100,000 payout — far more than traditional track meets offered. However, by canceling the L.A. meet and the Philly 5K, GST saved over $3 million. Despite that, many athletes still haven’t been paid for their performances in Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia. GST executive Kyle Merber addressed this in an email, saying, “We plan to make payments for Kingston prize money before the end of July and the remaining payments due by the end of September, which includes the honouring of Los Angeles appearance fees.” Whether this timeline is realistic or not remains uncertain, but the cautious tone in their messaging is unmistakable.

On top of that, Michael Johnson’s league faced another awkward moment last week. Grand Slam Track’s TikTok account, which is still active, posted a video featuring Gabby Thomas, the dynamic sprinter and triple Olympic gold medalist from Paris, who was also one of the league’s marquee athletes. Thomas commented on the post, writing, “So dope!!” followed by a blunt reminder: “Pls pay me.” Amid all this, the question remains — what does Alexis Ohanian plan to do differently to change the landscape?

Alexis Ohanian is on his way to mend things. 

Last year, Athlos NYC made waves — but for Alexis Ohanian, that was just the beginning. He saw a bigger opportunity, a chance to reshape the very foundation of track and field. So for 2026, Athlos isn’t just coming back — it’s evolving.

Ohanian is building a team-based women’s track and field league, with multiple meets set in major cities, designed for the fans, powered by innovation, and — most importantly — led by the athletes themselves. This isn’t just another competition series; it’s a reimagination of how the sport can be seen, felt, and celebrated.

And the athletes? They’re already dreaming about it. Gabby Thomas, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Tara Davis-Woodhall aren’t just competitors here — they’re advisor-owners, steering the vision from the ground up. On May 29, Gabby couldn’t help but share her excitement: “I dreamt about Athlos last night.” A day earlier, Sha’Carri lit up X with three simple, loaded words: “It’s time!” With momentum building, one thing is clear — for Athlos and for the sport itself, a new era is just beginning.

The PGA TOUR’s pivot to digital-first content production is no longer a gamble—it’s a strategic bet on the future of sports media. With its latest venture, Truth or Putt, a collaboration with ATTN: and Dunkin’, PGA TOUR Studios has crafted a blueprint for merging viral social trends with traditional sports storytelling. This show isn’t just entertainment; it’s a masterclass in leveraging Gen Z’s content preferences to diversify revenue streams and secure a seat at the table of the $150 billion digital media market. Here’s why investors should take note.

The Rise of “Truth or Putt”: Short-Form Gold

Truth or Putt embodies the “fast, fearless, and built for the feed” ethos needed to captivate younger audiences. Each episode blends high-stakes putting challenges—think “three-putt the 10-foot shot or answer a personal question”—with candid interviews. The format is inherently shareable: failed putts lead to awkward confessions, while viral-worthy trick shots (e.g., sinking a ball into a Dunkin’ coffee cup) create bite-sized clips perfect for TikTok and Instagram Reels.

The series’ distribution strategy is equally shrewd. By fragmenting content across platforms—long-form interviews on YouTube, FAST channels, and short-form snippets on TikTok—PGA TOUR Studios ensures maximum reach. This approach mirrors the success of Our Great National Parks, which leveraged similar cross-platform tactics to attract 10 million+ viewers in its first season.

Why It Works: Data-Driven Dominance

The PGA TOUR’s investment in analytics isn’t confined to tracking strokes gained; it’s now central to content creation. Here’s how Truth or Putt aligns with proven strategies:
– Platform Optimization: 70% of TikTok users are under 30, and PGA’s short-form clips target this demographic directly.
– Brand Synergy: Dunkin’s co-branded campaigns (e.g., limited-edition merchandise) convert viewers into customers, creating dual revenue streams from ad sales and retail partnerships.
– Player-Centric Storytelling: Highlighting personalities like Max Homa’s sarcastic humor amplifies organic reach—players’ social followings act as free promotional channels.

The Investment Case: Diversification Meets Growth

For investors, the value proposition is clear: PGA TOUR Studios is transitioning from a golf-centric media entity to a digital content powerhouse. Key catalysts include:
1. Revenue Diversification: Truth or Putt reduces reliance on traditional TV rights fees. Ad revenue from FAST channels and social platforms, plus Dunkin’s co-branded deals, create scalable income streams.
2. Audience Expansion: Golf’s Gen Z viewership has surged by 40% since 2020, per Nielsen. Shows like Truth or Putt accelerate this trend, broadening the PGA’s fanbase and appeal to advertisers.
3. Production Efficiency: The new PGA TOUR Studios facility, opening in 2025, enables high-quality, cost-effective content creation—a moat against competitors scrambling to replicate this model.

Risks and Mitigations

Critics may argue that short-form content’s shelf life is fleeting, but PGA’s strategy mitigates this:
– Evergreen Content: Interviews and highlight reels can be repurposed across platforms for months.
– Brand Loyalty: Dunkin’s multi-year partnership ensures steady revenue even if individual shows fade.

Conclusion: A Hole-in-One for Investors

PGA TOUR Studios’ shift to viral-native content isn’t just a trend—it’s a strategic realignment for the digital age. With Truth or Putt setting the standard for engaging younger audiences while monetizing through ads, partnerships, and merchandise, the company is primed to outpace rivals in sports media. For investors, this is a rare opportunity to back a content innovator with a proven track record in analytics and a pipeline of high-potential projects.

In a sector where 70% of Gen Z consumes media via social platforms, PGA’s bet on “built for the feed” storytelling isn’t just smart—it’s essential. The putter is in the hands of the right team.