Latest news with #Ward
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Perth's DCC sets record straight on unusual hairstyle
One of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' newest recruits has set the record straight after she was spotted donning a hairstyle not associated with being a DCC. Perth's very own Faith Ward is one of five new rookies to join the famous cheerleading team in Texas that is known for implementing strict rules on the dancers, including extreme beauty guidelines. Following the 2025 team announcement last week, eagle-eyed DCC fans noticed that Ward was the only cheerleader with her hair styled in a ponytail, contrary to the hair-down look that has become synonymous with the squad. On Thursday, Ward confirmed on social media that the ponytail was here to stay after having her official team photos. 'I've been hearing a lot of tales, and I'm here to set the record straight,' she said in a video on Instagram. 'Well, as you can see here, my headshot, that's how it all started, so that's how they found me, that's how they saw me, and I guess they just preferred me with my hair up rather than out there's not that much tea to it.' The 22-year-old said the controversial hairdo made the team's brutal training camp debut two weeks in. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. 'They asked me to tie it up, and then I kind of just left it that way and then uniform fittings really confirmed it,' she said. The Wellington-born, who is the first New Zealander to make DCC, also revealed the reaction from squad director Kelli Finglass. 'Ariana Grande is all she had to say, which I was like, that's amazing, obviously my hair was a little bit shorter at the time, so we added some longer extensions, went a bit blonder,' she said. Friends and fans took to the comments section with mixed reactions to the rule-bending. DCC veteran Charly Barby said: 'Our pony princess.' Faith Ward with her fellow rookies. Credit: Supplied 'This is so iconic. The girl with the ponytail!' a fan said. Another fan said: 'Normalise ponies cause my hair would be a full frizzy mess covered in sweat if I was doing all this with it down.' 'Is Faith really Faith if she doesn't have her iconic slick back ponytail?' a third fan added. Another fan said: 'The ponytail looks SO good!! And I love the uniform on her. She honestly looks like she was born to be a DCC.' However, one fan disagreed with the hair change. 'I think you're gorgeous, but I prefer the down hairstyle of all the DCC! The hair rule STAYS DOWN,' they said. Meanwhile, others paid attention to a film crew in the background of Ward's video, where they hoped for an announcement of season three of the hit Netflix show America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Faith Ward is representing New Zealand and Australia. Credit: Supplied 'I see a film crew in the background 👀 season 3?!' a fan said. It comes after Ward herself hinted at another season where fans would get an insight to her DCC journey after explaining how overwhelmed she felt during her first training camp lesson. 'The first lesson when I came in, I'm sure you guys will eventually see, I'm a deer in headlights,' she told PerthNow 'Going into an environment where I'd never done the style before, never held a pair of pom poms, and didn't know any of the routines, while all the veterans around you know what they're doing is extremely intimidating. 'Plus, you're literally fighting for your life in front of Judy and Kellie, so you want to do the best you can.' 'Girl, hopefully Netflix releases season three. I would love to see that too.'
NZ Herald
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Faith Ward corrects confusion about Australian nationality
'We went home like two years ago and I was like, 'Oh, it hasn't changed one bit.'' Ward, who moved to Perth aged 10, is the first New Zealander (and the third Australian) to be selected for the illustrious Texas-based cheerleading squad. She said the significance of her selection was not lost on her. Ward is one of six rookies joining the coveted dance squad for the 2025-26 NFL season. Photo / Instagram 'I feel like it's so cool for us Kiwi girls to show that we are just as capable as everyone else to make our dreams come true. 'Obviously, we don't really get a lot of opportunity in New Zealand, so we have to put ourselves out there as it is, and I did just that and proved us right and that we are capable of doing something like this and made my dream happen.' Her New Zealand nationality may even have helped her secure a spot in the high-profile team. Ward told the radio show she was shoulder-tapped by the team's recruiters, who asked where she was originally from. When she said New Zealand, the recruiter replied: 'We've never had a New Zealand DCC, so you should apply.' Ward also represents a tonsorial first on the squad, breaking the mould by wearing her hair tied up instead of down in the team's signature style. 'I'm honestly so honoured to not only be the first New Zealand DCC and the third Australian, I'm like one of the first to have a ponytail,' she told Fletch, Vaughan & Hayley. 'You guys will see in my cameo if my hair is up or down, that'll be the answer as to whether or not it's staying. But for now, I've been wearing my hair in a pony and [dance director] Kelli seems to like it.' Ward is one of six rookies joining the coveted dance squad for the 2025-26 NFL season. A Netflix docuseries follows the cheerleaders from auditions to training camp and into the NFL season. Asked whether she was prepared for the fame that comes with the role, Ward said her life was 'on a full 360'. 'I'm going to try and live in the moment and take it all in for what it is.' She knows that, when she makes her debut, she'll be inspiring and representing more than just an NFL team. 'Hopefully, I'll do NZ proud.'
Fox Sports
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Angels vs. Mariners Prediction, Odds, Picks
Data Skrive Jorge Polanco and the Seattle Mariners will try to defeat Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels when the teams square off on Thursday at 9:38 p.m. ET. The Mariners have been listed as +100 moneyline underdogs in this matchup against the Angels (-120). Los Angeles (-1.5) is the favorite on the run line. The total is 9 runs for this matchup. Here's everything you need to know from a betting perspective on the Angels-Mariners game, regarding the run line, moneyline and total, plus expert picks. Keep up with MLB on FOX Sports. Check out the best moments between the Los Angeles Angels and New York Mets Angels vs. Mariners Game Information & Odds When: Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 9:38 p.m. ET Where: Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California How to watch on TV: MLB Network, FDSW, and ROOT Sports NW Favorite Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline Total Over Total Odds Under Total Odds Run Line Favorite Run Line Odds Underdog Run Line Odds Angels -120 +100 9 -110 -109 -1.5 +158 -190 Angels vs. Mariners Prediction Score Prediction: Angels 6, Mariners 5 Total Prediction: Over 9 runs Win Probabilities: Angels 50%, Mariners 50% Angels vs. Mariners Betting Insights The Angels have been favorites in 24 games this season and won 13 (54.2%) of those contests. Los Angeles is 10-8 this season when entering a game favored by -120 or more on the moneyline. The moneyline for this contest implies a 54.5% chance of a victory for the Angels. The Mariners have won in 17, or 48.6%, of the 35 contests they have been named as odds-on underdogs this year. This year, Seattle has won 13 of 25 games when listed as at least +100 or worse on the moneyline. The Mariners have an implied victory probability of 50% according to the moneyline set for this matchup. The Angels went 2-2 over the four games they were moneyline favorites in their last 10 matchups. Over their last 10 matchups, the Angels and their opponents combined to hit the over on the run total seven times (all 10 games had set totals). The Angels are 5-5-0 against the spread over their past 10 games. Stat Avg/Total Record 4-6 Runs Per Game 5.0 HR 15 ERA 5.44 K/9 7.6 Ward has gone yard 23 times in the 2025 campaign while driving in 76 runs, both totals that lead the Angels. Ward is 12th in home runs and seventh in RBI among all hitters in MLB. Nolan Schanuel's .275 batting average paces his team. Schanuel ranks 159th in homers and 101st in RBI on the year. Zach Neto has 19 doubles, a triple, 15 home runs and 19 walks while batting .273. Jo Adell is hitting .237 with 13 doubles, 21 home runs and 24 walks. The Mariners have played as underdogs three times over their past 10 games and won each of those contests. In their last 10 games with a total, the Mariners and their opponents have combined to hit the over seven times. The Mariners have won four of their last 10 games against the spread. Stat Avg/Total Record 6-4 Runs Per Game 5.9 HR 15 ERA 4.39 K/9 9.8 Cal Raleigh leads the Mariners with 39 home runs and runs batted in, driving in 84. Raleigh is first in homers and second in RBI among all batters in MLB. Raleigh has collected a hit in three games in a row. In his last five games he is batting .200 with a home run, a walk and two RBIs. Julio Rodriguez has 17 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs and 30 walks while hitting .252. Among all MLB hitters, Rodriguez ranks 65th in home runs and 57th in RBI. Randy Arozarena has 23 doubles, a triple, 18 home runs and 45 walks while hitting .248. J.P. Crawford leads the team in batting average with a mark of .279. Check out the best moments between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Seattle Mariners. FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Los Angeles Angels Seattle Mariners recommended Item 1 of 3
NBC Sports
15 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Denzel Ward: Browns can be best defense in the NFL, I can be Defensive Player of the Year
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward thinks he and his teammates can be the NFL's best this season. Ward said that after the Browns' defense had a down year in 2024, they believe they're going to be the top defense in football in 2025. 'That's our goal, to be the best defensive in the NFL, and we're going to get there. We're going to make it happen,' Ward said. And Ward said he believes he can win the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award. 'I think I'm capable. I'm definitely a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber player,' Ward said. 'But I take things a day at a time. Awards and that stuff will come down the road. My focus is just to be the best I can each day.' Ward is a four-time Pro Bowler, but he's never received a single vote for Defensive Player of the Year. That kind of recognition would mean that he, and the Browns, have taken a major step forward.
USA Today
17 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Colts' free agent signee stands out on Day 1 of training camp
One of the Colts' free agent signees was able to stand out during the team's first training camp practice. Indianapolis Colts' free agent signee, cornerback Charvarius Ward, impressed during the team's first training camp practice. "Very impressed," Shane Steichen said of Ward, via Locked on Colts. "Great signing by Chris (Ballard) to get him on this football team. You saw how sticky he was and the plays he made. I don't know how many he made today, but he made a ton. Great to have him out there." According to the Indy Star's Joel Erickson, two of the plays that Ward made in practice were pass breakups against Alec Pierce on a deep route and then against Michael Pittman. This offseason, the Colts signed Ward to a three-year, $54 million free agent deal. He joins the Colts one year removed from an All-Pro season in 2023. That year, Ward had five interceptions, 17 pass breakups, and allowed a completion rate of just 54%, per PFF. Beyond the production, Ward brings winning experience to the Colts defense--something this team doesn't have a lot of--having played in two Super Bowls, winning one of them. He's also a great fit for Lou Anarumo's defensive system, with his ability to play on an island and match up with a variety of wide receiver skill sets. "It's go time," Ward said via Locked on Colts after practice. "It's training camp time. It isn't time to be eased into anything right now. I'm getting ready for the season. We're getting ready for a long run, hopefully to make the playoffs. We all in, 10 toes deep right now." Ward, along with Cam Bynum and Anarumo calling the plays, will play a key role in turning this Colts' secondary around this season. A year ago, the Colts ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in passer rating, completion rate, pass deflections, and yards per pass attempt allowed.
