Latest news with #EnglandSevens
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Who is Michelle Ackerley's husband Ben Ryan and how long has she been married to the sports coach and former rugby player?
MICHELLE Ackerley is expecting her first baby with her husband, rugby coach Ben Ryan, just a year after they tied the knot. She posted a series of loved-up photos with Ben on Instagram, along with a picture of their baby scan. Here's what we know about him. 4 Michelle Ackerley had been with Ben Ryan for many years Credit: Instagram / Michelle Ackerley 4 It will be the first child for Michelle and her husband Credit: Instagram / Michelle Ackerley Who is Michelle Ackerley's husband, Ben Ryan? Michelle Ackerley's husband, Ben Ryan, is an English sports coach best known for leading the Fiji sevens rugby team to their historic gold medal win at the 2016 Rio Olympics, which was Fiji's first ever Olympic medal. He was in charge of the team from 2013 to 2016, during which time they claimed their first Dubai 7s title and set a new benchmark with nine tournament wins under his leadership. Before coaching Fiji, Ben had a spell in charge of the England Sevens team. The 53-year-old is now the Performance Director at Premier League football club Brentford. Born on September 11, 1971, he graduated from Loughborough University with a BSc in Sports Science, before going on to earn an MPhil in Education from Cambridge University. While at Cambridge, Ben then played scrum-half for the Varsity Match-winning teams in 1995 and 1996, earning two Blues, and also captained the Light Blues' Sevens side. He ended up playing club rugby with Nottingham and West Hartlepool. However, he began coaching the England Sevens team in 2007, leading them through 67 international tournaments and 378 games, making him the longest-serving coach in the role. Under his leadership, England reached the semi-finals or better 28 times in the HSBC World Series and made the final of the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens, their first in 20 years. He also coached at the 2009 World Cup, 2010 Commonwealth Games, and won the 2011 Junior Commonwealth Games. Inside Morning Live's Michelle Ackerley's rise to fame - and her TV presenter mum who helped catapult her into a household name Ben led England to multiple successes before stepping down in August 2013, when he was replaced by Simon Amor. In September 2013, he became coach of the Fiji Sevens team and quickly made history, leading them to their first-ever Dubai 7s win in just his second tournament. Despite financial struggles within the Fijian Rugby Union, Ryan went unpaid for several months. Under his leadership, Fiji won nine World Sevens Series titles across three seasons, claiming the overall 2014–15 title. In 2016, he guided Fiji to Olympic gold in Rio, the nation's first Olympic medal. Ryan stepped down later that year and was honoured with the Fijian name, Ratu Peni Rayani Latianara, and gifted land in Serua as a mark of gratitude. 4 Ben has been given various accolades in Fiji thanks to his Olympic win Credit: Getty Images He received the country's highest honour when he was made a Companion of the Order of Fiji. He was also featured on the back of a circulating 50 cent coin and on the front of a special $7 commemorative banknote. A year later, the Englishman joined the Welsh Rugby Union as a consultant, after being named coach of the year by the Rugby Union Writers' Club. Ben lives in South West London with his wife and is a proud Brentford supporter. How long has Michelle Ackerley been married to Ben Ryan? In May 2024, Michelle tied the knot with her fiancé Ben, after being engaged since April 2022. Ben had previously been married to Natalie Peck, with their wedding taking place in July 2009. The couple separated in September 2016 and officially divorced on 2 August 2017. They didn't have any children together. 4 She shared a snap of the baby scan Credit: Instagram / Michelle Ackerley Then, on May 6, 2025, Michelle announced on BBC's Morning Live that she's four months pregnant. Speaking on the show, Michelle said: "I still can't quite believe it myself really." Appearing alongside her co-host Gethin Jones, Michelle talked about her husband's calming presence. She said: "He has been so chilled. "The thing is, I'm not really sleeping well at the moment so I've been waking up in the middle of the night at 3am and I've been taking it upon myself to wake Ben up and say this is what we are going to have to get used to!" Michelle went on to discuss her pregnancy in a lengthy Instagram post in which she also addressed her fertility woes. The TV presenter said: "I can't believe it's nearly been a year since getting married and I honestly didn't think 12months on that I'd be writing a post sharing that I'm pregnant…. "I wanted to share though as my journey with endometriosis and infertility is something I finally felt confident to start speaking about more openly last year - realising how many other women were going through similar experiences. "Even at the very start of this year I was gearing up for yet another endo procedure and trying to come to terms with the mental & physical impact they can have. "It has been quite the emotional rollercoaster. "The news of falling pregnant really came as a massive surprise to both of us. We still can't quite believe it. "And so in October, the start of a new chapter begins for @benryan7s and I, albeit with nervous and cautious excitement."
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Who is Michelle Ackerley's husband Ben Ryan and how long has she been married to the sports coach and former rugby player?
MICHELLE Ackerley is expecting her first baby with her husband, rugby coach Ben Ryan, just a year after they tied the knot. She 4 Michelle Ackerley had been with Ben Ryan for many years Credit: Instagram / Michelle Ackerley 4 It will be the first child for Michelle and her husband Credit: Instagram / Michelle Ackerley Who is Michelle Ackerley's husband, Ben Ryan? He was in charge of the team from 2013 to 2016, during which time they claimed their first Dubai 7s title and set a new benchmark with nine tournament wins under his leadership. Before coaching Fiji, Ben had a spell in charge of the England Sevens team. The 53-year-old is now the Performance Director at Premier League football club Brentford. Read more Rugby Union news Born on September 11, 1971, he graduated from Loughborough University with a BSc in Sports Science, before going on to earn an MPhil in Education from Cambridge University. While at Cambridge, Ben then played scrum-half for the Varsity Match-winning teams in 1995 and 1996, earning two Blues, and also captained the Light Blues' Sevens side. He ended up playing club rugby with Nottingham and West Hartlepool. However, he began coaching the England Sevens team in 2007, leading them through 67 international tournaments and 378 games, making him the longest-serving coach in the role. Most read in Rugby Union Under his leadership, England reached the semi-finals or better 28 times in the HSBC World Series and made the final of the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens, their first in 20 years. He also coached at the 2009 World Cup, 2010 Commonwealth Games, and won the 2011 Junior Commonwealth Games. Inside Morning Live's Michelle Ackerley's rise to fame - and her TV presenter mum who helped catapult her into a household name Ben led England to multiple successes before stepping down in August 2013, when he was replaced by Simon Amor. In September 2013, he became coach of the Fiji Sevens team and quickly made history, leading them to their first-ever Dubai 7s win in just his second tournament. Despite financial struggles within the Fijian Rugby Union, Ryan went unpaid for several months. Under his leadership, Fiji won nine World Sevens Series titles across three seasons, claiming the overall 2014–15 title. In 2016, he guided Fiji to Olympic gold in Rio, the nation's first Olympic medal. Ryan stepped down later that year and was honoured with the Fijian name, Ratu Peni Rayani Latianara, and gifted land in Serua as a mark of gratitude. 4 Ben has been given various accolades in Fiji thanks to his Olympic win Credit: Getty Images He received the country's highest honour when he was made a Companion of the Order of Fiji. He was also featured on the back of a circulating 50 cent coin and on the front of a special $7 commemorative banknote. A year later, the Englishman joined the Welsh Rugby Union as a consultant, after being Ben lives in South West London with his wife and is a proud Brentford supporter. How long has Michelle Ackerley been married to Ben Ryan? In May 2024, Ben had previously been married to Natalie Peck, with their wedding taking place in July 2009. The couple separated in September 2016 and officially divorced on 2 August 2017. They didn't have any children together. 4 She shared a snap of the baby scan Credit: Instagram / Michelle Ackerley Then, on May 6, 2025, Michelle announced on BBC's Morning Live that she's four months pregnant. Speaking on the show, Michelle said: "I still can't quite believe it myself really." Appearing alongside her co-host She said: "He has been so chilled. "The thing is, I'm not really sleeping well at the moment so I've been waking up in the middle of the night at 3am and I've been taking it upon myself to wake Ben up and say this is what we are going to have to get used to!" Michelle went on to discuss her pregnancy in a lengthy Instagram post in which she also addressed her fertility woes. The TV presenter said: "I can't believe it's nearly been a year since getting married and I honestly didn't think 12months on that I'd be writing a post sharing that I'm pregnant…. "I wanted to share though as my journey with endometriosis and infertility is something I finally felt confident to start speaking about more openly last year - realising how many other women were going through similar experiences. "Even at the very start of this year I was gearing up for yet another endo procedure and trying to come to terms with the mental & physical impact they can have. "It has been quite the emotional rollercoaster. "The news of falling pregnant really came as a massive surprise to both of us. We still can't quite believe it. "And so in October, the start of a new chapter begins for @benryan7s and I, albeit with nervous and cautious excitement."
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
England wing Wilcock signs new Quins contract
England wing Beth Wilcock has signed a new contract with has represented England Sevens and was part of the 2021 Six Nations 24-year-old has scored 15 tries since making her debut in the famous quarters in finished third in the Premiership Women's Rugby table last season but were beaten by London rivals Saracens in the semi-finals."Quins is such a special club to me and we really have something magical here," she told the club's website, external. "I'm honoured to stay at the club and can't wait to create more magic next season."
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Gladiator Fury takes on World Coal Carrying Championships
Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley was only three years old when she watched in awe as her dad trudged through the garden with an enormous sack of coal slung over his did she know that it was part of his training for the annual World Coal Carrying Championships, but that did not stop her to join in, she grabbed a sack of carrots instead and sprinted around the kitchen - her own mini version of the won the children's race five times at the West Yorkshire event, the former rugby union player is now setting her sights on the women's event. Monday's event in Gawthorpe, near Ossett, sees runners haul sacks of coal across a distance of 3,320ft (1,012m).Traditionally, men carried 7st 12lb (50kg) sacks of coal and women carried 3st 2lb (20kg) from the Royal Oak pub to the village's Maypole known to many as Fury for her role on the BBC One show Gladiators, is looking forward to the challenge, albeit a little apprehensively."I'm just thinking 'what am I getting myself into?'," the 24-year-old says."You're uncomfortable straight away because you've got this awkward bag of coal on you, you've got your arms up and try running. "I think you take for granted when you're running, you can use your arms for momentum, but then having them up here, it's just awkward."She adds: "Basically, it's just whoever can cope with being uncomfortable for the longest." Two weeks ago the former England Sevens player set a new Guinness World Record at Thornes Park Athletic Stadium in Wakefield, running 50m while carrying a bag of coal in just 8.06 her success and sporting background, she says Monday's challenge would be about endurance and much more of a "mental battle"."With the Guinness World Record, that's a flat out dash, run as fast as you can - and that's what I'm most suited to, I'm more explosive and sort of power-related."I've had to do a lot more training to get in a good position to do well [in the championships], which I've absolutely loved because it's challenged me."Jodie attended the event in 2024 as a spectator to support her father Phil, a former winner of the men's open race in the time, she said she hoped to return to take part herself. When asked which Gladiator she would like to see attempt the race, she says: "I'd love to see, Jamie, who's known as Giant. "He's just an absolute unit, it would just be amazing for kids to see him powering up that hill."She adds: "It's such a unique event. You're literally running with a sack of coal on your shoulders, it's just so bizarre. "But the feeling you get from it, I'd love for anyone to experience that." As part of the race, Jodie is raising funds for The Elizabeth Foundation, which provides education services for babies and preschool children with all degrees of who is profoundly deaf and was fitted with a cochlear implant at a young age, credits their support for shaping who she is charity's deputy CEO, Karen Paine BEM, says they are proud Jodie - now their patron - will be taking part in this year's championship and she will be "cheering her on every step of the way"."As our patron, Jodie – along with her family – has been giving back to the charity for many years, helping us support even more families with young deaf children across the UK, including those in Yorkshire," she says."She really is a true role model –for deaf individuals of any age, and most definitely for The Elizabeth Foundation's deaf children, parents, alumni, volunteers and staff."Jodie's dad Phil will not be competing this year - it is his turn to watch his daughter from the side lines, as she trades that bag of carrots for the real to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
