Jess Carter proud to help make women's sport more visible
But if women's rugby had enjoyed the stature it does today, she could have lined up for the Red Roses as they go for glory themselves on home soil this summer.
'I loved rugby, I still to this day say I was better at it than football,' said the 27-year-old, as part of a new LG OLED TV collaboration ahead of this summer.
Former England goalkeeper and media pundit, Rachel Brown-Finnis, sat down with two of England's most loved sporting teams, the Lionesses and Red Roses to discuss the upcoming summer of sport (Image: imagecomms)'But it just got to a point where I had to choose between one or the other, and at that time, when I was playing, I think football was developing and progressing at a much quicker rate than what I felt rugby was.
'I think that was why I continued with that, but I used to love playing it.
'It really helped from the team side of helping you to work together as a unit, all being on the same page, for sure.
'Being a defender, it is important that I win all of my individual battles, and that is the same on a rugby pitch. There is definitely a correlation between the two.'
Carter was speaking ahead of a huge summer of sport, and LG is helping the nation get closer to the action with LG OLED TVs.
Both the Lionesses and the Red Roses will be on free-to-air TV across the summer as they chase silverware.
The Red Roses and the Lionesses joined forces to to reflect on some of the nation's most memorable sporting TV moments and the importance of visibility (Image: imagecomms)
And for Carter, visibility is key to make sure that the next generation knows what is possible for them.
She added: 'It is incredible, I would love to have been able to know that I could have been a female rugby player as a profession if I wanted to.
'But I felt like there wasn't really an option, it was just that I was playing women's rugby as a hobby. I didn't even know you could do rugby as a profession.
'Obviously now that is an option, and I think it is really amazing that the Red Roses are paving the way, similar to how we are, and they are now setting the standard.
'They are proving, like we are, that you can play anything you want to and compete at any level you want to.'
Members of the two England women's teams caught up with LG at St George's Park recently as part of the leading TV manufacturer's ongoing partnership with The FA and the RFU. The LG All In Pledge encourages people to engage and watch women's sport. Together we can grow support through fandom and audience numbers to inspire new players to pick up the sport themselves, as watching changes everything. For more information, go to www.lgwomens-sportpledge.com.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Anna Moorhouse ready to step up for England this summer after Earps exit
Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse is yet to make her Lionesses debut, but is confident she is ready to step up after the shock retirement of Mary Earps before the tournament Anna Moorhouse insists her role hasn't changed after the shock retirement of Mary Earps – but is confident she is ready to step up to the plate if required this summer. Moorhouse received her first call-up to the Lionesses squad last summer has been a regular in Sarina Wiegman 's squad since. The Orlando Pride keeper is yet to make her international debut, but 30-year-old is confident her experience elsewhere will stand her in good stead should the call come. 'My role doesn't change that much but I probably have to be a little bit more prepared in case something does happen,' she said, as part of a new LG OLED TV collaboration ahead of this summer. 'I was always prepared for that. 'I would love to get that first cap, it is something I have dreamed of for so many years. I will be ready if it comes, if it doesn't, I will still be ready and I will prepare Hannah in the right way. 'I have a lot of experience that comes with age, seeing so many games and being in different countries, different situations.' Moorhouse will head to Switzerland fresh from the regular NWSL season where her Orlando Pride side are attempting to defend the title they won last November. 'It makes it easier, especially for a goalkeeper,' she added. 'You don't get 10 minutes here, a couple of minutes there. You have to be ready for a full 90 or nothing. 'It helps that if I am called upon, I will be fresh and in the mentality of playing games, so I have that rhythm. My season should be peaking by the time the competition comes around.' Should Moorhouse take the pitch this summer, it will be just reward for a path less taken to the top. The 30-year-old has never represented her country at any age group and spent time in Bordeaux before establishing herself as a top-class No.1 stateside. 'It just shows you don't know how close you are, you don't know when things are going to happen,' she reflected. "A lot of players have the traditional route through the age groups; I have never played for England. 'It just shows that everyone is on their own path, you can't look at other people and compare yourself to them. If you keep working hard, it could happen. 'This time last year, I didn't even know England were interested. I am just going with it and enjoying the time I have. I know I don't have 10 years of playing ahead of me.' The Lionesses will play their part in huge a summer of sport, with rugby's Red Roses and the England women's cricket side also taking on major tournaments. LG is helping the nation get closer to the action with LG OLED TVs and with all of the Lionesses' matches on free-to-air TV, Moorhouse knows first-hand the importance of making sport available to all. 'Growing up we didn't have all the subscriptions, so any game on BBC or ITV was on – it didn't matter what game it was,' she said. "Being able to watch on TV makes it so much more accessible.' Members of the two England women's teams caught up with LG at St George's Park recently as part of the leading TV manufacturer's ongoing partnership with The FA and the RFU. The LG All In Pledge encourages people to engage and watch women's sport. Together we can grow support through fandom and audience numbers to inspire new players to pick up the sport themselves, as watching changes everything. For more information, go to.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Leah Williamson to use Arsenal inspiration with Lionesses after World Cup agony
Leah Williamson led England to success at the Euros in 2022, but the following year she missed out on a place at the World Cup after suffering a knee ligament injury There are plenty of reasons why Leah Williamson is 'hungry' for success when the women's Euros begin in Switzerland. Among them is the fact the Lionesses captain was forced to miss World Cup 2023 with a knee ligament injury. But top of the list is that the 28-year-old defender wants another taste of the unexpected glory she enjoyed with her club at the end of last season. Williamson was magnificent in Arsenal's Champions League final victory over Barcelona last month and that win has made her even more motivated going into the Euros. 'One of the greatest things about being an athlete is when you think you're done, you always have that extra part of yourself that you can tap into,' Williamson says. 'It's the same with winning. When you're winning, you want to bathe in that euphoria, but there's always something else coming. 'The best feeling in the world is being hungry for it and wanting to go again. Being reminded of winning the Champions League and what that felt like makes me feel like I can't wait for the next challenge. 'I kind of forget that we won the Champions League. It's in my head and I'll tap into that if needed.' The Champions League success was a special landmark in Williamson's career, having suffered a cruciate ligament rupture towards the end of the 2022-23 season that kept her out of the World Cup that year. And that cruel setback means Williamson will savour the upcoming Swiss adventure just that little bit more. She explains: 'Personally it's been a rocky period of time with the highest of the highs and lowest of the lows so I try to put that aside. I feel my age, if that makes any sense. I've definitely aged in the last couple of years, for good and bad reasons. 'I missed the last time (World Cup) and I'm very, very grateful to be here again.' Williamson, of course, led England to glory on home soil in Euro 2022 and admits the added expectation created by that triumph means there is a slightly different feeling around the England camp ahead of their tournament opener against France next Saturday. She says: 'Yes, it does feel slightly different. That was such a freeing environment in 2022. Sarina (Wiegman) had been in for a year, everything was really fresh and new, whereas this is a bit more about you needing to be able to discuss a bit and plan and pre-thought. 'But I see a group that's focused and wants to be better all the time. Everyone wants to work hard. Everyone has a good attitude towards the job. 'Playing for England in a tournament, there's nothing that compares. I'm very excited.' England's build-up to Euro 2025 has not been as smooth as Wiegman might have hoped, with goalkeeper Mary Earps announcing a shock retirement from international football and Chelsea defender Millie Bright pulling out of the tournament saying she was 'not able to give 100 percent mentally or physically.' Fran Kirby, who scored twice in England's successful Euro 2022 campaign, also announced she would no longer be available for selection. Williamson admits they will be missed but it says it is a setback the Lionesses can overcome. She says: 'It's tough going out there without the experience they offer but I respect all of them for the decisions they have made and we are a team on a mission. 'We will miss them but we are well-placed to fill that gap … in a different way. No-one will ever be able to do it like those three did it but we will figure it out.'
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
How to get last-minute tickets for Euro 2025 in Switzerland
Euro 2025 will bring a summer of fierce competition and fantastic football. Sixteen teams are set to play across eight venues in Switzerland from 2 to 27 July. In the group stages, defending champions England take on Wales - who are playing in their first international are still available for a range of matches and there's a host of activities outside the games - including fan zones in Switzerland and the you fancy a last-minute trip or want to watch the games at home, here's a complete guide to all the action. Can I still get tickets? Yes, but secure your spot for high-demand matches go on sale daily at 10:00 BST via UEFA's ticketing site, with a limit of 10 tickets per person per game. Prices start at 25 CHF (about £22) and go up to 90 CHF (about £81) for the can access your tickets via the UEFA Mobile Tickets app, which can be downloaded for free by Android and iPhone users. There's also a resale platform where fans can safely resell any tickets purchased - but it's best not to rely on this for the big games. Where in Switzerland? The tournament will take place across eight Swiss cities: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Zurich, St Gallen, Lucerne, Sion, and Thun. The action kicks off in Thun on Wednesday 2 July at 17:00 BST. Expect a breathtaking backdrop of idyllic lakes and mountains. England matches in the group stages will be held across two cities - Zurich and St Gallen. The Lionesses take on France in Zurich on Saturday 5 July and the Netherlands in Zurich on Wednesday 9 we're off to St Gallen for the crunch England v Wales match on Sunday 13 first game will be in Lucerne against the Netherlands on Saturday 5 July, followed by their second game against France in St Gallen on Wednesday 9 July. How do I get there? Flights from London to Zurich start at around £50 to £70 for one person on a one-way ticket on 2 July. Tickets get more expensive over the weekend rising to about £150 plus for a direct one-way flight. From Manchester prices for the most direct flights on 5 July start at about £200. For Cardiff, the cost is even is the best destination for England and Wales fans heading to the games, because Lucerne and St Gallen are a short train ride away. There's also the option of going to Bern or Geneva and travelling on from the car, it's about an 11-hour drive from London to Zurich. The car ferry from Dover to Calais for two people starts at about £85 on 2 July and £100 on 5 July for a one-way trip. If you take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais, prices range from about £140 to £270 on 2 and 5 via Paris or Brussels cost about £310 to £530 and take between seven-and-a-half and 10 hours. Coaches are cheaper, with some routes starting at about £70. But the journey takes more than 20 hours.A very long bike ride from London to Zurich takes about 52 to 60 hours. It costs about £23 to £30 to take your bike on the ferry, not counting the toll it will take on your citizens can travel to Switzerland without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period if the visit is for tourism and sporting events. But double check that the expiry date on your passport is dated at least three months after the day you plan to leave. Where do I stay? Switzerland is known for being a pricey holiday pick. But there's a range of accommodation options for different one of the tournament's main hubs, Zurich is in high demand. Hotel prices start around £210 to £300 per night for two people on key match nights like Saturday 5 July. If you're on a tighter budget, Airbnb prices start from £70 to £200 per night although lots of options involve staying in a room rather than renting a whole St Gallen, hotels for Sunday 13 July range from about £200 to £600. Lots of places are already booked up. The town also offers a variety of Airbnb accommodation, with prices ranging from £50 to £800 for the same dates. Accommodation is still available slightly outside the town, so it's worth checking these spots hotels and Airbnbs stretch your budget, camping is one alternative. Campsites near Zurich and St Gallen offer scenic views and you could look into renting a car or bike to get around. The average cost for an overnight stay at a Swiss campsite is about £20 - £35, though prices vary between locations. How do I get around? Switzerland has good public transport networks, with fast and reliable services between major cities. On match days, public transport is free for ticket holders. Every ticket will be valid on the match day for a second-class round trip between any Swiss locality and the stadium. Switzerland's vast network of trains offer an efficient and scenic way to travel. The SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) has a range of different tickets on their website. There's also Postbus, a bus service connecting rural areas to urban centres, which offers hundreds of journeys via several apps or you can purchase tickets from stations and drivers. If you're planning on staying for a longer break, a Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited travel by train, bus and boat, and is available for three, four, six, eight or 15 consecutive you're feeling more adventurous, there are also plenty of iconic cycle routes across Switzerland. Where do I find fan zones? There will be city centre fan zones across the eight cities where Euro 2025 games are taking place. Organisers have planned a "packed schedule of activities for all ages" with live screenings of matches, concerts, workshops and child-friendly football Zurich, the ZüriFanzone will be right by the main station – with screenings of all the matches, concerts, and workshops. In St Gallen, Marktgasse in the old town will host the fan zone with lunchtime panel talks, street football and live music. In Lucerne, the fan zone is located at Europaplatz next to Lake Lucerne and will offer a range of music, concerts and football zones open on 2 July, the day of the first game. Double check their closing dates on the UEFA event guides. Anything else I should know? The Swiss Franc (CHF) is the official currency in Switzerland. For every pound, it's roughly 1.10 Swiss Francs. In most cases, you can also pay in Euros. A pound is worth roughly € has four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. German is the most widely spoken but English is a common second language for many Swiss is not part of the EU so mobile roaming charges could differ from rates in European countries. Check with your network provider before you travel. One solution is buying a local eSIM to cover you for the tournament. Where to watch in the UK? For fans at home there are events taking place across England and will be watch parties of each England match in the group stages in Birmingham, London and Wales, there will also be lots of watch parties and concerts, including in Swansea, Newport and out for events on social media in your local area as the tournament goes on. How can I watch the games from home? Every match in the UK will be shown either on BBC or ITV, with the final available on both will be live coverage of 16 matches on BBC One, BBC Two and iPlayer with Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Jeanette Kwakye presenting across the tournament. This includes Wales v Netherlands and England v Netherlands on BBC One. France v England, France v Wales and England v Wales will be on Radio, there will be 25 live match commentaries on Radio 5 Live, Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds across the tournament. BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru are covering Wales' games, providing commentary in English and BBC Sport website, app and social media will cover every moment with live match reports, clips, highlights, interviews and there are lots of podcasts to help you get your football fix including Football Daily, featuring interviews with players and managers, and Feast of Football, bringing you all the latest news from Euro 2025.
