'It's more than just football' for disability team

Alife, MacKenzie, and Callum are wearing matching red football shirts stand together inside an indoor sports hall, each with an arm around the shoulders of the person next to them. The shirts feature logos including “Knott Trust” and “Standard Chartered.” The sports hall has court markings and a high industrial-style ceiling. — From left, Alfie, MacKenzie and Callum say they enjoy playing football with the Comets [BBC]

Children with disabilities have described the coaches at a special football club as "absolutely amazing".

Mark Ray, who has been leading the football sessions for the last five years, has teamed up with Jersey Football Association (JFA) to run the FA Comets and Disability Recreational Programmes. He said the partnership meant more support to continue his work.

Ray said it was "magical" seeing the children make new friends and build confidence through football. "It's more than just the football for me," he said.

MacKenzie, 13, who attends the sessions, said: "It's just nice because some of us can't play with other proper teams so it's good for us to be part of a club".

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Alfie, 15, another regular at Ray's training sessions, said: "For people with additional needs like myself it's just great for us to get out and have some fun here."

Callum, also 15, said he made the most of the sessions. "It's just nice to do a kick about". I really enjoy the competitive matches," he said.

Mark and two female players stand together inside an indoor sports hall. The girls are wearing red sports jackets with “Knott Trust” branding, while Mark is wearing a light-coloured hoodie with a lanyard. In the background, badminton players are visible on the court, and spectators are watching from an upper gallery. — Ray, centre, wanted to make a difference for children with disabilities through football like Isabella Mendes, left, and his daughter Mollie, right [BBC]

Ray said he hoped the partnership with Jersey Football Association would ensure the support for the children he coached would continue in the island.

He added: "With the backing of the JFA hopefully we can now look to build and establish a really firm disability offering for kids on the island."

"I think it's important that these children are exercising, they're having fun and doing something they all enjoy."

Peter Vasse said he enjoys seeing his son play football thanks to the Comets [BBC]

Peter Vasse's son, Ethan, has Down's Syndrome and has been able to play football as part of the sessions.

"There's not loads of activities for children outside of school," said Vasse. "It gives us a bit of freedom just to be able to watch him play.

"You can see Ethan's face when he scores a goal and his arms go up each time and it gives the youngsters who have special needs the chance to enjoy sport."

The Comets are open to children aged from 7-15. Parents can contact the Jersey Football Association if they want their children to get involved with the club.

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Ross Chastain enters NASCAR off weekend looking for more speed in 2026

Ross Chastain has proven he can contend for a NASCAR Cup Series championship, but the No. 1 car for Trackhouse Racing needs more speed. Through seven races of the 2026 NASCAR season, Chastain sits 19th in the point standings with a 31-point deficit to the final spot in the Chase.

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It has been a miserable start to the 2026 NASCAR season, as the driver of the No. 1 car hasn't shown much speed. Chastain hasn't spent much time in the top 10 spots, and that trend continued with a 16th-place finish at Martinsville Speedway. Chastain was the second-best Trackhouse Racing driver behind Shane van Gisbergen.

The Trackhouse Racing competitor hopes that NASCAR's first off weekend of 2026 can act as a reset for the No. 1 team. Chastain is capable of winning races at NASCAR's top level; however, the current performances coming out of Trackhouse Racing aren't going to cut it moving forward.

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Ross Chastain enters NASCAR off weekend looking for more speed in 2026

Slutter etter misnøye: Byström ferdig som svensk landslagssjef

Anders Byström er ferdig som landslagssjef for det svenske langrennslandslaget. Byström melder selv at det har vært tungt å være borte fra familien, og at han er stolt av sine seks år i sjefsstolen.
– Med det i betraktning har jeg funnet ut at det er best å tre til side og la noen andre bygge et lag fram mot OL i 2030, sier Byström i pressemeldingen.
Etter OL har flere ytret sin misnøye med landslagssjefen. På herresiden hadde Sverige et skrekkelig OL.
Også på kvinnesiden gikk det tidcis i motbakke: På den avsluttende femmila stilte kun to svenske kvinner til start fordi blant andre Linn Svahn var sendt hjem.
Byström sa i bakkant at det var en feil.
– Under hans ledelse har landslaget hatt stor fremgang, og jeg vil takke ham for innsatsen, sier langrennssief oi Sveriges skiforbund, Lars Öberg i en pressemelding.

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'It's more than just football' for disability team