Tag: Football

“If you’d told us we’d be sitting clear in second at this stage, I think we would have bitten your hand off”, says Wales’s Helen Ward

From the BBC website. @GettyImages.

After Wales Women’s recent World Cup Qualifying games against Greece and France, all-time leading goal scorer, Helen Ward, believes that her side is well-aware of the task they face going into 2022 but go in with a great deal of confidence and a great year behind them.

At the back end of November, Wales beat Greece 5-0 and fell to a narrow 2-0 defeat to group leaders, France. Wales had one of their greatest performances against France, with goals the only thing missing from their trip to Guingamp.

Speaking on the games, Ward said: “We always knew both games were going to be very different tests and that proved to be the case.

“I thought it was a really dominant performance from start to finish and then the result Greece then went on to get a few days later in Slovenia [0-0] goes to show just how well we played.

“The France game was always going to be a really difficult game, but the girls put in a huge effort, and we were so unlucky not to come away with a point.

“It was disappointing to be down to 10 again and who knows, maybe with 11 we could have snatched something, but it wasn’t to be.”

Wales currently sits second in Group I, with four games left to play. With the next round of games scheduled to be played in April of next year, the Welsh striker believes that the country is in a great position to go through.

“I think if you’d told us we’d be sitting clear in second at this stage, I think we would have bitten your hand off. Not because we wouldn’t have that expectation on ourselves, but you just never know how things will plan out.

“We’ve played everyone at least once now, so we have a good feel of the group, and we go into 2022 full of confidence.”

Reflecting on the quality of football shown in the game against France, Ward states that this confidence that Wales has grown has been building for some time.

“I think the confidence has been growing over the last two or three years.

“Although we didn’t score against France, I think it’s the closest we’ve come to doing so against a top side and that shows we’ve grown”.

We’ve seen several young players begin to break into this hungry Welsh side over the last year, and the Watford striker is excited to see how far they can all go.

“We have been so lucky to find some really, really talented kids in the last few years and the best thing about them is that most of them are in full-time environments with top teams.

“That’s something that the older lot never had at their age and they’re coming into camps ready to compete for a place in the team which is amazing.”

Wales take on France in April with Ward and the rest of the squad ready to continue their fantastic run in the Women’s World Cup Qualifying campaign, in their quest of reaching a first major tournament.  

“Toxic Masculinity and Lad Culture Still Massive Issues” says Cardiff Uni Footballer

Cardiff University football player and journalism student, Elliott Peeters-Vanstone, who was involved in team captain’s Ben Marett’s initiative last week, which involved walking girls home, whom did not feel safe to do so alone, says that the initiative, “doesn’t even scratch the surface in terms of impact!”.

Ever since the disappearance of Sarah Everard in London, women’s safety has become a sharp focus across the country. Especially when on the 24th April, an online hoax which suggested girls would be put in specific danger meaning girls were implored not to walk home alone.

On a day where girls across the country feared to walk anywhere alone, the Cardiff University football team, led by captain, Ben Marett, offered their services to any girl who would like to be accompanied home.

Peeters-Vanstone, who was involved in the scheme, said: “The boys thought a lot about how to make sure people were safe and comfortable with us, our red tracksuit tops were mentioned on our post so everyone knew who we were and Ben also sent photos of us to anybody in need of our help so they knew who to look for and had proof etc. We also split into pairs and threes to make sure nobody was on their own as well”.

The players ran a text-help service, which allowed girls to text in if they would feel safer having someone to walk home with. Over 30 girls took advantage of the scheme and all made it home safely and in good spirits.

The players walking a girl home. Credit: Kennedy News and Media.

Elliot also explained how all the boys were really behind Marett’s idea and were all keen to help out.

“I think it’s great exposure for such important issues, I think ultimately this story goes far beyond our football club and really brings to light what anybody can do if they put their mind to it, we are just grateful for all the support we have had and hope that more people do the same”.

And when asked if he and the rest of the team would like to see others looking to help out and see similar schemes come about in the future, Elliot replied:

“It would be absolutely great to see others involved. We’ve barely touched the surface of these issues and support from others and alternative initiatives are vital in making a real sustainable change”.

Ben, Elliot and the rest of the team hope this will make girls feel safer walking home alone also would like to challenge the perception around “lad culture”.

“I think it’s a great story for us to be a part of and a real honour to be perceived that way. But issues like toxic masculinity and macho lad culture are still massive issues amongst men and Uni students especially and were just glad we can be involved in the right side of the conversation”.

The message left by Ben Marett offering his and the team’s services to anyone who wanted someone to walk home with. Credit: Kennedy News and Media.

Ben and the team’s vice president, Jared Evitts, have also been working to encourage men to talk about mental health throughout the Covid pandemic.

Teammate Elliot believes: “ultimately this story goes far beyond our football club and really brings to light what anybody can do if they put their mind to it, we are just grateful for all the support we have had and hope that more people do the same”.

After such a positive response to the scheme, Peeters-Vanstone and the rest of the squad are focused on their football but are still looking to help in any way they can.

“We will be continuing to spread the message and are open to anyone if they have any ideas of how we could help out”.

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