Highlights from the world of Women’s Sport…
Stephanie Roche has completed her switch to Sunderland in the English Women’s Super League. It is perhaps the best possible outcome for the player who struggled to settle in France and was then let go by Houston Dash who had to trim their squad and needed stronger defensive cover.
174,000 fans travel to England each season to watch the Premier League. Perhaps some now will take their daughters who play to watch Roche in action on Wearside or in action against Man City, Aresnal, Chelsea or the other big names in the sport. then again it might be easier to head to Peamount United where her career began to take in a Continental Tyres Women’s national League encounter…
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The Irish Women’s Hockey team stand on the edge of making history today. Wins over South Africa, the USA and Uruguay saw them top their group in the World League Semi Final in Spain and a win over China will put them on the brink of qualification as one of the 12 teams going to Rio for next Summer’s Olympic Games.
The performance of the team throughout the tournament has been electric and covered in large part live on Sky Sports to a worldwide audience. The panel is a mix of youth and experienced promises to become the first Irish team to qualify for the Olympics since 1948.
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Ulster Rugby are running a series of Girls Regional Development Centers across the province during the school holidays. The sessions are open to all female rugby players and beginners at both U15 and U18 level.
Sessions will last two hours and be comprised of small-sided games, various core-skills and shape in attack and defence.
The Regional Development Centers will also be used as a platform to enable coaches to identify talented U18 players or U18 players with potential, who may be invited to train as part of the Ulster U18 Development Squad (15-a-side). The Development Squad will have a specific schedule of training throughout July, August and September before playing Munster, Connacht and Leinster in late-September/early-October.
This is the latest in a line of development initiatives at grass roots level helping to broaden the base of young girls playing team sports.
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Sport for Business’ coverage of Women’s Sport is supported by Liberty Insurance, campaigning to #SupportHerSport and proud sponsor of the 2015 All Ireland Camogie and Hurling Championships.
