Pitch

Inside every issue of Pitch magazine you will find stories, long and short, covering at least 30 different sports. There’s football, cricket, rugby – both types – golf, MMA, boxing, athletics and F1. And loads of others. Because ultimately we are sports fanatics.

BOTH SIDES OF A SMILE

Pitch

FRONT ROW / CONTRIBUTORS

SEASON'S GREETINGS • Kevin Whitchurch puts a finger in the air and assesses who might get us all talking this summer.

In 60 seconds… with Brad Kella. • THE WINNER OF CHANNEL 4'S THE PIANO SPENDS A SPORTING MINUTE WITH PITCH.

Now Playing. • Pitch Issue 12. The tracks that took us here…

SCHE-MATICA Arena of the Forest. • It is described by architects, Zaha Hadid, as a ‘harmonious blend of cutting-edge design and natural inspiration’, the stadium draws heavily on the surrounding Marselisborg Forest for all aspects of its appearance and construction.

Rated. • Socks worth pulling up for. Pitch pairs the best, from the basics to big-ticket tech.

…Pole vault. • It's as easy as it looks…

J.B. Mauney • ATHLETES THAT OUT-PERFORM THEIR SPORT

Basic, Better, Best… • THROUGH HISTORY

BASE Jumping.

No.3 - The Triple Axel • From Scandinavia with love, and the often more-than-occasional unhappy landing…

Club Call:Newcastle Blue Star • The numbers behind the northeast's fastest-growing non-league football club.

Backyards - No.9 Lester Piggott @ Royal Ascot • No jockey has reigned (or reined) over Royal Ascot quite like ‘The Long Fellow’. His record 116 winners, and 11 Gold Cups, at the Royal Meeting remain unmatched – and likely always will.

Delhi • Good to get to know ya, well…

Alt. Icons. SPORTING WHITE GOODS • The clean and less clean world of washers and dryers.

Reviews • Jade Craddock runs the rule over the latest raft of sporting books.

In 10 Characters, or Less… • Heroes of the people's tournament.

YOUNG SPORTS JOURNALISTS • It's back again. And with good reason. Meet the authors of this year's very-best short-form think pieces.

The Pitch Bluffer's Guide to… The Wimbledon Championships • Looking to ease yourself into sport's bestdressed event, but don't know your Arthur Ashes from your elevated dining? If that's the case then let Pitch navigate the field, the form, and the etiquette for you. It's all here.

Who To Follow…

RUGBY SPECIAL • In a Lions year where Andy Farrell's visitors have a better-then-likely chance of leaving Australia with something close to a series win, Pitch dedicates the next 20 pages to a celebration of the maul ‘n braul sport's various charms.

PAYING THE BILL • A tale of million-pound contracts and a union at war. With the door into the Premiership slammed shut, Pitch speaks to Chairman of Nottingham Rugby, Alistair Bow, who is leading the revival.

Archers Alumni • FIVE INTERNATIONALS WHO ONCE CALLED NOTTINGHAM RFC HOME.

SEE YOU AT THE SEVENS • RUGBY'S BIGGEST PARTY MEETS A NEW MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR STADIUM IN HONG KONG. KIERAN LONGWORTH TRAVELS TO THE PEARL OF THE ORIENT TO SEE WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT.

Seven 7s • FORGETTING THE ILONA MAHERS AND ANTOINE DUPONTS OF THIS WORLD, PITCH PICKS OUR SVNS DREAM TEAM.

HENRY POLLOCK KEEPING BUSY

Franchise Fever • Once a sport that epitomised timeless tradition, cricket has probably experienced more change in the past 20 years than in the previous 150. New formats, new competitions, new investors, and an ever-changing media landscape are transforming the sport for owners, fans and players. Here, three people at the very epicentre of this cricketing revolution discuss the opportunities and challenges with Charlie and Harry Stebbings, co-hosts of The Business of Sport...