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October 21, 2025 | Alan Lane

The Ping Aspire Series brought its unique blend of energy, inclusivity and friendly competition to Hastings yesterday, as players from across the region came together for another fantastic day of table tennis.

All ages and abilities were on show

Hosted by Tackleway Table Tennis Club in partnership with Table Tennis England, the event showcased everything Ping Aspire stands for – creating opportunities for players of all ages and abilities to come together, have fun and enjoy competitive table tennis in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

From social players to experienced league competitors, everyone had the chance to challenge themselves, meet new people and share in the positive Aspire atmosphere.

The event featured three competitive sections, with plenty of close matches and great sportsmanship throughout. Congratulations to our winners, who each received a £25 voucher courtesy of event sponsors Bribar – with thanks for their generous support.
Section 1 Winner: John Quintos
Section 2 Winner: Noah Standen
Section 3 Winner: Paul Allchor
Two additional awards were presented on the day to recognise players who best embodied the Aspire spirit through their positive attitude, sportsmanship and enthusiasm. Jake Mason and Lee Richardson were both awarded Aspire shirts for displaying fantastic qualities that truly represent what the series is all about.

Winners from Ping Aspire – Hastings

Events like this are perfect for people like Jake who has thoroughly enjoyed it. You never know you will like it unless you try it!

Charles Mason – father of Jake, winner of an attitude prize

A huge thank you goes to Kevin Long from Sussex County and James Gorridge from Tackleway Table Tennis Club for hosting the event and for their continued support of the Ping Aspire programme.

All smiles!

We would like to run a couple of these event a year to give our social players an avenue into informal competition – its ideal!

James Gorridge – Tacklewayy TT

The Aspire Series continues to demonstrate that table tennis is a sport for everyone – fun, inclusive and full of community spirit.

“If you have ever played and want to come back, enter – and if you have never played and want to try, still do it!.â€

Lee Richardson

The next stop in the series will be Thanet on Sunday 2nd November, offering another chance for players to experience the same friendly competition and social connection that have made Aspire such a success.
Find out more and register here:

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Teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda has scored his second goal in two matches, while goalkeeper Paul Izzo starred to deliver the Socceroos a fiery 1-0 win over Canada.

After surviving a dour first half dominated by Canada, the Socceroos came to life with the introduction of second-half substitutes Jordy Bos, Lewis Miller and Patrick Yazbek, while Watford star Irankunda netted in the 71st minute.

Randers goalkeeper Izzo, who started ahead of captain Maty Ryan, made multiple saves, including a world-class effort to deny Jacob Shaffelburg in the 90th minute, to secure Australiaâ€s seventh-straight win.

After Irankunda and Mohamed Toure starred against New Zealand, they vindicated Popovicâ€s decision to start them at Montrealâ€s Stade Saputo. The Socceroos are now unbeaten in their 11 matches under Popovic.

In just the third minute, Tajon Buchanan burst into the box but the excellent Alessandro Circati, again given the captainâ€s armband, slid in with a perfectly timed tackle to clear it to safety.

Eight minutes later, Irankunda beat two defenders and cut back to Max Balard, who had a shot blocked.

Throughout the first half, the Socceroos struggled to get on the ball or to keep possession. Buchanan caused makeshift left wing-back Rowles plenty of issues down the right flank.

But otherwise world No 26 Canada struggled to break down the Socceroos†organised defence, or Izzo. Australia had just one shot to Canadaâ€s seven at the break but came out of the break with more energy and impetus.

Two minutes into the second half, Irankunda went on a wonderful run, beating Derek Cornelius and driving the ball into the near post, where Toure scuffed his shot.

The introduction of Bos and Miller in the 57th minute delivered immediate energy. In the 59th minute, Irankunda pounced on a deflected Canada pass, burst forward and picked out Toure, who shot off target.

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Then, Miller put a lovely ball in for Yazbek, who backheeled towards Circati, but the skipper blasted over the bar. The ball pinballed around the Socceroos†defensive area in the 70th minute before they cleared it to safety.

Soon after, Connor Metcalfe released Toure on the right and the striker cut the ball back into a dangerous area.

As Canada defender Nico Sigur dithered in taking possession, Irankunda slid in from the blind side to score his third international goal. The Socceroos couldnâ€t find a second goal and Izzo came to their rescue late.

Tempers flared and Popovic substituted Irankunda when the youngster got a yellow card amid an injury-time scuffle. In a spiteful final few minutes, the Socceroos†defence and Izzo held firm.

Having already qualified for next yearâ€s World Cup in North America, the Socceroos are ramping up their preparation with friendlies against hosts Canada and the United States with a game to come against the latter in Colorado on Wednesday.

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Declan Rice, Englandâ€s captain for the night, speaks to ITV. “Itâ€s an honour in [Harry Kaneâ€s] absence … you can never take these moments for granted … itâ€s a massive game … a big one … hopefully we can build on what we did last camp … when you play England-Wales itâ€s always a fiery fixture … the history between us … got to keep pushing … energy … enthusiasm … keep playing with freedom … we need to win tonight and keep building momentum.â€

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A reminder of how England fared in their last match …

… and this was Wales†last competitive fixture.

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England make four changes to their starting XI from the 5-0 rout of Serbia last month. Harry Kane, Reece James, Tino Livramento and Noni Madueke are all injured, so in come Ollie Watkins, John Stones, Djed Spence (making his first start) and Bukayo Saka. Declan Rice takes temporary ownership of the captainâ€s armband. James Trafford, Jarrell Quansah and Nico Oâ€Reilly are on the bench hoping to win their first cap at some point tonight.

Wales named an experimental side for the 0-1 defeat to Canada last month. Only Neco Williams, Ben Davies, Harry Wilson and David Brooks keep their shirts from that match. Craig Bellamy goes strong, with Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Kieffer Moore and Brennan Johnson all returning.

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The teams

England:Pickford, Konsa, Stones, Guehi, Spence, Rice, Anderson, Saka, Rogers, Gordon, Watkins.
Subs: Dean Henderson, Lewis-Skelly, Jordan Henderson, Kane, Eze, Rashford, Burn, Gibbs-White, Loftus-Cheek, Bowen, Quansah, Oâ€Reilly, Trafford.

Wales: Darlow, Williams, Ampadu, Rodon, Ben Davies, Dasilva, Brooks, Cullen, Wilson, Johnson, Moore.
Subs: King, Mepham, Koumas, Rubin Colwill, Cabango, Jordan James, Harris, Thomas, Isaak Davies, Sheehan, Broadhead, Kpakio, Lawlor, Joel Colwill, Adam Davies.

Referee: Urs Schnyder (Switzerland).

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Updated at 14.12 EDT

Preamble

Unfortunately for fans of thetîm pêl-droed cenedlaethol Cymru, the following article, published in this corner of the information superhighway nine years ago, is still completely relevant today.

Since Mark Hughes scored the winner for Wales against England in 1984, the two neighbours and rivals have met on the association-football pitch seven times. England have won all seven of those matches, to the cumulative tune of 14-1. The last three of those games, during those aforementioned last nine years, count for 8-1 of that score. So thereâ€s a good reason England are hot favourites tonight, not least because theyâ€re at home … and Wales havenâ€t won this particular fixture since 1977 – Leighton James slotting a penalty after being fouled by Peter Shilton – and then before that 1936, when participants at Molineux including Ted Drake, Cliff Bastin, Bryn Jones and Jimmy Murphy wore black armbands to mourn the recent death of King George V. England is not their happiest hunting ground.

But Having Said All That dept. Wales have only lost twice in 11 matches under Craig Bellamy. Only one of those losses was in a competitive fixture, and in that they came from three down against Belgium only to ship the point they surely deserved right at the end. Plus theyâ€ve been good to watch, and Bellamy says he and his team are turning up this evening with a view to having a right go. So this could be fun. Kick-off is at 7.45pm UK time. Itâ€s on!

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Updated at 13.52 EDT

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A friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, amid the immigration crackdown in the city, sources told ESPN Argentina’s Diego Monroig.

The friendly match was supposed to be played on Oct. 13 at Soldier Field in Chicago but will be played at Chase Stadium on Oct. 14. ESPN confirmed earlier Wednesday that negotiations to host the game at the home of Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami side had been ongoing.

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Chicago Park District spokesman Luca Serra confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the match won’t be played in Chicago.

“Yes, confirming that the Argentina against Puerto Rico match has been canceled in Chicago”, Serra said. “The promoter made the decision this morning due to low ticket sales.”

No official statement has been released by the promoter.

An Argentine Football Association executive told AP the move was because of unrest in Chicago, where President Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard to quell protests against the immigration crackdown.

That official spoke on condition of anonymity because the relocation had not been publicly announced.

More than 1,000 immigrants have been arrested since a crackdown started last month in the Chicago area. The Trump administration vowed to deploy National Guard troops in its agenda to boost deportations.

Argentina, the defending World Cup champion, will play Venezuela in another friendly match on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium in the Miami area. Inter Miami plays its penultimate game of the MLS regular season on Saturday at Chase Stadium against Atlanta.

Messi was called up to play in both matches, which are part of Argentina’s preparations for next year’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

ESPN reporter Lizzy Becherano contributed to this story. Information from The Associated Press was also used.

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Throughout this year, it’s no secret that WWE’s ticket prices have continued to rise, with a standard seat to most of their weekly shows becoming much more expensive since TKO partnered with the promotion. However, fan outrage reached an all-time high last month when the ticket prices for WrestleMania 42 were revealed, with the cheapest seat being priced at $850, and lower bowl and floor seats costing well above $1,000. Following the announcement, many fans felt that WWE was beginning to out-price families from attending their events, and amongst the chaos, AEW President Tony Khan reassured that his company’s ticket prices will remain affordable.

“I think we have really always made it very family friendly from the very first AEW show. It’s always been important to have affordable tickets for he fans and we’ve always kept the entry price very affordable and that’s been consistent for AEW from the very beginning … it’s really been over the years for me something that we’ve always made a point of emphasis and we bring it up time after time throughout the year,” Khan explained speaking with “The Sportster.” “I do think in professional wrestling AEW is absolutely the best value you get for your tickets … we’ve been having a lot of people this past year, really positive feedback from them, saying that the ticket prices for AEW are a big positive point for the company.”

Khan continued to explain that setting tickets at a reasonable price has not negatively affected sales, stating that AEW has more gates over a million dollars than ever before this year. Khan stated that All In, All Out, and Forbidden Door all reached that threshold, with each event being some of the biggest gates that the company has ever done in its six-year history.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “The Sportster” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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