Latest news with #HelenWard
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
UEFA Women's EURO 2025 across BBC Cymru Wales
In a powerful documentary, Euro 2025: Together Stronger, Wales record goal scorer Jess Fishlock and her teammates tell the journey of Welsh Women's football in a way it's never been done before. The programme is part of a series of content from BBC Cymru Wales, celebrating Wales Women's historic qualification for UEFA Women's EURO 2025. The Wales Women will play amongst the greats at the Euros. To get there, they had to defy all odds and push themselves to breaking point. Euro 2025: Together Stronger is the inside story of an impossible dream. This one-hour film, produced by Barn Media, tells the extraordinary journey of Welsh Women's football. It is more than a story about sport - it's about resilience, equality, and the fight for recognition. It details their progression from playing in front of small crowds and enduring institutional neglect – a time when, as Jess Fishlock recalls, "We just had the bare minimum of everything." They were a team that was used to traumatic losses and the grief that comes with missing out. In the film, after losing in a World Cup play-off final against Switzerland in 2022, former player and Watford captain, Helen Ward states: "I knew that was my last chance to get to a major tournament, and I don't think I'd ever cried over football in my life before that, but I knew that was it.' It was a result that left Captain, Angharad James asking: 'Are we ever going to do it? Is it ever going to happen?' And a result that left star midfielder Jess Fishlock, questioning her career in the game: "I didn't really know what to do and I remember being with my mum and I was just crying, saying 'I just don't think I can do this again.' There were so many campaigns where we were almost there, and I just didn't think I could do it again." But what Together Stronger shows is how each missed chance or gut-wrenching defeat stoked a fire in these players to change the system and make history. This culminated in Head Coach Rhian Wilkinson stepping in to take the reins and help Cymru achieve their impossible dream, securing a place on the international stage in Switzerland this summer. Watch Together Stronger from 10.40pm on 3 July on BBC One and BBC iPlayer UEFA Women's EURO 2025 across BBC Cymru Wales Live commentary Live coverage of each of Wales' games will be provided by BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru. BBC One will be covering the first match in the play offs, where Wales faces the Netherlands on the 5 of July. Radio and BBC Sounds Wales' all-time leading scorer Jess Fishlock presents Iconic: The Rise of the Women in Red, a four-part series telling the story of the Welsh Women's international team. Through the voices of players, managers, and pivotal figures in the game, the series reveals their fight for recognition and their progress towards reaching their first ever major tournament. In Feast of Football, Carl Roberts, along with guests and players from the Wales team, will bring you all the news from camp, set against the stunning backdrop of the Swiss Mountains in a daily podcast available on BBC Sounds as well as a vodcast on BBC One Wales ahead of each of Wales' games. On BBC Radio Cymru, Catrin Heledd delves into the history of the Wales Women's team in Creu Hanes where she'll be joined by trailblazers Professor Laura McAllister, Kath Morgan, Gwennan Harries and Captain, Angharad James. Additionally, the poet and presenter, Ifor ap Glyn, explores Switzerland's history and discovers several unexpected Welsh connections in Be Wnaeth y Swisiaid i ni erioed? Throughout the championship, podcasts, Y Coridor Ansicrwydd and Y Panel Chwaraeon as well as BBC Radio Wales' Phone-In will be bringing you the latest news and happenings. Both BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru are also working in partnership with the Urdd, to give all primary pupils in Wales the opportunity to come together to sing, celebrate and inspire the Wales team ahead of Euro 2025 by singing along to the virtual Urdd Jambori. In addition to this, BBC Radio Cymru 2 has a special playlist – Traciau Tîm Cymru – Euro 2025 – featuring contributions from players Ffion Morgan, Hannah Cain, and Lois Joel. They also have a competition offering five listeners the chance to win an official UEFA Women's Euro 2025 shirt and football, along with a BBC Radio Cymru 2 Wales flag. The competition will run for the five days leading up to the tournament, starting on Monday 30 June. Interview with Helen Ward BBC Cymru Wales caught up with Helen Ward, a former Wales player and now a pundit for BBC Radio Wales covering the Euros. Where were you when Wales qualified for the Euros? I was there in Dublin when they qualified, and it was truly amazing to witness. As a player, it would have been incredible, but being there commentating for BBC Cymru Wales and seeing it from this side of things is definitely the next best thing. I'm very grateful for the opportunities to still be involved, and in a position where I can still remain close to the team. I actually couldn't speak for the last ten minutes of the game! It was a special moment to share with fellow pundits and commentators like Mark Poyser and Kath Morgan for BBC Radio Cymru, watching the scenes unfold on the pitch. It felt fantastic to be a part of it and it's a pivotal moment for Welsh women's sport, and indeed for sport in Wales as a whole. How do you feel about the group that Wales are in? We have a really good mix of players and a great balance of those with experience and those just starting out. It's an incredibly tough group, and with only sixteen teams in the tournament, they'll all be strong in their own way. We probably couldn't have picked three tougher opponents – there aren't many groups that could be any harder. On paper, it doesn't get much tougher. However, you know the Welsh spirit and our underdog mentality, even if those on the outside don't share the belief. I know the belief within that squad and within Wales is super high. What does success look like? Firstly, qualifying for the tournament is success in itself. But I don't think the squad and staff will settle for that and won't want to just take part. I think reaching the quarter-finals, which won't be easy by any means, would be a fantastic achievement, and who know what can happen from there? This is a new experience for almost everyone in the squad, and that will bring fresh energy to the pitch. The excitement has been building since that night in December, we're right on the edge of it now, and it's all to play for. We really want to show everyone what Wales is all about. Listen to Iconic: The Rise of the Women in Red on BBC Sounds Saturday 28 June, Creu Hanes on BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds Wednesday 2 July, Urdd Jambori on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru Thursday 3 July, Euro 2025: Together Stronger 10.40pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer Friday 4 July, Feast of Football (vodcast) 10.40pm on BBC One Wales Friday 4 July, Feast of Football (a daily podcast throughout the tournament) on BBC Sounds Saturday 5 July, Wales v Netherlands K.O 5.00pm on BBC One Sunday 6 July, Be Wnaeth y Swisiaid i ni erioed? on BBC Radio Cymru Monday 7 and Friday 11 July, Y Panel Chwareon on BBC Sounds MER Follow for more
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Wow' - Pundits reaction to Wales' Belgium thriller
Wales very nearly completed a comeback of the ages before ultimately falling to a 4-3 loss to Bellamy's side trailed 3-0 in Brussels before goals from Harry Wilson, Sorba Thomas and Brennan Johnson saw them level proceedings in the World Cup qualifying fixture, only for Kevin De Bruyne to net a late winner to break the visitors' said he was "beyond proud" of his players for their efforts against Rudi Garcia's Sport Wales looks at how pundits reacted to after an enthralling contest in the Belgian capital. 'Excitement, drama and character' "If you're going to lose a game, it's not the worst way to lose it," former Wales striker Helen Ward told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast."There was so much excitement, drama and character shown from [Craig Bellamy's] team."Ex-Wales forward Sam Vokes - who netted in a 3-1 victory over Belgium at Euro 2016 - commented: "It was a roller coaster of emotions."As Welsh fans that we are, I was very proud watching us coming back."Danny Gabbidon - who won 49 Wales caps between 2002 and 2014 - told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport: "Wow. What a game of football. Unbelievable."I've got to say, if this is the way Wales will play moving forward, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to watch because I'm not sure if the old ticker is going to be able to take it.""It's one of the best games I've ever worked on," ex-Wales striker Iwan Roberts said on BBC Radio Cymru Dros Frecwast. Spirit, players improving and a squad mentality Fulham's Wilson started the comeback with a penalty just before the break in Brussels, his sixth goal in eight appearances under ex-Wales frontman Rob Earnshaw believes the 28-year-old is among a clutch of players who have fully stepped up to the plate under the new regime."The likes of Harry Wilson, he's probably the stand out where I've seen him grow into a real man, in a sense, into a real top football player," Earnshaw told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast."Adding goals and assists, he got a goal last night. He's thriving. "But then I look around and I see the likes of Sorba Thomas, he got an assist the other night [against Liechtenstein] and a goal [against Belgium]."David Brooks, he's had his troubles over the last few years but he loves playing for Wales, you can see the energy. "There's a real sense that anybody in the team has got a chance and players are thriving - I love to see it."Having relied heavily on the astonishing talent of talisman Gareth Bale in the past, Vokes believes Wales have, over time, managed to build a group littered with experience."What we do have in the group, players like [Ethan] Ampadu and Wilson that have played a lot of games and they've got that experience," he added."We do have a group that have kind of grown up together."At 3-0 down after just 27 minutes following goals from Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku, all hope had appeared lost for Earnshaw believes Bellamy's Wales can take a huge amount from the defeat in Brussels given their remarkable fightback."We know Belgium are good and Wales were given no chance, especially being 3-0 down," he explained."But what I did love was that, I think what this new Wales has really given us is that we could be 3-0 down, but it's not over. "It's a lot to take, but I've been in dressing rooms where sometimes you lose a game but you learn so much and you feel more confident."Ward added: "The spirit of that team, they're never out of it and they kept going. Even at 3-3 they didn't try and settle for that."Wales have never come from 3-0 down to win or draw a match, but Roberts could not hide his pride at the way Bellamy's side fought back to challenge for a share of the spoils at King Baudouin Stadium."We were punished for a poor 20 minutes in the first half and we had a mountain to climb after that, but fair play to the players, they climbed it," he said."It was heart-breaking in the end because the effort the players put in to lift themselves from nowhere to get back level was unbelievable." Top spot an achievable target? Wales sit second - a point behind Group J leaders North Macedonia - at the midway stage of the qualifying have two games in hand over both the top two, and Roberts believes the matches with North Macedonia and Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium later this year will be "crucial".And even with four matches still to play for Wales, Gabbidon feels the race for top spot will go down to the wire."North Macedonia have started well, I think we've seen some flaws in this Belgium team and Wales have had a decent start," he said."I think it's going to be a really interesting group, I think it's going to go right to the death to see who qualifies."Ward added: "It's wide open. With home games to come against the top teams it's good for Wales, we know how good they are at the Cardiff City Stadium. It's all to play for."At the 2022 World Cup finals, Wales picked up just one point from their three group stage matches, suffering damaging losses to Iran and England having opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against the Vokes believes the current members of the squad who featured in Qatar are determined to make amends by putting on a show in next year's global showpiece."We have a group that went to a World Cup last time and felt like we didn't do ourselves justice," he explained."Having spoken to some of those players since that tournament, they're desperate to get back there. They're a group that are together and that are willing to get back there."I've got no doubt that we can get out of this group."
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Ah, but there's the rub: what Durex really stands for is now revealed
They've been known for years by a variety of nicknames - rubber, johnny, protection. But do you know what the brand name Durex really stands for? One hint: it's not a mashup of 'during sex.' Founded in 1915, it started off as The London Rubber Company before changing its name to Durex in 1929. And it turns out the name is actually an acronym for Durability, Reliability, Excellence. These were the three words chosen to represent the brand at the time, and have stuck ever since. The company has been at the forefront of advancements in condom manufacturing over the years, introducing electronic testing in 1953 and releasing the world's first anatomically shaped condom in 1969. They also became the first condom brand to market a product that was both ribbed and dotted in 2001. Their website reads: 'We've been making condoms with the finest raw materials since 1929, so we know a thing or two about performance. 'And we don't just mean in the bedroom (or wherever you're doing it). 'Our condoms are electronically tested for holes, dermatologically tested for comfort, and they perform better than standard in global quality tests, so everyone everywhere is free to enjoy sex that feels good with anyone, anywhere. 'We partner with people who know all about sex. 'They're health professionals, scientists and academics, and they're on a mission to help us make sex feel good.' Online, people have been shocked to learn what the brand name stands for. One person on Instagram said: 'I thought it was an acronym for DURing sEX.' Meanwhile on X, another user wrote: 'What I learned today: The Durex name stands for DUrability, Reliability, EXcellence.' Helen Ward, a professor of public health at Imperial College London, added: 'I didn't know that Durex stands for DUrability, Reliability, EXcellence.' The true meaning behind the Durex name was recently revealed by Preply, an online language class platform. In 2023, Durex carried out a survey that revealed British men are buying the wrong size condoms because they're too embarrassed to buy the right – often smaller – fit. A group of men were quizzed on their condom-buying habits and a whopping 92 per cent revealed they opted for an ill-fitting 'regular' fit. The study implies that these men knew a size small was the best fit. Meanwhile on the flipside, it's the same case for those with larger manhoods, who are apparently too shy to purchase bigger condoms. To solve the puzzle, Durex launched an online fitting service to encourage men to purchase their real size - and feel no shame about it.
Daily Mail
27-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
People are only just realising what Durex stands for - so, can you guess?
It's one of the most well-known – and well-used – brands in the world. But do you know what Durex actually stands for? Their products are commonly found in supermarket shelves, in bathroom cabinets and even in wallets. And they go by a variety of different names – including 'protection', 'rubber' and 'johnny'. While precise sales figures aren't available, it's the best-selling condom brand in the UK. Despite this, many people haven't realised what the name of the condom brand actually means. Those who guessed it's a mashup of 'During Sex' are wrong. So, can you work it out? Founded in 1915, it started off as The London Rubber Company before changing its name to Durex in 1929. And it turns out the name is actually an acronym, standing for Durability, Reliability, Excellence. These were the three words chosen to represent the brand at the time, and have stuck ever since. The company has been at the forefront of advancements in condom manufacturing over the years, introducing electronic testing in 1953 and releasing the world's first anatomically-shaped condom in 1969. They also became the first condom brand to market a product that was both ribbed and dotted in 2001. Their website reads: 'We've been making condoms with the finest raw materials since 1929, so we know a thing or two about performance. 'And we don't just mean in the bedroom (or wherever you're doing it). 'Our condoms are electronically tested for holes, dermatologically tested for comfort, and they perform better than standard in global quality tests, so everyone everywhere is free to enjoy sex that feels good with anyone, anywhere. 'We partner with people who know all about sex. 'They're health professionals, scientists and academics, and they're on a mission to help us make sex feel good.' Online, people have been shocked to learn what the brand name stands for. One person on Instagram said: 'I thought it was an acronym for DURing sEX.' Meanwhile on X, another user wrote: 'What I learned today: The Durex name stands for DUrability, Reliability, EXcellence.' Helen Ward, a professor of public health at Imperial College London, added: 'I didn't know that Durex stands for DUrability, Reliability, EXcellence.' The true meaning behind the Durex name was recently revealed by Preply, an online language class platform. In 2023, Durex carried out a survey which revealed British men are buying the wrong size condoms because they're too embarrassed to buy the right – often smaller – fit. A group of men were quizzed on their condom-buying habits and a whopping 92 per cent revealed they opted for an ill-fitting 'regular' fit. The study implies that these men knew a size small was the best fit. Meanwhile on the flipside, it's the same case for those with larger manhoods, who are apparently too shy to purchase bigger condoms. To solve the puzzle, Durex launched an online fitting service to encourage men to purchase their real size - and feel no shame about it.
