tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50271074454663737352024-02-19T10:28:36.438+00:00She's on the ballShe's On The Ball blog-Raising the profile of women's football. Covering: the people involved, inspiring stories, sexism issues, latest news and opinionsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-26662141622228245542015-06-19T00:27:00.003+01:002015-06-19T00:48:33.657+01:0012 Reasons The FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Is The Best World Cup So Far...<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylIaZBgZYXCUZMIQ2ywZ7aDHP6IgcO8PPt0uTu9lRjHJRlZHrEFWICg-FTp2K5TpXV0emv1ELMwAj3XIgxn0nVQGVuG9rWC-JFnyk35KDui62pxa1N453jxdGyQFB-fkdlw4SNljl5sQ/s1600/womens-world-cup-sm-600x262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylIaZBgZYXCUZMIQ2ywZ7aDHP6IgcO8PPt0uTu9lRjHJRlZHrEFWICg-FTp2K5TpXV0emv1ELMwAj3XIgxn0nVQGVuG9rWC-JFnyk35KDui62pxa1N453jxdGyQFB-fkdlw4SNljl5sQ/s640/womens-world-cup-sm-600x262.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="clear: right; display: inline !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Aside from the hosts Canada (who had automatic qualification), 134 countries competed for the 23 remaining places in the finals. That is the biggest entry out of all six previous FIFA WWC tournaments. In 1991, only twelve countries originally made it through to the first World Cup finals in China.</b></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. On the week leading up to the first group games, FIFA President-Sepp Blatter, announced his plans to retire from his role after sixteen long and controversial years in charge.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. The BBC are covering every live game either online or on BBC2 or BBC Three, alongside daily highlight shows, radio and news coverage.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4. With discounts, group packages, day passes and stadium passes available, tickets are both affordable and great value for money.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5. Team spirit is incredibly high and visible across all the games. With barely an ego in sight, emotions run high throughout and a real sense of enjoyment and togetherness is being displayed.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>6. Late drama was all the rage in the group stages.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>7. The opening game saw a record match attendance of 53,058 to see Canada's win over China, with millions more viewing at home across the world.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>8. Everyone loves an underdog. Especially when it affected England's chances of qualification....Colombia 2-0 France.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><b>9. Eight teams made their World Cup debut: Cameroon, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand.</b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>10. Google did a special doodle.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>11. Homare Sawa (Japan) and Formiga (Brazil) pictured below, are making their sixth appearances at a FIFA WWC finals. More than any person has done before (yes, including men).</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. With two FA WSL tiers, full time contracts and more financial support, women's football in England is rapidly growing. The Lionesses have the exciting prospect of a strong, young but equally experienced squad.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><b>With only the group stages complete, many more reasons are to follow. But for now, who could forget England's funny YouTube video upon arrival in Canada, in honour of the Toure brothers: </b></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-86132761053243844322015-06-05T22:14:00.002+01:002015-06-05T22:21:54.953+01:00BBC Sport panel discussion...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...encouraging more women to get involved in football.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Wednesday 3rd June, Jacqui Oatley held a panel discussion at the National Football Museum, Manchester. Guests included: Anna Kessel (Guardian Sports Writer), Liz Ellen (Head of Sports Law), Justine Mitchell (Dundee United Director), Rachel Brown-Finnis (Ex-England Goalkeeper), Katie Brazier (FA Head of Women's Leagues), and Sylvia Gore (Ex-England International).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oatley began the discussion around the recent FIFA headline, with President Sepp Blatter confirming his <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/02/sepp-blatter-fifa-resignation-statement-full-text" target="_blank">resignation</a> on Tuesday. The self-proclaimed <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/07/sepp-blatter-godfather-womens-football" target="_blank">"Godfather of women's football"</a> could not have picked a better week to steal the headlines away from the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. In the same week, the Football Association's only female board member, Heather Rabbatts, has <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32964130" target="_blank">withdrawn</a> from her position on FIFA's anti-racism and discrimination taskforce. Rabbatts stated: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Like many in the game, I find it unacceptable that so little has been done to reform FIFA..........</i>M<i>y commitment to challenging discrimination across the game remains undiminished and I will continue to work with the FA and other international partners on this fundamental issue in our game."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the world governing body of football are not doing enough to enforce changes and lead by example in tackling discrimination, then the organisations, leagues and clubs underneath them will get away with having a similar attitude. This eventually filters through down to the grassroots level and continues to be an ongoing, unsolved issue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rachel Brown-Finnis discussed with the panel the need for more education in order to make a change into people's attitudes toward discrimination in the game: <i>"A lot of people working in football at higher board levels, are of a more advanced age, been in the same role or club for many years and are typically male. Discrimination seems to be rooted into clubs and appears to be a generational thing, which doesn't excuse their behaviour, but there has clearly been a lack of education over the years about the changes in football and in society." </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Banter</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new problem word in modern football seems to be "banter". A word that has almost excused this old fashioned approach and behaviour in regards to discrimination across the game. Anna Kessel, Co-Founder of <a href="http://www.womeninfootball.co.uk/" target="_blank">Women In Football</a>, said: <i>"Everyone likes a laugh and a joke and I think most women who go into the football industry like that too and enjoy that environment and special team atmosphere. But it's when that banter is translating into barriers in your career, threatening your career progression and affecting your ability to do your job, that's when it's an issue."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kessel also spoke about WIF's recent campaign which revealed that 61 reports of sexism in the football workplace were recorded in the last year. 23% of these were matchday incidents and 20% were in the actual workplace. Reports included that of the abuse directed towards Chelsea FC Doctor-Eva Carneiro. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVTColBGBfWOzFGTZGMTObQixjJM__UZoUoiaoecNHCzRW8euJHMnNNG_qBLMpoctquLHU_OxMgBoRz4SfF8sW2c-T38RUcal9I8MXJkByzhqqTYp059ABG9SG2ec8eaGAK3zcN_8pXE/s1600/ec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVTColBGBfWOzFGTZGMTObQixjJM__UZoUoiaoecNHCzRW8euJHMnNNG_qBLMpoctquLHU_OxMgBoRz4SfF8sW2c-T38RUcal9I8MXJkByzhqqTYp059ABG9SG2ec8eaGAK3zcN_8pXE/s320/ec.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At least twice this season, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/05/abusive-chanting-chelsea-doctor-sexism-manchester-united-arsenal" target="_blank">video footage and news reports</a> have indicated the astonishing levels of sexist abuse aimed at Carneiro. As Kessel rightly pointed out, Eva Carneiro is a fully qualified member of the Chelsea medical team and this type of abuse would be unacceptable and rare in a hospital or a surgery environment, yet in the world of football, it seems to be shrugged off as 'banter'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Janie Frampton, owner of </span><a href="http://sportsofficialsconsultancy.co.uk/index.php/c-about/about-us" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Sports Officials Consultancy Ltd</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, was also present in the audience at the panel discussion. Frampton has been an active referee for 26 years and was the former head of referee development. She explained the barriers women face when starting out in the football industry:</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Do women come into football feeling safe, knowing that if an issue arose, they know it will be dealt with? Well, not really, not until recently. If you love football, you come into it knowing it is going to be tough, but don't let them beat you."</i> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She later added: </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The types of chants I use to hear were deemed OK, but it's not OK if you're the one on the receiving end. Banter stops when it becomes offensive. And until we get more women in the decision making roles, where other women will feel safer to report any barriers, then that will be the difficulty with trying to move on.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Pathways</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alongside creating a safe and welcoming culture, football needs clearer pathways for women. Oatley spoke of her own personal difficulties getting involved in football and how there was never a clear route or anybody to guide her. Dundee United Director, Justine Mitchell, said that like most businesses, it's hard for women to get onto boards. Speaking from her own experience, she suggested that education needs to start young, to try and get girls interested in football, playing at an early age and developing a passion for the sport or a local club. Mitchell proposed that clubs could create more volunteer roles and community schemes to get women involved, so that the can learn that there are lots of different positions available in the industry. Mitchell later said: <i>"We don't push ourselves enough and we are too content. People like ourselves here today should be acting as ambassadors, making and grabbing the opportunities, letting women know they can get to this level."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Troy Townsend, Education and Development Manager at <a href="http://www.kickitout.org/" target="_blank">Kick It Out</a>, ran six regional events in 2012 across the country, with only 9% of the participants being female. Speaking from the audience, he told the panel: <i>"I was shocked as I have never really seen the divide before, I've always looked at the game as equal." </i>As a result, KIO formed a 'Raise Your Game' event, solely for women in football, being mentored by other women. The first of which was held at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium in 2014 and the second was held this year at West Ham's Upton Park. Townsend explained: <i>"Young women trying to get into the industry find it difficult and don't know who to turn to or seek the right kind of advice to help them on the ladder. Everyone needs a helping hand and the right kind of role models."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Education</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, the panel discussion highlighted some key improvements needed across the football industry. The main area certainly is to educate, not only young children coming into the game, but also the people already involved, from the highest ranks filtering down. This is not only limited to sexist abuse, but to all forms of abuse. Society is already proving that the outdated behaviour and criminal actions of people like Sepp Blatter, can only go unnoticed for so long, until justice gets served. Football is the world's biggest sport and impacts millions of people every day. With the right role models and structures in place, football has the power to make a difference in people's lives for good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the Canada 2015 looking to be the biggest and most record breaking Women's World Cup to date, women's football is rapidly becoming more globally recognised and participation levels are continuously increasing. The future certainly is bright!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(The full BBC 5Live podcast can be found <a href="http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/5live/5lspecials/5lspecials_20150603-2230a.mp3" target="_blank">here</a>)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-11158966621693495452015-06-02T16:17:00.000+01:002015-06-02T16:24:17.924+01:00This is our game too...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the first time in 22 years, EA Sports have introduced women into their popular FIFA video game, FIFA 16. There will be 12 international women's teams featured in the game, including: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China PR, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Sweden and USA.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new edition of the game has been released annually since 1993, with the most recent edition (FIFA 15), including over 16,000 male players from across the world.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time of the new release, there will have been six FIFA Women's World Cups. The first WWC was in 1991, with only 12 international teams entering the group stages. This figure has doubled and now sees 24 teams attending the 2015 WWC in Canada.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UQBNeeDPWzRHzTzAwVTcmu6tCN5XEKwZrDmR2S5_vFhaMImk2WcKtqI-1ruDwwJN0g3jg1sne2PphXjNXoJRaLStPIb-eJlK_zrH1OIa0A9_t6Mf_u3xgmjrbNERg9UjBdTCckpyTVg/s1600/alex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UQBNeeDPWzRHzTzAwVTcmu6tCN5XEKwZrDmR2S5_vFhaMImk2WcKtqI-1ruDwwJN0g3jg1sne2PphXjNXoJRaLStPIb-eJlK_zrH1OIa0A9_t6Mf_u3xgmjrbNERg9UjBdTCckpyTVg/s320/alex.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the recent <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32897066" target="_blank">bribery scandal</a> hitting FIFA this month, it is refreshing to see some positive news with the upcoming game release. USA international, Alex Morgan, is one of the many players who have worked alongside EA to assist with player animations. Morgan said: <i>"It is such an honour for women's players and our team to be included in FIFA 16. I always wondered what it would be like to see our team in the game and it is very cool to now know that is a reality."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">England and Manchester City Captain, Steph Houghton, also spoke of her delight to be involved: <i>"The whole team are thrilled to be included in EA Sports FIFA 16. It is a really exciting year for women's football, with the forthcoming World Cup and to find out we will be included in FIFA for the first time is a special feeling."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The game will make history and will be another important step into fighting back against the stereotype and discrimination that surrounds women in sport. Houghton further added: <i>"To be one of the first female players included in the game is something we will always be able to look back on and be proud of. Hopefully it will help raise the profile of the women's game even further."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since the news was released last week, predictably there has been a mixture of response. Mostly positive comments have arisen, because let's face it, there are NO negatives as a result of including women into the video game. By far, the best reply on social media so far has to be Niamh Caoimhe's:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, not only will this be a huge step for women's football, but it will also be a big step for the video game industry. An industry which has always significantly <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_and_video_games#Video_game_industry_demographics" target="_blank">underrepresented</a> female characters in mainstream games. UKIE (UK Interactive Entertainment) published <a href="http://ukie.org.uk/sites/default/files/cms/UK%20Games%20Industry%20Fact%20Sheet%2014%20April%202015_0.pdf" target="_blank">survey results</a> in 2014 indicating that 42% of UK gamers are female. In the same year, FIFA 15 was the <a href="http://www.eraltd.org/news/era-news/video,-games-and-music-sales-score-second-successive-year-of-growth.aspx" target="_blank">highest selling</a> video game. Even outside of the UK, a large percentage of gamers are still going to be female, which leads you to wonder why video game industries are not doing more to appeal to the wider market.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With that being said, EA Sports are certainly setting an example, especially with the upcoming Women's World Cup. Hopefully, by the time France 2019 WWC comes around, we will see more players and domestic teams featured in the highly popular game.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-76289508072850349322014-10-26T18:39:00.000+00:002014-10-27T16:40:24.523+00:00Male by default...<div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...the issue with club merchandise and its male dominated marketing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqLYk9C1KzcCybGlnZPWn_6778nn6iH1M3n1Zckmq6QzhnOMkATcYxG2B9sACotRAQ8PihlsL43Ma6z7e9XKSJ3ExZqZl3HltNNRmYNSWz8UrG_6l9j-TZqo_26BCgHWxPIKUqtJwBmU/s1600/england.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqLYk9C1KzcCybGlnZPWn_6778nn6iH1M3n1Zckmq6QzhnOMkATcYxG2B9sACotRAQ8PihlsL43Ma6z7e9XKSJ3ExZqZl3HltNNRmYNSWz8UrG_6l9j-TZqo_26BCgHWxPIKUqtJwBmU/s1600/england.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having just had a shower, I dry myself in my Arsenal towel, then head to the kitchen to make a cup of tea in my favourite Arsenal mug. My Arsenal blanket is on the sofa, ready for when I cosy in to watch a film later on, a film which I'll select from my Arsenal DVD wallet. I'm not one to usually buy club related items, I think it's just easier for my friends and family when it comes to buying presents for me, that I happen to support one of the countries biggest teams with a wide range merchandise available.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From alarm clocks to curtains, bottle openers to oven gloves, football clubs stick their logo on any item possible. Merchandise is a major income stream for clubs at any level, with high street shops and online stores selling fashion, homeware and equipment branded with club logos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to the rising cost of club merchandise, I stopped buying replica football shirts years ago, £50 just isn't affordable anymore for many supporters. I find myself waiting until the end of a season to venture into the jungle that is the clearance section of Sports Direct. Dreading the crowds but excited at the prospect of finding a bargain, even if it means searching hundreds of racks to do so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With online shopping being more popular than ever, there has been a new wave of fashion wear become available from football clubs in the last decade, with shirts, suits and coats to name a few. Unsurprisingly, these online stores (as with the sport itself), are male dominated by default. Although most clubs have a 'ladies' department, there are a limited range of items available, many of which are pink and purple. We all know women make up a large percentage of football supporters across the globe, with participation levels in women's football also increasingly growing. But why are football clubs still failing to relate to a massive section of their fanbase?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chelsea FC for instance, have nightwear and underwear sections for men and women. However, there is a noticeable difference between the pictures for men's boxers and women's lingerie. With the latter being displayed by a half naked model.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8ObQ_P7REgWdvIR1ENxC35ehBxNrO0xy25_xLjIS-pd47hRU4liA-2kDlBTg0vyOfsqhWZVsaVLMWkTpAEqxP9AIHMQypF1cjUcY5-kLzX7CB5qGYjBZJ-bQsbfwcBGHzmzPaapOqo0/s1600/chelseamen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8ObQ_P7REgWdvIR1ENxC35ehBxNrO0xy25_xLjIS-pd47hRU4liA-2kDlBTg0vyOfsqhWZVsaVLMWkTpAEqxP9AIHMQypF1cjUcY5-kLzX7CB5qGYjBZJ-bQsbfwcBGHzmzPaapOqo0/s1600/chelseamen.png" height="324" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Zp8XovFNlVWKyJzN0_11OgxqlRg7XHzwkk7kZupPA7cNsk6S48D_5BsL_ULUF1cqnf2wMcA4dwUszJERPCsoEC7XTunED0Eu4pF_Cp7-kulaEP7uFBNWnQuOMgt1MwLoiNZYP6W4JXs/s1600/chelseawomen2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Zp8XovFNlVWKyJzN0_11OgxqlRg7XHzwkk7kZupPA7cNsk6S48D_5BsL_ULUF1cqnf2wMcA4dwUszJERPCsoEC7XTunED0Eu4pF_Cp7-kulaEP7uFBNWnQuOMgt1MwLoiNZYP6W4JXs/s1600/chelseawomen2.png" height="336" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm also unclear as to why Tottenham have lacy thong and bra sets, I'm sure very few women want to unwrap that present on their birthday or wedding anniversary.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7oDvF3-U2sDPNXRdLka6mOz2btOmZTAlm_5bE_Fn1MaJC3nAcPaQhVlXygkfDkEelZAcM4FDPm2sMJ5W0VMQCHBwdcKB9IeERQYiwfXdKiXgXqOgDG8bRBQYrkbaMrcmkIYuJl3Dvzs/s1600/spurs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7oDvF3-U2sDPNXRdLka6mOz2btOmZTAlm_5bE_Fn1MaJC3nAcPaQhVlXygkfDkEelZAcM4FDPm2sMJ5W0VMQCHBwdcKB9IeERQYiwfXdKiXgXqOgDG8bRBQYrkbaMrcmkIYuJl3Dvzs/s1600/spurs.png" height="336" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aside from Arsenal, who have one picture of Rachel Yankey and Danielle Carter in club hoodies, I couldn't find any pictures of players from Premier League clubs promoting any clothing in the womens range. Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Everton, Aston Villa and Sunderland all have mens and womens teams in the top flights of English football. Most clubs follow the same website format, with one page dedicated to women and one page to girls. As opposed to multiple pages for men and boys of all ages. Even on the page for Arsenal 'girls', there is a picture of two boys. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I understand that at the end of the day, it boils down to income for these football clubs, whatever they can get away with selling, they will. I just find it disheartening that in the most popular and progressive sport in the world, there is still obvious sexism from the grassroots to professional playing levels and boardrooms to merchandising. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally, I think the online stores should be all inclusive, no gender-specific sections. Training gear, replica kits, fashion items, should all be offered in mens and womens sizes, on the same pages. All it would take is for some extra titles to be added to the drop down menu under the 'size' option. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Junior clothing can be categorized into age ranges, rather then exclude young girls to the limited pink variations. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Women's football is fighting for media coverage enough as it is, so the more we see or hear about it, the more it will grow. If that means England Captain-Steph Houghton, wearing a Manchester City hoodie posing with Sergio Aguero. Or top England goalscorer-Kelly Smith, sat in a onesie alongside Oliver Giroud. These players become more known, they become a household name. If football wants to be truly inclusive "for all", then it needs to portray that in all areas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below are some examples of the websites and menus I've come across, which are generally the same for most clubs:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8FCYLFzbgO8BE-toS4JOiEGV2xN5goMgqy5hhcZEagMOgF2tSKWzMa6cJT8PWypQTX_hVTp3aQ0Tc6HVwsbin-Blc2hSZBbVjsa1S5xAlB8_62EtS4ZCuuojzKw5YSbSrgV9keFF-K0/s1600/manunited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8FCYLFzbgO8BE-toS4JOiEGV2xN5goMgqy5hhcZEagMOgF2tSKWzMa6cJT8PWypQTX_hVTp3aQ0Tc6HVwsbin-Blc2hSZBbVjsa1S5xAlB8_62EtS4ZCuuojzKw5YSbSrgV9keFF-K0/s1600/manunited.png" height="324" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Support @ShesOnTheBall by voting in the best #female category, see the link below:</u></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-49561517306118412222014-08-31T00:46:00.002+01:002014-09-02T22:53:13.688+01:00Publicity stunts in the wrong direction...<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Article originally wrote for <a href="http://www.footballbloggingawards.co.uk/">http://www.footballbloggingawards.co.uk/</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Early in August, it was briefly reported in the media that
Italian <a href="http://www.legaseriea.it/en/" target="_blank">Serie A</a> side, <a href="http://www.sampdoria.it/" target="_blank">Sampdoria FC</a>, had replaced their matchday ball boys with
'ball women'. Club president, <a href="http://www.massimoferrero.net/main/" target="_blank">Massimo Ferrero</a>, initiated the move in an attempt
to combat sexism within the game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The new 'ball women' were introduced during Sampdoria's
pre-season friendly win against German <a href="http://www.bundesliga.com/en/" target="_blank">Bundesliga</a> side, <a href="http://www.eintracht.de/english/bundesliga_football/" target="_blank">Eintracht Frankfurt</a>.
The club, like most other clubs currently do, had been using young boys from the city or the local
academy on match days to retrieve balls. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sampdoria's <a href="http://www.sampdoria.it/news/quote-rosa-a-bordocampo-ragazze-raccattapalle-per-un-calcio-senza-pregiudizi.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">club website</span></a> stated: <b>"Massimo Ferrero wants to
be a promoter of positive messages, of fair play, sport and social sensitivity."</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ferrero took over ownership of the club this summer and has already expressed his determination to take the team into <a href="http://www.football-italia.net/53439/ferrero-anything-europe" target="_blank">European qualification</a>, saying he would do <i>"anything and everything" </i>to get them there. Which begs me to ask the question: Is this all just a publicity stunt?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefu_th2hoefVLSpkqrXHSPA4NeifZ6sCjnGhodhlXZGKrKjagDSDcuZyspjmXl9LPiBqMFRlls-DDzDrEkepWyE2d05HTxZFUVcYQGyNZRd_5VS4CAgrnhRN6uxAPOv31r1qzqpAfLRA/s1600/samp.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefu_th2hoefVLSpkqrXHSPA4NeifZ6sCjnGhodhlXZGKrKjagDSDcuZyspjmXl9LPiBqMFRlls-DDzDrEkepWyE2d05HTxZFUVcYQGyNZRd_5VS4CAgrnhRN6uxAPOv31r1qzqpAfLRA/s1600/samp.png" height="181" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's not forget the <a href="http://www.shesontheball.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/changes-are-afoot-for-clermont.html" target="_blank">Clermont Foot</a> media shock which saw Helena Costa become the first female to coach a professional men's side in France, only to be replaced by <a href="http://www.courierislander.com/sports/corinne-diacre-becomes-1st-woman-to-manage-french-pro-team-in-competitive-match-1.1295136" target="_blank">Corinne Diacre</a> shortly after quitting her role. Many said the original appointment of Costa was a publicity stunt, whether it was or not, the club certainly got the attention from the football world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More evidence in the sports media becomes apparent of how women have been used for the wrong reasons, in order to gain public attention. For example, in 2013, thirty models were selected to join a team of 160 ball boys at <a href="http://www.madrid-open.com/en/noticias-mutua/mutua-madrid-open-realizo-el-casting-de-los-30-modelos-que-ejerceran-de-recogepelotas/" target="_blank">The Mutua Madrid Open</a>. More recently, English newspaper <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/" target="_blank">The Sun</a>, which is renowned for intensive football coverage, fail to relate to their female audience. They run a fantasy football league in which one prize is a <a href="http://www.newstatesman.com/media/2014/08/sun-offering-date-page-3-girl-prize-women-and-men-deserve-better" target="_blank">date with a page 3 model</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, I can slightly understand Ferrero's intention to reduce sexism within an Italian league which is never far from controversy. It is great to see more women getting involved in football, no doubt about it. But for young girls in Italy, seeing 'ball women' at these matches, might have a negative influence. From a wider angle, it comes across that women are only there to be a pretty face on the sidelines of a male dominated sport. The club does not have a women's side, let alone junior girls' teams, so unless they are also part of Ferrero's longer term plans, it goes to show that the new 'ball woman' incentive is merely a gimmick. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-65306816177284798512014-08-19T22:50:00.004+01:002014-08-19T22:50:26.954+01:00All about Jazz...<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year we have seen stories about <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2673302/Clermont-Foot-replace-Helena-Costa-woman-former-France-captain-Corinne-Diacre-signs-two-season-deal.html" target="_blank">Helena Costa, Corinne Diacre</a> and more recently, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28856370" target="_blank">Shelley Kerr</a>. All who have been appointed to coach professional men's team and have hit the media headlines with mixed reactions. Of course, there is no reason why women and men shouldn't be allowed to coach teams of opposite genders, in fact there is no reason they shouldn't be able play together. Yet, still we see women being overlooked in all areas of football, even if their CV is full to the brim of the appropriate qualifications.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So isn't it refreshing when people like <a href="https://twitter.com/TwinkyJazz" target="_blank">Jazz Hervin</a> come along? You may not recognise that name, it hasn't quite made the back pages of the national newspapers or the scrolling news feed on Sky Sports just yet. But at only 19 years of age, Hervin is certainly on target to be one of England's most promising and successful coaches. Even some of the world's finest and most experienced coaches didn't start their managerial careers until their playing careers had ended, so she is well ahead of the mark.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRp2JApAFFoGpycZxj29uNwNiiBV2WS5jzDKGR95_Zw0eg1R_Q68EAK2jRGWA85kMGfreowoX7BNhz_9fLWFBVeld1WnGOTDkri-gsBrJFYJQjlEVYCGTTctDx-9gIgXSOmpJ9Dh0VjgY/s1600/jh4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRp2JApAFFoGpycZxj29uNwNiiBV2WS5jzDKGR95_Zw0eg1R_Q68EAK2jRGWA85kMGfreowoX7BNhz_9fLWFBVeld1WnGOTDkri-gsBrJFYJQjlEVYCGTTctDx-9gIgXSOmpJ9Dh0VjgY/s1600/jh4.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hervin has been a part of the<a href="http://www.dorsetfa.com/football-futures" target="_blank"> Football Futures Leadership Programme</a> for three and a half years and has attended all leadership camps from County and Regional through to National Levels. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2011, she began volunteering and coaching at a grassroots club with an U8’s team. She spent a year picking up cones and watching other coaches, whilst also completing her FA Level 1 coaching and FA Youth Award Module 1 courses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From there, she spent the next couple of years devoting her time to coaching multiple teams of boys and girls, of varied ages at her club. Hervin attended FA National Leadership Camps and completed further coaching badges and modules along the way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was selected to be a part of the National Coach Scholarship Programme and represent The FA at The National Coaches Academy at Loughborough University. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Towards the end of 2013, she was offered a position on The FA National Game Youth Council for the second year running, as Head of Administration, where she is part of the senior management team, a mentor and the lead on a national research project. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around this time, she was also appointed as the ISFA (</span><a href="http://www.isfa.org.uk/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Independant Schools Football Association</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) England Women’s U18 Squad Head Coach on a one year deal, at only 18 years of age herself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hervin has a real passion for coaching and assisting others, she says: </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I currently coach many grassroots level teams, in both school and club settings, two academy teams and the ISFA England Women’s U16 Squad. As well as coaching, I enjoy helping others, so I mentor other coaches within my local area and across the south west region."</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year, Hervin was appointed as an FA National Coach Development Programme Mentor, where she presents at CPD events for coaches. She adds: <i>"My duty requires me to support and deliver best practice, high quality coaching sessions to the candidates on the national programme."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://inspirefootballcoaching.com/" target="_blank">Inspire Football</a> recently held a National Coaching Conference, in which she attended as a special guest and they highlighted Hervin as <b>1 of 10 top young coaches from across England</b>. Hervin expressed her delight: <i>"Inspire Football have also chosen myself as the coach, within England, whose coaching journey they wish to support, follow and share with others on a international level, to continue my dream of inspiring others the best I can."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hervin has a busy year ahead: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"I have been asked to deliver coaching workshops at two major conferences within England, run by <a href="http://www.kickitout.org/" target="_blank">Kick It Out</a>. This will be one conference in 2014, at a women's only event. And the other in 2015, at a national event, bringing the best of the best within football in England, together on one day."</i> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She has </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">recently been chosen by The FA to travel to <a href="http://www.kickitout.org/education-and-development/leading-the-way/young-female-coach-receives-korea-boost-with-the-help-of-raise-your-game/" target="_blank">South Korea</a> this month, to deliver both theory workshops and practical coaching sessions as part of an International Programme run by the UN. On top of that she has a UEFA B license course to look forward too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her latest appointement has been as Head Coach of the<a href="http://www.stokegabrielfc.co.uk/" target="_blank"> Stoke Gabriel Senior Men's First Team</a>, who are competing in the South West Peninsula Football League, Premier Division. Hervin tells us that in the history of the South West Peninsula Football League, no team has ever had a female coach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hervin expresses her ambition in this latest role: <i>"As a 19 year old girl, coaching a senior men's team, I hope that this will be another opportunity for me to inspire as many women and young people to challenge themselves and break the mould of what is seen as the 'norm'. As well as develop the belief from more people within the game, that women and young people can achieve what they set out to."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With an abundance of awards and qualifications to her name and many more to come, there are already so many chapters in Hervin's coaching career, her passion and drive are so admirable at such a young age. She is unique and ambitious, which hopefully will be acknowledged throughout her future career.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is great to see women making incredible achievements in the modern world of football, especially when they make headline news for the right reasons. But we also need to remember, that football begins at the grassroots level. If we can change the culture of football, erase the stereotypes and relay the message that <a href="http://grassroots.fifa.com/en/for-coach-educators/coaching-grassroots/philosophy-of-grassroots-football/grassroots-football-is-football-for-all.html" target="_blank"><b>football IS for all</b></a>, then hopefully more young girls like Jazz Hervin can achieve anything.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-49319551207393748252014-07-16T14:00:00.001+01:002014-09-18T19:52:47.982+01:00Manchester united together...<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...<span style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Manchester City, Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester City Council announce 10 year partnership</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manchester City FC (</span><a href="http://www.mcfc.co.uk/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">MCFC</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">), Manchester Metropolitan University (</span><a href="http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">MMU</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) and Manchester City Council (</span><a href="http://www.manchester.gov.uk/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">MCC</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) will work together for the next decade across a variety of programmes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wide ranging partnership will allow the organisations to share expertise in education, CSR, community relations, commercial knowledge and infrastructure development. The relationship builds on their existing strengths and will create a unique platform for elite sport development and community engagement.<u></u><u></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Work will begin immediately to design new educational pathways for male and female City players and to develop career development programmes for MMU students. Projects in other areas will begin in the coming months.<u></u><u></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Professor John Brooks, MMU Vice-Chancellor said: “<i>This is an exciting relationship which reflects our shared values in the communities that we serve and build on of vision of a city of sport, health and opportunity.<u></u><u></u></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“Working with an organisation like Manchester City FC will expand the university’s potential audience and allow both local and international students opportunities to improve their skills and employment outlook</i>.”<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jon Stemp, Chief Infrastructure Officer at City Football Group, said: <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“<i>MCFC, MMU and MCC share a common set of values and priorities, which is what makes this partnership so special. We all believe in the value of education, as evidenced in our academy programmes and work with the Connell College, in developing good people, and in bringing world class sport to our communities.<u></u><u></u></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“Manchester City has been deeply rooted in the city for more than 120 years, and the Club’s foundation for 27 years. This unique relationship allows us to continue and grow that commitment with our trusted partners</i>.”<u></u><u></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Sir Richard Leese, Leader </span>of Manchester City Council, said:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“<i>The contribution to the city made by Manchester City FC and by Manchester Metropolitan University is of great significance. We look forward to seeing this long term partnership build on the existing links between some of our world-class organisations and the communities that they serve.<u></u><u></u></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Manchester is a unique tourist destination, famous for its creativity, culture and sporting heritage and this agreement will further strengthen the city’s reputation as an international sports hub.”</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-82531047479077565242014-07-06T22:56:00.003+01:002014-07-06T23:42:48.648+01:00Manchester City WFC Paint The Town Red...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and yellow, orange, purple, green, blue, pink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More than 10,000 runners of all ages, shapes and sizes took part in <b><i><a href="http://thecolorrun.com/" target="_blank">The Color Run presented by Dulux</a></i></b> on Saturday 5<sup>th</sup> July as the event returned to cover the Etihad campus in colour.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Color Run went bigger, bolder and brighter than last year with runners taking to the streets to jog, walk and dance their way around the 5k course. At each kilometre, participants were covered in powder explosions before DJs and MCs entertained the crowd at the Colour Festival in an incredible party atmosphere of music and colour bursts. Known as the happiest 5k on the planet, The Color Run has no official times or winners. The focus is on healthiness, friendship and community spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joining the party atmosphere at the Etihad campus were players from the Manchester City Women's Football squad who swapped their football boots for running shoes to tackle a colour filled 5k training run. The Women’s Super League players ran shoulder-to-shoulder with four <span style="color: black;">up-and-coming young footballers, </span>who train at the <span style="color: black;">player development centre with </span>City in the Community (<a href="http://www.mcfc.co.uk/the-club/city-in-the-community" target="_blank">CITC</a>), to help inspire their growth in the sport. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jill Scott, England and Manchester City midfielder, said: <i>“What better way to inspire these talented young players than to run with them at the happiest 5k on the planet.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“It really is a true Manchester celebration of colour and gave the squad a new twist on a 5k training run. I’m not sure many teams in the Women’s Super League come back into the locker room looking quite so colourful!”</i><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Event organiser Joe Rafferty said: “<i>After last year’s success we knew we were in for another great party this time around.<u> </u></i><i>It was great to see some of the same happy faces from last year as well as thousands of new Color Runners making their debut with us."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He added: <i>“We’d like to thank everyone who took part and look forward to seeing them at The Color Run next time we’re in Manchester!”</i><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">H</span><span style="color: lime;">I</span><span style="color: blue;">S</span><span style="color: orange;">T</span><span style="color: lime;">O</span><span style="color: magenta;">R</span><span style="color: purple;">Y</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Color Run was founded by Travis Snyder, who was inspired by the Indian <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi" target="_blank">Holi</a> Festival, and decided to combine the idea with a 5km running experience. From the first event in the Unites States in January 2012 The Color Run has since spread across the globe leaving a trail of colour and happy runners.<u> </u>Given its American heritage, its name is spelt accordingly - ‘Color’ - throughout all territories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sponsors <a href="https://www.dulux.co.uk/" target="_blank">Dulux</a>, are the world's leading premium quality paint brand. '<a href="http://www.letscolourproject.com/" target="_blank">Let's Colour</a>' is is the Dulux rallying call to motivate people around the world to use colour to make a change to their own lives and communities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the 'Let's Colour' project, Dulux is transforming grey spaces right across the UK, from village halls, schools, nurseries, to community areas, aiming to colour 1 million people’s lives by 2020. Participants are encouraged to continue the colour theme by nominating a Let’s Colour Project – Visit <a href="http://www.letscolour.co.uk/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.letscolour.co.uk</a><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Ann Marie O’Riordan, Head of Marketing, UK & Ireland for presenting sponsor Dulux said</span><span style="color: black;">: <i>“The energy and enthusiasm on show at The Color Run has really shown us just how much colour can uplift and inspire the runners. </i></span><i style="color: black;">That’s what we’re really passionate about – seeing colour have a positive impact on peoples’ lives and the places we live in.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;">“We’re proud to be presenting The Color Run in the UK for a third time this year </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">and we</span></i><span style="color: black;"><i> look forward to a summer of colour with more runs happening across the UK.”</i><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following the success of the Manchester event, The Color Run will soon visit Sunderland (July 20<sup>th</sup>), Birmingham (August 16<sup>th</sup>), Belfast (August 23<sup>rd</sup>) and Brighton (September 20<sup>th</sup>).<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">If you missed out on The Color Run in Manchester this year, there are a limited number of places still available for future events or you can join our VIP list</span> at <a href="http://www.thecolorrun.co.uk/vip-list" target="_blank">www.TheColorRun.co.uk/vip-list</a> to be the first to find out when the Happiest 5k on the Planet will return.<span style="color: #222222;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out the Color Run <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thecolorrun" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,<a href="http://instagram.com/thecolorrun/" target="_blank"> Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/TheColorRunUK" target="_blank">YouTube</a> pages for more pictures and videos. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well Done to all City players who took part or</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">supported the run! More official pictures of the run can be found <a href="http://shesontheball.blogspot.co.uk/p/gallery.html" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manchester City Women’s next fixture is away to Durham in the Continental Cup and will be played on Sunday 13th July, followed by Notts County at home at the Regional Arena on the Thursday 17th July. A full list of fixtures can be found here: <a href="http://www.mcfc.co.uk/Fixtures/Women" target="_blank">http://www.mcfc.co.uk/<wbr></wbr>Fixtures/Women</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...<a href="http://ladies.liverpoolfc.com/matchesReport/liverpool_ladies_v_arsenal_ladies_fc_29_june_2014_report.html" target="_blank">Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal</a>, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://everton.fawsl.com/matchesReport/everton_ladies_fc_v_chelsea_ladies_fc_29_june_2014_report.html" target="_blank">Everton 1-2 Chelsea</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SOTB took a trip down to Widnes' Select Security Stadium, home of Liverpool and Everton Ladies FC, to watch the FA Womens Super League highlight of the season-'<a href="http://www.fawsl.com/news/battle_of_two_cities.html" target="_blank">The Battle Of Two Cities</a>'. Over 1300 fans were in attendance overall as London-based Arsenal and Chelsea beat Merseyside duo Liverpool and Everton. It was a great afternoon for fans, who got two high quality matches for just a £5 entry ticket. As well as a <a href="http://ladies.liverpoolfc.com/news/supporters_enjoy_fa_fanzone.html" target="_blank">junior fanzone</a> section outside the stadium for children to enjoy a range of activities, there was competitions and freebies available throughout the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the early kick off, Liverpool spent the first half on top, with their ability to keep possession for long spells clearly winding up the visitors. Natasha Dowie and ex-Gunner Gemma Davison both impressed and had a few chances to put their team ahead between them. Unfortunately for Liverpool, after the break, defender Casey Stoney put Arsenal ahead from a corner as an initial attempt on goal rebounded up against her nose and into the net. Both sides had chances to score throughout the scrappy second half, as Arsenal got into their attacking flow and Liverpool brought in some early substitutions. Liverpool's last minute replacement keeper <a href="http://ladies.liverpoolfc.com/playerProfile/danielle_gibbons.html" target="_blank">Danielle Gibbons</a> was on brilliant form to keep the score down in the later stages.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sq92ZORn-IltgQZ6EBFzv7s6eF1Eashly19Q0Dg5F4VPo1erHEHL3YmONoWb99WnbKpVa6Gez5ThFWqQfIPs6GtRW1pyMvV0QqOguup5THDVTphpUdIFddk0CfkTQPxNHKYSZncU8ks/s1600/battle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the first game, we got a chance to catch up with Liverpool's captain, </span><a href="http://ladies.liverpoolfc.com/playerProfile/gemma_bonner.html" target="_blank">Gemma Bonner</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. At only 22 years old, Bonner bears the qualities of a player who has been in the professional game for decades. She is clearly an all round footballer-great defensively, a natural born leader and even scores the occasional goal. Originally she started playing for Leeds United from the age of eight, Bonner moved to Chelsea in 2011, where she first started playing under Matt Beard. In 2012, she then met back up with Beard who was now </span>Liverpool's manager, by also joining the Mersey club. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Did you feel any pressure going into the game today with Arsenal at the bottom of the table and seemingly a lot to prove on one hand, but then they've also enjoyed recent FA Cup success?</b> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sq92ZORn-IltgQZ6EBFzv7s6eF1Eashly19Q0Dg5F4VPo1erHEHL3YmONoWb99WnbKpVa6Gez5ThFWqQfIPs6GtRW1pyMvV0QqOguup5THDVTphpUdIFddk0CfkTQPxNHKYSZncU8ks/s1600/battle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arsenal have always been a good side over the years, historically they've always been the best in women's football. Although they were bottom of the league before today, we knew it would be a tough test. It showed out there, it was a bit scrappy, the goal itself summed the game up really. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, it's patience. Once we've conceded a goal, we've got to keep doing the things we are doing well. The patience in the play then once we do get into the final third, take them risks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How does it feel having a player like Natasha Dowie on the team, a proven goalscorer, surely that's a relief as a defender having her on your side?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes definitely, it's not just Natasha though, we have got a lot of good players. Like out on the wing for example we've got Gemma Davison, all across the team we have got players that can win games for us. Once it does finally click for us, we'll score more goals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Do you see yourselves being able to retain the title again with ease, or is the competition from other teams becoming more intense and open now?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're expecting to be up there with the players we've got. With the league more competitive then ever, teams are taking points off each other all over. It's going to be tight this year, although we lost today,we've got to remain positive. Other teams will be taking points off them too, so we will keep positive and improve on today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You have started writing a <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/165427-bonner-the-ladies-can-t-wait-to-go-again" target="_blank">new column</a> on Liverpool FC's website. How is that going so far and was it your idea?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was the club's idea actually to push behind the women's side. Using the men's fanbase, puts a lot more knowledge out there into the game and gives people more insight. Matt Beard and I are going to take it in turns on a monthly basis and hopefully that will improve the fanbase for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Coming up in July, you have the Merseyside derby with Everton. Sharing the same stadium, does that increase the rivalry even more on match days?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's great every time we play them, there is always going to be some rivalry. They're always tough games against Everton. We found out recently as they knocked us out the cup, and it then was a tough game in the league cup. The derby and rivalry adds to the occasions, so it's always hard against them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Last season saw Liverpool beat Bristol Academy 4-3, with your 86th minute rocket of a goal securing all three points. How does it feel knowing that goal helped put you back on top of the league and ultimately contributed to winning the season, with it being so tight at the end?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a great feeling scoring the goal but more importantly for us it was getting the three points. If it hadn't of gone in and been a draw, it might of been different at the end of the season. I was just happy overall to help the team get the three points.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Well done also for making the<a href="http://ladies.liverpoolfc.com/news/bronze_wins_pfa_player_of_the_year.html" target="_blank"> PFA team of the year</a>, alongside fellow team mates Lucy Bronze, Fara Williams, Natasha Dowie and Nicole Rosler. What does having that strong Liverpool connection in there show to your league rivals?</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo03XSC5s1lowzz9UTZCOcvHoR_MRSvd7sTc8Gcj_RL2FddCpdG28Gwz2OPQydCuQ_8gNAnacE1kpJiLLmilRmnUSpmjCrEWubKmIzo56tKEGn8DskdJMS-Z8-qm2RTniPT_xpKHIiBg/s1600/pfa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo03XSC5s1lowzz9UTZCOcvHoR_MRSvd7sTc8Gcj_RL2FddCpdG28Gwz2OPQydCuQ_8gNAnacE1kpJiLLmilRmnUSpmjCrEWubKmIzo56tKEGn8DskdJMS-Z8-qm2RTniPT_xpKHIiBg/s1600/pfa.jpg" height="115" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For us, if you look at the season we had last year, the positive about it was the great team spirit that we had. There wasn't just one focus in the team. It shows, the recognition of the players together, it's great to have so many LFC players in there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lucy won the player of the year award, she had a great season and has been a good attacking outlet for us.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKha_P3ivuRVkR1sUoVZYvVHdueNmG85pJe-qv6TVoAo51Jm96hK25c1SAiaNjMJFlLl8veXc6orVssdnVaSpZxWYsHCLwQYgLxfC3HAClVlSCXnu2yE9SuJj59Q8EN5hN02CJzkQP9I/s1600/gbb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKha_P3ivuRVkR1sUoVZYvVHdueNmG85pJe-qv6TVoAo51Jm96hK25c1SAiaNjMJFlLl8veXc6orVssdnVaSpZxWYsHCLwQYgLxfC3HAClVlSCXnu2yE9SuJj59Q8EN5hN02CJzkQP9I/s1600/gbb.jpg" height="115" width="200" /></a><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You had quite the season, also being nominated for the <a href="http://www.northwestfootballawards.com/winners-2013/" target="_blank">2013 North West player of the year</a> amongst Everton's Nikita Paris and Toni Duggan, with the latter winning the award. These types of recognition must surely boost your chances in the England senior set up?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's always nice to get nominated for these awards, but ultimately it's on the pitch where you need to prove it. Last season was successful for us as a club, but it's a totally different season now. We've got to forget last season in a way, learn from it, push on and improve even more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regarding the England set up, it's a smooth transition from club to country, as you get use to playing with the same players more and against them each week in the league. The standards are a lot higher in training, and as you go back to your club you want to take those standards with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>As a club, Liverpool FC come across very tight nit and almost a family in a sense. Do you get support from the men's side and vice versa?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The men's side of the club have been a massive support to us, the column is just another way of them wanting to put us out there. The club has a 'one club' philosophy and to be integrated into that makes you feel proud to be part of the club.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Lastly, what does the future hold for you Gemma, any ambitions to play abroad one day or at any other clubs?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm happy where we are as a club, I think we're in a good place. We have got Champions League football to look forward to, but we're focusing on the league campaign for now. I think we're being placed in the last 32 of the CL, so training will increase and the schedule will be tough with more games. We have got a good squad and now the youngsters are coming through with more league experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If last season was anything to go by, this year's FA WSL will still have plenty of twists and turns still to go in the race to the top. Liverpool sit mid table with nine more league matches as well as Continental Cup fixtures. And of course, they get to rub shoulders with Europe's elite players in the upcoming Champions League. Many thanks to Gemma for giving her time to be interviewed and also to the FA WSL and clubs for a fantastic day.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both match highlights can be found here: <a href="http://youtu.be/YfO1GUSuyG0" target="_blank">Liverpool vs Arsenal</a> and <a href="http://youtu.be/WNj3GcP0eNE" target="_blank">Everton vs Chelsea</a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-55592911908430037782014-06-21T19:45:00.000+01:002014-06-21T19:45:20.672+01:00Promoting young English talent...<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Football Association
insists the Women’s Super League will avoid relying on foreign players</span></b><br />
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<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Football Association insists the Women’s Super League will avoid relying on
foreign talent and instead is geared at aiding the national side with emphasise
on youth development. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The WSL
has expanded to two divisions in its fourth season and the number of overseas
players is currently sits at 16%, its highest level to date.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="normaltextrun">Whilst
no-where near as high as 64% of overseas players in the men’s Premier League,
<a href="http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/210569011-girl-power-women%E2%80%99s-football-could-be-second-most-popular-team-sport-britain-2018" target="_blank">Katie Brazier</a>, </span><span class="normaltextrun">the head of women’s leagues and
competitions at the FA,</span><span class="normaltextrun">
stressed the importance of developing home-grown players.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="normaltextrun"><i>“We are very aware of concerns
that have been raised and the dangers of following the trend in the men’s
game.”</i> the </span><span class="normaltextrun">former Director of Sponsorship at
British Swimming said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“Of course there are benefits to
bringing foreigners over because our women will be playing alongside top
quality internationals and can gain from those experiences. </i></span></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="normaltextrun">But we know we need to maintain
that balance because we don’t want home grown players stuck on the bench and
missing game time because foreign players have taken their place in the side.”</span></i></div>
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<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although the FA is unable to cap
the amount of players in a team who are part of the EU state, they have
restricted a maximum of two players per squad who require a work permit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The WSL also implemented the
ruling stating 50% of squads must be home-grown – therefore the players have
developed in England for three years up to the age of 21. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Currently Liverpool Ladies, last season’s WSL champions, have six foreign players in
their squad – the highest number in the league. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst
Chelsea Ladies are just behind with five in their side, and Arsenal have
recruited Japanese World Cup winners </span><a href="http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/club-signs-yukari-kinga-and-shinobu-ohno" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Shinobu Ohno and Yukari Kinga</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span class="normaltextrun"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Football
Association women’s football director Kelly Simmons revealed the difficulties
of regulating the amount of foreigners in the game to aid the future of the
national game. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s a
challenge – under European regulation, there is completely free movement. We do
try and restrict non EU players coming in, but we need to get that balance
right,”</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> she said.</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We want
players to learn from the top international players but we have to make sure
there is space for England youth players to come through as well to support the
national side in years to come.”</i></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not all sides in the WSL have bought in foreign
talent – Everton Ladies have an entirely British squad whilst Birmingham City
and newcomers Manchester City have employed just one foreign player each. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sky Blues made headlines however by purchasing
the <a href="http://shesontheball.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/the-sky-blues-lead-revolution.html" target="_blank">England quartet</a> of goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, central defender Steph
Houghton, midfielder Jill Scott and striker Toni Duggan before the start of the
season. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN">Manager <a href="http://www.fawsl.com/news/the_coaches_manchester_city.html" target="_blank">Nick </a></span><a href="http://www.fawsl.com/news/the_coaches_manchester_city.html" target="_blank">Cushing</a> stressed how this arrangement will not only benefit the club but
also the national side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“The experience that they have had at international level has given them
the mentality and the mind-set that we want at the club,” </i>he said. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“They will be training and linking up in training and I am sure you will
see the benefits when they play together for their country."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
England’s women’s team have had mixed form over the few years, as they went out
of the group stages of Euro 2013 but are currently topping Group 6 in the World
Cup Qualifies for Canada 2015. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The FA have stressed a desire for English players to return to the WSL
from foreign leagues and Brazier believes it is achievable that all athletes in
future England squad will have come through the league system in this country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“The whole system was set up in the first place because it recognised a
lot of talented home grown players were going to places like America and
Germany,”</i> she explained. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The quality and level of competition wasn’t sufficient here but that is
all changing."</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“The WSL is really driving forward and picking up momentum and in the
future it would be great to see each English squad player having come through
our top-flight here. </i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is something we are working towards and it’s great because I’ve
had a chance to speak to a lot of players that have returned and they
absolutely love playing over here.”</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>By Ruth Dacey</b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-64951691363981128902014-06-15T17:24:00.004+01:002014-06-15T17:31:36.880+01:00Out with the old, in with the news...<div class="im" style="background-color: white;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...No More Page 3!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinV4tgrwF4Aoqz1qIobM89uEmFfZdBb9sT2S0ROg5A31ayJvctTF8QkGX__Y1nw0RHw71CCN06nv12SQPNCLy7AAAYTybvC_nklBjU-8yVmOijRxMKWxnUhCdWmhfEejp-H12p4l908bs/s1600/team+gb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinV4tgrwF4Aoqz1qIobM89uEmFfZdBb9sT2S0ROg5A31ayJvctTF8QkGX__Y1nw0RHw71CCN06nv12SQPNCLy7AAAYTybvC_nklBjU-8yVmOijRxMKWxnUhCdWmhfEejp-H12p4l908bs/s1600/team+gb.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Picture the scene, August 2012, the London Olympics was in full flow. Athletes representing Great Britain were competing in all areas of sport, men and women were bringing in Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in individual and team events. The newspapers were boasting masses of results and daily analysis, littering the pages with Union Jack's and for that summer it felt like a nation was united with it's mutual love affair of sport. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvGJfYVv8Mp8-VXhyphenhyphenB07xYEK3ZVTm-zqgn21wbKxLVD0ognVi8Sl6sRgTt_stVC8aQtASPf65MT8CxsK1-javKuEp4YHBMVBNj9ftM5EyQBNXbZsOeAaueJ_15QHW3NcpDnYcn2hBCFo/s1600/lucy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why is it then, that the largest female image in the <a href="http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/uk-newspapers-ranked-total-readership-print-and-online" target="_blank">UK's most read newspaper</a>-The Sun, is not of a gold medal winner, a league winning football team or a record breaking boxer? But it is that of a woman showing her breasts! That is the question Lucy-Ann Holmes, founder of the '<a href="http://nomorepage3.org/" target="_blank">No More Page 3</a>' campaign, started asking herself. Lucy began the campaign by writing a letter to The Sun Editor-Dominic Mahon, asking him to politely remove the page 3 image. Since then, with the help of social media, she has recruited more volunteers to join the team and created an<a href="http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/david-dinsmore-take-the-bare-boobs-out-of-the-sun-nomorepage3" target="_blank"> online petition</a> with currently over 195k signatures. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jQCAEHNglN8WbwGZmxnwNbB5Kb5hANPDiw9Pj53SfdJtUQRbrVuDxINWtLxe0P0p4i2A7oRZsdBav5b0LG-XGypEnPdRv0jFK49_l89h0aI64ELeBlwfbg5dflvECJWK-hgFqpD2gKQ/s1600/wsff.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jQCAEHNglN8WbwGZmxnwNbB5Kb5hANPDiw9Pj53SfdJtUQRbrVuDxINWtLxe0P0p4i2A7oRZsdBav5b0LG-XGypEnPdRv0jFK49_l89h0aI64ELeBlwfbg5dflvECJWK-hgFqpD2gKQ/s1600/wsff.png" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a personal level, when I began the SOTB website, I wanted to raise the awareness of women's football. It was a daily habit of mine to read newspapers, use social media and visit mainstream sports websites (e.g. BBC, SkySports, BT). Like Lucy, I found myself thrilled with the success of women's sport at the Olympics and the media coverage that surrounded it. I thought this would be a great foundation of future headlines, women would finally get a fairer share of news stories. Of course this wasn't the case, after the hype of Summer 2012, women's sports columns whittled back down to tiny 100-word segments if any. The Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (<a href="http://www.wsff.org.uk/" target="_blank">WSFF</a>) found through research that only <a href="http://www.wsff.org.uk/the-challenge/the-challenge-elite-sportswomen" target="_blank">7%</a> of sports media coverage is devoted to women. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sun considers itself as a family newspaper, yet we see pages and pages of men in clothes running the country, succeeding in sport, politics, finance and other areas. If you went and got a Sun newsaper tomorrow, I can guarantee most of the articles involving women are fashion, body, celebrity or baby related. From the daily updates on Princess Kate's outfit choices, to Rihanna sunning on a beach in a bikini. Fashion tips and health advice on body shape/image in the lifestyle sections and most noticeable of all, the topless model on page 3. As quoted in the NMP3 website: <i>"The front pages is where all the important news gets put. By putting a picture of a woman in just her pants, the newspaper is telling its readers that what is really more important about women is the way they look and their sexual allure. It does't care what they have to say, what their achievements or talents are."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NMP3 have this year raised money and sponsored kits for <a href="http://www.nottinghamforestladies.co.uk/component/content/article.html?id=411" target="_blank">Nottingham Forest Ladies FC</a>, <a href="http://ctlfc.com/NoMorePage3.aspx" target="_blank">Cheltenham Town Ladies FC</a> and Scottish mountain biker, <a href="http://leecraigie.com/" target="_blank">Lee Craigie</a>. SOTB recently spoke to NMP3 member, Lisa Clarke (pictured below), about the the sponsorships and the NMP3 team's growing success.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRfPzdvpE8drhyphenhyphen97pXoZAHj4cHDIg1yUCCS-O3UG6nS0v5I9_RbKeEZe5Gq1LEEOjCB9T0rNUB3b4FY5Cnc6cihiHBYa62HvLVka8463_y2ncyPzy_n9WjsvJJrD6HNvC_g7F5s8KJn8/s1600/Forest+&+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRfPzdvpE8drhyphenhyphen97pXoZAHj4cHDIg1yUCCS-O3UG6nS0v5I9_RbKeEZe5Gq1LEEOjCB9T0rNUB3b4FY5Cnc6cihiHBYa62HvLVka8463_y2ncyPzy_n9WjsvJJrD6HNvC_g7F5s8KJn8/s1600/Forest+&+me.jpg" height="264" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b><b>So Lisa, what made you personally get involved in the campaign?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had been on my feminist journey for only a few months to a year I think when I first found NMP3 and it struck a chord with me instantly. For some of my childhood The Sun had been our newspaper of choice at home and still now page 3 is something I see all to regularly in my work as a nurse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I signed the petition and shared it and then liked the Facebook page and followed on twitter. I instantly became engaged in debates on social media and went on the arrange two local demonstrations supporting the campaign as well as doing local radio interviews. Meanwhile our founder Lucy had been running the campaign with no formal support for the first five months and not surprisingly she became quite <a href="http://beamagazine.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/burn-out/" target="_blank">burnt out</a>. I was one of the lucky people that she reached out to for help which really surprised me - she obviously saw something in me that I didn't see despite us never having met. <a href="http://nomorepage3.org/nmp3-hq-2/" target="_blank">NMP3HQ</a> was then born. It started with 6-7 of us and has grown now to approximately 21 with about 12-13 of us currently actively running the campaign together at any given time. I can honestly say I feel completely privileged to be working with such an extraordinary and inspiring team of people.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is the current amount of signatures on the petition? And did you ever think as a group, it would reach this level?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hit the 194,000 boom today and have had a flurry of signatures. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a strange thing. I think as a group we are constantly surprised by the scale and size this campaign has taken on, it's momentum, it's seemingly organic life force of brilliance supplied by our supporters who bring such creativity, dedication and commitment to it. Yet at the same time I don't think any of us have ever had any real doubts that it would continue to grow, that more and more people would support and that ultimately we will win because we have to, it is completely the right thing, it's common sense.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What support have you had from those regularly in the media (celebrities, sports stars, musicians, politicians, etc)?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We get lovely little occasional surprises from celebrities who pop up and announce their support on twitter or elsewhere. Last week comedian Rhod Gilbert just came out with it beautifully matter of factly on his radio program whilst reviewing the papers and we find a lot of celebrity support comes form comedians who I suppose are good at seeing the ridiculousness of the situation - Chris Addison was there from very early on along as was Jennifer Saunders. The brilliant Chris O'Dowd popped up one evening last year asked where to sign, fought a barrage of trolling with utter eloquence and, when we offered him a T-shirt, he told us he had already bought himself one along with a badge. We've had overseas support from Roseanne Barr and actor Juliette Lewis and in the world of sport in the UK from the brilliant Claire Balding and the Women's Sports Trust.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have some celebrities who have really gone out of their way for us - Gemma Chan, Emma Freud, Doc Brown (Ben Bailey Smith) and Robin Ince to name but a few.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPl_bPBnZppic6Q_RdWbExAQsdMVlgiq7CRBHzbUbYQ_z3OCv0nIiF412E8EL5WBy54_VGbS3KFPAZ68MkX-9EnUr32GjwqdMnZ5gKWhdRvRxR_JsMhpeml9Vog3z-F-SmVTxfR50SN68/s1600/Cheltenham-Victorious.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPl_bPBnZppic6Q_RdWbExAQsdMVlgiq7CRBHzbUbYQ_z3OCv0nIiF412E8EL5WBy54_VGbS3KFPAZ68MkX-9EnUr32GjwqdMnZ5gKWhdRvRxR_JsMhpeml9Vog3z-F-SmVTxfR50SN68/s1600/Cheltenham-Victorious.png" height="223" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tell us about your recent kit sponsorships with Nottingham Forest Ladies FC and Cheltenham Ladies FC. Whose idea was it, how did the clubs feel about it, what reaction have you had, etc?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The idea of sports sponsorship, like many of the best things with NMP3 came entirely from supporters and it instantly made complete sense. The f</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oundations of NMP3 lay in sport, so when we heard from a representative of Cheltenham ladies FC that they were fans of the campaign and were looking for some sponsorship, to share the No More Page 3 message it made instant sense. They had already given it some thought and looked into the feasibility of crowd sourcing for funds. We set up the Nimby account with a goal of a little under £3000 to cover the cost of new kits for the team and within the space of 2 weeks we had made around £10 000, more than triple.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MeZVk7zlI0og6yJcu1HUB04yG46zNPPGskH__AcFcPgW3SEjPlEnkECxsewAIpq-K8YuFR5sL0DhipTlnQ58e4yOhxj2CILXGqC8ELQURb5UJKwUizfDPabeJTLfK11VLkB_P735svE/s1600/lee+craggie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MeZVk7zlI0og6yJcu1HUB04yG46zNPPGskH__AcFcPgW3SEjPlEnkECxsewAIpq-K8YuFR5sL0DhipTlnQ58e4yOhxj2CILXGqC8ELQURb5UJKwUizfDPabeJTLfK11VLkB_P735svE/s1600/lee+craggie.jpg" height="200" width="146" /></a>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as we passed the original goal (pardon the pun) we started thinking hard about what we could do with the rest of the money. Sticking with the original theme we decided to extend the sponsorship of women's sport. We had a few emails from prospective teams and individuals and in all honesty we went with our hearts and chose Nottingham Forest ladies who were in dire straights financially having lost all of their funding from Nottingham Forest FC. Also, mountain biker Lee Craigie, who as well as being an athlete was involved in <a href="http://velocitylove.co.uk/cycletherapy/" target="_blank">Cycletherapy </a>- delivering services to socially excluded young people in Scotland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of those we sponsor have embraced the campaign and likewise we have really enjoyed sharing their successes and keeping their sponsors (our supporters) posted about how their sportswomen are doing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me the best bit of the partnerships has been watching Forest Ladies play (I'm a life long Nottingham lass) and sharing the action shots from the games from both teams which make me, a 40 year old woman, want to play football having never done so really in my life. It's looking at these images and the inspiration they give that makes you realise how much of a difference it could make to women and girls aspirations and self image if we saw more coverage of women in sports in our media.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sun is highly recognised as a newspaper with good sports coverage. However, it's such a shame that there is more emphasis on a topless model rather than articles/pages on female sport. It'd be great in that sense then if more sportswomen got involved in the campaign. Have you got more plans to sponsor any more female athletes or teams?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well we haven't ruled this out although we have no definite plans for more sponsorship at the moment. Being a group of volunteers (working and caring for kids, having busy lives, etc.) as we all are, tends to mean that keeping the day to day running of the campaign going takes a vast amount of our time and energy. In addition I have always been a keen fitness addict myself and am currently training for my second marathon which I'm hoping to run for Forest ladies who are once again facing big challenges in funding next season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems such a Catch 22 to us that women's sport struggles to engage sponsors and find funding whilst at the same time fighting for even minimum coverage in our mainstream media. Most days in our tabloid press there is a sea of pictures of men in sports gear, image after image of football action shots, all of them men. There is little or no coverage of women engaging in sport despite great successes and yet valuable column inches are devoted to sexualised images of female celebrities and topless pictures of very young women standing in their pants for the sexual gratification of men.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, we see everyday so called 'harmless' sexist banter in the media, especially where sport is concerned. With a government insisting that more people participate in sport regularly, sport is for all, and the recent 'Olympics Legacy', why do you think the general response from those people in power, like that of David Cameron is- <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jul/22/cameron-no-ban-sun-page-3" target="_blank">If you don't like it, don't buy the paper</a>?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a famous tag line used by an American campaign <a href="http://therepresentationproject.org/films/miss-representation/" target="_blank">Miss Representation</a> <i>"you can't be what you can't see"</i>. It says it all really- if we as a nation are serious about wanting our young women to engage in sport and to exercise then we have to provide them with the inspiration to do that. During the summer Olympics of 2012 and this years winter Olympics our screens were full at times with the sporting achievements of our women. There was never any question that these achievements were any less than those of the male athletes and for a week or two women and girls were treated to a sea of inspirational coverage that showed we could be amazing, impressive and real achievers. That our bodies were not just useable commodities but powerful tools with which we could do great things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even when women's sport is covered though, we seemingly tolerate the very sexist behaviour of prominent sport presenters during major events who continue to draw attention to the physically alluring body parts of our female athletes; who suggest the reason a Wimbledon winner may have taken up tennis is she isn't "<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2358374/John-Inverdales-looker-comment-Wimbledon-winner-Bartoli-sparks-674-complaints-BBC.html" target="_blank">a looker</a>" or that Jessica Ennis is so good looking she could be "doing other things" rather than wasting her time winning gold for her country. In football we seem to have increasing numbers of professional players linked to violent crimes against women and yet our FA take this trend so lightly that they see fit to give a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/apr/29/ched-evans-fottball-culture-misogyny" target="_blank">convicted rapist</a> back his very well paid job following his release from prison so that he can continue, despite his terrible crime, to be a role model to young boys and men.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly women's sport makes up only 5% of sports coverage on average, the same as men's darts. Given that we aren't overrun therefore with young men desperate for the accolade of becoming the next big darts champion why are we surprised that on the whole young women aren't falling over themselves to take up football or athletics? Instead we overwhelm young girls and their male counterparts with a sea of sexualised women's bodies often broken down into parts. Despite a wealth of evidence of the damage this causes to boys views and behaviour towards women and girls, along with women and girls' view of themselves, despite signing up to an EU commission promising to reduce sexualisation and stereotyping of women - still our government fail to take this matter seriously.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a campaign, we are not asking for legislation to end page 3, but it says a lot when our prime minister <a href="http://weareunfinished.com/2013/06/20/respect-for-women-and-girls-and-caroline-lucas/" target="_blank">laughs at and belittles a female MP in parliament</a> who dares to stand up and point out the connections between sexually objectifying images on page 3 and the huge, on-going problem of violence against women.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What big events have you got coming up in the <a href="http://nomorepage3.org/events/" target="_blank">NMP3 calendar</a>?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well we are having quite a week this week with lots of people joining in and sending us videos encouraging The Sun to #keepitup and drop page 3 for good after leaving it out of their free, world cup marketing copy. We have also heard of the support of another big organisation to be announced soon (shhh it's a secret).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next week we have our AGM. As we are scattered all over the country the occasions we do get together are always full of energy and its then that we get some of our best ideas. I know we really want to do some more real life demonstrations and events up and down the country if we can and we are increasingly going into schools and colleges to discuss sexism, media and relationships so this is a growing area of the campaign.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile we continue to keep up the pressure via social media, to keep pointing out the obvious - that in 2014 it is no longer acceptable that 50% of the population are represented 5 days a week in our best selling paper as nothing more than sexual entertainment for the other half</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61jAM8RlY2r-jwExJ3FE6-b8g1OGOtNb54TGBvWfoc7JKUZM0ypXQ3vYJ-bSZNt9NMYvORnE2V-kAtDTCzehZWjqhuZIphRV9Q7cQTEdvANfvM2ROuJmoOe4_TQfwWn5v8XGS4hZ41EM/s1600/Cheltenham-Victorious.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And lastly, with the success of Twitter support and t-shirt sales, what other ways can people get behind the campaign?</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8sWhAVRT2MI1DysJUiFS7xz3ORrZShdnMvoGNv_eeh4paNtHoWyHD7pIJD_AVymcEuW53GRFlNsZM1Gz0ovyq8e4ho22IDiVlftLI4tLS_W7D2z14TylGJzUGGcBNIOFe4K532UJFUU/s1600/417423_408800989183087_474683447_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8sWhAVRT2MI1DysJUiFS7xz3ORrZShdnMvoGNv_eeh4paNtHoWyHD7pIJD_AVymcEuW53GRFlNsZM1Gz0ovyq8e4ho22IDiVlftLI4tLS_W7D2z14TylGJzUGGcBNIOFe4K532UJFUU/s1600/417423_408800989183087_474683447_n.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be honest just about anything goes. Tell friends and family, keep the conversation going about gender equality and media equality. If you are a member of a group or organisation you could talk to them about the backing the campaign. If you are still at school or college why not get in touch and see if we can organise to come and talk or run a workshop? You could write to your MP or local paper, ask your local radio station if you can come on and talk about your support for the campaign, write a poem, make a short film, send us a pic of you in your T-Shirt and mostly just keep checking in and inspiring us to keep going. We really do rely on you all. This campaign truly is people power in action, whether that's the powerful kick of one of our strikers or that one extra signature you land for us when you chat to someone at work, either way - nice one, back of the net!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks Lisa for your answers and for that insight behind the scenes at the NMP3 HQ. Whether you are a football fan or not, whether you read or care about what is in the newspapers or not, the message NMP3 sends out is that sexually objectifying images representing women in the national newspapers are a thing of the past. Get behind the campaign by <a href="https://twitter.com/NoMorePage3" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NoMorePage3" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, buying a <a href="http://nomorepage3.org/nmp3-tees/" target="_blank">T-Shirt</a> or signing the<a href="http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/david-dinsmore-take-the-bare-boobs-out-of-the-sun-nomorepage3" target="_blank"> petition</a>. Hopefully one day we can turn to the sports section and see full page spreads on the FA Women's Super League matches for a change!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...as Helen Costa prepares to make history in French Ligue 2 by becoming the first female to coach a professional men's team in France.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />On June 1st 2014, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helena_Costa" target="_blank">Helena Costa</a>, will become the Head Coach of <a href="http://www.clermontfoot.com/" target="_blank">Clermont Foot 63</a>. Clermont are in France's <a href="http://www.ligue1.com/ligue2" target="_blank">Ligue 2</a> and finished their 2013/14 campaign in 14th place. The club do not have much in the way of <a href="http://www.clermontfoot.com/palmares" target="_blank">honours</a>, aside from most notably being promoted to Ligue 2 in 2002 and 2007 after winning the Championat de France National (France's Division 3 as it's also known). Costa will be taking over the role after ex-manager, Régis Brouard, decided to<a href="http://auvergne.france3.fr/2014/05/03/regis-brouard-et-le-clermont-foot-c-est-fini-470271.html" target="_blank"> reject a contract extension and leave the club</a>.<br /><br />Costa has built up an impressive CV during her football career, with a masters degree in sports science and a UEFA A licence to add to her vast coaching experience. From 1997-2010, in her native of Portugal, she coached Benfica's youth team and led them to two World Youth titles. During 2005-06, she managed lower league men's side Cheleirense, then went on to coach women's side <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.U._1%C2%BA_Dezembro_(women)" target="_blank">S.I. 1°Dezembro</a> in 2006-08, winning two league titles with the club. Costa then spent a season at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odivelas_F.C." target="_blank">Odivelas F.C.</a> guiding the team to promotion after becoming league champions. Her most recent managerial spells have come with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_women" s_national_football_team="" target="_blank">Iran's national women's team</a> from 2012-14, after two years previously at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar_women%27s_national_football_team" target="_blank">Qatar</a>. Costa has also been a scout for Celtic FC in Portugal and Spain, during 2008-11.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ffnctaebyaSyNybpmON_KGefBD2FMBLQQ2-9Yr2LOttMAK1-thscJjnpuk6z77KNW3Cvs57dntZzlIvATARnsk80Kc7OB4EGucV2z-6Q_3qN-hbgSQ2e4G_uRq3hDsP_YW17p44PWtE/s1600/Helena_Costa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ffnctaebyaSyNybpmON_KGefBD2FMBLQQ2-9Yr2LOttMAK1-thscJjnpuk6z77KNW3Cvs57dntZzlIvATARnsk80Kc7OB4EGucV2z-6Q_3qN-hbgSQ2e4G_uRq3hDsP_YW17p44PWtE/s1600/Helena_Costa.jpg" height="320" width="304" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A New Era</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On May 7th 2014, Clermont released a<a href="http://www.clermontfoot.com/communique-officiel-0"> press statement</a>: <br /><br /><i>"This appointment will allow Clermont Foot 63 to go into a new era. Relying on a group of 17 players currently under contract, which will be added with younger players from the club."</i><br /><br />Club chairman-Claude Michy, who was born in the town of Clermon-Ferrand, has expressed his delight in the appointment. In an interview with French newspaper, <a href="http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Michy-precurseur-plutot-que-suiveur/463022" target="_blank">L'Equipe</a>, Michy says: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Everyone wants to look for reasons, but I am basic, I do things on instinct. It has been this case with Helena." </i>He continued:<i> </i></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The world is changing everyday, I can be part of those who allow it to evolve...I feel a little pride to be the first to take that risk. The sun will always rise on the same side tomorrow."</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many players, coaches and fans across the world have taken to social media and press interviews to share their support of Costa. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ga%C3%ABtane_Thiney" target="_blank">Gaëtane Thiney</a>, who plays midfiled for the French national women's team, told <a href="http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/-contentes-pour-helena-costa/463211" target="_blank">L'Equipe</a>: "<i>I'm glad to see a woman come into the environment as difficult as coaching. But we must not talk gender, but skills. if she has the qualifications and skills, there is no reason why this is not possible. Level thinking is important.</i>"</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gender Stereotype</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helena Costa is dubbed in her home country as '<b>Mourinho in a skirt</b>', which unfortunately isn't as flattering as it first seems. To be likened to Mourinho is indeed a great compliment itself, however to feminize the phrase is unnecessary. But unfortunately for women in the football industry, as Costa will have already and no doubt further experience, gender stereotyping is a common place. Guardian columist, <a href="https://twitter.com/Anna_Kessel" target="_blank">Anna Kessel</a> (who co-founded the networking group '<a href="http://www.womeninfootball.co.uk/" target="_blank">Women In Football</a>'), suggests Costa will have to be more tactical when dealing with issues off the playing field. She is a female icon already, all eyes will no doubt be watching her and scrutinizing her every move. It's almost inevitable that the moment Clermont lose a game, her ability as a manager in the "men's game" will be called into question. The sexist comments in response to Kessel's <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/08/helena-costa-master-tactician-football-field-managing-clermont-foot?commentpage=1" target="_blank">article</a> are just a glimpse into the reality for so many women on a day-to-day basis. Women working in all sectors of the industry, such as <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2438617/What-vital-statistics--Karren-Brady-reveals-sexism-faced-football-named-Tories-new-small-business-tsar.html" target="_blank">Karren Brady</a> (West Ham Vice-Chairman),<a href="http://shesontheball.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/its-mans-world-out-there.html" target="_blank"> Jacqui Oatley</a> (Sports Broadcaster), <a href="http://shesontheball.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/two-men-and-scandal.html" target="_blank">Sian Massey</a> (Assistant Referee), have all been dragged into taloid headlines for the wrong reasons in recent years. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">History In The Making</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Costa will be aware of any possible stereotyping as she has coached boys teams at Benfica and also men's teams at Portugal's regional level, although it's her experience that has cearly proved to be vital in being offered the new role at Clermont. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<i>It becomes very hard when you try something and you work so much, and you can't reach the objective just because you're a woman. That drives me crazy.</i>"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She hopes other women will follow in her footsteps in an interview with <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/08/sports/soccer/hired-by-clermont-foot-helena-costa-sets-major-soccer-milestone.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=1" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>, Costa said: "<i>It's a historical day.....I hope this is only the first step. I opened a door today and more women will walk through my back. That's what I hope.</i>" She further added: "<i>I always dreamed of this.....I have had this as my target and my objective. It was nothing new, but I knew it was almost impossible to get it and reach it.</i>"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From past interviews and press articles, it's apparent that Costa is a strong individual and very driven in her aspirations within football. Only time will tell whether she will lead Clermont to future success, however let it be her performance on the touchline that receives media attention, rather than her gender. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JjgGameON5YTbvHwo_4dSZTbFShoLGElKgsdtZGCgM5AhnKPAW3uUugYuDZ6AZI3yjzrioFdeU2ERz-X_-j6QHaDxwp3juKr6VHDnVkoXnTW4ueHhItnlonPjVeCqnr0p9HRwUfsJ9A/s1600/photo-officielle2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JjgGameON5YTbvHwo_4dSZTbFShoLGElKgsdtZGCgM5AhnKPAW3uUugYuDZ6AZI3yjzrioFdeU2ERz-X_-j6QHaDxwp3juKr6VHDnVkoXnTW4ueHhItnlonPjVeCqnr0p9HRwUfsJ9A/s1600/photo-officielle2.png" height="336" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-83231446116629277062014-05-05T20:48:00.001+01:002014-05-05T20:59:49.317+01:00I am REGGAE GIRLZ<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNLzGLY7Y3ROrf4OnAimwT_2O4TxZwMldaFfedGyAd5N7YDrmUijErMKRWlq-rvNhb3zIXprIlS1-61UhrXCD8EhY5PeN3dr5Yv9h2fUv2mE1C07eE2KVn-QusHytQ2-t3QP-ZeGvaiA/s1600/reggaegirlz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNLzGLY7Y3ROrf4OnAimwT_2O4TxZwMldaFfedGyAd5N7YDrmUijErMKRWlq-rvNhb3zIXprIlS1-61UhrXCD8EhY5PeN3dr5Yv9h2fUv2mE1C07eE2KVn-QusHytQ2-t3QP-ZeGvaiA/s1600/reggaegirlz.jpg" height="342" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/reggaegirlz" target="_blank">Reggae Girlz</a>" are Jamaica's national senior women's football team and they need your help. They have the opportunity to make the FIFA 2015 World Cup Finals in Canada if they can get the funding to help with their chances of qualification. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The </span><a href="http://www.concacaf.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">CONCACAF</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Confederation Of North, Central American And Caribbean Association Football), have ranked the team 4th in their division for the upcoming season. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Qualifying Campaign</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.cfufootball.org/" target="_blank">CFU</a>(Caribbean Football Union) Women's Caribbean Cup finals will be held in Trinidad and Tobago from August 17-27. As part of the qualification for this cup, the Reggae Girlz have been placed in a <a href="http://www.cfufootball.org/index.php/latest-news/9388-cfu-women-s-caribbean-cup-2014-groups" target="_blank">group</a> with Anguilla, St Lucia and Dominican Republic. Three nations will advance to the CONCACAF finals that will take place in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Mexico between 16-26 October<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> 2014. It serves as the continent's 2015 World Cup qualifying, with the top three teams qualifying directly. The fourth placed team will play the third placed team of the 2014 South American Women's Football Championship.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The team have raised $142,920 out of their target $750,000 so far through the online donation website <b><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/JamaicaWomensFootball" target="_blank">GoFundMe</a></b>. The money raised will go towards training, travel, accomodation, nutrition and marketing fees that will aid them in their quest to become the first Caribbean team to reach the World Cup Finals. The Reggae Girlz <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reggaegirlz/info" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page states:</span> <i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Jamaican programs are wholly dependant upon sponsorship and unlike the US where '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_IX" target="_blank">Title 9</a>' assures equal funding, the female athletes often struggle for support.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cedalla Marley, oldest daughter of Jamaican musician-Bob Marley, has recently become the Reggae Girlz ambassador. In an interview with <a href="http://www.complex.com/sports/2014/04/cedella-marley-help-send-jamaican-team-womens-world-cup" target="_blank">Complex Sports</a>, she explains how she got involved with the team:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>My youngest son, his coach has a daughter who is part of the [under] 17 team. He sent me a flyer one day and was like, 'You know, Cedella, I don't know why I didn't reach out to you. The girls need someone who can come in and do fundraisers.' So I said, 'Let me make a call and ask how I can help.</i>'</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvfYvLqCHDMNBLSCO9m0MYf73Lsba7F0QuYmqfVs6vCkee1pnGHpo-3Ta65XuyOIeYXeIAoc60qJC-QZafZpTFAMadpnXEMWAWsE0K7fEUBNGR6chAbWWXE5Z4d6b1C4t2-Z1i8GE2A8/s1600/cedella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvfYvLqCHDMNBLSCO9m0MYf73Lsba7F0QuYmqfVs6vCkee1pnGHpo-3Ta65XuyOIeYXeIAoc60qJC-QZafZpTFAMadpnXEMWAWsE0K7fEUBNGR6chAbWWXE5Z4d6b1C4t2-Z1i8GE2A8/s1600/cedella.jpg" height="197" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;">She further explains the need for funding and the challenges that face the team: <i>"I</i></span><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;">f you're at No. 4 in the region without anyone backing you, imagine if you had the proper infrastructure, proper housing, proper training, proper nutrition......</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;">They've (Jamaican Football Federation) just been concentrating on the men's program. So the girls have always been left to fend for themselves."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cedella is also a co-producer of '<a href="https://www.facebook.com/strikehardja" target="_blank">Strike Hard</a>', a docu-series which will premier summer 2014, following the lives of the Reggae Girlz as they tackle challenges both on and off the football field. With her father's legacy to help sell merchandise and match public donations, Cedella is certainly doing as much as she can to help drive the team forward. She needs football fans, men and women across the world to join in too. If you love football, check out the <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/JamaicaWomensFootball" target="_blank">campaign</a> and spread the word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ReggaeGirlzJA" target="_blank">@ReggaeGirlzJA</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/strikehardja" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/strikehardja</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reggaegirlz" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/reggaegirlz</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgtO_oaPHq8" target="_blank">I am Reggae Girlz</a></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxKE-R-uv5rJxJTx3bPScwqm6Ru879_Vi1oBpTENXFdYm-Aq19apNwWTCBHMTQYd41j5M_S7tAZZE7M0Z2JKXdfxALnOuIXlT4hI490G9kEgho5GSY5AID2Cx5a2CegbHJBcldPcbJew/s1600/GGiddings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxKE-R-uv5rJxJTx3bPScwqm6Ru879_Vi1oBpTENXFdYm-Aq19apNwWTCBHMTQYd41j5M_S7tAZZE7M0Z2JKXdfxALnOuIXlT4hI490G9kEgho5GSY5AID2Cx5a2CegbHJBcldPcbJew/s1600/GGiddings.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></b><b style="line-height: 15.9pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Georgie Giddings returns to England to join the Royals revolution as the team aim to make a big impact in their FA Women’s Super League<span class="ecxapple-converted-space"> </span>début<span class="ecxapple-converted-space"> </span>season.</span></b></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.9pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Giddings is joined by an array of glittering new additions including<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Welsh internationals Helen Ward, and Nicky Davies and former Republic of Ireland captain Ciara Grant<span class="ecxapple-converted-space">.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.9pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The former Chelsea player was with the London side for seven years before moving to America and playing for the University of Connecticut Huskies between 2009 and 2012. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.9pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After returning to England Giddings signed for Ashford Town (Middlesex) Ladies before quickly making the move to IK Sirius based in Uppsala, Sweden, but has returned to captain the Reading side. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.9pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The whole atmosphere of the club appealed to me - there is a great sense of solidarity within the club and the team is filled with confidence after winning the South division last season,” the 23-year-old said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Everything has been coming together well, and Jane [Ludlow] has made sure she’s implemented her own philosophy about how we should play.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We want to be competing at the top of the table but this season brings the unknown for all the teams in the division because of so many signings at all the clubs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.9pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“As skipper I want to make sure there is unity in the team so everyone understands their roles and how important it is to contribute 100% if we want to succeed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.9pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8ZGWAU-Snkv6k5sM2uQBiw5e92haBttLiakQKnTMhqgiNjQ0N_aAm07jdWRb3-aBwQ0gK-AT6Xg932zadmnjQb994C1QNrCQqE4YJhS5CzGIH6nHRRdD7IxgYQ3ffYFHseg5G1rw0zM/s1600/reading.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8ZGWAU-Snkv6k5sM2uQBiw5e92haBttLiakQKnTMhqgiNjQ0N_aAm07jdWRb3-aBwQ0gK-AT6Xg932zadmnjQb994C1QNrCQqE4YJhS5CzGIH6nHRRdD7IxgYQ3ffYFHseg5G1rw0zM/s1600/reading.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Royals will face a tough test with fixtures against the likes of Doncaster Rovers Belles, Aston Villa Ladies FC, Sunderland AFC Ladies and Watford Ladies FC in the second tier of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>newly formed league.</span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.9pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With so much talent in the squad ambitions are high, and Giddings is confident Reading will be challenging at the top of the table come the end of the season.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.9pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Looking around the team I don’t think we have any weakness at all- even anybody that would come on as a substitute is capable of making a big impact,” the central mid-fielder said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “We have real quality especially Helen [Ward] who brings such a fantastic<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>reputation up front- and her goal scoring record and work rate will make a big difference.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Also Ciara’s [Grant] experience at the back is also going to help in key moments during matches and Lois Roache in mid-field brings great technical skill with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“For me Doncaster Belles and Sunderland are the two teams to watch but there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be up there competing with them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Giddings, who is coaching for Reading in the community, hopes she can inspire youngsters to participate in the game and increase the number of supporters watching female matches.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’m loving coaching because it’s such great experience and my game is benefiting because I am working with a lot of boys that have experience playing,” the former Chelsea player said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I get to work in schools as well and it great because this encourages more people to come along and enhance the atmosphere whilst we’re playing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The women’s game keeps improving and I hope attendances and participation in the sport continues to increase.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 16.2pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By Ruth Dacey</span></b></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-20161065262968664222014-04-13T22:37:00.000+01:002014-04-13T22:43:56.495+01:00Player Interview: Chloe Jones<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Aston Villa striker,<a href="http://ladies.avfc.co.uk/playerProfile/chloe_jones.html"target="_blank"> Chloe Jones</a>, talks to <a href="http://shesontheball.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-shes-on-ball.html"target="_blank">Ruth Dacey</a> about Villa's title chances, life outside the game and her transfer from Liverpool Ladies FC in February 2013.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtVLbPUNVC69K8eAJ60pJgs9fbenozwUgiB1gri7hhI-gj7nlq1_thuHmsA2-dbseHnNvZdrLhvibZ1FXKEfwi5gavAOko0y38Hmzj0p7WupPzQC7EFLbKNTjVFZmynRMp4zT1z3DKsY/s1600/CJones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtVLbPUNVC69K8eAJ60pJgs9fbenozwUgiB1gri7hhI-gj7nlq1_thuHmsA2-dbseHnNvZdrLhvibZ1FXKEfwi5gavAOko0y38Hmzj0p7WupPzQC7EFLbKNTjVFZmynRMp4zT1z3DKsY/s1600/CJones.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q. Do you see yourselves as title contenders?</span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We can definitely be contenders to win the division, with the young team that we have- a lot of them are home grown players that have played in the development squads. </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The club allows young players like that to get a chance and see all their hard work pay off which they have been working towards for years.</b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We have a great combination of youth and experienced players. We have definitely got the ability and the skills that we need to make a really good team and contend for the top spot. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. Aside from playing a part in the team, what are your personal goals?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I want to keep improving as a player. I would like to think that I am not at my peak yet. I'm aiming to be as fit as I can and as strong as I can so I'm working really hard on and off the pitch in the gym. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I want to be one of the best midfielders and one of the best players in the league. I want to score a few free kicks and penalties. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gpQsCAf1otgRQdKU8rCfbQtCXrv20QfzMv_YkFiPcRLX0xfEzMTt_lsfCie9gOvwzq8oiBJ8N4IEf1kK7XzKcj-83MTu0gfC4zseDo91x3_YOmrgyHmjsfBqy6UW2H93SNELwc33T5Y/s1600/CJ2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gpQsCAf1otgRQdKU8rCfbQtCXrv20QfzMv_YkFiPcRLX0xfEzMTt_lsfCie9gOvwzq8oiBJ8N4IEf1kK7XzKcj-83MTu0gfC4zseDo91x3_YOmrgyHmjsfBqy6UW2H93SNELwc33T5Y/s1600/CJ2.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Q. After a recent cup defeat to Doncaster Rovers, are you looking for revenge against them in your first league game?</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We have learnt a lot since playing them in the FA cup and since that game we have just been improving more. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr1a8Bp32UinoyOJ9AwS2WkmsOzZjqN85fJEaSJJODqTT-EEGohkfCyO9mI3pRirrQT8gqFS_7yC1GUSlnGh-f_n8TQ5-puw3k72Ab0_vUcUJreU0nT9GzkzUwlGTCw2TsOB7eDw0qtw/s1600/CJ3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr1a8Bp32UinoyOJ9AwS2WkmsOzZjqN85fJEaSJJODqTT-EEGohkfCyO9mI3pRirrQT8gqFS_7yC1GUSlnGh-f_n8TQ5-puw3k72Ab0_vUcUJreU0nT9GzkzUwlGTCw2TsOB7eDw0qtw/s1600/CJ3.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>By the time that we go into the first league match against them we will be a completely different side for the better. We will go there more positively knowing what we have to contend with. </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We know how to beat them and just how good we are because of how we’ve been playing in the last few weeks.</b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Q. What were your reasons for leaving future league winners Liverpool last year in pre season?</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It was for personal reasons. I changed my job to become a teacher in <st1:city w:st="on">Birmingham</st1:city> and the travelling to <st1:place w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:place> was just too much to keep going there every day. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Also, I know Aston Villa have always been a really good team in the Midlands and they are on the rise. </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a team that is developing and getting stronger and stronger and the whole club appealed to me. I knew they were going places.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</b></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 12.6pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. And how do you find it balancing football and your teaching?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 12.6pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Along with all the marking that I have to do, I generally try and train in the mornings and the evenings. So I would get to the gym at 6a.m, have a full day of work and then have a second session straight after work. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 12.6pt;">I always give myself the week nights and weekend free because its an important to have that social work balance.</b></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. How do you feel the women's side of the game is progressing, in terms of becoming more professional and moving forward?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The clubs all have to work towards becoming professional because of how the game is now. </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We look to the backing of men’s clubs and local sponsors- and this is the way it has to go for teams to keep up with those at the top.</b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I possibly moved from <st1:place w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:place> at the wrong time because I missed out on being involved in their league title winning side but I had to make the move because of the personal situation at the time. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtwG2pATtIZV2wMn00EFt98x-EcIap2K6sb7FV3kkz0C62sWoALkPDk45rEHVwrp8HpU6goSnbVRMTLOqIJNAPNLhg4TqU0oD3SXStPd75uoDEYBw1ob3SICJ691qQkgJT6va0Q9TLH8/s1600/villa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtwG2pATtIZV2wMn00EFt98x-EcIap2K6sb7FV3kkz0C62sWoALkPDk45rEHVwrp8HpU6goSnbVRMTLOqIJNAPNLhg4TqU0oD3SXStPd75uoDEYBw1ob3SICJ691qQkgJT6va0Q9TLH8/s1600/villa.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. Who would you say are Aston Villa's key signings this year?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://ladies.avfc.co.uk/playerProfile/alicia_robinson.html"target="_blank">Alicia Robinson</a> is the main signing for us this season, she will make a real difference to the team. She’s a very creative player and I would like to think we will work well together. </b></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 12.6pt;">I hope the pair of us in midfield can help Aston Villa become more of a creative team and the team can build around players like her.</b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 12.6pt;"><br />
</b></div></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 12.6pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://ladies.avfc.co.uk/playerProfile/emma_follis.html"target="_blank">Emma Follis</a> and <a href="http://ladies.avfc.co.uk/playerProfile/sarah_mayling.html"target="_blank">Sarah Mayling</a> will be key players in attack and then defensively I think we will be rock solid with Jade Richards, Erin Vaughan, Danielle Petrovic and Lauren Walker. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 12.6pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://ladies.avfc.co.uk/playerProfile/lauren_walker.html"target="_blank">Lauren Walker</a> has been a great signing, she's our left back. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 12.6pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. How has preparation for the upcoming season been going?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 12.6pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I don’t think it’s been a good thing that we have had such a long break since we finished our last season. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 12.6pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We finished in May time last year and we haven’t had much time off but because of so many players changing around. We focused on fitness up until the Christmas and then from January onwards, we have really focused on playing football. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 12.6pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It has taken time for us to get to know each other and fully understand how we are going to play but I think we have got there now. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 12.6pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. </span></span></b><b style="line-height: 12.6pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">And lastly, w</span></span></b><b style="line-height: 12.6pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">ho would you say is your biggest threat in the league?</span></span></b></div></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 12.6pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I would say Sunderland and <st1:place w:st="on">Doncaster</st1:place> pose the biggest threat to us this season. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div></div><div style="background: white; line-height: 12.6pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>By Ruth Dacey</b></span></div></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Arsenal Midfielder, <a href="http://www.arsenalladies.com/playerProfile/jordan_nobbs.html" target="_blank">Jordan Nobbs</a>, talks to <a href="http://shesontheball.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-shes-on-ball.html" target="_blank">Ruth Dacey</a> about Arsenal and the upcoming<a href="http://www.fawsl.com/index.html" target="_blank"> FA WSL</a> season.</b></span><br />
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<b style="line-height: 15.9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jordan Nobbs is determined to make a big impact in midfield for Arsenal Ladies FC as they aim to win the FA Women’s Super League<span class="ecxapple-converted-space"> </span>this season.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nobbs <span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">joined from <st1:place w:st="on">Sunderland</st1:place> in 2010 and made a big impact in both European and early Super League matches.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">The central midfielder has captained <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> at the Under-17s World Cup and made her senior debut in 2013 where she has become a prominent member of the team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">After winning the FA Young Player of the Year award in 2010, the central midfielder has continued that form with some fine displays and goals in 2012 and 2013 and hopes this season will be the best yet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I want to play a major role for Arsenal this season and be part of the main <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> team,” the 21-year-old said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“A main aim is to keep getting goals for the side and I’ve put in a lot of hard work which hopefully will pay off this season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“With the team we have we are serious contenders for the title this year, although of course I think it could be very unpredictable because of all the changes and signings that all the teams have made.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We are a confident team- we just need to push ourselves as players and we will try and do everything this season to win trophies and push ourselves to the very highest level.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9pt;">Arsenal have strengthened their squad with stellar signings including the two Japan internationals Yukari Kinga and Shinobu Ohno who helped Japan win the World Cup in Germany in 2001 and were silver medal winners at the London 2012 Olympics.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjbjuNcxFpQcDJBySKHx3ApNXU25JfJUttTxdBzbhvTUdff61zcK1sru0R9pyGb0_L6HaVEntEIKrmMzxnPXpTqKWSGthSlhbnCRp9stnwEDQBcCuRjRUilnmqvvAYBL9j-RYenbXZyU/s1600/ARSENAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjbjuNcxFpQcDJBySKHx3ApNXU25JfJUttTxdBzbhvTUdff61zcK1sru0R9pyGb0_L6HaVEntEIKrmMzxnPXpTqKWSGthSlhbnCRp9stnwEDQBcCuRjRUilnmqvvAYBL9j-RYenbXZyU/s1600/ARSENAL.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.9pt;">Other signings include </span><st1:country-region style="line-height: 15.9pt;" w:st="on">England</st1:country-region><span style="line-height: 15.9pt;"> captain <a href="http://www.arsenalladies.com/playerProfile/casey_stoney.html" target="_blank">Casey Stoney</a>, </span><st1:city style="line-height: 15.9pt;" w:st="on">Holland</st1:city><span style="line-height: 15.9pt;"> international Anouk Hoogendijk, and </span><st1:country-region style="line-height: 15.9pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="line-height: 15.9pt;"> international <a href="http://www.arsenalladies.com/playerProfile/christie_murrey.html" target="_blank">Christie Murray </a>and Nobbs believes the tough competition for positions will greatly enhance the team’s performance.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You can’t go wrong when you bring in two world class Japanese players who have won major trophies- I’m sure they will be a massive asset to the team this year,” the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> international said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Bringing world class foreigners in like we have will strengthen the league further and improve the performance of English players- what ever can strengthen our league and strengthen our game can only be a good thing for the women’s game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The likes of Casey and Anouck who made the move from Ajax have come in to so this year it’s going to be fierce competing for places but this can only be a good thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We’ve also brought in some youth players who are part of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> set-up who have the right mentality needed at this level so I think we have the balance just right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last season Arsenal finished third in the FA Women's Super League (WSL), behind winners Liverpool and runners-up <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Bristol</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Academy</st1:placetype></st1:place> but they remain the most successful team in the English game and won the WSL in 2011 and 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We want to back up there challenging for all the trophies and I believe our style of play can do that. We have always been a passing side and we will stick to that,” the former <st1:place w:st="on">Sunderland</st1:place> player said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We have to look at all the title contenders and <st1:place w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:place> poses the biggest threat for me- they won the league last year and they have strengthened their team again with the likes of Gemma Davison."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“But this year we will try as hard as we can and hopefully we will reap the rewards with lots of trophies.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By Ruth Dacey</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-62591690044509814412014-04-09T13:09:00.001+01:002014-04-09T13:18:51.242+01:00Sexism in football, the real facts you need to know...<div class="bintro" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.25em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373f44;">A survey conducted by the networking gr</span>oup <a href="http://www.womeninfootball.co.uk/" target="_blank">Women In Football</a> has produced some important figures with regards to the level of sexism still existing in the footballing indus<span style="color: #373f44;">try. 661 women (60% of the full amount asked to participate) from all areas of football responded, including: coaches, match officials, media, physios, administrators, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a press release, WIF stated:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"The problems run throughout football with a female referee being told a men’s team did not want her to officiate because of her gender, to a respondent being slapped on her bum on her first day by a senior figure in the game.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">Women in Football are a networking group supporting professional women working in football. We celebrate women’s achievement and offer mentoring opportunities to the next generation.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">We have conducted this survey to:</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">·<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #444444;">Provide a ground-breaking study into the experiences of women working in the football indu</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #444444;">stry.</span></i><span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">·<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #444444;">Identify why women are not achieving their full potential in this sector and what could be done to address this.</span></i><span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">·<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #444444;">Explore the prevalence of gender-based discrimination within football.</span></i><span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">·<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #444444;">Look forward to the future: 90% of respondents told us they believe opportunities for women working within the football industry are increasing/improving"</span></i><span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chair of The Fa's<a href="http://www.thefa.com/news/governance/equality/2013/dec/fa-inclusion-advisory-board-membership-confirmed" target="_blank"> Inclusion and Advisory Board</a> (IAB), Heather Rabbatts, made these comments in reaction to the survey results:<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1bBw12JGx4c5kY7Zm3JSX5fwuoB-i4Ynruw63H_PGZ-vk-nvZZQncVmUG5KEEc7MoUxQOExejrMaIIV_y7f3r8O6ZFKHKru4N_dCkKuHu-TFlD5nKEWvRiiZXbReMJAJ0ODUsMKEZpQ/s1600/heather_2162753b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1bBw12JGx4c5kY7Zm3JSX5fwuoB-i4Ynruw63H_PGZ-vk-nvZZQncVmUG5KEEc7MoUxQOExejrMaIIV_y7f3r8O6ZFKHKru4N_dCkKuHu-TFlD5nKEWvRiiZXbReMJAJ0ODUsMKEZpQ/s1600/heather_2162753b.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“Whilst we know there has been significant progress in women's participation in football and great strides made with the Women’s Super League, we know there is more to do. Women remain still significantly under-represented in executive and board positions in the sport industry. Surveys such as this help to focus all our attention and The FA alongside all of the football bodies are committed to tackling discrimination at all levels”.</i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rabbatts was The FA's first female board member in it's 150 year history and this year she was named The Guardian's 9th '<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/ng-interactive/2014/mar/50-most-influential-women-in-british-sport" target="_blank">Most Influential Woman in British Sport</a>', a list composed to celebrate<a href="http://www.internationalwomensday.com/default.asp#.U0UlL_ldVyU" target="_blank"> International Women's Day 2014</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The IAB was set up in December 2013 as part of a <span style="background: white;">The FA’s commitment to its Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Action Plan 2013-2017. </span>The Action Plan aims to:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Widen football's talent by tackling under-representation and so increase the diversity of football's talent pool.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clarify anti-discrimination regulations and sanctions, to create clarity and understanding around the regulations and sanctions related to discriminatory behaviour.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instil confidence in reporting discrimination and to generate confidence in the reporting and subsequent handling of discrimination cases and to be transparent with the outcomes.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Increase knowledge, awareness and understanding of equality and inclusion-and what constitutes discriminatory behaviour within football, providing information, guidance and training.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The FA's IAB is a positive step forward on the road to eliminating discrimination and abuse within the game. It's still astonishing though to read that 66.4% of women have experienced sexism in the football workplace. This includes: sexual harassment, sexist banter, women being barred from certain areas, being told they can't do their job due to gender, discrimination against mothers and most shockingly, 1.41% have experienced physical abuse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are the environments most of us reading this now actually work in-football clubs, offices, pitches, press conferences, etc. The places where we share a passion for the beautiful game, the places we earn our living, the places we go to share our mutual interests and work alongside each other. These women have said they feel pressured, they are treat unfairly, paid unequally and overlooked for career progression in football. How would you feel going to work on a morning worrying about the day ahead due to discrimination like this? Knowing that on top of all the added job stress, you also have to constantly prove yourself in what is still regarded as a 'man's world'. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why are 54.3% of women still worried about their appearance in the football workplace? Why do 24.91% feel they need to look glamourous? Think back to grassroots football, it's all about muddy tracksuits, dishevelled hairstyles and your favourite pair of worn/tatty football boots. Admittedly, it has grown more aesthetically pleasing in recent years, with fancy new trends coming in, contemporary boardrooms and state of the art playing facilities. But nevertheless, the origins of football remain the same. What does it matter on someone's appearance as to their knowledge of the game or their ability to carry out their job?<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Director of Football Governance and Regulation, Darren Bailey, responds to the survey:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“Women have a vital role to play in all aspects of the game. We are determined to eliminate negative attitudes towards women. We want those who see or are subject to harassment or discriminatory behaviour in football to report it to us directly, or via the Kick It Out app, which offers discreet reporting.”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It will take time still for football and most other sports to become truly inclusive of participants regardless of gender, race, age and other factors. Remember, these are you mothers, girlfriends, wives, sisters, daughters, cousins, friends, who are experiencing this in the workplace. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are all responsible to make the stand against discrimination and abuse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listed below are statistics and quotes retrieved from the survey results, all of which are displayed on the <a href="http://www.womeninfootball.co.uk/news/" target="_blank">Women In Football website</a>:</span></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On sexism in the workplace...</span></strong></span></strong></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I've pretty much experienced it all. I've been slapped on the backside by a colleague, and asked to 'get the tea'; you can imagine my response.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I experienced direct sexist and derogatory comments, and intimidation. I didn't report it as I was scared, I was told I would never work in the game again.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“A men's football team did not want me to referee because of my gender.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“On my first day at work a senior figure in football slapped my bum when walking past. I didn't want to make a complaint before I had even met the rest of my colleagues.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I was told in a job interview that it was an issue that I was female.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I don't want to rock the boat at work by complaining, I wouldn't want bad feeling. It is done to other women too. It isn't physically or mentally harmful but it is putting us in a different category from men - which is shameful.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You can't report it every time someone says something derogatory as it's so common place.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Women being talked over in meetings; being excluded from working groups or selection panels; having their qualifications and input trivialised."</span><br />
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What women in the game want...</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“To have a female changing room!” <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[A number of women asked for this, from female medics to match officials, with even some of the biggest clubs not providing female changing facilities for staff or visiting professionals]</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“More diversity in senior roles, the entire senior management is white, male and middle class.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“More female representation on the FA Council and Board of Directors.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“People to acknowledge that although I am a woman I do know what I am talking about with regard to my job.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Less sexist discrimination and prejudice. I have to work hard to gain the same amount of respect as male counterparts.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I would like not to have to prove that I know about football every time I come across someone who hasn't worked with me before.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“More senior women - mainly for the balanced decision-making it would create at a senior management level but also so I knew I was being taken seriously as a candidate for senior roles. There aren't many opportunities to progress in my career here, women tend to leave rather than move up.”</span><br />
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Football needs to modernise...</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I didn't get invited to a dinner because it was a 'men and wives' dinner. It feels completely old-fashioned to have events like this - and football is littered with them!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I was turned down for a job in men's football because the club wanted to 'keep a male feel'.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It is a very sexist environment. Women tend to only be employed in administrative roles.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Stop the ‘jobs for the boys’ mentality which is not based on talent.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“A greater acceptance that women in the industry are as knowledgeable about the game as men. My junior male colleagues are often sought out ahead of me to answer questions on the job.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“To be taken seriously, and for men to not make inappropriate comments towards me such as commenting on my appearance, or thinking that I will tolerate sexually inappropriate comments.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Football has a highly active misogynistic wing. It's getting better but slowly. Other sports have profoundly improved.”</span></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On discrimination against working mothers...</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I have been told by my employer that my job is incompatible with motherhood.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Since having my children my role has been totally marginalised and I have had no opportunities to progress.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I was demoted from my job on the birth of my first child. I lost my job after the birth of my second.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I don't see football as an environment which helps or encourages working mothers. Every working mother I see struggles (unless they have a nanny) and most drop out of the industry. How many senior women are there who are working mums? Not enough.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Statistics and comments obtained from Women In Football and The FA.</b>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-32418115827689719462014-03-12T14:19:00.002+00:002014-03-12T14:19:22.922+00:00<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bristol Academy's forward, Natasha Harding, tells us about her future at Bristol, playing for Wales and her work in the Vixens community. The ex-Cardiff City captain has represented her country 17 times and played 21 games last season for Bristol, scoring 5 goals.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. How are you looking forward to the FA WSL season ahead? Are you fully fit and prepared?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I'm very much looking forward to it, especially after the season we had as a team and the great season I had last year myself. In terms of being fit and prepared, I've realised that with age, recovery is massive! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. Bristol have had a great history since the FA WSL started, jumping from 5th-2nd in recent seasons. Do you think this year could be the hardest yet for you, with the likes of Manchester City joining and more players coming into clubs?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I wouldn't say harder as such but I would definitely say more competitive. Every team has strengthened some how including us so this year, so it can only be a more exciting and more competitive. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. Are there any teams you see as rivals in your league? Especially Liverpool perhaps, who just beat you to first place last season.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Well we want to compete with the best and obviously Liverpool and Arsenal are up there with those teams. I wouldn't say so much as direct rivals, but to be on the same level as Liverpool would be great, so beating them would be on the agenda.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. You've recently <a href="http://www.bristolacademywfc.co.uk/news/harding_signs_for_2014.html">signed a new contract</a> with Bristol, after playing every game last season and scoring 5 important goals. What is it that about the club that made you want to commit to another season? Did any other teams show interest in you?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I thought after last year with everyone working so hard to get second and the Champions League it would only be justified by me staying and others at the club. Last year was my best season by far, so I thought if I stayed one more year it would only make me better. I had a few top English teams show strong interest, one in particular was looking the most likely that I was leaving for. I even had two top Swedish clubs interested, one of which is still in the Champions League. But when the time is right and I feel like I have given everything to Bristol and visa versa, then it will be time for me to move on and learn from other clubs/coaches. </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1WXyD_NP8rNPWnd0sP4puzHE9t8obwFFSzj6On-kjPSD2QLrzVPB5egokTzf6jW0NkHg8CS3NmWjQ7oTqVMMjc7zsvwDnLZJWAqSEilJSx_1Ptx9bifgp6n3aMOH_sMIsdZlY99fXMo/s1600/NHa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1WXyD_NP8rNPWnd0sP4puzHE9t8obwFFSzj6On-kjPSD2QLrzVPB5egokTzf6jW0NkHg8CS3NmWjQ7oTqVMMjc7zsvwDnLZJWAqSEilJSx_1Ptx9bifgp6n3aMOH_sMIsdZlY99fXMo/s1600/NHa.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. In 2012, you scored your first hattrick in an international qualifying match against Israel, congratulations. Obviously you play a lot with Bristol and Cardiff players for Wales, so I assume you all know each other well anyway. How does playing internationally compare to domestic games?</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuQ6HIdK8wH21Lr0J9_aKZbaEkOPrVFMYPFoW7YOAxUlCnIRHUkJqXeJZKCeV6OC6LzpTYxolXwnt_uFZmwyAgQEiDud245xRt69RIszx3-Fwka2-2nU3nm-spJatKYAQVX5l9PPpTAs/s1600/NHaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuQ6HIdK8wH21Lr0J9_aKZbaEkOPrVFMYPFoW7YOAxUlCnIRHUkJqXeJZKCeV6OC6LzpTYxolXwnt_uFZmwyAgQEiDud245xRt69RIszx3-Fwka2-2nU3nm-spJatKYAQVX5l9PPpTAs/s1600/NHaa.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Yes it was an amazing feeling, scoring a goal for your country is always great but for me I was lucky enough to score three at once. It was a great day personally, but overall most importantly we won as a team. With international matches it's a different because it is more defensive, so my roles are a bit different. It's challenging as a player but that's how individually and as a team we learn.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. With the second tier being created for the FA WSL and more matches being shown on TV, positive steps are happening in women's football. How does this feel for the players to finally see the game developing more and being invested in?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Football in Britain is only getting bigger and better, and to make another league will only strengthen that. More and more players from overseas are wanting to play in the league and that is only positive for women's football in Britain. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. Aside from football, am I right in thinking you study? If so, how do you find the balance dividing your time between that and football?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I finished my degree last June (2013) and I'm fortunate enough to just play football as my job. But I was getting bored in the times when we didn't have training, therefore I got a job as a teaching assistant in a college working with special needs. It works around football and is challenging, but equally rewarding.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqVWDL0Bkrd5W5MgMM03zTv-rTWiL0Gz_xN0Gx5gBVem6fnIuz3W27LjYonTHx7unyQGIkpwh7IiAHypSwUXKgmbo1f_GvsBEsGZv0IdK7wzSLduD1hkdGXNgN3ChyXsM3AJG44qxOlw/s1600/NH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqVWDL0Bkrd5W5MgMM03zTv-rTWiL0Gz_xN0Gx5gBVem6fnIuz3W27LjYonTHx7unyQGIkpwh7IiAHypSwUXKgmbo1f_GvsBEsGZv0IdK7wzSLduD1hkdGXNgN3ChyXsM3AJG44qxOlw/s1600/NH.jpg" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="217" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. That's great work, and you are also actively involved in the <a href="http://www.bristolacademywfc.co.uk/community.html">Vixens community programme</a>. What sort of activities/events do you partake in?</span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, the community programme is going great, although with this other job I am just balancing them both, so I'm pretty busy at the moment. We do half-term and holiday camps and they have been great. We are also getting local schools and clubs more involved in the area. It's growing more and more popular in Bristol thanks to our success last season.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I just think what Mia Hamm has done for the women's game is massive and thanks to her generation, my generation are reaping the benefits.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. And finally, what does the future hold for you Natasha, in terms of continuing playing, or would you possibly like to get into coaching?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Well obviously it's to do well this coming season, win some sort of trophy and to do well in the Champions League. But I don't plan anything too far in to the future because we never know what happens. </b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After an impressive season last year, coming second place behind Liverpool by five points, Bristol Academy begin their <a href="http://www.bristolacademywfc.co.uk/matches.html">2014 campaign</a> against Chelsea at home on Thursday April 17th. Good luck Natasha and the girls and thank you for your answers.</span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-33917366812620548182014-03-11T13:30:00.002+00:002014-03-11T21:48:22.691+00:00<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Goalkeeper Cherie Rowlands, talks Bees, Barnet and Schmeichel with SOTB. She has experience playing for Arsenal Ladies in the FA WSL and Champions league, as well as being Barnet's leading footballer with the most appearances. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Q. How are you personally, and as a club, looking forward to new challenge of the FA WSL season ahead?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Myself personally, I can't wait for the season to start. Being a apart of this club feels like family and I know all the girls as well as the staff are raring to go. It will be a difficult season that's for sure with every club wanting to prove themselves.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Everyone. There is no ruling anybody out of the equation as it is new for every club in this league. I am sure though that a few close teams in terms of geography will no doubt become rivals over time, that's what happens in football.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Oh yes, the girls are great and everyone gets along so well. The mix of the younger players and more experienced works really well as the kids just want to learn and play and the experienced players are more than willing to help them along the way.</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://thewomensgame.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/cherie.jpeg?w=517" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thewomensgame.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/cherie.jpeg?w=517" height="320" width="281" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Q. As well as playing for Arsenal, you once helped Barnet win the FA League Cup in 2011 and gained the most appearances, over 130. Do you feel your experience as a player can help others in your team? </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My experience, I would hope would help others within the team. I am very much a veteran now compared to most the girls, but that's alright as I don't feel too old. I feel I would be able to give the correct advice for anyone wanting to know anything. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q. Do you ever get nervous anymore when stepping out onto the pitch?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Yes I get nervous, I don't like to show it though but as soon as I am out of the tunnel my other personality comes through and takes over from the nervous wreck that morning!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As you say, everyone can see it and I personally think that it is brilliant. There was nothing like the FA WSL, or even knowing the England squad back when I was a kid. Now there is so much hype over it all and the girls growing up know exactly what they want when they are older. As for the players I am sure that they think "all the hard work has paid off".</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I do have a job and I love it. I work full time at a sports centre called OXSRAD, which is an integrated sports centre that caters for everybody and every need. Day to day it is so rewarding; for example helping a man walk with an aid after being told he would never walk again, that's brilliant. Work are very understanding of my football and I am given the relevant time off for games and training, although I do find myself owing days back!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Q. What does the future hold for you Cherie in terms of continuing playing? Would you ever like to get involved in coaching, refereeing or other areas of football?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I am uncertain of what my future holds, as I am getting older I am thinking more career wise. Maybe coaching would be a good route, but I can't stand refereeing. Football has been my life since I was 10 but there are times when it seems a little too much for me.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Q. And finally, who do you see as your football idol/hero? And what advice would you give to any young girls who want to become a goalkeeper one day?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My idol/hero is one of two: Peter Schmeichel or Hope Solo. They are both incredible, I grew up watching Schmeichel and adored him. Hope Solo is another one, after reading her book and realising how hard she has worked to get to where she is, is amazing. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A goalkeeper is a special position and not just anybody can do it, you want to have to do it. So my advise to anyone thinking about being a goalkeeper would be, work hard, in and out of training study the position and don't be afraid (afraid to get hurt, afraid to dive, afraid to shout, afraid to be the last line of defence, etc).</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif';"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'The Hive'-home to Barnet FC, London Bees and London Broncos</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">London Bees will be playing away to Oxford United in this years first FA WSL fixture, April 14th. Cherie can also be found posing for </span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.md-pro.co.uk/">MD-PRO</a></span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, who are a professional goalkeeping glove range, with pro keepers wearing their products across the English leagues. Thanks for your answers Cherie, good luck with the season.</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-43669922193213692842014-03-07T16:27:00.000+00:002014-03-07T16:47:07.244+00:00<div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Durham's dynamo midfielder, Jess Round, talks to SOTB about the new season ahead and her experience in the England squad.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcb5QB9UN1RCUQBrQKBeHqPe1zlz7FGuE_Mq2fL_Vn-kfeYOwvqV6YoHdsQ7EUXsNt9Ynzfm9XDFXrhXun-AYcfh71tOgFDQ9UKwmJpSVrlMQiRZfNpswVyL1DWzoKHGt6wVITOdowsKA/s1600/jess+round+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcb5QB9UN1RCUQBrQKBeHqPe1zlz7FGuE_Mq2fL_Vn-kfeYOwvqV6YoHdsQ7EUXsNt9Ynzfm9XDFXrhXun-AYcfh71tOgFDQ9UKwmJpSVrlMQiRZfNpswVyL1DWzoKHGt6wVITOdowsKA/s1600/jess+round+copy.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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</span></b> <b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am looking forward to this exciting new venture and its great to be involved in this new generation of the development of women's football. As a new team we will thrive, learn and grow at the challenges ahead of us.</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Q. Are there any teams you see as rivals, especially on a personal level, with your old club Sunderland being in the league?</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>At the present moment, Durham and Sunderland are the two most northern teams In the league. Therefore, this local derby will be competitive which is great, as this will draw many local spectators and again heighten the growth of women's football. Obviously knowing players from Sunderland does give me an insight on how they play and can be used as an advantage. Sunderland have some talented players with lots of experience as a team and I am looking forward to the game. </b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>With regards to the rest of the league, there are teams like ourselves who are fairly unknown and then there are those who are deemed as favourites, all of whom provide different challenges. However, our opponents should see Durham WFC as a challenge as we are one of those unknown entities.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y_NNkkb3idc8hGTwbbvdx1gAaEAXtW5k0WXoRyVsk-WL1dNE30ZTVpDbs0EiVmLvMj8jWx703phB41qo2Qtgvp0VWODm1UA8U2dvXO7a2xI9rlAxcfNSAIqbLzhvKlDrC0TnzHF2AJk/s1600/durham+team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y_NNkkb3idc8hGTwbbvdx1gAaEAXtW5k0WXoRyVsk-WL1dNE30ZTVpDbs0EiVmLvMj8jWx703phB41qo2Qtgvp0VWODm1UA8U2dvXO7a2xI9rlAxcfNSAIqbLzhvKlDrC0TnzHF2AJk/s1600/durham+team.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a> <span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Q. You have represented England at various youth levels, do you think you can continue to have a successful international career in the future?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Being involved with England from a young age has given me a wealth of experience and knowledge into how hard it is to be an athlete. I would hope in the future that I will be called upon as I do work hard in between my studies. Playing for your country I believe is a privilege. </b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I study a sports degree and juggling study, work and training is just about managing my time effectively. I've had to learn to do this since secondary school when I started to be a part of the international set up so I have adapted to being organised. My friend always tell me that I'm too organised, to which I always reply "You can never be too organised"!</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Its brilliant! From the time I started playing football to date, the changes have been incredible. When I think about it where it will progress in another 10 years, it continues to be moving in the right direction, overall bridging the gap between the women's and the men's game is fantastic.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Q. What does the distant future hold for you Jess, in terms of playing ? Would you ever contemplate coaching/refereeing after you've hung up your boots?</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My long term plan is to complete my degree and train to be a PE teacher, as well as remain playing. Refereeing was something I did as a teenager to earn a bit of money after getting my referee qualification. At this stage, coaching may be something I would consider when I retire but at this moment playing is for me.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To be honest I don't have one specific football icon that I look up to. I look at footballers as a whole, with a huge amount of respect for what they do and how they have got there. </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From a young age I was taught from my dad that you get out of it what you put in, so one of my icons is my dad, they can come from different areas. </b><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My advice for younger players is to take advice and learn from different people to make themselves a better player.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/two-football-pavilions-opened-teesside-3702732" target="_blank">Jess became a local celebrity in her hometown Redcar in May 2010</a>, when she officially opened new football facilities. She was an England U17 international and Sunderland player at the time. Photos are those of Gazette Live.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Good luck with the season Jess and thank you for your answers.</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-5531719960400291422014-03-07T15:18:00.001+00:002014-03-11T13:30:40.534+00:00<div>
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Oxford United WFC midfielder and ex-Arsenal Academy, Reading and Millburn Magic player-Kayleigh Hines, talks to SOTB about the new season.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LKV24ew1sXBkcUpeECZsVN9Uo-Dmkf5SoWA9E7TMIJIBboo4mjQuESbi6kDMHUCSMZJQcQXH1Z3zaIOwQ1834mRkXyLBOWDtuUvi6CcS3Bue71bWebGHDdZCr2a20nRzdTQG17JeFlI/s1600/kayleigh+hines+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LKV24ew1sXBkcUpeECZsVN9Uo-Dmkf5SoWA9E7TMIJIBboo4mjQuESbi6kDMHUCSMZJQcQXH1Z3zaIOwQ1834mRkXyLBOWDtuUvi6CcS3Bue71bWebGHDdZCr2a20nRzdTQG17JeFlI/s1600/kayleigh+hines+copy.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q. How are you looking forward to new challenge of the FA WSL as a player and as a club?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Obviously it's exciting for the club, just because it's new to everyone. I think that we've prepared in the best way that we can and we're half-way through pre-season now. And then personally, I'm just excited about the challenge that lies ahead really. It's a new club for me as well and I'm just really excited about what's to come in the season ahead.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q. Are there any teams you see as rivals in your league?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I think obviously Doncaster coming down from what was WSL 1 last year will be tough, because they've got the experience. To be honest, with everyone else I think it's going to be new to pretty much every other club in there. You hear who clubs have signed, so you're aware of some people. Obviously Reading are in it as well, which I guess is going to be our local derby. I don't think the clubs have met – certainly not for a couple of years anyway – in a competitive fixture, so that will be a big one. </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q. What's the atmosphere like around the changing room? Are there any natural leaders or lively characters that get the squad hyped up for games?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I think there's a good mix, to be honest. That's one of things I've noticed as pre-season has gone on, that there's a good balance amongst the girls and different personalities at the right times. Just judging on some of the pre-season games that we've had, there's definitely a lot of character in the changing room, so it's lively and I think that'll be important going into the season.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q. Aside from football, do you study or work?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I'm a trainee dental nurse at the moment and I've just recently taken an exam. I work full-time at a dental practice and I get my results next week, so hopefully when I'm fully qualified I can go on and do that. That keeps me busy when I'm not playing football.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAYcU-C_-ZAhRnwmWmuHgnVz2x7XzeQVPWdpF4jzQlzfd16ANyd7nxmg7mc5qVAMw7WrMEYJGoVr6ofEZiocfUqDg67aNOBifosNg8L-XaUD7yuUMHU0d14MVaN_HgrovTZaGzApd98g/s1600/KH+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAYcU-C_-ZAhRnwmWmuHgnVz2x7XzeQVPWdpF4jzQlzfd16ANyd7nxmg7mc5qVAMw7WrMEYJGoVr6ofEZiocfUqDg67aNOBifosNg8L-XaUD7yuUMHU0d14MVaN_HgrovTZaGzApd98g/s1600/KH+top.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q. How do you find it juggling your time between full-time work and football?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is tough to balance it with football. I knew it was going to be a big commitment coming into it anyway, but it works at the moment. Obviously it occupies the majority of my evenings, but as I say, it was a commitment I was aware of and I want to play at this level, so I know that that's what it takes.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q. you're still only young, but what does the distant future hold for you Kayleigh? Would coaching football interest you?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Well I hope I've still got a few years left in me! I have done a bit of coaching before anyway, so that's always an option for the future. But for me personally, my priorities are getting fit for the season ahead, staying fit for that and getting a good few games under my belt really. I hope to do really well and promote the game for Oxford as well.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q. With the second tier being created for the FA WSL and more matches being shown on TV, positive steps are happening in women's football. How does this feel for the players to finally see the game developing more and being invested in?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It's important as there was a lot of comparison before to the men's game and it seems that now it's starting to be looked at as its own sport. Obviously, running in the summer means that there's a lot more opportunity for people to actually see games and we've got games on TV as well.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And of course all the set-ups that all the clubs seem to have now and with players coming through the age groups, that's really important too. So definitely publicity-wise it's really good for everyone. Everyone at the club here does a really good job of promoting the game, and at all of the other clubs as well, which is going to be important next season too.</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q. Who do you see as your football idol/hero?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That's a tough one! I don't know, there are a lot of players. I watch a lot of men's football anyway, so there are certain players in the game at the moment. I am actually a Man United fan, but I guess I look to players that play in the same position as me and what they do. So obviously Jack Wilshere at Arsenal, Coutinho at Liverpool – sounds terrible coming from a Man United fan. But when I watch men's football I just look at the players that play in my position.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Q. And finally, </b></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">what advice would you give to any young aspiring footballers?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>There's so much opportunity out there now, so it's very important to just get involved really. If you enjoy it, that's the main thing. And as I say, with all the set-ups and everyone who puts in all the time and effort and money into girls' and women's football at the moment I feel like it's the perfect time to become involved and just get amongst it really.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Oxford United WFC will be playing in the first 2014 FA WSL fixture at home to London Bees on the 14th April. This date will also mark the first time professional women's football has been played in Oxfordshire.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thanks for your answers Kayleigh, good luck for the coming season.</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-90650105632022568422014-03-06T18:50:00.003+00:002014-03-11T13:30:51.940+00:00<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">SOTB talks to Millwall Lionesses captain, Dionne 'Grandma' Lennon. With 8 years experience playing for the Lionesses from youth to adult level, Dionne is their longest serving player and leads by example on the pitch.</span></b></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. How are you looking forward to new FA WSL? Are Millwall ready for the challenge ahead?</span></strong><br />
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<b>Everyone is excited, there's a buzz with everyone definitely. It's a long time until April, we're just eager to get on with it now and get stuck in. Training is going well, stepping up the fitness is a big difference from what we're use to. But we're doing everything we can to be competitive in the league.</b><br />
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<b>In general, most teams are going to be competitive as everyone is recruting, so it'll be a case of who gels the quickest with their new players. All the teams are recruiting players with experience in terms of new signings and bringing in their youth players<span style="color: #6aa84f;">. </span>The obvious main rivals are the likes of Sunderland and Watford, those teams who were in a higher league with us last season. It's anyone's league at the moment, I think it's just a case of who hits the ground running.</b><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. You've been at the club for over 8 years, do you feel that your experience can help others in the team?</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRIvVQ3cufjO-qxP6x5p0JyTrT0Qb1seTaEeg3fyguq6pkjKa6xQaXl1gZHNOH3GwJ0jy0LYpvMa_WGSF9eLICuvK915zLdbyEHQMmKKdgvQxf1D2zU1PyIc5dRMXNPQRuqC8uNhTCos/s1600/di+len.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRIvVQ3cufjO-qxP6x5p0JyTrT0Qb1seTaEeg3fyguq6pkjKa6xQaXl1gZHNOH3GwJ0jy0LYpvMa_WGSF9eLICuvK915zLdbyEHQMmKKdgvQxf1D2zU1PyIc5dRMXNPQRuqC8uNhTCos/s1600/di+len.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>I hope so, some of them call me 'Grandma' a lot as I do like to have a moan. I've been at the club a long time and I was fortunate to play at a higher level in the winter leagues for a couple of seasons which I learnt a lot from. Hopefully I can bring something to the team, if not in the way of football experience, then an old head to keep them focused and on the straight and narrow.</b><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. What's been your playing career highlight so far?</span></strong><br />
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<b>Apart from getting into the FA WSL, it would probably be the year we got promoted into the National Premier League . We almost went the whole season unbeaten, only losing to Barnet, but by that point we had already won the league.</b><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. With the second tier being created for the FA WSL and more matches being shown on tv, positive steps are happening in women's football. How does this feel for players like yourself with years worth of playing experience to finally see the game developing more and being invested in?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></strong>
<strong>I think it's brilliant. the Olympics really helper push it all forward and made the FA set up a second league. Being more televised and more promotion does nothing but help the game. Some of the teams in the top league are getting pro contracts now, which is only going to strengthen the national team better.</strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. Aside from football, do you have a job elsewhere? If so, how do you find it juggling your time between the two?</span></strong><br />
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<b>I work for Suffolk council doing play work and youth work. A lot of the people I work alongside are ex semi-pro's involved in football, so they understand the demands. They are happy for me to leave early, have days off and go training, which is very helpful.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwBXgeP43RSqSxvReakN_ZSvt_6BL_rNuElxvoOfktRcVM4cpyAnuENUUHPlry086OfEkMDlDylUq24WiFGcnHe4FJDWEJfs2Cw8wA-5gxzvxg4xBmmWzkLXaUdCUB_xOXWIiae6rqHo/s1600/millwall+team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwBXgeP43RSqSxvReakN_ZSvt_6BL_rNuElxvoOfktRcVM4cpyAnuENUUHPlry086OfEkMDlDylUq24WiFGcnHe4FJDWEJfs2Cw8wA-5gxzvxg4xBmmWzkLXaUdCUB_xOXWIiae6rqHo/s1600/millwall+team.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. Millwall FC have a great footballing history and the women's side were the first team ever to affiliate with a professional men's team. Does the team have much involvement with the men's side? For example, going out into the community or using the same training facilities etc.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<b>The men's side have got a lot better in dealing with us, they're a lot more supportive in helping us achieve what we want and wish us well. Playing our home games at The Den next season is massive for us. We've only ever played there once in a season, so playing more regularly down there would be great. We get to watch their home games and recently we have been doing some promotional work with them, which is good. </b><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. What does the future hold for you Dionne, in terms of continuing playing? Would you like to get into coaching at all?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></strong><strong>I hope I have a couple of more seasons left in me if I stay injury free. Coaching is definitely something I'd like to get involved in. I know Millwall are trying to sort me out with some coaching so I can get my badges and hopefully be able to give something back to the club.</strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. Who do you see as your football idol/hero? And what advice would you give to any young aspiring footballers?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></strong>
<strong>Well I'm an Arsenal fan, so it's got to be Thierry Henry for me. Just his whole attitude to the game, he always plays with a smile on his face and is obviously a great player. In terms of advice, I'd just say enjoy it. Work hard at training, play with a smile and get the most out of it that you can.</strong><br />
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Thanks for your answers Dionne, best of luck for the new season.</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-28916674300598079122014-03-06T17:59:00.000+00:002014-03-06T18:05:53.480+00:00<div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.watfordladiesfc.com/news/article.php?article=547"target="_blank">Watford's new signing Gemma Bryan</a> talks to SOTB about Watford's season ahead in the FA WSL second tier. With past experiences playing for Millwall, Charlton and LA Strikers, Gemma's goal scoring ability is sure to boost Watford's chances once she regains her full fitness.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh527IhYs1BNFSD1fTIpVrd-rz9yRVIYE4WOr6r3KVpAaWFPsIUQKco4mRhiWf5tBiNIELmSY1TjYNxnR0KSh966u31ZUZ-suVN979iwaXxr0P-YQPMQpr7AKVD1pqqtDXSOwBeHh4jN00/s1600/gemma+bryan+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh527IhYs1BNFSD1fTIpVrd-rz9yRVIYE4WOr6r3KVpAaWFPsIUQKco4mRhiWf5tBiNIELmSY1TjYNxnR0KSh966u31ZUZ-suVN979iwaXxr0P-YQPMQpr7AKVD1pqqtDXSOwBeHh4jN00/s1600/gemma+bryan+copy.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; margin: 12px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. How are you personally, and as a club, looking forward to new challenge of the FA WSL season ahead? </span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</span></b></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I'm doing well, training hard in rehab and looking forward to competing in the WSL for <u></u>Watford<u></u>. I think all the girls are excited about the new league and the fresh challenge it will present.</b></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><br />
</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. In 2010/11, you helped secure promotion with Charlton and won the top scorer award. Was that the highlight of your career would you say? And do you think you can have the same impact at <u></u>Watford<u></u> once back to full fitness?</span><u></u><u></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</span></b></span></div></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That was a great achievement, I think so far that is my greatest success in football. Hopefully I can add some experience, we've a young and very talented squad so I hope I can have an impact once fully fit.<u></u><u></u></b></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Q. Are there any teams you see as rivals in the league? Especially with your old club Millwall in the same division. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It will be very interesting this season, and very competitive, there have been plenty of signings happening throughout the league and the clubs have had a long time to prepare for the forthcoming season. Millwall have a decent set up and they've added some good players to their squad so it will be an interesting opening fixture.</b></span><br />
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</b></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFwOMjQJSGZ_5O2L3E9ZdE9VnX5txCVOWR98CFp3plYluKz06o-0eqHzHf4-E_oHCO8s5Pce1ImwGtIBD66ewBmOq0GX0IR-bmBXE7Qbzg4A2FuQI-q30946Jx_iHGP3fNgRkjFQc_Wc/s1600/watford+team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFwOMjQJSGZ_5O2L3E9ZdE9VnX5txCVOWR98CFp3plYluKz06o-0eqHzHf4-E_oHCO8s5Pce1ImwGtIBD66ewBmOq0GX0IR-bmBXE7Qbzg4A2FuQI-q30946Jx_iHGP3fNgRkjFQc_Wc/s1600/watford+team.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. You once signed for the LA Strikers but your time there was cut short due to injury. Do you think one day you may want to return to the States?</span> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I hope so! The injury prevented me from playing, so it's something I'd like to be able do again one day. </b></span><br />
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</b></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBphjnvjsu5fRkUMnUBwbItExzvepCu10ukMdZwdI7FxP4IN9z4EzFP1QIopLNTW-tRa-7m2QxUhq8pUsLu55NsYSnyxzOLEWvGMjzioG2KYxO4TaoU2h5gjGxTZ95DfrZxIvqD6z040/s1600/watford+players.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBphjnvjsu5fRkUMnUBwbItExzvepCu10ukMdZwdI7FxP4IN9z4EzFP1QIopLNTW-tRa-7m2QxUhq8pUsLu55NsYSnyxzOLEWvGMjzioG2KYxO4TaoU2h5gjGxTZ95DfrZxIvqD6z040/s1600/watford+players.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. Does the team have much involvement with the men's side? For example, going out into the community or using the same training facilities etc.</span> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It's been different at every club. At <u></u>Watford<u></u> we have some team meetings at Vicarage Road and a team photo shoot. I think there is a good set up as a club here with both the men's and women's teams. I've not been here long enough to see too much so far.</b></span><br />
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</div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. With the second tier being created for the FA WSL and more matches being shown on TV, positive steps are happening in women's football. How does this feel for the players to see the game developing more and being invested in?</span><u></u><u></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</span></b></span></div></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It's important not just for women's football, but for women's sports all together. There should be no reason why women shouldn't be able to compete at a professional level full time. Women's football has been spoken about for a long time in <u></u><u></u>England<u></u><u></u> so I think players competing deserve some recognition and coverage.<u></u><u></u></b></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Inv62g76dKijq26UDdenDyhcC5gvNXXYJ0EBJXmsiJVvVdadrb5Oj59TnF2d1FNmS6EERshgREdpnKViW_4EYbN0YjYfPIPdHupXGYZTs6TR9zlD9m3lFQ24qgSsQpHU_JyyVKxAoMA/s1600/gb+posing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Inv62g76dKijq26UDdenDyhcC5gvNXXYJ0EBJXmsiJVvVdadrb5Oj59TnF2d1FNmS6EERshgREdpnKViW_4EYbN0YjYfPIPdHupXGYZTs6TR9zlD9m3lFQ24qgSsQpHU_JyyVKxAoMA/s1600/gb+posing.jpg" height="200" width="147" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="line-height: 18pt;">Q. You're a qualified personal trainer and a model</span><span style="line-height: 18pt;"> for <a href="http://www.wathletic.com/profile/gemma-bryan/small/?" target="_blank">W Athletic</a>, do you find it hard juggling your time between those and football?</span></span><span style="line-height: 18pt;"> </span></b></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It's difficult, to juggle work between games and training, recovery is important, and sometimes you have to get used to feeling tired!! </b></span><span style="line-height: 18pt; text-align: center;"> </span></div></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwT8NfwP3fRZq876W9rJuTj7YkthkgWrDkdVAIh1VM5DcEGfMD1zbek18EIW9-Wgn8nyzefYtFQqiiNvjridz98Vz4i9_EFOp_9WmiYwz9qeAFbCBwuNNFRGbYUnHVGyn8tNDnj1Y-ao/s1600/gb+posing+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwT8NfwP3fRZq876W9rJuTj7YkthkgWrDkdVAIh1VM5DcEGfMD1zbek18EIW9-Wgn8nyzefYtFQqiiNvjridz98Vz4i9_EFOp_9WmiYwz9qeAFbCBwuNNFRGbYUnHVGyn8tNDnj1Y-ao/s1600/gb+posing+2.jpg" height="200" width="147" /></a></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</span></b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. What does the future hold for you Gemma, in terms of continuing playing? Would you like to get into coaching or refereeing at all?</span> </b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I'd like to play as long as I'm physically able to compete at a high standard. The idea of coaching interest me.. Defiantly not refereeing though! </b></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Q. And finally, who do you see as your football idol/hero? And what advice would you give to any young girls wanting to become footballers?</span> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Robin Van Persie! This still, coming from an arsenal fan! I think he's a great professional and a player who has developed his game every year. <u></u><u></u></b></span></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My advice to young girls wanting to become female football players is to believe in your own ability and work hard. Hard work always pays off. </b></span><span style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><u></u><u></u></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Many thanks for your answers Gemma, good luck for the new season.</b></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15891667609808746979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5027107445466373735.post-39638537694151734732014-02-27T15:52:00.001+00:002014-02-27T16:00:57.480+00:00Iran's Sexist Football Issues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: justify;">Think back to your earliest football memory, the first time you watched a game on TV, in the stands, or the first time you kick a ball...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me,
it was aged five, I got my first ever full kit with my brothers. Unfortunately,
it was a Manchester United replica and my mother had to sew the badges on. We
spent all our childhood freely playing at the local parks from sunrise to
sunset. As for spectating, it wasn't until I was 7 years old that I vaguely
recall watching England playing at Euro 1996. My first real memories of live
football on TV though, were from the 1998 France World Cup. I'll never forget Ronaldo
and Brazil were immense, there was the legend that is Zidane, and of course,
Michael Owen's wonder goal against Argentina. Wow! I had never seen such
excitement and passion, such skill and team spirit over that magical
tournament. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">The chance to watch a professional match didn't come until I was
14, Middlesbrough vs Arsenal in the Premier League. I had formed a new
friendship at high school in North Yorkshire, with Hannah, she was a Boro season ticket holder (in
fact she still is to this day, even in their current decline). She promised
that she'd always take me to Arsenal games when they were playing up north, it
was like a dream come true. And so she did, although it didn't last long, as a
few years later Middlesbrough were relegated and since haven't returned to the
top flight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">But never mind, I've managed to see plenty more games since then,
including over in America and more recently at the Olympics. I
still have souvenir pictures, ticket stubs and matchday programmes
from them all. But more importantly, it's the memories that last
forever-walking through turnstiles, climbing the steps with fellow supporters,
soaking up the atmosphere in the crowd. Nothing beats the real thing, seeing
your heroes in the flesh and witnessing your team play through 90 minutes of
the game you love. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">Due to the general costs of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">matchday</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"> experiences, I've never made
it a regular occurrence to go to live games. I'd much rather be down the pub on
a Saturday afternoon winding up the locals with my football "banter"
and watching all the scores come in. But no matter where you watch football, as
long as you have a love for the game, you go through the trials and
tribulations of being a fan. The tearing out of your hair when your team loses
or jumping on the furniture when your team scores. Nothing beats those moments
of passion, sharing it with others and doing it all over again the next
weekend. That's my brief recollection of a growing passion for the
beautiful game, the experiences I've had so far and no doubt millions of fans like
me around the world have their own unique stories I'm sure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Football is the
most popular sport in the world and unites people of all backgrounds. But what
about those people not as fortunate as ourselves? Those people who have to
fight for the privilege of playing? Those people who are beaten for wanting to
enjoy the same sport that the rest of us take for granted? The story I
want to share with you, is that of Iranian women. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Iran has a national women's side, yet by law, the country doesn't allow female fans to watch men's games. Equally, it doesn't allow men to watch the women's games. Iranians have started an <a href="https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_End_Ban_on_Female_Fans_Stadiums_for_All/">online campaign</a> against the ban on women in stadiums, including the use of social media via <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23IRWomenStadium&src=typd">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hoozoorzanan.staduim">Facebook</a>. The ban has been in place for over 30 years since the Islamic revolution, with many believing football stadiums are a dangerous environment for women. Those who chose to demonstrate against it, do so at risk as the use of social media and demonstrating is not allowed in Iran.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking to the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24873611">BBC</a>, Nasrin Afzali says: "We are part of the nation - so we should participate in these national celebrations." She has been involved in campaigning since she was a university student 10 years ago. Once, she managed to smuggle her way into the national football stadium to watch a game. Another time she was not so lucky - and says she was detained and beaten for handing out leaflets.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C1lyWgui8n_Xg79toT8cN0CNcgZvFzPeN3Ee3c9YUXmH7SPQ_JvZ_dJMEav44JB49pwYQA19pX83iXfRZ36JQKPZx8nZ8RvyHyE62FTqo-OnRreJMOBkC3lkrVyysBABaSIWyMILfcg/s1600/Offside-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PvsJue2cftkwHNrqz_mOQou1k25LWqUknJz-E_klCU7Sa0B9lbyjb2YAU3Ly7PhyphenhyphenglLvLTIQmzziq6jxRIQvH1ShateDlGMGFA4Dq6_kUYPN4xQWZLrBFj0hC7HxO2NfJ-bo7LtkRqM/s1600/_71002625_getty170808959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PvsJue2cftkwHNrqz_mOQou1k25LWqUknJz-E_klCU7Sa0B9lbyjb2YAU3Ly7PhyphenhyphenglLvLTIQmzziq6jxRIQvH1ShateDlGMGFA4Dq6_kUYPN4xQWZLrBFj0hC7HxO2NfJ-bo7LtkRqM/s1600/_71002625_getty170808959.jpg" height="128" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some women have gone to the extent of dressing as men to try and sneak into stadiums. Film director, Jafar Panahi, illustrates these struggles in the 2006 comedy film '<a href="http://www.sonyclassics.com/offside/index.html">Offside</a>'. The film was inspired by Panahi's daughter who attended a game and screening of the film wasn't allowed in Iran. On <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/apr/25/iran.gender">April 24th 2008, President Ahmadinejad ordered the ban to be lifted on women attending football games</a>, however this decision later got reversed by other senior figures. Four years later, Iran hosted the Asian Football Confederation U-16 championships in 2012, which gave women the chance to go along and watch matches due to AFC rules against discrimination amongst spectators based on gender.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More recently, FIFA president <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_DWdWkAzD0">Sepp Blatter spoke up</a> regarding the matter after a two day trip to Tehran. Prior to the visit in November 2013, Iranians used the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23IRWomenStadium&src=typd&f=realtime">#IRWomenStadium</a> to get in touch with Blatter via social media, requesting that he raised the issues with authorities in Iran. Speaking afterwards he further added: <span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: justify;">"You have developed so much women's football here, that it should say that women also can go to the stadium."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">It's not the first time </span>FIFA<span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> have had involvement with Iranian football. The women's team were were briefly banned in 2011 for wearing </span>Hijabs<span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">. The national team have again been in the media spotlight in February 2014, after it was revealed that </span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2555602/Iranian-women-footballers-required-undergo-gender-testing-four-players-national-womens-team-revealed-men.html" style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">four players in their women's team were actually men</a><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">. The Iran professional women's league now have to carry out random gender verification tests on players. Women's football is becoming increasingly popular in Iran ever since the Iranian revolution in 1979. More has been done since to develop the sport within the country, including organised </span>amateur<span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> competitions and now the national team competes at an international level. Although there is still room to improve, as female players are still not allowed to train on pitches of good quality, even the 40,000 </span>seater <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azadiye_Stadium" style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Azadiye Stadium</a><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> that was being built for the women's national team, due to be completed in 2009, remains unfinished.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: justify;">Iran isn't the only country to have these issues, however recent media coverage is raising awareness and it can only be a positive step forward for women's rights and football. </span><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: justify;">Think back to my request at the top of this page.....those football memories you have. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Millions of children across the globe never get those memories, especially females. I refer to previous articles I've wrote such as '</span></span><a href="http://shesontheball.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/the-mighty-girls.html" style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: justify;">The Mighty girls</a><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">' and '</span></span><a href="http://shesontheball.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/the-beautiful-game.html" style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: justify;">The Beautiful game</a><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">' which highlight the levels of abuse, discrimination and poverty that women in deprived countries face. Their common escape from all these problems is the joy that being able to enjoy participating and watching football brings them. So the next time you see one of these articles or petitions fighting for the rights of those worse off from yourself, please read and share it. You never know who you might be helping and what positive effect you may be having on someone else's life. </span></span></span></div>
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