Latest news with #Mayne
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
NZer Mayne confirmed as Football Ferns coach through to 2027 World Cup
Michael Mayne has been confirmed as the Football Ferns' head coach through to the 2027 Women's World Cup, becoming their first New Zealand-born coach in more than 20 years. The 40-year-old has been in the role on an interim basis since former coach Jitka Klimkova quit last September due to an undisclosed employment matter, halfway through a six-year contract. Klimkova had earlier chosen to skip last year's Paris Olympics tournament, opening the door for Mayne, who oversaw three losses in a campaign dominated by the Canadian "drone-gate" scandal. In five other international friendlies in charge, Mayne has overseen one win, two draws and two defeats. The win was their most recent performance — a 1-0 victory away to Costa Rica in February. Mayne will take up his permanent post ahead of the team's two-match series against Venezuela in Spain next month. "To be head coach of your country is something I absolutely do not take lightly, and it is a proud moment for me and my family," he said. "There are a lot of people that have invested time and effort in me throughout my coaching career, and this is an acknowledgement to their belief and support they have given as well. "While in the role on an interim basis I've been really pleased with the work we have been able to start as a team, so it is a real privilege to be in a position to continue to drive that forward. "This is an exciting, talented, and motivated group of players, and we can move forward now with our plan, with a lot of new energy, and push ourselves to reach that next level and that starts immediately against Venezuela." Prior to his interim role, Mayne was assistant to Klimkova, including during the 2023 World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand. He has held coaching roles with the New Zealand under-17 and under-20 women's teams, including for the historic bronze medal campaign at the under-17 Women's World Cup in 2018. He was among the first coaches in New Zealand to undertake the OFC Pro Licence, the globally recognised standard for elite-level coaching. New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said Mayne was well-equipped to step into the role on a fulltime basis. "It speaks volumes for the football system in this country that Michael is someone who has come through the coaching pathway here and got to the top level of the game," Pragnell said. "He combines an understanding of the international game, high levels of integrity and strong standards and values, with deep knowledge of football in this country, and that is the perfect blend for us and how we want to develop as a team."
Scoop
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Michael Mayne Named Football Ferns Coach
Michael Mayne has been confirmed as the Football Ferns' new head coach through to the 2027 Women's World Cup, becoming their first New Zealand-born coach in more than 20 years. The 40-year-old has been in the role on an interim basis since former coach Jitka Klimkova quit last September due to an undisclosed employment matter, halfway through a six-year contract. Klimkova had earlier chosen to skip last year's Paris Olympics tournament, opening the door for Mayne, who oversaw three losses in a campaign dominated by the Canadian "drone-gate" scandal. In five other international friendlies in charge, Mayne has overseen one win, two draws and two defeats. The win was their most recent performance - a 1-0 victory away to Costa Rica in February. Mayne will take up his permanent post ahead of the team's two-match series against Venezuela in Spain next month and said he was looking forward to the challenge. "To be head coach of your country is something I absolutely do not take lightly and it is a proud moment for me and my family," he said. "There are a lot of people that have invested time and effort in me throughout my coaching career, and this is an acknowledgement to their belief and support they have given as well. "While in the role on an interim basis I've been really pleased with the work we have been able to start as a team, so it is a real privilege to be in a position to continue to drive that forward. "This is an exciting, talented, and motivated group of players, and we can move forward now with our plan, with a lot of new energy, and push ourselves to reach that next level and that starts immediately against Venezuela." Prior to his interim role, Mayne was assistant to Klimkova, including during the 2023 World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand. He has held coaching roles with the New Zealand under-17 and under-20 women's teams, including for the historic bronze medal campaign at the under-17 Women's World Cup in 2018. He was among the first coaches in New Zealand to undertake the OFC Pro Licence, the globally recognised standard for elite-level coaching. New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said Mayne was well-equipped to step into the role on a full-time basis. "It speaks volumes for the football system in this country that Michael is someone who has come through the coaching pathway here and got to the top level of the game," Pragnell said. "He combines an understanding of the international game, high levels of integrity and strong standards and values, with deep knowledge of football in this country, and that is the perfect blend for us and how we want to develop as a team."
AU Financial Review
21-05-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Mayne Pharma shares crash after suitor Cosette threatens to walk
US pharmaceutical giant Cosette has threatened to abandon its $672 million takeover bid for Adelaide-based drug company Mayne Pharma after the target issued weaker-than-expected earnings guidance and disclosed a possible US regulatory issue with one of its key products. Mayne shares plunged more than 30 per cent on Wednesday after it said private equity-backed Cosette was reviewing the deal because it thought there had been a 'material adverse change' in the company's financial performance since it made its offer in February.
The Age
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
ASX rises amid bets for more rate cuts; CBA gains, Mayne tanks
Energy stocks powered ahead as oil prices jumped following a CNN report that new US intelligence suggests Israel is preparing for a potential strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. An attack would add to unrest in the Middle East, which supplies about a third of the world's crude. Brent crude rose above $US66 a barrel while West Texas Intermediate surged as much as 3.5 per cent before paring gains. Oil and gas giants Woodside and Santos were up 1.2 per cent and 1.3 per cent, respectively. Defensive sectors such as healthcare and utilities also gained, with pharmacy giant Sigma Healthcare gaining 1.3 per cent and sleep treatments maker ResMed rising 4 per cent. Power company Origin finished up 1 per cent, and gas pipeline provider APA added 0.9 per cent. The laggards Home sidings maker James Hardie slumped 6.2 per cent after saying its full-year net profit fell 17 per cent to $US424 million ($659 million) and warned that 'broader macroeconomic uncertainty could further impact the cost of home construction and weigh on consumer sentiment, influencing demand' in the current year. The company makes about 75 per cent of its sales in the US. Mayne Pharma shares plunged 29.8 per cent after the drugmaker said its US suitor Cosette Pharmaceuticals was claiming Mayne's recent trading performance had triggered a material adverse change in their takeover agreement, which meant they would have to renegotiate for 10 days. If there's no positive outcome for Cosette, the US company plans to terminate the deal at the end of that period. Mayne disputes that a material adverse change has occurred. Agricultural chemicals supplier Nufarm slumped 30 per cent to $2.81 after it posted a big slide in first-half profit and said it was reviewing the future of its ailing seed technologies lowdown Lowdown Market bets for more rate cuts in coming months have ramped up after the Reserve Bank admitted it saw a risk that Donald Trump's tariff war could drive Australia into recession. At a press conference following the rate call on Tuesday, RBA governor Michele Bullock said the possibility of holding rates steady was quickly cast aside for a debate on how deeply to cut. Loading 'There was a discussion about 50 [basis points] and 25, and the board was of the view that 25 [basis points] was the right number,' she said. The comments were more 'dovish' than expected, with the central bank forecasting slower inflation than previously, CommSec chief economist Ryan Felsman noted. His counterpart at CBA, Belinda Allen, said the bank was still predicting two more rate cuts this year, 'but we now expect these to come a little quicker than before, and favour August and September. 'The catalyst for the shift has been the RBA's shift in tone on inflation,' she said. Financial markets put the chance of a follow-up rate cut at the bank's July meeting at 50-50, while a quarter percentage point cut by August is fully priced in. By early next year, markets believe official interest rates will be down to 3.1 per cent. 'The RBA looks more focused on supporting growth and the job market now as concerns about inflation fade — and that points to more rate cuts ahead,' said Bloomberg Economics Australia economist James McIntyre. Lower rates ease the mortgage pressure on consumers in the cost-of-living crisis and make it cheaper for companies to borrow money, both of which are positive for corporate profits. On Wall Street on Tuesday, momentum slowed after the market's rally from a deep hole nearly all the way back to its all-time high set earlier this year. The S&P 500 fell 0.4 per cent for its first drop in seven days, but stayed within 3.3 per cent of its record. The Dow Jones lost 0.3 per cent, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.4 per cent. Tesla closed 0.5 per cent higher as CEO Elon Musk said he's committed to still leading the carmaker five years from now and expects to pare back his political spending, assuaging investor concerns about the future of his most valuable company.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
The wild Irishman who masterminded a jailbreak during a British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa
Paddy Mayne Springbok captain Danie Craven is to the left of British and Irish Lions lock Paddy Mayne (with ball, right) during the 1938 series in South Africa. Photo: SUPPLIED Image: SUPPLIED Rub of the Green Column The British and Irish Lions squad that is about to tour Australia will arguably be the most professionally prepared rugby unit the world has seen. Coach Andy Farrell has been given every resource to ensure the finest players of the UK and Ireland smash the Wallabies. But one wonders if the drive to excel can erode the spirit of touring that has been the wonderful charm of so many Lions tours. My mind goes back to the tales of the Lions' tours to South Africa, where terrific battles on the rugby pitch were rivalled by the exploits off it. I think of Paddy Mayne, the wild Irish rover who lit up the 1938 tour to South Africa, the year before World War II broke out. Mayne would win more awards for bravery in that horrific conflict than any other soldier, and his larger-than-life persona was colourfully apparent the year before in South Africa. Mayne was a well-educated man, a solicitor in Belfast, but he was also insanely restless and freakishly strong. Early in the tour, Mayne found himself bored in a backwater town before the game against Eastern Transvaal. He knocked on a teammate's door and asked the fellow to come out with him. When his invitation was declined, he methodically smashed into toothpicks every item of furniture in the room, leaving his teammate stranded in a sea of sticks. But let's backtrack to discover more about the monumental Mayne. Not long before the Lions departed for South Africa, Mayne had played lock for Ireland against Wales in Belfast. After one of his teammates had been kicked by a Welshman, Mayne retaliated with a fierce punch to the nose of the culprit. Mayne's mother and sister Frances were in the crowd, and while Mayne feared no living creature, he deeply revered his mother and sisters. At halftime, Frances was sent to give a message to her brother. It read: 'You must wipe the blood off the Welshman's face at once.' Mayne went to the Welsh huddle and dutifully wiped the face of the terrified Welshman, to the consternation of the Ravenhill crowd. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Now,' he said, 'look up at the stand and smile at my mother, or I will break every bone in your body in the change-room after the game.' Earlier that year, also against Wales but in Cardiff this time, the great Welsh flyhalf Cliff Jones jinked through the Irish defence and crossed the tryline at the corner flag. Instead of grounding the ball, he jogged triumphantly toward the posts, failing to notice Mayne looming up behind him. Mayne scooped him up and carried him, as if a child, over the dead-ball line and dumped into the shocked crowd. It was such a feat of strength that the rest of the Welsh team did nothing. In 1938, South Africa's stadiums were different from the modern-day arenas. A stadium typically consisted of a concrete grandstand, plus temporary steel scaffolding that soared precariously skyward. When the Lions arrived at Ellis Park midweek to inspect the pitch ahead of the Test match, the scaffolding was being erected by prison labour. The prisoners were being housed in a compound at the stadium. Mayne asked a prisoner what crime he had committed. The fellow said he had stolen chickens and was serving a seven-year sentence. Mayne, perhaps stung by recollections of Irishmen being deported to Australia by the English in the great Irish potato famine of the 1850s, for menial crimes such as stealing bread, decided to free the prisoner, whom he had christened Rooster. That night, Mayne and a teammate called Bunners Travers, a tough Welsh coal miner, snuck back to Ellis Park with bolt cutters and clothes for Rooster, and freed him from the compound. Rooster was on the run for a few days, but was stopped when a policeman thought he looked suspiciously well dressed. The copper found hotel note paper in a pocket and the clothes were traced to the British team... and to Mayne. The only reason Mayne was not sent home was because he was the team's best player and crucial to dealing with a powerful Springbok team that had just returned from winning a series in New Zealand. Mr Rugby, Danie Craven, who played in the 1937 series defeat of the All Blacks and was captain in all three Tests in 1938, said this of Mayne: 'He is the toughest forward I have ever seen – never shy to exact retribution!' Meanwhile, Mayne continued his roving unperturbed. When the tour reached Durban, a bored Mayne contrived to have some fun. Again with his sidekick Travers, they dressed up as sailors and prowled the roughest pubs at the harbour, causing so many fights that The Natal Mercury carried a report about unrest in the harbour. Both made it back to their hotel intact and unnamed. It was Cape Town that witnessed Mayne's tour de force. Paddy Mayne Paddy Mayne. Photo: SUPPLIED Image: SUPPLIED The Lions players were walking from their hotel to an official function, resplendent in white dinner suits, when Mayne spotted a group of men sitting outside a bar with rifles and lamps. Mayne, a skilled marksman, was curious and quietly peeled off from his group and joined them. It turned out these men were on their way to the outskirts of Cape Town for a nocturnal hunt. Mayne's roommate, George Cromey, read until 3am in his bed, waiting for Mayne to return. He had just given up and was dozing off when the door was flung off its hinges and a triumphant Mayne stood in the doorway and proclaimed: 'I have just shot a springbok!' A highly alarmed Cromey switched on the light, and there was Mayne, his white suit streaked in red, with a four-legged springbok draped over his shoulders. 'The boys have been complaining that the meat in South Africa is not as fresh as at home,' Mayne beamed. He then proceeded to captain Sam Walker's room and flung the animal at him, adding: 'Fresh meat for you, Sammy!' Unfortunately, one of the horns jabbed into Walker's thigh and he could not play for two weeks. But how to dispose of the antelope? Mayne knew that the manager of the Springboks was staying in the same hotel. This fellow had a balcony outside his room, and Mayne climbed up to it with the bok and hung it over the railing with a note attached: 'A gift of fresh meat from the British Lions rugby team.' * Independent Media rugby writer Mike Greenaway is the author of The Fireside Springbok, a collection of South African rugby tales.
