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      Who is Australia defender Alanna Kennedy?

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      ALANNA Kennedy has achieved success at a number of clubs during her career.Here we take a look inside the life of the Australian defender.
      Alanna Kennedy has achieved success at a number of clubs during her careerCredit: AP
      Who is Alanna Kennedy?
      Alanna Kennedy, born on January 21, 1995, is an Australian professional football player.
      Kennedy, who plays as a defender, is recognised as being a versatile, technical player and right-footed free kick specialist.
      She is also capable of playing in midfield.
      As a child, the sports star was raised in the Sydney suburb of Rosemeadow and attended primary school at Rosemeadow Public and selective sports school Westfields Sports High School.
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      In her youth, Kennedy was the only girl on an all-boys team, before playing for the Campbelltown Cobras.
      She has also trained with the Girls Skills Acquisition Program (GSAP) at MacArthur Rams.
      What teams has Alanna Kennedy played for?
      Alanna Kennedy has achieved success at a number of clubs during her glittering career so far.
      She started her career playing for Sydney FC in the 2010–11 season, where she featured in 3 games.
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      Kennedy then made the decision to switch clubs and joined the Newcastle Jets, before returning to Sydney FC in the 2012–13 season.
      For the following season, the sports star joined city rivals Western Sydney Wanderers, before joining Perth Glory.
      After a number of career moves, Kennedy returned to Sydney FC in 2015, where she remained for the following two seasons.
      A year later in 2016, The Campbelltown-born defender signed with the Western New York Flash in the National Women’s Soccer League, where she made 17 appearances.

      In 2017, she made yet another move – this time to Orlando Pride, where she appeared in every game that season.
      In the final match, Kennedy scored the game-winning goal on a free kick in stoppage time.
      This win allowed Orlando to finish the regular season in third place and qualify for the playoffs for the first time in club history.
      Kennedy then joined Melbourne City on loan for the 2017–18 season.
      After spending one season at Melbourne City, Kennedy returned to Sydney FC once again in 2018 and remained at the club until 2020.
      That same year, she made the move to Tottenham Hotspur on a six-month loan, before signing permanently with the club until the end of the season.
      In May 2021, Kennedy was released by Tottenham, which opened the door for her next signing – a two-year deal with Manchester City.
      Kennedy put pen-to-paper on a two-year contract extension with the Manchester club in May 2023.
      While playing at the Academy Stadium, she wears the No.33 shirt.
      How long has Alanna Kennedy played for Australia?
      Kennedy has spent the majority of her career so far in her native Australia with the likes of Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory.
      She has also been part of Australia women’s national football team, the Matildas, for over a decade.
      In 2012, Kennedy made her national team debut for the Matildas aged 17, against New Zealand.
      In May 2015, the defender was named to Australia’s 23-player roster for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
      The following year she attended her first Olympic Games in 2016 before attending once again as a member of the Matildas Tokyo 2020 Olympics squad.
      Kennedy then went on to become part of the Matildas squad that won the 2017 Tournament of Nations and defeated the United States for the first time ever.
      Read More on The Sun
      In May 2019, Kennedy was named to the Matildas squad for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
      For the third time in 2023, Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson proudly announced Kennedy as part of the 23-player squad that would be representing Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023. More

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      ‘Disappointed’ Lionesses blast FA in statement over bonus row days before England kick off Women’s World Cup campaign

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      ENGLAND have hit out at a lack of progress with talks concerning bonus pay for players at the Women’s World Cup.The Euros champs are dismayed no resolution has been reached following ongoing negotitiations with the FA over performance bonuses. 

      Skipper Millie Bright shared players’ thoughts in a written statement signed by every member of Sarina Wiegman’s squad.
      Their words, shared via social media, come just four days before England’s group D opening game against Haiti on July 22.
      And the Lionesses have decided to put talks on hold to focus on their progress at the World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
      In the statement tweeted by Bright earlier today, players wrote: “Last year we presented the FA with our concerns relating to our bonus and commercial structures.
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      “We are disappointed that a resolution has still not been achieved.
      “We view the successful conclusion of these discussions, through player input and a transparent long-term plan, as key for the growth of women’s football in England.

      “With our opening game on the horizon, we Lionesses have decided to pause discussions, with full intentions of revisiting them following the tournament.
      “We collectively feel a strong sense of responsibility to grow the game and while our focus now switches fully to the tournament ahead, we believe every tackle, pass and goal will contribute to the work we are committed to doing off the pitch.
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      “We look forward to playing for our country in this World Cup with pride, passion and perseverance. Thank you for your support.”

      England players are pausing talks with the FA over Women’s World Cup bonuses until after the tournamentCredit: Alamy
      The Lionesses’ statement comes a month after Fifa announced changes to how prize money is allocated to players at the Women’s World Cup 
      For the first time in the tournament’s history pay from the authority will go directly to squad members on each team.
      And the amount paid is based on players’ performance with the figure rising the further a team progresses in the contest. 
      Prior to Fifa’s new set-up national football bodies would choose how prize money was distributed 
      It is thought some are willing to fund additional pay to players outside Fifa’s new structure. 
      England players are believed  to be dismayed that the FA has not taken a leaf out of the book of their United States counterparts.
      The USA’s federation has a collective bargaining agreement which sees players receive bonuses in addition to prize money paid directly to them by Fifa.
      PFA chief Maheta Molango warned it would be “a massive mistake” to underestimate players’ feelings on the matter.
      Sarina Wiegman’s aces are focusing on their upcoming World Cup fixtures including a group stage opener against HaitiCredit: Getty
      The Professional Footballers’ Association boss said: “It is no coincidence this is particular issue for nations where there is no collective bargaining agreement in place for players and governing bodies.
      Read More on The Sun
      “There will always be consequences when players feel they are having to come back, issue by issue, to push for parity and progress.
      “It doesn’t need to be like this.” More

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      Lionesses winning Euros last summer was wonderful – here’s three reasons why we should roar them on again at World Cup

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      IF I tell you I have a hunch about a sporting event, then have a hunch of your own that the opposite will happen. I have a terrible track record with these things.But last year I got something right.
      Alessia Russo’s stunning surprise backheel against Sweden in the semi-finalCredit: Getty
      Ace Chloe Kelly celebrates her winnerCredit: PA
      The Lionesses gatecrash the press conference and partyCredit: Getty
      I wrote in The Sun that England’s women would win the Euros.
      And they did. Thrillingly, miraculously, brilliantly, inspiringly . . . they only went and did it.
      There were a trio of Three Lionesses moments which are right up there with anything our men have done. Moments which changed everything.
      Oh the joy of Russo’s backheel in the semi-final.
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      Very occasionally a player will do something which no one sees coming. They sell a dummy which everyone buys.
      Their teammates, their opponents, the commentators, the cameras, the crowd and the TV audience all look for the ball to go one way, but it goes ­somewhere else.
      No matter how many times you watch it back, Alessia Russo’s backheel takes you by surprise.
      This was the moment even the most cynical, not-for-me women’s football refusenik went “Oof! Wow! OK.”
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      Then there was Chloe Kelly’s winner in the final. By then we were so into it.
      Earlier, as we became true believers, it dawned on us that while everything was different, it could all yet turn out the same.
      Same old England, sure to lose in the end, to Germany, inevitably.
      But no! Into the net went the ball and over her head came Chloe’s shirt. Iconic.
      This was the moment we knew the Lionesses were different.
      They were winners. And we all felt like winners too.
      And then there was the invasion of the press ­conference.
      The all-singing, all-dancing, conga of ­mischief and joy.
      This was the moment we were reminded that, at its great beating heart, football is actually about, you know, having fun.
      Total ­uninhibited happiness.
      Great, great times.
      And this week we go again.
      Conga of ­mischief and joy
      It’s going to be harder this time.
      Not just because it’s the World Cup, nor because it’s happening a world away in a land down under.
      No, it’s because now England expects.
      Success creates its own pressure.
      And this means they need us to get behind them more than ever before.
      They gave us something wonderful last summer and now, in a sense, we need to give them something back.
      Someone once said that success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan.
      True that. We need to demonstrate that we’ve not been fairweather friends to our Lionesses.
      We need to be with them all the way.
      We can’t bide our time and wait for a moment of glory to be within our grasp.
      They need us right behind them from the off. They need us now.
      Shirt-shedding
      And it’s not just about the World Cup either.
      Last week Karen Carney, former Lioness midfielder and chair of a major review into the women’s game, published her report.
      It’s not a back-patting, look-how-far-we’ve-come exercise.
      It’s much more important than that.
      Her call is for the top two tiers of women’s football to be made fully professional; for a new regular broadcast slot on television; for better investment, better facilities, higher standards all around.
      This isn’t romantic stuff about backheels, shirt-shedding or crazy congas.
      This is the gritty, tricky, challenging stuff needing to be done to get more girls playing, and more women winning, in the environments they’ve earned the right to enjoy.
      There’s 126 pages to this report, and it’s well worth a read, but Karen sums it up rather neatly for us in just a few words.
      “Nothing can take away from our great achievements,” she says.
      “But it is like Instagram vs reality, and the latter is worrying and we need to address it.”
      She’s right. The Instagram posts tell a story of shiny new success with money to match.
      The reality is huge areas of the women’s game underfunded and underloved. The poor relation.
      The seeds of failure are often sown in times of success.
      Power is in our hands
      It would be all too easy for us to say, “Oh yeah, women’s football. Love it! I get it! We’re brilliant! Job done!”
      Never mind the facilities, let’s just admire that backheel again.
      Even if the Lionesses win the World Cup and conga all the way home with the trophy, the gap between Instagram and reality won’t be closed.
      If anything, it will be wider. The ­Instagrams will look even glossier, and the reality will change barely a jot.
      A massive opportunity could go ­begging, and that would be a dreadful thing.
      So what, you might ask, can we, the fans, do to close Karen’s Instagram vs reality gap?
      Well, much of it, to do with finance and administration and business planning, we have no direct control of.
      But the power is still in our hands.
      Because if we carry on seeing the power and potential of the women’s game, and stick with it, and demand ­better, all the good stuff will follow.
      Read More on The Sun
      More than ever before, at this World Cup and way beyond, everyone from the Lionesses to the little girl in the park wanting a kickabout, need our backing.
      Let’s do this. More

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      Who is Lyon and Norway striker Ada Hegerberg?

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      NORWEGIAN professional footballer Ada Hegerberg has had a hugely successful career.Ada has won many championships and awards throughout her career, read on to find out more.
      Ada is commonly referred to as one of the most influential players in women’s footballCredit: Getty
      Who is Lyon and Norway striker Ada Hegerberg?
      Ada Martine Stolsmo Hegerberg was born on July 10, 1995, in Molde, Norway.
      From a young age, she has represented Norway in football at an international level.
      She made her senior team debut for Norway in 2011.
      Ada was part of the Norwegian team that won the silver medal at the 2013 UEFA Women’s Championship.
      Read more on women’s football
      She married her long-term partner Thomas Rogne in 2019 who is also a professional football player.
      Who else has Ada Hegerberg played for?
      During her youth football career, she played for Sunndal Fotball, a Norwegian Association football club.
      During her senior career, she has played for a number of teams, finding success with all of them.
      For her senior debut, she played for Kolbotn from 2010-2011, followed by Stabaek from 2012-2013.
      Most read in Football
      She was then transferred to Turbine Potsdam for 2013-2014 before being transferred to Lyon.
      Ada has been playing for Lyon since 2014, making over 130 appearances and scoring more than 150 goals.
      Internationally, she has represented Norway since 2009 on their youth teams.
      She made her senior debut for Norway in 2011 and remains on the team’s roster.
      Since her senior debut, she has played in over 70 games and scored more than 40 goals.
      What awards has Ada Hegerberg won during her football career?
      Ada has won many awards and accolades throughout her career so far.
      She was awarded the UEFA Best Women’s Player in Europe award on August 25, 2016.
      She was named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2017 and 2019.
      In 2018, Ada was the first-ever recipient of the Ballon d’Or Feminin.
      Ada holds a record for the most goals scored in a UEFA Women’s Champions League season with a total of 15.
      She remains the all-time highest goalscorer in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with a total of 59 goals.
      As well as winning on the pitch, she received her flowers off the pitch also.
      She is considered one of the most impactful spokespeople for her sport as she has given countless interviews for women’s football.
      Read More on The Sun
      In 2020 she had a documentary published about her journey called My Name is Ada Hegerberg.
      Ada is also commonly referred to as one of the most powerful women in sports by many media outlets such as Sports Illustrated. More

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      England Lionesses given warning over World Cup 2023 hotel with stars facing sleepless nights

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      ENGLAND’s Lionesses have been warned that they could face some sleepless nights throughout this year’s World Cup.Sarina Wiegman and her squad landed in Australia earlier this month to prepare for the tournament, which is set to kick off on Thursday.
      The Lionesses are staying at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific HotelCredit: INSTAGRAM @crowneplazaterrigalpacific
      The hotel is situated on the Central Coast of New South WalesCredit: INSTAGRAM @crowneplazaterrigalpacific
      It has been closed to the public while England are thereCredit: INSTAGRAM @crowneplazaterrigalpacific
      The most expensive rooms are £270-a-nightCredit: INSTAGRAM @crowneplazaterrigalpacific
      FA chiefs selected the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific Hotel – situated on the Central Coast of New South Wales – as the team’s base earlier this year.
      However, the hotel has received several noise complaints as it is directly opposite a nightclub.
      One TripAdvisor user, named Maryanne C, gave it a scathing review, writing: “If you want to sleep don’t stay here. Paid far too much for a thumping headache and the worst night’s sleep EVER.
      “The hotel is nice enough but the nightclub downstairs is LOUD until after midnight (we were there on a Saturday night). Reception kindly moved us to another room when we queried the noise but it was no better.”

      Meanwhile, a local resident told The Mirror: “The area around the hotel can get quite rowdy at weekends. It’s popular with residents and visitors and is right next to the beach, so it’s a great place to enjoy yourself.
      “But I’m not sure that I’d recommend it if you need a perfect night’s sleep!”
      The most expensive rooms in the hotel are valued at $519AUD-a-night, which is equivalent to £270.
      The complex includes 199 rooms, a pool, fitness centre and conference rooms, which will all be shut to the public during England’s stay.
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      The hotel is directly opposite Sirens NightclubCredit: Sirens Nightclub
      Sirens describes itself as ‘the Central Coast’s best nightspot’Credit: instagram @sirensthenightclub
      Sirens, the nightclub next door to the hotel, describes itself as “the Central Coast’s best nightspot”.
      The Women’s World Cup kicks off on Thursday, when New Zealand host Norway at Eden Park in Aukland.
      England begin their campaign on Saturday against Haiti.
      The Lionesses took a 90-minute flight to Brisbane from their base camp on Sunday ahead of their opening match.
      After Saturday’s game, they will return to their hotel in New South Wales for their second group match against Denmark, which will take place in Sydney.
      The England team will then fly another two hours to Adelaide, where they will take on China. More

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      Sealing Arsenal move before start of World Cup is a ‘weight off’ shoulders of Lioness star Alessia Russo

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      ALESSIA RUSSO says having her Arsenal move wrapped up before the World Cup feels like a weight off her shoulders. And the England star, 24, is enjoying proving a former coach wrong after he joked she “couldn’t head a ball for sh**”. 
      Alessia Russo is happy to have sorted her club future ahead before the start of England’s World Cup campaignCredit: Getty
      The Lioness star joined the Gunners as a free agent in July following the expiry of her contract with Manchester United in JuneCredit: Getty
      The WSL ace and the Lionesses arrived in Brisbane, Australia on Monday ahead of the Group D opening duel with Haiti on July 22. 
      That clash comes 18 days after the former Red Devil signed for Arsenal as a free agent. 
      Russo, who joined the Gunners after a three-year Manchester United spell, said: “I’m really glad it’s all done. 
      “It feels like a little bit of a weight is off my shoulders ahead of the World Cup and that’s what I wanted. 

      “I hoped to try and get it all sorted before the tournament kicked off. 
      “Now I can fully focus on this World Cup and after that head into Arsenal. I’m really excited.”
      Russo, who began her senior career at Chelsea in 2016, is arguably one of the Gunners’ biggest signings this summer. 
      And the Kent-born Lioness featured in a video welcoming Declan Rice to Arsenal. 
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      The video, produced by the club’s kit makers Adidas, went viral on social media. 
      When asked if there would be any banter from her Man United pals in England’s camp over move, Russo said they will “always be friends”. 
      She added: “I’m still best mates with them all and I always will be. 
      “It’s nice to have this summer and have some time with them again. We’re just all enjoying Australia.”
      Russo’s involvement in a World Cup tournament for the first time in her career comes after her netting 10 goals in 20 WSL games last term. 
      One of her most memorable was a headed effort last November that led to Man United becoming the first WSL team to beat Arsenal at the Emirates. 
      And Russo, who has earned plaudits for her aerial displays in the box, recalls her former coach Anson Dorrance jokingly mocked her heading abilities. 
      The former US Women’s national team boss, who led the side to their first World Cup win, coached Russo during her two-year stint at North Carolina Tar Heels. 
      The Lioness spent some of her teenage years at the US college side renowned for spotting and nurturing rising stars of the women’s game
      Like Russo, Lucy Bronze and Lotte Wubben-Moy, are also former Tar Heels players. 
      The trio flourished under Dorrance who has been in charge of the North Carolina University team for 46 years.
      Russo, who played for Tar them from 2017 to 2019, added: “When I was in America my coach out there told me that I couldn’t head a ball for shit. 
      “That was something that I wanted to prove him wrong with.
      “I’ve still got a long way to go, but yeah I think physicality is a huge thing as a nine. “You’ve got to be strong, you’ve got to be powerful. 
      “Some centre halves are bigger and stronger than you so you’ve got to find ways to get one up on them.”
      On whether she is still in contact with legendary Tar Heels boss Dorrance, Russo said: “I still speak to Anson and his assistant Damon Nahas.
      Russo still maintains contact with her coaches at the US women’s college side North Carolina Tar HeelsCredit: Getty
      “I probably speak to them maybe once a month. It’s nice to check in with them and they played a big part in my journey and my career. 
      “They’re coaches I have huge respect for and love to speak to.”
      Russo is eager to keep developing the physical aspect of her game in particular her strength for duels with her markers.
      Read More on The Sun
      The WSL ace, who has scored 11 times in 21 senior England appearances, added: “Understanding my body and how to use it best, and then just trying to be as clinical as possible in front of goal. 
      “As a nine that’s something you want to work on every single day.” More

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      Who is former England striker Ellen White and is she married?

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      FORMER Lioness Ellen White recently announced the birth of her first child. Ellen had a massively successful career as a striker for the England women’s national team.
      Ellen announced her retirement from professional football after the lionesses won the Euro’s in 2022Credit: Getty
      Who is former England striker Ellen White?
      Ellen Toni Convery is more commenly known as Ellen White and was born May 9, 1989.
      Ellen is a former professional football player who was a striker for the England national team.
      She progressed through the Arsenal academy as a youth player, later returning to the team as an adult.
      During her professional career she was named England’s International Player of the year on three occassions, in 2011, 2018 and 2021.
      Read more on Ellen White
      Ellen was born and raised in Ayelsbury and was educated at The Grange School before going to Waddesdon Church of England School for sixth form.
      Her school did not have a football team for girls, so she played with the boys.
      She played football at her fathers academy Mini Dux as a child. She then played for Aylesbury Town where she was scouted by Arsenal aged eight.
      Ellen participated in the Where Greatness Is Made campaign and a plaque honouring her was unveiled in Aylesbury town centere in 2022.
      Most read in Football
      What teams did Ellen White play for?
      Ellen played for quite a few top league football teams throughout her career.
      As well as representing England on the international stage in big games like the Euros and the Olympics.
      Her youth career was at Arsenal where she went through the academy there from 1997-2005.
      She started her senior career at Chelsea FC where she played from 2005-2008.
      Ellen was then transferred to Leeds and played for them for two years.
      She returned to Arsenal where she played for three years, making over 30 appearances and scoring 11 goals.
      From 2014 to 2022 she played for Notts County, Birmingham City and, finally, Manchester City.
      With Manchester City she won the Women’s FA Cup in 2020, and she also had very successful seasons with Arsenal.
      With Arsenal, Ellen won the league in 2011 and 2012, the Women’s FA Cup in 2011 and 2013 and the FA WSL Cup in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
      While playing for Birmingham City she was the leagues top scorer in 2018.
      During the 2017/18 season, Ellen won the WSL’s Golden Boot Award for the most goals scored.
      Ellen retired in 2022 after the Lionesses won the Euros and became European champions.
      Ellen has held the title of England Women’s all-time record goal scorer.
      When did Ellen White get married and who is her husband?
      Ellen married her partner Callum Convery a year and a half after getting engaged in 2013.
      The couple met while studying Sports Science at Loughborough University.
      Ellen and Callum share their love for each other and football, with Callum regularly being seen pitch side supporting Ellen.
      Callum used to work as a sports development officer for the Nottinghamshire Football Association.
      When Ellen was signed to Manchester City, the couple moved to Manchester and Callum changed jobs.
      Read More on The Sun
      Ellen annoucned that she was expecting her first child just weeks after helping England to victory and lifting the Euro 2022 trophy.
      The couple welcomed their daughter in April 2023. More

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      What is the prize money at the 2023 Women’s World Cup?

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      THE Women’s World Cup commences in just a few days and the prize fund has seen a staggering increase from 2019. FIFA have boosted this year’s pool to $110million, which is more than three times the amount of the $30million prize fund at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.
      The USA won the last Women’s World Cup in France.Credit: AP
      This still does not come close to the men’s winners prize fund in Qatar at $440million.
      However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated he hopes to equal the prize money between both the men’s and women’s tournaments by the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
      FIFA has blamed the unequal prize fund to broadcasters and TV networks for offering significantly less for the women’s tournament’s media rights.
      They have further clarified they are doing their bit to fight for equality in the sport and others now need to start doing the same.
      Read more in Women’s World Cup
      What is the breakdown of the prize money at the Women’s World Cup?
      It’s currently unclear how the $110million prize pot will be distributed for the Women’s World Cup.
      Here is a breakdown of what the players will earn at this year’s tournament:

      Group stage: $30,000
      Round of 16: $60,000
      Quarterfinal: $90,000
      Fourth place: $165,000
      Third place: $180,000
      Second place: $195,000
      Winners: $270,000

      When is the Women’s World Cup 2023?

      The Women’s World Cup 2023 will take place in the summer of 2023.
      It will begin THIS WEEK – on July 20, 2023, and finish a month later on August 20.
      The World Cup will take place in Australia and New Zealand and there has been a team expansion from 24 to 32.
      The games will be spread across nine different cities.
      Stadium Australia in Sydney will host the final.

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