Latest news with #TanyaOxtoby
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
How have Northern Ireland progressed since Euro 2022?
It has been three years since Northern Ireland walked out in Southampton for their first major tournament against Norway at Euro was an achievement even making the finals as a squad largely made up of part-time players battled against the odds. However, with the latest edition of the tournament now under way, Northern Ireland are sitting at home after their play-off defeat - again at the hands of and off the pitch, how have Northern Ireland progressed or changed since their historic finals appearance? "The growth in the women's game in Northern Ireland since the Euros is massive," said now-retired record goalscorer Rachel Furness."I think there is still a long way to go, but we are definitely going in the right direction."Do I think we are there yet on the pitch? No, but do I think the potential is there to be? Yeah, I do." What has changed? The most obvious change has been in management, as Kenny Shiels left his role less than a year after the Euros in January 2023. Andy Waterworth was handed the reins for a friendly with Wales that April, and Gail Redmond took charge for the two July fixtures against Scotland and the Czech Republic. Australian Tanya Oxtoby, who was Emma Hayes' assistant at Chelsea, was appointed soon after and took charge of her first match in September 2023. On the playing front, the squad that guided Northern Ireland to the Euros contained a number of players who had been playing international football since the senior team was reformed in 2005. The shift in focus has been clear by the average age of the squads. Of the 23 players who travelled to Euro 2022, the average age was 26.7 with Julie Nelson (37), Sarah McFadden (36), Furness (34), Ashley Hutton (34) and captain Marissa Callaghan (38) all in the latter stages of their careers. Despite missing influential striker Simone Magill, who injured her anterior cruciate ligament earlier in the tournament, the average age of the starting team for the final group game with England was average age of Oxtoby's squad for the post-season Nations League matches had dropped to 25.4, with 11 of the Euro 2022 squad still included. An even clearer indication of the trajectory of the squad came in the average age of the starting team in their final game in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which was just 26.7 - a drop of three years from the terms of experience, there was an average of 42.3 caps in the Euros squad, while the latest iteration actually falls to 32.3, which highlights the groundwork in youth from Shiels and now terms of contracts, 10 of Northern Ireland's squad played their football outside the Women's that has flipped and there are only seven domestic players involved in Oxtoby's set up, and the number of players on full-time professional contracts has doubled from eight to 16."Some of the girls in there have experienced it and you have young, hungry girls coming through who are wanting to become professional a lot younger," said Furness. From inside the camp, Furness said an increase in analysis "down to the fine details" is helping the team make gains "we maybe didn't used to in the past". "That's what happens in the professional game in England. You look at yourself individually, in units and as the whole team. The girls are now doing that on camp. "It's the little tweaks and giving the young girls the exposure and experience now to see it come good in the next year or two." What do the stats say? The numbers highlight a rise in participation in women's and girls' football across Northern Ireland. In the latest strategy released by the Irish FA in March, the association states there has been an increase in participation - from 1,600 registered players in 2019 to 11,441 in 2024. In theory, increased participation year-by-year should widen the potential pool of international players in the long run. In the Women's Premiership, there has also been the introduction of professionalism by the Northern Ireland Football League and licencing. Attendances at NIFL matches has risen by 59%, however there has not been a jump in crowds at post-Euros for international matches as might have been Northern Ireland's most recent eight home fixtures - a combination of Euro 2025 qualifiers and Nations League games that have been split across Windsor Park, Inver Park, Seaview and Mourneview Park - the average attendance has been 2, out the final home match before the Euros against England, which drew a record crowd of 15,348, the average attendance of Northern Ireland's four other home competitive games in between securing Euros qualification in April 2021 and the finals the following summer was 2, Ireland's first two fixtures after the Euros were away in Luxembourg and Latvia, and the first home game wasn't until that November - an impressive win over Italy at a sold-out Seaview. After that, their next home game was not until September 2023, when Oxtoby was in place, and with such breaks between home matches in the aftermath of the Euros - and only four matches in total in the 12 months following the tournament - it was nearly impossible to build any momentum on that the world rankings, Oxtoby's Northern Ireland are currently 44th. This is a rise of three places from three years ago, but the progress can be charted back to the 2017 Euros when NI, then under Alfie Wylie, were 60th. What comes next? On the pitch, Northern Ireland are not back in action until October when they face Iceland in a Nations League promotion play-off as they look to reach League A for the first Ireland have yet to defeat a League A nation since Oxtoby took over, and that is the clearest obstacle to taking the next step. So far, NI have impressed in patches against the likes of Norway, Poland, Portugal and the Republic of Ireland, but ultimately been outclassed each time. Whilst Iceland have been eliminated from Euro 2025 after defeats in their first two games, they will be another stern test. Off the pitch, the Irish FA have released a women's and girl's strategy, which plans to build upon "five key pillars".Grassroots football and the everyday gameClubs and competitionsPerformance pathway for young playersPeople developmentProfile and visibilityIt was a historic achievement to qualify for the Euros, but how far away are Northern Ireland from replicating that?"I think we might be close a couple of times before it happens, but that will only add to the experience of the young group," added Furness."I definitely think the potential is there and I'm sure the staff who are in place now think that, or why would they be in place if they didn't think the potential wasn't there?"In the next five years I would like to see us challenge again, and then it becomes the norm every few years."We've definitely got the potential in the next few years."
Belfast Telegraph
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
‘It's been an absolute blast': Northern Ireland's record goal scorer announces retirement
The 36-year-old bows out as Northern Ireland's all-time leading goal scorer, netting 38 goals in 95 appearances for her country since her debut in March 2005, the most for either the men's or women's team. Furness capped off her international career with a starring role by helping Northern Ireland not only qualify for their first major tournament at Euro 2022 but play all three games at the tournament. At club level, the midfielder is best known for her two spells with Newcastle United, with whom she ended her club career this season, as well as also featuring for Sunderland, Reading, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Bristol City and Icelandic side Grindavík. "I've had 20 fantastic years. Coming in as a 16-year-old to now, it's been an absolute blast. The progress I've seen, especially over the past couple of years, has been fantastic,' commented Furness. "Whether I've been in it or out of it, I've been the biggest fan. Everyone has stories and this is part of my chapter. I'm going on to a new chapter now which I'm really excited for. "I've been in football a long time and I'd like to think over the years I've made a difference, especially with Northern Ireland. That's all I ever wanted; I wanted to make a difference and help pave the way for all you coming through." Furness scored her first goal for her country in October 2005 against Romania and would go on to represent Northern Ireland for 18 years, playing her final game in a Nations League clash with Hungary in October 2023. Her crowning moment came when she became the country's leading goal scorer in November 2021, scoring twice against North Macedonia to break the record. Some of her most important goals came in the qualification process for Euro 2022, though, grabbing five in the group stages before scoring in the Play-Off first-leg against Ukraine, and she would then provide the assist for Julie Nelson's famous header against Norway in the group stages of the main tournament. Although she didn't feature, she was recalled by Tanya Oxtoby for the recent international window with Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina, ending her career on the international stage. On the club scene, the Sunderland-born star made exactly 100 appearances in the Super League, scoring 13 goals, but success followed her around throughout her career. Furness would win the Premier League Nations Division title with Sunderland in 2011 before helping Liverpool earn promotion to the Super League in 2023 and then do the same with Bristol City a year later, before bringing down the curtain on her playing days at Newcastle United last season. 'Rachel has been the ultimate professional the entire time I have known her, whether she's been in the squad or not. The respect she's shown, and her ability to always put the team first, speaks volumes about her character,' said Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby. 'She came into the last two camps and gave the squad a real lift to ensure we got the job done — that really speaks to the person she is. I'm so glad we could send her off in style. She has done so much for this country.'
BBC News
05-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'One of NI's most impactful players calls time'
With injuries limiting her minutes and Tanya Oxtoby's youthful approach, Rachel Furness' retirement announcement is not entirely unexpected, but it does signal the latest changing of the guard for Northern just like when Marissa Callaghan announced her retirement, it is sad to see another of Northern Ireland's history-making Euro 2022 squad call a player, Furness will be remembered as a fearless competitor who made history by becoming the record goalscorer for her of the most important strikes was in the historic Euro 2022 play-off first leg in Ukraine, when she netted the opening goal before she tried to play on after sustaining a broken leg. That sums up her from her goals, one of the standout memories of Furness is her dancing around with her crutches in the air after the play-off win over also had a huge impact off the pitch, and her openness about her mental health struggles were inspiring as she encouraged other players to be open about their feelings and to stand up for their story is one of resilience and perseverance, and her all-round presence, not just her footballing ability, means she will be regarded as one of the most impactful players in Northern Ireland's storied history.
Belfast Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
NI boss Tanya Oxtoby reveals why Nations League promotion push requires a total squad effort
If anything what goes on during an hour and a half on a rectangle of grass is merely the tip of a fairly large iceberg. Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby has talked regularly about the culture in her squad and after securing a Nations League promotion Play-Off gave an insight into the small things that she sees behind the scenes that are impacting when the whistle goes. The kind of actions that helped earn the 1-1 draw in Bosnia-Herzegovina that puts the team one step away from breaking into League A. Four members of the squad didn't see game time over the double header against Poland and Bosnia — back-up goalkeepers Abbie Smith and Kate Smith as well as Louise McDaniel and Rachel Furness — but it's about other things for the manager. 'I think when you talk about the culture of the group it's the fact that everybody adds value and contributes to what we're doing,' said Oxtoby. 'I said to them that whether you played or you didn't you know you've contributed to the success of this group and it takes everybody. 'The way in which this group goes about that and looks after each other, the travel day wasn't exactly smooth and to see in the airport the way they look after each other that pleases me no end because that is the foundation that you build team character and resilience on 'Credit to all of them, I thought they were great and from my perspective I'm just pleased for them and the staff.' Points tallies in groups only tell you so much. Northern Ireland's fortunes in the last three campaigns have fluctuated from earning seven points in the 2023 Nations League to eight this time around while in between collecting 10 in the Euro 2025 qualifying series — dropping two at home to Malta in the first game was a serious frustration at the time. Places are more important and finishing second behind teams of the quality of Portugal and Poland in the last two groups was not only an improvement on the previous one, it was realistically the best that could have been hoped for. Winning a promotion Play-Off and becoming a League A nation remains a big ask, especially as potential opponents Iceland, Belgium and Denmark have all qualified for the Women's Euro 2025 Finals and Austria were in Northern Ireland's group in 2022. Although Oxtoby took over a Northern Ireland team that was only 14 months out of a first ever major tournament and who had won four out of six matches after the Women's Euro 2022 Finals, it was always going to take time for her to make it her team. Her evolution of the squad, edging out the likes of former captain Marissa Callaghan and Demi Vance while also ending Julie Nelson's international career without ever calling her up elongated that process. With Rachel Dugdale restored to the squad, Ellie Mason and Megan Bell now playing regularly, Brenna McPartlan and Natalie Johnson capped for the first time under Oxtoby's management and the introduction of youth in the shape of Keri Halliday, Kascie Weir and Abi Sweetlove, her vision is starting to take shape. It will be the 2027 World Cup campaign or the next Nations League ahead of that tournament when the real judgement can be made. The very nature of the Nations League with teams playing against similar level of opposition rather than being in groups of varying ability does give a much clearer picture of where each individual country sits on the wider landscape. Poland proved they are better than Northern Ireland and showed the gap between League A and League B, but with better defending, a little bit more luck and not giving them early confidence after two goals inside 10 minutes they might have been beatable in a one-off game. 'In international football there are no easy games. That is the bottom line,' said Oxtoby. 'I said all along that this group was going to be so competitive and to come here away from home and grind out the result, as we did against Romania, we've done the job. 'I don't know any team in the world, whether that be club football or international football that gets it all their own way all the time. 'You've got to show character and resilience. You've got to win when it's not pretty, you've got to get results when it's not pretty and we've certainly done that . 'There have been times previously that we haven't, so for me that's growth.' That character shining through is a measure of the qualities Oxtoby's team possesses. Even within the last four months they staved off comebacks away to both Romania and Bosnia after conceding within a few minutes of taking the lead, came from behind with two late, late goals to beat Bosnia, who themselves had come from 1-0 down and survived pressure at home to Romania to see out a 1-0 win. Those things don't just happen. 'To manage the game the way we did — I thought we should have probably scored a few more in the first half and conceded a sloppy one — to show the character to make sure we saw the game out, at the end of the day, that's all that matters at this point,' said Oxtoby.
BBC News
04-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
The next step or too much to ask? NI earn promotion chance
It wasn't a classic, but it was enough for Northern Ireland to get the job done. The goal had long been for Tanya Oxtoby's youthful side to fight for a chance to earn promotion to League A for the first thanks to Tuesday's 1-1 draw in Bosnia-Herzegovina, they will play in a promotion play-off in the autumn. A draw was all that was required in Zenica, and captain Simone Magill found the opener after being played in by Rebecca Holloway's inch-perfect the hosts hit back as Sofija Krajsumovic capitalised on some soft defending to bring Bosnia wasn't the dramatics from the reverse fixture in February in Larne, when Magill netted two late goals for a 3-2 win, but it was mission hindsight, that victory was crucial and ultimately the difference between facing a relegation play-off and having a shot at the big time."We needed a draw to get into the position of a play-off and we've got that. That's the main thing," former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan said on BBC Sport NI commentary."It's been the same sort of theme from the campaign where we start off really well, get our goal and you just want them to kick on a go for a second or maybe even a third. "But then we've given away a soft goal and it just changes." Will NI close the gap to Europe's elite? Callaghan had touched on what has been a frustrating theme from NI's Nations League campaign. There has certainly been bright moments from the youthful squad, but the lack of a full 90-minute performance has left points on the table after conceding soft goals - most notably in the draws with Romania and Bosnia. It has been a campaign of transition for the squad, with debuts handed to teenagers Kascie Weir, Aimee Kerr and Abi such as Rebecca McKenna, Joely Andrews, Keri Halliday, Danielle Maxwell and Brenna McPartlan, all in their early 20s, have taken more steps forward as leaders in the team, popping up with pivotal the top end of experience, Magill has led the way, but players such as Lauren Wade, Jackie Burns, Holloway and Rachel Dugdale have had their moments the campaign has been inconsistent, the blend in the squad shows things are pointing towards a bright the positives, such as the flowing first-half football at home to Romania and defensive solidity in the second half away in Poland (albeit when the team were already 2-0 down) can start outweighing the negatives then the team will continue to move in the right direction. Is it enough for Northern Ireland to take the next step and join the top tier of European football? Time will tell. The 7-0 aggregate defeat by Norway in the Euro 2025 play-offs showed that Europe's elite are on a different level, and the two Nations League games with Poland suggested there's work to do to close the gap to the best of the rest in the autumn they will get another opportunity to try and bridge that gap in a promotion play-off. They will be drawn against either Iceland, Denmark, Belgium or Austria, and will have nothing to lose as the underdogs - a tag which has suited Northern Ireland well in the past. "They would be really tough games. Iceland might be a team we would hope to get, but all four of them are League A teams who have qualified for major tournaments in recent years," Callaghan added. "We've played Austria and we know what they are capable of, but you can only take it one game at a time."Tanya and her team will make sure they do their homework on the opposition and set up accordingly."Even if the step up to League A is out of reach in the autumn, Callaghan doesn't necessarily believe that staying in their current tier would be a bad outcome."We're bringing a lot of youth into the squad and there are so many players who have less than 10 caps or just come out of the Under-19s. "So, to expect them to go up to League A and compete, I think it's a little bit too much to ask."We have a few 30-year-olds in terms of experience. Listen, League B has been a good league for us and it's been challenging for us."
