Latest news with #TeamoftheYear
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Experience order of the summer for Stirling boss - but skipper's future unsure
It's been just over a year since Albion boss Alan Maybury took the Forthbank hot seat - with some key names already in the door in a more settled summer. Twelve months is proving a long time in football as Stirling Albion boss Alan Maybury insists continuity is key to improve their fortunes in League Two. Almost a year to the day after the Irishman walked into the chaos of the Binos hotseat after relegation, the dismissal of Darren Young and a much-criticised recruitment process, things are calmer in 2025 as he builds up his squad for the 2025/26 season. Maybury has already managed to secure three much-praised signatures in League One's joint top goal-scorer in Ross Cunningham from Kelty Hearts, one of the Binos' bete noires in Forfar forward Russell McLean and most recently, promoted skipper Stewart Murdoch from East Fife. Speaking to the Observer this week, he reflected on the changes made over the past year or so - and his determination to get things right from the off with a more controlled squad build this time around. Maybury said: 'I was very keen on keeping as many boys as we could rather than having a big rebuild like there was last season. 'It was a big job to get things going last season, so I was conscious not to have that - the loan boys have moved on and there have been one or two more who have moved on for various reasons but it has been pretty limited. 'Looking at the squad we had last year, as much I don't really look at age in picking a team, we maybe had too many young players at times and lacked that bit of know-how to get where we want to go. 'I've been making the effort to recruit leaders and guys who have been through it at the top end of things and we're still busy in trying to add one or two more to the mix.' The new arrivals have added early enthusiasm to the Binos faithful after an up-and-down season last time around which flirted with a possible late play-off run, before ultimately petering out to a sixth place finish. But the Albion boss expressed satisfaction in his early work - and said the new arrivals were big targets identified early in the process. 'Ross was top scorer in League One and in the Team of the Year; I've actually been chasing him for over a year and it's been a bit of a long pursuit which has worked out. 'I worked with Russell [McLean] for a short period at Edinburgh and he gives us a physical option that maybe we lacked at points which can allow us to play differently at points. 'I felt when I came in last year that Stirling didn't score enough goals, we brought in Ally [Roy] which didn't quite work out, so McLean has scored a lot of goals against us, we like what he can bring and know him well. 'Stewart was the captain at East Fife and after speaking to him, he is the ultimate professional and has that leadership streak to make sure things are done right.' However, despite those new arrivals, there is still uncertainty over the future of long-time Stirling skipper Ross McGeachie. The popular defender - who has been with the Binos since the age of 13 and had his testimonial match back in 2023 - is one of the names still negotiating a new deal with Stirling as the new arrivals begin to come in through the door at Forthbank. The 31-year-old played 39 times across all competitions last season, eventually holding on a role on the right side of a callow back three as the Binos produced a late season run to the line - including helping to guide impressive loanees Leyton Grant and Scott Constable. But the Albion stalwart is still mulling over a contract offer from Stirling, with boss Alan Maybury also confirming that young defender Sam Denham is set to sign a deal to stay with the club after an injury-hit season. Elsewhere, there is also interest in bringing back Grant and full-back Jack Harkness - who both impressed on loan from Rangers last season - after their release was confirmed by the Ibrox club. Maybury said: 'There is an offer on the table for Ross, there are a couple of issues we're trying to sort out with him to get that deal over the line. 'Sam is staying on with us and will be continuing to recover from his injury - the timetable will hopefully be the start of the season for him. 'We're keeping an eye on those guys' situations after they left Rangers but ideally, I wouldn't want quite as many loan players as last year, you always prefer your own players. 'We've also got some good young ones like MacKenzie Carse, Aaron Weir, Harry Wright and Cooper Knox in the club already - we're expecting a lot from these guys. 'If someone becomes available who we think can improve things then we'll look at it, but we feel the core of what we want is in the building.'
The National
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Nicolas Kuhn's simple message after 'special' Celtic season
The German enjoyed a stellar campaign, scoring 21 goals and assisting 15 across 51 appearances in all competitions. Read more: He netted a fine late winner away at Ross County near the start of the season and bagged an eye-catching brace in a memorable 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League a few weeks later. Also in Europe, it was Kuhn who drew Celtic level in Munich against Bayern before Alphonso Davies' late leveller broke Celtic hearts. Following the end of the most recent season, Kuhn took to Instagram, posting a two-and-a-half-minute-long video of his best moments, writing: "What a season. Special moments. Thanks for the support." The 24-year-old joined Celtic in January 2024 for £3.5 million from Austrian outfit Rapid Vienna. Injury and dental issues seemingly ravaged his first few months in Glasgow's east end, with the attacker not fully finding his feet until the start of last season. While he didn't win any individual awards, Kuhn was named in PFA Scotland's Team of the Year for the 2024/25 campaign, alongside six of his Celtic teammates. 2024/25 PFA Scotland Team of the Year: Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, John Souttar, James Penrice. Midfielders: Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Nicolas Raskin. Attackers: Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda, Sam Dalby.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Eight Aussies in Super Rugby Pacific 'Team of the Year'
Australian forwards have been rewarded for their consistent form with six named in a Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year, including props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa. Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea, who had an unbeatable lead in voting with two rounds of the competition remaining, headlines the side. While the Team of the Year will become an official post-season recognition in Super Rugby Pacific alongside Player of the Year from next season, an honorary team has been named for 2025. There are eight Australians in total - two backs in cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was named as fullback in his first season, and Western Force winger Harry Potter. The line-up was formed from the top-ranked players in each position based on Player of the Year votes from across the season. If players were used across multiple positions, for team of the year purposes they were assigned only the position they most played during the season. "Selection in this team is a reflection of the respect and admiration these players have earned from their opponents, week in and week out, throughout the 2025 season," Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said. Australian openside flankers Carlo Tizzano, Fraser McReight and Langi Gleeson could not initially be separated for the third back row position, having received the same amount of votes (29). With voting coming down to who received the most "three votes" for best in a game, Tizzano and McReight couldn't be split, with both receiving five. They also received the same minor votes and shared the award. 2025 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC TEAM OF THE YEARPROPS - Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 20 votes), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 14 votes) HOOKER - Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua, 19 votes) SECOND ROW - Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 21 votes), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues, 20 votes) BACK ROW - Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika, 46 votes), Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies, 31 votes), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force, 29 votes) / Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 29 votes) HALFBACK - Cam Roigard (Hurricanes, 28 votes) FLY HALF - Damian McKenzie (Chiefs, 36 votes)CENTRES - Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders, 32 votes), AJ Lam (Blues, 14 votes) WINGERS - Harry Potter (Western Force, 18 votes), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes, 18 votes) FULLBACK - Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 20 votes) Australian forwards have been rewarded for their consistent form with six named in a Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year, including props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa. Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea, who had an unbeatable lead in voting with two rounds of the competition remaining, headlines the side. While the Team of the Year will become an official post-season recognition in Super Rugby Pacific alongside Player of the Year from next season, an honorary team has been named for 2025. There are eight Australians in total - two backs in cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was named as fullback in his first season, and Western Force winger Harry Potter. The line-up was formed from the top-ranked players in each position based on Player of the Year votes from across the season. If players were used across multiple positions, for team of the year purposes they were assigned only the position they most played during the season. "Selection in this team is a reflection of the respect and admiration these players have earned from their opponents, week in and week out, throughout the 2025 season," Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said. Australian openside flankers Carlo Tizzano, Fraser McReight and Langi Gleeson could not initially be separated for the third back row position, having received the same amount of votes (29). With voting coming down to who received the most "three votes" for best in a game, Tizzano and McReight couldn't be split, with both receiving five. They also received the same minor votes and shared the award. 2025 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC TEAM OF THE YEARPROPS - Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 20 votes), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 14 votes) HOOKER - Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua, 19 votes) SECOND ROW - Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 21 votes), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues, 20 votes) BACK ROW - Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika, 46 votes), Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies, 31 votes), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force, 29 votes) / Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 29 votes) HALFBACK - Cam Roigard (Hurricanes, 28 votes) FLY HALF - Damian McKenzie (Chiefs, 36 votes)CENTRES - Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders, 32 votes), AJ Lam (Blues, 14 votes) WINGERS - Harry Potter (Western Force, 18 votes), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes, 18 votes) FULLBACK - Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 20 votes) Australian forwards have been rewarded for their consistent form with six named in a Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year, including props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa. Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea, who had an unbeatable lead in voting with two rounds of the competition remaining, headlines the side. While the Team of the Year will become an official post-season recognition in Super Rugby Pacific alongside Player of the Year from next season, an honorary team has been named for 2025. There are eight Australians in total - two backs in cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was named as fullback in his first season, and Western Force winger Harry Potter. The line-up was formed from the top-ranked players in each position based on Player of the Year votes from across the season. If players were used across multiple positions, for team of the year purposes they were assigned only the position they most played during the season. "Selection in this team is a reflection of the respect and admiration these players have earned from their opponents, week in and week out, throughout the 2025 season," Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said. Australian openside flankers Carlo Tizzano, Fraser McReight and Langi Gleeson could not initially be separated for the third back row position, having received the same amount of votes (29). With voting coming down to who received the most "three votes" for best in a game, Tizzano and McReight couldn't be split, with both receiving five. They also received the same minor votes and shared the award. 2025 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC TEAM OF THE YEARPROPS - Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 20 votes), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 14 votes) HOOKER - Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua, 19 votes) SECOND ROW - Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 21 votes), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues, 20 votes) BACK ROW - Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika, 46 votes), Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies, 31 votes), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force, 29 votes) / Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 29 votes) HALFBACK - Cam Roigard (Hurricanes, 28 votes) FLY HALF - Damian McKenzie (Chiefs, 36 votes)CENTRES - Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders, 32 votes), AJ Lam (Blues, 14 votes) WINGERS - Harry Potter (Western Force, 18 votes), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes, 18 votes) FULLBACK - Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 20 votes)
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Eight Aussies in Super Rugby Pacific 'Team of the Year'
Australian forwards have been rewarded for their consistent form with six named in a Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year, including props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa. Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea, who had an unbeatable lead in voting with two rounds of the competition remaining, headlines the side. While the Team of the Year will become an official post-season recognition in Super Rugby Pacific alongside Player of the Year from next season, an honorary team has been named for 2025. There are eight Australians in total - two backs in cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was named as fullback in his first season, and Western Force winger Harry Potter. The line-up was formed from the top-ranked players in each position based on Player of the Year votes from across the season. If players were used across multiple positions, for team of the year purposes they were assigned only the position they most played during the season. "Selection in this team is a reflection of the respect and admiration these players have earned from their opponents, week in and week out, throughout the 2025 season," Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said. Australian openside flankers Carlo Tizzano, Fraser McReight and Langi Gleeson could not initially be separated for the third back row position, having received the same amount of votes (29). With voting coming down to who received the most "three votes" for best in a game, Tizzano and McReight couldn't be split, with both receiving five. They also received the same minor votes and shared the award. 2025 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC TEAM OF THE YEARPROPS - Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 20 votes), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 14 votes) HOOKER - Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua, 19 votes) SECOND ROW - Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 21 votes), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues, 20 votes) BACK ROW - Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika, 46 votes), Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies, 31 votes), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force, 29 votes) / Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 29 votes) HALFBACK - Cam Roigard (Hurricanes, 28 votes) FLY HALF - Damian McKenzie (Chiefs, 36 votes)CENTRES - Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders, 32 votes), AJ Lam (Blues, 14 votes) WINGERS - Harry Potter (Western Force, 18 votes), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes, 18 votes) FULLBACK - Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 20 votes)
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Panthers stay mum on Marchand-Gostibehere dustup in Game 1 of Eastern Conference final
If Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand had thoughts on the dustup between him and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere on Tuesday, he kept them to himself. The two tussled in the third period of Florida's 5-2 win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final after Gostisbehere intentionally shot a puck at Marchand in retaliation for Marchand 'trying to take a run at me,' as Gostisbehere put it. Marchand was assessed a four-minute double-minor penalty for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct after the scrap. 'I'm not much of a thinker,' Marchand said after morning skate Thursday. 'I don't have much thought on that situation.' The Panthers have stayed relatively low-key with their reactions to the play. Panthers coach Paul Maurice, who rarely speaks about plays that could lead to discipline, declined to give his thoughts on the incident postgame Tuesday. On Wednesday, when asked how he would categorize a play when a player intentionally shoots a puck at another player, he simply said 'it's somebody else's problem,' alluding to that being something the league deals with. Added defenseman Aaron Ekblad: 'We block shots all the time, so what's the difference? ... Intent or not, it hurts the same.' Gostisbehere was not fined by the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Panthers named SBJ team of year The Florida Panthers on Wednesday were named the 'Sports Team of the Year' by the Sports Business Journal. The announcement was made at SBJ's 18th annual Sports Business Awards, which celebrate excellence in the business of sports and factor all facets of the team's operations both on and off the ice. The Panthers were also nominated for 'Team of the Year' in 2023. The other nominees for Sports Team of the Year were the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, WNBA's Indiana Fever, MLS' Inter Miami CF, MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers, NFL's Washington Commanders and USA Gymnastics. 'The Florida Panthers are honored to be named 'Sports Team of the Year,' a humbling acknowledgment of how far our team has come under the passionate and steadfast leadership of the Viola family,' Panthers president and CEO Matt Caldwell said in a statement. 'We are grateful to Sports Business Journal for this tremendous recognition that represents the unwavering and unified commitment of our players, coaches, staff members and ownership to success both on and off the ice.' In addition to winning the franchise's first Stanley Cup last June, the Panthers sold out of season ticket allotment for the first time in franchise history and generated a more than $125 million impact on the local economy through the last two Stanley Cup Playoff runs, both of which ended in the Stanley Cup Final. The club also secured a new media rightsholder partnership with Scripps Sports, which increased access to Panthers hockey to more than 2.6 million households for free and doubled viewership in the first year. The Panthers also amended and extended the Arena Operating Agreement for the County-owned facility Amerant Bank Arena to stay in Broward County long-term, opened their new practice facility Baptist Health IcePlex and reopened a revitalized War Memorial Auditorium concert venue in Fort Lauderdale. Charlotte Checkers The Panthers aren't the only team under the organization's umbrella having postseason success. The Charlotte Checkers, who are the Panthers' American Hockey League affiliate, on Wednesday advanced to the conference finals of the Calder Cup playoffs after completing a three-game sweep of the Hershey Bears, the affiliate for the Washington Capitals and the back-to-back defending Calder Cup champions. This puts Charlotte two rounds away from winning the Calder Cup for the second time in team history and first since 2019. The Checkers became the Panthers' AHL affiliate beginning with the 2021-22 season. This season is the furthest they have advanced while affiliated with Florida. Forward Rasmus Asplund, who played in six games with the Panthers this season, leads the Checkers with four goals and is tied for the team lead with six points through their first two rounds of the Calder Cup playoffs. Others players on the Checkers roster who spent time with the Panthers this season include defenseman Tobias Bjornfot (two goals, three assists in playoffs), forward Jesse Puljujarvi (four assists in playoffs) and defenseman Matt Kiersted (one assist in playoffs). Goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen, who the Panthers acquired at the trade deadline, has played all eight games in net, posting a 1.85 goals against average and .918 save percentage.
