Andy Birkett
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Articles by Andy Birkett
Paddleboarder triumphs after cancer diagnosis
Ginnie Betts won two gold medals and a silver at the 2026 Stand Up Paddling World Championships in Italy A newly crowned world champion paddleboarder who is recovering from breast cancer has said she hopes to inspire others. Ginnie Betts, 52, from Ludgvan, Cornwall, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in September 2025 and underwent three operations, the most recent in February.
Parkway eye FA Cup progress after 'winnable' draw Original
Image caption, Plymouth Parkway's players and fans gathered at the club to watch Monday night's FA Cup first round draw ByBrent Pilnick, BBC Sport, South West and Andy Birkett, BBC South West Published 16 minutes ago Plymouth Parkway are aiming to make progress in the FA Cup after their first-ever first round draw. The seventh-tier side will host Southern League Premier Division South rivals Berkhamstead on 7 November.
Parkway eye FA Cup progress after 'winnable' draw
Plymouth Parkway's players and fans gathered at the club to watch Monday night's FA Cup first round draw [BBC]
Plymouth Parkway ready for their 'FA Cup final' Original
Image source, Shutterstock Image caption, Plymouth Parkway lost 4-1 to Plymouth Argyle in a pre-season game in July - Will Sullivan scored a first-half equaliser for the non-league side ByBrent Pilnick, BBC Sport England and Andy Birkett, BBC South West Published 22 minutes ago When you think of football in Plymouth, the word 'Argyle' usually comes to mind. The League One leaders, founded 140 years ago, have plenty of pedigree in the English game.
Plymouth Parkway ready for their 'FA Cup final'
Plymouth Parkway lost 4-1 to Plymouth Argyle in a pre-season game in July - Will Sullivan scored a first-half equaliser for the non-league side [Shutterstock]
No slowing down: Skater off to world games aged 60
Darren Miles will be up against the world's best skateboarders when he heads to the championships in Paraguay An amateur skateboarder is set to represent his country for the first time almost 50 years after he took up the sport. Darren Miles, 60, from Plymouth, is to represent Great Britain in the slalom event at the World Skate Games in Paraguay later this month. Miles will take part in three disciplines as part of the team made up of a mixture of professionals and amateurs.
From playing with the boys to fulfilling a WSL dream Original
Image caption, Molly Stroud is hoping she can achieve her dreams of being a professional footballer ByAndy Birkett, BBC South West and Brent Pilnick, BBC Sport England Published 6 minutes ago "She can certainly play in the WSL easy, if not Champions League," says football coach Dave Leonard of Molly Stroud. The 16-year-old from Plymouth is joining Manchester City's academy on a two-year deal.
The married coaches targeting Twickenham glory
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The married coaches targeting Twickenham glory
Former professional rugby players Georgina Gulliver and her husband Ben both coach Ivybridge Women A former international rugby player is preparing for her eighth Twickenham appearance, and her first as part of a husband and wife coaching team. Georgina Gulliver retired from playing in 2019 having won 37 caps for England and despite attempting to walk away from the game, became the head coach of Ivybridge Women in Devon the following year.
US investors confident of Cornish Pirates growth Original
Image source, Brian Tempest Image caption, Cornish Pirates finished seventh in the Champ this season ByBrent Pilnick, BBC Sport England and Andy Birkett, BBC Spotlight Published 9 minutes ago New American investors in Cornish Pirates say they can increase the value of the Champ club. Pittsburgh-based Stonewood Capital Management has invested what has been described as a seven-figure amount in the Penzance-based side.
Blind punk band frontman to run London Marathon
Phil Harrison is part of punk band Social Security [BBC] A blind punk band frontman is set to run the London Marathon to raise money for a UK sight loss charity. Phil Harrison, 69, from Paignton, in Devon, will run the route alongside his guide runner, Dr Julia Tysoe. Harrison, who is part of punk band Social Security, said he lost his sight in his left eye due to an injury during a "feisty rounders tournament" in his teenager years.
Hallett 'patient' in search for new Plymouth investor Original
Image source, Shutterstock Image caption, Simon Hallett took over Plymouth Argyle from James Brent eight years ago ByBrent Pilnick, BBC Sport England and Andy Birkett, BBC South West Published 9 minutes ago Plymouth Argyle owner Simon Hallett says he is being "patient" in the search for new investment in the League One club. Hallett has been in control at the Pilgrims since 2018 and has invested millions in new infrastructure both at Home Park and in a new training facility.
Argyle chief executive reassures fans after job cuts Original
Image source, Shutterstock Image caption, Plymouth Argyle's win over Doncaster Rovers on Saturday moved them into League One's top 10 ByBrent Pilnick, BBC Sport England and Andy Birkett, BBC South West Published 5 minutes ago Plymouth Argyle chief executive Paul Berne says there is no reason for fans to worry about the future of the club despite the Pilgrims looking to cut jobs.
Constantin Ursu: How Moldovan boxer with world title ambitions ended up in Plymouth Original
Image source, Shutterstock Image caption, Constantin Ursu has a perfect record of 13 wins from 13 fights as a professional, including six knockouts ByBrent Pilnick, BBC Sport England and Andy Birkett, BBC South West "We spoke on Google Translate for a good 12 months before we were able to have a conversation where we could both understand each other," says boxing coach Marlee Dann.
Age is no barrier, says marathon champion
A woman who clocked a personal best at the New York Marathon and scooped a world championship title has said running is possible at any age. Andrea Simmons, 71, from Newlyn in Cornwall, won the marathon's 70+ category and finished the race in a time of 3:37:48. Advertisement The race doubled up as Age Group World Championship and made the Hayle Runners member the Marathon Majors Worldwide Champion.
Exeter Chiefs: The story behind the Jimmy Nine photo tradition Original
Now Exeter's team manager, Tony Walker was a former teammate of Tucker's back in the early 2000s, along with current Chiefs boss Rob Baxter. He is happy to see the tradition that celebrates his old friend continue - even if most of those doing it nowadays have little idea of where it originated. "It's been 20 years since the Nine sacrificed his finger for the boys," he says.
Wheelchair basketballers push for more recognition
The head coach of a Devon-based wheelchair basketball club says his "big goal" is to see his side become as well-known as other professional rugby and football sides in its city home. Jack Davey leads the Exeter Otters, who were founded in 1980 and are believed to be the UK's oldest such team. Advertisement In previous years, the club had struggled to put out a side out, but the club is now running three teams - including the south-west of England's first under-14 junior team.
Wheelchair basketballers push for more recognition
The head coach of a Devon-based wheelchair basketball club says his "big goal" is to see his side become as well-known as other professional rugby and football sides in its city home. Jack Davey leads the Exeter Otters, who were founded in 1980 and are believed to be the UK's oldest such team. Advertisement In previous years, the club had struggled to put out a side out, but the club is now running three teams - including the south-west of England's first under-14 junior team.
Wheelchair basketballers push for more recognition
The head coach of a Devon-based wheelchair basketball club says his "big goal" is to see his side become as well-known as other professional rugby and football sides in its city home. Jack Davey leads the Exeter Otters, who were founded in 1980 and are believed to be the UK's oldest such team. In previous years, the club had struggled to put out a side out, but the club is now running three teams - including the south-west of England's first under-14 junior team.
Innes Fitzgerald: World Championships aim after breaking Zola Budd's record
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Innes Fitzgerald broke the European Under-20 record that had stood since 1985 Innes Fitzgerald says she is aiming to make the Great Britain team for the World Athletics Championships after breaking the European Under-20 5,000m record. The 19-year-old from Exeter posted a time of 14:39.56 at the London Diamond League meeting on Saturday, breaking Zola Budd's mark by more than eight-and-a-half seconds that had stood for 40 years.
Floyd Steadman: Meet the man who inspired British Lions captain Maro Itoje
Image source, Rex Features Image caption, Floyd Steadman (left) was the first person to see Maro Itoje's potential as a rugby player "When you hear stories of 10-year-olds running away, they'll run away for an hour or two and then they'll come back home. I stayed away from home on the run for nearly three weeks." Floyd Steadman's story is one that some scriptwriters might say is too far-fetched.
Surfathon raises money for charity project
George Thorpe - BBC News, Devon and Andy Birkett - BBC News, Devon Fri, May 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM UTC 1 min read Instructors and volunteers helped show people of all abilities how to surf during the 12-hour event [BBC] Surfers have taken to the waves for a 12-hour event on a North Devon beach to raise money for a charity project.
Surfathon raises money for charity project
Surfers have taken to the waves for a 12-hour event on a North Devon beach to raise money for a charity project. Surf therapy charity The Wave Project hosted its Inclusive Surfathon at Croyde beach on Friday to fundraise for its adaptive surfing programme, which provides opportunities for people with physical disabilities to try the sport. During the day instructors and volunteers offered support to surfers.
MMA fighter making professional debut in London
A mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from Exeter is set to make her professional debut at the O2 in London later. Miriam Grubb, 23, started training in the sport in 2021 and was encouraged to quit after she lost her first three fights. But four years on, the Strawweight fighter has won her last six bouts and puts her success down to hard work and determination. She is set to fight Rhi Rhi Hudson in the capital on the Cage Warriors 186 card, which is the undercard for the UFC event on Saturday.
Dad completes '12 in 12' ultramarathon challenge
A man from Plymouth has completed a fundraising challenge that saw him run 12 ultramathons in 12 days. Mehdi Taheri is raising money for charity Breakthrough T1D, which funds research into finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Mr Taheri's daughter Scarlett, who is now 14, was diagnosed with the condition in 2012. More than 60 runners joined him on his final 50km (31-mile) race around Plymouth on Satuday, which he said "wouldn't have been possible" without their support.
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