Latest news with #GirlsTeam
News24
18-07-2025
- Sport
- News24
Rowing SA under pressure to release report over irregular selection for U19 world champs
Rowing SA are under pressure to release a report that looked into the selection process of the girls' U19 team to represent South Africa at the world championships in Lithuania. Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now
The Guardian
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
How Poland's Euro 2025 showing transformed a nation's view of women's football
As Poland were on their way to a historic Euro 2025 win over Denmark the commentator on national TV encouraged people to visit the website of a Polish FA campaign called 'Girls' Team', which is designed to help young girls find a team to train with. There was such a rush to the website the server broke down. That would have been unthinkable only a few months ago but the Polish team that played in their first Euros, scored their first goal and secured their first win at the tournament have changed the perception of women's football in the country for ever. 'One of the key goals was to leave the best possible impression and to get little girls interested in the sport,' said the coach, Nina Patalon, after the 3-2 win against Denmark. 'That was our biggest responsibility at our first Euros.' They did just that. Before the tournament the record viewing figure for a women's football game on national TV was 600,000, for the decisive playoff against Austria. With momentum building, a whopping two million people tuned into the opening match against Germany, where Poland produced a feisty display and were somewhat unlucky to lose 2-0. By comparison, the men's national team's match against the Netherlands at Euro 2024 was watched by nine million people. But the men's team have lost some of their allure. Their performances at major tournaments have been a source of frustration for Poles. Recently Robert Lewandowski quit in a fit of pique after losing the captaincy, a row that ended with the coach, Michal Probierz, resigning. It wasn't pretty. The women, meanwhile, have captured the hearts of a nation. One of the biggest sports portals, wrote: 'The Polish women were debutants. They are still at the beginning of their journey. It is still a stage where the saying 'we are learning, we are gaining experience' is not a bad excuse, but the honest truth. The fact that they didn't finish last in such a difficult group, were able to score three goals and win a game, is a surprise that needs to be appreciated. The Euros, but also everything that has happened over the last year, builds hope that the best is coming.' Poland followed up defeat against Germany with another loss, this time 3-0 against Sweden, before the cathartic victory over Denmark. 'I hope we will experience these moments more often,' said Ewa Pajor, the team's star striker, who plays her club football for Barcelona. 'I am proud that we could feel the taste of victory at the European Championships. I know that this is a step on the road to further development.' The West Ham goalkeeper Kinga Szemik told the Guardian: 'I hope that our participation at the Euros is another milestone in propagating the sport and changing the mentality of Polish people. Like we said from the beginning, one of the main goals for us was to help younger generations of girls so if they choose playing football, it'll be much more accessible and easier for them.' It has been quite an achievement by the team. A year ago no one believed they would even get to the Euros. And that was not only the experts but also the Polish FA and Nike, who did not plan a special kit for the team. When qualification was secured Nike said that there was not enough time to produce a new jersey. So Poland were the only country at the 16-side tournament who were playing in an old design. Now, though, the country is looking forward. Poland submitted an application to host this year's Euros but lost out to Switzerland. They will soon apply to organise the 2029 tournament and should they succeed it will be the first time the women's Euros are held in eastern Europe. It brings back memories of 2012, when Poland co-hosted the men's Euros together with Ukraine. The 'Euro effect' is still talked about in Poland, the success of the event having exceeded all expectations. The impact of the Euros on the economy, the development of tourism and the country's image was invaluable. When Patalon was asked before the tournament what would be the biggest success at Euro 2025, the coach said that the team's performance would contribute towards the number of registered female players growing from 30,000 to 300,000. After the final game against Denmark she said: 'It is worth falling in love with our team. My team has presented something that can be a fertiliser for little girls to fall in love with football. They are role models.' This is just the beginning and one of the best things is that Poland is now a country where girls and boys have new idols. In addition to the Lewandowski or Piotr Zielinski shirts already being worn in the street, those bearing the names of Pajor or Natalia Padilla-Bidas will become more common. India on the rise: India have advanced to the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia and will be back in the tournament after 23 years. Those involved in women's football in India believe the achievement will aid growth and interest in the women's game in the country. But this is not the end of the dream: the team's next goal is to qualify for the World Cup. Down to the last eight: It is not only in Europe that the battle for continental supremecy is ongoing but in Africa too. The Wafcon winners' prize money has doubled to $1m (£750,000) and these teams are still in contention: Morocco, Mali, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa and Senegal. Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Tom Garry and Tanya Oxtoby to discuss England's dominant win against Wales, France's comeback, and the final twists in the Euro 2025 group stage. Listen here. What a Copa América Femenina debut by the 17-year-old Claudia Martínez, who scored three goals in Paraguay's 4-0 win over Bolivia to become the youngest scorer in the history of the competition. It's the direction the women's game is going in, and it's great to see. It's proof that women's footballers are great, and that is the way the game is going, so long may that continue' – Lauren Hemp on Liverpool's Olivia Smith becoming the first female footballer to attract a £1m fee. A new book, Florrie: a football love story, has been published to coincide with the Euros. It is a queer historical graphic novel set around the FA's 1921 ban and begins with Florrie's great-niece discovering Florrie was secretly a footballer in the early 20th century. Florrie fell in love with the game, and another player, and played in huge matches both in England and in France. The book explores the joy of playing football, and the devastating consequences when it is taken away. Sophie Downey has looked at the performances of the 16 teams at the Euros and produced her own power rankings with, perhaps unsurprisingly, Spain top but is that Sweden in second? Talking of Peter Gerhardsson's side, they should not be underestimated, according to the England captain, Leah Williamson, before their quarter-final on Thursday. Elis James wrote about what it was like following Wales's 'pioneers' at the Euros. And before the England v Wales game, Emma Hayes wrote about the dos and don'ts of being in a tournament bubble.
CBC
22-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships: 17U girls gold match
Watch the 17U girls gold medal match from the Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Now is the time to move away' – Ascot drops Ladies' Team from Shergar Cup for new Asia squad
ASCOT bosses have dropped the famous Ladies' Team from the Shergar Cup - and replaced it with a squad from Asia. Chiefs said 'now is the time to move away' from having a separate side for women. 1 Jockey Hayley Turner (right) sprays team-mate Emma-Jayne Wilson after the now-defunct Girls Team win the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot Credit: Alamy Trailblazing jockey Hollie Doyle said the decision was a 'nice reminder' that men and women compete on equal terms in racing. The popular Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is one of Ascot's biggest meetings and this year's renewal on August 9 will have £500,000 up for grabs. Turner, who But it's all change for 2025, with the ladies' team axed and a new Asian contingent in its place. Japanese jockey Ryusei Sakai will be the 'star attraction' thanks to his association with Forever Young, the world's highest-rated horse. He will be joined by Mirai Iwata, dubbed the 'rising star' of Japan's jockey league, while Suraj Narredu from India will captain the team. They will wear red silks, replacing the pink of the ladies. Most read in Horse Racing Doyle will captain the Great Britain and Ireland squad, while there will also be teams from Europe and the Rest of the World. Doyle, who recently became Britain's most successful female jockey, said: "The Ladies' Team over the years has had great success, but the new changes that have been made, which include integrating the male and female jockeys on the same team, is a nice reminder that we as jockeys complete on a level playing field internationally." While Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said: "We're pleased to have secured top talent from across the world to compete at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup with at least eight different countries set to be represented already. "We feel now is the time to move away from a ladies-only team, and this new evolution of the format keeps the event fresh." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
