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Man Utd swamped with offers to make behind-the-scenes documentary of revival under Sir Jim Ratcliffe

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Man Utd swamped with offers to make behind-the-scenes documentary of revival under Sir Jim Ratcliffe

MANCHESTER UNITED have been swamped with offers to make a behind-the-scenes documentary of the club’s planned revival under new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

SunSport has learned that several production companies have made approaches on behalf of streaming giants Netflix, Amazon and Disney+.

Manchester United have been swamped with offers to make a behind-the-scenes documentary

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Manchester United have been swamped with offers to make a behind-the-scenes documentaryCredit: PA
The potential series would film United's revival under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe

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The potential series would film United’s revival under co-owner Sir Jim RatcliffeCredit: PA

All since Ratcliffe made his £1.25billion investment in the United earlier this year.

United have yet to enter serious negotiations, though, with their priority is improving performances on the pitch following another difficult start to the season.

Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle have all made documentaries with Amazon in recent years.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are in the process of selling a series on Jurgen Klopp’s final six months at Anfield.

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But a United documentary is seen as the dream ticket among streaming companies.

Amazon have produced documentaries on club icons Sir Alex Ferguson, Wayne Rooney and the 10 days building up to their historic Treble-sealing Champions League win in 1999.

Netflix released a four-part series on David Beckham last year.

But there has been nothing made just on United.

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The narrative of reviving the biggest club in the country that have not won the Premier League title since 2013 is thought to be particularly attractive to documentary makers.

United have not ruled out agreeing to a documentary at some stage.

How would Southgate and Tuchel transform Man Utd flops and who is best for job?

But with so many other issues to resolve including the proposed £2billion redevelopment of Old Trafford, the project is not high on their agenda at present.

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United have their own production company with their in-house team constantly filming behind-the-scenes footage, which could be sold on to a third party if an offer is accepted.

Man Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let down

MANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.

United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.

Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.

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ANDRE ONANA – 7

Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.

NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6

Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.

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HARRY MAGUIRE – 6

Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.

JONNY EVANS – 9

Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.

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DIOGO DALOT – 7

Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7

Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.

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KOBBIE MAINOO – 7

Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6

Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. 

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BRUNO FERNANDES – 8

United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.

Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.

MARCUS RASHFORD – 7

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Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! 

Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.

RASMUS HOJLUND – 6

Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.

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MATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.

VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.

JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.

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ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.

CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.

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Northern Ireland: Inexperienced keepers battle for Nations League opportunity after Bailey Peacock-Farrell injury

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Northern Ireland: Inexperienced keepers battle for Nations League opportunity after Bailey Peacock-Farrell injury


With eight international caps and playing regularly at Plymouth Argyle in the Championship before his injury, Hazard would have proven the natural deputy.

Pierce Charles, brother of midfielder Shea Charles, has put in a string of impressive performances for the Northern Ireland Under-21s this year, most especially in an away victory over Serbia in March and then when keeping a clean sheet against England last month.

O’Neill was sufficiently impressed with the 19-year-old to bring him along with the senior squad to Spain for a pair of friendlies in June. Although Charles did not win a first cap, O’Neill cited his ability on the ball as a major attribute to his game.

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“Pierce is one of those goalkeepers that everyone is looking for in the modern game,” O’Neill said before those friendlies.

“He’s got great distribution, real composure with the ball at his feet and we know at Sheffield Wednesday they really regard him highly.”

He has, however, been on the bench at Hillsborough with England Under-21 international James Beadle having been handed the number one jersey after his arrival from Brighton and Hove Albion on a season-long loan deal.

In a similar position at his club is Luke Southwood, the 26-year-old who was on the bench against Luxembourg and Bulgaria last month in Hazard’s absence.

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The Bolton Wanderers man, who won his sole cap in a 3-1 friendly win over Luxembourg in 2022, did start the 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury Town for his League One side last weekend but has spent the majority of the season behind Nathan Baxter.

O’Neill has consistently stressed a desire for his international players to be regularly playing at as high a level possible at their clubs.

Yet, before two important fixtures for his side, he is left with a decision between two keepers with precious few minutes in league action this season.

Northern Ireland are adjusting to life without Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, who called time on his international career last month. And the keeper who gets the nod will find their task made no easier by the absence of centre-back Dan Ballard through injury.

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And yet should either impress in this unexpected opportunity, after Peacock-Farrell’s recent struggles for club and country, it just might give O’Neill something to think about moving towards next year’s World Cup qualifiers.



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Clement Kemboi dead at 32: Former African Games champion’s body found as tributes pour in

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Clement Kemboi dead at 32: Former African Games champion's body found as tributes pour in

AFRICAN GAMES champion Clement Kemboi has been found dead at the age of 32.

The body of the former Kenyan athlete was found by police in the town of Iten in his home country on Monday.

Clement Kemboi has passed away at the age of 32

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Clement Kemboi has passed away at the age of 32Credit: AFP
His body was found in the Kenyan town of Iten

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His body was found in the Kenyan town of ItenCredit: AFP

Kemboi’s body has been taken to Iten County Referral Hospital morgue and is awaiting an autopsy.

He is best-known for winning the 3000m steeplechase at the 2015 Africa Games.

Kemboi’s personal best time in the distance came at the Doha Diamond League in 2016 when he ran eight minutes and 10.65 seconds.

This earned him sixth place, five and a half seconds behind winner Conseslus Kipruto.

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Kemboi’s PB in the regular 3000m was 7:51:65.

His passing comes after 2016 World Athletics Under-20 800m champion Kipyegon Bett died on Sunday.

Bett had been in and out of hospital with a liver problem, before his sister confirmed his death.

Purity Kirui told BBC Sport Africa: “He had been sick, complaining of stomach pains for about a month. The doctors said he had a liver problem and had been in and out of hospital.

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“Last week we took him to hospital after he started vomiting blood and he was admitted. I went to see him (on Sunday) morning and he told me he was in pain.

“He told our dad, who is a pastor, to pray for him because he didn’t feel he would survive and after 12 noon he died. We tried everything to save him, but he left us. It’s very painful.”

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Women’s Champions League: What to look out for in the group stage

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Women's Champions League: What to look out for in the group stage

As the two-time defending champions, Barcelona will once again be the overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy in Lisbon in May.

The Spanish side, who have played in the past four finals, are aiming to become just the second club after Lyon to win three straight titles.

Their squad is full of players from Spain’s 2023 World Cup winning side, including Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas.

Lyon’s dominance in the Women’s Champions League has come to an end in recent years, but the French club will be seen as the biggest challengers to Barcelona, having defeated them in the 2022 final.

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However, the eight-time winners are entering a new era without Bompastor at the helm and are yet to prove themselves under former Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro.

Wolfsburg, as two-time winners and runners-up in 2023, would usually be seen as contenders, but their status as Germany’s top team has been stolen by Bayern Munich, who have won the past two Frauen-Bundesliga titles.

Bayern have reached the semi-finals twice before, but they fell in the group stages last season after conceding a late equaliser to PSG in their final group game.

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Jack Grealish becomes a dad for first time as England star and girlfriend Sasha Attwood welcome baby

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Jack Grealish becomes a dad for first time as England star and girlfriend Sasha Attwood welcome baby

JACK GREALISH has become a dad for the first time after partner Sasha Attwood gave birth to their baby.

The childhood sweethearts have announced the arrival of little Mila while her dad is on England duty.

Jack Grealish has become a dad for the first time after Sasha gave birth

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Jack Grealish has become a dad for the first time after Sasha gave birthCredit: Refer to Caption
New dad Grealish is on international duty with England for the upcoming Nations League matches

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New dad Grealish is on international duty with England for the upcoming Nations League matchesCredit: Getty
The pair announced they were expecting in July

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The pair announced they were expecting in JulyCredit: Instagram
Sasha showed off maternity wear throughout her pregnancy

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Sasha showed off maternity wear throughout her pregnancyCredit: Instagram
Grealish and Sasha have enjoyed a glamorous lifestyle

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Grealish and Sasha have enjoyed a glamorous lifestyleCredit: Instagram
They have been dating since they were teenagers in high school

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They have been dating since they were teenagers in high schoolCredit: Social Media – Refer to Source
Grealish's team-mates shared their congratulations following the arrival

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Grealish’s team-mates shared their congratulations following the arrivalCredit: Instagram @sasha__rebecca

Grealish and Sasha, who have been together for ten years, shared a pic of the tot gripping a finger with the words “Mila Rose Grealish 27/09/24”, suggesting she was born last month.

The happy news led to lots of well-wishes from Grealish’s team-mates from the present and the past, with England pal Declan Rice sharing a heart emoji.

Former England star Dele Alli posted “Congrats” with a string of heart emojis, while Aston Villa ace Ross Barkley echoed that with: “Congrats lad.”

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Villa hero Ian Taylor posted: “Congratulations mate!”

Grealish’s former Villa Park team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor wrote: “Congrats bro.”

And ex-Netherlands international Tim Krul issued the following emojis: “🔥🧡.”

Grealish competed for Manchester City on September 28 during a 1-1 draw with Newcastle at St James’ Park, meaning he appears to have gone back to work a day after Mila’s birth.

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The couple announced they were expecting in July with Sasha showing off her big baby bump.

She shared the good news on social media along with the caption: “Half of me, half of you – beyond blessed ✨🤍🙏🏻.”

While Grealish, 28, wrote: “Life’s biggest blessing 👶🏻.”

Jack Grealish opens up on ‘one of the worst summers of my life’ after scoring against England over former side Ireland

Sasha spent a lot of her pregnancy testing out different clothing and offering tips and advice for other mums-to-be.

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She signed a lucrative deal with PrettyLittleThing in the summer and began plugging the brand’s maternity wear to her thousands of social media followers.

Grealish, who is back in the England side after his Euros heartache in the summer, and Sasha first started dating when they were teenagers at school together in Solihull.

Sasha has been with the midfielder throughout his professional football career – supporting him at Villa before the £100million move from their hometown of Birmingham to Manchester in 2021.

She celebrated with the winger on the pitch as he won his second Premier League title with City earlier this year.

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Sasha, 28, has helped Grealish ditch his party boy persona and they now have a family, welcoming their child into their £5.6million Cheshire mansion with their beloved apricot cockapoo Skye.

Grealish was given Skye as a birthday present by Sasha, and calls her the “world’s best dog”.

The couple enjoy a glamorous lifestyle which includes five-star holidays to places like Sardinia and Dubai.

Manchester City star Grealish appears to have played against Newcastle a day after his baby's birth

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Manchester City star Grealish appears to have played against Newcastle a day after his baby’s birthCredit: Rex

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AFC Wimbledon stadium flood ‘was a matter of time’

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AFC Wimbledon stadium flood 'was a matter of time'


The Dons Den Flooded Wimbledon stadiumThe Dons Den

In the 1950s, flooding was common at the site of AFC Wimbledon’s current stadium. The old venue was demolished in 2018, with the football club’s new ground built on the same site

The flooding of AFC Wimbledon’s football ground was “totally predictable”, a campaign group has said.

More than 100,000 litres of water was pumped from the Cherry Red Records Stadium after drains backed up overnight on 22 September.

Michael Burnage, of the Save Wimbledon Stadium Action Group, told the BBC: “We all knew that it was just a matter of time. The question in our mind was not if there would be a flood on the site, but when it would happen.”

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The Environment Agency said planning decisions were made by local authorities. Merton Council, which was responsible for the decision to approve the new stadium, said it was “sad to see the damage and disruption caused by flooding”.

PA Media Laden with pails and cloths, three members of the catering staff paddle through the flooded Wimbledon Stadium.PA Media

In 1957, the previous stadium’s catering staff had to wade through floodwater to access the ground

Two home matches – including a League Cup tie with Newcastle United – were postponed after the pitch collapsed following the latest flood. The first match back at the ground since the flooding will be against Carlisle United on Saturday.

The previous stadium, which opened in 1928, hosted greyhound racing until its closure in 2017 – which was described at the time as a “crime against happiness” by the Racing Post.

It also hosted stock car racing and speedway events, which ceased in 2005.

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Mr Burnage, whose group campaigned against the 2018 demolition of the stadium, said the area had flooded many times throughout its history.

Drone video shows collapsed pitch at AFC Wimbledon

He said: “Our campaign group have not been in the least surprised that the new stadium has seen such devastating flood damage.

“We have every sympathy for the staff and officials of AFC Wimbledon having to deal with the impact of this latest flood, but to say it was unpredictable is simply not true.

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“As part of our campaign, we highlighted our years of experience on the site, recalling the countless times that the stadium and the car park were flooded.”

He said that developers, the council, City Hall and the Environment Agency were all warned about the dangers of future flooding, adding: “We are incredibly frustrated by recent events.”

BBC/Harry Low View from the press box at Wimbledon's Plough LaneBBC/Harry Low

AFC Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium opened in 2020
AFC Wimbledon Flooded AFC Wimbledon stadium exteriorAFC Wimbledon

The flooding it experienced last month was foreseen by some

More than £120,000 has been raised by the fan-owned club following the latest flooding.

Wimbledon FC left its original home at nearby Plough Lane in 1991 because legislation required all-seater stadiums.

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Following a spell playing at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park, in 2004 the club was controversially rebranded as MK Dons after the owners moved it to Milton Keynes.

AFC Wimbledon was set up in 2002 as a non-league club, winning five promotions in nine years to rise from the depths of the Combined Counties League to reach the Football League in 2011.

During that time, the club played home matches at Kingsmeadow – which is now the home of Chelsea FC Women – before the move to the Cherry Red Records Stadium in November 2020.

The Dons Den Ronnie Greene, the stadium promoter pulls a trolley through flood waters, Cyril Brine is mounted on the speedway bikeThe Dons Den

Stadium promoter Ronnie Greene pulls a trolley through floodwater with Cyril Brine on his speedway bike
The Dons Den View of underwater Wimbledon stadium in 1968The Dons Den

In 1968 the old stadium suffered one its many floods, when the nearby River Wandle burst its banks

Jon Stevens, a curator of the Dons Den, which is home to many items from the previous stadium’s Speedway heyday, says “historically, it’s always flooded”.

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He told BBC London: “It’s been well documented that it’s flooded quite substantially.

“Regarding building a brand-new stadium and it still flooding, I guess maybe something’s been overlooked.

“I don’t know why they did that: that’s the million dollar question.

“Were there enough measures in place to combat any potential flood?”

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Aaron Paul speaks to AFC Wimbledon’s managing director James Woodroof

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “As the stadium is a brownfield redevelopment in a high-risk flood zone, its planning involved lengthy discussions, mapping and reports on how the flood risk would be managed.

“We originally objected to the proposed development due to insufficient information. Once this had been supplied, we were able to remove our objection and requested several planning conditions.”

A Merton Council spokesperson said: “The stadium is built on previously developed land with a historic risk of flooding, a risk common across many developed areas of London.

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“Given this risk, and the increase in flash flooding caused by our changing climate, the planning proposal was, like all proposals, examined rigorously.

“The council’s planning committee and the Environment Agency sought to ensure the stadium would remain safe, that the building would not increase risk of flooding nearby, including to homes, and that damage mitigation and recovery plans were thorough and robust.

“We are working closely with the Environment Agency and AFC Wimbledon to manage the risk of flooding, and to support in the review of the club’s flooding processes.”



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Green Sport Awards 2024: Imogen Grant on making changes to tackle climate change

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Green Sport Awards 2024: Imogen Grant on making changes to tackle climate change

BBC Green Sport Awards Athlete of the Year Imogen Grant wants to use her “platform” and “passion” to help tackle climate change after having her eyes opened to its impacts.

Rower Grant won Olympic gold in Paris earlier this year alongside Emily Craig in the women’s double sculls.

And spending so much time on the water during her sports career has motivated the 28-year-old to become a prominent sustainability advocate.

“Physically experiencing so many of the changes we have seen during the climate crisis – flooding, inclement weather, hot weather, really freezing weather, unbelievable rains and storms – as I am trying to train has really opened my eyes to the impact the climate crisis is having, on me directly and the entire world,” she told BBC Sport.

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“I’ve been rowing for 10 years. I have seen the changes in the water. I have ridden past floating nappies, seen used tampons floating and hanging in the trees on the sides of the bank, and I’ve seen dead fish.

“Seeing the degradation of our waterways has been really difficult.”

Grant, who is in her first foundation year as a doctor having completed a medical degree at the University of Cambridge, was instrumental in the launch of the Clean Water Sport Alliance earlier this year.

British Rowing is one of seven national governing bodies of water-based sports to come together with the aim of improving river health and water quality in the UK.

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Grant has also become an ambassador for the Rivers Trust and was a spokesperson for British Rowing when it announced its environmental sustainability strategy.

“As an athlete, I know that I have a platform and I have a passion, but I haven’t always had the knowledge and the nuts and bolts,” she said.

“Working with the Rivers Trust, I feel like I have learned so much and I am so much better equipped to talk about the things I am passionate about.

“I know enough to know what I am talking about and make a real difference. Knowledge is absolutely power.”

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