2011 Speedway Grand Prix
Forty-one-year-old American Greg Hancock won his second Speedway World Championship, 14 years after his first gold medal in 1997. The Swedish rider Andreas Jonsson won his first World Championship medal after finishing first in three events. Polish Jarosław Hampel won the bronze medal and made it his second medal in the Speedway Grand Prix era.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix, Qualification
For the 2011 season there was 15 permanent riders, joined at each Grand Prix by one wild card and two track reserves.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix, Qualification, 2010 Grand Prix
The top eight riders from the 2010 championship qualified as of right:


2011 Speedway Grand Prix, Qualification, Grand Prix Challenge
The top eight riders from the 2010 championship were joined by three riders who qualified via the Grand Prix Challenge.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix, Qualification, Nominations
The final four riders were nominated by series promoters, Benfield Sports International, following the completion of the 2010 season.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix Qualification
The 2011 Individual Speedway World Championship Grand Prix Qualification were a series of motorcycle speedway meetings used to determine the three riders who qualified for the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix. The top eight riders finishing the 2010 Grand Prix series automatically qualified for 2011. The final round of qualification – the Grand Prix Challenge – took place on 21 August 2010, in Vojens, Denmark.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix Qualification
Artem Laguta and Antonio Lindbäck finished in the top two positions, and thus automatically qualified for the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix season. The third spot was decided in a three-way run-off, with Fredrik Lindgren defeating Janusz Kołodziej and Magnus Zetterström.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix Qualification, Grand Prix Challenge
m - exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance •  t - exclusion for touching the tapes •  x - other exclusion •  e - retired or mechanical failure •  f - fell •  ns - non-starter •  nc - non-classify


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Croatia
The 2011 FIM Nice Croatian Speedway World Championship Grand Prix was the tenth race of the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on September 24 at the Stadium Milenium in Donji Kraljevec, Croatia.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Croatia, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Matej Žagar as Wild Card, and Dino Kovačić and Matija Duh both as Track Reserves. The Draw was made on September 23.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Croatia, Results
Grand Prix was won by Andreas Jonsson who beat Chris Harris, Fredrik Lindgren and Greg Hancock in the final.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Croatia, Results
After the event, championship leader Greg Hancock has more than 24 points over second Andreas Jonsson and becoming 2011 World Champion. Hancock is the oldest World Champion in history, beating Ivan Mauger. Between first and last champion title was 14 years; former the longest period was 11 years (Mauger 1968-1979).


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Croatia, Results, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Czech Republic
The 2011 FIM Mitas Czech Republic Speedway Grand Prix was the third race of the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on May 28 at the Markéta Stadium in Prague, Czech Republic.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Czech Republic, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Matěj Kůs as Wild Card, and Rafał Dobrucki and Lukáš Dryml both as Track Reserves. Dobrucki, seriously injured in the Polish Ekstraliga, will be replaced by Zdeněk Simota. The Draw was made on May 27 by Marie Kousalíková, Mayor of Prague 6 and Petr Svoboda, 2011 European Indoor 60 metres hurdles Champion.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Czech Republic, Results
The Grand Prix was won by Greg Hancock who beat Jarosław Hampel, current World Champion Tomasz Gollob and Jason Crump. Hancock becoming World Championship leader.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Czech Republic, Results, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark
The 2011 FIM Dansk Metal Danish Speedway Grand Prix was the fourth race of the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on June 11 at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Mikkel B. Jensen as Wild Card, and Michael Jepsen Jensen and Kenneth Arendt Larsen as Track Reserves. The Draw was made on June 10 by Per Stig Møller, Culture Minister of Denmark and Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs of Denmark in the Cabinet of Lars Løkke Rasmussen I.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark, Riders
Wild card Jensen became the youngest rider ever ride in the SGP event. The former youngest was Pole Maciej Janowski.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark, Results
The Grand Prix was won by World Champion Tomasz Gollob, who beat Jason Crump, Chris Holder and Greg Hancock. Gollob became the World Championship leader.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark, Results, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Europe
The 2011 FIM Fogo European Speedway Grand Prix was the first race of the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix season. It take place on April 30 at the Alfred Smoczyk Stadium in Leszno, Poland.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Europe
It was fourth SGP event held in Leszno. Grand Prix was won by Dane Nicki Pedersen who beat defending World Champion Pole Tomasz Gollob, Russian Emil Sayfutdinov and Vice-Champion Jarosław Hampel from Poland. Gollob, scoring 18 points, becoming Championship leader.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Europe, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Damian Baliński as Wild Card, and Patryk Dudek and Maciej Janowski both as Track Reserves. The Draw was made on April 29 by Tomasz Malepszy, President (=Mayor) of Leszno. Hampel, Kołodziej and Baliński are ridding for Unia Leszno in the 2011 Speedway Ekstraliga.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Europe, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain
The 2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, also known as the 2011 FIM Doodson British Speedway Grand Prix for sponsorship reasons, was the fifth race of the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on 25 June at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Great Britain.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Scott Nicholls as Wild Card, and Tai Woffinden and Ben Barker both as Track Reserves. Because Artem Laguta did not have a valid visa, he could not enter into the United Kingdom. He was replaced by first Qualified Substitutes, Magnus Zetterström of Sweden. Another Russian rider, Emil Sayfutdinov, has Polish citizenship also. The Draw was made on 24 June by the Jury President, Armando Castagna.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, Results
The Grand Prix was won by Greg Hancock who beat Nicki Pedersen, Chris Holder and Emil Sayfutdinov in the final. Hancock becoming World Championship leader.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, Results, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Italy
The 2011 FIM Nice Italian Speedway Grand Prix was the sixth race of the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on July 30 at the Pista Olimpia stadium in Terenzano, Italy.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Italy, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Matej Žagar as Wild Card, and Mattia Carpanese and Guglielmo Franchetti both as Track Reserves. Injury Artem Laguta was replaced by first Qualified Substitutes, Magnus Zetterström. The Draw was made on July 29 at 13:00 CEST.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Italy, Results
The Grand Prix was won by Andreas Jonsson, who beat World Championship leader Greg Hancock, Antonio Lindbäck and Kenneth Bjerre in the final.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Italy, Results, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Nordic
The 2011 FIM Dansk Metal Nordic Speedway Grand Prix was the ninth race of the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on September 10 at the Speedway Center stadium in Vojens, Denmark.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Nordic, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Bjarne Pedersen as Wild Card, and Michael Jepsen Jensen and Mikkel Michelsen both as Track Reserves. The Draw was made on September 9.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Nordic, Results
Grand Prix was won by Grag Hancock who beat Jason Crump, Fredrik Lindgren and Chris Harris in the final.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Nordic, Results, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland
The 2011 Enea Toruń FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Poland was the eighth race of the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on April 27 at the MotoArena Toruń stadium in Toruń, Poland.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Darcy Ward as Wild Card, and Piotr Pawlicki, Jr. and Emil Pulczyński both as Track Reserves. Originally, Polish Motor Union has proposed Adrian Miedziński of Unibax Toruń as a Wild Card. Ward, 2009 and 2010 Under-21 World Champion, raced for Unibax Toruń between 2009 and 2010. Injury Pole Janusz Kołodziej was replaced by first Qualified Substitutes, Magnus Zetterström. The Draw was made on August 26 at 13:00 CEST.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland, Results
Grand Prix was won by Andreas Jonsson who beat Jarosław Hampel, wild card Darcy Ward and Antonio Lindbäck in the final.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland, Results, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland II
The FIM Gorzow Speedway Grand Prix of Poland was the eleventh and final race of the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on October 8 at the Edward Jancarz Stadium in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland II, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Darcy Ward as Wild Card, and Bartosz Zmarzlik and Kamil Pulczyński both as Track Reserves. The Draw was made on October 7.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland II, Results
It was second Grand Prix event (last time 2011 Swedish SGP) which was stopped before holding all heats (after Heat 16). According to "FIM Speedway World Championship Grand Prix Regulations (2011 edition)", points scored before Heat 16 is approved as an event result.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland II, Results
If a Grand Prix meeting is interrupted or suspended for any reason whatsoever,


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland II, Results
Grand Prix was won by Greg Hancock who beat Nicki Pedersen, Emil Sayfutdinov and Tomasz Gollob.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland II, Results, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Scandinavia
The FIM Scandinavian Speedway Grand Prix was the seventh race of the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on August 13 at the G&B Stadium in Målilla, Sweden.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Scandinavia, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Thomas H. Jonasson as Wild Card, and Simon Gustafsson and Linus Sundström both as Track Reserves. The Draw was made on August 12.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Scandinavia, Results
The Grand Prix was won by Pole Jarosław Hampel who beat Andreas Jonsson, Kenneth Bjerre and Emil Sayfutdinov in the final.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Scandinavia, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden
The 2011 FIM Meridian Lifts Swedish Speedway Grand Prix was the second race of the 2011 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on May 14 at the Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden, Riders
The Speedway Grand Prix Commission nominated Thomas H. Jonasson as Wild Card, and Simon Gustafsson and Dennis Andersson both as Track Reserves. The Draw was made on May 13 by stadium manager.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden, Results
It was first Grand Prix event which was stopped before holding all heats (after Heat 16). According to "FIM Speedway World Championship Grand Prix Regulations (2011 edition)", points scored before Heat 16 are approved as event results.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden, Results
If a Grand Prix meeting is interrupted or suspended for any reason whatsoever,


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden, Results
Grand Prix was won by Chris Holder (10 points), who beat Greg Hancock (10), Antonio Lindbäck (9) and Janusz Kołodziej (9). Hancock and the defending World Champion Tomasz Gollob becoming Championship co-leader.


2011 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden, Results, Heat details
e: retired or mechanical failure • m: exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t: exclusion for touching the tapes • x: other exclusion • f: fellns: non-starter • nc: non-classifySemi-finals: Heat 21: Riders placed 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Heat 22: Riders placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 8th in the intermediate classification (after 20 heats)Big Final (heat 23): The first and second placed riders in each of the Semi-Finals


2011 Speedway World Cup
The 2011 FIM Speedway World Cup (SWC) was the eleventh FIM Speedway World Cup, the annual international speedway world championship tournament. It took place between 9 July and 16 July 2011 and involved eight national teams. Six teams were seeded through to the tournament and two qualification rounds were held in April and May 2011 to determine the final two places.


2011 Speedway World Cup, Qualification
The top six nations from the 2010 Speedway World Cup (Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Great Britain, Australia and Russia) were granted automatic qualification, with the remaining two places divided among two qualifying rounds. Qualifying Round One was hosted in Lonigo, Italy and Qualifying Round Two was hosted in Landshut, Germany. Czech Republic and Germany was qualify to the Tournament.


2011 Speedway World Cup Event 1
The 2011 FIM Polska Grupa Energetyczna Speedway World Cup Event 1 was the first race of the 2011 Speedway World Cup season. It took place on 9 July 2011 at the Speedway Center stadium in Vojens, Denmark.


2011 Speedway World Cup Event 1
The winner qualified to the Final, second and third qualified to the Run-off. Finished fourth was knocked out of the competition.


2011 Speedway World Cup Event 2
The 2011 FIM Polska Grupa Energetyczna Speedway World Cup Event 2 was the second race of the 2011 Speedway World Cup season. It took place on 11 July 2011 at the Norfolk Arena in King's Lynn, England.


2011 Speedway World Cup Event 2
The winner qualified to the Final, second and third qualified to the Run-off. Finished fourth was knocked out of the competition.


2011 Speedway World Cup Final
The 2011 FIM Polska Grupa Energetyczna Speedway World Cup Final was the fourth and final race of the 2011 Speedway World Cup season. It was run on July 16 and was won by host nation Poland from Australia, Sweden and Denmark. The Final took place at the Edward Jancarz Stadium in Gorzów Wielkopolski.


2011 Speedway World Cup Final
Poland were led to victory but their captain, 2010 World Champion Tomasz Gollob who scored 17 of a possible 18 points from his 6 rides to be the top point scorer in the final. Gollob was well supported by team mates Jaroslaw Hampel (11pts), Krzysztof Kasprzak (8pts), Piotr Protasiewicz (8pts) and Janusz Kołodziej (7pts).


2011 Speedway World Cup Qualification
The 2011 Speedway World Cup Qualification (SWC) was a two events of motorcycle speedway meetings, host in Italy and Germany, used to determine the two national teams who qualify for the 2011 Speedway World Cup. According to the FIM rules the top six nations (Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Great Britain, Australia and Russia) from the 2010 Speedway World Cup were automatically qualified. Qualification was won by Czech Republic and Germany teams.


2011 Speedway World Cup Qualification, Heat details, Qualifying Round One
M - exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • T - exclusion for touching the tapes • X - other exclusion • E - retired or mechanical failure • F - fell


2011 Speedway World Cup Qualification, Heat details, Qualifying Round Two
M - exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • T - exclusion for touching the tapes • X - other exclusion • E - retired or mechanical failure • F - fell


2011 Speedway World Cup Race-off
The 2011 FIM Polska Grupa Energetyczna Speedway World Cup Race-off was the third race of the 2011 Speedway World Cup season. It took place on 11 July 2011 at the Edward Jancarz Stadium in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland.


2011 Speedway World Cup Race-off
The top to teams qualified to the Final, third and fourth were knocked out of the competition.


2011 Spengler Cup
The 2011 Spengler Cup was held in Davos, Switzerland between 26 and 31 December 2011. All matches were played at host HC Davos's home Vaillant Arena. The number of teams was expanded in 2010 from 5 to 6 in comparison to previous seasons, and split into two groups of three. The two groups, named Torriani and Cattini, were named after legendary Swiss hockey players Bibi Torriani and Hans Cattini. HC Davos won the event for a record 15th time.


2011 Spengler Cup, Teams participating
The list of teams that have been confirmed for the tournament are as listed:


2011 Spengler Cup, Teams participating
The division of the teams into the two groups and the subsequent schedule were determined on 2 September 2011.


2011 Spengler Cup, Match Officials
Here is the list of match officials that have been confirmed for the tournament:


2011 Spengler Cup, Knockout stage
Key: * – final in overtime. * * – final in shootout.


2011 Spengler Cup, Statistics, Scoring leaders
GP = Games Played G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points


2011 Spengler Cup, Television
Several television channels around the world will cover many or all matches of the Spengler Cup. As well as most Swiss channels, here is a listing of who else will cover the tournament:


2011 Spokane Shock season
The 2011 Spokane Shock season was the sixth season for the franchise, and the second in the Arena Football League, coming off of their victory in ArenaBowl XXIII. The team was coached by Rob Keefe and played their home games at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. The Shock finished the regular season 9–9, qualifying for the playoffs as the 4th seed in the National Conference. They lost to the Arizona Rattlers in the conference semifinals, 33–62.


2011 Spokane Shock season, Standings
z - Clinched division and conference's best recordx - Clinched playoff berth


2011 Spokane Shock season, Schedule, Regular season
The Shock began the season on the road on March 11 against the San Jose SaberCats. Their home opener was against the Cleveland Gladiators on March 19. They visited the Jacksonville Sharks in their final regular season game on July 22.


2011 Spokane mayoral election
The 2011 Spokane mayoral election took place on November 8, 2011 to elect the mayor of Spokane, Washington. It saw David Condon unseat incumbent mayor Mary Verner.


2011 Spokane mayoral election, Results, Primary
Washington has a nonpartisan blanket primary system. The top two-finishers in the primary face each other in the general election.


2011 Sporting Challenger
The 2011 Sporting Challenger was a professional tennis tournament played on clay courts. It was the tenth edition of the tournament which was part of the 2011 ATP Challenger Tour and the Tretorn SERIE+ series. It took place in Turin, Italy between June 26 and July 3, 2011.


2011 Sporting Challenger, ATP entrants, Other Entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2011 Sporting Challenger, Champions, Doubles
Martin Fischer /  Philipp Oswald def. Uladzimir Ignatik /  Martin Kližan, 6–3, 6–4


2011 Sporting Challenger – Doubles
Carlos Berlocq and Frederico Gil were the defending champions but Gil decided not to participate. Berlocq played alongside Daniel Muñoz-de la Nava, however they were eliminated by Martin Fischer and Philipp Oswald in the semifinals.


2011 Sporting Challenger – Doubles
Fischer and Oswald won this event. They claimed the title, defeating Martin Kližan and Uladzimir Ignatik in the final (6–3, 6–4).


2011 Sporting Challenger – Singles
Simone Bolelli was the champion in 2010, but chose not to defend his title.


2011 Sporting Challenger – Singles
2nd seed Carlos Berlocq defeated 4th seed Albert Ramos 6–4, 6–3 in the final and claimed the title.


2011 Sporting Cristal season
The 2011 season was Sporting Cristal's 56th season in the Peruvian First Division, and also the club's 56th consecutive season in the top-flight of Peruvian football.


2011 Sporting Cristal season, 2011 squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2011 Sporting Cristal season, Competitions, Overall
This season Sporting Cristal participated in two major competitions: the Torneo Descentralizado and the Torneo Intermedio.


2011 Sporting Kansas City season
The 2011 Sporting Kansas City season was the sixteenth season of the team's existence in Major League Soccer but the first year played under the Sporting Kansas City moniker.


2011 Sporting Kansas City season
The club's first league game of the season was on March 19, 2011 at Chivas USA. The regular season concluded on October 22, 2011. Sporting began the season with a record 10 game road trip while its new stadium, Livestrong Sporting Park, was being completed. The first home game at the new stadium was on June 9, 2011 versus the Chicago Fire.


2011 Sporting Kansas City season, Overview, Preseason
After all players reported to Kansas City for entrance physicals and a week's worth of training at the Kansas City Chiefs Indoor Practice Facility, Sporting Kansas City traveled to Phoenix, Arizona for the second straight season to train at the Reach 11 Sports Complex. Designated Player Omar Bravo made his long-awaited debut with the team and the coaching staff brought in more than a dozen guest trialists for evaluation, including Chad Ochocinco.


2011 Sporting Kansas City season, Squad, First team roster
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2011 Sporting Kansas City season, Major League Soccer, League table
(SS) = Supporters Shield winner; (E1) = Eastern Conference champion; (W1) = Western Conference champion


2011 Sporting Kansas City season, Major League Soccer, Results summary
Last updated: October 26, 2011Source: Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won;  T = Matches tied;  L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference


2011 Sporting Kansas City season, U.S. Open Cup
Sporting Kansas City began qualification for the 2011 U.S. Open Cup with a 1-0 victory over Houston Dynamo on April 6, 2011. Sporting Kansas City was one of ten MLS clubs vying for two play-in berths available. In the qualification finals, the club defeated New England Revolution 5-0 on May 25, 2011. Sporting KC entered the formal Cup competition in the Third round, defeating the Chicago Fire Premier club 3-0 on June 28, 2011. In the Quarterfinal round on July 12, 2011, they were defeated by the Richmond Kickers.


2011 Sporting Kansas City season, Friendly Matches
Sporting Kansas City team played a friendly match against the English Premier League team Newcastle United on July 20, 2011. They also hosted the Liga MX México Primera División team Club Deportivo Guadalajara on October 12, 2011.


2011 Sporting Kansas City season, Notable reserve games
The reserve game on March 28, 2011 against the Kansas City Brass garnered widespread interest due to NFL player Chad Ochocinco appearing for Sporting. Ochocinco briefly trained with the team during the NFL lockout.


2011 Sporting Kansas City season, Miscellany, Allocation ranking
Sporting Kansas City is in the #4 position in the MLS Allocation Ranking. The allocation ranking is the mechanism used to determine which MLS club has first priority to acquire a U.S. National Team player who signs with MLS after playing abroad, or a former MLS player who returns to the league after having gone to a club abroad for a transfer fee. A ranking can be traded, provided that part of the compensation received in return is another club's ranking.


2011 Sporting Kansas City season, Miscellany, International roster spots
Sporting Kansas City has 9 international roster spots. Each club in Major League Soccer is allocated 8 international roster spots, which can be traded. Sporting Kansas City acquired an additional spot from D.C. United on 3 February 2010 for use during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Sporting had also acquired another spot from Real Salt Lake on 23 February 2010 but that spot was for the 2010 season only and reverted to Real Salt Lake on 1 January 2011.


2011 Sporting Kansas City season, Miscellany, International roster spots
There is no limit on the number of international slots on each club's roster. The remaining roster slots must belong to domestic players. For clubs based in the United States, a domestic player is either a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident (green card holder) or the holder of other special status (e.g., refugee or asylum status).


2011 Sporting Kansas City season, Miscellany, Future draft pick trades
Future picks acquired: 2012 SuperDraft Round 2 pick acquired from FC Dallas; 2013 SuperDraft Round 2 pick acquired from New York Red Bulls. Future picks traded: 2012 SuperDraft Round 2 pick traded to Philadelphia Union.


2011 Sporting Kansas City season, Miscellany, MLS rights to other players
It is believed that Sporting maintains the MLS rights to Herculez Gomez after the player declined a contract offer by the club and instead signed with a non-MLS side.


2011 Sports Racer Series
The 2011 Sports Racer Series is the second running of the Sports Racer Series, an Australian motor racing series for small engined sports racing cars. The series began in 2010 but died after the second round at Wakefeild Park due to lack of numbers. The 2011 season has a more compact four round series over three states.


2011 Sports Racer Series
The number of entries has been impacted as all of the 2010 series Radical-equipped drivers have left for their own series single-marque series, the Radical Australia Cup. As a result, only 14 drivers have appeared so far representing cars built by Minetti Sports Cars, Speads Racing Cars and Stohr Cars, as well as West Race Cars.


2011 Sports Racer Series
At the halfway mark of the series, Stohr driver Adam Proctor dominates the series having won all six races outright, as well as winning the small capacity Class One with a perfect 228 points. Proctor is the only non-West driver in Class One and he holds a 14-point lead over the leading West driver in the class, Mark Laucke. Jonathon Stoeckel sits in third place, 13 points further behind.


2011 Sports Racer Series
In Class Two, West WX10 driver Aaron Steer leads the points having won the Class Two division in the four races in which the larger Class Two cars have had finishers. Races two and three at Winton saw none of the four cars present finish either race. Steer leads Minetti driver Scott Bingham by 47 points. Steer and Bingham are the only drivers with more than one race finish for the season.


2011 Sports Racer Series, Calendar
The 2011 Sports Racer Series will consist of four events.


2011 Sports Racer Series, Teams and drivers
The following teams and drivers have competed during the 2011 Sports Racer Series.


2011 Sports Racer Series, Teams and drivers, Drivers' points
Points were are 38–35–33–32–31–30 etc. based on race positions in each race, in each class. Points based on official series website.


2011 Spruce Meadows Masters
The 2011 Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament was the 2011 edition of the CSIO Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament, the Canadian official show jumping horse show at Spruce Meadows (Calgary, Alberta). It is held as CSIO 5*.


2011 Spruce Meadows Masters
With over $2 million in prize money, it was the one-week horse show with the highest prize money in the world.


2011 Spruce Meadows Masters
The first edition of the Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament was held 35 years ago in 1976. The BMO Nations Cup, at this time the only outdoor Show Jumping Nations Cup in North America, is held since 1977.


2011 Spruce Meadows Masters
The 2011 edition of the Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament was held between September 7, 2011 and September 12, 2011.


2011 Spruce Meadows Masters, ENCANA Cup
The ENCANA Cup was the main show jumping competition on Friday, September 9, 2011, at 2011 Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament. It was held at 5:15 pm. This competition was a show jumping competition with one round and one jump-off, the fences were up to 1.60 meters high.


2011 Spruce Meadows Masters, FEI Nations Cup of Canada
The BMO 2011 Nations Cup (FEI Nations Cup of Canada) was part of the 2011 Spruce Meadows Masters.


2011 Spruce Meadows Masters, FEI Nations Cup of Canada
The competition was a show jumping competition with two rounds and optionally one jump-off. The fences were up to 1.60 meters high. It was held on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 2:00 pm. The competition was endowed with 350,000 C$.


2011 Spruce Meadows Masters, CN International Grand Prix
The $1,000,000 CN International, the Show jumping Grand Prix of the 2011 Spruce Meadows 'Masters', was the major show jumping competition at this event. The sponsor of this competition was Canadian National Railway. It was held on Sunday, September 11, 2011.


2011 Spruce Meadows Masters, CN International Grand Prix
The competition had two rounds and optionally one jump-off. The fences were up to 1.60 meters high. If two riders, which were not qualified for the jump-off, had the same number of faults after two rounds, the time of the first round would have counted for the position in the final ranking.


2011 Spruce Meadows Masters, CN International Grand Prix
With a prize money of 1,000,000 C$ it is, behind the Grand Prix of Rio de Janeiro and before the Pfizer-1,000,000 US$-Grand Prix in Saugerties, NY, USA (which is held at the same day), the show jumping competition with the second highest prize money in the world.


2011 Sri Lanka Premier League
The 2011 Sri Lanka Premier League was a postponed Twenty20 cricket league. It was scheduled as the first edition of the new Twenty20 domestic cricket competition in Sri Lanka, from 19 July to 4 August. It was postponed until 2012, which was held as the 2012 Sri Lanka Premier League, after problems due to allegations of corruption and incompetence by Sri Lanka Cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India had also decided not to allow Indian players to play in the tournament.


2011 Sri Lanka Premier League
The proposed tournament included seven teams representing the provinces of Sri Lanka. The teams were to be captained by six national captains and a former Sri Lanka vice-captain. The tournament was to feature over 30 international cricketers and be the first of its kind in Sri Lanka.


2011 Sri Lanka Premier League, Teams
Unlike other cricket leagues, the Sri Lanka Premier League did not have city-based teams but instead provincial teams to allow an entire province to associate themselves with a team and thus create a bigger following for the tournament. Seven teams were established in seven provinces, with three being created in 2011. Aside from the Nagenahira Nagas and the Uthura Oryxes, each of these teams played in a previous Inter-Provincial tournament. North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces did not have teams for the first season. Teams for all the provinces were limited to ensure competitiveness for the future.


2011 Sri Lanka Premier League, Venue
All of the matches in the tournament were to be played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.


2011 Sri Lanka Premier League, Squads
A few teams had a Sri Lankan captain, Sanath Jayasuriya (Ruhuna), Mahela Jayawardene (Wayamba), Kumar Sangakkara (Kandurata) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (Basnahira); for Nagenahira and Uthura, Pakistan former captain Shahid Afridi and New Zealand former skipper Daniel Vettori have been chosen respectively. The league will featured almost 35 international cricketing stars and was  the first of its kind in Sri Lanka.


2011 Sri Lanka Premier League, Squads
Sri Lankan national selectors and cricket authorities agreed to blood as many youngsters and almost 70 Sri Lankan cricketers would be registered in the seven team tournament. Almost all Pakistani national cricketers were invited to play in the SLPL. In addition to that International stars like Chris Gayle and the Bravo brothers (Dwayne and Darren), Herschelle Gibbs, David Warner, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Kevin O'Brien, Daniel Christian, Kieron Pollard, Daniel Vettori and Shaun Tait would have been seen in action on Sri Lankan soil. Salaries would have been lower than the IPL, with the highest at $30,000, with Shahid Afridi getting $35,000. Shoaib Akhtar was also included among the international players who are take parting in SLPL. But Later on he has decided to pull out of SLPL due to personal reasons.


2011 Sri Lanka Premier League, Media coverage
All 24 matches were planned to be telecast live to every cricketing nation.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests
The 2011 Sri Lanka worker protests were a series of violent and non-violent protests involving workers from the Free Trade Zones (FTZ) of Sri Lanka against the government. Approximately 250,000 workers took part in the protest against the Sri Lankan government's Private Sector Pension Bill (PSBP) which lasted two weeks, from 24 May – 6 June 2011. The pension bill was effectively cutting wages and limiting employee benefits, which had a negative effect on the FTZ workers and prompted the mass protest. The protests were the largest that the FTZ had seen since its establishment in 1978.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests
The protests started as non-violent demonstrations in the cities of Negombo and Katunayake, however, they quickly turned violent, as the Sri Lanka Police struggled to contain the large crowds. On 30 May 2011, a 21-year-old man, Roshen Chanaka was killed by police gunfire. The death of Chanaka prompted widespread discontent with the Sri Lankan Police, and as a result, the Sri Lanka Army were deployed to deal with the developing situation.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests
The protests ended on 6 June with President Mahinda Rajapaksa announcing substantial amendments to the PSBP, which included a revised saving scheme for all workers in the FTZ.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, History
In early May 2011, the Sri Lankan government was set to pass a Private Pension Bill that would break down fund contributions into three separate deposits; for employees, migrant workers and the self employed.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, History
While this was the official description provided by the Sri Lankan government, the proposed scheme was in fact formulated around employees allocating a fixed percentage of their income to a membership fund, which would make up their pension. Once this reserved money had been depleted, the employers were longer entitled to any pension and may have even be forced back into the workforce as a result. This was the primary motivation for the subsequent protests, the Sri Lankan Workforce, particularly those working in the FTZ, were disenchanted and demanded a fairer scheme that would ensure that their retirement is secure. The proposed bill would effectively introduce compulsory saving for retiring FTZ workers, a notion that spearheaded the protests to follow.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, History
Prathiba Mahanamahewa, a Sri Lankan Lawyer at the time, described the bill as unfair in an interview with AsiaNews; "But once they retire, and the money spent from the individual account is finished the person ceases to be a member of the fund, in short, they are no longer entitled to a pension. This is unacceptable, because everyone should be able to enjoy life after their retirement."


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, History
Both employers and employees expressed disdain for the proposed bill, which would decrease their base salaries by 2%. A female garment worker in the Katunayake FTZ stated during the protest; "They are going to give a pension to us only at the age of 60. The girls come to the FTZ to earn some money for their marriage dowry. After working about five years, they get their provident fund and the gratuity fund for that. We are not prepared to give that money to the government after shedding sweat for years".


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Protests
FTZ workers began non-violent demonstrations on 24 May 2011 in Negombo and Katunayake. Approximately 200,000 FTZ workers, mostly female garment workers, marched in the streets chanting and expressing their discontent with the government's new pension bill with a number of banners. The protestors tore down a large picture of President Mahinda Rajapaske at the Katunayake Junction. The protestors expressed their discontent with the Rajapaske government with a number of chants which included; "Ask the Great King [Rajapakse] to come here and answer these questions! Ask the labour minister to come and answer these questions!” "Whose force is this! The workers' force!”. While the protests were originally intended to be non-violent, as police attempted to contain the protests in the following days, the large crowds became increasingly more violent.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Protests
Outnumbered, the police were forced to physically separate the crowds, as they were disrupting traffic and other workers in the area. The police fired intimidation shots to disperse the large crowds, however, they were using live ammunition.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Protests
On 30 May, Roshen Chanaka, a 21-year-old FTZ worker, was shot by police on the streets of Katunayake. Chanaka's death sparked widespread outrage amongst the already disenchanted protestors as the level of violence at each protest began to increase dramatically. Police in the areas were now intent on breaking up the protests and were more willing to use violent dispersion tactics.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Protests
Retired Sri Lanka High Court judge Mahanama Tilakaratne was tasked with leading a commission into the events of Chanaka's death in 2017. Through his research he contended that the death of Chanaka could have easily been avoided through legitimate orders from Sri Lankan police hierarchy. Tilakaratne's findings also revealed that the police acted with extreme prejudice against the protesting FTZ workers, many of the police officers were using excessive force with weapons that included iron rods, chains and clubs. The police were also accused of beating women and children in the protests, as well as stealing personal items from the protestors. It was also concluded that over 800 police officers failed to wear their identification numbers on their uniforms during the protests.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Protests
Tilakaratne described the police's conduct as "deplorable'; "The report further states "In the circumstances, Police Officers acted contrary to the law, the superior officers were indifferent and failed to issue proper orders which enabled those of lower ranks to behave like thugs. Behaviour of the workers inside the Zone was such that Police in the circumstances acted in excess of the powers given to them by law, and deserve to be punished".


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Protests
Following the death of Chanaka, the Sri Lanka Army were deployed by President Rajapaske to end the protests. The Sri Lanka Army were effective in their ability to diffuse the developing situation. The Army set up multiple physical deterrents including blockades and reinforced patrols which substantially decreased the influx of protestors into Negombo and Katunayake.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Impact
Roshen Chanaka's death had a substantial impact on the subsequent events of the protests. The Sri Lankan government issued an apology regarding his death, and soon authorised for the Sri Lankan Army to replace the police force in dealing with the protestors. The Army were substantially more effective in dealing with the situation than the police, crowds were quick to disperse and compliant with the Army's directives. As a result, the protests came to an end on 6 June.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Impact
A public funeral service was held for Chanaka towards the end of the protests. The funeral was attended by approximately 5000 FTZ workers as well as Chanaka's family and friends. The parents of Chanaka were vocal about their discontent regarding the proposed private pension bill, and spoke about this in depth during the funeral. Towards the end of the service, the funeral had effectively become a non-violent protest of its own, with thousands chanting and rallying against the Rajapaske government. The Army was on alert at the funeral, and was able to quickly diffuse the protest.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Impact
The impacts of the protests also rippled into the Sri Lankan labour market and economy, with almost all FTZ's shut down during the two-weeks. 40,000 FTZ workers walked out of their factories following Chanaka's death, with many factories unable to fully recover from the mass walkout. It was estimated that the protests cost the Sri Lankan Economy more than 579 million Rupee (Approximately US$7.5 million).


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Impact
The protests themselves shut down 70% of factories within Sri Lanka's Free Trade Zones and also blocked access to Bandaranaike International Airport for a period of five days.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Result of Protests
The protests resulted in an immediate response by the Sri Lankan government. On 9 June, the government elected to suspend the proposed bill and seek to reintroduce the legislation with new amendments and consultation with relevant trade unions that represent the FTZ in Sri Lanka.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Result of Protests
A new bill was to be formulated in consultation with trade unions and leaders within Free Trade Zones. On 7 June, the Rajapaske government conducted a meeting with representatives from Free Trade Zones in Negombo and Katunayake as well as trade union officials to formulate a decision.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Result of Protests
The Sri Lankan Government eventually passed a revised pension bill that included increased employee benefits in retirement, as well as removing the previous compulsory saving that was proposed. The amended bill also introduced a monthly instalment payment program for retiring FTZ workers. This method granted employees greater autonomy over their retirement funds.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Result of Protests
The protests were a success for members of the Sri Lankan FTZ. Trade union officials were also pleased with the government's prompt action following the damaging protests. The salaries of those working in the FTZ became completely accessible. The revised pension bill has seen no further adjustments as of 2020.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Legacy
FTZ discontent still exists in parts of Sri Lanka today, the Sri Lankan government still struggles to from a positive relationship with its FTZ workers. This is prevalent in the fact that in 2018, workers at a glove factory in Katunayake, the same site of the 2011 protests, began protesting against FTZ unions for alleged labour abuses.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Legacy
FTZ workers have cited this discontent with the government on multiple occasions, with disease and poor living conditions said to be two of the main issues that FTZ workers have faced in recent years.


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Legacy
In July 2016, approximately 3000 workers in Sri Lanka's FTZ protested against anti-union discrimination. A spokesperson from the protest stated: "Protesting workers demand that employers stop threats of physical attacks, recognize unions as collective bargaining agents, reinstate all employees dismissed for trade union activities, stop employing precarious workers with the intention to bust union activities, and punish the officials engaged in sexual harassment".


2011 Sri Lanka worker protests, Legacy
In January 2019, workers in the Sri Lankan FTZ protests against numerous cases of unfair dismissal. Workers were protesting against the oppression of trade unions as well as allegations of sexual assault and workplace misconduct within the FTZ.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections
Local elections were held in Sri Lanka on 17 March 2011, 23 July 2011 and 8 October 2011 to elect 4,327 members for 322 of the 335 local authorities in the country. 13.7 million Sri Lankans were eligible to vote in the election. Elections to two other local authorities in Mullaitivu District are due but have been repeatedly postponed due to alleged delays in resettling internally displaced persons. Elections to the remaining 11 local authorities are not due as they had their last election in 2008 or 2009.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections
The United People's Freedom Alliance's domination of Sri Lankan elections continued as expected. It won control of 270 local authorities (including two contesting as the National Congress), the Tamil National Alliance won 32 local authorities (including two contesting as the Tamil United Liberation Front), the United National Party won 9 local authorities, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress won 5 local authorities and a UPFA backed independent group won one local authority. There was no overall control in the five remaining local authorities but the UPFA was the largest group in three, the UNP in one and the Up-Country People's Front in one.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections
These elections, like previous elections in Sri Lanka, had been marred by violence and violations of electoral law. Despite this the Election Commissioner judged the elections to be peaceful, free and fair.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Background
The last major round of local government elections was held in 2006 when elections were held in 288 of the then 330 local authorities. Elections were not held in the remainder due to the ongoing civil war. In 2008 elections were held for 9 local authorities in Batticaloa District and in 2009 elections were held for 2 local authorities in the Northern Province.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Background
The normal term of a local authority is 4 years but the law allows the Central Government to extend this by a further year. The term of 286 local authorities (16 municipal councils, 36 urban councils and 234 divisional councils) which had their election in 2006 was due to expire in 2010 but on 22 December 2009 Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils Janaka Bandara Tennakoon extended it until 31 March 2011.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Background
On 6 January 2010 A. L. M. Athaullah, Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils, dissolved 263 local authorities (34 urban councils and 229 divisional councils) precipitating elections. Elections were also called for five newly created local authorities (2 municipal councils and 3 divisional councils). In addition, elections were called for 31 local authorities (4 urban councils and 27 divisional councils) in the Northern Province that had not been functioning as elected bodies for a number of years due to the civil war.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Background
As expected the government did not dissolve the 7 local authorities where 2011 Cricket World Cup matches were due to be played during February/March (Colombo MC, Dehiwala-Monut Lavinia MC, Hambantota MC, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte MC, Kolonnawa UC, Kundasale DC and Sooriyawewa DC).


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Background
But in a surprise move the government also did not dissolve 16 other local authorities including all the other existing municipal councils (Anuradhapura MC, Badulla MC, Galle MC, Gampaha MC, Kalmunai MC, Kandy MC, Kurunegala MC, Matale MC, Matra MC, Moratuwa MC, Negombo MC, Ratnapura MC, Ambagamuwa DC, Kandy Gravets & Gangawata Korale DC, Kotikawatta-Mulleriyawa DC and Lunugamvehera DC).


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Background
On 18 January 2011 the government announced that the term of 23 local authorities (Anuradhapura MC, Badulla MC, Colombo MC, Dehiwala-Monut Lavinia MC, Galle MC, Gampaha MC, Kalmunai MC, Kandy MC, Kurunegala MC, Matale MC, Matra MC, Moratuwa MC, Negombo MC, Nuwara Eliya MC, Ratnapura MC, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte MC, Hambantota UC, Kolonnawa UC, Hambantota DC, Kandy Gravets & Gangawata Korale DC, Kotikawatte-Mulleriyawa DC, Kundasale DC and Sooriyawewa DC) had been extended until 30 June 2011 using Emergency Regulations. On 30 March 2011 the government announced that the term of 23 local authorities had been extended further until 31 December 2011 using Emergency Regulations. On 25 August 2011 the Department of Elections announced that elections to these 23 local authorities would be held on 8 October 2011.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Details, Phase 1–17 March 2011
Nominations took place between 20 and 27 January 2011. 2,047 nominations (1,282 form registered political parties, 765 from independent groups) had been received by the returning officers but 450 nominations (148 form registered political parties, 302 from independent groups), more than a fifth, had been rejected to due errors such as not meeting the youth candidates quota; not having the nomination papers attested by a Justices of the Peace; general secretaries of parties/independent groups not signing the nomination papers; and translation errors. This left a total of 1,597 valid nominations (1,134 form registered political parties, 463 from independent groups). Of the 148 rejected nominations from registered political parties, 36 came from the UPFA, 8 from the UNP, 6 from the SLMC, 2 from the TNA and 2 from the JVP.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Details, Phase 1–17 March 2011
After the nomination period had ended Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake announced that the elections for the 301 local authorities would be held on 17 March 2011. The 2009 electoral roll was used meaning that approximately 12.7 million registered electors were eligible to vote to elect 3,931 councillors across 301 local authorities (4 municipal councils, 39 urban councils and 258 divisional councils).


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Details, Phase 1–17 March 2011
The rejections led to 68 writs being filed at the Court of Appeal (UPFA 35, UNP 9, SLMC 6, Independents 11, other parties 7). On 18 February 2011 the Court of Appeal ordered the Election Commissioner to not hold elections in three divisional councils (Akmeemana, Akuressa and Moneragala). This prompted the Election Commissioner to postpone elections in all 64 local authorities subject to legal action. On 22 February 2011 it was announced that elections in two divisional councils in Mullaitivu District had also been postponed due most of their electors still being held in IDP camps at Menik Farm.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Details, Phase 1–17 March 2011
On 11 March 2011 the election for Thunukkai Divisional Council in Mullaitivu District was also postponed due to legal reasons. As a consequence elections were held only in 234 local authorities (3 municipal councils, 30 urban councils and 201 divisional councils) on 17 March 2011. Approximately 9.4 million registered electors were eligible to vote to elect 3,032 councillors.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Details, Phase 1–17 March 2011
The deadline for applications for postal voting was originally 16 January but this was later extended to 27 January and then to 31 January. There were 321,595 postal vote applications, nearly 100,000 lower than the 2010 parliamentary election. The decline in applications was blamed on general voter apathy and broken electoral promises. Postal voting took place on 8 and 9 March 2011.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Details, Phase 2–23 July 2011
On 12 May 2011 the Court of Appeal ordered the Election Commissioner to accept 47 nomination papers which had been rejected. This included all 35 from the UPFA, 4 from the UNP, 3 from the SLMC, one from the Citizen's Front and 4 from Independents. 16 writs were dismissed. On 30 May 2011 the Election Commissioner announced that elections to 67 local authorities would be held on 23 July 2011.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Details, Phase 2–23 July 2011
It was later announced that elections in two divisional councils in Mullaitivu District (Maritimepattu and Puthukkudiyirupp) had been postponed again due to delays in resettling internally displaced persons from the areas. As a consequence elections were held only in 65 local authorities (1 municipal council, 9 urban councils and 55 divisional councils) on 23 July 2011. Approximately 2.6 million registered electors were eligible to vote to elect 875 councillors. Postal voting took place on 12 July 2011. 55,871 electors could vote by post.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Details, Phase 3–8 October 2011
On 4 August 2011 the Department of Elections announced that nominations for the remaining 23 local authorities would take place between 18 and 25 August 2011. After the nomination period had ended Election Commissioner Mahinda  Deshapriya announced that the elections for the 23 local authorities would be held on 8 October 2011. Elections to the two authorities in Mullaitivu District which had been postponed twice were postponed for a third time on 2 September 2011. Postal voting took place on 29 and 30 September 2011.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Contesting parties
The ruling United People's Freedom Alliance contested in 319 of the 322 local authorities, including two under the National Congress (a constituent party of the UPFA) name. In two authorities its nominations had been rejected and consequently it gave its backing to an independent group and the Up-Country People's Front in those authorities. The UPFA did not contest in another authority (Thunukkai DC) so that the Citizen's Front, a very minor political party led by UPFA MP Sri Ranga Jeyaratnam, could contest.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Contesting parties
The United National Party, the main opposition party, had contested past elections in alliance with smaller parties but these alliances had been plagued by defections to the UPFA. The UNP contested on its own in 317 local authorities. The Democratic National Alliance didn't contest these elections but its main constituent party the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna contested on its own in 293 local authorities. The Tamil National Alliance has formed an alliance with smaller Tamil political parties (Tamil United Liberation Front, People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam and Tamil National Liberation Alliance).


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Contesting parties
It contested under the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi name in 41 local authorities and Tamil United Liberation Front name in two local authorities. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, a constituent party of the UPFA, contested on its own in 59 local authorities and with the UPFA in others. The Up-Country People's Front and Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal, which had contested past elections under the UPFA banner, contested on their own in 22 and 7 local authorities respectively. A number of smaller registered political parties and numerous independent groups also ran.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Violence and violations of election laws
Sri Lankan elections have a history of violence, misuse of state resources, and other violations of election laws. These local elections have produced more violence than the 2010 presidential and parliamentary elections.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Violence and violations of election laws, Phase 1–17 March 2011
Over 400 incidents had been reported up to 12 March including three murders. 140 people have been arrested for electoral violence including a number of candidates. As seen in other recent elections, much of the violence, including the three murders, has been caused by intra-party clashes between UPFA candidates. Independent election monitors have criticised the Election Commissioner and the Police for not preventing the violence and violations of electoral law.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Violence and violations of election laws, Phase 1–17 March 2011
After the elections results had been announced Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake issued a highly unusual statement in which he condemned the violence which he labelled as "thuggery", and violations of election laws. "The manner in which some political parties and groups conducted themselves, both before the day of the poll and on the day of the poll, and also the misuse of state resources and state owned media is regrettable" said Dissanayake. He noted the prevalence of intra-party clashes.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Violence and violations of election laws, Phase 1–17 March 2011
He also lamented the legal challenges to the nomination rejections which had prevented elections taking place in 301 local authorities as originally intended. Despite this Dissanayake concluded that these election had been better than previous local elections and that the election had been "peaceful, free and fair". Dissanayake retired immediately after the election and was replaced by his deputy Mahinda Deshapriya.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Violence and violations of election laws, Phase 2–23 July 2011
The second phase of the election was also marred by violence, misuse of state resources, and other violations of election laws. Hundreds of incidents were reported including one murder. Events in the north of the country were particularly bad. There were reports of vote buying, intimidation by armed groups, grabbing of polling cards, election violations and a general fear psychosis in the north. Independent monitors observed blatant violations including open bribery and the transporting of party supporters to the wide abuse of state machinery and other resources, all in favour of the UPFA.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Violence and violations of election laws, Phase 2–23 July 2011
Voters were offered food or even cash for their poll cards. Numerous UPFA government ministers and even the President visited the north during the election campaign, and very often they inaugurated new development projects. The whole state machinery in the north, including the military, police, provincial council and district secretariats, were used to support the campaign of the UPFA. A TNA election meeting in Alaveddy on 16 June 2011 was attacked by the Sri Lankan military.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Violence and violations of election laws, Phase 2–23 July 2011
Other acts of intimidation against the TNA by the military and the paramilitary EPDP include the severed head of a dog being impaled on the gates of a TNA candidate in Manipay; a shot dead dog being thrown into the private well of leading TNA member in Thirunelvely; sewage, mud and stones being thrown onto the house of a TNA candidate in Valvettithurai; funeral wreath and cremation ash being left at the home of a TNA candidate in Kodikamam; and motor oil being thrown onto the house of a TNA candidate in Sandilipay. On the eve of voting government backed paramilitaries confiscated thousands polling cards from voters in Kilinochchi and threatened them violence.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Violence and violations of election laws, Phase 2–23 July 2011
Despite all this election commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya judged the second phase of the local election to be peaceful with only "minor incidents" reported.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Violence and violations of election laws, Phase 3–8 October 2011
The third phase of the election was also marred by violence, misuse of state resources, and other violations of election laws. The election saw five murders, mostly as a result of intra-party rivalry within the UPFA. On 7 October 2011 a UPFA supporter was shot dead in Kotikawatta. On an election day a violent clash erupted between two senior UPFA members, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and Duminda Silva, and their supporters at Mulleriyawa. A gunfight broke out between the two groups which killed Premachandra and three of his supporters.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Violence and violations of election laws, Phase 3–8 October 2011
95 election related violent incidents had been reported to the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections Executive (PAFFREL), an independent election monitoring group, up to 4 October 2011. The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), another independent election monitoring group, concluded that the elections were not free and fair. CaFFE recorded incidents of heavy misuse of state property, illegal propaganda and campaigning, intimidation, assault and failure by the police to uphold electoral law.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Results
The UPFA won control of 270 local authorities (including two contesting as the National Congress) across the three phases, the TNA won 32 local authorities (including two contesting as the Tamil United Liberation Front), the UNP won 9 local authorities, the SLMC won 5 local authorities and a UPFA backed independent group won one local authority. The JVP failed to win any local authority. There was no overall control in the five remaining local authorities but the UPFA was the largest group in three, the UNP in one and the Up-Country People's Front in one.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Results, Phase 1–17 March 2011
The UPFA won control of 205 local authorities (including two contesting as the National Congress), the TNA won 12 local authorities, the UNP won 9 local authorities, the SLMC won 4 local authorities and a UPFA backed independent group won one local authority. There was no overall control in the 3 other local authorities but the UPFA was the largest group in two and the UCPF in one.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Results, Phase 2–23 July 2011
The UPFA won control of 44 local authorities and the TNA won 20 local authorities (including two contesting as the Tamil United Liberation Front). There was no overall control in the remaining local authority but the UPFA was the largest group.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Results, Phase 3–8 October 2011
The UPFA won control of 21 local authorities and the SLMC won one local authority. There was no overall control in the remaining local authority (Colombo Municipal Council) but the UNP was the largest group.


2011 Sri Lankan local elections, Results, Overall
1. The UPFA contested under the National Congress name in two LAs and UPFA name in 317 LAs. 2 . The ACMC contested separately in four LAs and with the UPFA in other LAs. 3 . The CWC contested separately in one LA and with the UPFA in other LAs. 4 . The LSSP contested separately in three LAs and with the UPFA in other LAs. 5. The SLMC contested separately in 59 LAs and with the UPFA in other LAs. 6. The TNA contested under Tamil United Liberation Front name in two LAs and Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi name in 41 LAs.


2011 St Albans City and District Council election
The 2011 St Albans City and District Council election took place on 5 May 2011 to elect members of St Albans District Council in Hertfordshire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Liberal Democrats lost overall control of the council to no overall control.


2011 St Albans City and District Council election, Election result
The Liberal Democrats lost control of the council as the Conservatives came up 1 seat short of taking a majority themselves, after the Conservatives gained 5 seats from the Liberal Democrats. The Conservative gains took them to 29 of the 58 seats on the council, while the Liberal Democrats dropped to 24 seats. Meanwhile, the Green Party gained their first councillor on the council after taking 1 of the 2 seats that were contested in St Peters ward.


2011 St Albans City and District Council election, Election result
Following the election Conservative Julian Daly became the new leader of the council at the head of a minority administration.


2011 St Albans City and District Council election, By-elections between 2011 and 2012
A by-election was held in Batchwood ward on 19 January 2012 after Liberal Democrat councillor Amanda Archer resigned from the council. The seat was gained for Labour by their former group leader Roma Mills with a majority of 607 votes over the Liberal Democrats.


2011 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election
The 2011 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 5 May 2011 to elect members of St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council in Merseyside, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Labour Party stayed in overall control of the council.


2011 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election, Background
At the last election in 2010 Labour took control of the council with 28 seats after gaining 5 seats, while the Liberal Democrats dropped to 15 seats and the Conservatives were reduced to 5 seats. Labour were expected to make more gains in 2011, with the Liberal Democrats in particular expected to suffer from being in a coalition government with the Conservatives nationally.


2011 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election, Background
Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats were defending 7 seats in 2011, while the Conservatives defended 2 seats. Other candidates at the election included 4 from the Green Party, who had not put candidates up in previous elections.


2011 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election, Election result
Labour increased its majority on the council after gaining 7 seats, including 6 from the Liberal Democrats. This took Labour to 35 councillors, while reducing the Liberal Democrats to 9 seats on the council, with the only Liberal Democrat to be elected being Michael Haw in Eccleston. Meanwhile, the wife of the Conservative group leader, Nancy Ashcroft, lost her seat on the council in Windle to Labour, reducing the Conservatives to 4 seats on the council.


2011 St Helens RLFC season
The 2011 St Helens R.F.C. season was the club's 137th in their history; their 116th in rugby league. They were in contention for the Super League title (with this also being their 16th consecutive year in Super League) as well as the 110th edition of the Challenge Cup and, as announced in May 2011, the new Rugby League 9s tournament, to take place across June.


2011 St Helens RLFC season
The 2011 season was also the clubs' first since unofficially rebranding as Saints RL, following on from their move away from their home of 120 years, Knowsley Road, to relocate to Widnes, Cheshire and the Halton Stadium, which they shared with Widnes Vikings. This was Australian Royce Simmons first year as head coach of the club, taking over from fellow Australian Mick Potter, who had two years in charge. The position of club captain at St Helens was shared by Paul Wellens and James Graham, following the retirement of club legend Keiron Cunningham at the end of the 2010 season. They began their season by taking on bitter rivals Wigan Warriors at the Magic Weekend, in a rerun of their defeat at the 2010 Super League Grand Final, a game that ended in a 16-16 draw.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Pre-season
St Helens ended 2010 with yet another Grand Final defeat, their fourth in a row, to bitter rivals Wigan. It was evident that the personnel at the club, combined with the suitability of Mick Potter's position had become surplus to requirements at St Helens, and widespread changes took place. Potter announced mid-2010 that he would be leaving for Bradford Bulls, his replacement, Royce Simmons; someone who had worked under Tim Sheens for many years at Wests Tigers and with the Australian national side.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Pre-season
The very fact that St Helens had been, in many fans' eyes 'reduced' to looking for assistant coaches in the NRL drew a little bit of criticism, but overall, the feeling was positive over Simmons' appointment. The coach would not be the only change either. Club legend Keiron Cunningham retired from playing at the age of 33, after 16 years of paying first team rugby for St Helens, with centre Matt Gidley doing likewise, and returning to Australia.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Pre-season
A number of others were to leave too; a combination of age and not being good enough for squad selection under Simmons costing the St Helens careers of 12 of the 2010 squad, most notably, arguably, Maurie Fa'asavalu, who switched codes with Harlequins. The influx was far fewer than the outgoing numbers during the transfer period, with only three names coming into the squad for 2011 from other clubs; these being prop Josh Perry, England centre Michael Shenton, and fellow England cap and prop Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, from Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Castleford Tigers and Harlequins respectively.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Pre-season
There were also four new faces in the first team by means of the reserve and academy system at St Helens. Pre -season fixtures announced included a game against Huddersfield Giants at the Halton Stadium on 29 January and the Karalius Cup game against Widnes, again at the Stobart, on the 23rd.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Sponsors
St Helens are sponsored in the main by Medicash, after previously being sponsored by both Frontline and the Liverpool-based health care company on the home and away jerseys respectively. However, Medicash took over compete sponsorship of both the away and home strips for 2011. The jerseys themselves will are manufactured by ISC, after 7 years with Puma. St Helens also welcomed Alexandra Business Park and Ruskin Leisure Park as partners for the 2011 season.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Sponsors
Below is a list of St Helens sponsors and partners for 2011:


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Magic Weekend
St Helens produced a characteristic fightback in the last 15 minutes to snatch an unlikely draw against a well-drilled, energetic Wigan side. After tries from Ryan Hoffman, Harrison Hansen and George Carmont combined with two disallowed Saints efforts from James Roby and Michael Shenton, the game looked dead and buried at 16-0 to Wigan; with the auld enemy on top in terms of field position, defense, kicking and handling.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Magic Weekend
However, Saints forged a comeback through a rare missed tackle from an otherwise outstanding Wigan defense when Roby put Jon Wilkin away under the posts, bettered by the boot of Jamie Foster. The energy levels visibly went up, and Tony Puletua powered through the Wigan line and somehow grounded the ball with a mass of bodies surrounding him, again Foster good with the goal.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Magic Weekend
It took Saints another five minutes-a period in which Wigan looked threatening once more-to get their draw, with a forward-looking pass from Jonny Lomax finding Francis Meli in space out on the touchline, Foster about three yards wide with what would have been the game clinching kick. Wigan's Sam Tomkins and Saints scrum-half Kyle Eastmond exchanged failed drop-goal attempts late on as both sides settled on a point each in the game of the day at the Magic Weekend.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 2
St Helens created for the first time this season their most attractive brand of football; free-flowing and point scoring. However, the job was done after an hour, and they seemed to take their foot of the gas-a trait they may not wish to fall into permanently. Saints started sharply against an out of sorts Salford side coming off the back of a heavy defeat to Crusaders the week previous, with tries from Chris Flannery and the first of two from Kyle Eastmond.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 2
Salford hit back through Luke Patten, but it took them to the second half to post more points; a spell in which St Helens totally dominated and scored another five tries of their own. James Roby in a brilliant performance, Francis Meli, Jonny Lomax and Ade Gardner all crossed to give Saints a 38-6 lead at the break. The second half started in bizarre fashion, with two tries in the first minute from either side; for Salford Ashley Gibson, for St Helens, Lee Gaskell. Paul Clough and Michael Shenton completed the scoring for Saints, before Stefan Ratchford and Jodie Broughton made the scoreline a little more respectable for the Reds.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 3
For the first time in 22 games, Warrington won against St Helens in Super League on a miserable night, both meteorically and psychologically for St Helens, at the Stobart Stadium. It was also Warrington's first ever win in Super League away from home, and was never really in doubt from the moment Lee Briers crossed in the second minute, a score which was bettered by Richie Myler and another from the stand-off before half-time, all of which were converted by Brett Hodgson to give the Wolves an 18-0 half time advantage.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 3
Warrington continued to pile on the pressure against an out of sorts Saints side, when Louis Anderson finished from a Lee Gaskell error, Hodgson again with the goal for 24-0. With around ten minutes to play, Michael Shenton crossed for Saints to give them the slightest glimmer of hope; a hope crushed by a Briers field goal that effectively meant Saints had to score three times. Chris Flannery and Lee Gaskell added late scores to give the score an account of respectability, but the performance showed that plenty of defensive work needs to be done for Saints' trophy charge this season.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 4
Bouncing back from their first defeat at home to Warrington in Super League, St Helens produced the defensive grit that was all too absent the week previous against a big Dragons pack. Saints opened the scoring with a free-flowing move finished off by Chris Flannery, bettered by the boot of Kyle Eastmond. Despite massive Catalans' pressure, five minutes later Ade Gardner found the line at the corner after good work by Eastmond, Paul Wellens and Michael Shenton, Eastmond this time wide with the kick at goal.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 4
The Dragons pressure then duly paid off, with Setaimata Sa latching on to a Scott Dureau kick, Dureau missing with the conversion but Saints nudged further in front with James Graham getting his first of the season, backing Wellens up well to dot down under the posts, Eastmond with a simple conversion. After the break, the free flowing football Saints seemed to be clicking with for arguably the first time this season continued with Michael Shenton scoring in the right-hand corner, Eastmond again missing with the goal kick. Catalans brought the game back within touching distance with a Steve Menzies try and Dureau goal, but Saints edged further in front with an Eastmond penalty, followed by a consolation try and goal from Dureau that made the final score 22-16 to Saints.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 5
St Helens were simply out classed, out enthused and out played by a flying Quins side, who produced a first half of rugby similar to the days of Saints dominance in the late 1990s/early 2000s. Racing into a 20-0 lead at the break thanks to tries from Luke Dorn, Karl Pryce and Tony Clubb, with Luke Gale adding four goals, Saints were never in the contest, producing mistakes and at best very flat rugby, compared to the very lively Quins.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 5
It took until the 48th minute for Saints to break their duck, with Francis Meli latching onto a cut-out ball from Lee Gaskell. An unlikely, and in truth undeserved comeback was on the cards when captain James Graham powered over, with Kyle Eastmond converting to bring Saints back within two scores. However these hopes were soon dashed when, from the kick-off, Nick Kouparitsas intercepted a James Roby pass; a feat characteristic of the sloppiness of St Helens and the sharpness of the Londoners continuous throughout the game.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 5
Five minutes from time, Gale added a drop-goal to wrap up the points before Roby grabbed a last minute consolation after an offload from Tony Puletua. Either the unpredictability of the competition, or the erratic form of the Saints was to blame here; only time would tell as the competition progressed.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 6
The unpredictability of Saints this season was once again on show as they beat a Leeds side in a similar man-power situation to Saints. Added to the significance of the win was that scrum-half Kyle Eastmond was internally suspended for a serious breach of club discipline, so inexperienced halves Lee Gaskell and Jonny Lomax had to step up to the fore. The game started in ferocious style, both defences repelling each other, before Jamie Foster squeezed in at the left corner and converted his own try to give Saints the lead on 27 minutes.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 6
Leeds hit back five minutes before the break when Ryan hall scored, Kevin Sinfield kicking the goal for 6-6 at the break. It was Leeds who broke the second half deadlock with a very controversial try. The ball from Kallum Watkins to eventual scorer Zak Hardaker appeared to go yards forward, but, after reference to the video referee, the try, which came about form fine handling from Hardaker, was awarded. This decision only spurred Saints on, and, after a towering bomb from Gaskell, Michael Shenton dotted down, Foster again kicking the two for 12-10.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 6
The lead again switched hands when Paul McShane nudged over from dummy-half, Sinfield making it 16-12, but St Helens managed to find something that had seemingly escaped them hitherto; heart. Francis Meli barged past Watkins after a good ball from Scott Moore, before Paul Wellens timed his running line to perfection to latch onto a Gaskell pass. Foster converted both for 24-16. At this point the points were rapped up, despite Leeds' best efforts in reply.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 6
But the best, most exhilarating piece of football was still to come, when Meli flicked the ball out to the left wing, Foster caught the ball behind his back, switched it between his hands to score in the tightest of circumstances. To make matters better and put the proverbial icing on the cake of victory for Saints, Foster maintained his perfect kicking display with another goal from the touchline.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 7
For the first time in the season, St Helens showed some signs of consistency, with a comfortable win over a plucky Bradford outfit. It was the Bulls who made the better start though, with Shaun Ainscough latching onto a Marc Herbert kick, Patrick Ah van converting. Saints hit back in controversial fashion, with Paul Wellens' forward-looking pass falling into the arms of Jamie Foster, who squeezed in at the left-hand corner. Foster missed the goal, but made no mistake after Wellens crashed over. Three tries shared between Wellens, Chris Flannery and Foster in a blistering spell in which Paul Sykes was sin-binned effectively sealed the result, before Ah Van and Ainscough grabbed consolation efforts for the Bulls when Saints were down to 11 men through yellow cards.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 8
Saints extended their winning run to three games with a routine win over Hull KR. It was the Rovers who started the better though, with Kris Welham scoring on 10 minutes. However, the Saints hit back in typical fashion, Sia Soliola getting his first try for the club. In similar style, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook scored his first for the club since his winter move from Harlequins, before scoring an almost carbon copy of his first minutes later, with Jamie Foster's boot giving St Helens an 18-6 advantage.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 8
And Ade Gardner's break gave Paul Wellens the opportunity to scorch in unopposed; 24-6 at half time. Foster himself, so often the points machine with the boot, got on the try list with his fifth in three games, missing the conversion. On his 200th appearance, James Graham crashed over, before consolation efforts from the Robins from Welham and Jake Webster gave the scoreline a somewhat undeserved credibility.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 9
Although St Helens' fantastic form continued in this win over the 'Cru', Saints were guilty of taking their foot off the gas after half-time, and not capitalising on a scrappy display for the Welsh outfit in the second period. Young half-back combination Jonny Lomax and Lee Gaskell, assisted by the on-fire James Roby sent Saints on their way, with Jamie Foster's kicking giving them a 12-0 lead early on. After a brief spell of Crusaders pressure, Paul Wellens took a grubber from Gaskell to score Saints' third of the evening, before Gareth Thomas gave Crusaders a bit of hope.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 9
However, Saints wrapped up the win before half time, with two further tries, Roby himself and Ade Gardner crossing to give St Helens a 30-6 lead at the break. The impressive Tony Martin and Lloyd White gave Crusaders a sight at a fightback but Gardner's second on the full-time siren ensured the win for Saints.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 10
St Helens produced their most dominant game of the season, with a resounding 9-try-to-1 win over Wakefield. The game started off in tight fashion, with Saints' pressure being cancelled out by some rugged if plucky Wildcats defence. However, the deadlock was broken on 17 minutes, with Paul Wellens' long ball finding the in-form Jamie Foster out wide who crossed and scored a goal. Jonny Lomax jinked his way through before Jon Wilkin found a gaping hole in the Wakefield defence to set up Foster, who cantered over for his second, and the floodgates were well and truly open. Michael Shenton crossed before half time, before Chris Dean, a former Saints player sped 60 meters on an intercept to give Wakefield a glimmer of hope. However, Ade Gardner went over 7 minutes later, and tries from Gary Wheeler, Wellens, Tony Puletua and Tom Makinson completed the rout.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 11
St Helens' run came to an end in somewhat unfair circumstances after a classic with rivals Wigan. An injury ravaged Saints led 10-0 after 35 minutes through Michael Shenton and Jamie Foster scores. But Wigan hit back close to half-time, with Josh Charnley crossing in the right corner. Tries from Pat Richards (2) and another from Charnley put Wigan ahead for the first time in the game as they sought to dominate.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Fixtures and results, Super League XVI, Round 11
And at 22-10, a youthful Saints side could have been forgiven for giving up, but in typical fashion, they hit back quickly, with Foster's second and Tom Makinson getting his second try in as many games dragging them back on terms. And Saints looked to have won the game, with Foster's boot from a thirty-yard penalty giving them a 24-22 lead with 7 minutes to play. However, Wigan won it through a last minute try from Liam Farrell, after a great delayed pass from Paul Deacon. An undeserved defeat, but a heartening display gave the game some credibility from Saints' perspective.


2011 St Helens RLFC season, Table
Source: . Classification: 1st on competition points; 2nd on match points difference. Competition points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0.


2011 St Kilda Football Club season
The 2011 St Kilda Football Club season was the club's 114th since their introduction to the VFL/AFL in 1897.


2011 St. George Illawarra Dragons season
The 2011 St. George Illawarra Dragons season was the 13th in the joint venture club's history. Coached by Wayne Bennett and captained by Ben Hornby they competed in the NRL's 2011 Telstra Premiership as defending champions. The Dragons finished the regular season 5th (out of 16) before being knocked out of the finals by the Brisbane Broncos. This was Bennett's last match with the Dragons as he moved to the Newcastle Knights for the 2012 NRL season.


2011 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, Pre Season
In the pre-season the Dragons won their annual Charity Shield match against South Sydney before travelling to take on reigning Super League champions, Wigan Warriors.


2011 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, Pre Season
The Dragons won all three of their pre-season games. This included victory in the 2011 World Club Challenge, giving them the title of best club rugby league team in the world.


2011 St. George Illawarra Dragons season, Regular season
By the middle of the regular season the Dragons were leading the competition.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 season was the team's 130th season in St. Louis, Missouri, its 120th season in the National League, and its sixth season at Busch Stadium III. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, following an 86–76 (.531) record and second-place finish in the NL Central in 2010. The team returned to postseason play in 2011 as the Wild Card team, after finishing second in the NL Central to the Milwaukee Brewers by six games. The Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Phillies in five games in the Division Series and the Milwaukee Brewers in six games in the National League Championship Series. They defeated the Texas Rangers in the 2011 World Series in seven games.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions
Cardinals co-owner, team treasurer, and member of the board of directors Andrew N. "Drew" Baur died suddenly at his home at 66, in Gulf Stream, Florida on February 20, 2011.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Management
On Oct 18, 2010, manager Tony La Russa decided to return for his 16th season with the Cardinals after agreeing to terms for a new one-year contract, and a mutual option for a second year. Bullpen coach Marty Mason was not retained, but all the other coaches returned with extended contracts.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Management
On November 2, 2010, the team named a bullpen coach to replace Mason: Derek Lilliquist, the team's pitching coordinator for the last three seasons. Also announced that day: Greg Hauck was promoted to head athletic trainer, while longtime head trainer Barry Weinberg assumed duties as assistant athletic trainer.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Hitters
On Oct 6, 2010, the Cardinals picked up the $16 million option on Albert Pujols.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Hitters
On November 30, 2010, the Cardinals traded pitcher Blake Hawksworth for middle-infielder Ryan Theriot in a trade with Dodgers. They also signed free agent left-handed relief pitcher Brian Tallet. On December 12 the Cardinals cleared a space for Theriot at shortstop by trading incumbent shortstop Brendan Ryan to the Seattle Mariners for Class-A prospect Maikel Cleto.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Hitters
On December 4, 2010, the Cardinals signed 34-year-old free agent Lance Berkman (formerly with the Houston Astros and then Yankees in 2010) to a 1-year, $8 million deal. Berkman, who was slated to play right field regularly for the first time since 2004, had slumped to a .248 average in 2010 and had hit particularly poorly after his midseason trade to the New York Yankees. As a Cardinal in 2011, he hit 31 home runs and was named NL Comeback Player of the Year.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Hitters
On December 14, 2010, the Cardinals signed free agent catcher Gerald Laird to a one-year contract.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Hitters
On January 15, 2011, Albert Pujols, through his agent Dan Lozano, told the Cardinals that the date to report to Spring training (Feb. 18) was the deadline to reach a deal on a new contract. Negotiations failed to produce a deal, and on February 16 Pujols suspended negotiations, citing an unwillingness to be distracted during the season, including Spring training. Pujols received $16 million in 2011 and $111 million over his previous eight seasons. Pujols had asked for a 10-year deal, worth up to $300 million, averaging $30 million per year.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Hitters
On January 21, 2011, the Cardinals signed free agent backup infielder Nick Punto to a one-year contract for $750,000.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Hitters
In a surprise announcement on February 4, the Cardinals signed former Cardinal Jim Edmonds (2000–07) to a minor-league contract, and an invitation to Spring training as a non-roster invitee. He hit 241 home runs (4th in rank) as a Cardinal in his eight years, made three All-Star teams (2000, 2003, 2005), and won six Gold Gloves (2000–05). He needed seven home runs to reach 400. On February 18, Edmonds announced his retirement from baseball, citing the risk of permanent damage in his comeback from Achilles tendon surgery.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Pitchers
On October 6, 2010, the Cardinals picked up the option on LH relief specialist Trever Miller after he vested his option with his 45th appearance in 2010 (57 G), and finished the season healthy.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Pitchers
On November 16, 2010, the Cardinals signed free agent pitcher Jake Westbrook to a two-year deal through 2012 for $16.5 million, with a mutual option for 2013, and a full no-trade clause. The Cardinals had acquired Westbrook in a 2010 trade that sent Ryan Ludwick to the Padres.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Pitchers
On Jan 15, 2011, the Cardinals agreed to a one-year contract with reliever Kyle McClellan in avoiding arbitration. Salary was not announced.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Pitchers
The Cardinals suffered a severe setback at the beginning of spring training. On Feb 24, 2011, it was confirmed that ace pitcher Adam Wainwright needed Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after experiencing discomfort in throwing batting practice on February 21. It meant missing, at a minimum, the entirety of the 2011 season. Wainwright was coming off a 2010 season in which he won a career-high 20 games, made the All-Star game, and finished second in National League Cy Young Award voting. The Feb 28 surgery on Wainwright in St. Louis was described as 'successful.'


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Offseason departures and acquisitions, Other offseason developments:  "Stand for Stan"
Starting in 2010, the Cardinals started a campaign to award longtime hero Stan Musial the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The initiative was nicknamed Stand for Stan. On February 15, 2011, the program came to fruition, as President Barack Obama awarded Musial the medal.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Spring training
The Cardinals released their 2011 Spring training schedule on December 3, 2010.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Spring training
The scheduled exhibition game on March 29, vs. their AA-level Springfield Cardinals team, was canceled the day before because bad weather was expected.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, March–April
The Cardinals opened 2011 with a loss at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, after leading 3–2 with two outs in the 9th inning. Matt Holliday hit what looked to be the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 8th, but closer Ryan Franklin gave up a game-tying home run in that 9th inning, sending the game to extra innings. The Padres scored twice in the 11th to win 5–3. It was a sign of things to come for Franklin in 2011.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, March–April
That evening, Holliday complained of pains, leading to an emergency appendectomy the next day. After missing only seven games while recuperating from surgery, Holliday returned to the lineup on April 10, singling and drawing two walks in a 6–1 victory over the Giants.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, March–April
Lance Berkman received the NL Player of the Week award on April 18, batting .417 (10-for-24), leading the majors with six HRs, 12 RBIs, and 1.167 Slugging percentage, and also having two multi-homer games.


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, March–April
Matt Holliday (.408) and Lance Berkman (.393) were 1–3 respectively in the NL batting lead after the first month of the season ended, April 30. Holliday also led the NL in OBP (.511), and Berkman led the NL in both slugging (.753) and OPS (1.207).


2011 St. Louis Cardinals season, Regular season, March–April
The Cardinals recovered from a 2–6 start to finish in first place (16–11) by two games over the Reds at the end of April, and the entire team was also No. 1 in sweeping all three NL hitting percentages at .295/.362/.451, having a .812 OPS and also leading in hits (281), runs (144) total bases (429), and also struck out the fewest times (168). All those base runners led to them also leading in grounding into the most double plays (36), with Albert Pujols (.245/.305/.453, .758 OPS) owning the NL lead with nine.