Ireland's national rubgy team has appointed JOHN PLUMTREE as its new forwards coach. Plumtree has been head coach at Super 15 outfit Natal Sharks since '08 (BELFAST TELEGRAPH, 7/31). ... Former Australia national team coach MICKEY ARTHUR has reached a “confidential” settlement with Cricket Australia over his firing last month. In a joint statement, the two sides said, "Both Mickey and CA agree that it is unfortunate that the dispute was not settled prior to the issuing of legal proceedings." The 45-year-old Arthur, who had two years to run on his contract, was fired June 24. Arthur: "For me this was never solely about the money. I just wanted to be treated fairly and with dignity. With this fair reasonable deal, we can now get on with our lives" (BLOOMBERG, 7/31). ... The Cerebral Palsy Int'l Sports & Recreation Association has nominated ALAN DICKSON in the upcoming election for Int'l Paralympic Committee President (CPISRA). ... U.S. President BARACK OBAMA and First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA will serve as honorary co-chairs at the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in L.A. L.A. Mayor ERIC GARCETTI and California Gov. JERRY BROWN will serve as co-hosts of the event (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 7/30). ... Former tennis world No. 1 GUSTAVO KUERTEN said that Brazil "must capitalize" on the 2016 Rio Olympics to "kick-start the country's flagging tennis fortunes." Kuerten said, "We have to improve many things, starting from the base, and create an action plan towards 2016. We must make the most of this opportunity to create a definitive structure" (XINHUA, 7/30). ... British heptathlete JESSICA ENNIS-HILL has withdrawn from the World Championships "because of a problem with her Achilles tendon." Ennis-Hill took part in the hurdles and the long jump at the Anniversary Games last weekend, but "did so on painkillers and her results were a disappointment." Ennis-Hill said, "The time has now come to stop chasing fitness and look to cure the problem" (LONDON TIMES, 7/31).
