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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Didn't bag Oasis tickets? Definitely maybe check out this independent Dublin festival instead
The Works Festival, in the CIÉ Hall at Inchicore's Sports and Social Club, is offering up everything from live music acts and cheap pints to a céilí and an art market over two days this weekend. Promoter Adam Kelly told the Irish Independent that all acts set to perform are unsigned and have come through the weekly open mic he runs in the Board venue on Clanbrassil Street in Dublin city. "They are not on the bigger stages yet, but in previous years we have had the likes of the Onion Boys and Shakalak who have gone on to do bigger things,' Mr Kelly said. Music acts include instrumental funk band Chief Keegan, emerging Irish indie rockers Dominda, pixie-indie singer songwriter RVE and folk artist Kenan Flannery, along with spoken word from The Vagabond Queen. Guests will also be treated to a live podcast from the Slim & Light podcast duo. With drinks priced much lower than many pubs in the city centre, you'd soon forget about the Oasis gigs this weekend. "The social club is a non-profit organisation, and any money that they make goes back into the club. So they're able to keep the price of a pint a lot cheaper than you get in the city centre. The last time I checked, the price of a pint was €5,' he said. The CIÉ Hall also has a great history, and was the site where locomotives were serviced before being moved to Heuston Station, and is now a social club for retired Iarnród Eireann workers. 'The Works itself is the name of the building, and that's why we used it again in the festival, a nod to the past and all we have going on at the festival at the moment too,' Mr Kelly said. "Unfortunately, we had our dates booked before Oasis announced their gig. 'But hopefully, people who couldn't manage to get tickets, a bit like myself, will come down to us.' The festival will run this Friday and Saturday, and to find out more, check out @theworksfestival on Instagram. Tickets are €30 for both days or €20 for one and are available here. Other gigs being held in Dublin this weekend include Belfast punk Stiff Little Fingers at the Academy on Friday at 7pm. This follows their previous sold-out headline gig last August. The Bernard Shaw is also hosting a block party this Saturday and Sunday, the first in a series of day-into-night parties it's hosting. Each day, the festivities will kick off at 12pm, with an emphasis on electronic music. Saturday will see performances from DJs including Óptimo Espacio and Phil Hartnoll of Orbital. Declan McKenna will perform on Sunday, as well as DJ Clint Boon and more. For more information, check out
Telegraph
07-08-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Why football can help teen girls win on and off the pitch
Watching the Lionesses at this summer's Euros, one thing is obvious: the camaraderie. These women have a genuine bond; they're friends who work together towards a common goal. It's inspiring to those of us watching at home. This isn't something that's unique to the England women's team. According to academics, coaches and psychologists, the positive impacts of being part of a football squad and forging friendships with team-mates can boost confidence, resilience and self-esteem in teenage girls, equipping them with tools to handle the turbulence of adolescent life. Research by EE, lead partner of the Home Nations Football Associations, shows that being part of a football network can significantly reduce the negative impact that social media has on teenage girls' self-esteem and confidence – and not just because they can't be on their phone when they're on the pitch. Even the basics – pre-match rituals, singing or chanting, wearing the same kit and travelling together – help to build bonds that create confidence and reduce the feelings of isolation many teen girls can feel, hidden away in their bedrooms. EE has itself just launched EE Squad, an initiative that helps girls build confidence and inner strength through football. 'Being part of a football team creates shared purpose and identity,' says Adam Kelly, professor of sport and exercise at Birmingham City University. 'Girls get a sense of belonging and develop friendships in which they're working towards a common aim. That helps to foster strong bonds, confidence and character.' In a world of impossible beauty standards and a lack of role models, these friendships can be game-changing. Dr Clare Yassin 'There's a big leap between childhood and adolescence in terms of self esteem, which usually drops,' says child clinical psychologist Dr Clare Yassin. 'But if you're in a stable social group that's supported by committed adults, as in team sports, it helps you evaluate your worth differently and silence your inner critic, which is loud during adolescence. Social media is full of messaging about beauty and being thin, whereas in team sports it's more about strength, skill and problem solving, so they're more likely to value a range of qualities in themselves.' The life skills that girls learn together on a team – resolving conflict, coping with setbacks, seeing how others cope with wins and losses, receiving honest feedback from team-mates – can help build emotional resilience and set them up for the future. 'They're less likely to feel ridiculed or rejected when things go wrong, because it's within the safety of a team and a group of people they feel secure within,' says Dr Yassin. 'The mental health trajectory of children who are more resilient is more positive, especially when you look to the future. If they're faced with a challenge, are they going to try to cope alone or reach out to a friend? If you've had positive team experiences at a young age you're much more likely to trust in others and lean on them.' It also helps girls to counter damaging stereotypes around female friendship. 'Those dominant narratives – that teenage girls are catty – are just stories and not truths,' says Dr Yassin. 'Actually, girls can work really well in teams, just like boys, and they need opportunities to collect evidence of that.' Annabel Weber 'Part of football is being with other people,' agrees Annabel Weber, community lead and coach at Bloomsbury Football in London. 'I think that's why football does see so much camaraderie: the sheer number of hours spent together in all weathers and quality social time in a way that you can't often access with the other pressures of life. 'Today's teenagers haven't grown up in a world where they feel that pressure, so giving them something to care about that isn't based on their physical appearance or what other people expect of them [helps to] shut out that constant noise of pressure, standards and expectations.' And while there may be a lack of suitable role models online, it's hard to say the same in football. 'Coaches and senior players can create opportunities for mentorship, and help girls develop leadership qualities themselves,' says Prof Kelly. 'The main thing is to make sure role models are visible. If I'd asked a group of girls a few years ago who their favourite football player was, many of them would have given a male name. Now you get them talking about the women players, and that's because they can see the games on TV, with full crowds and a high level of play. 'It also brings people together from diverse cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. That teaches empathy, respect, co-operation and builds social bridges to help girls develop emotional intelligence.' 'The fun is being there every week and seeing your friends – you don't have to be good to play,' Weber adds. 'At grassroots [level] that's the most important thing.' Claire Cohen is the author of
Qatar Tribune
18-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Airways partners with IMG to launch Sport 24 via Starlink
DOHA: Qatar Airways has partnered with IMG, a leading global sports marketing agency, to launch a next-generation in-flight sports streaming experience exclusively available on the airline's Starlink-connected aircraft. For the first time, passengers will be able to enjoy high-definition coverage of Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra – IMG's premium live sports channels for the airline and cruise industries, via a dedicated web player on their personal electronic devices, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action at 35,000 feet. Cementing its position as an industry-leading digital innovator, Qatar Airways is the first global airline to offer Sport 24 as an integrated live sports streaming experience, powered by Starlink's high-speed internet connection. With seamless access on board via mobile, tablet, and laptop, passengers can now watch the world's biggest sporting events live, from the UEFA Champions League to Formula 1, and more. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Eng Badr Mohammed Al Meer, said: 'Our partnership with IMG marks another leap forward in redefining the inflight experience. As the first global airline to introduce Starlink's high-speed connectivity combined with live sports streaming, we are proud to bring passengers closer to the sporting moments that matter most - wherever they are in the world. From football fans to tennis enthusiasts, this new offering ensures our guests never miss a second of the action at 35,000 feet.' IMG President, Adam Kelly, said: 'Live sport is one of the last remaining appointment-to-view events that people prefer to watch in real time. As consumer viewing habits continue to evolve, passengers want more ways to enjoy live sport onboard so they never have to miss a moment of the action. Qatar Airways is now making that a reality for fans traveling anywhere in the world with Sport 24. We're continuing to drive product developments to make Sport 24 available on any international aircraft with connectivity.' Qatar Airways is currently the only airline in the MENA region and one of the few globally to offer the fastest internet in the skies, with broadband speeds comparable to those at home, across both its Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 fleets. As of June 2025, the airline has completed over 12,000 Starlink-connected flights with the entire Boeing 777-300ER fleet fully equipped. Passengers on Starlink-connected flights can access the Sport 24 web player simply by scanning a QR code on board and enjoy seamless access to IMG's premium content offering – the only live sports channels available on commercial airlines today. The launch comes ahead of a packed global sporting calendar available on Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra this summer including; FIFA Club World Cup 2025, UEFA Women's EURO 2025, Wimbledon Championships, the British Open, cricket, Formula 1, and more. The channels, produced at IMG's London studios, were viewed by over 10 million passengers last year and are now more accessible than ever onboard Qatar Airways' state-of-the-art Starlink-connected fleet. The national carrier of the State of Qatar is the Official Airline Partner of UEFA, Formula 1, AFC, Paris-Saint Germain (PSG), FC Internazionale Milano, Tennis Legend – Novak Djokovic, The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), MotoGP, the IRONMAN Triathlon Series, French Rugby Team – Section Paloise, The British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia 2025, The Brooklyn Nets NBA Team, and multiple other disciplines including Australian football, equestrian, motor racing, padel, squash, and tennis.
