The inventor of the Hawk-Eye ball-tracking system "is behind a new device he hopes will end the bitterness caused in club games by batsmen who refuse to 'walk.'"
Paul Hawkins "developed a sensor capable of detecting the slightest nick and hopes to make it available to amateur players at all levels."
The size of a small coin, the device "can be fixed easily to a bat and linked to an app on the umpire's smartphone." Hawkins said that "he was close to making this system available for public use." Although the sensors cost $36, "he hoped they could be sold more cheaply" (AFP, 4/21).
MEETING ADJOURNED: A split has emerged over who is controlling rugby in the Australian Capital Territory "after there was confusion over the location" of Super Rugby side ACT Brumbies board's extraordinary general meeting.
It "comes as beleaguered" Brumbies CEO Michael Jones "won Supreme Court approval to keep his job." The general meeting of the Brumbies board "was supposed to go ahead this evening, with a motion to dissolve the board to be considered." Only three clubs, along with Jones, "attended the scheduled meeting at the Brumbies headquarters in Bruce, meaning the meeting had to be adjourned" (ABC, 4/21).
SAR TAKES CONTROL: South African Rugby confirmed on Thursday that "it had assumed administrative control of the Eastern Province Rugby Union."
Monde Tabata, an independent member of the SA Rugby Exec Committee, "has been appointed to the role of administrator." SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said, "The Executive Council determined to step in some time ago but without the consent of a union it is impossible to practically take such action."
Roux said that SA Rugby’s intervention "did not mean that the mother body would provide new funding for EP" (SPORT 24, 4/21).
LEAGUE BRIEFS ...
Dubai Sports Council announced that the Int'l Hockey Federation "will be the first organization to set up a regional office within its new headquarters at Dubai Design District," a move that "reflects the growing interest" of all Summer Olympic Int'l Federations to have permanent regional offices in Dubai (ISPORTCONNECT, 4/21).
The Int'l Surfing Association welcomed the Surfing Cook Islands Association as its 99th and newest Member Federation. A newly founded body, the Surfing Cook Islands Association is focused on developing and promoting surfing and standup paddle across the country, encouraging participation at all levels (ISA).
Australian Football League side Collingwood was sanctioned A$5,000 ($3,870), with A$2,500 ($1,935) of the penalty suspended for 12 months, after a late match day change was made to its team for the round four game against Melbourne, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 17 (AFL).
