hope they havnt seen ours Cultural sensitivity urged after Spain FIFA Women's World Cup team films haka attempt Rachel Moore and Stuff sports reporters12:47, Jul 10 2023 Spanish footballers attempt haka days before World Cup Play Video SUPPLIED The clip was taken in the team's first training session in Auckland on Saturday just hours after arriving in the country. Visiting FIFA Women’s World Cup teams have been urged to respect Māori culture after the Spanish team posted a video on social media of team members attempting a haka. The video briefly appeared on Spain’s social media channels before being taken down. It showed team members leaping in the air before dissolving into laughter and carried a translated caption: “We are already acclimatised”. The video was taken at Spain’s first practice in New Zealand before the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off on July 20. Spain officials have not responded to messages from Stuff asking them to explain their actions. FIFA regards it as a team matter and is not commenting. ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with Stuff please log in to view this image SUPPLIED Spanish footballers in New Zealand for the FIFA Women's World Cup try to perform a haka at practice. However, University of Otago senior lecturer Dr Jeremy Hapeta was not impressed. He said the video appeared to be a spontaneous attempt at the haka, by a group of women who thought it might be funny. But whether intentional or not, he said “they have done harm”. “They have trampled on the mana of Māori.” Dr Hapeta, Professor Dame Farah Palmer and Dr Yusuke Kuroda, authored a paper about the commodification of Māori rituals in sport, arguing that haka are important taonga (treasures). While published in 2018, the examples referenced were from even earlier - he had been talking about this issue for almost a decade.It was frustrating, he said. “They can plead ignorance, but it gets tired.” It showed ignorance about indigenous culture, by people who had a very basic level of superficial curiosity around the ritual. “You would expect more, but it doesn’t surprise me either.” Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023 Play Video STUFF The biggest sporting event to be held on New Zealand shores is fast approaching. Hapeta said this was an opportunity to educate people “about the value and the worth of our rich culture that has a lot of depth to it” ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with Stuff “They are not the first to do it, but hopefully for this tournament they will be the last.” The haka honoured Māori, first and foremost, but he said it was also a symbol of bicultural and multiculturalism and kotahitanga (unity). It was a sacred ritual, that was to be done with the mana it deserved - and with permission. “Don’t have consent? Don’t do it!”. Do have consent? Do it properly, with mana. “The notion that it is ‘easier to ask for forgiveness rather than to ask for permission’ just doesn’t cut it.” It is not the first that a haka attempts by European women’s football teams have fallen flat. In 2022, a former Football Fern called for Kiwi athletes to receive more education on Māori practices following the "inappropriate" use of the haka by Italian club Juventus. Kristy Hill – a player rep at the New Zealand Professional Footballers' Association of Māori heritage – urged national sporting bodies to "take up the challenge" after a clip from a documentary on the Juventus women's team shared on social media showed the players performing the Ka Mate haka. Juventus defender Lisa Bottin revealed the Serie A champions had performed the ritual since "the very first day" the club came into existence five years ago, after being taught by New Zealand international Katie Rood.
Looking forward to the tournament. The standard has improved considerably over the past 10 years (if you treat it like women's tennis and don't try to compare it to the men which I'm sure we can agree that they'll never match). Any number of teams could win it and there will be great crowds across aus and nz.
Who are the Football Ferns? The 23 women hoping to make World Cup history NEWS SPORT Author LockerRoom, Publish Date Wed, 5 Jul 2023, 12:36PM please log in to view this image The Football Ferns World Cup squad. Photo / Photosport LockerRoom By Merryn Anderson New Zealand’s squad of 23 has been named for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup which kicks off on July 20. Here’s LockerRoom’s guide for the Football Ferns hoping to make history. Win a game, get out of pool play. It may seem simple, but these are two things the Football Ferns have never accomplished at a Fifa Women’s World Cup. The Ferns attended their first World Cup in 1991, losing all three of their pool matches and didn’t qualify for another tournament until 2007, where their fate was the same. Their first draw came in 2011, the Ferns 2-0 down at the end of regulation play against Mexico. But a 90th-minute goal, and then an equaliser by current Fern Hannah Wilkinson in the 94th minute saw the Ferns draw 2-2. Since then, the team have managed two more draws, but never a win, and never able to escape bottom place on the ladder. A recent slip down the world rankings sees the Football Ferns sitting at 26th. Their first opponent on July 20 is Norway, who are ranked 12th, and later Switzerland at 20th, who they face on July 30. Their best chance for the elusive win comes against the Philippines on July 25, who are ranked 46th. The last time the two teams met was in September, when the Ferns came away with a 2-1 win. But the Football Ferns haven’t won a game since then. In fact, they’ve only scored two goals in their past 10 games. So will home advantage give the Ferns the boost they need to escape pool play, or will they be destined for another tournament that finishes after just 11 days? LockerRoom previews the 23-strong team who are determined to make history. Football Ferns World Cup squad Ria Percival - 161 caps please log in to view this image Ria Percival controls the ball. Photo / Photosport New Zealand’s most capped football player (male or female), Percival has been out of action for the Ferns since rupturing her ACL in April of last year, the damage to her meniscus cartilage the worst her surgeon in London had ever seen. She returned for her club, Tottenham Hotspur in late April, but will make her long-awaited Ferns return when she takes the field at this World Cup - her fifth. Ali Riley - 152 caps Riley made her Football Ferns debut in 2007 and amassed her 150th cap earlier this year in a game against Portugal. Born and raised in California, Riley is eligible to play for New Zealand through her dad and has played all her international football for NZ. The defender has scored two Ferns goals and has captained the side since 2017 (almost 50 matches with the armband). She plays her club football for Angel City FC in the National Women’s Soccer League in the US, where she’s the captain of the team well known for tackling issues larger than football. Betsy Hassett - 143 caps Hassett may pass Abby Erceg as the third most capped Football Fern during this World Cup, having made her debut in 2008, while she was still in high school. The 32-year-old has played for teams across the world, but most recently for the Wellington Phoenix, scoring two goals in her first professional season at home. Annalie Longo - 127 caps Another member of the rehab team, Longo tore her ACL in September and has yet to play a game, the injury ruling her out of a much-desired season with the Wellington Phoenix over the summer. She was busy on the sidelines, working for NZ Football, coaching and in commentary. But despite not pressuring herself to be back in time, Longo’s recovery went to plan and her experience will be an asset for this Ferns side. Hannah Wilkinson - 113 caps A prolific goal scorer, Wilkinson is the only Football Fern to have found the back of the net in the past seven months. The centurion sits third on the all-time goal scorer list for the Ferns, with 28 goals over 113 appearances. New Zealand have scored eight goals in their 15 World Cup games, Wilkinson responsible for two of them, including a 94th-minute goal to draw against Mexico in 2011 - the Ferns’ first pool point at a World Cup. She’s one to look to for goal scoring - fiery on field, but a kind, artistic soul off. Katie Bowen - 92 caps Bowen has been around the New Zealand environment for a long time, making her debut in the U17 team on her 14th birthday in 2008. The midfielder is now closing in on 100 Ferns caps, while playing over in the US for 10 years. Rebekah Stott - 89 caps please log in to view this image New Zealand's Rebekah Stott battles for the ball. Photo / Photosport Stott faced her biggest obstacle off the football field, being diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2021. She’s now been in remission for two years, and had her eyes set on this home World Cup throughout her chemotherapy. Erin Nayler - 83 caps The Ferns’ most experienced goalkeeper, Nayler is likely to be the number-one choice in goal for the World Cup. The 31-year-old was chosen, but didn’t play in the 2011 World Cup, and has since attended two more World Cups, as well as playing at two Olympic Games. Olivia Chance - 43 caps Chance has been playing for Celtic, in the Scottish Women’s Premier League since 2021, but still regularly wears the fern. In fact, data showed she was the most travelled women’s player over the last year, going over 145,000kms in 12 trips to represent New Zealand. Paige Satchell - 42 caps The speedy forward’s background in cross country lends itself to her football career, the 25-year-old never running out of steam on attack. Satchell has developed into a regular starter for the Ferns, after three seasons in the women’s A-League, most recently with the Wellington Phoenix. CJ Bott - 37 caps please log in to view this image CJ Bott of New Zealand. Photo / Photosport Bott’s last World Cup ended in pain, as a stray ball hit her arm, fracturing her wrist and ruling her out after needing surgery. The defender plays for Leicester City in the Super League, the highest level of women’s football in England. Daisy Cleverley - 31 caps Despite making her senior debut in 2014, Cleverley only has 31 Football Ferns caps, but will be attending her third World Cup with the Ferns. The 26-year-old midfielder played for HB Køge in Denmark this season, the team winning the league. Gabi Rennie - 24 caps Only 21, Rennie scored her first Football Ferns goal at the Tokyo Olympics against Australia. She also found the back of the net against South Korea at the end of 2021. The forward has been playing college football in the US since 2020. Claudia Bunge - 20 caps Bunge will play her first senior World Cup, making her Ferns debut months after the 2019 edition. At just 23, the defender has maturity on and off the field and has been a key player for the Melbourne Victory since 2020. Malia Steinmetz - 18 caps Once captain of the U20 side, the now 24-year-old is of Samoan heritage has played in Australia since 2019. After spending some time out of the squad, Steinmetz has been a regular starter lately. Elizabeth Anton - 18 caps Anton has played for the Perth Glory since 2020, where she’s been awarded with a lot of minutes. Her Ferns debut was in 2017 and she spent a few years out of the team before coming back strong. Grace Jale - 17 caps please log in to view this image New Zealand's Grace Jale and Iceland's Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir battle for the ball. Photo / Photosport One of the standout players for the Wellington Phoenix’s first season, Jale moved to Canberra United, where she continued her goal scoring dominance. Her 17 Ferns caps have amassed since 2018. Victoria Esson - 14 caps The goalkeeper made her senior debut for the Ferns in 2017, in a 5-0 win over Thailand. She’s been part of the NZ environment since making the U17 team in 2008, and this will be her second World Cup. Jacqui Hand - 12 caps Hand’s 12 caps have all come since October 2021, when she made her debut against Canada, and scored her first Ferns goal the next month. The 24-year-old plays in Finland, where’s she’s a strong striker. Anna Leat - 9 caps The Ferns’ third goalkeeper, Leat is just 22, but plays for Aston Villa in the English Women’s Super League. She made her senior debut in 2017, at just 16 years old, and had some strong appearances at youth World Cups - this will be her first senior tournament. Indiah-Paige Riley - 7 caps No relation to Ali, Riley switched allegiance from Australia to New Zealand (the country of her birth) and made her Ferns debut last year. At only 21, the forward has a bright future in the Ferns. Michaela Foster - 4 caps After a stellar season with the Wellington Phoenix, the defender made her Ferns debut in February in her home of Hamilton and her recent form could see her challenge more experienced players for playing time. Milly Clegg - 2 caps please log in to view this image Milly Clegg of New Zealand. Photo / Photosport The youngest member of the squad, 17-year-old Clegg has been predicted to be a Football Ferns star for years, a scoring machine at youth World Cups. With the Ferns having a recent drought of goals, Clegg could be brought on to bring her magic to the senior side. Ava Collins (11 caps), Meikayla Moore (63 caps) and Kate Taylor (eight caps) have been named as training partners - Moore a shock omission from the side.
Surprise omission as Football Ferns squad revealed for World Cup NEWS SPORT Author NZ Herald , Publish Date Fri, 30 Jun 2023, 12:52PM please log in to view this image The Football Ferns World Cup squad. Photo / Photosport Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková has unveiled her squad for the Fifa Women’s World Cup, with veteran defender Meikayla Moore the surprise omission. Moore, who infamously scored an own goal hat-trick last year for the Ferns in their 5-0 defeat to the USA, has missed out on the final 23-player squad and was only included as one of three training partners for the side during the tournament. Among the notable inclusions are the return of experienced players Annalie Longo and Ria Percival, who both suffered major knee injuries last year, and 17-year-old Wellington Phoenix striker Milly Clegg. The squad features 10 players who will make their World Cup debut. Klimková said she was proud of the work of all the extended squad during the two-month selection process. “Firstly, I want to acknowledge all 38 players who have been involved in our training programme leading into the tournament, especially the final group who were part of the process until this week. “They are all valued members of the Football Ferns whānau, they should feel proud to represent the best footballers in Aotearoa and have given us some very challenging selection decisions to make. “Congratulations to our final 23 players selected. I have absolute faith they will give everything for our team and the country come July.” She was delighted with the squad’s mix of experience and youth. “I believe we have selected a good balance of youth and experience across the squad, from the 10 players making their debuts to other members of the group who have appeared at multiple Fifa Women’s World Cups. “With the extra motivation and excitement surrounding the event on home soil, we now need the country to get behind the team as we look to inspire our nation and deliver one of our best ever performances at a Fifa Women’s World Cup.” New Zealand and Australia are co-hosting the tournament, which kicks off on 20 July at Eden Park, when the Ferns play Norway. Football Ferns squad Elizabeth Anton (18/0) Perth Glory, Australia* CJ Bott (37/2) Leicester City, England Katie Bowen (92/3) Unattached Claudia Bunge (20/0) Melbourne Victory, Australia* Olivia Chance (43/2) Celtic, Scotland Milly Clegg (2/0) Unattached* Daisy Cleverley (31/2) HB Køge, Denmark Victoria Esson (14/0) Rangers, Scotland Michaela Foster (4/0) Unattached* Jacqui Hand (12/1) Åland United, Finland* Betsy Hassett (143/13) Stjarnan, Iceland Grace Jale (17/2) Unattached* Anna Leat (9/0) Aston Villa, England* Annalie Longo (127/15) Unattached Erin Nayler (84/0) IFK Norrköping, Sweden Ria Percival (161/15) Tottenham Hotspur, England Gabi Rennie (24/2) Arizona State University, USA* Ali Riley (152/2) Angel City, USA Indiah-Paige Riley (7/0) Unattached* Paige Satchell (42/2) Unattached Malia Steinmetz (18/0) Unattached* Rebekah Stott (89/4) Brighton & Hove Albion, England Hannah Wilkinson (113/28) Melbourne City, Australia *Fifa Women’s World Cup debut In addition to the 23 players named, Ava Collins, Meikayla Moore and Kate Taylor will join as training partners for the tournament. Football Ferns schedule Upcoming international friendlies: Monday 10 July 2023: New Zealand vs Vietnam (5.30pm) - McLean Park, Ahuriri Napier Upcoming Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023 fixtures: Thursday 20 July 2023: New Zealand vs Norway (7pm) - Eden Park, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Tuesday 25 July 2023: New Zealand vs Philippines (5.30pm) - Wellington Regional Stadium, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington Sunday 30 July 2023: New Zealand vs Switzerland (7pm) - Dunedin Stadium, Ōtepoti Dunedin
Don't worry lads, it's coming home. With none other than Super Chloe scoring the winner in the final !
I'm not sure the England team is quite as good as the side that won the Euros. The injury to Williamson is a huge loss imo.
Hoping for some sort of Zaire 1974 antics from the Zambian team. Anyway, good luck England. I’d sacrifice winning it for a QPR corner but yeah.
Just bought 2 tickets for a quarter final Winner of group C v second in group A Might get to see new Zealand play if they don't finish 3rd or 4th $15 dollars a seat for the front row behind a goal Cheaper than going to the movies
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 groups Group Teams Group A New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland Group B Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Republic of Ireland Group C Costa Rica, Japan, Spain, Zambia Group D China, Denmark, England, Haiti Group E Netherlands, Portugal, United States, Vietnam Group F Brazil, France, Jamaica, Panama Group G Argentina, Italy, South Africa, Sweden Group H Colombia, Germany, South Korea, Morocco
Matildas playing the French tonight in a friendly. Should be a good game and good indicator of where we are at. Watch out for Ellie Carpenter at right back - the girl is a machine, up and down the line.
England drew 0-0 in behind closed doors friendly, that's 3 games in a row we've failed to score now ! Not ideal
ROI game against Colombia stopped after 20 minutes as it was "overly physical"...... Both sides then had a practice session......
A ROI player was taken to hospital with a shin injury. Seems the Colombians didn't get the meaning of a "friendly".
