Latest news with #Coombes
The 42
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'He's learning and improving all the time, that's why he's back in this environment'
HE'S BEEN ONE of Munster's most important players for years, but when it comes to international rugby, Gavin Coombes has often found himself on the outside looking in. The 27-year-old has clocked up 120 appearances for his province but has been capped just twice at Test level, coming off the bench in a July 2021 meeting with Japan before starting against the USA a week later. Over the past 12 months he's kept his head in the door with Ireland, but has been left frustrated when it's come to selection. Coombes was named in the Ireland A squad ahead of their February meeting with an England A team, but missed the game after being called into Andy Farrell's senior squad ahead of the Six Nations meeting with Wales. He left that international window having played no minutes for either side. However the backrower looks set to get back into a green jersey over the coming fortnight, with Ireland hoping to give gametime to all of their 33-strong squad on the upcoming tour of Georgia and Portugal, which kicks-off in Tbilisi this Saturday [KO 6pm Irish time, Virgin Media]. 'Gavin, he's turned up, he's looking fit, he's looking hungry the last few days,' says Denis Leamy, Ireland's defence coach for the two-game tour. Coombes won his two Ireland caps in July 2021. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO 'I think he's deployed himself really well, he's been really good in training. Gavin has been in and out of Irish squads over the last couple of years. The times he's been left out, he's understood the reasons why and (they) have been very fair. Gavin has gone away and worked hard on those parts of the games. 'He's back in now, he has that chance now on Saturday, hopefully, if selected, that he can go and apply that and put his best foot forward. He's a guy that over the last couple of years has been very good for Munster.' Leamy, who coaches Coombes at Munster, feels the Cork man has points of difference he can offer in the squad. 'I think he's hugely strong around opposition 22. His ability to make yards, score tries, he's one of the best around at that and his general play is improving all the time. Advertisement 'He's worked great between 22 and 22. His ability to make yards in open play, his ability to clock up big numbers in his tackles, his rucks and the fundamentals around his basic play, around number eight (working) at the base (of the scrum). He's learning and improving that all the time, that's why he's back in this environment.' With many of the Ireland coaches away on the Lions tour with Andy Farrell, Leamy is enjoying the opportunity to join O'Connell's set up as defence coach. 'It's brilliant to come in and just get different perspectives on how the different provinces are playing the game. Everyone's playing the game relatively similar, but there's little tweaks here and there and everyone sees the game slightly different. Ireland assistant coach Denis Leamy. Leah Scholes / INPHO Leah Scholes / INPHO / INPHO 'A lot of the boys I've worked with either at Leinster or at Irish U20s level, so I know the vast majority of them. It's lovely to see them develop as players, how they've grown into men and how they've developed their own perspective on the game, their own opinions. It's excellent to be back in around them. 'We just find when it's a national set-up, the unity straight away, they all mix. My generation, there was huge rivalry and I think there is still rivalry but it took us a few weeks for the frostiness to wear off. The boys just seem to get on so well. They're straight in, they're best mates, they're constantly over and back on WhatsApp and all the different platforms. It's better than when I was a player. They've grown up a little bit from when we were there.' Leamy expects to see this Irish group get tested in a variety of ways against Georgia. 'I think it's very clear that they're well put together off their launch players, their scrums, their lineouts. They have really good three phase, four phase plays and they run them really well. Their big threat is Davit Niniashvili [fullback/out-half]. 'He's obviously an excellent player, but they're very well put together at 10 by Tedo Abzhandadze. He runs the thing very well. They have the ability to play around you. They have the ability to take you on confrontationally, and they're a very, very well coached team. You can see that they're top level rugby players and they're well used to playing in a big league like France. 'You'd imagine that Georgia would have loads of reasons to be inspired to play a huge game against us on Saturday,' he added. 'We're expecting a really tough, tough game. We're expecting opponents that are really well put together by their coaches… Richard Cockerill, you have Conor McPhillips who's worked in the Irish system and who's been with Bristol as well. He's a really experienced attack coach, so you can see in their game that they're well put together. They're physical. They've got a great platform around their scrum, their maul, their lineout. It is a big test. We're out of our comfort zone and it's exactly the sort of test that we're looking forward to.'
Irish Examiner
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Denis Leamy: 'It's a great opportunity for the boys coming in to show what they can do'
Paul O'Connell's Ireland squad take off for Tbilisi on Wednesday ahead of the first of two summer Tests which could prove to be pivotal to many of the 33 squad members international rugby aspirations. This Saturday's meeting with Georgia and the following week's Lisbon Test against Portugal represents perhaps the biggest window of opportunity in a generation for the 13 uncapped players in the touring party and the dozen with less than 10 Ireland caps thanks to the absence of 16 frontliners on British & Irish Lions duty, an injury to captain Caelan Doris and the international retirements post-Six Nations of Cian Healy, Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony. 'It's a great opportunity for the boys coming in to show what they can do and just build on some of the things that have (been) done to date,' Denis Leamy said on the eve of departure as Ireland's interim coaching staff wrapped up preparations at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Abbottstown. Gavin Coombes has perhaps more reason than most to take advantage of that opportunity. The No.8 from West Cork has been a consistently shining light for Munster but Test recognition has eluded the 27-year-old since a Test debut off the bench against Japan in 2021 and the 80-minute start the following week against the USA, both on home soil four summers ago. Coombes was not jettisoned by head coach Andy Farrell, indeed the back-rower toured New Zealand the 12 months later and started both midweek games in the drawn series with the Maori All Blacks, alongside Cian Prendergast and Nick Timoney, both of whom will board the team plane with the hope of adding to their four and three cap tallies respectively. It was a trio that also started the November 2022 A international against an All Blacks XV at the RDS on a night when many observers feel Coombes became one of the fall guys for a 19-47 defeat that left Farrell seething in a manner not seen since his post-match media conference following the Lions' pre-tour defeat to Argentina. Tellingly Prendergast and Timoney have earned Test caps since that dark night in Dublin, though not since before the 2023 World Cup, when the former and Coombes were cut from the pre-tournament training squad. So does the door remain open? Ireland interim defence coach Leamy was asked just that of Coombes, with whom he also works at Munster, on Tuesday. Is the door open for Gavin Coombes? Picture: Leah Scholes/Inpho 'Gavin has turned up, he's looking fit, he's looking hungry the last few days. I think he's deployed himself really well, he's been really good in training. 'Gavin has been in and out of Irish squads over the last couple of years. The times he's been left out, he's understood the reasons why and (they) have been very fair. Gavin has gone away and worked hard on those parts of the games. 'He's back in now, he has that chance now on Saturday, hopefully, if selected, that he can go and apply that and put his best foot forward. He's a guy that over the last couple of years has been very good for Munster.' It will chiefly be O'Connell's feedback to a returning Farrell that counts most, of course, but Leamy believes Coombes has learned his lessons and deserves this latest shot at an Ireland return. 'I think he's hugely strong around opposition 22. His ability to make yards, score tries, he's one of the best around at that and his general play is improving all the time. He's worked great between 22 and 22. "His ability to make yards in open play, his ability to clock up big numbers in his tackles, his rucks and the fundamentals around his basic play, around number eight (working) at the base (of the scrum). He's learning and improving that all the time. That's why he's back in this environment.' O'Connell will name his matchday squad to face the Georgians from Tbilisi on Thursday with Craig Casey set to captain from scrum-half with the interim boss set for a big decision at fly-half where the duel between Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley continues. For some Irishmen there remains the possibility of a call up to the Lions if injuries should crop up Down Under but Leamy spoke about the importance of staying focused on the task at hand in a green jersey. 'I lean on my own experience a little bit with that, being on tours in 2009 when you're on standby for the Lions. 'And it is a challenge, but you have to keep your mind on the job that's in front of you and you have to be very conscious of being as good as you can be in that space. Obviously, you're watching what's going on in Australia if there's an injury or an opportunity coming. 'But the boys will be very good around that. Their focus will be Ireland and whatever happens after that will happen.'
The Advertiser
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
New approach needed to fulfil closing the gap promise
Governments are being urged to rethink their approach to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people if they are serious about closing the gap. While the Closing the Gap framework is sound, its implementation has been inhibited by inaction, an independent, Indigenous-led review found. The framework has been agreed to all Australian governments and is designed to address First Nations inequity. The report authors engaged with more than 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations across Australia for the review, said University of Technology Sydney's Jumbunna Institute director Lindon Coombes. "The feedback we got overwhelmingly through the process from Indigenous people was that we all shook hands, all levels of government agreed to this framework and we're not stepping away from it," Professor Coombes told AAP. "However, if it's going to fulfil its promise, the government needs to work differently with us." The review found imbalance of responsibilities and resourcing was impeding implementation, with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations doing the "heavy lifting" while being under-resourced. But the absence of appropriate communication and education about Closing the Gap efforts had led to community negativity about progress on the targets, the report said. Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council deputy chief executive David Harmer said too often there was "lip service" paid to the targets. "We spend a lot of time dutifully reporting to government about the work that we've been doing ... but that's not translating to practical action on the ground that people recognise as the benefit of the Closing the Gap agreement" he said. Mr Harmer urged the government in his state to work more closely with Indigenous organisations, saying there's a need for renewed commitment to getting the relationship right. "Governments arrive with an idea of what they want to deliver, 'consult' about it and then deliver the thing they'd already thought they were going to do," he said. "That can't continue if we're going to change things dramatically." Closing the Gap data, released by the Productivity Commission in March, showed just four of the 19 national targets are on track to be met, while another six have shown improvement. The review was commissioned by the Coalition of Peaks, which represents more than 80 Indigenous peak bodies across Australia. Acting lead convener Scott Wilson said when governments and community organisations worked in genuine partnership, there were tangible outcomes. "When we all come together and when everyone's on the same page and we're driving change, whether it's with community organisations or with a state or federal government you do have good outcomes and you do have change," he said. Prof Coombes said governments should "take heart" in the review, despite its criticisms, as it was an opportunity for change. "If the government read this report, considers the recommendations and starts self-reflecting on how they work and how they engage with Indigenous people, there's a really good opportunity to do things differently and better," he said. Governments are being urged to rethink their approach to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people if they are serious about closing the gap. While the Closing the Gap framework is sound, its implementation has been inhibited by inaction, an independent, Indigenous-led review found. The framework has been agreed to all Australian governments and is designed to address First Nations inequity. The report authors engaged with more than 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations across Australia for the review, said University of Technology Sydney's Jumbunna Institute director Lindon Coombes. "The feedback we got overwhelmingly through the process from Indigenous people was that we all shook hands, all levels of government agreed to this framework and we're not stepping away from it," Professor Coombes told AAP. "However, if it's going to fulfil its promise, the government needs to work differently with us." The review found imbalance of responsibilities and resourcing was impeding implementation, with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations doing the "heavy lifting" while being under-resourced. But the absence of appropriate communication and education about Closing the Gap efforts had led to community negativity about progress on the targets, the report said. Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council deputy chief executive David Harmer said too often there was "lip service" paid to the targets. "We spend a lot of time dutifully reporting to government about the work that we've been doing ... but that's not translating to practical action on the ground that people recognise as the benefit of the Closing the Gap agreement" he said. Mr Harmer urged the government in his state to work more closely with Indigenous organisations, saying there's a need for renewed commitment to getting the relationship right. "Governments arrive with an idea of what they want to deliver, 'consult' about it and then deliver the thing they'd already thought they were going to do," he said. "That can't continue if we're going to change things dramatically." Closing the Gap data, released by the Productivity Commission in March, showed just four of the 19 national targets are on track to be met, while another six have shown improvement. The review was commissioned by the Coalition of Peaks, which represents more than 80 Indigenous peak bodies across Australia. Acting lead convener Scott Wilson said when governments and community organisations worked in genuine partnership, there were tangible outcomes. "When we all come together and when everyone's on the same page and we're driving change, whether it's with community organisations or with a state or federal government you do have good outcomes and you do have change," he said. Prof Coombes said governments should "take heart" in the review, despite its criticisms, as it was an opportunity for change. "If the government read this report, considers the recommendations and starts self-reflecting on how they work and how they engage with Indigenous people, there's a really good opportunity to do things differently and better," he said. Governments are being urged to rethink their approach to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people if they are serious about closing the gap. While the Closing the Gap framework is sound, its implementation has been inhibited by inaction, an independent, Indigenous-led review found. The framework has been agreed to all Australian governments and is designed to address First Nations inequity. The report authors engaged with more than 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations across Australia for the review, said University of Technology Sydney's Jumbunna Institute director Lindon Coombes. "The feedback we got overwhelmingly through the process from Indigenous people was that we all shook hands, all levels of government agreed to this framework and we're not stepping away from it," Professor Coombes told AAP. "However, if it's going to fulfil its promise, the government needs to work differently with us." The review found imbalance of responsibilities and resourcing was impeding implementation, with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations doing the "heavy lifting" while being under-resourced. But the absence of appropriate communication and education about Closing the Gap efforts had led to community negativity about progress on the targets, the report said. Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council deputy chief executive David Harmer said too often there was "lip service" paid to the targets. "We spend a lot of time dutifully reporting to government about the work that we've been doing ... but that's not translating to practical action on the ground that people recognise as the benefit of the Closing the Gap agreement" he said. Mr Harmer urged the government in his state to work more closely with Indigenous organisations, saying there's a need for renewed commitment to getting the relationship right. "Governments arrive with an idea of what they want to deliver, 'consult' about it and then deliver the thing they'd already thought they were going to do," he said. "That can't continue if we're going to change things dramatically." Closing the Gap data, released by the Productivity Commission in March, showed just four of the 19 national targets are on track to be met, while another six have shown improvement. The review was commissioned by the Coalition of Peaks, which represents more than 80 Indigenous peak bodies across Australia. Acting lead convener Scott Wilson said when governments and community organisations worked in genuine partnership, there were tangible outcomes. "When we all come together and when everyone's on the same page and we're driving change, whether it's with community organisations or with a state or federal government you do have good outcomes and you do have change," he said. Prof Coombes said governments should "take heart" in the review, despite its criticisms, as it was an opportunity for change. "If the government read this report, considers the recommendations and starts self-reflecting on how they work and how they engage with Indigenous people, there's a really good opportunity to do things differently and better," he said. Governments are being urged to rethink their approach to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people if they are serious about closing the gap. While the Closing the Gap framework is sound, its implementation has been inhibited by inaction, an independent, Indigenous-led review found. The framework has been agreed to all Australian governments and is designed to address First Nations inequity. The report authors engaged with more than 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations across Australia for the review, said University of Technology Sydney's Jumbunna Institute director Lindon Coombes. "The feedback we got overwhelmingly through the process from Indigenous people was that we all shook hands, all levels of government agreed to this framework and we're not stepping away from it," Professor Coombes told AAP. "However, if it's going to fulfil its promise, the government needs to work differently with us." The review found imbalance of responsibilities and resourcing was impeding implementation, with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations doing the "heavy lifting" while being under-resourced. But the absence of appropriate communication and education about Closing the Gap efforts had led to community negativity about progress on the targets, the report said. Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council deputy chief executive David Harmer said too often there was "lip service" paid to the targets. "We spend a lot of time dutifully reporting to government about the work that we've been doing ... but that's not translating to practical action on the ground that people recognise as the benefit of the Closing the Gap agreement" he said. Mr Harmer urged the government in his state to work more closely with Indigenous organisations, saying there's a need for renewed commitment to getting the relationship right. "Governments arrive with an idea of what they want to deliver, 'consult' about it and then deliver the thing they'd already thought they were going to do," he said. "That can't continue if we're going to change things dramatically." Closing the Gap data, released by the Productivity Commission in March, showed just four of the 19 national targets are on track to be met, while another six have shown improvement. The review was commissioned by the Coalition of Peaks, which represents more than 80 Indigenous peak bodies across Australia. Acting lead convener Scott Wilson said when governments and community organisations worked in genuine partnership, there were tangible outcomes. "When we all come together and when everyone's on the same page and we're driving change, whether it's with community organisations or with a state or federal government you do have good outcomes and you do have change," he said. Prof Coombes said governments should "take heart" in the review, despite its criticisms, as it was an opportunity for change. "If the government read this report, considers the recommendations and starts self-reflecting on how they work and how they engage with Indigenous people, there's a really good opportunity to do things differently and better," he said.
Perth Now
24-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
New approach needed to fulfil closing the gap promise
Governments are being urged to rethink their approach to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people if they are serious about closing the gap. While the Closing the Gap framework is sound, its implementation has been inhibited by inaction, an independent, Indigenous-led review found. The framework has been agreed to all Australian governments and is designed to address First Nations inequity. The report authors engaged with more than 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations across Australia for the review, said University of Technology Sydney's Jumbunna Institute director Lindon Coombes. "The feedback we got overwhelmingly through the process from Indigenous people was that we all shook hands, all levels of government agreed to this framework and we're not stepping away from it," Professor Coombes told AAP. "However, if it's going to fulfil its promise, the government needs to work differently with us." The review found imbalance of responsibilities and resourcing was impeding implementation, with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations doing the "heavy lifting" while being under-resourced. But the absence of appropriate communication and education about Closing the Gap efforts had led to community negativity about progress on the targets, the report said. Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council deputy chief executive David Harmer said too often there was "lip service" paid to the targets. "We spend a lot of time dutifully reporting to government about the work that we've been doing ... but that's not translating to practical action on the ground that people recognise as the benefit of the Closing the Gap agreement" he said. Mr Harmer urged the government in his state to work more closely with Indigenous organisations, saying there's a need for renewed commitment to getting the relationship right. "Governments arrive with an idea of what they want to deliver, 'consult' about it and then deliver the thing they'd already thought they were going to do," he said. "That can't continue if we're going to change things dramatically." Closing the Gap data, released by the Productivity Commission in March, showed just four of the 19 national targets are on track to be met, while another six have shown improvement. The review was commissioned by the Coalition of Peaks, which represents more than 80 Indigenous peak bodies across Australia. Acting lead convener Scott Wilson said when governments and community organisations worked in genuine partnership, there were tangible outcomes. "When we all come together and when everyone's on the same page and we're driving change, whether it's with community organisations or with a state or federal government you do have good outcomes and you do have change," he said. Prof Coombes said governments should "take heart" in the review, despite its criticisms, as it was an opportunity for change. "If the government read this report, considers the recommendations and starts self-reflecting on how they work and how they engage with Indigenous people, there's a really good opportunity to do things differently and better," he said.
Toronto Sun
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
'NOT A THREAT': Transgender woman swims topless in men's race to protest ban
A transgender woman swam topless in a men's race in England after the athlete was banned from competing in the women's division. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Anne Isabella Coombes, 67, who is fully transitioned, swam with breasts exposed and in men's trunks at the Cornwall County Masters in Reading, following Swim England's decision to change its regulations. In 2022, after being a member of Reading Swimming Club for 30 years, Coombes applied to Swim England to compete as a female. Coombes was given the OK, even swimming at a Masters event in 2023 and placing second. 'Masters swimming is usually very inclusive,' the athlete explained to the Reading Chronicle . 'They do try and let anyone compete.' Coombes noted that the woman who came in first was 'an excellent swimmer' who 'broke the European record.' Coombes added: 'I'm trying to emphasize that this is not a trans person coming in and nicking places from other people.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Later that year, Swim England informed Coombes that due to new rules, the athlete was no longer eligible for the female category. The policy states that 'fairness of competition must be protected' and created 'open' and 'female' categories. 'The updated policy ensures there are entry-level competitive opportunities for transgender people to participate in the majority of our disciplines within their gender identity,' it notes, adding that it's 'a means to protect fair competition within the sporting pathway.' Coombes chose not to compete for nearly two years after being told a women's swimsuit must be worn, and only swam this year in protest. 'Despite having to compete with the men, which 'outs' me as a woman who is transgender,' the swimmer told the outlet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I'm trying to show the world that this policy isn't thought through, and it's meant to hit trans people and nobody else. There are many who say I should only compete against men because I have a man's advantage, and that just isn't the case,' Coombes continued. Read More 'I want to make it clear through this protest that trans people are not a threat when it comes to sport. We aren't winning everything, and if we started to, then I would be first in line to discuss other options. Right now, it is a non-issue.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Coombes was warned by Swim England swimwear should be in 'good moral taste,' and if a 'male swimming costume' was warned, the referee could choose to disqualify the swimmer. 'No other swimmer has this concern,' Coombes added. 'These regulations also mean that Swim England is treating me as a male by default.' In April, the U.K. Supreme Court ruled that a woman is someone born biologically female, excluding transgender people from the legal definition. Five judges ruled unanimously that the Equality Act of 2010 means trans women can be excluded from some groups and single-sex spaces, such as changing rooms, homeless shelters, swimming areas and medical or counselling services provided only to women. Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. Toronto & GTA Toronto Maple Leafs NBA Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays
