England women's national football team

Lionesses can return home with pride – but here’s what the FA needs to do to win with the stars of the future

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

England reached the 2023 Women’s World Cup final but couldn’t overcome a Spanish side who were tactically intelligent and dominant in possession, losing 0-1.

Key Points:

England reached the 2023 Women’s World Cup final but couldn’t overcome a Spanish side who were tactically intelligent and dominant in possession, losing 0-1.
But vocal support for the Lionesses was unwavering as the minutes counted down and devastation looked increasingly likely.
Fans roared when goalkeeper Mary Earps saved a potentially game-killing second-half penalty and held their breath when star performer Alex Greenwood received medical attention.

Winning with kids?

Their average age of just under 26 years makes them the youngest England squad to reach a major tournament since 2009.
On the face of this, it seems that both countries have a bright future as these players develop in experience.
But the best national teams in the world are consistently successful at youth as well as senior levels.
The second step is ensuring the structures that girls play in best supports a senior career in professional women’s football.

Investing in youth

The long-term strategy of the Premier League’s elite player performance plan (EPPP) has improved the quality and consistency across audited men’s academies over the past ten years to become a world-class youth development system.
The revamped pathway offers some youth level consistency at the very top.
But as well as improving the professional game, more attention must be paid to the youth system.
Unless there is an overhaul of the youth development system in the women’s game, stories of adversity in our Lionesses will continue – and our ability to consistently produce international tournament-winning squads at youth and senior levels will by no means be a given.

Football world cup: African women make their mark, against all odds

Retrieved on:

Friday, August 4, 2023

3-2, Palace Super Falcons Women's Academy, World cup, Atlas, World, Woman, Goal, Attention, Nigeria women's national football team, England women's national football team, Confederation of African Football, South African Football Association, South Africa women's national soccer team, Arab world, Film industry, Video game, Nightclub, FIFA

That’s three of the top 10 teams from the Fifa world rankings out in the group stage, and the US only runners-up in their group.

Key Points:

That’s three of the top 10 teams from the Fifa world rankings out in the group stage, and the US only runners-up in their group.
This is the first time that three African teams have made it to the second round and a great indicator that the quality of the game is improving.
African teams, among other non-traditional power houses like Colombia and Jamaica, have indeed showed up to unsettle any pre-tournament expectations.

Debutantes cause a stir

This sets up a mouth-watering clash with France, who are in devastating form.
Out of the eight debutantes in Australia and New Zealand, the Atlas Lionesses are the last women standing.
The Moroccan government also deserves credit for investment in a football academy that seeks to produce international quality footballers from both boys and girls.

South Africa overcome pre-tournament chaos

One player who has stood out is Thembi Kgatlana, who has scored twice and assisted on two goals.
The reward for South Africa’s progress is a clash with the Netherlands.

The Super Falcons are flying

The team has surpassed expectations in an extremely difficult Group B to qualify for the last 16 for a second consecutive World Cup.
The underdog Super Falcons drew with Canada 0-0, beat Australia 3-2 and drew with Republic of Ireland 0-0 to emerge runners-up in Group B.
In the process, they edged out the current Olympic champions, Canada, at the group stage of the tournament.

Ready to compete

Zambia have departed the stage with heads held high as they finished third in their group after beating Costa Rica 3-1.
The self-belief and confidence, as well as the technical and tactical astuteness displayed by the African teams, shows that their opponents cannot take them lightly.

Game On, Lionesses Style: Asmodee's Football-Inspired Board Games

Retrieved on:

Friday, July 21, 2023

With these exciting game recommendations, channel the spirit of the Lionesses and hone football prowess right from the living room.

Key Points:

With these exciting game recommendations, channel the spirit of the Lionesses and hone football prowess right from the living room.
Werewolves - The Cunning Playmaker:
Unleash the cunning playmaker within as you delve into the intense game of Werewolves, played by the Men's World Cup squad in Qatar.
Pandemic - The Team Captain:
Emerge as the team captain, leading your elite squad to victory in Pandemic, a cooperative game of strategy and teamwork.
CATAN - The Resourceful Manager:
Become the resourceful manager of the team in CATAN, a game of dominance and strategy.

Why does the FA give the Lionesses less social media support than England's men? It needs to up its game for the Women’s World Cup

Retrieved on:

Friday, July 21, 2023

This needs to change if the men’s and women’s national teams are to be promoted equally.

Key Points:

This needs to change if the men’s and women’s national teams are to be promoted equally.
This was the first study to compare coverage of men’s and women’s teams through their own governing body’s social media accounts.
I analysed a total of 2,942 tweets posted to the FA’s @England and @Lionesses Twitter accounts during the two tournaments.
Social media has provided a way to bypass these traditional media gatekeepers, helping to bridge the gap between men’s and women’s sports.

The Football Ferns’ historic win in the World Cup opener scores another goal for all women’s sport in New Zealand

Retrieved on:

Friday, July 21, 2023

The opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Auckland was a historic moment for women’s sport in New Zealand – and not just because the Football Ferns upset highly-ranked Norway to win one-nil.

Key Points:

The opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Auckland was a historic moment for women’s sport in New Zealand – and not just because the Football Ferns upset highly-ranked Norway to win one-nil.
The previously most-attended football game in New Zealand was between the All Whites and Peru in 2017.
So the World Cup win by the Football Ferns signals an important milestone in New Zealanders’ relationship with the game – and women’s sport in general.

The long game

Women’s football has a long history in New Zealand, dating back to the first decade of the 20th century.
This growth might be attributed to the growing visibility of the women’s game globally.
But efforts by NZF and regional sports organisations have also made the game more accessible and exciting to a wider range of girls and women.

Top down and bottom up

We may also be seeing the fruits of significant government investment through the Sport NZ Women and Girls in Sport strategy.
This long-term initiative has sought to improve opportunities for girls and women to participate in sport, active recreation and play – and to improve conditions for women as athletes and leaders.

Building the legacy

In particular, the number of families with young children – girls and boys – who turned out to watch the Football Ferns dominate a former World Cup champion team suggests new generations will keep building the local game.
The historic opening match will undoubtedly encourage New Zealanders to fill stadiums in Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin over the coming weeks.
Read more:
Will the Matildas and Football Ferns have a home ground advantage?

Women’s football review proposes hard-hitting changes to address ongoing inequalities

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

The review, entitled: raising the bar – reframing the opportunity in women’s football has been eagerly awaited by academics, sports organisations, sports media, football fans, players and coaches alike.

Key Points:

The review, entitled: raising the bar – reframing the opportunity in women’s football has been eagerly awaited by academics, sports organisations, sports media, football fans, players and coaches alike.
The review followed a recommendation made by the fan-led review of football governance (2021) and investigation began in September 2022.
The ten recommendations are detailed and challenging, illustrating the highly intersectional and complex composition of football.

What the report recommends

In particular, to provide freedom to NewCo (the new professional league infrastructure) to make its own decisions.
Also, a dedicated broadcasting space for women’s football is recommended, along with a need to take better care of fans.
The report calls upon the government to uphold its commitment to equal opportunity for girls in school sport and demands more investment for grassroots football, as well.
Finally, the report urges more collaboration between the FA, Premier League and the Football Foundation to ensure facility funding is transparent.

Implementing the recommendations

The ban on women playing on affiliated pitches for 50 years has taken its toll on progression.
The tangible removal of that barrier in the 1970s, however, was not followed by a lifting of the social and cultural stigma and resistance to girls and women playing football.
There will be challenges for implementing the recommendations of the review.
There may be resistance to these recommendations from those in privileged positions (as already seen in relation to recreational sports clubs), but perseverance is key.

‘Gorgeous goal getters’: 1970s media coverage of ‘soccerettes’ was filled with patronising sleaze

Retrieved on:

Sunday, July 16, 2023

Media coverage is important.

Key Points:

Media coverage is important.
But not all media coverage has treated sportswomen with respect.

The first Australia/New Zealand match

The first recognised international soccer game between Australian and New Zealand women was played in October 1979 on a Saturday afternoon in southern Sydney.
The day before the match, a small advertisement appeared on page 68 in the Sydney Sun.
The crowd that attended the match numbered about 200.
Even Heather, who had driven from Canberra to watch the match, could not recall specific details.

Collecting the clippings

The leading men’s soccer player and Australian captain in the 1970s, Johnny Warren, amassed numerous scrapbooks filled with clippings, photographs, programs and fan letters.
We believed there had been little press coverage of women playing soccer in this era, and thought: how could women fill even one scrapbook?
These scrapbooks contained newspaper clippings that belittled, trivialised and sexualised these women and the sport they played.

The sexist, underestimating press

The press coverage had recurring themes around appearance, fashion, body parts (especially eyes, legs and hair), sexual attractiveness, implied sexuality and general unwelcome sleaze.
Even a neutral match report would attract a sub-editor’s headline such as “Gorgeous goal getters” or “Fashion on parade at Australian titles”.
Press photographs were selected to reinforce this view: “Booted ballet”; “Shall we dance – cha, cha, cha”; “Remove the boots and these ladies could be doing the hustle, the bump or any of the other dance crazes sweeping the nation”.
Their opinions mattered most to the press.

Being in the zone

They remind us just how difficult it was for women and girls to navigate a safe space for themselves in soccer in the eyes of the public.
Good football players say they block out noise and play in a bubble – the “zone”.
When we spoke to the players about their scrapbooks, they recalled often feeling uncomfortable in their interactions with the press.

Big Cat Links Roars Onto Springbok Casino This Week!

Retrieved on:

Friday, June 23, 2023

Online, Casino, Gaming, Mobile Entertainment, General Entertainment, Entertainment, Lion, England women's national football team, Open-source video game, Cubs, Gold coin, Life, Cat, Hunting

A 5x3, 50-payline game, Big Cat Links has all the claw marks of a classic.

Key Points:

A 5x3, 50-payline game, Big Cat Links has all the claw marks of a classic.
You can play Big Cat Links from 12th July, where it will be found in the casino lobby – and available via Download, Instant Play and Mobile at the home of slots in South Africa, Springbok Casino.
Daniel Van Wyke, Springbok Casino Manager, said: “A new game… and this one is BIG.
“Big Cat Links is yet another welcome addition to our slot selection.

Women's Football Collab: Relo Metrics unveils new equality platform to "turbocharge" sponsor value for women's football

Retrieved on:

Thursday, March 2, 2023

Fulham F.C., Super League, Strategy, Research, Customer success, School, Female, Risk, Scottish Women's Premier League, Fulham, Burnley F.C., Euro, Social media, Football, National League, England women's national football team, Partnership, Sport, Entertainment

The Women's Football Collab, launched by global sponsorship and media insights platform Relo Metrics , aims to capitalise on investment in women's football following the Lionesses' EURO 2022 triumph, using real-time insights from social media.

Key Points:

The Women's Football Collab, launched by global sponsorship and media insights platform Relo Metrics , aims to capitalise on investment in women's football following the Lionesses' EURO 2022 triumph, using real-time insights from social media.
The value of sponsorships is either not measured at all, or it's bundled wholesale with data from men's teams.
"Our platform is designed to foster the collective spirit of women's football, to ensure we are all benefiting from it.
"By creating the Women's Football Collab, Relo Metrics is helping to drive a conversation around the true value of women's football.

Women's Football Collab: Relo Metrics unveils new equality platform to "turbocharge" sponsor value for women's football

Retrieved on:

Thursday, March 2, 2023

The Women's Football Collab, launched by global sponsorship and media insights platform Relo Metrics , aims to capitalise on investment in women's football following the Lionesses' EURO 2022 triumph, using real-time insights from social media.

Key Points:

The Women's Football Collab, launched by global sponsorship and media insights platform Relo Metrics , aims to capitalise on investment in women's football following the Lionesses' EURO 2022 triumph, using real-time insights from social media.
The value of sponsorships is either not measured at all, or it's bundled wholesale with data from men's teams.
"Our platform is designed to foster the collective spirit of women's football, to ensure we are all benefiting from it.
"By creating the Women's Football Collab, Relo Metrics is helping to drive a conversation around the true value of women's football.