Latest news with #Women
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Excited' Andreatta says Scots can avoid relegation
Women's Nations League: Scotland v Austria Date: 30 May Time: 19:35 BST Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Coverage: Live on BBC Alba and also watch and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website. New head coach Melissa Andreatta is more excited by the possibilities for the Scotland's Women's team after working with the players for the first time - and believes they can preserve their top-tier Nations League status. Scotland round off a so-far miserable Nations League Group A1 campaign at home to Austria on Friday before travelling to the Netherlands four days later - with both matches live on the BBC. As they did during their first stint in League A in 2023, Scotland have struggled among the elite of the Nations League and have yet to take a point from their four matches. To have a chance of preserving their League A status via a play-off, they will need to beat Austria by two goals at Hampden. They lost 1-0 on matchday one at the Josko Arena but those are Austria's only points of their own modest campaign. When the former Australia assistant head coach was asked if she believes her new side can avoid Nations League relegation, she replied "we believe we can do that". The 46-year-old added: "'Excited' is a good word for me to use. I definitely am, but I want to be measured as well and know that it's going to take time and there's progress to be made in order to match our ambition with the belief. "The first few weeks have been more than I had hoped for. I said to the players that I'm falling in love with this country and the football speaks for itself. "I only see opportunity and yes, there's going to be tough times and yes, there's a lot of progress to be made, but we believe in what we have, we believe we have what it takes and we're going to fight." Andreatta has taken over following the exit of Pedro Martinez Losa - who is now in charge of Mexican club Tigres - after Scotland's failure to reach the Euro 2025 finals. She will only have two games to work with Rachel Corsie, as the 35-year-old will retire at the end of this international window. The Australian paid tribute to the former captain's demeanour around what will be her final international camp. "Rachel Corsie - what a legend," added Andreatta. "It's been super humbling to to work with her in these past few days and the professionalism of Rachel is what's really stood out and her willingness to share her experiences with both players and staff. "I think she's had a really positive impact on the group on her return to camp and all she's focused on is her role and what the team needs to do to play the way we want to." In Andreatta's first squad there is a first call up for Hibernian striker Kathleen McGovern, who has 25 goals for the Scottish Women's Premier League leaders, while Rangers captain Nicola Docherty and two club-mates - winger Brogan Hay and forward Kirsty Howat - have also been recalled. Scotland have failed to reach a major tournament since 2019. Analysis - BBC Scotland commentator Thomas Duncan Andreatta will hope to take some inspiration from her Austrian counterpart Alexander Schreibl, who took charge of his first game against Scotland in February and emerged with a narrow 1-0 win. These sides have been separated by a single goal the last two times they have met with one win apiece, an illustration of how closely fought Friday's game will be. Austria have found the going tough since that opening victory, though, losing 4-1 to Germany and 3-1 home and away to the Netherlands. They took the lead in two of those three games though, and Schreibl has called in extra attacking reinforcements to try to make the difference against Scotland, who have struggled for goals for a long time now against sides who have similar or greater squad quality. Striker Nicole Billa, who has 47 goals in 106 caps, has been recalled and could start in a front two, which has been deployed behind a diamond midfield throughout the Nations League. Another forward, Eileen Campbell is also back from a hip injury. With Scotland needing a two-goal victory to give themselves a chance of staying in League A, Austria know if they use their firepower correctly it will make life very difficult for Andreatta's side. Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Rosengard), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit). Defenders: Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Rachel Corsie (Aston Villa), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Leicester City), Emma Lawton (Celtic), Rachel McLauchlan (Rangers), Amy Muir (Glasgow City), Kirsty Smith (unattached). Midfielders: Chelsea Cornet (Rangers), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Lauren Davidson (Brann), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Brogan Hay (Rangers), Kirsty MacLean (Rangers), Amy Rodgers (Bristol City), Emma Watson (Manchester United), Caroline Weir (Real Madrid). Forwards: Kirsty Howat (Rangers), Mia McAulay (Rangers), Kathleen McGovern (Hibernian), Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur). Scottish Football Association
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Sarina Wiegman 'sad and disappointed' by Mary Earps England retirement
Lioness boss reflects on 'very hard decision' taken by the former England No1 and says she would still like Earps to be in her team HARD DECISION Sarina Wiegman 'sad and disappointed' by Mary Earps England retirement while Leah Williamson says keeper will be missed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SARINA WIEGMAN admitted to being 'disappointed and sad' by Mary Earps calling time on her England career. And Leah Williamson revealed she was devastated, describing the former Lioness's retirement as a huge loss for the team. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 England skipper Leah Williamson and head coach Sarina Wiegman expressed their sadness concerning Mary Earps' international retirement Credit: PA 4 Wiegman is disappointed that Earps had called time on her England career and says she still wished the former Lionesses goalkeeper was part of her team Credit: Reuters 4 Williamson, who together with Earps helped England win the 2022 Euros, described the goalkeeper as her "best friend in football" Credit: Alamy Yesterday Wiegman and her captain publicly shared their thoughts in their first press conference in the wake of Earps' bombshell announcement. Four days ago (May 26) the FA stated the Euros-winning shot stopper was ending her England run And the Paris Saint-Germain ace, 32, also shared her international career update via her Instagram account. Earps standing down from international duty five weeks before this year's Euros, means the tournament's reigning champions will defend their title without their most experienced goalkeeper. Lionesses boss Wiegman, who still wants Earps as part of her squad, said: "I'm really disappointed and sad that she's not part of the team because I want her in my team. "That (retirement decision) must have been a really hard decision for her and so it is for us. "There have been a couple of conversations which I don't want to share publicly because that's between us and it's hard for her at the same time." Earps, who has 53 senior international caps, started in all six games during England's run to becoming European Champions three years ago. In Australia in 2023, she played a significant role in England reaching the Women's World Cup final for the first time in their history, Her performance in all seven games would see her win the tournament's Golden Glove before later being voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year. During the contest's final Earps produced a dramatic penalty save against Spain keeping out Jenni Hermoso's spot-kick before her team fell to a 1-0 loss. However since last October the former Man United player has faced a battle to start with Chelsea's Hannah Hampton. The Blues stopper started in five of England's last eight international games. Williamson, 26, who skippered the team during the 2022 Euros, said: "I'm devastated (by her England retirement) because I love her and love being her teammate. "Mary is one of my closest friends in football. "We have an extra pair of shoes to fill and also in a number of different areas. "I'm sure the team will be ready for all those eventualities." Earlier this week The Athletic reported that Sarina Wiegman had told Earps that she would not be her No1 keeper for this year's Euros. And The Guardian reports Earps, had in April, informed the England boss that she was thinking of retiring. However Wiegman remained tight-lipped on the exact details of her conversation with Earps. The Lioness chief said: "I am in conversations with players all the time. "I don't give any information about these private conversations we have. "Hannah Hampton is now the number one. "Before that she was a little bit ahead but at moments you can't look too far forward because you don't know what things will happen. "Things in football can change very quickly." England, who face Portugal at Wembley tomorrow and Spain away in the Nations League next Tuesday, have been hit by fitness issues. Aside from Ella Morris, 22, rupturing a knee ligament, Alessia Russo, 26, and Ella Toone, 25, will both miss tomorrow's 7:45pm clash due to calf concerns. And vice-captain Millie Bright, 31, withdrew from England's camp earlier this week with Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy called up in her absence. On the Daly Brightness podcast she hosts with ex-Lioness team-mate Rachel Daly, the 88-capped centre-back explained she was at her limit "physically and mentally". This term the Chelsea skipper led the Blues on a treble-winning trophy charge, lifting the FA and Women's League Cups and claiming an eighth WSL title. Of her withdrawal from this month's England camp Bright said: "That is a really hard decision. "But I think you know better than anyone as well - sometimes you just have to take that time for yourself. "You need to value yourself and your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you." 4 England will face Portugal and Spain in the Nations League without the services of Millie Bright with the Lioness vice-keeper withdrawing from their May camp Credit: Getty Bright's England team-mate Williamson added: "That decision for Millie herself to say, 'I need to take a break' and to speak out about mental health is a brave thing to do. "She's leading by example and I've personally given Millie a bit of space. "Naturally any support that she needs and anything that she needs from the team, we'll be there to give it to her."
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
MLB takes bold step into women's sports with Athletes Unlimited Softball stake
Image Source: Getty MLB is going big by investing in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), a new women's professional softball league that launches its first season on June 7, 2025. This is MLB's first major investment in a women's professional sports league and will bring financial and promotional support to women's softball as the sport is blowing up. MLB partners with AUSL to boost women's softball MLB announced on May 29, 2025, that it's buying over 20% of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, giving a major boost to the new league that's set to start with four teams playing 24 games each in 12 cities across the country. That multimillion-dollar deal will go towards funding things such as running the league and promoting it to more fans. — MLB (@MLB) Marketing the product and airing the games will be a joint effort of MLB, including the first game at 7:00 PM ET on June 7, 2025, aired on MLB Network and ESPN's acquisition of the rights to broadcast all 72 games will ensure fans never have to worry about finding a channel to watch on. Also Read: Why the Los Angeles Angels' offence continues to struggle after loss to the New York Yankees This is a big deal because it's rare for a major men's sports league like MLB to invest so much in a women's league after it's created, unlike the NBA, which started the WNBA. The AUSL, run by Athletes Unlimited, which also has women's basketball and volleyball leagues, wants to make softball a sport that lasts for years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Truque caseiro noturno eficaz contra a papada (faça hoje mesmo) Revista & Saúde Saiba Mais Undo MLB's support will help get more people excited about the league by showing games and players at big events like the MLB All-Star Game and playoffs. Kim Ng's leadership and softball's growing popularity The AUSL is off to a strong start with Kim Ng as its new commissioner, hired in April 2025 to lead the league. Ng, who previously operated the Miami Marlins baseball organization and played on the collegiate level in softball has a wealth of experience and passion for the game. Meanwhile, famous softball icons Jennie Finch, Cat Osterman and Jessica Mendoza, and some of the best players in the game – Lexi Kilfoyl and Megan Faraimo, who will be playing in the league following the drafts in January 2025 and May 2025. Women's sports are becoming super popular, with over $1 billion in revenue each year, and softball is a big part of that. The 2024 Women's College World Series drew over 2 million viewers, representing a 24% increase from the previous year, underscoring the growing popularity of softball. With softball coming back to the Olympics in 2028, the AUSL plans to grow even more, moving to a city-based league in 2026 with six teams. MLB's help will make sure more fans see the games and young girls have a pro league to dream about joining. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
NDTV
16 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Devieka Palshikaar Takes Charge as Lead Performance Coach for Ratnagiri Jets
Ratnagiri Jets, the two-time champions of the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL), announced the appointment of Devieka Palshikaar as the Lead Performance Coach for both the men's and women's teams, ahead of the eagerly awaited Season 3. Ranjit Pande will continue in his role as Head Coach for both squads, according to a release from MPL. Season 3 of the Maharashtra Premier League kicks off on June 4, 2025, with the men's team beginning their title defence against Eagle Nashik Titans. The inaugural edition of the Women's Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL) follows from June 5 - 14, where Ratnagiri Jets will open their campaign against Raigad Royals. A former India international, Devieka Palshikaar, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the franchise. Her coaching career includes impactful stints as Batting Coach of the Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League and Head Coach of the Kerala Senior Women's Team, where she played a pivotal role in grooming some of India's emerging women cricketers. In her new role, Devieka will work closely with Head Coach Ranjit Pande on strategic planning, performance development, and match preparation. Her dual responsibility across both MPL and WMPL squads is aimed at ensuring a seamless integration of coaching philosophy and training excellence throughout the franchise. Notably, her prior association with Smriti Mandhana is expected to further strengthen player mentorship and foster greater team cohesion. Devieka Palshikaar, commenting on her new role, said: "It's a privilege to join the Ratnagiri Jets franchise, which has already set high standards in Maharashtra cricket. I look forward to working closely with the players and the coaching staff to build a culture of excellence, discipline, and continuous improvement. My goal is to help shape a fearless, confident, and cohesive unit that plays with purpose. With Smriti leading the way and a passionate support team around us, we have the foundation to inspire and achieve something truly special. The dual role across both men's and women's teams is an exciting challenge--one that I embrace wholeheartedly, as we work together to shape future champions of Indian cricket." Praful Chandawarkar, CEO of Ratnagiri Jets, added: "At Ratnagiri Jets, our mission goes beyond winning titles--it's about building a sustainable ecosystem for cricketing talent to thrive. Devieka's appointment reflects our commitment to providing world-class coaching, especially as we set the stage for our women's team this season. Her leadership, deep understanding of the game, and dedication to developing players will be instrumental in our pursuit of cricketing excellence across both teams." JetSynthesys, the driving force behind the Ratnagiri Jets, fuels both the men's and women's teams through its grassroots initiative - the 'Jets Club'. Dedicated to identifying and nurturing cricketing talent from underserved regions across Maharashtra, the initiative reflects the franchise's long-term vision for cricket development. With Devieka Palshikaar now leading the charge as Lead Performance Coach, the women's team is not only poised to make a strong impression in the inaugural WMPL season but also to become a beacon of inspiration for aspiring young cricketers across the region. Listen to the latest songs, only on
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Susan Brownmiller Asked Us to Rethink Everything We Thought We Knew
Last Saturday, after a long illness, the radical feminist Susan Brownmiller died at 90. She leaves behind a few distant cousins, loving friends, and a public conversation about sex and gender that was transformed by her journalism, books, activism, and media presence. The author of seven books, Brownmiller is best known for Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape, still in print 50 years after its 1975 publication. This surprise bestseller came on the heels of a boomlet in radical feminist theory, criticism, and fiction marketed to a commercial audience. Brownmiller was, hands down, one of the savviest feminist media figures of the twentieth century. The architect of a savage takedown of Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner that aired on the March 26, 1970, episode of The Dick Cavett Show, she was a star in a movement that deplored self-appointed leaders or spokespeople. Accounts of Susan Brownmiller's life, as they have emerged in the press and in popular culture, rightly note the controversial stances she took over the course of her life in feminism. But perceiving Brownmiller as singular in this regard misses important context. Radical feminists were inherently controversial, not only because they promoted a gender revolution but because their insights emerged from intimate conversation, conflict, and arguments. Clashes over ideas and personal styles were also consistent with the radical political movements that Brownmiller and her sisters were forged in before feminism: Communist and Communist-adjacent groups, Fair Play for Cuba, anti-nuclear politics, the Civil Rights Movement, and the mobilization to end the war in Vietnam. Although she did not anticipate, or accept, some of the criticisms that would be aimed at her, Brownmiller also knew that the claims about male power that structured Against Our Will would be broadly controversial. Its project was to create a national debate about sexual assault based on facts that already existed, a debate that had not yet happened outside radical feminist circles. By recasting rape as a political act, Brownmiller asked her readers to rethink everything they thought they knew: Western civilization, their own attitudes, the law, and social science—among other things. In the introduction, Brownmiller also foregrounded the radical feminist principle that talking and listening can change minds. She, for example, had not believed that rape was a feminist issue. Yet other women 'understood their victimization,' she wrote. 'I understood only that it had not happened to me—and resisted the idea that it could. I learned that in ways I preferred to deny the threat of rape had profoundly affected my life.' From conflict came transformation, and the idea for the book that commercial editors had been soliciting from her since Brownmiller's 1970 insider account of the women's movement in The New York Times Magazine. Against Our Will was widely praised but also had its detractors. Black feminist intellectuals such as bell hooks and Angela Davis pointed out that Brownmiller's attempts to weave the crime of lynching into her theory of gender and power were clumsy and confounded history. For example, Black men were historically controlled not by the fear of rape but by the fear of being put to death by a false rape charge, a fact that Brownmiller acknowledged but then displaced in a tortuous section on the Emmett Till lynching. It isn't true, however, that only Black feminists thought Against Our Will was flawed. Some male, and a few female, reviewers were outraged by Brownmiller's conclusion that the patriarchy was promoted and preserved by the ever-present possibility of sexual assault. Some radical feminists who had always been uncomfortable with Brownmiller's high media profile deplored her use of ideas developed in consciousness-raising sessions, and challenged her to take her name off the book. Brownmiller's theory that the patriarchy is propped up by the possibility of sexual assault, as well as positions she took later—her fight to push sex workers and the adult entertainment industry out of Times Square; her assertion that Hedda Nussbaum, a battered woman and the subject of Brownmiller's 1987 novel, Waverly Place, was not an innocent victim; and most recently, her skepticism about the #MeToo movement—remain controversial, particularly among younger feminists who are fighting these fights in their own way. But what is often missed in accounts of Susan Brownmiller's life is that, in addition to her deep commitment to social justice, she was a fundamentally generous, good person with a terrific sense of humor. She loved dogs, the theater, movies, poker, and baseball. When she became prosperous, she put money back into political causes she cared about and took her friends on international trips. Brownmiller was profoundly loyal to, and generous with, those friends. Her archived correspondence is full of instances in which she connected other women with agents and editors, encouraged them to write books, and boosted their self-confidence. When she worked for ABC in the 1960s, assigned to the Washington bureau over one weekend, she asked the female assistant tasked with orienting her: 'Why aren't you in charge?' This woman quit her job, went on to her own career as a journalist, and became a lifelong friend. For the last 25 years, Susan Brownmiller played that role for numerous researchers too. In 2009, long before I imagined the biography of her that I am now writing, I went to interview Brownmiller. Nervously stepping off the elevator, I saw the woman on the back of the book I read back in 1975, draped against her door jamb. 'Welcome to Jane Street,' she greeted me, flashing a warm smile designed to put me at ease. By the end of the afternoon, I had not only a terrific interview but a fistful of appointments with other veterans of a political movement who are justifiably wary about how they will be represented. 'Her name is Claire Potter,' Susan would say, waving a lit (or sometimes unlit) cigarette with one hand and holding the phone in the other. 'She's a feminist—the real deal. Talk to her.' She would then thrust the receiver at me, and I would make another appointment. It was, to paraphrase a classic film, the beginning of a beautiful friendship. I was not Brownmiller's best friend, or her most daily friend, or the person who helped her the most in her final years. I'm the biographer. But as a feminist who will be in dialogue with her until my book is done and a new generation can argue with her, I will nevertheless miss the living, breathing Susan Brownmiller terribly.
