Latest news with #WNL
CTV News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Calgary's Riley Banadyga becomes a Ninja world champion in North Carolina competition
Calgary's Riley Banadyga poses with the statue she received for winning the World Ninja League championship in North Carolina. Calgary's Riley Banadyga might be small, but she stood tall at the recent 2025 World Ninja League (WNL) world championship finals in North Carolina. Banadyga, who's nine years old and weighs around 60 pounds, competed in the kid's female division, where she beat out 130 competitors to claim the title. 'It felt really good,' Banadyga said, 'because last year I got second, but it was a different worlds (this year). 'There's two -- UNAA (Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association) and WNL (World Ninja League) -- and I went to UNAA last year.' The World Ninja League is a globally-recognized governing body for ninja obstacle competitions whose world championships draws elite athletes from around the world, challenging them to compete in three rigorous stages. Riley Banadyga Riley Banadyga met the media Friday after winning the ninja world championship in North Carolina recently. (Photo: CTV News) It was Banadyga's commanding performance in the upper body testing stage three course that set her apart from the rest of the field. 'I tried to keep a fast pace and you had a 20-second shakeout on each box,' she said, 'and I tried to take just under 10 seconds -- I tried to keep the pace and go flowy.' First Albertan Banadyga is the first Alberta ninja athlete to win a world championship at the WNL worlds. Her dad Jarrod said he's proud but not that surprised to see his daughter do well, because ninja is her passion. 'She sees it as her fun time,' said Jarrod. 'I think she enjoys all the challenges and the fact the courses change, the obstacles in the gym, it fits that change all the time. 'So it's one of those sports that keeps her guessing and keeps challenging herself and I think that's what really appeals to her -- she never sees it as work. 'It's always play time!' While Riley was a cool competitor, the same couldn't be said about her coach, Lucas Artinian. '(I was nervous) on all stages, but especially Stage 3,' Artinian said. 'She looked so calm and just collected and I was like shaking and sweating. 'I was like, OK, let's do it! And she's like, 'Yeah! Let's go!' She's way more calm than I was, that's for sure.' That calm demeanor will probably take Riley farther in the sport -- she has hopes to turn pro one day, but for now, is looking forward to defending her world title. 'I need to be older to be a pro,' she said, 'And I think I can really well, but I'm really excited for next year.' With files from CTV's Glenn Campbell
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Healy named first MK Dons Women full-time boss
Stephen Healy has previously worked with Leicester City as well as West Ham United [Getty Images] MK Dons have appointed Stephen Healy as the first full-time head coach of their women's team. It follows a decision to fully integrate the team into club operations following a dismal season in 2024-25. Advertisement They finished bottom of Women's National League Southern Premier, managing a single point from 22 games, with a goal difference of minus 117. Healy was a first-team coach at Women's Super League club West Ham and replaces Abdoullah Kheir, who resigned after just three games in charge. "This really does feel like a fresh start for MK Dons Women. I'm excited to lend my experience to a young team with so much potential," he said. "As a Milton Keynes resident for over a decade, I'm so grateful to be given this opportunity." He will begin work next week as they prepare to play in WNL Division One South East next season. The club announced last month that the women's team was to incorporated into the club structure following their relegation.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Healy named first MK Dons Women full-time boss
MK Dons have appointed Stephen Healy as the first full-time head coach of their women's follows a decision to fully integrate the team into club operations following a dismal season in finished bottom of Women's National League Southern Premier, managing a single point from 22 games, with a goal difference of minus was a first-team coach at Women's Super League club West Ham and replaces Abdoullah Kheir, who resigned after just three games in charge."This really does feel like a fresh start for MK Dons Women. I'm excited to lend my experience to a young team with so much potential," he said. "As a Milton Keynes resident for over a decade, I'm so grateful to be given this opportunity."He will begin work next week as they prepare to play in WNL Division One South East next season. The club announced last month, external that the women's team was to incorporated into the club structure following their relegation.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Clubs approve 14-team Women's Super League and professional second tier
The Women's Super League will expand from 12 to 14 teams from the 2026-27 season, subject to Football Association approval. Clubs from the top division and WSL2 voted in favour of a proposal to expand the league and raise minimum standards, making the second tier fully professional. The changes must be backed by the FA because it has a 'golden share' in WSL Football, which took over running of the top two tiers of domestic women's football in England last year. The vote at Monday's shareholder meeting followed months of discussions with players, clubs, fans and other stakeholders, during which more than 20 league formats were explored. Advertisement Related: Women's transfer window summer 2025: all deals from world's top six leagues Next season the top two WSL2 clubs will be promoted and the third-placed team will have a playoff against the bottom WSL side to determine who will take the 14th spot. The idea of scrapping relegation outright was rejected after a public backlash when the Guardian reported that it was among the options on the table. Thereafter the WSL's bottom club will be relegated and replaced by the second-tier winners and the teams finishing second-bottom of the WSL and second in WSL2 will face a playoff. WSL2 will remain a 12-club division. The FA continues to be responsible for the third-tier Women's National League and will decide on its format but it is proposed that from 2026-27 the National League North and National League South winners be promoted and two WSL2 clubs drop down, in line with current guidelines. Advertisement Next season, to achieve the requisite numbers in the top two divisions, the two WNL winners are due to be promoted but only one WSL2 club would be relegated and a playoff is planned between the WNL's runners-up for a third promotion spot. Any team promoted from the WNL must meet the minimum WSL2 standards to gain entry, or a relegated team would be given a reprieve. Nikki Doucet, the CEO of WSL Football said: 'We believe this next evolution of women's professional football will raise minimum standards, create distinction and incentivise investment across the board … The introduction of a promotion/relegation playoff creates distinction for the women's game and introduces a high-profile, high-stakes match.' It is understood the decision not to expand the WSL beyond 14 teams, at least for the time being, is down to data suggesting it would dilute the quality and a congested calendar leaving too few available matchdays. The WSL has to contend with two more international windows (seven) than the men's calendar and three weekends being lost during the winter break to one by the Premier League. Only 24 weekends and three midweek slots are available once other commitments are factored in, including a six-week gap between a major tournament and new season; no more than two midweek games in a row; no midweek games after international breaks; and limited midweek games in the winter owing to possible postponements.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Netherlands to send last of pledged 24 F-16s to Ukraine on May 26
The Netherlands will send the remainder of the 24 F-16 fighter jets it had promised to Ukraine on May 26, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said on the Dutch broadcaster WNL on May 25. Ukraine received its first F-16 jets from the Netherlands and Denmark in 2024. The U.S.-made fourth-generation fighter jets have been deployed to bolster Ukraine's sky shield and help repel Russian aerial attacks. "We are also training pilots and technicians and sharing our military doctrines, so that Ukraine can build a modern armed force that matches that of the NATO member states," Brekelmans said on air. Apart from the Dutch aircraft, Ukraine has been promised 19 F-16s by Denmark, 30 by Belgium, and at least six from Norway. European nations have agreed to supply aircraft to help modernize the Ukrainian Air Force as they themselves transition to more advanced F-35 fighter jets. The F-16 aircraft are being provided within the framework of the international fighter jet coalition, with some partners contributing training and technical support. Oslo announced earlier this month that it would complete the delivery of its planes by the end of 2025. Similarly, the Belgian government said it would provide its aircraft sooner than the 2028 deadline. Ukraine has confirmed that it has lost three of its F-16 jets in action. Read also: Russia pushes forward in Donetsk Oblast, threatening Ukrainian pocket around Toretsk We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
