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☆ Rob Burrow, rugby league star and inspirational fundraiser, dies from motor neuron disease at age 41
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Former rugby league star Rob Burrow, whose quiet strength and relentless campaigning captured the hearts of many Britons after he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND), has died aged 41, his former team Leeds Rhinos announced on Sunday. Rob Burrow became a Leeds Rhinos legend during his rugby league career. “Rob Burrow had a huge heart. Kevin Sinfield carries Rob Burrow across the marathon finish line. Rob Burrow, wife Lindsey (who ran the half marathon), daughters Macy and Maya and Kevin Sinfield, who ran the full marathon, all pose for a picture after the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

Persons: Rob Burrow, Lindsey, Kevin Sinfield, Burrow, Daniel L Smith, Prince William, Sinfield, “, “ Rob Burrow, ’ Catherine, Jackson, Macy, ”, Danny Lawson, Shields, Maya, MND ”, ” Burrow, Burrow’s, ” Sinfield, Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer, Starmer, Rob, Sunak Organizations: CNN — Former, Leeds Rhinos, MND, league, Rugby League, England, Super, League, Marathon, Headingley Rugby Stadium, Headingley, British, Labour Party Locations: Leeds, England, British, Lindsey, Britain

☆ Travis Clayton: Why the Buffalo Bills picked a player in NFL Draft who has never played football
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

And on Saturday, the Buffalo Bills drafted someone who they hope will have a similar effect as Mailata, despite never having played a snap of football. With the 221st overall pick and the first pick of the seventh round, the Bills selected Travis Clayton, a former rugby player from the United Kingdom. Clayton has never played in a football game but possesses the raw tools that could translate to play offensive tackle in the league. Clayton played for Basingstoke Rugby club, which plays in the Counties 2 Hampshire Division, the eighth tier of English rugby. Our man Travis Clayton drafted by the Bills.

Persons: Jarryd Hayne, Christian Wade, Louis Rees, Zammit, Jordan Mailata, Travis Clayton, Clayton, Brandon Beane, Jeff Roberson, ” Clayton, “, Lance Zierlein, Zierlein, ” Organizations: CNN, Welsh, Kansas City Chiefs, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Bills, ” Bills, Basingstoke Rugby, Hampshire Division, rugby, “ Locations: United Kingdom, Basingstoke, England, Counties

☆ Sydney knife attacker had mental health issues, ideology not motive, police say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The man who fatally stabbed six people in Sydney had mental health issues in the past and there was no indication ideology was a motive in the attack in one of the city's busiest shopping centres, police said on Sunday. Cauchi's family recognised him and contacted police on Saturday after seeing news reports of the killings. Witnesses described how Cauchi, wearing shorts and an Australian national rugby league jersey, ran through the Westfield Bondi Junction mall with a knife. "This was a terrible scene," New South Wales Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke told reporters. Five of the six people killed were women, and the male victim was a shopping centre security guard, police said.

Persons: Joel Cauchi, Roger Lowe, Amy Scott, Anthony Cooke, Cauchi, Lowe, Ashlee Good Organizations: New, Queensland Police, Australian, rugby league, Westfield, New South Wales Police, Police Locations: Sydney, Queensland, New South Wales, Sydney's, New, Australia

☆ Billy Guyton: First New Zealand professional rugby union player confirmed to have died with CTE
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —A former professional rugby union player, who who died in 2023 at the age of 33, has become the first in New Zealand to be formally diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) – the neurogenerative disease associated with repeated head trauma. Billy Guyton died of a suspected suicide last year, CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported, and his family subsequently donated his brain to Auckland’s Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank which made the CTE diagnosis. CNN has contacted New Zealand Rugby for comment. Around the world, players are grappling to deal with the impact of head injuries sustained during their rugby careers. In the UK, some 450 current and former rugby players have now joined lawsuits to take legal action against global governing body World Rugby and the national governing bodies of England and Wales, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), Rugby Football League Limited, International Rugby League Limited and British Amateur Rugby League Association.

Persons: CNN —, Billy Guyton, Maurice Curtis, John, RNZ, “, ”, Billy, That’s, Australia – Guyton, ” John Guyton, Michael Buckland, Curtis Organizations: CNN, rugby, Radio New Zealand, Neurological, Brain, Auckland Brain Bank, Super Rugby, Australia, Nelson Weekly, New Zealand Rugby, Australian Sports Brain Bank, World Rugby, Rugby Football Union, RFU, Welsh Rugby Union, WRU, Rugby Football League Limited, International Rugby League Limited, British Amateur Rugby League Association . Lawyers, University of Glasgow, Boston University, University of Sydney, Prevention, Befrienders Locations: New Zealand, Auckland, England, Wales

☆ Australian rugby league player banned for eight matches after being found guilty of using racial slur towards Indigenous rival
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu has been given an eight-match suspension after being found guilty of using a racial slur towards an Indigenous Australian rugby league player during a match. The National Rugby League (NRL) announced on Monday that a judiciary panel had found that Leniu had referred to Brisbane Broncos’ Ezra Mam as a “monkey” in a game in Las Vegas earlier this month. Leniu was charged with contrary conduct after the two teams faced off in the US and following a complaint from Mam. While giving evidence, Leniu said that he had wanted to travel to apologize to Mam – a Torres Strait Islander – in person, but the Broncos’ five-eighth rejected his approach. In no way did he mean to direct this term to Ezra in a racial way.

Persons: Spencer Leniu, Leniu, Ezra Mam, Mam, “, Ezra, ”, Mam –, ” Mam, David Becker, Joe Kelly, Spencer, “ Spencer, He’s, ” Kelly, CNN’s Ben Church Organizations: CNN — Sydney Roosters, Indigenous Australian rugby, National Rugby League, Brisbane Broncos, Broncos, Nine News, Roosters, Aboriginal, CNN Locations: Las Vegas, Torres

☆ Why Australia's National Rugby League could help curb China's Pacific influence
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Australia's National Rugby League could help stop China from gaining more influence in the South Pacific. AdvertisementThe US appears to be courting an unlikely ally to help stop China from building its political and economic influence in the Pacific: Australia's National Rugby League. The Australian Financial Review reported that the White House will support those plans, which policymakers believe could help counter China's efforts to assert itself in the South Pacific. The South Pacific has emerged as a key battleground between Beijing and Washington in recent years. It's popular in Australia, New Zealand, northern England, France, and across the Pacific Islands and has slightly different rules to rugby union.

Persons: Joe Biden, —, Peter V'landys, Biden, Kamala Harris, Spencer Leniu, Ezra Mam Organizations: Australia's National Rugby League, Service, Financial, Biden, NRL, Sydney Morning Herald, Kiribati . Rugby, The Sydney Roosters, Brisbane Broncos, Roosters, Broncos Locations: China, South, Papua New Guinea, New South Wales, Queensland, United States, Australia, Washington , DC, Beijing, Washington, Solomon, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, New Zealand, England, France, Las Vegas

☆ Ezra Mam: Indigenous Australian rugby league star accuses rival of using racial slur during game in Las Vegas
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Indigenous Australian rugby league star Ezra Mam has accused an opponent of using a racial slur during a game in Las Vegas on Saturday. Brisbane Broncos’ Mam made a complaint against Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu during the second half of the National Rugby League’s (NRL) season-opener. Meanwhile, Broncos coach Kevin Walters told reporters after the game that Mam was “adamant” a racial slur had been used, adding his player was “pretty upset” after the game. You wouldn’t think it’s still out there,” Reynolds told reporters after the match. David Becker/Getty ImagesRoosters coach Trent Robinson told reporters he had not spoken to Leniu about the incident in the locker room after the game.

Persons: Ezra Mam, Mam, Spencer Leniu, Leniu, ”, Kevin Walters, Adam Reynolds, didn’t, “ It’s, it’s, ” Reynolds, “, ” Spencer Leniu, David Becker, Trent Robinson, ” Robinson, Andrew Abdo Organizations: CNN, Indigenous Australian rugby, . Brisbane Broncos, Sydney Roosters, National Rugby League’s, Nine, NRL, Nine News, Broncos, Team, Getty, Roosters, Sydney Morning Herald, The Roosters, ” CNN Locations: Las Vegas

☆ Can a DNA analysis help improve your fitness?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Melanie Radzicki Mcmanus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Increasingly, people are interested in pursuing how their genes may be affecting their health, nutrition, fitness potential and risk of injury. The global market for these direct-to-consumer genetic tests is projected to soar in the next several years, skyrocketing from $1.9 billion in 2023 to $8.8 billion by 2030, according to a market analysis report by Grand View Research. Still, some are intriguedDespite these issues, many remain intrigued by DNA fitness tests. Balance Gym recently partnered with FitnessGenes, a UK-based company that sells genetic tests, to help its clients achieve better results from their workouts. Time, and further scientific advances, may shed more light on whether DNA fitness tests are, or can be, useful.

Persons: they’re, there’s, Timothy Caulfield, “ I’ve, ” Caulfield, Caulfield, “, Eva, Dylan MacKay, ” MacKay, ”, Devin Maier, Maier, ” Maier, MacKay, Melanie Radzicki McManus Organizations: CNN’s, CNN, Grand View Research, Indian, Australia’s National Rugby League, University of Alberta, University of Manitoba, FitnessGenes Locations: Europe, Orthopaedics, Uzbekistan, China, Edmonton, Winnipeg , Canada, Washington ,, —

☆ Dementia and sport: These rugby players represented their country in their 20s, by their 40s, they had early onset dementia
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Popham’s wife, Mel, would have a conversation with her husband and an hour later he would have “no recollection,” he tells CNN Sport. Richard Boardman, the lawyer representing the claimants, told CNN Sport that this is causing an “existential threat” to the game. “As far as the brain is concerned, it doesn’t matter what sport is played,” Michael Grey, a neuroscientist at the University of East Anglia, told CNN Sport. Nowinski, a WWE wrestler turned neuroscientist, told CNN Sport that head injury protocols need to go beyond treating concussion. The paper, which looked at 412 Scottish former international male rugby players aged 30 and above and 1,236 members of the public who had been matched for age, sex and socioeconomic status, found that the rugby players’ risk of a dementia diagnosis over time was just over twice as high.

Persons: Alix Popham, Mel, ”, Popham, ” Popham, I’ve, Alix Popham of Wales, Pat Riordan of, Stu Forster, Lenny Woodard, Woodard, “, “ I’d, I’d, ” Woodard, Brook Joyner, Richard Boardman, ” Michael Grey, Chris Nowinski, Scott McIntyre, Nowinski, ” Ann McKee, ” Boardman, Roger Goodell, University of East Anglia Boardman, Grey, –, ” Steve Borthwick of, Alun Wyn Jones, Paul Harding, ” Grey, McKee, it’s, aren’t, we’re, shouldn’t, weren’t, ” Alix Popham Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, rugby, Rugby, Alix Popham of Wales offloads, Pat Riordan of Canada, Wales, Getty, World Rugby, Rugby Football Union, RFU, Welsh Rugby Union, WRU, Springer, University of East, National Football League Players, Wrestling Entertainment, WWE, Washington Post, Boston University CTE Center, British Medical, Exercise, NFL, NFL.com, University of East Anglia, RBS, Nations, University of Glasgow, Boston University, University of Sydney, Scottish, ’, “ Rugby, England Rugby, Boston University’s CTE, CTE Locations: France, Wales, England, Canada, Nantes, Europe, University of East Anglia, American, Woodward, Boston

☆ Louis Rees-Zammit: Getting a foothold in the NFL is almost impossible – even if you’re a professional athlete
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

‘Big NFL fan’Rees-Zammit is a Welsh international rugby union player and one of the sport’s biggest talents. Gray recalls being amazed when he first learned of the off-field work NFL players and coaches were doing. He imitates holding a chunky playbook – staggered by the sheer number of plays that NFL players need to become fluent in. According to the NFL, 37 international players have joined teams – allocated, drafted or signed as a free agent – since the IPP’s inception. “He’s a big NFL fan, he’s young … he’s right at the beginning of his journey.

Persons: you’ve, Louis Rees, Zammit, Rees, ‘, ’ Rees, ”, “, ” Rees, Warren Little, Ben Kay, CNN’s Don Riddell, ” Peter O’Reilly, Richie Gray –, –, ” Gray, Gray, there’s, Zammits, Damien Meyer, “ Rees, Warren Gatland, haven’t, Scot applauds, he’s, Frederic Dides, Jordan Mailata, Jakob Johnson, Efe Obada, Sammis Reyes, David Bada, Mailata, Mailata’s, Philadelphia . Gray, Jeff Stoutland –, Andy Lewis, Christian Wade, ” Wade, Wade, Will Rees, Kay, …, let’s, he’ll Organizations: CNN, NFL, National Football League, Welsh, rugby, Wales, Gloucester, British & Irish Lions, Lions, Lion, Gloucester Rugby, Six Nations, England rugby, TNT Sports, Netflix, IMG Academy, Rugby, CNN Sport, Toulon –, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, NCAA, Dolphins, “, Getty, Zammit’s Wales, American, –, Las Vegas Raiders, Washington, IPP, 233rd, Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Racing Locations: Britain, Ireland, Bradenton , Florida, Scottish, Zammit’s, Zammit, Australia, Philadelphia ., ”, France

☆ Rugby league-Court drops case against Australia's Mitchell and Wighton
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Wighton was celebrating his 30th birthday when police removed him from the nightclub and ordered him to leave the city area. I thought I saw something different," Australian media quoted the police officer as saying to Wighton in court on Tuesday. Australia Capital Territory (ACT) Magistrates Court judge Jane Campbell dismissed the case, triggering criticism of police and prosecutors. The arrests were prominently reported by national broadcasters, with video showing four police officers pinning Aboriginal Australian Mitchell face-down to the ground. "I hope everyone knows and understands the seriousness of what's gone on," South Sydney fullback Mitchell told reporters outside the court.

Persons: South Sydney Rabbitohs Latrell Mitchell, Loren Elliott, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Mitchell, affray, Wighton, Jack, Jane Campbell, what's, it's, they've, I've, Don Furner, Shane Rattenbury, Ian Ransom, Sonali Paul Organizations: South Sydney Rabbitohs, National Rugby League, Sydney Roosters, REUTERS, Rights MELBOURNE, Australian, Police, ., Capital Territory, Aboriginal, South Sydney, Canberra Raiders, ACT Attorney, ACT Policing, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Canberra, Melbourne

☆ Australia-based Wallabies lacked work ethic at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Australia-based players in the Wallabies squad for the disappointing World Cup campaign lacked the ability to train at the same level as their team mates at European clubs, according to assistant coach Pierre-Henry Broncan. "The team's youth did not work at this World Cup, it did not lack experience but collective experience," he told French sports newspaper L'Equipe. "We lost the World Cup the week we lost Tupou and Skelton. They have been preparing for this World Cup for four years. "If he senses a real desire from Rugby Australia to create a high-performance environment, I think he will be there."

Persons: Siphiwe, Pierre, Henry Broncan, Eddie Jones, Will Skelton, Richie Arnold, that's, Jones, Skelton, Taniela Tupou, Tupou, Frenchman, Fabien Galthie, Broncan, Eddie, Nick Mulvenney, Ed Osmond Organizations: Australia Wallabies, St Peter’s, Rugby, South, REUTERS, Rights, Wallabies, Castres, Australia, French, L'Equipe, Fiji, Rugby Australia, Thomson Locations: Sunninghill, South Africa, Pretoria, Australia, France, Fiji

☆ Springboks delay naming team as they ponder bench options
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Springboks have been regimented in naming their team four days before a test, but director of rugby Rassie Erasmus says there are still deliberations over whether to go with a 5-3, 6-2 or 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench. In some cases we are not even sure who is the best," Erasmus told reporters on Tuesday. "We are keeping our options open for a 7-1, 6-2 or 5-3 (bench split) with both Handre and Manie being available. I think having everybody fit and seeing what the French team looks like may influence us going 7-1 or 6-2." "I have been in World Rugby meetings where we break into little groups and he's a very interesting character with the way he looks at the game," Erasmus said.

Persons: Rassie Erasmus, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo, Erasmus, Antoine Dupont, Shaun Edwards, Andy Farrell, Nick Said, Toby Davis Organizations: France, Springboks, Namibia, Rugby, Rugby League, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Paris, France, Ireland

SYDNEY, Aug 20 (Reuters) - England and Spain go head-to-head in the final of the Women's World Cup on Sunday, capping off a tournament that has broken attendance and TV records and raised hopes of a surge in interest for the women's game. The last Women's World Cup in France four years ago attracted more than 1.1. million fans to 52 matches with an average crowd of 21,756. "We need funding in our development, we need funding in our grassroots," she said. "We need funding, you know, we need funding everywhere." The Matildas' standout World Cup campaign has led to calls for more support to women's soccer in Australia, where it lags more popular football codes like rugby league and Australian rules.

Persons: Sam Kerr, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Jorge Vilda, Alasdair Pal, Edmund Klamann Organizations: SYDNEY, Australia, England, Seven Network, FIFA, White Ferns, GAP, Sweden, Australian, Sunday, Spanish, Thomson Locations: England, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Sydney, France

☆ Wanted: Female Athletes. Multiple Vacancies.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Rory Smith | More About Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Brooke Walker spent that first night watching as much Australian rules football as she could. She did the same the next night, and the night after that. Walker had not grown up playing what is, depending on whom you ask, Australia’s most popular sport. As a child, she had played touch, the minimal-contact version, and rugby league. “Even when I was 14 or 15, I wouldn’t ever have seen it,” she said.

Persons: Brooke Walker, Walker, ”, “, — Organizations: league, Australian Football, — Carlton Locations: New Zealand, Australia, Melbourne

☆ Matildas to look back in pride after thrilling host nation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

England's second goal may haunt Ellie Carpenter, whose failure to clear an innocuous long ball opened the door for Lauren Hemp to swoop. Distraught midfielder Katrina Gorry worried the Matildas had let the nation down after building them up on their first run to a World Cup semi-finals. "The joyride is over, but the glow will long remain," sports columnist Greg Baum wrote in Melbourne's The Age newspaper. Since being awarded the right to host the tournament with New Zealand three years ago, Australian soccer officials have promised repeatedly that the World Cup would leave a strong legacy for the game. Long-term, it remains to be seen whether the World Cup has moved the needle for a sport in Australia that has modest professional leagues and struggles to retain talent.

Persons: Sam Kerr, Hannah Mckay, Sam Kerr's, England's, Ellie Carpenter, Lauren Hemp, Lax, Katrina Gorry, Gorry, Greg Baum, Kerr, Vine, Ange Postecoglou, Ian Ransom, Jamie Freed Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, England, Rights MELBOURNE, Stadium Australia, Spain, Sweden, Olympic, Canada, Nigeria, Australia, France, Australian Rules, New Zealand, Seven Network, league, Socceroos, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Australia, Sydney, England, Denmark, Canada, Melbourne

☆ World Cup needs to be Australia's starting point, not the finish: Gustavsson
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Semi Final - Australia v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 16, 2023 Australia coach Tony Gustavsson looks dejected after the match as Australia are knocked out of the World Cup REUTERS/Carl Recine Acquire Licensing RightsMELBOURNE, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Australia's dream of hoisting the Women's World Cup trophy is over but the co-hosts are determined to take more than a bronze medal away from a watershed tournament. The Matildas lost 3-1 to England on Wednesday but won over a nation during their first run to a World Cup semi-finals, drawing record crowds and TV audiences. Months after that World Cup, they went on strike over pay and conditions, fed up with contracts that demanded professional commitment for poverty-line wages. The Australian government tipped A$44 million into hosting the World Cup. We need funding in our grass-roots ... We need funding everywhere," she said.

Persons: Tony Gustavsson, Carl Recine, It's, Sam Kerr, Kerr, Ian Ransom, Devika Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, England, World, REUTERS, Rights MELBOURNE, Sweden, Australia, Chelsea, Australian Financial, Australian Rules, rugby, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Australia, Sydney, Sweden, Brisbane, Canada, Melbourne, Australian

☆ Australia to set up Pacific Championship in rugby league diplomacy play
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Australia said it would commit A$7 million for a Pacific rugby league championship, in a "football diplomacy" move seen as boosting Australia's soft power amid competition for influence with China. Women's and men's teams from seven countries will compete in the Pacific Rugby League Championships, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday. About half of players in Australia's National Rugby League competition are of Pasifika heritage, said Pat Conroy, the minister for international development and the Pacific. The Australian government has funded a PNG team in the Queensland state rugby competition, and a Fijian team in the NSW state competition, he said. Albanese said that the Pacific Championship will showcase women's rugby league, and that the Matildas had shown how women's sport can inspire nations.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, " Albanese, Albanese, Pat Conroy, Conroy, Mary Fowler, Kirsty Needham, Gerry Doyle Organizations: SYDNEY, Pacific, Pacific Rugby League, Pacific Islands Forum, New, Australia's National Rugby League, rugby, Fijian, league, Thomson Locations: Australia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, New South Wales, Queensland, Pacific, NSW

☆ England out to play spoilers as 'Matildas Mania' sweeps Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | Thomson Reuters | Leads Coverage Of Sport Across The Asia-Pacific. Still Reports On The Full Panoply Of Sport. Many Olympics World Cups World Championships Grand Slams Grands Prix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SYDNEY, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Australia and England re-engage one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in sport when they meet with a place in the Women's World Cup final on the line at a sold out Stadium Australia on Wednesday. While England boast the pedigree as twice World Cup semi-finalists and winners of the European title last year, Australia's plucky Matildas have captured the hearts of a nation usually invested in other sports. In Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman, they have one of the best coaches in the game and most of their players play for top clubs in highly competitive European leagues. Before Saturday's win, much of the narrative around Australia at the tournament focused on the injured calf of the one Matildas player everyone in the country knows, striker Sam Kerr. Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Australia's, Mackenzie Arnold's, Cortnee Vine's, Sydney's, Sarina, Millie Bright, Keira Walsh, Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp, Saturday's, Sam Kerr, Kerr, Hayley Raso, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord, Wiegman, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: SYDNEY, Australia, Sports, England, Thomson Locations: Australia, England, France, Spain, Nigeria

Soccer Football - FIFA Women?s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Quarter Final - Australia v France - Brisbane Stadium , Brisbane, Australia - August 12, 2023 Australia's Mackenzie Arnold and teammates celebrate winning the match after a penalty shootout REUTERS/Dan Peled/File photoSYDNEY, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday backed calls for a public holiday if its team win the Women's World Cup. They play European champions England in Sydney on Wednesday in a match likely to smash Australian TV viewing figures for a soccer game. Chris Minns, the leader of country' most populous state of New South Wales, on Monday pledged to declare a public holiday within a week of the final if the Matildas win. But the Matildas' World Cup matches have sold out months in advance, with millions watching at home in numbers not seen since the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mackenzie Arnold, Dan Peled, Anthony Albanese, I've, it's, " Albanese, Albanese, Chris Minns, Bob Hawke, Alasdair Pal, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Brisbane, Australia, New Zealand, France, England, ABC, Soccer, Sydney Olympics, Australian, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Australia, France, Brisbane, SYDNEY, Sydney, New South Wales

☆ Gustavsson hails game-changing Matildas as Australia celebrates win
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Record-breaking television and streaming figures plus blanket coverage on the front and back pages of the nation's newspapers greeted the win, and Gustavsson believes his players can be the catalyst for change throughout Australian society. "I genuinely really believe that this team can create history in so many ways, not just winning football games," Gustavsson said. "The why is so much bigger than just football and when that drives you...that is a powerful tool that can be very difficult to stop. Neither nation has ever advanced to a Women's World Cup final and the 49-year-old Swede, who was appointed Australia coach almost three years ago, is relishing another winner-takes-all clash. I know that they're going to celebrate this one, but from tomorrow they're going to be focused again, they're extremely professional and they're on the mission.

Persons: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake BRISBANE, Tony Gustavsson, Herve Renard's, Gustavsson, Swede, they're, Michael Church, Jamie Freed Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Brisbane, REUTERS, France, AFL, England, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Australia, France, Brisbane, Wednesday's

☆ Australia Women's World Cup: After Barbie, the Matildas became the new heroes in cleats
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But now, seemingly in the blink of an eye, we’re all wearing green and gold for our newest heroes, Australia’s Women’s World Cup hopefuls, the Matildas. Sam Kerr takes the ball during a FIFA World Cup 2023 round of 16 match between Australia and Denmark at Stadium Australia on August 7. “A lot of people just frankly don’t want to believe women’s sport is doing well,” Lassey told CNN. Football Australia said part of the rationale for bringing the Women’s World Cup to Australia was to use it to grow the women’s game – backed by a 357 million Australian dollar ($232 million) FIFA legacy fund. Argus says the World Cup is a turning point for women’s sport because the turnout and viewing numbers have proven that there’s an enthusiastic audience.

Persons: Barbie, Margot Robbie, Greta Gerwig, Australia’s, they’ve, Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Daniela Porcelli, “, ”, Jackie Schougaard, Alfred Hotel, “ Everyone’s, It’s, Jason Lassey, –, ” Lassey, Matildas, —, “ I’m, Hannah Mckay, Bruce McAvaney, I’m, Maddie Meyer, Kevin Argus, ” Argus, we’ve, Lassey, We’re, Robbie, Gerwig, Barbie ”, ” Gerwig Organizations: Australia CNN, Neighbours, Hollywood, Chelsea, FIFA, Stadium Australia, France, Brisbane, Caxton, Footy Industry, –, AFL, Australian Football League, CNN, Denmark, Sydney, Football Australia, team, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, RMIT, Socceroos, ”, “, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Denmark, Melbourne

☆ Australia vs Canada: Australia facing ‘disaster’ as Matildas teeter on brink of early exit from home World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

As one of the co-hosts, this year’s Women’s World Cup was supposed to be the culmination of all this change; a celebration of Australia’s most beloved team. A shaky 1-0 win against Ireland kicked off the Matildas’ tournament before disaster struck once more and they succumbed to a shock 3-2 defeat against Nigeria. That 2015 run marked the Matildas’ best World Cup performance to date, after appearing in every edition since 1995. The assembled 75,784 fans represented a record crowd for a women’s soccer match in the country and the highest attendance at a Women’s World Cup for 24 years, according to FIFA. “It’s definitely transcended the traditional women’s community and so that’s really exciting.”Australia has played its part in making this the biggest Women’s World Cup in history.

Persons: Sam Kerr’s, backflipping Kerr, Ellie Carpenter’s, Kerr, Gorry’s, “, ” Heather Reid, it’s, that’s, ” Reid, ” Fiona Crawford, Sonia Gegenhuber, ” Crawford, Tony Marshall, Tony Gustavsson –, –, Sam Kerr's, Ryan Pierse, Sam Kerr, ” Caitlin Foord, Bradley Kanaris, ” Gustavsson, ” Kerr, ”, Jaimi Joy, “ They’ve, ” Simon Reus, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Sydney Opera House, Disney, Women’s Soccer Australia, CNN Sport, Ireland, Nigeria, Canada, Federation, Olympics, US, National, Chelsea, Tokyo, Spain, England, Sweden, Rugby, Reuters FIFA, Australia, FIFA, Sydney Harbour Bridge, France, Brazil, . Sports Locations: Sydney, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, Spain, Nigeria, Canada, Qatar, Haiti

☆ CTE: Heather Anderson, first professional female athlete to be diagnosed with degenerative brain disease
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CTE is a neurodegenerative disease that can occur after repeated traumatic brain injuries or hits to the head, with or without a concussion, and to date it has only been diagnosed in professional male athletes. In Australia, lawyers representing dozens of former professional AFL players have filed a class action suit against the Australian Football League (AFL), seeking compensation for injuries caused by alleged negligence. The AFL has acknowledged a link between head trauma and CTE and says it’s committed to mitigating the risks. The AFL Player’s Association, which represents the athletes, is pushing for greater support for current and former players, many of whom are living with the impact of successive brain injuries. Buckland said what’s most needed is a shift in attitudes, so that it’s no longer encouraged or even acceptable to expose children to activities where repeated head injuries are part of the game.

Persons: Heather Anderson, “, ”, neuropathologist Michael Buckland, …, Buckland, Anderson, CTE, James Elsby, It’s, it’s, what’s Organizations: Australia CNN — Scientists, Australian Football League, Sports Brain Bank, University of Sydney, AFL, league –, AFL Club, Adelaide Crows, Australian Defence Force, Australian Sports Brain Bank, US Centers for Disease Control, Boston, NFL, AFL Player’s Association, Boys ’ Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Darwin, United States

☆ Australia recommends testosterone limits for transgender athletes in elite female sport
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, June 16 (Reuters) - Australia's peak sports authority has recommended testosterone limits for transgender athletes seeking to compete in elite female competitions as part of guidelines on inclusion released on Friday. The 'Transgender & Gender-Diverse Inclusion Guidelines for HP (high-performance) Sport' recommends transgender athletes have plasma testosterone levels of less than 2.5 nanomoles per litre for two years prior to competition. Transgender inclusion in female competition has become one of the most contentious and divisive issues in sport. Australia's guidelines come months after the national basketball federation rejected a transgender athlete's application to play in a semi-professional league, drawing criticism from LGBTI groups. Eligibility requirements for transgender athletes in elite female competition vary broadly in Australian sports.

Persons: Ian Ransom, Peter Rutherford Organizations: MELBOURNE, Australian Sports Commission, HP, AIS, Australian Institute of Sport, ASC, rugby, Australian Football League, Australian Rules, Cricket Australia, Thomson Locations: Melbourne

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