Latest news with #HenWladFyNhadau
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Good craic, banter and beer – oh, and rugby – draw Lions fans to Melbourne game
For many fans, the Lions' first Australian tour in 12 years is the catalyst to sight-see and reunite with relatives. Joining Watkins at the MCG will be his uncle Kevin Adams, cousin Kevin Lloyd and godson Morgan Lloyd, 15, who are visiting from Wales. It will be the first holiday since Christmas for Watkins, who, as a publican, works seven days a week. The quartet will reserve extra cheers for the Lions' only Welsh player, Jac Morgan. They won't need much persuasion to gather with fellow spectators and sing the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers). 'Crowd singing is part of our Welsh heritage,' said Watkins, who pointed to a YouTube clip of a stirring mass rendition of the anthem before a 2013 Wales versus England match in Cardiff. Saturday's MCG match against the Wallabies and this Tuesday's game against a First Nations and Pasifika team at Marvel Stadium are the Lions' first matches in Melbourne since 2013. Lions matches during this tour are being aired live on Channel 9 (Nine is the owner of this masthead). The Lions team, which was first formed in 1888, includes top players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In 2001, its name was changed from the British Lions to the British and Irish Lions. It 'doesn't roll off the tongue' says Irish-born fan Dave Dillon, but he says the team is usually just called 'Lions'. Dillon, from Wellington in New Zealand, will go to the MCG match with three of his brothers — Barry, from Kildare in Ireland, and Liam and Neil, now of Cape Cod, in the US. 'The games are great, but I'm looking forward to going for a pint with my brothers, and hanging out,' Dave said. Dillon says there's nothing like watching the best players, in an electric atmosphere at a big match. 'The craic and the banter is brilliant,' he said. 'Everybody's having a laugh, you're singing songs, you're making fun of each other,' Dillon says. 'It's always good-humoured.' Rebecca Grice, a Lions fan visiting from Lincolnshire, England, is going to the MCG test with her friend Georgia King, a Wallabies supporter from Sydney. They've been close since being pen pals as 11 years olds, 20 years ago. Grice, who played rugby union for nine years, and who supports Leicester Tigers, recently converted King, and King's four-year-old son, to the sport. 'Her enthusiasm is very contagious,' King said. 'Rebecca knows every player. She can answer every question.' Grice is a big fan of Lions player Ollie Chessum, who is from Lincolnshire, like her. On July 5, Grice, King and King's nan, Jill Wilkinson, watched the NSW Waratahs rugby union team play the Lions at Sydney's Allianz Stadium. 'The atmosphere was so great. I loved it,' said King. Earlier that day, in Sydney's George Street, Grice spotted Chessum and four other Lions players, and rushed up to take a selfie with them. 'It was very exciting,' Grice says. 'But I was so nervous and all I could think to say to them was: 'Are you having a good day off?' And they were playing that night! I'm mortified by that! 'One day I hope I'll meet them again and actually have a conversation with them.' While Grice has travelled to Paris, Wales, Ireland and Twickenham in England to watch England play, she will watch her first live Lions match at the MCG. King and Grice along with King's husband and father-in-law will drive to Melbourne from Sydney, and stay with King's relatives. On Saturday, they will get to the MCG early to 'soak in the atmosphere', Grice said. 'I'm so excited.' Lions games are held every four years in different countries. 'And that's what makes this so special. It's an occasion that brings everyone together, to experience something that you might never get to experience again.' King says Grice has been raving about the event for years.
The Age
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Good craic, banter and beer – oh, and rugby – draw Lions fans to Melbourne game
For many fans, the Lions' first Australian tour in 12 years is the catalyst to sight-see and reunite with relatives. Joining Watkins at the MCG will be his uncle Kevin Adams, cousin Kevin Lloyd and godson Morgan Lloyd, 15, who are visiting from Wales. It will be the first holiday since Christmas for Watkins, who, as a publican, works seven days a week. The quartet will reserve extra cheers for the Lions' only Welsh player, Jac Morgan. They won't need much persuasion to gather with fellow spectators and sing the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers). 'Crowd singing is part of our Welsh heritage,' said Watkins, who pointed to a YouTube clip of a stirring mass rendition of the anthem before a 2013 Wales versus England match in Cardiff. Saturday's MCG match against the Wallabies and this Tuesday's game against a First Nations and Pasifika team at Marvel Stadium are the Lions' first matches in Melbourne since 2013. Lions matches during this tour are being aired live on Channel 9 (Nine is the owner of this masthead). The Lions team, which was first formed in 1888, includes top players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In 2001, its name was changed from the British Lions to the British and Irish Lions. It 'doesn't roll off the tongue' says Irish-born fan Dave Dillon, but he says the team is usually just called 'Lions'. Dillon, from Wellington in New Zealand, will go to the MCG match with three of his brothers — Barry, from Kildare in Ireland, and Liam and Neil, now of Cape Cod, in the US. 'The games are great, but I'm looking forward to going for a pint with my brothers, and hanging out,' Dave said. Dillon says there's nothing like watching the best players, in an electric atmosphere at a big match. 'The craic and the banter is brilliant,' he said. 'Everybody's having a laugh, you're singing songs, you're making fun of each other,' Dillon says. 'It's always good-humoured.' Rebecca Grice, a Lions fan visiting from Lincolnshire, England, is going to the MCG test with her friend Georgia King, a Wallabies supporter from Sydney. They've been close since being pen pals as 11 years olds, 20 years ago. Grice, who played rugby union for nine years, and who supports Leicester Tigers, recently converted King, and King's four-year-old son, to the sport. 'Her enthusiasm is very contagious,' King said. 'Rebecca knows every player. She can answer every question.' Grice is a big fan of Lions player Ollie Chessum, who is from Lincolnshire, like her. On July 5, Grice, King and King's nan, Jill Wilkinson, watched the NSW Waratahs rugby union team play the Lions at Sydney's Allianz Stadium. 'The atmosphere was so great. I loved it,' said King. Earlier that day, in Sydney's George Street, Grice spotted Chessum and four other Lions players, and rushed up to take a selfie with them. 'It was very exciting,' Grice says. 'But I was so nervous and all I could think to say to them was: 'Are you having a good day off?' And they were playing that night! I'm mortified by that! 'One day I hope I'll meet them again and actually have a conversation with them.' While Grice has travelled to Paris, Wales, Ireland and Twickenham in England to watch England play, she will watch her first live Lions match at the MCG. King and Grice along with King's husband and father-in-law will drive to Melbourne from Sydney, and stay with King's relatives. On Saturday, they will get to the MCG early to 'soak in the atmosphere', Grice said. 'I'm so excited.' Lions games are held every four years in different countries. 'And that's what makes this so special. It's an occasion that brings everyone together, to experience something that you might never get to experience again.' King says Grice has been raving about the event for years.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Euro 2025 Wales v England: Why some fans are supporting both sides
"It's like any derby - you never want to lose to the enemy."That was how Gareth Bale described the rivalry between Wales and England in 2016, the last time the neighbouring countries faced off in a Euros tournament. But nine years on, with the women's teams meeting for the first time at a tournament, some fans have said they have no trouble supporting both teams come kick-off. One fan put the difference in attitude and comparative lack of rivalry down to inclusivity within the women's game, although not everyone agrees. Meanwhile experts said fans were more aware of the challenges women's teams had to face in order to play on the biggest stages. Nicola Chapman, 54, is one of those fans cheering on both countries. She is following the two teams in Switzerland and watched Wales' opener against the Netherlands, before seeing England take on the same opponents. Originally from London, she came to Wales in 1999 and has remained ever since. The honorary Welshwoman said even though she was England "through and through" when it came to football, her suitcase is split down the middle with England and Wales gear. She said the inclusivity of the women's game made her feel able to cheer on both sides. "You still get the banter between the both sides, but it does feel a lot more good natured. I think the big difference between the men and women's game is the inclusivity."Come kick-off time, she will be donning Wales colours and singing along to the national anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, but added she might have to "sit on her hands" if England score. Siwan Davies, 20, from Bala, Gwynedd, said the rivalry between the two nations was "a joy to watch"."There's nothing better than seeing two passionate countries battle it out against each other" she said, adding it was "fair" for some to support both nations and attributing that to the popularity of the Women's Super League (WSL)."In my opinion it's down to the WSL, as so many English players play for their favourite club".Ms Davies said she thought the rivalry would grow as the years go on and Wales improve, adding she hoped to see bigger attendances and more investment in the country. Alex Lloyd, 30, from Maesteg, Bridgend county, said she had an interest in football from a young age but "fell back in love" with it following England's appearance in the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia."I support both Wales and the Lionesses, but being Welsh it's always important to show support to your home nation in major tournaments," she said. "Women's football is evidently bigger in England than it is Wales but hopefully with Wales being in their first major tournament it will open the game up to young girls across the country."The success of recent tournaments for the Lionesses and the overall quality of their players draws me to them."She said she enjoyed football when she was younger, but the women's game was not shown or spoken about as much as today, with a lack of idols. "It was mostly known as a boys or men's sport and it was always the male footballers we would want to be like," she said it was "incredibly special" to see young girls being part of women's teams, and praised the likes of Beth Mead for speaking openly about the loss of her mum, something Alex also experienced at a young age. Dr Penny Miles, lecturer and researcher into fan culture at the University of Bath, said there was "feminist solidarity" in the women's game. "The conditions female players have had to face both sides of the border means a lot more solidarity," she said. "Whilst the English FA is quite ahead of the Welsh FA in terms of investment, the conditions, professionalisation, didn't really come into place until 2019 really."The fans have seen the challenge all these women have had to face, I think that makes you want to support women's football, irrespective of where they come from."Dr Miles said she had seen Chile and Argentina fans supporting each other during the 2019 World Cup, despite them generally being seen as big rivals. But is it fair to say this camaraderie between rival fans is confined to the women's game? Prof Stacey Pope, from Durham University, found football fans in the north-east of England would regularly watch rival teams as part of their own research dating back to the 1950s."Modern fans may find it hard to believe, but many Newcastle United fans would watch Sunderland," she said. Prof Pope added the rise in coverage around the women's game since 2015 had helped bring a new wave of fans. "Increased visibility and increased media coverage opens it up to supporters across the board and one of the key things from that research was that that kind of respectful coverage and the amount of coverage has also led to shifts and changes in attitudes," she said. "Which can actually lead to to shifts in terms of moving from sexist and misogynistic attitudes to more progressive attitudes. That's been something that's been really positive in terms of the increased media visibility." There has been a 45% increase in participation in women's football in Wales since 2021, while the number of women and girl's teams in England has doubled in the past seven years. But not everyone will be rushing to buy half-half scarfs for Mitchel, 35, from Cardiff said she could not "understand how anyone could be fans of both" and added "there is a definite rivalry" which "will show on the pitch". Hayley Clarke, from Bangor, Gwynedd, started following the Lionesses games when she got into football during the 2019 World Cup. But she said she would "never" support England over Welsh team will forever be known as history makers, regardless of who you will be supporting on Sunday.
Wales Online
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wales fan seen crying on TV cameras at Euro 2025 describes special moment that tipped him over the edge
Wales fan seen crying on TV cameras at Euro 2025 describes special moment that tipped him over the edge His tears summed up the emotion at an historic day in Switzerland Wales fan Dai Rees cries at the anthem in Euro 2025 as Wales take on the Netherlands (Image: BBC ) As Wales' women belted out the anthem on the pitch, in the stands in Lucerne, the 4,000 travelling fans did too. One of those who caught the eye of the TV cameras was Dai Rees. One of those who found the whole experience a little overwhelming, he was caught wiping tears away from his eyes as the pre-match rendition of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau finished. Being interviewed on BBC Radio Wales this morning, he joked: "It's the opportunity that I've been waiting for my whole life. I was desperate to be on the telly, now it finally happened when I'm crying." "I cried at the was such an emotional day. In such a positive way from the fanzone to the ground, the walk that the fans did, from the fans down to the ground, mixing with the Dutch and then kind of seeing the players warm up and there's so many families and everything else around. Sign up to the Don't Take Me Home newsletter here . "I cry at the anthem most times I go watch Wales play, to be honest, but this was extra special and to to feel and see that emotion, all those people around us, it just kind of got a bit on top of me, as you did a couple of strong continental Swiss lagers." Dai, from the Coleman Had a Dream podcast, shared more of his story in a blog post. "I shouted my way through the start of the anthem and the 'gwlads' tipped me over the edge. I was I looked up from his tear stained shoulder, I saw myself wiping tears from my eyes on the screen. The realisation that this was on worldwide TV dawned on me and very quickly I had a lot of messages. Nia Jones referred to me as a future meme in radio commentary and I received plenty of friendly ribbing, in the ground too. Article continues below Wales fan Dai Rees cries at the anthem in Euro 2025 as Wales take on the Netherlands (Image: BBC ) "I've heard from kids I used to teach, from Boston to Barry and people I went to Uni with. My old music teacher even messaged me and my mum told me I'd gone viral. I still don't think she knows what that means, so Christ knows who told her that. Whilst I was the one on the screen, I was far from the only one feeling that way. I'm very grateful that the emotion was captured yesterday. A great memory and memento of the day." Ahead of the game, Welsh and Dutch fans walked together to the stadium, 8,000 joined together, with what the FAW has said was the biggest fan walk in women's Euro history. In the post match press conference, manager Rhian Wilkinson told journalists the fans had made a huge difference. "Even better," said Wilkinson, when asked whether the support was as good as the players had dreamt of. "I spoke to the players before the game as well, and I said: 'These people have shown up to thank you for getting them there. "They want to see you give it everything you have and they're right there behind you.' And that's exactly what they did. "From the second I walked out before the players, I got a little bit intimidated, it was quite emotional. Welsh fans in Lucerne in Switzerland (Image: Getty Images ) "And of course it was for the players as well. So a huge thank you to all the fans here and back home. "Of course, we want to push our standards and make sure to get the game a little tighter and make our moments count in these two games. "But, a huge thank you to the crowd tonight and the Dutch fans, what a cool atmosphere for both teams." Article continues below However, Wales' women lost 3-0 in their opening game of Euro 2025, you can read the report here. The team are at their first major tournament ever. Up next for Rhian Wilkinson's side are two more tough games against France on Wednesday, July 9, and England on Sunday, July 13, in St Gallen.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Japanese schoolchildren sing brilliant Welsh anthem to Wales players
More than 100 Japanese schoolchildren performed a pitch-perfect rendition of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau for a group of Wales internationals in Kitakyushu on Wednesday. Ahead of the first Test at Mikuni World Stadium on Saturday, Wales captain Dewi Lake, along with Tommy Reffell and Rhodri Williams, visited Shinozaki Junior High School on Wednesday as part of a series of events to mark the visit of the Welsh national team. The city in Japan's Fukuoka Prefecture was the training base of Wales during the 2019 World Cup, with the locals essentially adopting the side as their favourite team. Advertisement Remarkably, that bond still remains six years on, with Wales receiving a rousing welcome when they arrived here last week. READ MORE: Today's rugby news as Lions name new team after 'desperately sad' news shocks tourists READ MORE: How to watch Lions v Queensland Reds on TV - channel and UK kick-off time However, no sight better represented the affection held for Welsh rugby in this city than the anthem by the schoolchildren on Wednesday morning. As part of a visit to the school by the Welsh Rugby Union, the group of children sang a stirring rendition of the anthem for the Wales stars, with former internationals Rhys Williams and Siwan Lillicrap also present. Advertisement "It was incredible to hear more than 100 children singing our national anthem in Welsh after they had been practising every day for a long time," said Williams, who is now the WRU's head of commercial. "It feels like a bit of Wales is here. We created a huge legacy programme back in 2019. "This is the first time we have had the chance to come back to Japan and especially Kitakyushu. The relationship we have with the city is unbelievable." As part of the visit, Lake, Reffell and Williams took part in passing drills, while each pupil received a Wales hat as a gift. The school was also presented with a signed Wales shirt. The school returned the favour with a gift of their own to the WRU, with a decorative item featuring the kanji for 'kokoro' - the Japanese word for 'heart', as well as the Welsh word for it too, 'calon'. "We were speaking to people last night and they think the majority of the crowd will be backing Wales," added Williams. "We hope that is the case." Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. There is an expectation that local support could be in Wales' favour, with assistant coach T. Rhys Thomas being asked about that likelihood by a local journalist. "We are hoping there are going to be a big percentage of the crowd supporting us," he said. "We feel the support and really appreciate it and it is a big thank you from all the players and staff. "It will be interesting to see who people are supporting but hopefully we can inspire people to give us a good atmosphere." Wales No. 8 Aaron Wainwright was one of a handful of the current squad who were in Kitakyushu back in 2019. "It is nice to be back," he said. "We have seen a lot of Welsh and Japanese fans on the streets over the last few days and had a chance to speak to them. "I met some people I met in 2019 so it's nice to catch up with them. "It's good to come back and take more in than maybe I did in 2019. When I came here six years ago I was not sure what to expect but those open training sessions we had at a packed stadium with the guys chanting and singing the anthem was surreal and I am hoping for the same on the weekend. "We had a big welcome when we arrived and a few of the boys were quite taken aback because it was probably something we had not experienced before and I was trying to explain what it was like in 2019 and how big that World Cup was. "We went for a team walk and we had some of the guys coming up to a few of the boys and asking for photos and autographs with some of the boys taken aback by how much support we have here and a lot of that comes from the World Cup."
