Latest news with #rugbysevens
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
How the Lady of the manor renovated her Cotswold property to be a home and business
In 2018, after 15 years in Hong Kong, Briton Alice Fortescue heard her ancestral roots calling when a perfect storm drew her, her husband, Robert Derry, and their two Hong Kong-born children back to the family estate, Ebrington Manor. 'The idea had always been to build a business [in Hong Kong] and sell it,' says Fortescue, who inherited the honorific 'Lady' from her father, Charles Fortescue, 8th Earl Fortescue. In fact, the couple, who moved to Hong Kong in 2003, had built two successful businesses in the events sector, selling both to the same buyer who offered Derry a job in Britain, where Fortescue could also continue her work in the rugby sevens-related events she'd started in Hong Kong. The 80-hectare grounds include a lake fed by a natural spring, a boathouse, rose gardens and an orchard. Photo: Nick Church Photography 'Rob's father was not well,' says Fortescue. 'My father was getting on as well, and he asked if we'd be interested in taking on the house.' Her parents, living in the main house at the time, would downsize into the (now renovated) old farm buildings on the estate. Having grown up in Ebrington since the age of three months, London-born Fortescue knew every inch of the three-storey Cotswold manor set on 80 hectares (of the original 800) near Chipping Campden, in Gloucestershire, southwest Britain, complete with summer house, lake house, ponds, orchards and rose gardens. 'Maintaining a house like this is hugely expensive,' says Fortescue. 'We always knew we'd have to incorporate some sort of commercial venture to make it work.'
CBC
24-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canadian women lose Pacific Four Series rugby title to New Zealand on a tiebreaker
Winger Portia Woodman-Wickliffe entered the record books with seven tries Saturday as the New Zealand Black Ferns thumped the U.S. 79-14 to dethrone Canada as Pacific Four Series rugby champion on a tiebreaker. Second-ranked Canada and No. 3 New Zealand, who played to a dramatic 27-27 draw last Saturday, both finished with 13 points at 2-0-1. The Canadian women wrapped up play Friday with a 45-7 win over No. 6 Australia in Brisbane. Given the draw between Canada and New Zealand, the title was decided by the second tiebreaker — points differential. The Black Ferns went into the tournament finale with a points differential of plus-26, trailing Canada's plus-50. First-half hat tricks by Woodman-Wickliffe and fellow winger Katelyn Vahaakolo ended the drama quickly. Woodman-Wickliffe, 33, who has come out of international retirement after stepping away after winning her second rugby sevens gold at the Paris Olympics, added four more tries in the second half to become the Black Ferns' all-time leading try-scorer with 45. Vahaakolo finished with four tries for New Zealand, which led 34-14 at the half at North Harbour Stadium, as the Black Ferns upped their point differential to plus-91. The ninth-ranked U.S. women (0-3-0) finished fourth behind Australia (1-2-0). Canada opened tournament play with a 26-14 win over the U.S. on May 2 in Kansas City. All four Pacific Four Series teams are preparing for the World Cup, which kicks off Aug. 22 in England. The Canadians have been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji. Canada could face Australia in the quarterfinals and New Zealand in the World Cup semifinal with No. 1 England, the tournament favourite, expected to be waiting in the final. Next Up Canada's next games are against No. 12 South Africa in Pretoria on July 5 and Gqeberha on July 12. Its final tune-up is Aug. 9 against No. 5 Ireland in Belfast. Canada won last year's Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the Black Ferns 22-19 in Christchurch. The Canadian women had lost all 17 meetings with New Zealand before that. Canada also won the inaugural Pacific Four Series in 2021, when the event consisted of a two-game series with the U.S. due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The Canadians finished runner-up to New Zealand in 2022 and 2023 when the competition was expanded to four teams. Canada is 12-5-1 since losing 36-0 to France in the third-place game at the last World Cup in November 2022. Four of those losses were to England, with the other to New Zealand.
ABC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
PNG Palais 7s veteran Alice Alois embraces the juggle of motherhood, career and professional sport
From donning the tri-colours and representing her country in rugby sevens, Papua New Guinea Palais 7s veteran Alice Alois continues to break barriers: balancing motherhood, a full-time job and sporting commitments as a national representative. Recently Alois and fellow Palais 7s veteran Joanne Lagona led the Kramer Asia Pacific Sisters to victory to claim the women's sevens title at the Sport Tok 7s national tournament. Alois also picked up Player of the Tournament honours following her team's victory in Port Moresby. The 28-year-old said her sevens journey had been challenging but with many blessings. On the rise Growing up just outside of Port Moresby, her father was a mechanic with the PNG Defence Force and her family lived in the Goldie Barracks. "My journey into rugby was not what I had in mind growing up. I had always wanted to compete and represent my country in athletics," she said. "I grew up playing netball through to my early teens and in a household surrounded by my dad and brothers, so it was really strict for me." In 2010, she was approached to play for the Goldie Warriors in the Port Moresby rugby union competition. With only basic rugby drills learned at training, she went on to play her first game against the Spartans women, a team dominated by the national team PNG Palais players. Alois led the KAPAC Sisters 7s team to secure the 2025 Sport Tok 7s Women's Cup. She also won player of the tournament. ( Sport Tok 7s ) "The first time I played a game of sevens, I was tackled and hit so hard I ended up having to have a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) but instead of feeling scared, it only motivated me to keep pushing," Alois said. She said part of her motivation was her mother, who always encouraged her to keep going. As a 15-year-old, she was scouted by the then-national women's coach John Larry who saw her potential. However, the training schedule was challenging for a young woman in PNG. "The biggest challenge for me then was my movements before and after training; trying to get home before dark," she said. Representing Papua New Guinea Alois' first opportunity to represent Papua New Guinea came in 2012 when she was selected for the Oceania Rugby 7s in Fiji. But she was underage and her father wouldn't allow her to travel with the squad. "I missed out on a couple of international tours before the Sydney Invitational 7s arrived," she said. "My mum was my hero, she believed in me and always encouraged me to never give up even with the challenges faced; if men could do it, so could I." Her father still took some convincing but she was finally allowed to don the PNG colours at the Sydney 7s tournament. Team PNG Women's Rugby 7s squad after their silver medal finish at the 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands. ( Team PNG ) For the next few years, she was called up for national representative duties with the PNG Palais 7s playing in the Coral Coast 7s, Oceania Rugby 7s, Borneo 7s and other international sevens competitions. However, her most memorable moment was playing on home soil during the 2015 Pacific Games. "That's the first time my family was present to watch me play. It also changed my ambition when we won bronze." Motherhood Alois' life took an unexpected turn when she found out she was expecting her daughter Victoria with partner and former PNG Pukpuk 7s player Wesley Vali. "I was really devastated that I would miss out on another huge opportunity but at the same time was already embracing the challenge of becoming a new mum," Alois said. Alois missed the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens after giving birth to her daughter. "Our daughter was only a month old when her dad went over to compete in the 2018 Rugby World Cup, it was tough for me but I knew I wasn't alone in this," she said. "Vicky's dad was always thinking of us when he was away during that time because whenever he scored a try, he'd make a cradling sign to remind us that we got this." Alois returned to training after her baby was a few months old and trialled to make the extended national squad again during the 2018 Rookie 7s tournament in Port Moresby. "Vicky became my motivation to be disciplined and committed to getting back," Alois said. "Whenever I felt like giving up in my core training at home, I would place her in a cradle in front of me to remind me that I was doing this for her." Young Victoria Vali is following in her parents' footsteps. She participates in the Jonah Kautu Academy rugby program in Port Moresby. ( Supplied ) Alois returned to the 7s circuit in time for the Hong Kong 7s tour and scored one try in their game against Scotland. She celebrated with the cradle sign paying homage to her partner in her return to national duties on live TV. Balancing life In 2019, she made the Team PNG squad winning bronze in Apia Samoa. COVID-19 hit in 2020 and made it difficult to compete overseas. Alois was given a captaincy role during a 2021 tour but 2022 came with a new set of challenges. She started a new job with Tactical Solutions International and so began the balancing act of motherhood, her rugby commitments and full-time employment before she was dealt a devastating blow. Alois lost her number one supporter, her mother. She realised that she was now the lady of the house, taking the lead with household duties as well as being employed, having a full schedule of rugby training and making time for her daughter. PNG 7s veterans Alice Alois and Wesley Vali with their daughter Vicky during independence celebrations in Port Moresby. ( Supplied ) "I remembered what my mum always reminded me of in order to overcome challenges, I had to stay disciplined, committed and have a mindset of never giving up," Alois said. "One day rugby will take care of you, put bread and butter on your plate, never forget that. If men can do it, you can do it too." Alois' last 7s international tour was in 2024 to Poland for the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger before the PNG Rugby Union was suspended, halting all Rugby 7s duties for its national teams. However, as Alois proved at the Sport Tok 7s, her sevens journey is far from over.
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Shock as American rugby star lands in hot water over ugly act that was branded 'thuggery' - as superstar Ilona Maher can't lead the USA to victory
Charlotte Caslick has opened her Wallaroos account in a 27-19 defeat of the USA, marred by a late red card for a head stamp. Rugby sevens convert Caslick scored the host's first try in Canberra on Saturday and, finding plenty of ball, showed some new tricks with a couple of clever grubbers in traffic on the wing. Eva Karpani scored once, back-rower Ashley Marsters found a double while Eagles forward Hope Rogers bagged a hat-trick as the home side overcame an early try to control the contest. The match will be remembered for Eagles centre Alev Kelter's red card though, the former ice hockey and soccer player sent off for stamping rival centre Georgina Friedrichs in the final minutes. An bronze medallist for the American sevens team in Paris last year, Kelter took a hit-up and then stamped repeatedly with her boot on Friedrichs' head, who was clinging to her other leg. Referee Aimee Barrett-Theron labelled it 'thuggery' after viewing the replay and had no hesitation in delivering a straight red card to the three-time Olympian. '12 blue (Kelter) is going to receive a permanent red card because this is thuggery, it is deliberate and it is very dangerous foul play,' the referee was heard saying on the microphone. 'She's clearly stamped on the head of the Australian player. That's reckless, that's dangerous and she's going off.' Aware of Caslick's ball-playing ability, Australia coach Jo Yapp said there was no long-term plans to keep the Olympic champion on the wing. 'It's no secret we lost two of our wingers ... if you watch Charlotte she's going to learn best by being on the field,' Yapp said. 'We saw that in the first half today and she's been working incredibly hard and it was great to see.' The Wallaroos began their Test campaign with a big win in Fiji but Saturday night's victory was Australia's first in the Pacific Four competition after a loss to New Zealand last week. They'll play Canada in Brisbane next Friday. Following the victory, USA boss Sione Fukofuka said his side would be taking a lot from the game, despite suffering defeat. 'We will take a lot out of today, both in our performance and on what we can do better. We planned pretty heavily for this game and unfortunately, didn't execute where the moments counted. We weren't able to convert possession into opportunities to score, so that's now our work on,' Fukofuka said. "We're 100 days away (from the Rugby World Cup) and still have a few more test matches to come, so we will focus on playing to our strengths. 'Our forwards pack is quite physical, dynamic, and has a huge variety of skill, which allows them to play to Hope, to play to Rachel, to play to Kate, which is positive. 'We were hoping to turn that set piece battle into more of an arm wrestle, which started pretty positive, but we just weren't able to finish the job.'
Fox News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Josaia Raisuqe, rugby star who won silver at Paris Olympics with Fiji, dead after accident involving train
Josaia Raisuqe, a rugby star who medaled for Fiji at the Paris Olympics, died after a train reportedly struck his vehicle as he drove to training. Raisuqe's rugby club, Castres, confirmed his death Thursday. He was 30 years old. "Castres Olympique is in mourning," the club said in a statement on its website. "It is with heavy hearts that we learned of the death this morning of our player Josaia Raisuqe in a road accident. "The entire CO family is devastated by this terrible news. Josh had been a member of the club since 2021. He was a wonderful teammate, much loved by everyone, including the Castres supporters who had embraced him. We extend our sincere condolences and thoughts to his family and loved ones." The death of Raisuqe shocked Castres supporters, who paid tribute to him just hours after his death. They were reportedly in the presence of his wife, as hundreds gathered in front of Pierre-Fabre Stadium, Castres' home, to mourn Raisuqe. Raisuqe was part of Fiji's rugby sevens team in Paris, which finished in second place at the Olympics to earn a silver medal. He was credited with a try against the United States during pool play, and he started for Fiji against France in the gold medal match. Raisuqe had been playing professionally in France since 2015, joining Top 14 champion Stade Francais that year. Raisuqe also played for Nevers, a second-division squad. He became so excited after a win in 2021 he lifted the referee over his head when the final whistle blew, and he was issued a red card for the incident. Raisuqe became a flanker for Castres in 2022, when the team made the Top 14 final. "He was a radiant boy on and off the field, a pillar of the Fijian community we have at the club and to which we are very attached," Castres chairman Pierre-Yves Revol said in a statement. "It is also difficult at this time not to mention the faith of all these (Fijian) players and of Josaia. My thoughts are with his fiancée and his entire family." Raisuqe last played on the wing for Castres less than two weeks ago. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
