Manchester City's hugely wealthy owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has toppled Roman Abramovich to head British football's rich list.

Sheikh Mansour, a member of the royal family of Abu Dhabi, has a personal fortune of 15billion according to the Football Rich List, researched and published by FourFourTwo magazine.

The 38-year-old bought City in the summer, while Abramovich, Chelsea's Russian owner, has slipped to third in the list - his wealth is estimated at 7billion and he has been said to have lost over 3billion in the economic downturn.

He has also been overtaken in the list by Lakshmi Mittal, the 58-year-old Indian industrialist worth 12.5billion who joined Formula One's Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore investing in Queen's Park Rangers.

David Beckham remains the richest player associated with British football - his personal fortune of 125million being streets ahead of his closest rivals Michael Owen (40million) and Wayne Rooney (35million).

Beckham is 38th in the overall list, while England head coach Fabio Capello is at number 73 worth an estimated 25million with a 6million-a-year contract and a 10million private art collection.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is at number 78 in the list (22million) and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at number 92 (14million).

Celtic shareholder Dermot Desmond, the Irish entrepreneur, is the richest person in Scottish football - he is eighth on the list and said to be worth 1.2billion. Rangers chairman Sir David Murray is 19th on the list, worth 600million.

Despite the huge fortunes of the wealthiest owners, football finance experts fear British football's bubble may be about to burst.

Professor Tom Cannon told the magazine: "Season-ticket numbers will probably be down by about 10% but renewals will be down by at least 15 or 20%. That's where the problems will be as you go down the divisions."

Rich List Top 20:

1 Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Man City) 15billion

2 Lakshmi Mittal and family (QPR) 12.5bn

3 Roman Abramovich (Chelsea) 7bn

4 Joe Lewis (Tottenham) 2.5bn

5 Bernie and Slavica Ecclestone (QPR) 2.4bn

6 Stanley Kroenke (Arsenal) 2.245bn

7 Alisher Usmanov (Arsenal) 1.5bn

8= Lord Grantchester & the Moores Family (Everton) 1.2bn

8= Dermot Desmond (Celtic) 1.2bn

10= Lord Ashcroft (Watford) 1.1bn

10= Malcolm Glazer and family (Man Utd) 1.1bn

12 Simon Keswick (Cheltenham) 966m

13 Trevor Hemmings (Preston) 900m

14 Mike Ashley (Newcastle) 800m

15 Randy Lerner (Aston Villa) 750m

16 Tom Hicks (Liverpool) 700m

17 The Walker Family (Blackburn) 660m

18 Mohammed Al Fayed (Fulham) 650m

19 Sir David Murray (Rangers) 600m

20 Steve Morgan (Wolves) 400m

Top 20 players (overall position in the main list in brackets):

1 David Beckham 125m (38)

2 Michael Owen 40m (56=)

3 Wayne Rooney 35m (61)

4= Rio Ferdinand 28m (69=)

4= Robbie Fowler 28m (69=)

4= Sol Campbell 28m (69=)

7 Ryan Giggs 23m (77)

8= Michael Ballack 20m (80=)

8= Frank Lampard 20m (80=)

10 Steven Gerrard 19m (86)

11 Cristiano Ronaldo 18m (87)

12 John Terry 17m (88)

13 Didier Drogba 15m (89)

14= Nicolas Anelka 14m (92=)

14= Damien Duff 14m (92=)

16= Dimitar Berbatov 13m (96=)

16= Ashley and Cheryl Cole 13m (96=)

16= Fernando Torres 13m (96=)

19 = Emile Heskey 12m (100)

20 Gary Neville 11.75m (101)

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Trainer Howard Johnson has issued an upbeat bulletin on Inglis Drever and a decision on his future could be made early next week.

The three-time Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner sustained a hock injury on his seasonal reappearance at Newbury in November and his career has been in the balance ever since.

However the handler is encouraged by his response to a new set of treatment in recent weeks.

"He's grand. He's getting the treatment on the hock and he's sound as a bell. He'll be getting x-rayed and scanned, probably next Monday, and then we'll make a decision as to what to do with him," Johnson told sportinglife.com.

"We might put him on the roads or we might retire him, we'll have to see. I bought a machine over Christmas to work on him and he loves it and it's doing him the world of good.

"It looks promising at the minute but we still have a long way to go."

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Bolton are giving a trial to former Brazil and Real Betis midfielder Denilson.

Manager Gary Megson is keen to have a look at the 31-year-old who is now a free agent after being released by Palmeiras.

Denilson became the world's most expensive player when he moved to Betis from Sao Paulo in 1998 for 21.5million.

He spent seven seasons in Spain then travelled the globe with spells at clubs as diverse as Al Nasr and FC Dallas. He has collected 68 caps for his country and was part of the Brazil squad which won the 2002 World Cup.

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MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

OLYMPIC GOLD-MEDALLIST BECKIE SCOTT TO LEAD CANADIAN CROSS-COUNTRY SKI RELAY OF ALL AGES IN CALGARY

—Event launches new development initiative designed to promote growth of sport—

CALGARY—Two-time Olympic medallist, Beckie Scott, will join a dozen of Canada’s high-performance cross-country skiers, from the grassroots to World Cup level, during a media conference to officially announce a new corporate partnership that will help create a healthier and more active Canada, while ensuring the success of the nation’s cross-country skiers on the international stage continues well into the future.

Scott, Canada’s most famous cross-country skier, will participate in a relay race with current World Cup athletes, aspiring Olympians, and Cross Country Canada’s newest team member to commemorate the new initiative that will unfold the national body’s strategic long-term athlete development model.

The media conference and relay will begin on the Nordic trails beside CODA’s Executive Offices near the main parking lot at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Friday, January 9, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.

WHO: Beckie Scott, Two-time Olympic Medallist

Drew Goldsack, Olympian and World Cup Ski Team

Amanda Ammar, Olympian and Senior Development Team

Brent McMurtry, Senior Development Team

Athletes – Foothills Nordic Ski Club

Geir Jøssang, Statoil Hydro

Al Maddox – Cross Country Canada


WHEN: Friday, January 9, 2009

11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Canada Olympic Park – Calgary

Nordic trails beside CODA Executive Offices

(Media are encouraged to meet at CODA offices and will be led to event area)

*****

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan
Media and Public Relations
Cross Country Canada
T: 281-703-4394

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College is set to host some of the nation’s top collegiate female volleyball teams at the 21st annual Killer Instinct Cup from January 9-10, 2009.

The tournament will serve off the new year of OCAA women’s volleyball, with play set to commence at noon on Friday, January 9 at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Centre (CRWC) in Oshawa, Ont. Play will continue through Saturday, January 10 with the championship final scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

The Lords will have to be on the top of their game if they hope to win this year’s edition of the tournament as the defending champion Mohawk Mountaineers return to defend their title. Last year, Mohawk only dropped one set enroute to the victory. This season, the Mountaineers are 8-3 in conference play and is third in the provincial rankings.

The top-ranked and undefeated Humber Hawks also look to take a run at the title, which they last won in 2006. Humber is 10-0 this season, dominating opponents having not lost a single set. Lionel Groulx and Bois de Boulogne of Quebec will also be making the road trip for the tournament. The Quebec powerhouses are both national contenders as Lionel Groulx is ranked seventh in the country while Bois-de-Boulogne is 12th.

This year marks the 21st anniversary of the Durham College women’s volleyball tournament, and the ninth year in its current format. Over the last nine years, the Lords made their only championship appearance in 2003-04, where they went on to defeat the Cambrian Golden Shield 2-1 to win the cup. This year, they look to change their luck as they enter play on a six game conference winning streak.

The DC Killer Instinct Cup has become highly regarded in the volleyball community and is one of the biggest and most anticipated invitational tournaments on the CCAA sports calendar. It will be a great preview for the OCAA Provincial Championships, scheduled to take place at Durham College from February 27-28, 2009.


PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Pool A
Humber Hawks (Etobicoke, Ont.)
Lionel Groulx Nordiques (Ste-Thérèse, PQ)
Sheridan Bruins (Oakville, Ont.)
Mohawk Mountaineers (Hamilton, Ont.)
Georgian Grizzlies (Barrie, Ont.)
Seneca Sting (North York, Ont.)

Pool B
Durham Lords (Oshawa, Ont.)
Bois-de-Boulogne Cavaliers (Montreal, PQ)
St. Clair Saints (Windsor, Ont.)
Loyalist Lancers (Belleville, Ont.)
Niagara Knights (Welland, Ont.)
Canadore Panthers (North Bay, Ont.)

TOURNAMENT WEBSITE
www.durhamlords.com/tournaments/wvb-killer.htm

PLAY-OFF SCHEDULE
Semi-Finals
3 p.m.

Consolation Games
4 p.m.

Championship Game:
5:30 p.m.

* All matches in play-offs are best 2 out of 3.
**All pool play matches are 2 sets.
***Awards presentations after final match.
****All games to take place in gyms one and two at the CRWC

PAST RESULTS
2007-08 - Mohawk defeated Fanshawe 2-0
2006-07 - Nipissing defeated Humber 2-0
2005-06 - Humber defeated Mohawk 2-1
2004-05 - No winner declared - Snowed out (play suspended)
2003-04 - Durham defeated Cambrian 2-1
2002-03 - Humber defeated Cambrian 2-0
2001-02 - Ryerson defeated Humber 2-0
2000-01 - Humber defeated Algonquin 2-0

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca

3 January 2009 - Rookie Marin scores 10 points in Stars' big 12-3 victory

For the third time this season, the CWHL Performance of the Week has highlighted the league's single-game scoring mark. This time, Stars de Montréal rookie Noémie Marin scored 10 points in a 12-3 victory, thus erasing the three-week old record previously held by Mississauga's Jennifer Botterill (seven points). Marin scored five goals and five assists - seven points on starter Jessica Moffat and three more on replacement Robyn Rittmaster. Marin also tied the single-game goal-scoring record set last month by Brampton's Jayna Hefford.

For more information on the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, please visit www.cwhl.ca.


Previous weeks

3 January - Noémie Marin, Montréal
21 December – Kim St-Pierre, Montréal
11 December – Jennifer Botterill, Mississauga
6 December – Jayna Hefford, Brampton
30 November – Jana Harrigan, Burlington
22 November – Kim St-Pierre, Montréal
15 November – Caroline Ouellette, Montréal
8 November – Meagan Aarts, Vaughan
1 November – Meredith Ostrander, Brampton
26 October – Sabrina Harbec, Montréal
19 October – Caroline Ouellette, Montréal
11 October – Sabrina Harbec, Montréal
4 October – Laura Hosier, Brampton

THORNBURY, ON (January 4, 2009) – Marie-Michèle Gagnon (Lac-Etchemin, QC) led a Canadian sweep of the podium at today’s opening Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup giant slalom race at the Georgian Peaks Club near Thornbury, ON.

Gagnon, who has now won three Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup races in as many days, finished today’s GS with a winning two-run combined time of one minute 43.41 seconds.

“Once again it was an awesome day. I can’t ask for anything better. Things have been going really well for me these last couple days,” said Gagnon, who won Nor-Am slalom races at Craigleith Ski Club before the race series headed to Georgian Peaks.

Canada actually took the top four positions on the day with Emilie Desforges (Montréal, QC) finishing second in 1:43.56 and Larisa Yurkiw (Owen Sound, ON), racing to third place on her home hill in a time of 1:43.90. Shona Rubens (Canmore, AB) was fourth.

“It’s so good to have the team on the podium, it’s great for Canada,” Gagnon added.

As for the men, Robbie Dixon (Whistler, BC) led the way at today’s Nor-Am giant slalom race in Sunday River, USA. Dixon, who has been on the 13th at a World Cup downhill race in the past month, finished second today in a two-run time of 1:58.65. A Norwegian, Leif Kristian Haugen, won today’s GS race in 1:58.48 with American David Chodounsky finishing third.

The men’s Nor-Am event at Sunday River continues tomorrow with another GS followed by slalom races on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup event at Georgian Peaks concludes tomorrow with a ladies giant slalom.

Follow the Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup ski racing action with live timing: http://www.canski.org/webconcepteur/web/alpine/en/service.prt?svcid=ALPINE_PAGE_GENERIQUE54&iddoc=78620.

THORNBURY, ON – JAN. 5, 2009 - NOR-AM SLALOM – LADIES

1 16 GAGNON Marie-Michele 989 CAN 52.46 50.95 1:43.41
2 4 DESFORGES Emilie 1983 CAN 52.04 51.52 1:43.56
3 2 YURKIW Larisa 1988 CAN 52.83 51.07 1:43.90
4 3 RUBENS Shona 1986 CAN 52.93 51.44 1:44.37
5 10 MIELKE Kristen 1982 USA 53.30 51.74 1:45.04
6 9 COOPER Kirsten 1988 USA 53.09 52.23 1:45.32
7 6 STAPLES Kiley 1989 USA 53.08 52.25 1:45.33
8 15 FORD Julia 1990 USA 53.26 52.14 1:45.40
9 14 MIELZYNSKI Erin 1990 CAN 53.58 52.01 1:45.59
10 1 SIMMERLING Georgia 1989 CAN 53.44 52.37 1:45.81

COMPLETE RESULTS: http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=AL&raceid=56955

SUNDAY RIVER, USA – JAN. 5, 2009 – NOR-AM SLALOM – MEN’S

1 10 HAUGEN Leif Kristian 1987 NOR 59.67 58.81 1:58.48
2 17 DIXON Robbie 1985 CAN 1:00.49 58.18 1:58.67
3 29 CHODOUNSKY David 1984 USA 1:00.76 58.71 1:59.47
4 22 BRENNA Petter 1986 NOR 1:00.72 58.87 1:59.59
5 6 NICKERSON Warner 1981 USA 1:00.79 59.10 1:59.89
6 41 SEMPLE Ryan 1982 CAN 1:00.77 59.19 1:59.96
7 26 GREGORAK Will 1990 USA 1:01.19 59.07 2:00.26
8 36 PIETILAE HOLMNER Johan 1991 SWE 1:01.85 58.45 2:00.30
9 5 SPENCER Dane 1977 USA 1:01.27 59.04 2:00.31
10 7 FORD Tommy 1989 USA 1:01.72 58.63 2:00.35


COMPLETE RESULTS: http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=AL&competitorid=13757&raceid=55254

ABOUT THE NORTHWEST FUNDS COUPE NOR-AM CUP
The Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup Series, sanctioned by the International Ski Federation (FIS), is the key stepping stone for Canadian and American athletes as they prepare for World Cup and Olympic competition. The highest level ski racing series in North America, the Canadian events of Coupe Nor-Am Cup circuit are presented by Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. For more information on Northwest and Ethical Investments, please visit www.ethicalfunds.com

“Relentlessly Pursuing Excellence”


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INFORMATION:
Kyle Marr
Director of PR & Media Communications /
Directeur, RP et médias communication
Alpine Canada Alpin
Tel: (403) 777-3204
TELUS: (403) 860-0665
kmarr@canski.org
www.canski.org

Canadian teenagers Russell Teibert and Monica Lam-Feist have been named Canadian U-17 Players of the Year for the 2008 soccer season. The two stars were honoured in a vote shared by national-team coaches (50%) and Canadian coaches who have taken the Canadian Soccer Association’s national course at the B and A levels (50%).

Teibert is a member of the BMO Financial Group - Canadian men’s U-17 team. He took part in the Canadian team’s first camp in November as the team began preparations for the 2009 CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Championship. He started the 2008 season as a member of the Canadian Soccer Association’s National Training Centre in Ontario, but also played briefly for TFC Academy’s U-16 side. In August, he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps residency program; in December, he traveled with the Whitecaps FC Residency squad to Japan.

The Niagara Falls midfielder also won a silver medal at the 2008 BMO National Championships All Stars in Brossard, QC. At the Canadian U-17 camp in Mexico, he scored one goal and one assist in four games against local club teams. He even wore the captain’s arm band for part of the trip.

As for Lam-Feist, she is now a two-time winner of the Canadian U-17 Player of the Year award. She actually only spent part of her season with the Canadian women’s U-17 team (whose title sponsor is BMO Financial Group) as she spent most of it one level up with the women’s U-20 team (whose title sponsor is Winners). In June, she helped Canada win the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship in Puebla, Mexico. She scored in each of the two opening matches. In September, she helped Canada with the Torneo 4-Naciones in Melipilla, Chile. In November, she scored two goals for Canada at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Chile 2008.

The Surrey, BC forward also got to play briefly with the national team, taking part in the team’s trip to China in January for the Four Nations Tournament. While she did not feature, she was the youngest player called into the national team this past season.

Tomorrow, the Canadian Soccer Association will announce the Canadian U-20 Players of the Year. The 2008 adidas Canadian Players of the Year will be announced later this week.

For more information please contact:
Richard Scott - 613.237.4580 x237 / 613.818.0305

BROMONT, QC (January 5, 2009) – The Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup season kicks off this Thursday as the national ski racing series celebrates 40 years of providing amateur skiers with essential competitive experience on the road to World Cup and Olympic Winter Games competition.

The 2008-09 Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup season includes a total of 39 races in three provinces across Canada, beginning in Bromont, QC with a ladies slalom race on Thursday.

“General Motors of Canada strongly supports the development of up-and-coming young ski racers and in partnership with Alpine Canada Alpin, created the Pontiac GMC Cup series to help those Canadian athletes to be amongst the best in the world,” said Fred Lautenschlager, sponsorship manager at GM of Canada.

GM of Canada is the title sponsor of the Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships taking place March 19 to 25 in Le Massif and Mont Sainte-Anne, QC where high-potential young athletes from across Canada compete head-to-head against athletes from the Canadian Alpine Ski Team in speed and technical events.

The Pontiac GMC Canadian J1 Championships, bringing Canada’s top 15 and 16-year-old ski racers to Whistler, BC to determine national champions for that age group, will provide an additional 12 races this season.

“GM of Canada’s ongoing commitment to develop the highest quality ski racing programs for 40 years now has been an instrumental part of our current success and our goal is to continue building on the momentum they have helped create,” said ACA President Gary Allan.

“GM of Canada is involved in a number of successful and innovative partnerships, from title sponsor of more than 51 ski races in Canada this season, to the use of the GM Wind Tunnel by our athletes, to the athlete vehicle program that provides our best performers with GM vehicles for one year,” said Allan.

The Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup is a developmental ski racing program sanctioned by Alpine Canada Alpin and the International Ski Federation (FIS).

The series is the brain-child of Olympic Champion Nancy Greene Raine, who approached General Motors 41 years ago with the concept of creating a strong domestic series for up-and-coming Canadian alpine racers to compete with the best across the country. GM of Canada has a rich history as a benefactor to communities and to amateur support. Thus, the original Pontiac Cup series was launched, and out of it came some of Canada’s best alpine racers including Kathy Kreiner, Gerry Sorensen, Laurie Graham, Karen Percy, and the Crazy Canucks.

The Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup was won last season by BenjaminThomsen of British Columbia and Ontario’s Erin Mielzynski.

OFFICAL COUPE PONTIAC GMC CUP WEBSITE
JOIN THE COUPE PONTIAC GMC CUP FACEBOOK PAGE

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (subject to change)
COUPE PONTIAC GMC CUP
* 08/01/09 – Ladies SL – Bromont, QC
* 09/01/09 – Ladies SL – Bromont, QC
* 11/01/09 – Men’s SL – Bromont, QC
* 12/01/09 – Men’s SL – Bromont, QC
12/01/09 – Ladies GS – Orford, QC
13/01/09 – Men’s GS – Orford, QC
14/01/09 – Men’s GS – Orford, QC
15/01/09 – Ladies GS – Orford, QC
08/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies GS – Mt. Norquay, AB
09/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies GS – Mt. Norquay, AB
10/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies SL – Mt. Norquay, AB
11/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies SL – Mt. Norquay, AB
20/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies SL – Camp Fortune, QC
21/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies SL – Camp Fortune, QC
23/02/09 – Men’s/ Ladies GS – Georgian Peaks, ON
24/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies GS – Georgian Peaks, ON

* For live audio and video of the Pontiac GMC Cup races from Bromont, QC - ttp://www.ustream.tv/channel/coupe-pontiac-bromont-2009

PONTIAC GMC CANADIAN J1 CHAMPIONSHIPS
28/02/09 – Ladies GS – Whistler, BC
01/03/09 – Men’s GS – Whistler, BC
02/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies SG/SC – Whistler, BC
03/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies SG/SC – Whistler, BC
04/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies SL – Whistler, BC

PONTIAC GMC CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
19/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies DH – Le Massif, QC
20/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies DH – Le Massif, QC
21/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies SG/SC – Le Massif, QC
& Ladies GS – Mont Sainte-Anne, QC
22/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies SG/SC – Le Massif, QC
& Men’s GS – Mont Sainte-Anne, QC
23/03/09 – Men SL – Mont Sainte-Anne, QC
24/03/09 – Ladies SL – Mont Sainte-Anne, QC


ABOUT THE COUPE PONTIAC GMC CUP
The Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup, which is celebrating 40 years of providing amateur ski racers in Canada with essential competitive experience in 2008/09, is a developmental ski racing program sanctioned by Alpine Canada Alpin and the International Ski Federation (FIS). The series includes 39 races in three provinces this season culminating with the Coupe Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships from March 19 to March 25 in Le Massif and Mont Sainte-Anne, QC. For more information, click on the official Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup website of join the Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup Facebook page.

“Relentlessly Pursuing Excellence”

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INFORMATION:

Janice Avon
Coupe Pontiac GMC
(604) 318-1081
Janice.Avon@MacLaren.com

Kyle Marr
Director of PR & Media Communications /
Directeur, RP et médias communication
Alpine Canada Alpin
Tel: (403) 777-3204
TELUS: (403) 860-0665
kmarr@canski.org
www.canski.org

Jan 5, 2009 8:53 AM posted by Greg Beaudin

The Following Players have been been selected to represent Team Canada this upcoming May in Turku/Raiso Finland at the 2009 U19 World Floorball Championships:
Thank-You to everyone who applied to make the team and Congratulations to the 20 players who are going to Finland in May!


http://sites.google.com/a/teamcanadafloorball.com/mediablog/NEWS/floorballcanadaselectsu19nationalteam