Latest news with #trailblazer
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Sarina Wiegman urges more investment in women's game at Downing Street reception
England head coach Sarina Wiegman called for further investment in women's football to ensure the country remains a 'trailblazer' as her side celebrated their Euro 2025 success at a 'very, very special' reception at 10 Downing Street. After successfully defending their European crown with a penalty shoot-out victory over Spain in the tournament's showpiece in Basel on Sunday evening, the England team flew home to attend a reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. The team arrived just before 7pm, with Number 10 decorated for the occasion with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings. As Wiegman rose to speak to those gathered in the Downing Street garden she joked that 'this is different from standing next to a pitch'. She added: 'I have to make my apologies (for giving) you lots of heart attacks. You all made it through and we made it through and that's why we're here now. 'The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we're already legendary, what the team has done and the team behind the team. 'Thank you so much for having us here. It's very, very special to be here and to be in this very nice garden with the way you set it up with all these pictures, it makes it more special, it's the first moment it sinks in a little bit because it was surreal what happened last night.' Wiegman then used the moment to call for further investment in the women's game, with the Government due to announce a new package of measures to boost access to grassroots football. 'This incredible team won the Euros and then straightaway sent a letter to you, the Government, asking for attention and asking for access to football for all girls,' Wiegman said. 'Steps have been taken but we're not done yet, we have to keep moving forward and we need a little bit more. 'I heard we need to change some things about taxes…I think we have that confirmation tonight. So let's move forward. 'We need some more investment. We're not there yet. In England we're up there but England needs to stay the trailblazer, it needs to be the big example. The players first but also the FA, the clubs, the Government, the country, the fans – let's keep being the trailblazers.' In her own speech, Rayner congratulated Wiegman's team on defending their title 'with grit, with determination and with skill'. 'You roared, and I know I wasn't the only one roaring with you,' Rayner said. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty for England in the shoot-out after goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two outstanding saves. The game had gone to extra time and spot-kicks after Alessia Russo cancelled out the opener from Arsenal team-mate Mariona Caldentey as it finished 1-1 following extra time. After almost a month of competition in Switzerland, the team's plane branded with the word 'home' touched down at Southend Airport on Monday afternoon. In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the Euros trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane. Holding the trophy, captain Leah Williamson was first to step off the plane alongside Wiegman. Outside the airport, crowds were lined up to welcome the team and the trophy back home. A homecoming open-top bus parade follows in central London on Tuesday, where there will be a procession along The Mall and the celebration will finish with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. A trip to the Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides. Defender Jess Carter has not joined her team-mates for the celebrations in London as she has returned to the United States ahead of Gotham FC's NWSL match against the Chicago Stars on Saturday.
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
Legendary B.C. broadcaster Shushma Datt leaving Spice Radio
Shushma Datt has been a trailblazer over her nearly six-decade-long career. She told the CBC's Amy Bell that she is leaving the radio station she helped found two decades ago to focus on programming for seniors and elders in the South Asian community.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Long Island teen signed to American Soccer Club New York
A teenage soccer player from Ronkonkoma, Long Island, is not only getting a rare opportunity to play with adults, he's also a trailblazer for other young soccer hopefuls. CBS News New York's Krystle Rich has his story.
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Tributes paid to Ireland's first female track and field Olympian and 'trailblazer' in Irish sport
Tributes are being paid to Ireland's first female track and field Olympian, Maeve Kyle, who was 'a trailblazer' in Irish sport. Ms Kyle, who died at the age of 96, was born in Kilkenny in 1928. She made history at the 1956 Melbourne Games, competing in the 100m and 200m. Advertisement A former Kilkenny College student, she went on to represent Ireland at three Olympic Games, becoming the nation's first triple Olympian. Also a star in Irish hockey, she earned 58 caps and was twice named to the World All Star team. Athletics Ireland in a statement said it is "deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our esteemed Life Vice President Maeve Kyle.' They said that Ms Kyle was a 'true pioneer of Irish sport and one of our most iconic and inspirational athletes and she broke new ground for women in Irish athletics.' Advertisement She represented the country with distinction at the Melbourne 1956, Rome 1960, and Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games. At the Tokyo Games, she reached the semifinals in both the 400m and 800m. Maeve went on to win a bronze medal in the 400m at the 1966 European Indoor Championships in Dortmund and continued to compete with distinction in the Masters category, winning world titles and setting world records. 'Her presence on the international stage opened doors for countless others, and it was her courage, determination, and dignity on and off the track that truly set her apart,' continued Athletics Ireland. A gifted multi-sport athlete, Ms Kyle also became a renowned coach, working alongside her beloved late husband, Sean, to help shape generations of Irish athletes including their daughter Shauna. Advertisement She completed her involvement in a fourth Olympic Games by serving as coach to the Irish track and field team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. 'Her contribution to athletics spanned decades, from her ground-breaking career as a competitor to her roles as a coach, mentor, administrator, official, and advocate for women in sport and coaching structures,' the statement added. 'Maeve Kyle was more than a legend; she was a torchbearer who lit the path for those who followed. Her legacy lives on in the athletes she inspired and the standards she set. 'On behalf of the athletics community across Ireland, Athletics Ireland extend our heartfelt condolences to her daughter Shauna, her granddaughter Indy, to the extended Kyle and Shankey families, her many friends, and all those whose lives she touched through her extraordinary career and enduring legacy. She was also appointed an OBE for her services to sport. A spokesperson for the Kilkenny College said: 'Maeve Kyle's legacy as a trailblazer in Irish sport will never be forgotten."
The Independent
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Eva Okaro relishing trailblazer status ahead of World Championships
Teenager Eva Okaro is happy to be cast in the role of trailblazer as she prepares for her World Aquatics Championships debut. Okaro became the first black British swimmer to compete in the pool at an Olympic Games at the age of just 17 in Paris last summer when she was part of the women's 4 x 100m freestyle relay team which reached the final. Now 18, she is heading for the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore delighted to be inspiring other young swimmers. Okaro, who won the 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in April, said: 'I think it's a privilege to be in this role and I like to be a role model to especially young girls of any ethnicity, any colour, it doesn't matter. 'But it's just nice to know that I'm not in this alone as well because they don't just look up to me, but they encourage me and want to see me do well and I think that's also a big thing, just knowing that there are people behind me and people that I don't even know that just believe in me. 'That helps a lot with my confidence and being able to perform.' Asked if she was aware anecdotally of youngsters who had been encouraged by her rise to prominence, Okaro added: 'I've had a few messages before and I've been stopped a couple of times by little girls who are basically just telling me that they keep swimming because of me, which is really nice.' Okaro, who still trains with her twin sister Izabella, is scheduled to compete in the 50m and 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly in Singapore, although is yet to make a decision on whether to take part in all three after missing a week and a half of training while she sat her A-levels. Whatever happens at the World Championships, she will be heading for the United States later this year to continue her athletic and academic careers at the University of Texas, glad her exams are out of the way. She said: 'It's definitely made me feel more relaxed, 100 per cent, because little things like even homework or turning up to lessons and waking up at 7.30am for breakfast, stuff like that, I don't have to do that anymore so I can solely be focused on swimming. 'That's definitely something I've got in my locker now and it's just made it a lot easier for me.'
