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Sport in the West Midlands


Venues
Calendar of Events in the West Midlands
Clubs


    Timeline


    Venues

    The West Midlands boasts an array of world class sporting arenas and public spaces, from huge stadiums to beautiful public parks and lakes.

    A number of these venues will be used for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games - for more information click here.


    Alexander Stadium
    Bank's Stadium
    Coventry Building Society Arena
    Edgbaston
    Edgbaston Priory Club
    Edgbaston Reservoir
    Forest of Arden Marriot Hotel & Country Club
    Molineux Stadium
    NEC and Resorts World Arena
    Perry Barr Stadium
    Sandwell Aquatics Centre
    St Andrew's
    St. George's Park
    Sutton Park
    The Belfry
    The Hawthorns
    Utilita Arena Birmingham
    Villa Park

    Alexander Stadium

    Alexander Stadium is a world class international athletics venue in the West Midlands ©Getty Images
    Alexander Stadium is a world class international athletics venue in the West Midlands ©Getty Images

    Alexander Stadium is an international standard athletics venue located in Perry Barr. It is currently undergoing a £72.4 million ($97.9 million/€80.3 million) revamp before the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

    The stadium opened in 1976 and the official opening meeting was held two years later. 

    For Birmingham 2022, a new west stand has been built. The stadium will have space for 18,000 fans, with temporary stands increasing capacity to 40,000.

    Work is underway to install a blue athletics track, while a warm-up track is complete.

    Previous reconstruction took place in 2011, including a new 5,000 seat stand which took capacity to 12,750.

    Alexander Stadium is the home of UK Athletics, as well as leading club Birchfield Harriers.

    It has hosted Diamond League meetings as well as several editions of the British Grand Prix.

    Bands such as Girls Aloud and Westlife have also played at the stadium.


    Banks's Stadium

    Banks's Stadium, commonly known as the Bescot Stadium, has been the home of Walsall FC since 1990.

    The 11,300 capacity ground was built as a new home for the club which had played at nearby Fellows Park for more than a century.

    Walsall's first competitive game was a 2-2 draw with Torquay United, with home player Matt Bryant scoring an own goal after just 65 seconds of the game.

    He thus has the "honour" of scoring the first goal at the stadium.

    As well as Walsall matches, the ground has also been used for women's games for both England and Aston Villa.

    England's men's under-21 fixtures have also been played there, while Elton John memorably performed a concert in 2015.

    The stadium is located adjacent to the M6 motorway.

    Aston Villa women playing a match at Banks's Stadium in Walsall ©Getty Images
    Aston Villa women playing a match at Banks's Stadium in Walsall ©Getty Images

    Coventry Building Society Arena

    The Coventry Building Society Arena first opened in 2010 after construction began five years earlier.

    The world-class complex includes a 32,000 seater stadium - which is the home of Coventry City FC and Wasps RFC.

    Wasps Netball currently play at the adjoining exhibition hall and conference centre which measures in at 6,000 square metres.

    A hotel, casino and shopping park are also part of the site, which was formerly called the Ricoh Arena.

    Major sporting events have been held at the venue, including football matches during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

    Davis Cup tennis has been staged at the arena, as well as top-level snooker and darts.

    During the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the complex will host rugby sevens, judo and wrestling.

    In the build-up to the Games, the venue received £5.3 million ($6.92 million/€5.87 million) investment from the Government to create a Commonwealth Convention Centre with its conferencing and exhibition facilities undergoing a revamp.

    Major musical, conferencing and exhibition events take place there.

    The Coventry Building Society Arena includes a world-class stadium and adjoining hall ©Getty Images
    The Coventry Building Society Arena includes a world-class stadium and adjoining hall ©Getty Images

    Edgbaston

    Edgbaston Stadium is one of the leading venues for cricket in the world, with capacity for 25,000 people.

    International and first class cricket has been played there for more than a century, bringing top level sport to the heart of Birmingham.

    Warwickshire County Cricket Club played their first match at Edgbaston in 1886, and the first Test match between England and Australia ended in a rain-affected draw in 1902.

    In 1957, Peter May and Colin Cowdrey shared a stand of 411 against the West Indies, recording England's highest-ever Test partnership. 

    The pivotal final round robin match in the first ever cricket World Cup for either gender - a women's event - was held at Edgbaston in 1973.

    Men's World Cup matches were held there in 1975, 1979, 1983, 1999 and 2019.

    Brian Lara scored 501 not out when playing for Warwickshire against Durham at Edgbaston in 1994.

    Edgbaston is one of the leading cricket venues in the world  ©Getty Images
    Edgbaston is one of the leading cricket venues in the world  ©Getty Images

    This is still a record individual score in first class cricket.

    In 1997, the first competitive floodlit cricket match in Britain took place at Edgbaston, between Warwickshire and Somerset. 

    Major redevelopment work to the ground took place in 2010 and 2011, including demolition of the pavilion which dated back to the 1890s.

    New South and West stands were completed alongside five permanent floodlights.

    Edgbaston will host the inaugural women's T20 cricket competition at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

     

    Edgbaston Priory Club

    Edgbaston Priory Club is a tennis venue which transformed into its current guise in December 1964.

    This followed the merger of Edgbaston Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club, which was founded in 1878, and the Priory Lawn Tennis Club founded in 1875.

    A merger was required as a fire destroyed the Priory clubhouse - with this event inspiring the club logo of a phoenix emerging from the ashes.

    Many great tennis players have graced Edgbaston's courts, including the first women's Wimbledon winner Maud Watson.

    She was a member of Edgbaston Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club and in 1885 brought the Wimbledon trophy back to Birmingham after winning it for the second time.

    Fellow Wimbledon champion Ann Jones is a lifelong member of the club.

    Today, the club hosts the grass court Birmingham Classic tournament.

    Edgbaston Reservoir

    Edgbaston Reservoir was built in 1827 to help top-up Birmingham's world famous canal system.

    While it is still used for that purpose today, the 70 acre site in Ladywood is also an important sports and leisure destination.

    The reservoir boasts a perimeter of 1.75 miles and is used for sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, rowing and fishing.

    Out of the water, the area is a hotspot for walkers, runners and cyclists.

    Midland Sailing Club and Birmingham Rowing Club are among the organisations to use the reservoir, while there is a two kilometre walking route through the park.


    Forest of Arden Marriot Hotel & Country Club

    Located in between Birmingham and Coventry, the Forest of Arden Country Club is a high-class golf destination for the West Midlands.

    It features two 18-hole courses, including the championship Arden course, with golfers able to play among wild deer which roam freely.

    Set in a 10,000 acre estate of ancient woodland, the Forest of Arden has hosted major tournaments including the British Masters and English Open.

    It has also regularly served as a venue on the European Tour.

    A four-star hotel is part of the site, where there is said to be opportunities for golfers of all abilities.

    Molineux Stadium

    Molineux Stadium has been the home of Premier League football club Wolverhampton Wanderers since 1889.

    It has a capacity of 31,700 and is named after Benjamin Molineux, a notable ironmonger and merchant in Wolverhampton during the 1700s. 

    In 1899, Molineux hosted the first ever Football League match when Wolves beat Notts County 2-0.

    The club built floodlights in 1953, becoming one of the first teams to do so. A number of matches with European sides then took place under the lights which helped inspire the creation of the European Cup, later the UEFA Champions League.

    Redevelopment plans were announced in 2010 to bring capacity of the stadium up to 38,000, although chairman Jeff Shi would like to see 50,000 seats at the venue.

    Molineux regularly sells out for Premier League fixtures and has hosted England internationals, England under-21 matches and England women's games.

    The first UEFA Cup final was held there in 1972, when Wolves lost to Tottenham Hotspur, while the ground has also hosted concerts.

    A statue of former club owner Sir Jack Hayward is in place outside the ground.

    Molineux Stadium is the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers ©Getty Images
    Molineux Stadium is the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers ©Getty Images

    NEC and Resorts World Arena

    The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Marston Green was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976, and is Britain's largest exhibition space.

    Originally featuring seven exhibition halls, the NEC now has 18 alongside 32 conference suites and outdoor spaces. 

    One of the halls is the Resorts World Arena, which boasts more than 15,000 seats.

    There are plans to increase the capacity to 21,600, but the £45 million ($62.66 million/€51.9 million) expansion project will not start until after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

    More than 2.3 million guests and 500 events are welcomed to the NEC every year.

    Regular fixtures include acclaimed dog show Crufts and the British International Motor Show.

    At Birmingham 2022, badminton, boxing, table tennis, netball and weightlifting will all be held at the venue.

    Perry Barr Stadium

    Perry Barr Stadium is an iconic venue for greyhound racing and speedway which has nearly a century of history after opening in 1929.

    It was originally built for Birchfield Harriers, and still features the athletics club's stag logo on the outside.

    After the Harriers moved to Alexander Stadium in 1977, greyhound racing was suggested as a use after a previous venue in Birmingham had been demolished.

    Racing began in 1990 and the track now hosts four of the original classic races, including the St Leger which dates back to 1928.

    It also stages the Laurels, Oaks and the Scurry Gold Cup.

    Away from the dogs, speedway team Birmingham Brummies call the stadium home.

    The stadium boasts a restaurant, six hospitality boxes, four bars and a snack bar.

    Sandwell Aquatics Centre will be a world class swimming and diving venue for the West Midlands ©Birmingham 2022
    Sandwell Aquatics Centre will be a world class swimming and diving venue for the West Midlands ©Birmingham 2022

    Sandwell Aquatics Centre

    Sandwell Aquatics Centre is a new world-class venue for swimming and diving which is being constructed for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

    It will cost around £73 million ($99 million/€82 million) to build and will open up to the public at the end of the Games, providing a legacy benefit for the West Midlands region.

    The main feature will be an Olympic-sized 50 metres swimming pool, while there will be a 25m diving pool and a community pool.

    Permanent seats for 1,000 people will be installed with this number expanding for Birmingham 2022. 

    There will be three activities studios, two four-court sports halls, a fitness suite complete with a ladies-only gym, dry diving facilities and an indoor cycling studio as well as a football pitch and urban park.

    Tiles have been laid in all of the pools, which have been filled. The moveable floor is complete and the dive tower steps are in place.

    Work will now continue on installing permanent seating.

    It is hoped that major aquatics events will be able to be attracted to Sandwell in the future. 

    St Andrew's

    St Andrew's has been the home of Birmingham City FC for more than a century. 

    Located in the Bordesley area of Birmingham, the ground took its name from the local parish church.

    Its capacity is just under 30,000. 

    During the First World War years, St Andrew's became a rifle range for soldiers and injured servicemen were given complimentary tickets.

    The main stand burned down during World War Two while being used as a fire station, and there was damage from bombing.

    In the 1990s, all parts of the ground except the main stand were completely rebuilt.

    The stadium has hosted England international matches, while St Andrew's was where an FA Cup match was decided by penalty shoot-out for the first time.

    Birmingham City defeated Stoke City 4-3 on spot kicks in the 1973 semi-final, following a 0-0 draw.

    St Andrew's has also been used for concerts, rugby and boxing.

    St Andrew's is the home of Birmingham City FC ©Getty Images
    St Andrew's is the home of Birmingham City FC ©Getty Images

    St. George's Park

    St. George's Park in Burton upon Trent was built in 2012 at a cost of £105 million ($144 million/€126 million), and is the home of England's national football teams.

    It boasts 14 outdoor pitches, including a replica of the Wembley Stadium pitch in London.

    There is a full-size indoor 3G pitch, a rehabilitation suite, sports science areas and an arena for futsal.

    England's teams use the facility to prepare for their international fixtures.

    A Hilton Hotel is part of the site, while St. George's Park is also the home of England Football Learning, where all Football Association national coach education courses are delivered.

    An outdoor leadership centre delivers programmes in areas including leadership, management and team building.

    Sutton Park

    Sutton Park is a 2,400-acre national nature reserve and is considered to be one of the largest urban parks in Europe.

    At 48 acres, Powell's Pool is the biggest of seven lakes at the park and was originally created in 1730 to power a watermill.

    The recreational use of Sutton Park, located in Sutton Coldfield, started in the 19th century with two horse racing courses created while an 18-hole golf course was created in 1889.

    The park features heathland, woodlands, wetlands and marshes, and a rich variety of plants and wildlife.

    Wild ponies and cattle graze on the land, while a lido for open air swimming closed in 2003.

    A number of running events are held in the park, including parkrun every Saturday morning.

    There are also several cycling routes, while the park is used for sailing, rowing and fishing.

    The park has also been used for motor rallying.

    Triathlon will be staged in Sutton Park during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

    The Belfry

    The Belfry boasts world class golf courses and is one of the most famous venues for the sport.

    It has hosted the Ryder Cup four times - in 1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002 - which is more than any other course.

    Courses include the PGA National and the Brabazon, which are both par 72, and the par 70 The Derby.

    A regular host on the European Tour, The Belfry was named as the world's best golf hotel in 2019. 

    It was named as England's best incentive hotel at the World MICE Awards in 2021.

    In 2013, The Belfry underwent a £26 million ($35 million/€31 million) renovation. 

    The Belfry has hosted the Ryder Cup more times than any other golf course ©Getty Images
    The Belfry has hosted the Ryder Cup more times than any other golf course ©Getty Images

    The hotel on the site first originated in the 13th century, but it was not until 1974 that work started on the golf courses.

    The Professional Golf Association moved into The Belfry in 1977, making the site its headquarters, and the Brabazon course was opened with a challenge match.

    In 1978, the first official tournament on the Brabazon course was the Hennessy Cup, between Britain and the rest of Europe.

    A plaque marks Spaniard Seve Ballesteros' famous 280 yard drive on the 10th hole, a shot said to have put The Belfry on the map.

    Ballesteros repeated the trick at the Ryder Cup in 1985.

    The Hawthorn

    The Hawthorns is the home ground of Championship football club West Bromwich Albion.

    It opened in 1900, making it the first Football League ground to be built in the 20th century.

    Renovation was carried out which led to an all-seater venue opening in 1995, with the ground now boasting a capacity of more than 26,000.

    The Hawthorns is the highest Premier League or Football League ground above sea level, at 551 feet.

    Two FA Cup semi-finals have been played there, as well as England internationals.

    A statue of Tony Brown, Albion's record goal scorer, was revealed in 2014.

    The ground also features the Astle Gates, named after beloved former player Jeff Astle.

    The Hawthorns - the home of West Bromwich Albion FC ©Getty Images
    The Hawthorns - the home of West Bromwich Albion FC ©Getty Images

    Utilita Arena Birmingham

    A major arena in the centre of the city, the Utilita Arena Birmingham has hosted a number of important sporting events.

    It will stage gymnastics during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

    With a capacity of 15,800, it is the third largest indoor arena in the country and was previously called the National Indoor Arena, while sometimes being known as Arena Birmingham. 

    In 2014, the arena underwent a £26 million ($36.26 million/€30 million) redevelopment which was completed in December 2014.

    Major events to have taken place there include the Badminton World Championships in 1993 and 2003, and the Netball World Championships in 1995.

    The 1999 World Judo Championships, and the 2003 and 2018 World Indoor Athletics Championships were also held there.

    In 2010, the Wheelchair Basketball World Championships were staged there while the Trampoline World Championships took place in 2011.

    Other events to take place at the venue include British Davis Cup tennis matches and Premier League Darts.

    As well as staging events, the Arena Birmingham - which is situated opposite the National Sea Life Centre in Brindleyplace - regularly holds comedy and music gigs and notably hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998.

    Villa Park

    Villa Park is the home of Premier League side Aston Villa FC, and has a capacity of 42,000.

    It has hosted Villa since 1897 and staged matches at the 1966 FIFA World Cup and the 1996 European Championships.

    International matches have been held at Villa Park in three different centuries, while it hosted the last European Cup Winners' Cup Final between Lazio and Real Mallorca in 1999.

    The stadium was also a regular "neutral" host of FA Cup semi-finals, hosting the important match more than 50 times.

    In 2015, two Rugby World Cup matches took place at Villa Park.

    Leading up to 1914, a cycling track surrounded the playing area where athletics was also held.

    Two first class cricket matches were also held there, in 1879 and 1884.

    In 1909, Britain won the first ever test series in rugby league at Villa Park after defeating Australia.

    The ground has four stands - the Holte End at the South, the North Stand, the three-tiered Trinity Stand on the west side and the Doug Ellis Stand on the eastern side.

    A statue of former Villa chairman William McGregor, the founder of the Football League, stands outside the stadium.

    In December 2021, current chief executive Christian Purslow announced his ambition to expand the ground.

    Villa Park has hosted matches at events including the 1966 FIFA World Cup and the 1996 European Championships ©Getty Images
    Villa Park has hosted matches at events including the 1966 FIFA World Cup and the 1996 European Championships ©Getty Images

     


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    Clubs

    The West Midlands is home to a number of professional and top class clubs, across a wide range of sports.

    Click on the badges to find out more.

    Aston Villa

    Aston Villa

    Aston Villa is one of the most famous names in English football, having been formed in 1874 by members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel in Handsworth.

    The club currently play in the Premier League and attract crowds of around 42,000 at Villa Park. 

    In 1877, Scotsman William McGregor, who had moved to Birmingham, joined the Villa Committee as a vice-president.

    He became extremely influential and made the suggestion of playing competitive matches instead of friendlies.

    This led directly to the formation of the Football League, the first organised football league in the world, which McGregor is regarded as the founder of.

    Villa were inaugural members of the League which had its first season in 1888.

    The First Division of the Football League became the Premier League in 1992. 

    In 1982, Villa achieved their finest hour by winning the European Cup thanks to a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich at De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam.

    A year before, the club had won the league title for the first time in 71 years and beat Valur, Dynamo Berlin, Dynamo Kyiv and Anderlecht en-route to the final.

    Villa goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer had to go off injured with a neck injury after just nine minutes, to be replaced by youngster Nigel Spink who had made just one previous first team appearance.

    Spink was in inspired form and made several saves, with Peter Withe scoring the only goal at the back post after 67 minutes.

    Bayern did put the ball in the net with three minutes left but the goal was ruled out for offside.

    Villa have been league champions seven times, and other honours include the Super Cup, seven FA Cups and five League Cups.

    Birmingham City

    Birmingham City

    Another of the famous footballing names from the West Midlands, Birmingham City were formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance after the area of the city where the club was born.

    Its origins lie within the church, with the club's ground of St Andrew's named after the parish's former place of worship. 

    After professional status was gained, the club was accepted into the Second Division in 1892.

    In 1905, the club's name was changed to Birmingham. 

    The club currently play in the Championship, the second-tier in England, and attract crowds of more than 20,000 after previously playing in the Premier League.

    They have won the League Cup twice, in 1963 and 2011.

    The 1963 success was their first major trophy and came after they beat city rivals Aston Villa 3-1 after a two-legged final.

    Birmingham won 3-1 at St Andrew's before a 0-0 draw at Villa Park handed the Blues the trophy.

    In the 2011 final, Obafemi Martins scored a dramatic winner in the 89th minute following a mistake by Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, sealing a 2-1 victory.

    The club reached the final of the old Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1960 and 1961, becoming the first English club to play in a major European final.

    West Bromwich Albion

    West Bromwich Albion

    West Bromwich Albion were formed in 1878 by a group of workers at the George Salter Springs factory.

    The club were first called West Bromwich Strollers before taking on the name of Albion.

    They were one of the founder members of the Football League in 1888.

    After winning the FA Cup in the same year, the club played Scottish Cup winners Renton for the "Championship of the World" but lost 3-1.

    They beat Darwen 12-0 in 1892, which remains as the joint largest margin of victory in an English top flight game.

    The club known as the Baggies won the Division One crown when football returned following World War One.

    In 1925, Albion were relegated but they were promoted and won the FA Cup in 1931, the only time this double has been done.

    The club currently play in the Championship, with average crowds of more than 21,000 at The Hawthorns. They have won the FA Cup five times and have recently yo-yoed up and down from the Premier League.

    The phrase "boing boing" has become synonymous with the club, with fans often chanting it while bouncing up and down.

    This ties in nicely with the springs factory where the club was first born.

    Wolverhampton Wanderers

    Wolverhampton Wanderers

    Wolverhampton Wanderers - commonly known as Wolves - were formed in 1877 as St Luke's FC and became founder members of the Football League in 1888.

    They currently play in the Premier League, attracting attendances of more than 30,000 at Molineux.

    Wolves became one of the first teams to install floodlights at their stadium in 1953-1954. 

    They played a number of matches under the lights against European opponents, including a famous 3-2 success against Honved of Hungary. Many of the Hungarian players who had just beaten England twice played for Honved, meaning Wolves were dubbed "champions of the world" after their victory.

    The floodlit games played by Wolves helped pave the way towards the European Cup, now known as the UEFA Champions League.

    In 1972, Wolves reached the final of the first UEFA Cup - now known as the UEFA Europa League - where they lost an all-English affair to Tottenham Hotspur.

    Honours for Wolves include three league titles, all under manager Stan Cullis. The club has won the FA Cup four times and the League Cup twice.

    Legendary striker Steve Bull - signed from arch rivals West Brom - scored more than 50 goals in consecutive seasons in the late 1980s, the only player to achieve this feat.

    Coventry City

    Coventry City

    Coventry City was born in 1883 as Singers FC, thanks to founder Willie Stanley being an employee of the Singers cycling company.

    The club took on its current name in 1898 and entered Division Two of the Football League after World War One.

    Currently playing in the Championship, Coventry play in front of crowds averaging nearly 20,000 at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

    The "Sky Blues" moved to the stadium, formerly known as the Ricoh Arena, in 2005 following more than a century at Highfield Road.

    However, the club has had to groundshare with both Birmingham City and Northampton Town since then.

    In 1987, Coventry won the FA Cup after beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-2. This remains as the club's only major trophy.

    The club played in the top flight between 1967 and 2001, when they were relegated from the Premier League.

    Walsall FC

    Walsall FC

    Walsall formed in 1888 after the merger of two clubs - Walsall Swifts and Walsall Town.

    The club currently plays in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football.

    They play home matches at the Bescot Stadium, which they moved to in 1990 after playing for nearly 100 years at nearby Fellows Park.

    Known as the Saddlers due to the area's history of saddle manufacture, the club have never played in the top flight but have made it into the second tier.

    In 2015, Walsall played in the final of the Football League Trophy at Wembley but lost 2-0 to Bristol City.

    There was also a memorable run to the League Cup semi-finals in 1984, including victory over Arsenal before eventual defeat over two legs to Liverpool.

    Walsall currently attract an average of around 4,600 people to their home matches.

    Solihull Moors

    Solihull Moors

    Solihull Moors was formed in 2007 following the merger of Solihull Borough and Moor Green FC. The team started life in the Conference North, the sixth tier of English football.

    The club was promoted to the National League in 2016 and narrowly missed out on going up to the Football League in 2019, after finishing second in the division and then losing in the play-offs.

    Moor Green and then Solihull Moors were managed by Bob Faulkner for nearly 25 years before he sadly passed away from cancer in 2011.

    The team play at Damson Park which has a capacity of nearly 5,000.

    Wasps

    Wasps

    Wasps RFC was founded in 1867 in the Hampstead area of London, with the team playing at various venues across the capital.

    In 2013, after a 12-year spell playing in High Wycombe, Wasps became the latest name on the West Midlands sporting map by moving to Coventry to play at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

    The first match in their new home saw the club beat London Irish in front of 28,524 fans, a large increase on the 6,507 who saw the last game in Wycombe.

    After a period of readjustment after moving north, Wasps have found success in Coventry and topped the Premiership standings - the top flight of English rugby - in 2017 before losing in the Grand Final.

    They finished second in the standings in 2020 before missing out in the Grand Final once again.

    Wasps is one of the most famous names in English rugby and came to Coventry with six Premiership titles and two European Rugby Champions Cup crowns to their name.

    Wasps Holdings Ltd is the owner of the Coventry Building Society Arena.

    Birmingham Moseley Rugby

    Birmingham Moseley Rugby

    After formation in 1873 as Havelock Football Club, the team now known as Birmingham Moseley RFC turned into the premier rugby club in the city.

    They currently ply their trade in National League One - the third tier of rugby union in England.

    Home matches are played at the Billesley Common ground in Moseley, with the team taking on its current name - adding the word "Birmingham" - before the 2016-2017 season.

    The club boasts significant heritage and provided most of the players who turned out for Britain in rugby at the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris.

    They lost the only game that they played to France.

    In 1882, Moseley defeated the New Zealand native side, becoming the first team to beat the tourists in what was seen as a shock result.

    A major piece of silverware arrived in 2009 as they won the National Trophy after beating Leeds at Twickenham.

    Warwickshire CCC

    Warwickshire CCC

    Warwickshire County Cricket Club was founded in 1882 following a meeting at the Regent Hotel in Royal Leamington Spa.

    The club has been based at Edgbaston, one of the world's most famous grounds, since 1885.

    They are the reigning County Championship winners after claiming the four-day title for the eighth time in 2021.

    The county has also won five one-day cups and the T20 blast - where they compete as the Warwickshire Bears - once.

    In 2021, Warwickshire won the Bob Willis Trophy which is contested between the top two sides in the County Championship.

    Famous players include West Indies legend Brian Lara, who scored 501 not out when playing for the county against Durham in 1994.

    This is a record individual score in first class cricket.

    Birchfield Harriers

    Birchfield Harriers

    Birchfield Harriers is one of the leading athletics clubs in Britain and was formed in 1877. 

    The club has been represented at every Summer Olympics bar one since 1908.

    Based at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, the club also has access to the indoor High Performance Centre.

    Named after the Birchfield area of Birmingham, famous members include Olympic champions Denise Lewis and Mark Lewis-Francis, as well as Olympic medallists Kelly Sotherton, Katherine Merry, Peter Radford, Ian Stewart, Phil Brown and Du'aine Ladejo.

    Arthur Robertson was the first Harrier to win an Olympic gold medal in 1908, in the three mile team event.

    Wasps Netball

    Wasps Netball

    Wasps Netball were formed in 2016, as one of three new sides admitted to the Netball Superleague for 2017.

    They play at the Coventry Building Society Arena and at the University of Warwick, in partnership with the Premiership Rugby team of the same name.

    Since formation, Wasps have enjoyed great success after winning the Superleague in 2017 and 2018.

    In 2019, they finished as runners-up while the club also won the British Fast5 Netball All-Stars Championship in 2018.

    A number of international players have turned out for Wasps during their short existence. 

    Coventry Blaze

    Coventry Blaze

    Coventry Blaze began life in 2000 after the Solihull Blaze team relocated to the Coventry Skydome, a 3,000 capacity arena.

    The club play in the Elite Ice Hockey League, the top flight for the sport in the United Kingdom.

    They are four-time league champions having topped the pile in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010.

    Blaze have also won two play-off crowns and two Challenge Cups.

    In 2020-2021, the Blaze were one of four teams to compete in a new Elite Series event after the Elite League campaign was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Solihull Barons

    Solihull Barons

    Solihull Barons in its current guise was formed in 2005 - the third reincarnation of the ice hockey club.

    The original side was born in 1965 and won the English League in 1993. However, the club relocated to Coventry in 2000 and became the Coventry Blaze.

    A new side was formed but dissolved in 2002, before the club as it is known today was brought to life three years later.

    Since their re-formation, the Barons have won league and play-off titles.

    They play at Planet Ice Solihull in Division One of the English Ice Hockey League.

    The Royal School

    The Royal School

    The Royal School in Wolverhampton is the largest swimming school in the West Midlands, and offers a wide variety of lessons for ages ranging from toddler to adult.

    At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, former student Matt Richards won gold for Britain in the men's 4x200 metres freestyle relay.

    Alice Dearing, another club swimmer, qualified to race at the Games in open water events.

    The club strives to be a "crucial cog" in the development of high-performance swimmers in the country.

    It is also considered as one of the best age/youth swimming clubs in Britain.

    City of Birmingham Rockets

    City of Birmingham Rockets

    The City of Birmingham Basketball Club was formed in 2003 with the aim of providing playing opportunities for young people in the area.

    That year, a group of 15 players participated in the debut season but by 2020 a performance programme featuring 15 teams and 150 members was in operation.

    In addition, a community programme coaches basketball to 750 young people a week, including at schools.

    A senior men's team, the Rockets, was formed in 2014 to provide a pathway into high-level basketball.

    They play in Division Two of the National Basketball League.

    Birmingham BMX Club

    Birmingham BMX Club

    Birmingham BMX Club was created in 2009, and was originally based at a former track at Perry Park.

    The club is now located at Birmingham BMX Race Track, a legacy of the World BMX Championships which were hosted in Birmingham in 2012.

    The track is now considered to be one of the best venues for the sport in Europe.

    A number of events have been held by the club over the years, including the British BMX Championships.

    Wolverhampton Judo Club

    Wolverhampton Judo Club

    Wolverhampton Judo Club is one of the best for the sport in the United Kingdom. 

    It was formed in 1966 and has produced international athletes who have won medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships.

    Olympic medallists include Kerrith Brown and Dennis Stewart.

    The club has a permanent mat and teaches judoka from the age of five-years-old upwards. 

    It was previously based at Heath Town Baths for 40 years, before moving to a former boxing club in Wednesfield Park in 2006.

    Coventry and Warwick Riga

    Coventry and Warwick Riga

    Coventry and Warwick Riga Volleyball Club dates back to 1947, when it was founded by Latvian exiles who settled in the United Kingdom.

    In 1970 the current name of the club was adopted and includes the name Riga - the capital of Latvia.

    The club's women's team currently play in the Volleyball England National League Division One - the second tier for the sport.

    The men play in Volleyball England National League Division Two (South).

    Wolverhampton Wrestling Club

    Wolverhampton Wrestling Club

    Wolverhampton Wrestling Club was founded in 1972 and is affiliated to the British Wrestling Association.

    It has a proud tradition of producing Olympic standard athletes.

    Alumni include Amarjit Singh, who competed for Britain at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.

    Singh also won bronze in the super heavyweight division at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria in Canada.

    The club is based at the Guru Nanak Satsang Sikh Temple.


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