Latest news with #WomenInSports
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
John Mitchell bizarrely says Red Roses missing out on World Cup will not be failure
Following the Lionesses' historic European Championship win, attention now turns to the next big women's sports event this summer: a Women's Rugby World Cup on home soil. England head coach John Mitchell announced his 32-player squad for the tournament, which is vastly experienced, with 1,374 caps between them. As his side builds up to their first World Cup warm-up match with Spain on Saturday, Telegraph Sport picks out five key things we learnt from last week's Red Roses' squad announcement day at Twickenham. Mitchell: Losing World Cup will not be a failure This was arguably one of the most bizarre statements Mitchell has said since being appointed England's head coach. The New Zealander was effectively hired in 2023 to ensure the Red Roses, who have won 55 of their past 56 Tests, avenge back-to-back World Cup final heartache and win what could be a record-breaking tournament. Yet he believes if that goal is not achieved, it would not constitute a failure. 'If it doesn't happen, it's not going to define me,' said Mitchell, whose job is secure if England do not win the tournament. 'I won't let outcome get to me like I probably allowed it to get to me because it was everything when I was younger. Ultimately, at the end of the day, I still think through the experience we'll still be very good and to see the way the girls have grown in two and a half years, you don't need [an] outcome to determine how much this team is going to grow. 'It's something we're very keen to do, but it's not the only driver that drives us. We have a greater driver than just winning. We just want to be the best version we can be and should we be the most deserving come September then we'll deserve it. But to put all your eggs in one basket I think there's more to it than just winning. It's about getting it done, but making sure you have a phenomenal experience in doing it.' Heartbreak for England yet again... 💔 What a game. What an occasion. New Zealand are World Cup champions 🇳🇿 #RWC2021 #NZLVSENG — ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) November 12, 2022 World Cup debriefs with Ben Youngs Mitchell has been quoted in recent interviews about not wanting the Red Roses to be trapped in a 'high-performance jail' during the World Cup. It was a phrase he first heard when he appeared on the Love of Rugby podcast hosted by Dan Cole and Ben Youngs, when the latter shared his learnings of competing in four World Cups for England. 'It was quite cool how he described it as a 'high-performance jail', which I get really because the older I've got as a coach in high-performance rugby, you get sick of hotels and rooms,' said Mitchell, who is keen on letting his players enjoy a down day every week once the tournament is underway. 'We very much prefer our own homes and the way the discussion started was, even though World Rugby owns the tournament, how do we get an advantage at our own home World Cup? We've also got to be mindful of how we give the girls a chance to get away from rugby on our free day. We've got to find one free day a week where they can get their independence and energy back.' Learnings from youthful All Blacks squad in 2003 In previous interviews Mitchell has drawn similarities between the Red Roses and the inexperienced All Blacks side that fell to Australia at the semi-final at the men's World Cup in 2003. 'This team is more experienced than the team I exposed to the 2003 World Cup,' said Mitchell, whose England squad includes 24 players who have already been to a World Cup. 'I took the risk with a young All Blacks squad that then eventually served New Zealand for another nine years. I probably wasn't the bearer of my fruit but I made all the changes and took the risk of taking a young, enthusiastic squad who was playing outstanding rugby.' No hard and fast rules with social media The reach of women's rugby is growing all the time through social media, which is epitomised by the sport's most-followed player, Ilona Maher. The American's influence following her three-month stint at Bristol Bears in Premiership Women's Rugby last year has rubbed off on many of the Red Roses. Sarah Bern, the tighthead prop, is one of many following Maher's lead by posting authentic and occasionally humorous content that promotes women's rugby and body positivity. Some players, of course, choose not to look at social media during tournaments, but for those who will, there will be no hard and fast rules. 'I'll probably just play it like a parent as the tournament goes,' said Mitchell. 'The girls definitely know there's going to be good and bad social media and you're going to be judged, but also that they're going to be supported regardless of what happens.' When the post-match interview gets interrupted for a TikTok dance 🤣 #BBCRugby #W6N — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 29, 2025 England were 'under resourced' at previous World Cups Simon Middleton, the former England coach and Mitchell's predecessor, repeatedly claimed that the Red Roses' programme was top-notch during his tenure. But Mitchell has cast doubt on that idea when asked if he had consulted the likes of Marlie Packer and Emily Scarratt for advice about the squad's previous World Cup campaigns. 'I'm not sure they understand what the best preparation is because we keep evolving,' Mitchell said of the experienced pair. 'They've had to prepare for World Cups with limited resources whereas now there's probably no excuses around the use of resources and the way that we're supported. I probably should have asked them but at the time it was more like, 'What am I going to learn from an under-resourced program?''
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Darts fans are kicked out of Matchplay event in Blackpool after protesting against transgender player Noa-Lynn van Leuven during women's tournament
Darts fans have claimed they were kicked out of the Winter Gardens at Blackpool after protesting against the inclusion of Noa-Lynn van Leuven in the Women's World Matchplay tournament. Eight of the top women's players in the world took part in the one-day tournament on Sunday, playing quarter-finals, semi-finals and an eventual final. Beau Greaves was the heavy favourite to win the competition, while Fallon Sherrock also took part, but it was Lisa Ashton who took home the trophy. One incident away from the oche, though, attracted attention, with three women claiming they were escorted out the building for attempting to protest as van Leuven made her entrance. Van Leuven, 28, who began her gender transition as a teenager, has stormed up the women's rankings in recent months by winning multiple titles, and completed her hormone therapy in 2022. She has been taking part in the women's series recently, though three women protested on Sunday - with one holding a banner reading: 'He's a man' an the other wearing a shirt which said: 'Save women's sport.' WARNING : Strong language This is the footage of the moment we were removed. For standing up at Women's World Matchplay Darts who let Noa-Lynn Van Loeven play against women. We hadn't said anything when they attacked us with force. @OfficialPDC these are your security. — Jean Hatchet (@JeanHatchet) July 27, 2025 Darts fans have claimed they were kicked out of the Women's World Matchplay for protesting against Noa-Lynn van Leuven The incident took place when van Leuven was set to make her entrance to take on Lorraine Winstanley - a game she won 4-0. The two protestors appeared to stand, with security leaping to them right away and appeared to take them out the premises. The two demonstrators struggled as they were moved away, with writer Jean Hatchet claiming she was one of the women and sharing her version of events on social media on Sunday evening. She shared a video of the incident, captioned: 'This is the footage of the moment we were removed. For standing up at Women's World Matchplay Darts who let Noa-Lynn van Loeven play against women.' She also explained how her partner had a banner that read: 'Noa-Lynn a man.' Hatchet also claimed that she, alongside her girlfriend, who was also removed, was at no point asked to leave and would have done so had she been asked. When approached by Mail Sport for comment, Hatchet said: 'We saw that PDC the organisers intended to allow Noa-Lynn Van Leuven to compete again in the UK despite the recent Supreme Court ruling clarifying the meaning of the word woman to mean, as it has always meant, "biological female". 'We wanted to make a simple statement that Van Leuven is a man, he should compete as he used to in the men's competition. We sat quietly enjoying the darts. People held up many signs with different messages encouraged by the event. I don't know how or why but when I held up one saying "he's a man" within seconds I was grabbed hard by security and the sign ripped from my hands. 'My girlfriend didn't get a chance to hold hers up at all before we were attacked by more security. They grabbed us hard and pushed us and then more arrived. I shouted that I just wanted to get my bag and I'd leave. They refused and really grabbed me hard. I tried to struggle because they were really hurting me. I said "let me walk out, just give me my bag" but they all grabbed me harder. I have really serious bruises. At one point the man said "Why are you doing this homophobic s***?" 'It was painful and humiliating and they pushed and shoved me when they finally dropped me. It was disgusting. They handed me over to Winter Gardens Staff who looked a bit shocked but didn't intervene.' Van Leuven revealed before the World Championship last year that she had faced adversity in the build-up, receiving death threats, while team-mates Aileen de Graaf and Anca Zijlstra refused to play with her and English player Deta Hedman against her. She became the first transgender player to compete at the Grand Slam of Darts in November last year, and she has qualified to play at the World Championship at Alexandra Palace for the first time last Christmas. PDC chief executive Matt Porter insisted last year that the current policy on transgender players is 'fair', giving Van Leuven the green light to compete on the biggest stage. Still, both men and women compete equally in the tournament. Focus has generally been on the star competing in women's events, with Hedman arguing: 'People can be whoever they want in life, but I don't think biologically born men should compete in women's sports.' Van Leuven again opened up on the discrimination she has faced, suggesting she does not have an advantage over other women at the oche. 'Sometimes I'm accused of having an advantage over others because of my height,' she said. 'But look at Beau [Greaves]. We're the same height. Or look at Phil Taylor. He's beaten everyone and he's a small guy.' 'Others see an alleged advantage in the movements of my hips. I would stand differently than CIS women. Then there are people who come up with a study from handball, according to which there are differences between men and women in the throw, specifically in the backswing, and also in the lunge movement. 'So, the last time I played darts, I didn't do a backswing or a lunge. It's f***ing darts. What are we talking about?'
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
When Will The PWHL Catch The Eye Of The ESPYs?
The 33rd annual ESPY Awards were held last night in Los Angeles. At the ceremony, many women in sports were honored. It's a list that includes Best Athlete in Women's Sports, Simone Biles as well as Ilona Maher (Best Breakthrough Athlete), Suni Lee (Best Comeback Athlete), and Best WNBA Player Caitlin Clark.
India Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Indian boxers return home after historic medal haul
Despite India's best-ever performance at the World Boxing Cup in Kazakhstan — with multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals — there was no media, no applause, no crowd at the airport. A viral video of the boxers walking out quietly has sparked one question online: why the silence? #IndianBoxing #WorldBoxingCup #BoxingChampions #Kazakhstan202 #WomenInSports #IndiaSportsNews #Sports
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Rising Welsh star Harry relishes major challenge
Welsh golfer Darcey Harry is "super nervous" but relishing another step up in class as she prepares for this week's Evian makes her major tournament debut in France having qualified thanks to her fine form in her rookie season on the Ladies European Tour (LET).The 22-year-old only turned professional last year in order to try her luck in LET qualifying school, where she finished second to claim her card for already has an LET title to her name, having won the Hulencourt Women's Open last month, with two further top-10 finishes helping her seal a place at the Evian tour victory also guarantees her a spot in the Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl - where she is a member - starting on 31 July."I never thought in my rookie year I'd be getting into a major, let alone two majors and one at my home course," Harry said. "I am definitely super nervous. I have not played a major before so I don't really know what to expect."But I'm looking forward to a new challenge and to see how it is out there."Harry, from Dinas Powys, triumphed by three shots at the Hulencourt Women's Open, which was staged in Belgium. It was just the eighth LET event for a player who gave a glimpse of her potential by finishing sixth in only her second event at the level, the Australian Women's also finished fourth at the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open - which came immediately after her victory in Belgium – with a five-foot putt on the last ensuring that she had enough ranking points to claim her Evian Championship place."That was a really nice finish," Harry said."It was really nice to see that I didn't just go and crumble after the win. My confidence levels are nice and high now and I've been given the encouragement to keep going."Harry's promising start to life on the LET continued with a 17th-placed finish at last week's Irish the Evian Resort this week, Harry will play alongside Thailand's Pajaree Anannarukarn and Germany's Helen Briem - with her first round beginning at 08:48 BST on goal is to claim a place on America's LPGA Tour – and this week will offer a first chance to compete with many of the star names who are based on the other side of the Atlantic."I am looking forward to seeing what the next level is for me," Harry said."I've not played against a lot of LPGA players before. That is my dream, to be on the LPGA, so it will be learning curve for me, a chance to see what I need to improve to compete against them."
