Latest news with #SimonParker
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Pacific play-offs: Chiefs spring surprise
Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Asafo Aumua is back for the Hurricanes for their play-off match against the Brumbies. It's a significant boost for the in form Canes, with Raymond Tuputupu backing him up on the bench and Jacob Devery dropping out of the squad. Caleb Delany comes back in at lock alongside Zach Gallagher, and Ngane Punivai is on the bench. Brett Cameron and Ruben Love once again start, which means Callum Harkin stays on the bench and also that there is plenty of cover at first five. The Chiefs have brought back Simon Parker into the loose forwards for their feature match against the Blues, however it's at the expense of Wallace Sititi. Samipeni Finau starts on the blindside, which is an interesting reshuffle given that Parker has been playing there most of the season however this time will be wearing the number eight jersey. Other than that it's a mostly unchanged Chiefs lineup, Cortez Ratima swapping places with Xaver Roe at halfback from last weekend. Only one change to the Blues, with Adrian Choat coming into the starting team at blindside, Anton Segner drops to the bench. Meanwhile, the Crusaders have reverted back to their strongest possible lineup, with David Havili back in to lead the side against the Reds on Friday night. David Havili and Tom Christie celebrate during the Blues v Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific match, Eden Park, Auckland. Photo: John Cowpland/Actionpress Crusaders v Reds Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 6 June Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. George Bower, 18. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Cullen Grace, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Dallas McLeod Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs dives to score a try. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Chiefs v Blues Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 7 June FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Simon Parker, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Gideon Wrampling, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Etene Nanai-Seturo Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Adrian Choat, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Corey Evans Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Jordan Lay, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Cole Forbes Ruben Love and Asafo Aumua of the Hurricanes celebrate, 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT Brumbies v Hurricanes Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 7 June GIO Stadium, Canberra Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Zach Gallagher, 5. Caleb Delany, 6. Devan Flanders, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Brett Cameron, 11. Fatafehi Fineanganofo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Ruben Love Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Tevita Mafileo, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Hugo Plummer, 20. Brad Shields, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Ngatungane Punivai, 23. Callum Harkin
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Blackburn Women players felt 'devalued' over club withdrawal
Blackburn Women defender Rachel Dugdale says players have been made to feel "devalued" by the "lack of communication" from the club over their decision to withdraw from the Women's Championship. Rovers confirmed on Tuesday it would drop out of the second tier next season because owners Venky are unwilling to meet the league's requirements on facilities, player welfare and claimed players were told of the news by manager Simon Parker just an hour before it was made public, before an email was sent via the club's HR Sport saw the email, which said the decision would have a "significant impact on the staffing and playing structure moving forward".Speaking a day after the news was confirmed, Dugdale told BBC Sport: "There is just a feeling of being devalued. "The amount of work we put in this year, despite having by far the lowest budget within the league, was all due to our sacrifice and dedication. "To not have that communication really made us feel devalued as players. It sends a really poor and strong message to younger female footballers that owners and people higher up don't have the will, or want, to do right by us."The 28-year-old added there had been "absolutely nothing" from the club since the announcement and players and staff were still unsure of their is the second successive year Dugdale has been part of a squad who have withdrawn from the league due to financial issues after Reading dropped to the fifth tier in 2024."There have been conversations among us, but no other communication from the club in terms of paying out the rest of our contracts or what it would mean," added the Northern Ireland international defender."They still don't know what tier we will be in. That financial security is the main thing on all of our minds at the moment. "We deserve to know and have extra support put in place for the staff and the players."BBC Sport has contacted Blackburn Rovers to offer them a response. 'I wasn't brave enough to speak out before' Dugdale said it was important clubs saw footballers as "people and not just players", which is why she was keen to speak out on the well as Reading last year, players from Wolves Women were left frustrated in April as the club had already decided not to apply to compete in the Women's Championship, despite the players believing they were chasing said she was "too worried to speak up about it" last year while at Reading, but does not want women's teams to continue to suffer lower down the pyramid."We got advice saying we shouldn't speak out, we should protect ourselves in terms of making sure we get those final salary payments, and make sure we don't look like a troublemaker for future clubs - all of that advice is really well-intentioned," she added."Last year, I took that advice. But ultimately, my priority at the moment is affecting and improving the women's game for the better. "I don't think enough noise was made last year at Reading. I wasn't brave enough to [speak out]. I think that's made it OK and acceptable for Blackburn to do it this year."I don't want any more players or staff to go through this uncertainty and difficult time that we are. I want the women's game to keep moving."Dugdale said she earned £15,000 a year at Blackburn - below the national minimum wage - and the majority of players are on an average of £9,000 a travels from the south of England to Blackburn on weekends to play matches and stays with a friend, none of which is 28-year-old added she was "fortunate" to be represented by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), but the majority of Blackburn's players do not have that legal forward, she called for change."The problem at the moment is that you can only be a part of the PFA as a female player if you have played in the Women's Super League, like I did with Doncaster Belles," said Dugdale."In the men's game, it goes all the way down to the fourth tier. Now the Women's Championship is completely professional going into next season, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't be covered by the PFA. "A lot of my team-mates haven't got the support I have at the moment and it is invaluable. I think that needs to change."Dugdale has also called for a stricter review process of the 'fit and proper person test' - a background check carried out by the Football Association to ensure prospective owners and directors of clubs are suitable to buy and run them."What are the parameters for that? Is it a sweeping test that processes the men's team, and the women's team is just bolted on?" she added."I think it's about understanding that and improving it to make sure the intentions from the owners are right for the women's team."
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Outrage as top football club to fold team with raft of Welsh players left to look for new jobs
Outrage as top football club to fold team with raft of Welsh players left to look for new jobs It has been alleged that the players found out about the decision via a WhatsApp message from their teammate Simon Parker, Head Coach of Blackburn Rovers' Women's team Several Welsh footballers are set to be left looking for new jobs amid reports that Blackburn Rovers' owners are highly likely to pull funding for its women's side next season. The team is set to withdraw from the Women's Championship next season due to the owners being unwilling to provide the funding to meet the division's minimum requirements on facilities, staffing and player welfare. While no official decision has yet been made, players have allegedly been told that the club's mind is "99 per cent" made up. The deadline to decide if they want to meet the requirements and keep their place in the Women's Super League 2 next season is May 19, with talks set to be held over the weekend. Without funding, however, they could be demoted to the Women's National League North, while the club's supporters group is concerned that the team is now "days away from ceasing to exist". In the meantime, players have been left in limbo over what the future holds as they wait for an official decision to be made. Eight Welsh players are set to be affected, with senior Wales internationals Georgia Walters, Chloe Williams and Poppy Soper likely to be forced into finding new jobs alongside Orla Howard, Senaiya Knill, Charlotte Salisbury-Williams, Casi Evans and Darcy Lancaster. Article continues below Rovers Women have also produced England stars and Euro 2022 winners Keira Walsh, Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway. Defender Niamh Murphy claimed earlier this week that the first team were told by a teammate via WhatsApp that there is a "99% chance the owners will not be financially supporting the team next season". "Via WhatsApp today we, Blackburn Rovers Women first-team, were made aware that there is a 99 per cent chance that the club's owners won't be financially supporting the team next season," the 22-year-old full-back wrote on X. "We were told by message by a fellow teammate that the club have been given a seven day deadline to state their intention to financially support the team and if this isn't signed then the club will be forced to drop out the Championship/WSL 2. "I have been a Blackburn player for three seasons and the only consistency there has been is the lack of financial support from the club." Murphy added: "Whilst this season may not look successful to others, we have once again avoided relegation despite having the smallest budget. This is a huge success and a credit to the women's players and staff. "This group has worked relentlessly hard all season for so little reward. We all earn less than a liveable wage, with many players having to live away from home whilst also having to work other jobs to survive, and this is what we get in return. "Us players and staff deserve far better than what we've experienced in recent seasons. We've once again been left in the dark, waiting to see if the owners will have the decency to do what's best for their players, staff and women's football." The Blackburn Rovers Supporters Coalition has also issued a statement in response to the "deeply alarming" reports, saying that a withdrawal of funding would leave the women's team "days away from ceasing to exist". Article continues below It slammed the club's owners for "putting their self-interest above and beyond the fabric" of the club, adding that "any move to scale back support is not only a betrayal of [the women's team's] legacy but a disgraceful signal of indifference".
The Guardian
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Fears grow that Blackburn will withdraw from WSL 2 due to financial reasons
There are growing concerns that Blackburn Rovers may withdraw from next season's Women's Super League 2 campaign. No decision has yet been made by the club for next season but multiple sources have indicated that the club are yet to fully commit to the extra funding needed to meet the league's enhanced minimum requirements for the 2025-26 WSL 2 campaign and Blackburn are therefore understood to have been given a deadline to confirm by next week whether or not they wish to participate. Simon Parker's team finished 10th, second-from-bottom, in the women's second tier this term, five points clear of danger, despite operating on what was understood on a comparatively-low playing budget. The second tier – which was previously known as the Women's Championship – was renamed as WSL 2 on Monday. This summer, the minimum requirements to take part in the division are being increased in a bid to raise minimum standards for the players involved, to an extent whereby it is understood second-tier women's clubs will now have to essentially operate a full-time, professional operation. The list of criteria is believed to include requirements for clubs to commit to appointing the following staff within one month of next season starting: a head of women's football, marketing manager, head coach, assistant coach, physiotherapist or sports therapist, doctor, a strength and conditioning coach, a goalkeeping coach and several people in specific safeguarding and player-welfare roles. Blackburn played all of their home women's matches at Ewood Park this season and their former players include the England internationals Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Keira Walsh and have a proud history of developing young players. The league will be keen to avoid a repeat of last summer's situation which saw Reading withdraw from the second tier at the end of June, for financial reasons, at such a relatively late point in the summer there was deemed to not be sufficient time before pre-season to begin a process of promoting a replacement club, which led to the division only including 11 teams this season. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion A source told the Guardian that one reason Blackburn have been given a deadline of next week by which to make their decision is to avoid another eleventh-hour withdrawal and ensure there is time for a contingency plan, should Blackburn decide to pull out.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
5 events and things to do in Suffolk on the bank holiday weekend
With Easter fast approaching, many people across the county will have time off school and work for the Easter bank holiday weekend. This year, it runs from Friday, April 18 until Monday, April 21, with many Easter-themed events planned across Suffolk. Here are five events and things to do on the bank holiday weekend. There will be a range of Easter themed activities (Image: Simon Parker)Where: Snape Maltings, Snape IP17 1SP When: Saturday, April 19 A full day of Easter-themed activities for the whole family is taking place at Snape Maltings. From 10am until 5.30pm there will be an Easter trail, arts and craft activities, face painting, and a Farmers Market. READ MORE: to keep up to date with the latest even news across Suffolk See a range of locomotives (Image: Gregg Brown)Where: Mid Suffolk Light Railway, Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket IP14 5PW When: Sunday, April 20 and Monday, April 21 There will be three locomotives in steam on display on both days and all the Middy attractions, museum, restoration shed and tea room will be open all weekend. Younger visitors can also take part in the traditional Easter Bunny hunt. READ MORE: Launch date announced for new obstacle course playground Enjoy a two-course lunch with the Easter Bunny (Image: Charlotte Bond)Where: Seckford Hall Hotel, Great Bealings, Woodbridge IP13 6NU When: Sunday, April 20 Visitors can enjoy a two-course Easter lunch, including dishes such as roast leg of lamb, vegetable wellington, and mini egg brownies. The lunch will also have Easter crafts, face painting, an egg hunt, and a magician. The town is hosting a free Easter egg hunt (Image: Lucy Taylor)Where: Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge IP12 1BY When: Saturday, April 19 Suffolk's happiest town is hosting a free Easter trail for families to take part in, organised by Tide Mill, The Longshed, and Woodbridge Museum. Find all the clues along the historic riverside to win a chocolate prize at the end. READ MORE: Unique new pop-up festival heading to town The market will have a range of craft and artisan stalls (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)Where: Beach Street, Micklegate Rd, Felixstowe IP11 2GN When: Monday, April 21 Beach Street is hosting a craft market featuring a range of makers, artists, artisan and gifts stalls. The coastal leisure hub will also be holding craft fairs on other bank holiday Mondays in May and August.
