Latest news with #Owers
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
A 4-0 loss but Pacific islanders make soccer history
The Marshall Islands have lost their first ever international football match 4-0 to the US Virgin Islands on a high school gridiron pitch in Arkansas -- but not before making history as the world's newest national soccer team. The remote Pacific nation with fewer than 40,000 people played their first-ever international at the 3000-capacity Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale, better known as home to the local high school's American football team. "I feel surreal this morning; it's one of those out-of-body experiences," technical director Lloyd Owers said before the historic match. "I don't think we or anyone else thought we'd be here in two-and-a-half years. The fact that it's going viral across the world is a great feeling." Owers, an English ex-semi-professional player, who took charge in 2022, led a squad this week that included players experiencing 11-a-side football for the first time. With just five training sessions together, the 20-man squad spans generations from a 15-year-old to a player in his early 40s. "They were a bit nervy, understandably, but we have a good dynamic off the field and that has helped raise our game," Owers added. "Now we're going into these games wanting to compete and turn that nervous energy into a positive experience." The match kicked off the Marshall Islands' own created tournament — the Outrigger Challenge Cup, a four-team event featuring two FIFA nations, Turks and Caicos Islands (world-ranked 206th)and US Virgin Islands (207th), plus local side Ozark United's under-19 team. Northwest Arkansas was chosen as the venue because it hosts the largest Marshallese community in the United States and offers a convenient mid-point for Caribbean opponents. The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, established in 2021 with the support of British volunteers and self-funded, harbours ambitions that extend beyond Thursday's outing. FIFA membership would unlock up to $US8 million ($A12 million) in funding over four years, but confederation membership is required first. Despite writing to the Oceanian confederation, the Marshall Islands say they have received no response, with the OFC citing a 'lack of direct air links' as the barrier. They are, however, considering applying to CONCACAF (the North American confederation) and the AFC (Asian confederation). Saturday brings their next challenge against the Turks and Caicos Islands and another chance to make history. The Marshall Islands have lost their first ever international football match 4-0 to the US Virgin Islands on a high school gridiron pitch in Arkansas -- but not before making history as the world's newest national soccer team. The remote Pacific nation with fewer than 40,000 people played their first-ever international at the 3000-capacity Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale, better known as home to the local high school's American football team. "I feel surreal this morning; it's one of those out-of-body experiences," technical director Lloyd Owers said before the historic match. "I don't think we or anyone else thought we'd be here in two-and-a-half years. The fact that it's going viral across the world is a great feeling." Owers, an English ex-semi-professional player, who took charge in 2022, led a squad this week that included players experiencing 11-a-side football for the first time. With just five training sessions together, the 20-man squad spans generations from a 15-year-old to a player in his early 40s. "They were a bit nervy, understandably, but we have a good dynamic off the field and that has helped raise our game," Owers added. "Now we're going into these games wanting to compete and turn that nervous energy into a positive experience." The match kicked off the Marshall Islands' own created tournament — the Outrigger Challenge Cup, a four-team event featuring two FIFA nations, Turks and Caicos Islands (world-ranked 206th)and US Virgin Islands (207th), plus local side Ozark United's under-19 team. Northwest Arkansas was chosen as the venue because it hosts the largest Marshallese community in the United States and offers a convenient mid-point for Caribbean opponents. The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, established in 2021 with the support of British volunteers and self-funded, harbours ambitions that extend beyond Thursday's outing. FIFA membership would unlock up to $US8 million ($A12 million) in funding over four years, but confederation membership is required first. Despite writing to the Oceanian confederation, the Marshall Islands say they have received no response, with the OFC citing a 'lack of direct air links' as the barrier. They are, however, considering applying to CONCACAF (the North American confederation) and the AFC (Asian confederation). Saturday brings their next challenge against the Turks and Caicos Islands and another chance to make history. The Marshall Islands have lost their first ever international football match 4-0 to the US Virgin Islands on a high school gridiron pitch in Arkansas -- but not before making history as the world's newest national soccer team. The remote Pacific nation with fewer than 40,000 people played their first-ever international at the 3000-capacity Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale, better known as home to the local high school's American football team. "I feel surreal this morning; it's one of those out-of-body experiences," technical director Lloyd Owers said before the historic match. "I don't think we or anyone else thought we'd be here in two-and-a-half years. The fact that it's going viral across the world is a great feeling." Owers, an English ex-semi-professional player, who took charge in 2022, led a squad this week that included players experiencing 11-a-side football for the first time. With just five training sessions together, the 20-man squad spans generations from a 15-year-old to a player in his early 40s. "They were a bit nervy, understandably, but we have a good dynamic off the field and that has helped raise our game," Owers added. "Now we're going into these games wanting to compete and turn that nervous energy into a positive experience." The match kicked off the Marshall Islands' own created tournament — the Outrigger Challenge Cup, a four-team event featuring two FIFA nations, Turks and Caicos Islands (world-ranked 206th)and US Virgin Islands (207th), plus local side Ozark United's under-19 team. Northwest Arkansas was chosen as the venue because it hosts the largest Marshallese community in the United States and offers a convenient mid-point for Caribbean opponents. The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, established in 2021 with the support of British volunteers and self-funded, harbours ambitions that extend beyond Thursday's outing. FIFA membership would unlock up to $US8 million ($A12 million) in funding over four years, but confederation membership is required first. Despite writing to the Oceanian confederation, the Marshall Islands say they have received no response, with the OFC citing a 'lack of direct air links' as the barrier. They are, however, considering applying to CONCACAF (the North American confederation) and the AFC (Asian confederation). Saturday brings their next challenge against the Turks and Caicos Islands and another chance to make history.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
A 4-0 loss but Pacific islanders make soccer history
The Marshall Islands have lost their first ever international football match 4-0 to the US Virgin Islands on a high school gridiron pitch in Arkansas -- but not before making history as the world's newest national soccer team. The remote Pacific nation with fewer than 40,000 people played their first-ever international at the 3000-capacity Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale, better known as home to the local high school's American football team. "I feel surreal this morning; it's one of those out-of-body experiences," technical director Lloyd Owers said before the historic match. "I don't think we or anyone else thought we'd be here in two-and-a-half years. The fact that it's going viral across the world is a great feeling." Owers, an English ex-semi-professional player, who took charge in 2022, led a squad this week that included players experiencing 11-a-side football for the first time. With just five training sessions together, the 20-man squad spans generations from a 15-year-old to a player in his early 40s. "They were a bit nervy, understandably, but we have a good dynamic off the field and that has helped raise our game," Owers added. "Now we're going into these games wanting to compete and turn that nervous energy into a positive experience." The match kicked off the Marshall Islands' own created tournament — the Outrigger Challenge Cup, a four-team event featuring two FIFA nations, Turks and Caicos Islands (world-ranked 206th)and US Virgin Islands (207th), plus local side Ozark United's under-19 team. Northwest Arkansas was chosen as the venue because it hosts the largest Marshallese community in the United States and offers a convenient mid-point for Caribbean opponents. The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, established in 2021 with the support of British volunteers and self-funded, harbours ambitions that extend beyond Thursday's outing. FIFA membership would unlock up to $US8 million ($A12 million) in funding over four years, but confederation membership is required first. Despite writing to the Oceanian confederation, the Marshall Islands say they have received no response, with the OFC citing a 'lack of direct air links' as the barrier. They are, however, considering applying to CONCACAF (the North American confederation) and the AFC (Asian confederation). Saturday brings their next challenge against the Turks and Caicos Islands and another chance to make history.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Marshall Islands make history with first-ever international football match
(Reuters) -The Marshall Islands finally got off the mark in international football on Thursday and promptly lost 4-0 to the U.S. Virgin Islands on a high school pitch in Arkansas, but not before making history as the world's newest national team. The remote Pacific nation with fewer than 40,000 people played their first-ever international at the 3,000-capacity Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale, better known as home to the local high school's American football team. "I feel surreal this morning; it's one of those out-of-body experiences," technical director Lloyd Owers told Reuters before the historic match. "I don't think we or anyone else thought we'd be here in two and a half years. The fact that it's going viral across the world is a great feeling." The English ex-semi-professional player from Oxfordshire, who took charge in 2022, led a squad this week that included players experiencing 11-a-side football for the first time. With just five training sessions together, the 20-man squad spans generations from a 15-year-old to a player in his early 40s. "The (team) were a bit nervy, understandably, but we have a good dynamic off the field and that has helped raise our game," Owers added. "Now we're going into these games wanting to compete and turn that nervous energy into a positive experience." The match kicked off the Marshall Islands' own creation — the Outrigger Challenge Cup, a four-team tournament featuring two FIFA members, Turks and Caicos Islands (world-ranked 206th)and U.S. Virgin Islands (207th), plus local side Ozark United's under-19 team. Northwest Arkansas was chosen as the venue because it hosts the largest Marshallese community in the United States and offers a convenient mid-point for Caribbean opponents. The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, established in 2021 with the support of British volunteers and self-funded, harbours ambitions that extend beyond Thursday's outing. FIFA membership would unlock up to $8 million in funding over four years, but confederation membership is required first. Despite writing to Oceania, the Marshall Islands claim to have received no response, with the confederation citing a 'lack of direct air links' as the barrier. They are, however, considering applying to CONCACAF (the North American confederation) and the AFC (Asian confederation). Saturday brings their next challenge against the Turks and Caicos Islands and another chance to make history. (Reporting by Michael Brock; Writing by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Two high school juniors in Ascension Parish earn perfect score on ACT
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — 'Congratulations on being perfect.' Those are the words Principal Barry Whittington, Jr. of Dutchtown High School said to two students. Whittington was speaking to Noah Owers and Emma Stewart, who are both juniors at the high school in Ascension Parish. The duo both earned perfect scores on the ACT. They took the test on March 12, 2025, and later found out that they received a score of 36. Stewart was proud and ecstatic when she learned what her score was, while Owers was happy and excited at the result. Principal Whittington said, 'Their scores are a testament to their hard work and the support of their families and our Griffin community.' Stewart said the toughest section on the ACT was science, but math was challenging too. Owers agreed that the science section was hard, along with English. Whittington added, 'This accomplishment reflects their dedication and commitment to excellence.' Both students talked about how they prepared for the test. Stewart said she used practice questions from ACT books and spent about 30 minutes a week practicing with a particular focus on science. Owers, on the other hand, prepared through the Honors and AP classes at Dutchtown. Zachary High student earns perfect ACT score after 4 tries This was not the first time that Owers and Stewart took the ACT. Owers said it was his second attempt after producing a 34 on his first try. Stewart said she took the ACT for the first time during her freshman year. After getting a perfect score on the test, Stewart said students should definitely practice for the test. Owers suggested developing the base skills needed to take the exam. At school, Owers said he enjoys STEM and, to a lesser extent, English and History. Stewart said she enjoys her art, band, and math classes. She wants to take that love of art and study it along with illustration in college. Owers wants to focus on an engineering degree, specifically Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. He would like to turn that education into a career in mechatronics and robotics engineering. Stewart said she would like to cultivate a career in concept art for cartoons, and/or create the backgrounds for them on TV. Will NFL players appear in Olympic flag football? Vote expected soon What's the guidance on prostate cancer screening? It's complicated. Two high school juniors in Ascension Parish earn perfect score on ACT Hawaiian Airlines plane evacuated after alleged bomb threat at San Diego airport Trump expected to announce 'Golden Dome' space missile defenses that would cost billions Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Dreams come true' for nation with no football team
A fundraiser has been set-up to help a nation's "dreams come true" by playing their first ever international football match. The Marshall Islands are the self-proclaimed "last country on Earth without a football team" but Lloyd Owers, from Banbury in Oxfordshire, is hoping to change that. He is the technical director of the Marshall Island Soccer Federation which is organising an international tournament to be held in Arkansas in the US, in August. "It's an honour to be part of it," said Mr Owers, who started the job in 2023, adding it was a first step towards the team joining FIFA and competing in World Cup qualifying matches. "We have massive ambitions," he told BBC Radio Oxfordshire. "We want to be part of something big. "We didn't want to take the easy option of playing local, regional countries. We wanted to test ourselves and put ourselves on the map." The Marshall Islands is a chain of volcanic islands and coral-based atolls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, with a population of about 40,000 people. Its football federation is planning to stage a four-team tournament at John Brown University, against established FIFA nations; Turks & Caicos, the US Virgin Islands and Guam. Mr Owers said the reason the event would be held 6,200 miles (10,000km) from their homeland is because Arkansas is home to the largest community of Marshallese, outside of the Marshall Islands. When Mr Owers started the job in 2023 he said the main island of Majuro "had nothing - no football infrastructure whatsoever". He said he applied for the role because "the opportunity to be part of something massive was incredible in itself". "The place, in terms of the location, was obviously a draw as well," he admitted. "Over the last two years we've managed to go from strength to strength, now leading to what we've announced this week in terms of our first international fixtures. "So, yeah, exciting news." The federation is hoping to raise £20,000 to help pay for kit, equipment and accommodation for the visiting teams. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. The 'last country' on Earth without a national football team Creating a national side 'like starting pub team' Marshall Islands Soccer Federation
