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Archives for June 2024

Wimbledon 2024: Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu are among the women to watch

June 27, 2024 by Tara S

By: Howard Fendrich | The Associated Press

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Here are some of the women to watch at Wimbledon, which starts at the All England Club on Monday:

Iga Swiatek

Ranking: 1

Career-Best Ranking: 1

Country: Poland

Age: 23

2024 Record: 45-4

2024 Titles: 5

Career Titles: 22

Grand Slam Titles: 5 — French Open (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024), U.S. Open (2022)

Last 5 Wimbledons: 2023-Lost in the Quarterfinals, 2022-Lost in the 3rd Round, 2021-4th, 2019-1st, 2018-Did Not Play

Aces: Has not played since winning the French Open on June 8 for her fifth Grand Slam championship, including four of the past five titles in Paris. … Is now 5-0 in major finals. … Wimbledon is the only major tournament where she has not been to at least the semifinals. … Voted WTA Player of the Year in 2023 for second season in a row; Serena Williams was the last to get that honor consecutively, doing so from 2012-15.

She Said It: “Winning five Slams seems pretty surreal. I would never expect it when I was younger.”

Read All About It: ‘The One Where She Wins Her Fifth Grand Slam’

Coco Gauff

Ranking: 2

Career-Best Ranking: 2

Country: United States

Age: 20

2024 Record: 32-10

2024 Titles: 2

Career Titles: 7

Grand Slam Titles: 1 — U.S. Open (2023)

Last 5 Wimbledons: 2023-1st, 2022-3rd, 2021-4th, 2019-4th, 2018-DNP

Aces: Has reached at least the semifinals at each of the past three majors. … Won the U.S. Open last year — the first American teenager to triumph there since Serena Williams in 1999. … Won her first Grand Slam doubles title at the French Open in June, teaming with Katerina Siniakova. … Started working with coach Brad Gilbert after a first-round exit at Wimbledon in 2023.

She Said It: “I’m not going to put a number (on) how many (majors) I want to win. But as many as I can.”

Read All About It: Gauff’s first Slam trophy came at age 19

Aryna Sabalenka

Ranking: 3

Career-Best Ranking: 1

Country: Belarus

Age: 26

2024 Record: 30-9

2024 Titles: 1

Career Titles: 14

Grand Slam Titles: 2 — Australian Open (2023, 2024)

Last 5 Wimbledons: 2023-SF, 2022-DNP, 2021-SF, 2019-1st, 2018-1st

Aces: A semifinalist each of her past two Wimbledon appearances; was unable to enter the tournament in 2022 because all players from her country were banned after Belarus helped Russia attack Ukraine. … Won the past two Australian Open titles. … Has a record of 54-9 in her last 11 major tournaments. She was 16-14 in her first 14. … Briefly ranked No. 1 last season.

She Said It: “I mean, definitely Grand Slams — that’s the goal for everyone. And definitely, everyone feels the pressure.”

Read All About It: Sabalenka’s first major championship was about persistence

Elena Rybakina

Ranking: 4

Career-Best Ranking: 3

Country: Kazakhstan

Age: 25

2024 Record: 35-7

2024 Titles: 3

Career Titles: 8

Grand Slam Titles: 1 — Wimbledon (2022)

Last 5 Wimbledons: 2023-QF, 2022-Won Championship, 2021-4th, 2019-DNP, 2018-DNP

Aces: Won her first major title at Wimbledon in 2022, but did not get the usual rankings bump because no points were awarded by the tours there that year. … Her title defense at the All England Club last year ended in the quarterfinals. … Was the runner-up at the Australian Open in 2023.

She Said It: “I think I can play on all the surfaces. Of course, looking back to the results, grass, I will say, is the favorite, because it’s fast.”

Read All About It: Rybakina’s Wimbledon title came with a muted response

Marketa Vondrousova

Ranking: 6

Career-Best Ranking: 6

Country: Czech Republic

Age: 25 on Friday

2024 Record: 16-10

2024 Titles: Zero

Career Titles: 2

Grand Slam Titles: 1 — Wimbledon (2023)

Last 5 Wimbledons: 2023-W, 2022-DNP, 2021-2nd, 2019-1st, 2018-1st

Aces: Has just two tour-level titles so far — but one came at a Grand Slam tournament, Wimbledon last year. … Owned a 1-4 career record at Wimbledon before going 7-0 en route to last year’s championship. … The left-hander has been sidelined for chunks of time because of wrist problems.

She Said It: “On grass, I didn’t play so good, so I would never have thought of (winning Wimbledon).”

Read All About It: Vondrousova is a unique champion

Emma Raducanu

Ranking: 168

Career-Best Ranking: 10

Country: Britain

Age: 21

2024 Record: 13-8

2024 Titles: Zero

Career Titles: 1

Grand Slam Titles: 1 — U.S. Open (2021)

Last 5 Wimbledons: 2023-DNP, 2022-2nd, 2021-4th, 2019-DNP, 2018-DNP

Aces: A series of injuries — including three operations last year — and frequent coaching changes have made recent seasons tough for the 2021 U.S. Open champion. … Played as well as ever during the Eastbourne grass-court tuneup the week before Wimbledon, including the first win of her career against a member of the top 10, Jessica Pegula. … Certain to get plenty of attention and plenty of support from the home crowds at the All England Club.

She Said It: “I have been going through some stuff, so to come through has been really nice.”

Read All About It: Raducanu was 18 when she became the first qualifier to win a Slam title

___

Howard Fendrich has been the AP’s tennis writer since 2002. Find his stories here: https://apnews.com/author/howard-fendrich

___

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press

Filed Under: Tennis, Women's Tennis

The ‘special and unique’ part of footy that drives Daisy

June 25, 2024 by Tara S

By Gemma Bastiani | AFL

DAISY Pearce might be one of the most decorated names in the women’s game, known for her skill, leadership, and strategic mind. But there is one key driver for Pearce behind it all: a sense of belonging to something larger than herself.

The concept of a team-first game is no truer than when discussing Australian Football, and more specifically, AFLW. With playing lists of 30, and a team of staff working behind the scenes, bringing a big group together all with the same goal is both the most challenging and most enticing part of the game.NEWSAFLW ‘evolves’ to a national draft ahead of 2025 season

“There is something so special and unique about footy, just the size of your list and the program, the club. To have people from so many different walks of life and background, all trying to push towards the same thing,” Pearce told AFL.com.au.

“That is probably my favourite thing about coaching, and it was my favourite thing about playing as well.”

Now taking charge at West Coast as head coach, Pearce has become the driver of the group. Overseeing the whole program is a mammoth task for anyone, but particularly for someone like Pearce who has plenty of eyes on what she’s doing by virtue of her status in the game.

But, really, pressure is coming from the ultra-competitive Pearce herself, as she learns to balance her style of coaching with her responsibility to her family.

03:25

Jun 17 2024

Be what you can see: Top AFLW mentors on female coaching’s bright future

This June is Women’s Coaching Month and we’re shining a light on women coaches in the AFLW, their journey to the top job, what it takes and the challenges they faced on the way

“The coach I want to be means a lot of care and love and nurturing the 30 players that I’ve got. It’s not lost one me, the responsibility I have for their very short careers,” Pearce said.

“I’ve always thought about how lucky I was that I got eight seasons of AFLW with a coach that I loved who, every week, I felt was challenging me to get better. I walk away with this amazing experience that’s shaped my football career but also my life.

“Now I’ve got players that are relying on me to be that for them.”FEATUREHow life outside footy has shaped AFLW’s female coaches

That coach was Mick Stinear, someone who has been a significant influence on how Pearce has shaped her own attitude toward coaching. 

“If I had one dollar for every time I thought, ‘What would Mick do?’ I’d be wealthy,” Pearce laughed.

Daisy Pearce and Mick Stinear lift the premiership cup after Melbourne’s win over Brisbane in the S7 Grand Final on November 27, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

“I just feel so grateful that nothing changed since I took the (West Coast) job. I’m sure that when we play against each other we’ll both want to win. One of the main things we bonded over was our competitiveness and will to win, so I expect nothing less than for him to want to do a real number on us when we play.”

Unfortunately, Pearce and Stinear will have to be patient on that front, with West Coast and Melbourne not fixtured to line up against one another this year.FEATURESelf-doubt, uncertainty: How AFLW’s female coaches deal with ‘impostor syndrome’

Before she formed such a fierce bond with Stinear, it was in her days with the Darebin Falcons that Pearce learned the value of being one of a unit, rather an individual competing alone.

“You always had to concern yourself with more than just trying to get a kick and trying to be a good player. That’s just the nature of community clubs, and particularly at the Falcons where everyone had a ‘get it done’ mentality,” Pearce said.

“I always had this vision of the competition getting to a place where it was a national, fully fledged, elite competition and for a long time thought you were trying to advance it for someone else… I guess I always had that understanding that we as a team, or as a comp, you’re only going to be as good as everyone around you.”

Daisy Pearce in action for Darebin during the VFLW Grand Final against Melbourne University on September 18, 2016. Picture: AFL Photos

The drive of those who progressed from the Falcons program is clear, with Pearce’s teammates from those Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL) days proliferated throughout the AFLW, including three of the five women in head coaching roles this year.

Pearce joins Natalie Wood (Essendon) and Lauren Arnell (Port Adelaide) as former Falcons taking the reins in 2024.

“I remember when Natalie Wood got the job at Essendon. She’s standing there in a big press conference for one of the biggest clubs in the land, and it’s like ‘I played footy with her at Darebin!'” Pearce said.

“Even though all of this is happening in my own life, you still kind of notice that more when you see it play out for other people, same with Lauren Arnell. You’re just so proud of them because of those early experiences you shared when it didn’t seem possible.”

Natalie Wood addresses the team during the AFLW R4 match between Essendon and Fremantle at Windy Hill on September 24, 2023. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

In those days, when the AFLW was simply a dream rather than a reality, Pearce was always trying to find a path into footy.

“I could have never dreamed of this,” Pearce admitted.

“I remember emailing all 18 clubs, or 16 at the time, to want to do work at the clubs and that kind of thing, and it never getting anywhere… and I guess you put it away for a little while because it doesn’t seem possible, but then just go about doing what you can do and taking the opportunities you can. And this is where we’ve ended up, so it’s pretty exciting.”NEWS’You have to be really careful’: Daisy’s biggest coaching challenge

But now, more than a decade on, Pearce was the one in demand as four clubs hunted for new head coaches ahead of the 2024 NAB AFLW season. The world was now opening doors that previously remained deadbolted.

“There’s a job in women’s football that’s big enough and meaningful enough to pick up my family and move to the other side of the country. It’s like, ‘Wow, look how far the game’s come’,” Pearce said.

Daisy Pearce, her partner Ben and their children Sylvie and Roy at Pearce’s retirement media conference on January 18, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

As Pearce, someone who has never watched football “as a fan who was hoping our score was bigger than the other team’s score at the end of the game”, prepares for yet another challenge to help move the women’s game forward, there is no one better placed to attack it head on.

West Coast, which has a historically poor record since joining the AFLW in 2020, is desperate to start on a path to success. Appointing Pearce to lead the program is the first big step on that journey.

Filed Under: Australian Rules Football, Women in Sports, Women's Sports

2024 BJK Youth Leadership Honorees

June 25, 2024 by Tara S

The Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award celebrates and honors young people who are using the power of sport as a catalyst for change and making a positive impact on society. This year, ESPN has expanded the Award to include three Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award honorees and 20 regional recipients.

Conor Campbell

Conor Campbell is a student-athlete from Trenton, New Jersey. He is a Bonner Community Scholar and has contributed more than 300 hours advocating for youth access to affordable athletic opportunities as well as contributing to research to identify funding partners for the program. When sports programs in Trenton were dropped due to budget cuts, he advocated to reinstate sports by reaching out to the New Jersey Senate, Education Commissioner and Senate Budget Committee Chair. Through his work with Academic Sports Academy and The College of New Jersey, Conor has developed an affordable basketball and enrichment program, providing safe after-school programming for elementary and middle school students. The program includes tutoring, sports activities, youth development, mentoring and life skills development.

Ayanna Shah

Five years ago, Ayanna Shah, along with and her sister Amani, founded Second Serve to shatter barriers to entry in sports by redistributing gently used tennis equipment and offering free clinics to under-resourced youth. In her role as CEO, Shah has grown Second Serve’s profile and impact, recruiting 100 new volunteers, confirming 76 new partnerships, and growing to reach 46 states. As a youth-led organization, Shah empowers young people to grow into leaders by creating service opportunities. She has created a team of 220 young leaders between the ages of 12 and 17, each of which collects equipment and donates to a multitude of low income communities throughout the United States and around the world at large. To date, they have distributed over 27,000 pieces of equipment.

Hannah Smith

Hannah Smith was born with Spina Bifida and was introduced to adaptive sports at the age of 11 through Sportable, an organization that creates opportunities by making sports accessible and inclusive for individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments. Since joining Sportable a decade ago, Hannah has become a competitive wheelchair basketball player and advocate for the promotion of adaptive sports globally. At Sportable, she developed and launched their inaugural wheelchair basketball camp and women’s wheelchair basketball clinic. As part of a US State Department-sponsored adaptive sports cultural exchange to Turkmenistan in 2019, Hannah served as a youth ambassador representing USA. In 2023, Hannah also created the See It, Be It storytelling project, a social media initiative aimed at showcasing the diverse career aspirations of youth with disabilities and inspire young people to pursue their dreams.

In addition to the three Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award honorees, the following young people have been named regional recipients:

  • Graham Allen, San Diego, Calif.
  • Devin Arana, Los Angeles, Calif.
  • Bryan Aviles, Austin, Texas
  • Sara Blau, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
  • Alayna Burns, Durham, N.C.
  • Jalen Coleman, Inglewood, Calif.
  • Mia Darr, Milwaukee, Wis.
  • Lila Emerson, Edina, Minn.
  • Brandon Hersh, Durham, N.C.
  • Aubrey McLin, Davis, Calif.
  • Kethan Mokadam, Columbus, Ohio
  • Sameer Mullick, Queens Village, N.Y.
  • Mikayla Paquette, Boston, Mass.
  • Mia PhilIppi, Portland, Oreg.
  • Gianni Quintero, Milwaukee, Wis.
  • Santo Raggiri, New York, N.Y.
  • Anne Stauffer, Owensboro, Ky.
  • Kourtni (Mackenzi) Stewart, Mableton, Ga
  • Claire Wegmann-Krider, Edina, Minn.
  • Graham Wooden, Oneonta, N.Y.

Filed Under: Youth Sports

Empowering Players On and Off the Field: Meet the Wellbeing Coordinators of Thunder FC

June 20, 2024 by Tara S

By: West Australian Football Commission

The mental and emotional wellbeing of players often takes a backseat to physical performance. 

However, Peel Thunder Football Club is changing the game by prioritising the holistic development of their players. 

At the forefront of this movement are Jon Perry and Kelsie Clark, the dedicated Wellbeing Coordinators for the men’s and women’s.

A key initiative that underscores this commitment is the Think Mental Health Round, supported by Healthway, which highlights the importance of mental health and player wellbeing. 

This initiative aligns perfectly with Thunder FC’s ethos, emphasising that taking care of mental health is as crucial as physical training. 

Through various activities and awareness campaigns, the Think Mental Health Round ensures that both players and fans recognise the value of mental resilience and support.

An American, Perry is a Pastor at his local church and brings a unique perspective to his role as the Men’s Wellbeing Coordinator. With no prior experience in Australian Rules Football (AFL), Perry’s focus is solely on helping players navigate life’s challenges and find purpose both on and off the field. 

His ‘Thunder Man’ concept is the cornerstone of his fortnightly presentations to the playing groups.

“The idea behind Thunder Man is to build up better men,” Perry explains. 

“Men that will take responsibility for their actions, seek ways to transform the world they live in, reject the easy way and do the hard things, and learn to lead courageously. 

“It’s all designed to bring a wholeness to manhood. 

“Who they are behind the scenes, who they are in public, and the athlete you see out on the field.”

Beyond the scheduled presentations, Perry ensures that he is always available for informal catch-ups and chats, whether it’s over the phone or at training sessions. 

His presence extends beyond the men’s team as he offers valuable support to coaches and staff, serving as a trusted advisor on matters of work-life balance and morale-building.

Perry’s journey into sports wellbeing isn’t just professional; it’s deeply personal. 

As a father who has welcomed adopted children into his family, he understands the importance of creating a nurturing and safe environment for growth. 

His experience in Sports Chaplaincy equips him with the skills to offer comprehensive support to Thunder FC’s players.

On the women’s side, Kelsie Clark embodies a similar dedication to empowering players both on and off the field. 

With a long-term vision for her role, Clark aims to implement strategies that will elevate the women’s team to new heights season after season. 

Her weekly pre-training talks cover a wide array of topics, from mindset to positive affirmations, fostering a culture of self-belief and resilience among the players.

“The key message I have communicated to the team this year is that physical and emotional regulation are at the core of being resilient athletes,” Clark said. 

“Being totally in control of our emotions and actions on and off the field, not only enhances our focus and performance on field, but also helps to manage the stresses of everyday life.

“As WAFLW athletes, balancing life and footy is such an important thing to get right. 

“I’ve kept this front of mind whenever I work with any of the girls, trying to keep a strong focus on skills that will benefit them and enhance their wellbeing both on and off the field.”

Clark’s impact extends beyond her role as the Women’s Wellbeing Coordinator; she also lends her expertise as a Strength and Conditioning Assistant to the men’s program, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration across the club.

Together, Perry and Clark are revolutionising the way Peel Thunder FC approaches player wellbeing, proving that success on the field is not just about physical skill but also about the player’s wellbeing. 

Filed Under: Australian Rules Football

Clark and Ledecky lead charge of women’s sports in Indy

June 18, 2024 by Tara S

INDIANAPOLIS – Anyone looking for proof of the meteoric rise of women’s sport need look no further than downtown Indianapolis this weekend where within a five block radius fans turned out in their droves to witness the brilliance of Katie Ledecky and Caitlin Clark.

Seven-times Olympic gold medallist Ledecky qualified for her fourth Games under the lights of Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday in front of an adoring crowd of 20,689, a record number for a swim meet.

Less than 24 hours later, Clark thrilled a sold-out arena of 17,274 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as the WNBA’s Indiana Fever beat the visiting Chicago Sky 91-83.

“It just shows that when given the opportunity, women’s sports are amazingly fun to watch and only on the rise,” Clark told reporters after scoring 23 points in the hard-fought win.

“People are finally starting to realise how great of a product it is,” she said.

“Once they come and watch one time they can’t get enough and they continue to come back.

“To be a small part of that is super fun and to play in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,000 people, that’s not something you ever take for granted.”

Clark was on the receiving end of a hard foul from rival Angel Reese during the contest but said that is just the way it goes when elite athletes battle head-to-head.

“People love to see the emotion and the passion that we play with,” she said.

“I think that was something that was maybe not appreciated in women’s sports and it should be. That’s what makes it fun.”

Ledecky said she was having more fun than ever after punching her ticket to the Paris Games with a triumph in the 400 metres freestyle.

The 27-year-old was by far the biggest attraction on the opening night of the U.S. Olympic Trials, which for the first time are being held inside an NFL stadium with the atmosphere of a rock concert.

“I was blown away walking out there and seeing all the fans,” Ledecky said.

“I hope it moves our sport forward. I hope there are some young swimmers out there that get excited about today.”

Clark’s team mate Aliyah Boston said she is proud to be part of a movement that is inspiring the next generation.

“Younger girls now have so many more athletes to look up to and say I want to be like her, I want to be an Olympian just like her,” Boston said.

“To be a part of that is amazing. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” REUTERS

Filed Under: AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Women's Sports Tagged With: Caitlin Clark, Katie Ledecky

iHeartMedia Announces Lineup of Original Podcasts for Women’s Sports Audio Network

June 18, 2024 by Tara S

By: BSM Staff

“We’re committed to championing incredible athletes and building further awareness until women’s sports reaches the kind of nationwide and international prominence it has always deserved.”

iHeartMedia and Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment have announced the lineup of original podcast shows that will be part of the launch of the Women’s Sports Audio Network.

The audio platform is dedicated exclusively to women’s sports and will feature top athletes and personalities as part of the venture. Capital One, e.l.f. Cosmetics and e.l.f. SKIN have also joined as the founding partners of the free, ad-supported network, which will be available across iHeartMedia broadcast, digital, and podcasting platforms.

In addition to the new shows, the Women’s Sports Audio Network will introduce “Women’s Sports Reports” on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide. The seminal moment will provide more equitable media coverage to women’s sports with demand and interest at an all-time high level. Women’s sports is projected to become a $1 billion industry in 2024, indicative of a 300% increase over three years; however, women’s sports is estimated to receive only 15% of media coverage, according to a report from The Collective.

iHeartMedia will begin this endeavor live at the Cannes Lions Festival in France where Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment will host the Women’s Sports House in partnership with Axios.

“We’re committed to championing incredible athletes and building further awareness until women’s sports reaches the kind of nationwide and international prominence it has always deserved,” Gayle Troberman, chief marketing officer of iHeartMedia, said in a statement. “It’s humbling and inspiring that the first-ever, dedicated women’s sports reports will start airing with the massive reach of iHeart’s broadcast radio platform and the full-on power of collaboration between world class athletes, incredible journalists, podcasters and the fans. This is a pivotal moment for women’s sports to get heard.”

“Women’s sports aren’t just having a moment, it is the moment. And yet women’s sports content continues to be difficult to find and difficult to buy,” Laura Correnti, founder and chief executive officer of Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment, said in a statement. “The Women’s Sports Audio Network aims to change that — providing an accessible platform for every fan, from the most casual to biggest of super fans, to be educated and entertained while expanding the aperture of investment opportunities for brands to reach and engage with a dialed-in women’s sports community.”

The Women’s Sports Audio Network will include a new program titled Good Game with Sarah Spain, a weekday show covering stories around women’s sports. Spain will cover breaking news and conduct interviews, and she will also be regularly joined by a roster of guests to discuss the forthcoming games and engage in debate.

“Women’s sports have no shortage of show-stopping moments to unpack, and that’s especially true this summer – from the ongoing NWSL and WNBA seasons to the excitement at the upcoming Paris Olympic games,” Spain said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to breaking it all down on ‘Good Game’ with elite athletes and expert voices across a range of sports. Whether we’re spilling tea or talking ‘Ts’, we’re gonna give fans both loyal and new everything they need to keep up with the wild world of women’s sports.”

Four-time WNBA champion and three-time Olympic gold medalist Sheryl Swoopes will host a show focused on difficult conversations pertaining to a variety of topics, including basketball, motherhood, retirement, and mental health. Additionally, professional golfer and media personality Tisha Alyn will host a podcast where she talks about women’s golf and other areas such as fitness, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and LGBTQ culture.

WNBA insider Khristina Williams will talk about the biggest stories in women’s basketball on a weekly podcast and interview those involved in the sport as well. Other programs announced by the Women’s Sports Audio Network include shows hosted by Madison Packer and Anya Packer, Rennae Stubbs and Caitlin Thompson, and a program dedicated to League One Volleyball. The launch dates for these shows on the Women’s Sports Audio Network and more talent will be announced in the future.

Filed Under: Women in Sports, Women's Sports

CHICAGO MAKES NWSL HISTORY AT WRIGLEY FIELD

June 13, 2024 by Tara S

By: Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports

The NWSL made a big return from the international break, setting a new attendance record. 

The Chicago Red Stars welcomed 35,038 fans to Saturday’s one-off game at iconic Wrigley Field. It beat the previous high of 34,130 set by Seattle during Megan Rapinoe’s final home game in 2023.

It was just the second time the Red Stars played inside city limits, with the team normally based at Seat Geek Stadium in Bridgeview, a Chicago suburb. But with new ownership, the team is looking at possibly moving closer to the city — and Saturday’s game proved the appetite is there.

“We’ll get the support that we need if we have a stadium in the city, and this is just the beginning,” said Red Stars forward Penelope Hocking after the game.

Chicago’s attendance boosted the weekend’s overall numbers, as it was also the first time in NWSL history that league-wide attendance exceeded 100,000 in a single weekend.

But on the field, Chicago lost 2-1 to Bay FC, putting them in sixth place. Kansas City, Orlando, Washington, Portland, and Gotham all saw positive results this weekend, establishing a five-point divide between them and the rest of the pack.

Both the Current and Pride remain unbeaten, although Orlando’s winning streak has come to an end following a 1-1 draw with San Diego.

Ahead of the coming weekend’s matchups, Portland will be hoping that an appeal on Sophia Smith’s second yellow card is successful, otherwise they will be without the Golden Boot leader against Seattle.

Filed Under: Soccer, Women's Soccer

How a 20-year-old Hawks star ended up coaching under-16 boys

June 13, 2024 by Tara S

By Sarah Black | AFL

She’s one of Hawthorn’s rising stars but Mackenzie Eardley is also one of the game’s rising coaches.

HAWTHORN defender Mackenzie Eardley is just 20 years of age.

Earlier this year, she was the head coach of Dandenong Stingrays’ under-16 boys team.NEWSLife of Bryde: Cats’ father-daughter pick set to play 55 years after dad

After cutting her teeth helping out with the Stingrays’ under-16 and under-18 girls sides last year, her former coach Nick Cox reached out to see if she’d be keen to coach the boys side outright.

“Being a head coach of an under-16 boys program probably wasn’t on my cards of what I thought I’d be doing,” Eardley told AFL.com.au.

“He put a lot of faith in me, he put a lot of confidence in me, that I could lean on and think it was something I could actually do. If someone who has seen you develop as a footballer on and off field has that much faith in you, it’s something you have to back yourself in and go for it. 

“I’ve always followed around my (two older) brothers at their footy, my dad was a coach as well (at South Mornington juniors), so it was something I’ve always had around me. When that opportunity to coach the boys came up, I thought it was something exciting, when I had the support around me it was something I couldn’t turn down.”

Mack Eardley addresses the Dandenong Stingrays under-16 boys team during a break. Picture: Jazz Bennett

Under Eardley’s tutelage, the Stingrays won both their official games, defeating Geelong Falcons by two points and GWV Rebels by 20.

The program ran from November to April, with a handful of practice matches along the way, with one of the two training sessions a week occurring alongside the under-18 Stingrays.

“I’m not really around a bunch of 15-year-old boys a lot, that was definitely different. But I think it’s so much about trust and respect with them,” Eardley said.NEWSHow Giants’ ambitious play is shaping Eva’s coaching journey

“The more time you spend around them at training, they learn you do have the knowledge and will help them, and they see themselves developing along the way, then they start to warm up to you and you start building banter and get a really good relationship with them. 

“Once you break down those boundaries, it becomes really easy. They were such a good group, I was really lucky with the boys I did get to coach – they all wanted to learn, so that makes coaching so much fun, because you can see the reward, and you can see they’re willing to work hard. 

“I had to learn how each individual boy worked and how they learned, whether they were visual learners, whether they were quite hands on and had to do it themselves. It was just understanding they all bring different things to the table, and rather than seeing that as a negative, seeing it as a positive, that once they put all their strengths together, they can do some really incredible things on the field.”

Mack Eardley is seen coaching the Dandenong Stingrays under-16 boys team. Picture: Jazz Bennett

A former Stingray herself, Eardley took inspiration from her under-18 backline coach Steph Binder, who in an odd coincidence, has recently been appointed Hawthorn’s defensive assistant.

“She was the first female coach I had in the space, so she highlighted to me when I was younger that women can be in that space,” Eardley said.

“Prior to that, I hadn’t thought of it as anything I wanted to go into, because my goal was to make it to the AFLW. But once I got there and was thinking about where I wanted my career to go off-field, it was definitely something that reminiscing about the olden days at the Stingrays, it was ‘Steph was really good at that’, and there was a space and opportunity for me in the girls program (in 2023). 

“She was definitely someone who gave me the idea that I could do that too.”

Mackenzie Eardley celebrates with teammates during the match between Hawthorn and Richmond at Cazaly’s Stadium in round eight, 2023. Picture: Getty Images

Pick No.6 in the 2022 AFLW Draft, Eardley – who is studying exercise science and nutrition – still has at least 10 years of patrolling Hawthorn’s backline ahead of her, but she’s still got one eye on what’s to come in regards to her coaching.

“I’ve tried to not think about the future too much in that aspect, but definitely want to continue developing my coaching and getting my level three coaching and all that,” she said.

“One day I’d hope to be in an AFL program, whether that’s women’s or men’s space. Being a head coach hopefully, but hopefully that’s quite far in the future and my playing career lasts a bit longer so I can definitely have that under my belt.

“I’m just so proud of the boys. I had nine make the final under-16 Vic Country squad, out of 26 selected, and just a shout-out to them, because they put in the hard work, and I’m very proud of the group.”

Filed Under: Australian Rules Football, USAFLA, Women in Sports, Women's Sports

USA’s cricket team beats Pakistan in stunning upset at T20 World Cup

June 13, 2024 by Tara S

By: CBS News

The United States beat cricket heavyweight Pakistan, scoring a major upset in the T20 World Cup on Thursday — a historic win for a country where most people hardly understand the rules of the game.

The U.S. had romped to seven-wicket win over Canada in its opening game. Aaron Jones, who smashed a 40-ball unbeaten 94 against Canada, once again starred for the tournament co-host when he stretched the game into super over with another vital knock of 36 not out off 26.

Jones hit a six off Haris Rauf and then a single before Nitish Kumar’s boundary off the final ball tied the score at 159 at the end of regulation as Pakistan’s experienced fast bowler gave away 14 runs off the final six balls.

Pakistan panicked in the super over when much experienced fast bowler Mohammad Amir, preferred over Shaheen Shah Afridi, gave away 18 runs that included seven runs off wide balls as Jones smashed a boundary against the left-arm seamer.

Left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, who earlier bowled brilliantly and grabbed 2-18 off his four overs, conceded only 13 runs in the super over to earn the U.S. its most historic Twenty20 win against Pakistan, the 2009 champion. 

Iftikhar Ahmed smashed boundary off Netravalkar’s second ball, before holing out at long off as the left-arm seamer kept his cool and snatched a famous win for the U.S.

The United States beat cricket heavyweight Pakistan, scoring a major upset in the T20 World Cup on Thursday — a historic win for a country where most people hardly understand the rules of the game.

The U.S. had romped to seven-wicket win over Canada in its opening game. Aaron Jones, who smashed a 40-ball unbeaten 94 against Canada, once again starred for the tournament co-host when he stretched the game into super over with another vital knock of 36 not out off 26.

Jones hit a six off Haris Rauf and then a single before Nitish Kumar’s boundary off the final ball tied the score at 159 at the end of regulation as Pakistan’s experienced fast bowler gave away 14 runs off the final six balls.

T20 Cricket WCup USA Pakistan
United States’ Saurabh Nethralvakar, left, and Harmeet Singh celebrate after their win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket match against Pakistan at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas, Thursday, June 6, 2024.TONY GUTIERREZ / AP

Pakistan panicked in the super over when much experienced fast bowler Mohammad Amir, preferred over Shaheen Shah Afridi, gave away 18 runs that included seven runs off wide balls as Jones smashed a boundary against the left-arm seamer.

Left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, who earlier bowled brilliantly and grabbed 2-18 off his four overs, conceded only 13 runs in the super over to earn the U.S. its most historic Twenty20 win against Pakistan, the 2009 champion. 

Iftikhar Ahmed smashed boundary off Netravalkar’s second ball, before holing out at long off as the left-arm seamer kept his cool and snatched a famous win for the U.S.

https://cf7ba4c7b896cb1af3e1fd80188386dd.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

In addition to his pro cricket career, Netravalkar is also a computer software engineer who works at Oracle in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to his LinkedIn profile.

“It’s a big achievement,” U.S. captain says

“It’s a big achievement, beating Pakistan while playing for the first time (against them),” U.S. captain Monank Patel said. “We used the conditions well (and) kept them to 160, which was chaseable.”

It was a disastrous start for captain Babar Azam’s Pakistan, which is due to meet archrival India on Sunday in New York.

“All credit to the USA who did well in all the three departments and that’s why they won,” Babar said. “We couldn’t capitalize during the first six overs. We took the momentum, but back-to-back wickets hurt us.”

The Americans looked well on course to stun Pakistan during regulation game when skipper Patel hit 50 off 38 balls and together with Andries Gous (35) breezed the home team to 104-1 in 13 overs before Pakistan staged a comeback and dismissed both the set batters in successive overs as the U.S. finished at 159-3.

Patel and Ghous added 68 runs for the second wicket as Pakistan’s four-man pace attack led by Shaheen Shah Afridi couldn’t trouble them and leg-spinner Shadab Khan looked off, too, before Amir gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope.

Amir had Patel caught behind off a slow off-cutter and Ghous was clean bowled by Rauf. But Rauf, who bowled the last over with a cushion of 15 runs, couldn’t stop Jones and Kumar from taking the game into super over with two big hits off the final three deliveries.

Pakistan’s batting, which has been struggling for a year in the sport’s shortest format, got further exposed against some disciplined U.S. seam bowling after Patel won the toss and elected to field and restricted the opposition to 159-7.

A perfect U.S. start

The reunion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as the opening pair also couldn’t bail them out and the middle-order stuttered on a slow wicket.

Steven Taylor gave the home team a perfect start when he plucked a brilliant one-handed catch inches off the turf to dismiss Rizwan in the second over off Netravalkar.

The left-arm spin of Nosthush Kenjige (3-30) also troubled Pakistan batters inside the power play as Usman Khan played a reckless shot and holed out while Fakhar Zaman’s weak ramp shot couldn’t clear the fielder at short fine leg inside the 30-yard circle as Pakistan slipped to 26-3 in the fifth over.

Babar (44) and Shadab Khan (40) tried to regain the momentum and raised 72-run stand before Kenjige broke the threatening stand in the 13th over when Shadab was brilliantly snapped by Netravalkar at short fine leg and Azam Khan was pinned leg before wicket off the first ball by the left-arm spinner.

Babar, who became world’s leading T20 run-getter and surpassed Virat Kohli’s tally of 4,038 runs, looked scratchy in his 43-ball knock that included two sixes and three boundaries before he fell lbw to Jasdeep Singh’s delivery in the 16th over as Pakistan slipped to 125-6.

It was only due to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s 23 off 16 balls that included two late sixes that lifted Pakistan’s total in the death overs.

Filed Under: Cricket

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