Author: BenEvans22

Thank you for reading...

Life in Lockdown for Abergavenny Goalkeeper, Chelsea Herbert

Chelsea Herbert, goalkeeper for Abergavenny Women FC.

Abergavenny goalkeeper, Chelsea Herbert, believes there is a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ as she implores people to remain hopeful during national lockdown.

Herbert who plays for Abergavenny’s Women side in the Welsh Premier Women’s League said that not being able to play football during the COVID-19 national lockdown has been ‘difficult’ but remains positive.

With fixtures halted, club training sessions have followed suit for Abergavenny so like the top clubs around the country during the original lockdown, the players have been given exercise and workouts to help keep them fit and moving, as well as challenges to keep them motivated.

Watford Women’s captain, Helen Ward stated that football clubs would set certain workouts that needed to be completed by each player. Workouts that could include, cardio, strength and conditioning and HIIT training.

Herbert also expressed how she has truly learnt not to take anything for granted and appreciate everything that you have, both from a personal perspective and a footballing one.

With the season currently frozen, Abergavenny currently sit 3rd in the Welsh Premier Women’s League with two games in hand.

The FAW hope to resume the season when the country either returns to Alert Level 3 in accordance with the Welsh Government Covid-19 Control Plan or when the ‘Elite Status’ as defined by Sport Wales is redesignated to that competition, whichever is the sooner.

With mental health being such a huge issue in this day in age, the Abergavenny goalkeeper also said that she, the manager and the rest of the team are continuing to check up on each other via one of the team’s group chats.

In May 2020, the country was still going through its first national lockdown and with people unable to play football outside, Chelsea decided to use this as an opportunity to help younger children to continue to improve their footballing ability.

She began taking bookings for free football training sessions that she conducted on Zoom. It was available to both boys and girls and was for children aged 12 and up.

As a UEFA B qualified coach, Herbert thought it was a clever way of helping children continue to play and get a ball moving. Her sessions were free and got a great response online.

As a player herself, Chelsea also appreciates the work of Marcus Rashford and other footballers who have made a positive impact during the pandemic with charity work, or in Rashford’s case, governmental reform.

“It gives people hope…just to know there’s help out there and not just this isolation.”

Lockdown has given people the chance to consider all the different things that make people happy and coaching is certainly that for Chelsea.

“I like helping develop players, seeing them progress and have fun really, that’s the whole point. For me, was to have fun in football. To help pass on knowledge and help children…that’s my motivation.”

Football has given people a lot during the pandemic and Herbert claims she would be lost without it too.

When asked about any advice she had for others when it comes to dealing with the isolation of lockdown, the goalkeeper finished by saying:

“Keep looking at positives, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel and we’re not going to live like this forever. Stay healthy, stay motivated, keep in contact with friends and family and don’t get into your own head.

“It will be better.”

Inside the Cage: The Rise of Female Fighters – Review

Inside the Cage on BBC iPlayer

The BBC documentary, ‘Inside the Cage’ which follows the rise of female fighters within the sport, was a closely followed showing of the risks and hurdles that fighters face in one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

As a big fan of the sport, I loved the way each of the three female fighters were shown and how their different levels of experience were portrayed to the viewers. You have Molly McCann, the UFC star, there’s Cory McKenna who has recently made her UFC debut and then there is up and comer Shanelle Dyer. Three very different fighters with very similar goals.

The host of the documentary, Annie Price, does a terrific job at looking at these professional fighters in a way that, even those who are not quite as familiar of the sport, will still learn and enjoy what it is they are watching. The presentation of the show, sticks to your standard documentary layout, which I thought was good for a piece like this one. It’s a promotion piece, they are promoting the women of the sport.

In terms of the scripting, I would observe that the host, Price, seems to ask questions which show the commitment and the sacrifice needed to be the very best. Her questions look at what they are giving up to perform within the sport but also goes back to their passion and love of it.

All three fighters are shown as humble, at times humorous and just downright likeable. Having watched both McCann and McKenna fight before watching the documentary, I would say my personal admiration for them has only gone up and I will continue to watch them both fight in the UFC.

I was also impressed with the use of sound. This insight is ultimately into women beating other people up for a living and so including the live sounds from their fights and all the grunts and moans really helped show the effort and energy needed to get a win.

I wasn’t aware of Dyer before watching the documentary but I am sure that I, and everyone else who watched, will be following her career with a good deal of excitement. It truly did ‘hype up’ each of these fighters to those who were not already aware of their career prospects.

You can watch the documentary on BBC iPlayer.

Will Ethan Ampadu Ever be Given his Chance at Lampard’s Chelsea?

In a Sheffield United side that finished the previous Premier League season in 9th place, Welsh International, Ethan Ampadu, must now show Frank Lampard why he does still have a future at Chelsea, as the Blades look to pull off the great escape from relegation in the new year.

Exeter born midfielder, Ethan Ampadu, 20, is currently playing his football with Premier League strugglers Sheffield United. On loan from Chelsea, the defensive midfielder, is looking to help keep his side in the topflight after they’ve picked up just two points from their opening 14 games.

Ampadu began his career with Exeter City before making the switch to Chelsea in July of 2017. He went on to make his debut in September, in an EFL Cup game against Nottingham Forrest, doing so made him the first player born in the 2000s to feature for Chelsea.

Since then, the Welshman has gone on to play just once in the Premier League for the Blues’ and after the arrival of manager Frank Lampard, it was announced he would spend the 2019/20 campaign on loan with Bundesliga side, RB Leipzig.

After making just three appearances for Leipzig, he returned, hoping to be given more of a chance within Lampard’s setup. Unfortunately for him, the Chelsea manager still felt he needed another loan spell to develop as a player, so he made the move to Bramall Lane, coming off the back of their previously successful campaign.

Ampadu has been played in both the centre-back position and the defensive midfield role, making eight appearances this season. He is yet to score or pick up an assist, but there have been promising signs.

With his side currently sitting 20th in the Premier League and five points off 19th placed West Brom, the 20-year-old has begun to show why his future will be a bright one.

In his side’s recent 3-2 loss to Manchester United, Ampadu was one of the outstanding players on the pitch, however, he found it difficult to really make his mark against such an impressive United side.

As well as this, he has gone on to receive 13 caps for his country, Wales, and was a big part of helping them achieve qualification to Euro 2020 (now being played in 2021).

He is now one of the first names on Ryan Giggs’ team sheet, with his versatility coming in handy regularly. His range of long passing and powerful defending have made him a key component of a promising Wales team.

There is still time for the Blades to rescue their season and for Ampadu to show why he does still deserve his chance at Chelsea, but does Lampard think he has a future with the Blues?

The manager has regularly expressed his excitement about the young midfielder but believes regular game time is what is needed.

Chelsea fans are now used to seeing reports linking Declan Rice with a big money move to Stamford Bridge. Rice plays a similar role to Ampadu, so a move for the West Ham man, could spark an end to any future he has at Chelsea.

He himself, has emphasised how he is just focused on picking up more and more minutes and says, what will be, will be, but it is certainly clear now that he does have the quality to take his career in whatever direction he wants.

Why it is Finally Time for Glatzel to Shine for the Bluebirds

The news broke this week that Cardiff City’s top scorer, Kieffer Moore, would miss at least the next five games for his side. With the striker out, it must now be time for next-in-line, Robert Glatzel, to fill in for the Welshman as City’s main source of goals.

The German forward, Glatzel, was signed under Neil Warnock at the start of the 2019/20 campaign for a fee of around £5.5 million. He has since gone on to net 10 goals in the Championship in that time including the opening goal against Birmingham on Wednesday evening.

Cardiff sealed a late victory against Birmingham, with Sean Morrison netting in the 89th minute making it 3-2 to the home side. Glatzel opened the scoring on the night after filling in for the injured Kieffer Moore.

Despite getting the first goal of the match, the striker also saw his penalty saved by former teammate, Neil Etheridge. His goal, however, was his third in the league this season.

Given the forward’s counterpart, Moore, has been the Bluebirds main source of goals so far this season, the majority of his appearances have come off of the bench.

Despite most of his City goals coming with his feet, the 6-foot 4 striker is known for being good in the air. His positioning during his last few appearances has lacked but there is now a chance to turn his wrongs into rights.

Playing, Liverpool-loanee, Harry Wilson, in the number ten position could be the key to unlocking his goal scoring potential but Wilson has spent most of his time at the club playing on the right of a front three. However, during the victory against Birmingham on Wednesday, he was given his chance in the attacking midfield role, which allowed him to contribute with a goal and two assists.

After the news of Moore’s injury, fans were obviously disappointed, but many have since pointed out that this could be exactly what Glatzel needs to get some much needed starts and hopefully add to his goal tally for the upcoming games.

Cardiff’s next fixtures include a trip to title toppers Norwich, a home match against sixth-placed Brentford and finish 2020 with a trip to strugglers Wycombe. Can Glatzel finish the year off with a bang?

World Cup Winner, Sir Bobby Charlton, Diagnosed with Dementia

Former Manchester United and England legend, Sir Bobby Charlton has been diagnosed with dementia.

The 83-year-old, who was part of England’s 1966 World Cup winning side, has recently announced, with his wife, Lady Norma Charlton, the details of his condition to be made public to help others suffering the disease.

Sir Bobby is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time and is one of the few Englishmen to have won the Ballon d’Or. With over 250 career goals and a large number of trophies won at Manchester United, the news of his condition is deeply saddening to all.

In a statement, Man United said: “Everyone at Manchester United is saddened that this terrible disease has afflicted Sir Bobby Charlton and we continue to offer our love and support to Sir Bobby and his family”.

Jack Charlton, Sir Bobby’s older brother, died age 85 in July, following a battle with dementia and lymphoma, with three other members of the 1966 World Cup winning squad also having being diagnosed with dementia or memory loss.

In a study by Erika Diehl in 2010, she focused on the long-term effects of concussion in sport, particularly on NFL players, but does point out that the correlation between serious head injuries, or, concussion, does have a link to a future risk of Alzheimer or Dementia.

It’s known that the speed of a ball when a footballer goes for a header can reach up to 70mph. Therefore, a player, regularly heading a football could have lasting and unknown effects on the brain.

Listed by the Football Association (2020) the full updated heading guidance includes:

• Heading guidance in training for all age groups between under-six and under-18
• No heading in training in the foundation phase (primary school children)
• Graduated approach to heading training for children in the development phase between under-12 to under-16
• Required ball sizes for training and matches for each age group
• No changes to heading in matches, taking into consideration the limited number of headers in youth games 

A study by Glasgow University in 2019 found former professional footballers are three and a half times more likely to die of dementia than people of the same age range in the general population.

The study began after claims that former West Brom striker, Jeff Astle, died at the age of 59 because of repeated head trauma and compared deaths of 7,676 ex-players to 23,000 from the general population.

We wish Sir Bobby all the best and our thoughts are with him and his family. For more information and help with dementia, visit: https://www.dementiauk.org/get-support/dementia-helpline-alzheimers-helpline/

“Every Generation has a Chance to Make the Next One Better” says Former Tennis Number One, King

Billie Jean King speaks with host Pat Mitchell at TEDWomen2015 – Momentum, Session 4, May 28, 2015, Monterey Conference Center, Monterey, California, USA. Photo: Marla Aufmuth/TED

Former World Number 1 tennis player, Billie Jean King, believes things will get better in the ‘battle’ for equality and inclusivity in, not just tennis, but the world of sport. Speaking in a TED talk in 2015, King stated how she has used her platform, as one of the greatest female tennis players of all time, to fight to make sure women are given the same opportunities that men are given.

King won 39 Grand Slam Titles; 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles and 11 in mixed doubles. In 1973, at age 29, she won the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match against the 55-year-old Bobby Riggs. During the TED talk, she looked back on the time President Obama explained how watching that match and seeing the work she has done has shaped the way he has raised his two daughters.

Looking back at where she started, King reminisced about when she first began tennis at age 11. “Everyone was wearing white and I asked myself, where is everyone?”. The number of girls playing the sport did not seem right. Then at age 12, King vowed that if she ever made something of herself in the sport, she would use her platform to become a pioneer for equality and social justice.

In 2014, she founded the ‘Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative’, a non-profit organisation created to address the critical issues required to achieve inclusive leadership that will lead to significant changes in how women and men operate in the world.

When asked about whether or not she believes that the millennials of today will, or will not, carry on her legacy she answered: “Every generation has a chance to make the next one better” and she believes they will continue her work towards an inclusive world.

Five years on from the TED talk and the former number one is still fighting for men and women to be seen as equal. In an interview with the Guardian, she said, “I want girls to go after money. It gives empowerment”. The famous FED cup has now been rebranded the Billie Jean King Cup and the winners of the competition will earn the same as the winners of the men’s Davis Cup.

She has helped make so many young girls, hoping to become female sports stars, feel as if they will be seen as simply, sports stars.

Personal Manifesto – Ben Evans

What do I want to achieve in the industry of Sports Journalism?

I am hardworking, passionate and excited about where my future as a sports journalist will go.

I like all things sport.

I want to show that I can be one of the best journalists out there.

I will do everything I can to achieve all my aims for my career.

I need to remember what my goals are and remember exactly how to achieve them all.

I feel positive about how everything is going so far and believe everything is going to plan.

I see myself on a television screen reporting on the biggest sporting events in the world.

I aim to be the best sports journalist I can be.

Manifesto:

REMEMBER WHERE YOU WANT TO END UP.

YOU’RE HARDWORKING, YOU’RE EXCITED AND YOU’RE READY TO ACHIEVE ALL YOUR GOALS.

IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT BUT THOSE NIGHTS ARE STILL IMPORTANT.

USE THE TOOLS AROUND YOU, SOCIAL MEDIA, THE COURSE, YOUR CONTACTS. SHOW WHAT YOU CAN DO.

PRACTISE IN FRONT OF A CAMERA, THE MORE PRACTISE, THE MORE NATURAL YOU’LL BE WHEN YOU EVENTUALLY GET THERE.

WRITE, WRITE AND KEEP WRITING. GET IT DONE.

SWOT Analysis:

Strengths: I work well in groups and have good communication skills. I know sport, not just the ones that I sometimes focus on. My writing is to a good level and reads well. I’m becoming more and more use to speaking in front of a camera. I’m focused on my aims. I get my work done on time and don’t leave things to the last minute. I keep up to date with the news regularly and focus on how the professional journalists have written each piece.

Weaknesses: I need to do more work in front of a camera to become a lot more natural. I need to start doing more in my own time to show my commitment to the industry. I need to start showing through my articles that I can write about more than just football and boxing. I need to start utilising my social media platforms to start building a following and gaining more contacts.

Opportunities: There’s an opportunity to become one of the best sports journalists out there. The more practise in front of a camera, the more prepared you will be. The course helps you prepare for several different careers in the world of journalism, not just broadcasting and the written work. There’s a chance to build a big following on twitter and other social media platforms.

Threats: There are a great number of other people trying to achieve the same goals as me at the same time, there will always be people that you have to prove that you are better than but remembering that we all want to succeed. Trolls on social media are always going to exist. Sometimes your work doesn’t get the reception you want it to. COVID-19.

Freddie Flintoff: Living With Bulimia; review

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 22/09/2020 – Programme Name: Freddie Flintoff: Living with Bulimia – TX: 28/09/2020 – Episode: Freddie Flintoff: Living with Bulimia (No. n/a) – Picture Shows: Freddie at the Lancashire Cricket home ground, Emirates Old Trafford Freddie Flintoff – (C) South Shore – Photographer: n/a

Former England cricketer and TV personality, Andrew Flintoff new documentary was incredibly honest and really eye-opening, as he tells his story about a life of living with bulimia.

After watching Freddie talk about how his life has been consumed by this, now, extremely common eating disorder, it becomes a real tear-jerker. From how he kept the secret for so long to him realising just how serious and also common it is, it’s so difficult to watch and not want to help in any way that you can.

He first began binging and purging as a young player, admitting that he was insecure about his looks, his weight and how he was perceived by others. He tells a story about a news story being released when he was still just a few years in to senior cricket where he was called a ‘fat boy’, and this title has stayed with him throughout his struggles.

From watching Freddie on Top Gear to Sky’s ‘A League of Their Own’, it’s breathtaking knowing that this former cricketer, someone who makes people laugh on the tele, is going through something as overwhelming and as disheartening as this. It’s truly breathtaking.

Photographer: Charlie Melville

He says that ‘eating is one of the few things I can control’, and states that he couldn’t stop himself, particularly at the start. Flintoff deserves huge credit for opening up and speaking about his eating disorder in this way. A way that shows to others just how serious a condition it is and also encourages anybody else who else faces a similar struggle, to also talk to someone and get the help that they need.

One of the most emotional moments in the documentary came when the 42-year-old spoke with a fellow northern man about his struggles with the same condition – bulimia. The two discuss how it has affected them both in their own ways and you can see how both of them are shocked hearing someone other than themselves speak about it so openly. It’s incredibly powerful.

At one point, a caption stating that 60% of men affected, do not seek help and stay silent. This stat alone, was clearly enough for Flintoff to agree to speak about this as openly and as honestly as he did.

We see a number of clips of him exercising, working and just getting on with his life as normal. From an outside perspective, the man seems like he is doing great, and that is why I would recommend this documentary to anyone and everyone. It’s message is so powerful and it opens your eyes to things you have not witnessed or may not understand.

I wasn’t sure what to do with myself after it ended. I needed some time to myself. It really hit me and I felt a lot of emotions rushing through me.

If you have an eating disorder and are too afraid to speak, I urge you to speak and get the help that you deserve. No one should feel too afraid to speak up.

Documentary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000n1xx/freddie-flintoff-living-with-bulimia

Sports Journalists Talk About ‘Competitive’ Industry.

Jacqui Oatley for ITV.

In a talk with second-year sports journalism students at the University of South Wales, journalists, such as, Jacqui Oatley and Matt Murray speak about the way they broke into the ‘incredibly competitive’ industry.

Jacqui Oatley was the first female commentator on BBC’s Match of the Day. She fronted the BBC’s live coverage of the women’s game, anchoring the 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cups. However, despite now being an MBE and being named 2015 eighth most influential woman in sport, it was not always smooth sailing.

Oatley never believed she’d break into broadcasting and after a nasty knee injury she threw ‘everything’ into her journalism career. She had a number of jobs working with the BBC, working on non-league roundups and bouncing from one lead to another. “Working harder lead to bigger things and bigger opportunities”.

She questioned why so many women stopped at a certain point in the journalism world. That’s when the negative comments began taking aim. After landing a dream role working on Match of the Day and being the first female to commentate on the show, Oatley began receiving hate, such as, ‘how can you let a woman who’s never kicked a ball in her life commentate’.

Since then Oatley had said it’s become far more easier. She put emphasis on making sure to open up as a broadcaster and don’t make it too much painting by numbers. She now works at ITV Sport as a presenter.

Former Wolves goalkeeper, Matt Murray was another to discuss the difficulty of transitioning from a professional sport career to that of a journalist.

After retiring at 29, he slowly transitioned into the industry. He said that his biggest challenge toward the start was commentating on Wolves games because they were “his club”. One useful tool he did bring with him to his new career were his list of contacts. Finding interviews and advice was easy given he’d worked with professional footballers and coaches for years.

The second-year students in attendance took what was said onboard and will now use what they have learnt to shape their careers in a similar way.

Premier League Matchday 38 Results

Arsenal 3-2 Watford (ARS: Aubameyang x2, Tierney, WAT: Deeney, Welbeck)

Burnley 1-2 Brighton (BUR: Wood, BRI: Bissouma, Connolly)

Chelsea 2-0 Wolves (CHE: Mount, Giroud)

Crystal Palace 1-1 Tottenham (CRY: Schlupp, TOT: Kane)

Everton 1-3 Bournemouth (EVE: Kean, BOU: King, Solanke, Stanislas)

Leicester City 0-2 Manchester United (MUN: Bruno Fernandes, Lingard)

Manchester City 5-0 Norwich City (MCI: Gabriel Jesus, De Bruyne x2, Sterling, Mahrez)

Newcastle 1-3 Liverpool (NEW: Gayle, LIV: Van Dijk, Origi, Mane)

Southampton 3-1 Sheffield United (SOU: Adams x2, Ings, SHU: Lundstram)

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa (WHU: Yarmolenko, ASV: Grealish)

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started