Monday, 30 April 2007
Arsenal women win the UEFA Cup
The Arsenal women's team made history to become the first British team to secure the UEFA Cup. A packed crowd at Meadow Park saw them valiantly defend their first leg lead, courtesy of a goal from Alex Scott (youtube link). Arsenal rode their luck at times, but kept true to the famous Arsenal chant to win the cup 1-0 on aggregate.Full match reports and comments are available via:
- The Guardian - Why Arsenal's success is great news for England and Arsenal hang on for Uefa triumph
- ITN - Arsenal Ladies are European champions
- UEFA.com - Akers enjoys finest hour
- Channel 4 - Arsenal Ladies are European champions
- BBC Sport - Akers praises 'precious' victory
- Goal.com - Arsenal Ladies Conquer Europe
Our thanks go to Arsenal.com for the image.
Labels: arsenal, media coverage, team sport, uefa cup final
Monday, 23 April 2007
Arsenal women take an away-goal advantage
Arsenal defender, Alex Scott, scored a last minute goal to give 'the Arsenal' an away goal advantage in the first leg of the UEFA Cup final. Umeå, who are in their fourth final in six years, were frustrated by an excellent defensive performance from goalkeeper, Emma Byrne, and her back line, led by Anita Asante. They showed their progression to a true European force, despite the suspension of kelly Smith, to deny Umeå who previously scored 11 goals in the quarter and semi-final legs of the competition.To prove the point about the lack of media coverage of women's sport, your choice of media coverage is restricted to:
The second leg will be broadcast on Eurosport on 29 April at 12pm. There are now only standing tickets available for the Arsenal women's second leg game - so you can try your luck getting tickets for the game being hosted by Boreham Wood FC.
Our thanks go to Arsenal.com for the image.
Labels: arsenal, team sport, uefa cup final
Friday, 20 April 2007
Congrats Jacqui
Jacqui Oatley’s appointment to the MOTD team shows that times have changed. The following quotes from The Daily Mirror indicate someone who is proud of their rise from hospital radio to Five Live, before she made the leap to what so many people see as their dream job.
"I don't think of it as breaking down barriers for women in sport. I do it for the same reason any bloke does: I love football."
"I'm not asking anybody to give me a chance, they can make up their own minds. Hopefully one day people won't notice what sex the commentator is."
And what she says is true, perhaps the true indication of a major mindshift will come when appointments like this are only relevant to media junkies who read the Media Guardian.
Giles Smith also picks up on Bassett's comments in his piece in The Times.
The following story in the Daily Mail takes the issue head on. Matt Barlow (not this one) has taken a wide range of views and has even dug up a few dinosaurs, like ex-Premiership ex-Manager Dave Bassett, and Steve Curry who both resort to their divisive, sexist views to make the point that they speak on behalf of those 'in the game'. It is quite interesting that when their comments are put alongside those, who are in broadcasting and 'the game' that they are the ones who look out of place and out of touch with the average football fan.
Further reports and debate, also appear in the The Telegraph and The Guardian.
Reporters, bloggers, and various others will be claiming their bit of credit for the appointment, lobbying editors, writing letters and campaigning for change. We hope you’ll continue this and help us to unleash women’s potential in sport - allowing those who are good enough, like Jacqui, to get the same opportunity as their male counterparts.
Anyway, congrats to Jacqui and like the sporting geeks we are, we’ll be watching the highlights on Saturday night, and catching the final 20 minutes on the Sunday morning as well as we get in time for the World’s greatest marathon – good luck if you’re running.
"I don't think of it as breaking down barriers for women in sport. I do it for the same reason any bloke does: I love football."
"I'm not asking anybody to give me a chance, they can make up their own minds. Hopefully one day people won't notice what sex the commentator is."
And what she says is true, perhaps the true indication of a major mindshift will come when appointments like this are only relevant to media junkies who read the Media Guardian.
Giles Smith also picks up on Bassett's comments in his piece in The Times.
The following story in the Daily Mail takes the issue head on. Matt Barlow (not this one) has taken a wide range of views and has even dug up a few dinosaurs, like ex-Premiership ex-Manager Dave Bassett, and Steve Curry who both resort to their divisive, sexist views to make the point that they speak on behalf of those 'in the game'. It is quite interesting that when their comments are put alongside those, who are in broadcasting and 'the game' that they are the ones who look out of place and out of touch with the average football fan.
Further reports and debate, also appear in the The Telegraph and The Guardian.
Reporters, bloggers, and various others will be claiming their bit of credit for the appointment, lobbying editors, writing letters and campaigning for change. We hope you’ll continue this and help us to unleash women’s potential in sport - allowing those who are good enough, like Jacqui, to get the same opportunity as their male counterparts.
Anyway, congrats to Jacqui and like the sporting geeks we are, we’ll be watching the highlights on Saturday night, and catching the final 20 minutes on the Sunday morning as well as we get in time for the World’s greatest marathon – good luck if you’re running.
Labels: football, Jacqui Oatley, sexism
Thursday, 12 April 2007
Finally up and running....
Hello all,
I’d like to welcome you all to the new Women’s Sports Foundation blog, with which we are looking to build a bridge between the world of women’s sport and you: the reader. In the coming weeks we will be publishing our views on major issues in sport and providing regular updates from governing bodies and their various affiliated teams. We also hope that you, as readers, will to make this a forum for your views – proving feedback on the articles, research and project undertaken by the team.
As well as updates coming from the WSF staff, we are also on the look out for contributors who are willing to provide regular pieces on whatever they see as important issues in women’s sport. We feel that aspiring writers will gain from the exposure and the chance to prove themselves as journalists in the relatively untapped media resource, that is women’s sport.
So who are we? Well, our main site is wsf.org.uk and we have been a vital voice for women’s sport. So far, we’ve achieved a great deal; however, the sporting and social environment is changing and we have to adapt to keep our organisation as relevant as it has been in the past.
Among the writers who we hope will contribute to the blog (hint guys) are the regional staff of the WSF: Katy Storie, Sarah Pickford, Aruna Sharma, Jan Birch; our women into coaching team: Zoe Calder and Brittany Robbins; our National Development Managers: Cassie Smith and Liz Davidson; our research team: Christine Lillistone and Shahana Lais; and finally our Chief Executive: Sue Tibballs. Time will tell who becomes the most active blogger.
We clearly feel that this is the start of a new journey, and phase, for the WSF and we hope that you can join us and provide us with the necessary feedback and information to make this a great success.
Well, um, I guess that’s all I have to say - for now. I look forward to hearing from you and please feel free to post your comments.
I’ll be looking forward to reading your thoughts.
Angelo Evangelou,
Communications Officer,
Women's Sports Foundation.
I’d like to welcome you all to the new Women’s Sports Foundation blog, with which we are looking to build a bridge between the world of women’s sport and you: the reader. In the coming weeks we will be publishing our views on major issues in sport and providing regular updates from governing bodies and their various affiliated teams. We also hope that you, as readers, will to make this a forum for your views – proving feedback on the articles, research and project undertaken by the team.
As well as updates coming from the WSF staff, we are also on the look out for contributors who are willing to provide regular pieces on whatever they see as important issues in women’s sport. We feel that aspiring writers will gain from the exposure and the chance to prove themselves as journalists in the relatively untapped media resource, that is women’s sport.
So who are we? Well, our main site is wsf.org.uk and we have been a vital voice for women’s sport. So far, we’ve achieved a great deal; however, the sporting and social environment is changing and we have to adapt to keep our organisation as relevant as it has been in the past.
Among the writers who we hope will contribute to the blog (hint guys) are the regional staff of the WSF: Katy Storie, Sarah Pickford, Aruna Sharma, Jan Birch; our women into coaching team: Zoe Calder and Brittany Robbins; our National Development Managers: Cassie Smith and Liz Davidson; our research team: Christine Lillistone and Shahana Lais; and finally our Chief Executive: Sue Tibballs. Time will tell who becomes the most active blogger.
We clearly feel that this is the start of a new journey, and phase, for the WSF and we hope that you can join us and provide us with the necessary feedback and information to make this a great success.
Well, um, I guess that’s all I have to say - for now. I look forward to hearing from you and please feel free to post your comments.
I’ll be looking forward to reading your thoughts.
Angelo Evangelou,
Communications Officer,
Women's Sports Foundation.
Labels: opening message
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