Latest news with #TriNations
The Advertiser
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Stingers repeat Paris water polo success against USA
The Australian women's water polo team have inflicted more pain on the USA with another penalty shootout win over their Olympic rivals in Perth. With former skipper and three-time Olympian Zoe Arancini announcing her retirement, the Stingers opened the Tri Nations series in style. Playing their first match at home since winning silver at the Paris Olympics, the Australians posted a thrilling win after the scores were locked at 8-8 at the end of regulation time. In Paris the Stingers downed the three-time Olympic champions in the semi-finals in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after the scores were also 8-8 at fulltime. After some huge saves in their latest shoot-out by goalkeepers Gabi Palm and Gen Longman, fellow Olympian Alice Williams slotted the winning goal. Williams was everywhere, opening the scoring for Australia after converting a penalty, while she also found the back of the cage in the dying seconds of the first quarter to level the scores 2-2. The Aussies added another two goals to their haul in the second quarter, courtesy of Abby Andrews and Olivia Mitchell. In the third, a buzzer-beater goal from Dani Jackovich put the hosts back in it, trailing by one at the three-quarter time break. Williams scored another in the fourth quarter, with Jakovich again nailing her shot in the final minutes to draw level at 8-8. For proud veteran Bronte Halligan, it was a case of deja vu. "An 8-8 score and then to go into irony wasn't lost on me. Almost 12 months ago we had the exact same score in the semi-final against them at the Olympics," Halligan said. "It was just a true dedication to the hard work the girls have put in all year and it was really exciting for our first official home game (this cycle) on home soil to come up with a big win in penalties." Meanwhile, Arancini, who isn't playing in the series, confirmed her retirement from the international stage after a 16-year career. Arancini made her debut for the Aussie Stingers in 2009 and went on to amass 330 international caps and played in the Rio, Tokyo and Paris Games. Having achieved podium success at every major international competition in world water polo, Arancini said the timing felt right to step away. "I've done this for 16 years now, and to finish on such an amazing note at Paris 2024 is pretty special," Arancini said. "I'm ready for the next chapter of my life… I know it's the right decision because I'm happy, I'm content, and it's my choice. "I'm immensely proud of what we've achieved, and I'm so excited for the next generation to step in." The Australians next face Italy on Sunday in Perth as the teams gear up for the world aquatic championships in Singapore next month. The Australian women's water polo team have inflicted more pain on the USA with another penalty shootout win over their Olympic rivals in Perth. With former skipper and three-time Olympian Zoe Arancini announcing her retirement, the Stingers opened the Tri Nations series in style. Playing their first match at home since winning silver at the Paris Olympics, the Australians posted a thrilling win after the scores were locked at 8-8 at the end of regulation time. In Paris the Stingers downed the three-time Olympic champions in the semi-finals in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after the scores were also 8-8 at fulltime. After some huge saves in their latest shoot-out by goalkeepers Gabi Palm and Gen Longman, fellow Olympian Alice Williams slotted the winning goal. Williams was everywhere, opening the scoring for Australia after converting a penalty, while she also found the back of the cage in the dying seconds of the first quarter to level the scores 2-2. The Aussies added another two goals to their haul in the second quarter, courtesy of Abby Andrews and Olivia Mitchell. In the third, a buzzer-beater goal from Dani Jackovich put the hosts back in it, trailing by one at the three-quarter time break. Williams scored another in the fourth quarter, with Jakovich again nailing her shot in the final minutes to draw level at 8-8. For proud veteran Bronte Halligan, it was a case of deja vu. "An 8-8 score and then to go into irony wasn't lost on me. Almost 12 months ago we had the exact same score in the semi-final against them at the Olympics," Halligan said. "It was just a true dedication to the hard work the girls have put in all year and it was really exciting for our first official home game (this cycle) on home soil to come up with a big win in penalties." Meanwhile, Arancini, who isn't playing in the series, confirmed her retirement from the international stage after a 16-year career. Arancini made her debut for the Aussie Stingers in 2009 and went on to amass 330 international caps and played in the Rio, Tokyo and Paris Games. Having achieved podium success at every major international competition in world water polo, Arancini said the timing felt right to step away. "I've done this for 16 years now, and to finish on such an amazing note at Paris 2024 is pretty special," Arancini said. "I'm ready for the next chapter of my life… I know it's the right decision because I'm happy, I'm content, and it's my choice. "I'm immensely proud of what we've achieved, and I'm so excited for the next generation to step in." The Australians next face Italy on Sunday in Perth as the teams gear up for the world aquatic championships in Singapore next month. The Australian women's water polo team have inflicted more pain on the USA with another penalty shootout win over their Olympic rivals in Perth. With former skipper and three-time Olympian Zoe Arancini announcing her retirement, the Stingers opened the Tri Nations series in style. Playing their first match at home since winning silver at the Paris Olympics, the Australians posted a thrilling win after the scores were locked at 8-8 at the end of regulation time. In Paris the Stingers downed the three-time Olympic champions in the semi-finals in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after the scores were also 8-8 at fulltime. After some huge saves in their latest shoot-out by goalkeepers Gabi Palm and Gen Longman, fellow Olympian Alice Williams slotted the winning goal. Williams was everywhere, opening the scoring for Australia after converting a penalty, while she also found the back of the cage in the dying seconds of the first quarter to level the scores 2-2. The Aussies added another two goals to their haul in the second quarter, courtesy of Abby Andrews and Olivia Mitchell. In the third, a buzzer-beater goal from Dani Jackovich put the hosts back in it, trailing by one at the three-quarter time break. Williams scored another in the fourth quarter, with Jakovich again nailing her shot in the final minutes to draw level at 8-8. For proud veteran Bronte Halligan, it was a case of deja vu. "An 8-8 score and then to go into irony wasn't lost on me. Almost 12 months ago we had the exact same score in the semi-final against them at the Olympics," Halligan said. "It was just a true dedication to the hard work the girls have put in all year and it was really exciting for our first official home game (this cycle) on home soil to come up with a big win in penalties." Meanwhile, Arancini, who isn't playing in the series, confirmed her retirement from the international stage after a 16-year career. Arancini made her debut for the Aussie Stingers in 2009 and went on to amass 330 international caps and played in the Rio, Tokyo and Paris Games. Having achieved podium success at every major international competition in world water polo, Arancini said the timing felt right to step away. "I've done this for 16 years now, and to finish on such an amazing note at Paris 2024 is pretty special," Arancini said. "I'm ready for the next chapter of my life… I know it's the right decision because I'm happy, I'm content, and it's my choice. "I'm immensely proud of what we've achieved, and I'm so excited for the next generation to step in." The Australians next face Italy on Sunday in Perth as the teams gear up for the world aquatic championships in Singapore next month.
Edinburgh Reporter
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Pro debut looms for capital boxer Frances
Craigmillar boxer Frances Heath is counting down the days until she kick-starts a professional ring career. The pupil support assistant at James Gillespie's HS has signed up with the pro management team of Sam Kynoch and Robbie Flynn and will make a debut against a Hungarian opponent at Glasgow's Hilton Hotel on May 17. Frances, 21, who started out at the Leith Victoria club but will now be trained by Kenny McCartney at the Craigmillar gym, says: 'It is my ambition to go all the way to world champion having been inspired by the likes of Katie Taylor and Nicola Adams. 'I was a footballer at Edina Hibs but my dad (Frankie) got me more interested in boxing. 'In my 15 amateur contests I have been ranked No 2 in Great Britain and competed for Scotland in the Tri Nations competition in Cardiff picking up a silver medal. 'I've also attended a training camp at the English Institute of Sport, travelling because of the lack of opposition here. 'Not many people will realise just how hard it is to compete in a male dominated sport and most of my contests have been exhibitions due to a shortage of opponents at light flyweight. 'Hopefully the switch to the pro's will create more opportunities and I'll be giving it my all in training and sparring with the likes of Stephanie Kernachan from Falkirk.' Stephanie is the first elite woman to win a GB title in the Scotland vest, and she was the first senior female boxer to compete at a World Championship for Scotland. Frances adds: 'I'm really pleased with the amount of support I've had and hopefully a lot of these people will come to Glasgow to see my debut.' Frances is determined to balance sport with studies, though, and will be taking up a place in Dundee Open University with a view to becoming a PE teacher. Like this: Like Related
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Super League's coaches on the return of Ashes tour
The news that Australia will travel to England to face a three-Test series later this year sent shockwaves through the is the first time since 2003 the world champions will have faced a Test series, albeit that one 22 years ago came against a Great Britain side they whitewashed time around, it is a chance for England to prove its mettle against one of the game's toughest nations when the series kicks off at Wembley on 25 what do some of Super League's head coaches think about the historic tour?BBC Sport takes a look at what they say it can do for the sport and whether it can reinvigorate rugby league in England. It is eight years since England and Australia last met - that was in the 2017 World Cup final in Brisbane, with Australia winning the edgy encounter Wane's England could have set up another meeting with the Kangaroos five years later in the Covid-delayed World Cup final at Old England were defeated by Samoa in the semi-final that year and missed the chance to tee off with Australia for World Cup that defeat at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium home, England have gone on to beat Tonga 3-0 in a home Test series as well as winning two Tests against Samoa last person who is familiar with facing the Aussies is St Helens boss Paul Wellens who, in his playing days, featured for Great Britain during the 2001 Ashes series as well as in the 2004 Tri Nations did not mince his words about the return of the Ashes."This is the biggest news for international rugby league in our country in over 20 years," he told BBC Radio Merseyside."Playing in an Ashes series should be the pinnacle of any player's career. The fact that we've got an Ashes series - and I know there's been talks for some time now - that's been finally confirmed is one of the most exciting things to happen to rugby league in this country for some time." Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell had decent pedigree during his playing career, having featured in Ashes series against Australia for Great Britain in 1990, 1992 and 1994."It's massive. For the players it's such a pinnacle, playing against the Aussies. The Test series back in my time as a player, I'll never forget," he told BBC Radio Leeds."Even though we lost all three 2-1, we had some unbelievable times, getting so close to the Aussies."His nostalgia for those times aside, Powell said the planning for this year's series is crucial to make it a success."I think it's great for the sport. If we get it right then it will be amazing," he added."Clearly the RFL have got to get a grip of the way the sport's being run. It needs to be managed in such a way that gets full houses and then you get it right."Shaun Wane and the players have got to get it right on the field. If you've got full houses at a game against Australia and it's competitive then I don't think there's a better sport in the world."Wigan boss Matt Peet believes that rugby league needs the international game to boost the sport and the Ashes is the perfect chance to achieve that."For the game to get where it deserves to be, the international scene has to be growing, thriving, flourishing and it needs to be what every player is aspiring to do, which is to represent their country," he told BBC Radio Manchester."For that to happen, you need consistent games. You need a regular competition structure where you know what's coming up. I think this a step in the right direction."Hopefully the quality of the games and the fan experience and product that's on TV will be a positive step for rugby league and leave everyone wanting more." Super League sides have outperformed expectations in recent years when pitted against Australian St Helens and Wigan have beaten formidable NRL premiers Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge within the past two years, showing that English rugby league can still cut it with the what sets apart playing against Australia compared to other international ties?For Powell it is speed."I've played against New Zealand, France, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and the Kiwis were always pretty strong," he said."But the game against Australia is just like an unbelievably quick game where you're playing on instinct all the way through - it's that fast."The game's a little bit different now to when I played but it's still the same, the speed the game is played at is a couple of levels above anything else that you experience."As for this season's series, will it rekindle the feeling the Ashes had in the nineties? Salford Red Devils boss Paul Rowley, a former England international, thinks it can."We're flooded with rugby now. Back in the day in the eighties you only had a rare chance to see televised games. Less is more in that respect so everybody was hungry for a game, whether it was on a Sunday or if it was an international then it was few and far between," Rowley said."However, marketed right then absolutely we can recapture that spirit."
