Portsmouth Sport - The News

25/10/2025

25/10/2025

Portsmouth suffer yet another injury blow during Stoke game at Fratton Park

Pompey’s injured list has just got bigger

23/10/2025

Pompey boss considers Stoke answers amid fitness and fatigue factors.

The extent of the absences is the worst the Pompey boss has known in his time at Fratton Park - but John Mousinho believes the answers to the issues lie in his squad.

21/10/2025

Hundreds of budding rugby stars descended on the home of Saracens on Saturday for the Defender Rising Stars Cup, in partnership with PREM Rugby.
Over 25 grassroots clubs from across the country, including Havant RFC, took part in a day of matches that mixed competition with fun, teamwork and learning.
The annual Under-11s and Under-12s festival is one of a series of nationwide events hosted by PREM Rugby clubs, giving young players the chance to experience a professional environment. For the Under-11s, the focus was on rugby’s core values — teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship — while the Under-12s competed for the top spot in their age group.
For many of the youngsters, it was their first time stepping out on a professional pitch, cheered on by proud parents and coaches. The weather stayed bright throughout the day as teams showcased their skills, spirit and energy.
The festival ended with an awards ceremony where Saracens stars Phil Brantingham, Harvey Beaton and Nathan Michelow handed out medals.
“What a brilliant day,” said Brantingham. “These young players displayed not only great skill and passion, but teamwork and respect. To see these values instilled already fills me with confidence for the future of the sport.”
“It’s brilliant to see so many young players enjoying themselves. Events like this are exactly how we grow the next generation of talent — full of energy, teamwork and a real love for the game,” added Nathan Michelow.
Since the first Defender Rising Stars Festival in 2008, more than 125,000 children have taken part, with some even going on to play professionally for PREM Rugby clubs.
Havant RFC Under-12s coach Ryan Malborough said: “They have an indomitable spirit. A very ‘I’m doing it for you, you’re doing it for me’ attitude.”
“Obviously, we teach them about rugby’s core values, but we also want to teach them that it’s nice to win, but it’s not to win at all costs. And that’s the kind of attitude that’s got us into the final today, so it must work!”
Player Rex Cruddas said: “I like the fact that it is such a team game. Football - I found - is more solo because you can score on your own, whereas rugby is about all finding the right play as a team. I’m really nervous about the final but excited and can’t wait to see Saracen’s play later.”
After the final whistle, the young players and their families stayed on to watch Saracens take on Sale Sharks, rounding off an unforgettable day of rugby as the home side claimed a dominant 65–14 victory.
These festivals form part of PREM Rugby’s commitment to developing the game at grassroots level. Defender has supported grassroots rugby in the UK for nearly two decades through the Defender Rising Stars Cup in partnership with PREM Rugby.
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01/10/2025

Great news!

Hampshire duo Ben Mayes and Manny Lumsden will tour the West Indies with England U19s in November.

30/09/2025

Billy, 21, died last week after he collided with a concrete barrier during a match
https://trib.al/3YT2Lbd

27/09/2025

Hovertravel adds late-night charters for Pompey fans on the Island

https://trib.al/x6jzEEC

24/09/2025

City MP Stephen Morgan and Portsmouth leading women in sport, including homegrown Olympic swimming hero Katy Sexton MBE, have launched a new city-wide initiative to break down barriers to opportunity for women in sport.
Mr Morgan was joined by leaders from across Portsmouth’s sporting, academic and business communities at Fratton Park to discuss action to increase access to sport and physical activity among women and girls
The local MP and over 50 leading women in sport from Portsmouth previously met in April to discuss improving grassroots sport facilities in the city following a £100million investment from the Government.
Actions from the event included:
* Tackle access and affordability of local sports and activity facilities to remove barriers for all communities
* Boost visibility of women and girl’s sport from all ages across the city to inspire greater participation and recognition
* Create a one-stop hub for all sport and activity information in the city, making it easier for people to get involved
Positioned as a catalyst for change, the event was in response to alarming statistics* shared by Hampshire charity Energise Me using data taken from the annual Sport England ‘Active Lives’ survey:
Commenting on the project, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said: “Portsmouth has a proud sporting heritage, but too many women and girls still face barriers to getting active.
“That’s why I’ve been bringing together this expert group of leading women in sport. Today’s event is about listening, learning, and leading - to ensure every woman and girl feels sport is for them, both as a hobby and a career.
“By working together, we can start to shift the dial, break down barriers to access and opportunity in sport, and bring investment to our city by making Portsmouth a world leader in women’s sport.”
After competing in professional women’s sport for fifteen years, and now running a local swimming school, Katy Sexton MBE is more than aware of the barriers to activity facing girls and women in Portsmouth.
She said: “As someone who’s spent most of my life in and around sport, I know just how powerful it can be, not just for physical health, but for confidence and self-belief. Too many girls are still missing out because they don’t see sport as being for them. Today is about changing that.”
Speaking at the event, Debbie Laycock, Head Coach, Netball in the Community said, “In every session I run, I see what sport can do for establishing friendships and building confidence.
"But I also see the challenges when girls drop out, and women say they don’t have the time, the money, or feel like they’re not ‘good enough’. This initiative is a game-changer because it brings the whole city together to show that sport is for everyone and we’re going to make sure it’s accessible to all.”
The organising team will now build on the momentum of the event to develop an action plan that turns today’s conversations into meaningful, lasting change for women and girls across Portsmouth.

14/09/2025

It was an early start for fans this morning - with police escorting them to Southampton

https://trib.al/P66Ifxq

11/09/2025

Farewell and good luck!

Hampshire Men’s head coach Adi Birrell will leave the club at the end of the 2025 season.