Latest news with #Women'sCoachoftheYear
RTÉ News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ben Martin named as new Leinster Women head coach
Ben Martin will take over as head coach of the Leinster Women's senior team ahead of this summer's Vodafone Interprovincial Championship, replacing the outgoing Tania Rosser. Martin represented his native Australia on the Sevens circuit during his playing career. He served as a player-coach at Kanturk in the AIL before taking over UL Bohemians Women, where he won the AIL title and picked up the 2019 Women's Coach of the Year award. He guided Blackrock College RFC's Women's team to two AIL finals, lifting the trophy in the 2022/23 campaign. Most recently, he served on Neill Alcorn's coaching ticket in the Celtic Challenge as the Wolfhounds won nine of their ten games to claim the crown. "It's an exciting time, obviously, with a Women's World Cup on the horizon," said Martin, who has Michelle Claffey and Charlie Doel as backs and forwards coaches, respectively. "There's a chance to potentially unearth some diamonds that haven't been found yet within the pathways of women's rugby. "I'm excited. It's a big challenge. There's a nice history with what's happened, especially in the recent history, with Leinster being back-to-back champions, so that puts a little bit of pressure on us." Leinster begin the defence of their Interprovincial crown against Ulster at Energia Park on 10 August. Women's Interprovincial Championship Fixtures: Round 1: Sunday, 10 August Leinster v Ulster at Energia Park (kick-off 2.30pm) Munster v Connacht at Virgin Media Park (4.15pm) Round 2: Saturday, 16 August Leinster v Munster at Energia Park (2.30pm) Connacht v Ulster at Dexcom Stadium (4.15pm) Round 3: Saturday, 23 August Connacht v Leinster at Dexcom Stadium (2.30pm) Ulster v Munster at Kingspan Stadium (4.15pm) Finals Day: Saturday, 30 August Games will be played at Energia Park.
CAF
19-03-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Coach Desiree Ellis – Banyana Banyana Head Coach
With CAFOnline's ongoing celebrations and recognition of International Women's Month, the focus has moved to the reigning CAF Women's Coach of the Year, Desiree Ellis. The former Banyana Banyana captain who guided South Africa's senior women's national team to its first ever TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations title two years ago is now officially addressed as Dr Desiree Ellis, after being officially conferred by the University on Thursday, 25 April. Dr Ellis' recognition comes as a result of a long list of accolades and achievement by the reigning African Women's Football Coach of the Year, which include guiding her former national team to its first continental title, leading Banyana Banyana to two FIFA Women's World Cup competitions, lifting four COSAFA Women's Championship titles as well as four consecutive CAF Women Coach of the Year awards. In this exclusive sit down with CAFOnline, Dr Ellis shares her journey in African football, her inspirations and her wishes for the women's game across the continent. Coach firstly congratulations on your achievements over the years, how do you reflect on this? If I think back, I could not have imagined all this turning out the way it has. I am so blessed and grateful for the opportunity given to me by the South African Football Association (SAFA) as well as the support along the way. Also, just a reminder that I don't work alone – the technical team and support staff have been amazing, and of course the key role players… the players, as coach T aptly says make us look good. March is International Women's month; how would you reflect on the growth of women's football both on the continent as well as globally? The growth of women's football has been massive globally, as well as on the continent. There are so many African female players now all over the world at some of the best clubs, with more and more players consistently getting scouted abroad. Not so long ago the most expensive transfers were Racheal Kundananji and Barbara Band, until recently Naomi Girma of American/Ethiopian decent. The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup showed the growth of the African teams with 3 out of the 4 countries reaching the last 16 but I feel that with the financial resources Europe has access to, the gap is rather getting bigger than smaller, just when we think we're catching up we fall behind. They have a Nations league, and countries play each other every window with fixtures already designated and not having to find an opponent., but that is not the case for us. However, there is now zone-specific playoffs prior to the CAF Women's Champions League final tournament to get to the overall champion, providing further opportunities in the multiple regions with further scouting potential. There are also schools' tournaments at grassroots level, u17, u20, Futsal and WAFCON, as well as Morocco set to host the next five U17 Women's World Cup tournaments. In addition to this, are zone specific tournaments like COSAFA, CECAFA etc. Bringing it closer to home, how do you reflect on the growth of football in SA? It's not where we want to be but it's a step in the right direction. Back in the day we had one league in our region and interprovincial at the end of the season. We now have the National League, the provincial league that is run provincially with 144 teams ( +- 16 team in each province, regional leagues run across about 52 regions and more development leagues in some regions). There is also University football which has bridged the gap further and also provided education to many footballers. But the urgent cry and need is a professional league which will really take our game to the next level. If we were to trace back your journey, from the days of being captain to working your way up to national team coach, what are some of the key turning points that you feel have gotten you where you are today? Despite facing many challenges in life, perseverance, resilience, and an unwavering love for the game—along with my determination to pursue my dream—have been key in shaping my journey. You have been involved in the women's game all your life and have observed a lot during your career. Who are some of the young and older women would you say have inspired or continue to inspire you? Fran Hilton-Smith, Nomsa Mahlangu, Ntambi Ravele, Ilhaam Groenewald, Coach Jacqui Shapinga and of course Vera Pauw just to mention a few. They have always offered a listening ear and valuable guidance. While there has been growth in recent years, are there any key areas that you would like to see improving in the women's game? While the women's game has seen significant growth in recent years, there are still key areas that need improvement, such as increased investment, greater professional opportunities, and enhanced grassroots development leagues/programmes to ensure long-term sustainability and competitiveness. Any word of advice to young and aspiring African coaches who look to follow in your giant footsteps? Make sure you work on your craft and find your own unique style/way that works for you. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your vision, ambition, and drive
CAF
07-03-2025
- Sport
- CAF
#4YearsOfProgress: Dr Desiree Ellis and Barbra Banda hail progress made in developing women's football in Africa
TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach Dr Desiree Ellis and reigning CAF Women's Player of the Year winner Barbra Banda are fulsome in their praise for the Confédération Africaine de Football's (CAF) efforts at developing women's football on the continent. Dr Ellis, who has won four CAF Women's Coach of the Year titles, was an international footballer before turning her hand to coaching and has been involved at the top level of the African game for more than 30 years. Her expertise is well respected within African football, as is her commitment to the betterment of the game, and she is delighted with the progress she has seen in recent years to develop the next generation of female coaches. 'I think there's been a massive jump,' Dr Ellis said. 'Before, there were very few courses and not much opportunity. Now you see that there are courses for women all over the continent. 'There has even been instructors' courses and refresher courses. In the past it was very slow. It was just South Africa that had courses for women, and I think at the moment, still South Africa has the most licensed women's coaches. 'But that has improved all around the continent with so many more opportunities for women.' Since launching the female-only Coaching Courses program in 2023, CAF has been collaborating with Member Associations (MAs) to support them financially in conducting development programmes. This initiative has already successfully reached 18 countries and has led to the completion of 21 courses, providing valuable resources and support for female coaches at various stages of their careers. The ultimate aim is to equip them with the necessary skills and credentials, enhancing their professional development and increasing their representation within the coaching this collaboration and the push to include more women in coaching courses, CAF has seen remarkable results. Since 2022, 590 female coaches have attained their CAF coaching diplomas. Of this group, 498 earned the CAF C-License and 92 achieved the CAF B-License. On the pitch, there has also been a change in recent years with the playing field being levelled and nations raising their standard quickly through better organisation and coaching. 'You just need to look at the countries that have now qualified for TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Morocco 2024 finals that will be played in July,' Ellis says. 'One quarter of the finalists at the last finals in Morocco (in 2022) have been replaced. They are not the same countries that were there the last time round and this is proof of widespread development. 'Algeria, Tanzania, Mali and Ghana are back. It means a lot of countries around the continent are in contention to qualify for the finals, which wasn't the case too many years ago. 'It used to pretty much be the same old faces all the time but now the line-up for WAFCON is more diverse. Cameroon is a country that has been a WAFCON runner-up three times previously and they have also qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup and the Olympics Games. But they were unable to qualify for the next WAFCON. That's how competitive it is now.' Thirty-nine teams out of CAF's 54 MAs entered the qualifiers for the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024, up from 24 in 2018. The difference is stark. And Ellis says the introduction of the CAF Women's Champions League, with the inaugural event staged in 2021, has been a game-changer too. 'In the last regional qualifiers there were a whole lot of new winners,' she says. 'All of this is proof of how competitive the women's football landscape has become. Women's football is not standing still. If you stand still, you do so at your own peril. 'It's really improved football on the continent. Even look at the international stage and how well the African teams did at the last FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.' Banda has been a star on the international stage for Zambia for several years having played at two Olympic Games and the FIFA Women's World Cup, and says the general feeling around African football is that the game is on the up on the continent. "Kudos to CAF for their investment in Women's Football these past years and that should continue because that's the only way we will develop the women's game on the continent. It's a welcome move that should be supported by all,' Banda said. "The future of women's football is very promising. It is slowly getting the respect it deserves and people are now noticing the amazing talent and are going to games to support. "Seeing my sisters from Malawi, South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana, Tanzania and so on going out there and showcasing their talent and putting the world on notice is something that warms my heart. It really shows that the continent has a lot of talent and is headed for greatness as far as women's football is concerned.' Banda says she has noticed an uptick in the competitive of opponents on the continent. 'We have seen the competition, it's not easy to play most teams and, of course, we have seen players making records out there and doing really well across the globe from the continent, which is amazing to see. 'It has developed well, we are on the right track. We just need more and more investment.' Part of that has been the investment made by CAF in women's football, which includes increased prizemoney for the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON and CAF Women's Champions League. The recent Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT), an Under-17 pilot project held in the CECAFA region, is another step forward in terms of providing international exposure for young players to help them on their football journey. This has been welcomed by Ellis. 'More competitions, especially for the youth, are needed because they only have qualifying competitions played on a knockout basis, where they play home and away, rather than in a tournament,' she says. 'And then when you have countries that withdraw, it means some teams don't play any games until they get up to the final stages. And then they have not prepared properly. With more tournaments, that will really improve football on the continent even more.' You can download CAF Women's Football graphics for editorial use only. Click here.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USWNT upcoming schedule: SheBelieves Cup, friendlies vs Brazil
The Emma Hayes era is off to a fantastic start for the United States women's national team, who have won 14 times, drawn twice, and seen Hayes win the first ever Ballon d'Or awarded for Women's Coach of the Year. Oh, and they've won an Olympic gold medal, defeating Brazil in a tense final. Now, they'll do it again in the United States for a pair of 2025 friendlies. [ MORE: USWNT records — most goals, caps, wins ] It's all part of a still-new but not entirely new era, as Lindsey Horan and Crystal Dunn continue to play major roles in helping to bring gold back to the United States. And there's so much more to learn about this program and it's top young talent. Sixteen-year-old Lily Yohannes scored on her debut in a friendly win against South Korea and Croix Bethune was on the Olympic side but has not yet truly featured despite being one of the best playmakers in the National Women's Soccer League. Longtime Chelsea boss Hayes was hired in November 2023 and now all eyes are on her to see how the four-time World Cup-winning USWNT fare. Here are the last two years of the USWNT, plus what's next after Alyssa Naeher signed off on her international career with a draw against England and defeat of the Netherlands. SheBelieves CupUSWNT vs Colombia — Feb. 20 — Won 2-0 — Video highlightsUSWNT vs Australia — Feb. 23 — State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona — 5pm ETUSWNT vs Japan — Feb. 26 — Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California — 10:30pm ET FriendliesUSWNT vs Brazil — April 5 — Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles, California — 5pm ETUSWNT vs Brazil — Apri 8 — PayPal Park in San Jose, California — 10:30pm ET *if necessary W Gold Cupvs Dominican Republic — Feb. 20 — Won 5-0vs Argentina — Feb. 23 — Won 4-0vs Mexico — Feb. 26 — Lost 2-0vs Colombia — March 3 — Won 3-0vs Canada — March 6 — Drew 2-2, won 3-1 on pensvs Brazil — March 10 — Won 1-0 — Recap, highlights SheBelieves Cupvs Japan — April 6 — Won 2-1vs Canada — April 9 — Drew 2-2, won 5-4 on pens Friendliesvs South Korea — June 1 — Won 4-0 — Hayes wins debut — Recap, highlightsvs South Korea — June 4 — Won 3-0 — Highlightsvs Mexico — July 13 — Won 1-0vs Costa Rica — July 16 — Draw 0-0 Olympicsvs Zambia — July 25 — Won 3-0 — Recap, highlights & analysisvs Germany — July 28 — Won 4-1 — Recap, highlights & analysisvs Australia — July 31 — Won 2-1 — Recap, highlights & analysisQuarterfinal vs Japan — August 3 — Won 1-0 (aet) — Recap, highlights & analysisSemifinal vs Germany — August 6 — Won 1-0 (aet)— Recap, highlights & analysisGold medal match vs Brazil — Won 1-0 — Recap, highlights, & analysis Friendliesvs Iceland — Oct. 24 — Won 3-1 — Video highlightsvs Iceland — Oct. 27 — Won 3-1 — Video highlightsvs Argentina — Oct. 30 — Won 3-0 — Video highlightsat England — Nov. 30 — Wembley Stadium, London — Drew 0-0 — Recap, highlightsvs Netherlands — Dec. 3 — Bingoal Stadium, The Hague — Won 2-0 Friendlyvs Wales — July 9 — Won 2-0 World Cupvs Vietnam — July 21 — Won 3-0vs Netherlands — July 26 — Drew 1-1vs Portugal — Aug. 1 — Drew 0-0vs Sweden — Aug. 6 — Drew 0-0, lost 5-4 on penalties Friendliesvs South Africa — Sept. 21 — Won 3-0vs South Africa — Sept. 24 — Won 2-0vs Colombia — Oct. 26 — Drew 0-0vs Colombia — Oct. 29 — Won 3-0vs China — Dec. 2 — Won 3-0vs China — Dec. 5 — Won 2-1
