Latest news with #Euros2022
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
An 'exciting summer' of women's sport lies ahead
Sitting together, laughing and chatting, at The Oval cricket ground in south London, Ellie Kildunne, Niamh Charles and Sarah Glenn could pass for any other 25-year-olds. But they are professional sportswomen who each have huge summers ahead of them in an England Charles is hoping to help the Lionesses defend their Women's Euros title in Switzerland in July, before Kildunne aims to lift the Women's Rugby World Cup in England in September and Glenn targets Cricket World Cup glory in India in the same sport takes centre stage across the BBC this summer and it is an ideal time to bring the trio together, to compare and contrast stories and hear how preparations are going. How big could this year be for your sport? Footballer Niamh Charles: We know that the expectation is going to be there after winning in 2022. It's such an exciting prospect but it's not the exact same as we're a new team. The women's game is growing so much. All the other teams have got so much better as well. It's about who turns up in the lucky we've had lots of good games before to prepare so I think we're not looking to peak right now, but when it comes to the Euros we're going to hopefully have used all those games to be in the best position from that first game and see what Sarah Glenn: We had a really tough winter [England lost 16-0 to Australia in the Women's Ashes]. We've got the India series coming up this summer at home and those games can be quite chaotic good rivals, we get good crowds in and obviously there will be that pressure for us, it's just a great opportunity to show how good we are and to get those wins and, obviously with Lottie [head coach Charlotte Edwards] coming in and Nat Sciver-Brunt as the new captain too, it will be like a breath of fresh air for the a really exciting summer. I trust in the process and let the outcome take care of union player Ellie Kildunne: People expect a lot from us, being a successful we were expected to win the last World Cup and we didn't, so it is a really huge tournament. Everyone shows up for major tournaments so it doesn't matter what the world's saying about how well they expect us to do, we know there's a lot of work to be fact that people are expecting something massive from us is a very cool and special place to be, but we know that there's work to be done still looking to improve, we can still get better and as long as we can keep striving for better and the best, I think we'll be in a very good spot come this World Cup. When did you decide to become a professional athlete? Kildunne: I played quite a lot of sports growing up and I didn't really know what path to go down, because I just loved playing I was playing rugby for Gloucester, I was also sneaking home on the weekends and playing I got asked to play rugby for England and was given a contract. That's when I knew that it could be a profession, and I could be a full-time really getting into that place now where the game is definitely growing. There's more investment going into it and you can see that professionalism, and how that can really accelerate the growth of the sport. Glenn: I played cricket and hockey. Balancing those two was pretty tough and I did think about which path I wanted to take. I played in the Kia Super League in 2017 and it was my first professional tournament. It was really inspiring because we were getting crowds in and there were young kids coming to watch us, and we could chat to them I picked up my first England contract, even though that was amazing, there wasn't too much structure to the domestic game. There was a huge amount of pressure on that England contract because otherwise I'd have to pick up a job alongside more contracts have come into our domestic league. I can represent England and my county, which I'm really proud to do as well. And that for me was the biggest turning point. No matter who I was, I could make cricket my lifestyle. How much do you look to older team-mates who have seen the progression and professionalism of women's sport? Charles: That's always a conversation. And I would say the generation that's coming through now will have it even better than us, and that's what we're striving for in the women's I speak to Lucy Bronze, she talks of working two jobs and doing loads of different things to get to the professional point now.I see her in meetings, advocating for how much the women's game is growing. The revenues have grown, the investments are growing and she's really at the forefront of that because she's had to women's game has grown and I think 20-year-old Lucy wouldn't believe what it would be now. She's been massive in forcing the women's game to keep up with how it's growing, she's pushing it, but also advocating for what we deserve and making sure that we're growing and it's As a team you don't really see an age. I know that there's girls who have been through two World Cups and for some, this will be their first World Cup. So we do a lot of collaboration of what to do a lot of connection points with the vintage Red Roses on how women's rugby started. We remember the heritage of it and one of our sayings and values that we go for is 'do it for the girls'.It's for the younger generation, the girls in our team and the girls that came before us. And I think that makes what we do a little bit more still got that inner passion to do more than what it is. The game is not just winning, it's much bigger than do it for the girls that came before, but also inspire the next generation and take it to a place beyond where it's ever I was in the crowd when England women won the World Cup in 2017 and I literally went as a big super fan, and was cheering the girls on.I thought it was amazing and I had a moment where I thought 'I really want to be a part of this' - because at that point I was training hard, but I didn't know if I could quite make it.I was involved with the England junior academies and then when I started training with the senior girls, I was training with Heather [Knight], and Katherine [Sciver-Brunt], who were a part of that World seen where the game was and where it is now, and how much they've grown the game. They really took me in as a youngster and now I feel like I've started to become one of the senior players, which is really weird to say. It's amazing to see that path grow. All aged 25 and in your prime? Kildunne: It was weird when I got World Player of the Year at 24 [years old]. I kind of didn't want it then because I didn't feel like I was at my best yet, and I still don't.I feel like I'm learning game to game where I can improve and get better. You can always get better. I don't think I'm ever going to be at the peak. I'd hope to never be at the peak of my game because I think you can always The last day before I retire, I should hopefully be at my best. I'd know everything, I'll have been around the block and I think every day I'm learning different margins about myself, like how I can get better in little things. So I like to tell myself as I get older that I'm just hopefully getting better and better. The best is yet to come, I've definitely learned how I go about things. In terms of my actual game, I feel like there's still so much more in me to give.
New York Times
3 days ago
- General
- New York Times
England's Fran Kirby retires from international football before Euro 2025
England midfielder Fran Kirby has retired from international football with immediate effect. Kirby, now of Brighton & Hove Albion, has made her decision, she says, after being told by England manager Sarina Wiegman she would not be included in the squad for the European Championship, which begins next month. Advertisement Wiegman will confirm her group for the tournament in Switzerland on Thursday. Kirby was selected by Wiegman for the Nations League matches with Portugal and Spain and made what will now be her final national team appearance as a second-half substitute on Friday. She wasn't part of the squad for Tuesday evening's defeat to the world champions. Announcing her retirement on social media after the game, Kirby wrote: 'After being in the England team since I was 21, it's time to close that chapter of my life. I didn't ever want this day to come, but I cannot tell you how proud I am that it happened. 'It's been the biggest honour to represent my country, one that I had only dreamt about as a young girl. I've played with incredible players, worked with some incredible managers, played in some amazing tournaments, and have some irreplaceable memories.' Thank you @Lionesses ❤️ — Fran Kirby (@frankirby) June 3, 2025 Kirby leaves the international stage after winning 77 caps. She was a key player as England's women won a first international tournament at a home Euros in 2022, but missed out on the World Cup in 2023 — where England reached the final — with a knee injury. 'My journey has been full of ups and downs, setbacks and achievements,' Kirby continued. 'Enough has been said and written about those, but regardless of whatever was thrown at me, I want you all to know that every time I put on that England badge I gave 100 per cent. Every single call up, I accepted my role and did whatever was needed for the team. I wanted England to win. I've always been there to help England win. 'My mum had a dream of me representing my country, and I'm so proud I was able to do that and play in front of you all. I will never, ever forget the noise when my name is read out at a stadium. I was first selected when I was playing in WSL 2, I played a part in the game-changing World Cup, winning bronze in 2015, creating some memories of a lifetime. Advertisement 'Starting in every game and winning the Euros in 2022 was a dream come true, to be a part of change in women's football was one of the best experiences I could have ever imagined. Thank you to you all, for embracing me as a young girl from Reading who had a dream. I hope you all know, wearing that badge was the greatest honour. To every young girl that suffers setbacks, just remember you can. You can. Forever a Lioness, Fran'. Wiegman praised Kirby's 'incredible contribution' to the national team. 'Fran has given so much to England and has been an inspiration to so many for what she has achieved on and off the pitch. I have loved working with her, she is an amazing player and a great person,' she said. 'I fully understand her decision to say goodbye at this point in her wonderful career, and we will always be grateful for her incredible contribution to the team. 'I am just happy that she will continue to show her top ability in club football. Fran is a unique talent and plays football in a way that excites the fans and has earned the respect of all who have played with and against her. We will miss her of course and I look forward to the chance to honour her in the right way later this year.' Kirby follows Mary Earps in calling time on her international career, the goalkeeper hanging up her international gloves last week. 'It is something I have been thinking about for over a year. I knew this was going to be my last major tournament,' she told the BBC. 'The plan was to retire after the Euros but after speaking to Sarina, I'm not going to make the squad. It was like a dagger to my heart but also a weight off my shoulders all at the same time. It was emotional for both of us but we both respected what each person was saying.' England begin their tournament against France on July 5 before games against the Netherlands (July 9) and Wales (July 13). ()
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Lionesses star Fran Kirby follows Mary Earps in retiring from England just weeks before Euro 2025
LIONESSES star Fran Kirby has announced her retirement from international football ahead of this summer's European Championships. Kirby, 31, has decided to end her international career after being informed that she wouldn't be part of Sarina Weigman's squad for the Euros. 1 A statement released on Kirby's Instagram read: "After being in the England team since I was 21, it's time to close that chapter of my life. "I didn't ever want this day to come, but I cannot tell you how proud I am it happened. "It's been the biggest honour to represent my country, one that I had only dreamt about as a young girl. "I've played with some incredible players, worked with some incredible managers, played in some amazing tournaments and have some irreplaceable memories." She added: "Starting in every game and winning the Euros in 2022 was a dream come true, to be a part of change in women's football was one of the best experiences I could ever have imagined. "Thank you to you all, for embracing me as a young girl from Reading who had a dream. I hope you all know, wearing that badge was the greatest honour. "To every young girl that suffers setbacks, just remember you can. You can." The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Mary Earps announces surprise retirement from international football ahead of Euros title defence
England goalkeeper Mary Earps has announced her retirement from international football, a surprise move coming just five weeks before this summer's European Championships. The 32-year-old won 53 caps for the side and played a major role in the Lionesses ' Euros triumph in 2022, starting every game, but will not play a role in their title defence this summer. Her role as England's No. 1 has come under threat recently, with Chelsea shot-stopper Hannah Hampton starting the last three games for the international side. Earps described playing for the national team as 'the greatest honour and privilege of my life' but said that it was the 'right time' for her to hang up her boots. She said: 'I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally. It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge, represent my country and play alongside such an incredible group of players. 'I've spent a long time making this decision and it's not one I've made lightly. For me, ultimately this is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive. 'Winning the Euros in 2022 was the best day of my life, and I'm rooting for the girls to do it again this summer.' The former Manchester United keeper saved a penalty in the World Cup final in 2023 as England lost 1-0 to Spain. She won the Golden Glove at the tournament and BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023, as well as being named Best FIFA Women's goalkeeper in both 2022 and 2023. She had been set to feature in Sarina Wiegman 's squad in Switzerland this summer but her decision to step away means Hampton will be England's No. 1 at the tournament. 'I had hoped that Mary would play an important role within the squad this summer, so of course I am disappointed,' Wiegman said of the decision. 'Mary has been clear on her reasons why she has made the decision and it is something we need to accept. 'Mary has made a huge contribution to not only the team, but the whole of English football. 'We will cherish those memories and of course give Mary the tributes she deserves after the summer but for now the focus needs to be on the upcoming Women's Nations League fixtures and the Euros.'
