Monday, 4 June 2007
FIFA's Big Count
The following story is taken from theFA.comThe success of FIFA’s extensive investment in the development of football worldwide seems to be leaving its mark with regard to the number of people around the globe who actually play the game according to the latest figures.
“Football’s popularity remains undiminished and is actually increasing,” reflected FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.
“If you count the relatives and close friends of active participants in football, who share in their passion for the game as fans and support them in other ways, the total number is even more impressive: well over a billion people worldwide are involved in football.”
Here are some of the most important findings of the Big Count 2006:
- The overall total of 265 million male and female players is almost ten per cent higher than the number recorded six years ago (242 million).
- Of the 265 million, 26 million or around ten per cent are women;
- Since 2000, the number of registered male and female footballers has increased by around 23 per cent to over 38 million;
- The growth in women’s football is particularly striking, with the number of registered players up 54 per cent to 4.1 million;
- In terms of regional differences, the AFC (85 million footballers) has a clear lead over the other five confederations (UEFA: 62 million; CAF: 46 million; CONCACAF: 43 million; CONMEBOL: 27 million; OFC: 0.5 million).
The number of clubs (301,000) is similar to the figure recorded in 2000. That said, the total number of teams (1.7 million) has increased by approximately 200,000. The data for Big Count 2006 was collated in the first half of 2006 using a traditional questionnaire and an online survey and achieved a response rate of over 75 per cent.
Labels: football, research, team sport
Friday, 25 May 2007
England vs New Zealand - Summer tour
This year the England women's cricket team face New Zealand in the NatWest Women’s Series - and for the first time you can buy tickets to matches directly from the ECB. Tickets are £5 for adults and free for children.
Warm-up matches
- Tuesday August 7: South Africa v England Development XI, Taunton School
- Wed August 8: MCC v New Zealand, venue TBC; South Africa v England Development XI, Taunton School
- Fri August 10: Mini Twenty20 competition, Taunton School (South Africa, New Zealand and two England XI teams).
All matches will start at 10.45am and the Twenty20 competition will begin at 10am.
NatWest Women’s International Twenty20
- Sunday August 12: 1st Twenty20 v New Zealand, Bath CC
- Monday August 13: 2nd Twenty20 v New Zealand, Bath CC
- Thursday August 16: 3rd Twenty20 v New Zealand, Taunton (Sky Sports)
The first Twenty20 will start at 3.30pm, the second match at 5.30pm and the final one will begin at 5.40pm.
NatWest Women’s Series
- Fri August 17: 1st NatWest ODI v New Zealand, Taunton (Sky Sports)
- Sun August 19: 2nd NatWest ODI v New Zealand, Stratford CC
- Thurs August 23: 3rd NatWest ODI v New Zealand, Derby (Floodlit)
- Sun August 26: 4th NatWest ODI v New Zealand, Blackpool CC
- Mon August 27: 5th NatWest ODI v New Zealand, Blackpool
- Thurs August 30: 6th NatWest ODI v New Zealand, Shenley
All matches will start at 10.45am, with the exception of the Floodlit game at Derby which will start at 2.30pm.
On Sunday August 12: England Disabilities will play a Twenty20 game prior to the 1st NatWest Women’s International Twenty20 at Bath CC. Start time 11am.
For further information, visit http://ecb.co.uk/womens/international/womens-international-tickets-now-on-sale,12694,EN.html to purchase tickets. A document on travel information is also available. The tour is sponsored by
Labels: cricket, cup competitions, events, team sport
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
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
