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  • Record 70MILLION votes cast in prestigious Dubai Globe Soccer Awards poll with 10 days still to go – as four Premier League players battle the world’s best for player of the year honour

    Record 70MILLION votes cast in prestigious Dubai Globe Soccer Awards poll with 10 days still to go – as four Premier League players battle the world’s best for player of the year honour

    A whopping 70 million votes have been cast in the Beyond Developments Globe Soccer Dubai Awards with 10 days of polling still to go, equalling last year’s record figure already.

    The competition will take place alongside the 19th Dubai International Sports Conference, at Atlantis, The Palm in partnership and support with Dubai Sports Council, on December 27. 

    Four Premier League stars – Rodri, Cole Palmer, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah – have made it into the shortlist of 18 competitors vying for the Best Men’s Player prize at the glittering gala after half of the league’s representation was cut following the first round of voting.

    Polling opened two weeks ago to football fans across the world. They have until December 10 to have their say and the winners will be determined by a combination of fan votes and the Globe Soccer Jury, made up of legendary names such as Marcello Lippi, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas and Luis Figo.

    Last year, some 70 million people from more than 225 countries and territories cast their vote.

    But this figure has already been matched just halfway into the ballot period this time round as fans look to have their say on the players of the year from both the men and women’s games.

    A record 70 million votes have already been cast to decide the world's best players at the Beyond Developments Globe Soccer Dubai Awards with Balon d'Or winner Rodri in contention

    A record 70 million votes have already been cast to decide the world’s best players at the Beyond Developments Globe Soccer Dubai Awards with Balon d’Or winner Rodri in contention

    Cole Palmer is one of the hottest talents in the world and has made it into the final shortlist

    Cole Palmer is one of the hottest talents in the world and has made it into the final shortlist

    Mohamed Salah is also in the final 18 as the Egyptian keeps bagging goals for fun at Liverpool

    Mohamed Salah is also in the final 18 as the Egyptian keeps bagging goals for fun at Liverpool

    The first period of polling closed on Monday and more than twice as many votes were cast as at the same point last year.

    Fans’ votes, received from more than 200 countries across the world, helped determine the finalists across eight of the 12 main categories.

    Additionally, the Globe Soccer mobile app has surpassed 1.5 million downloads, underlining the event’s global appeal. 

    Man City’s Rodri will be hoping to replicate his triumph at the Ballon d’Or in Paris last month after winning the Premier League with his club and Euro 2024 with Spain.  

    His teammate Haaland scooped up the prize in Dubai in 2023 and is in with a shout this year after bagging 34 goals.

    Palmer, meanwhile, carried Chelsea on his back last campaign before scoring a memorable goal in the Euro final against Spain. He already has seven goals in 11 Premier League appearances this season.

    Salah’s future at Liverpool might be uncertain but his importance to Arne Slot’s side is not, as the winger’s goals helped the Reds come back from 2-1 down against Southampton on the weekend to secure three points and surge eight points clear at the top of the league. 

    Elsewhere, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior has been offered up an opportunity to put his Ballon d’Or snub behind him and end the season with some silverware. 

    Last year's winner Erling Haaland has continued his form in front of goal and is in with a shout

    Last year’s winner Erling Haaland has continued his form in front of goal and is in with a shout

    Meanwhile Vinicius Junior can make up for his Balon d'Or snub with a memorable win in Dubai

    Meanwhile Vinicius Junior can make up for his Balon d’Or snub with a memorable win in Dubai

    The men's player of the year award features stars from seven leagues and will be given on Dec 27

    The men’s player of the year award features stars from seven leagues and will be given on Dec 27

    Two English stars will be hoping to receive the women's player of the year award next month

    Two English stars will be hoping to receive the women’s player of the year award next month

    After news broke earlier on the day of the Paris ceremony that the selection panel had chosen Rodri as their victor, Real Madrid and Vinicius decided to pull the plug on their trip to the gala, held at the Theatre du Chatelet.

    The Spanish giants had hoped that if their Brazilian forward was not given the nod, right-back Dani Carvajal might be handed the gong after winning La Liga, the Champions League and the Euros. 

    But when it was leaked today that the Man City man  was in fact the winner, Real reacted furiously and not a single club representative was there to watch their team win several honours at the event and their players place highly in the main list.

    Carvajal is also in contention at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards along with teammate and England international Jude Bellingham who secured a league and Champions League double with Los Blancos last season. 

    Old stalwarts Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, winners of seven men’s player of the year awards at the Dubai event over the years, also make the shortlist for their perfomances at Inter Miami and Al Nassr respectively.

    As for best women’s player, Aitana Bonmati will be aiming to follow up her Ballon d’Or nod with another honour here, while English stars Lucy Bronze and Lauren James will be hoping to spring an upset.

    For the official voting page: https://vote.globesoccer.com

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  • St. Louis high school hockey player Colin Brown dead days after he’s struck by stray bullet driving home from game with his dad

    St. Louis high school hockey player Colin Brown dead days after he’s struck by stray bullet driving home from game with his dad

    A 16-year-old Missouri high school hockey player died Wednesday days after a stray bullet struck him on a busy highway while he was driving home from his game with his father.

    Colin Brown, a sophomore at Christian Brothers College High School (CBCHS), was sitting in the passenger seat of his father Calvin’s car when he was shot around 10:30 p.m. on Interstate 55 in South St. Louis Saturday night, according to First Alert 4.

    Brown was rushed to the hospital in critical condition before he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday afternoon. 

    “Colin — a beloved and talented hockey player — passed away but not before giving the ultimate gift of life,” St. Louis Metro Police Department Director of Public Affairs Mitch McCoy said. “Colin’s organs were donated to other patients who were in desperate need. This donation is an example of the type of young man Colin was and the kind of family he grew up in.”

    Colin Brown succumbed to his injuries Wednesday after he was struck by a stray bullet over the weekend. Facebook

    Brown joined CBCHS, one of Missouri’s most elite hockey high school programs, after transferring from Illinois in the fall. He was seven games into the season with his new school.

    “He was a talented and dedicated student who was enrolled in Honors courses, and he was a valuable member of our CBC Varsity Hockey team,” CBCHS said in a statement.

    McCoy said police received numerous reports from motorists and nearby residents over the gunfire. 

    Police believe there was a rolling gunfight as the Browns traveled in the opposite direction, according to Fox 2.

    Colin Brown was in his first year with the Christian Brothers College High School hockey team. X
    Colin Brown was 16 years old. DAWG Nation Hockey Foundation – St. Louis Chapter/Facebook

    Detectives are reviewing newly acquired footage from the area as they hunt for the suspected shooter. 

    “This type of violence is not going to be tolerated by us,” McCoy said. “We want people to feel safe driving on the interstate and the city of St. Louis. 

    “To have a 16-year-old boy who just left a hockey game get shot is incredibly rare. You don’t hear about cases of innocent bystanders being hit by stray bullets here. When those acts of violence occur, we will put the entire weight of this police department into finding who did it to make sure they are held accountable.”

    The NHL’s St. Louis Blues coaching staff wore “72 Strong” pins honoring Brown’s uniform number and left a hockey stick outside their locker room before their game Wednesday night.

    Brown was remembered as a “talented and dedicated student who was enrolled in Honors courses.” First Alert 4

    Calvin Brown expressed his gratitude to the St. Louis Police and Illinois State Police for “their continued efforts in apprehending the perpetrator(s) of this senseless crime against our beloved son, Colin” but said that St. Louis officials should make “greater efforts” to support police.

    “As a family and as a former law enforcement official with over 28 years of experience, we believe that greater efforts are needed in the City of St. Louis and the surrounding region to support the police and equip them with the necessary tools to combat such senseless, violent gun crimes,” Brown said on Sunday.

    The city of St. Louis saw 106 homicides through August 2024, a slight decrease from the previous year (109), according to officials.

    Officials boasted about the nearly 40 percent decrease in homicides since St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones took office in April 2021.

    “The death of Colin Brown is devastating news for our whole community,” Jones said. “We were all praying for a miracle and are now overwhelmed with grief, sadness, and anger that this innocent teenager’s life has been taken. As the mother of a teenage son, I grieve with all who knew and loved this man.”

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  • Alabama College Football Player Dies After Suffering Head Injury in Game

    Alabama College Football Player Dies After Suffering Head Injury in Game

    Medrick Burnett Jr., a college football player at Alabama A&M University, died this week after suffering a head injury in a recent game.

    Who Is Medrick Burnett Jr.?

    Burnett, a 20-year-old linebacker for Alabama A&M University, suffered a head injury on October 26 during the Magic City Classic against Alabama State University, the school announced. Burnett was hospitalized following the game and passed away Tuesday night. The university has not disclosed an official cause of death.

    A native of Lakewood, California, Medrick Burnett Jr. transferred to Alabama A&M in 2024 after spending one season with Grambling State University’s football program. During the 2024 season, he played in seven games, including a standout performance against Austin Peay State University, where he recorded a season-high three tackles.

    Alabama A&M University Announcement

    “Alabama A&M University is mourning the passing of football student-athlete Medrick Burnett Jr.,” the school said in a statement on Wednesday.

    Alabama A&M Director of Athletics Dr. Paul A. Bryant expressed sympathy for Burnett’s family, saying: “Medrick was more than an exceptional athlete; he was a remarkable young man whose positive energy, leadership, and compassion left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. While words cannot adequately express our grief, we are humbled by the strength of his family, who stood by his side throughout this unimaginable ordeal.”

    medrick burnett
    Medrick Burnett Jr. is seen in this photo from Alabama A&M University. On November 27, 2024, the university announced that Burnett Jr. had died after suffering a head injury in a game.

    Alabama A&M Football

    Bryant added in the statement, “We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to Medrick’s parents, siblings, and loved ones. We also offer our heartfelt support to his teammates, coaches, and the entire Alabama A&M community who are mourning this loss. In this moment of sorrow, we come together to honor Medrick’s legacy and celebrate the light he brought to our lives. May we all draw strength from one another as we navigate this difficult time.”

    Burnett’s family created a GoFundMe page prior to his death, saying at the time that he was in the “ICU and not doing well.”

    “He had several brain bleeds and swelling of the brain. He had to have a tube to drain to relieve the pressure, and after 2 days of severe pressure, we had to opt for a craniotomy, which was the last resort to help try to save his life,” the GoFundMe page said.

    Responses to Burnett’s Passing

    In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Grambling State Athletics said, “Grambling State Athletics offers our sincerest condolences and prayers to the friends and family of former G-Man and @_AAMUAthletics football student-athlete Medrick Burnett, Jr.”

    Jackson State Athletics also issued a tribute to Burnett that said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Medrick Burnett Jr. and the entire @AAMUBulldogs community.”

    This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

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  • Oswego East senior MJ Hoffman is the Record Newspapers Player of the Year – Shaw Local

    Oswego East senior MJ Hoffman is the Record Newspapers Player of the Year – Shaw Local

    MJ Hoffman’s game has certainly evolved at Oswego East.

    “He’s not your prototypical forward that will blow you away,” Wolves coach Steve Szymanski said. “He’s skilled in being able to find the back of the net. He puts pressure on the goalkeeper all the time. I think he even had one goal this year where the goalie went to clear it and [Hoffman] blocked it into the net.”

    Hoffman took care of business on the field this fall, wrapping up his final competitive season with the Wolves by receiving all-state honors, all-conference accolades and being recognized as the 2024 Kendall County Record Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

    Hoffman scored 16 goals and added 10 assists while helping the Wolves enjoy a 12-7-4 season. While they fell short of a regional title, the Wolves were able to play for one after knocking out rival Oswego in a regional semifinal after the Panthers had beaten them in the regular season.

    “He’s a super quiet kid who is all business,” Szymanski said. “He doesn’t talk a lot and is not going to showboat. He’s always like ‘yes, coach,’ and ‘no, coach.’ He’s hardworking and wants to get better. I wish he wanted to play in college.”

    The old saying about judging books by covers most definitely applies to Hoffman. For someone who can put a great deal of pressure on opposing defenses and goalkeepers, Hoffman often made it look easy. It’s not.

    “Sometimes my dad says stop playing nonchalant and it’s just the way I look, like my facial expressions,” Hoffman said. “I can’t let people get in my head. People can go back and forth and that doesn’t get to me. I just keep playing. It’s a game. I honestly feel like I’m playing my game most of the time. I’m not too selfish. I try to get everyone in the play and I know for a fact that selfishness is needed sometimes, especially when nobody had energy or were in their heads so I would try to bring energy, but I just feel like I played my game.”

    Hoffman did much on the pitch in addition to scoring goals and helping others do the same.

    “What makes MJ such a good player is he always finds a way to find a ball,” senior teammate Caleb Pankiewicz said. “He always finds a way to get past a defender. He knows when to pass the ball off and when to take on a defender. He also defends as a forward. When our team lost the ball he would be one of the first ones to track back and win the back back for us. He’s always willing to go the extra mile to help the team on and off the field.”

    Having known Hoffman since middle school, Pankiewicz has enjoyed having a teammate and friend with a great understanding of the game.

    “What I like most about him as a teammate is he is always there to listen to your ideas about the game and he knows the game really well,” Pankiewicz said. “So it’s easy to talk to him about what we need to improve on. MJ is very honest and encouraging with how he feels which makes everyone look up to him as a role model for the younger kids on the team.”

    Oswego East's Marlin Hoffman (22) shoots the ball against Oswego during a soccer match at Oswego High School on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.

    Oswego East’s MJ Hoffman (22) shoots the ball against Oswego during a soccer match at Oswego High School. (Sean King for Shaw Local News Ne)

    The Wolves were going through some adversity late in September. They lost to Plainfield North, edged Waubonsie Valley in a tournament shootout and then were blanked by a five-win Joliet Central team. On Sept. 26, they beat up on Bolingbrook, 4-2, with Hoffman having his biggest offensive day of the fall.

    “We were struggling at the time and he had a hat trick,’ Szymanski said. “Bolingbrook only had one loss and were doing really well and had only given up like four or six goals [6] on the season. He put relentless pressure on them. We knew we had to pressure Bolingbrook. He was the leader of that which led to a lot of goals. He didn’t score the first one but he had the next three.”

    Hoffman began finding his way within the soccer program at Oswego East when he made 13 starts during his sophomore year. He scored three times and added four assists for a 9-6-4- team.

    “He’s just gotten a little tougher, a little stronger every year,” Szymanski said. “I really think he’s evolved naturally each year and got a little bit better, a little bit tougher. When he was a sophomore, DuPablo [Parodis-Yu] did most of the scoring and he played more as a wing. He’s become more of a focal point since then.”

    He treated every game this season as if it were his last. While some of his teammates will play at the next level, Hoffman is stepping away from the game although he’s considering giving track a try depending on where he lands.

    “I don’t know where I’m going to go to college, but my dad does something with project management so I’m thinking about that or something in engineering possibly,” he said. “This has all went by really fast. It’s a good memory. All the bus drives and games and team meet-ups and just going to get some food. When I joined freshman year I honestly didn’t think I’d like it as much as I did.”

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  • The Jewish Sport Report: Orthodox college football player Sam Salz is on a mission to inspire

    The Jewish Sport Report: Orthodox college football player Sam Salz is on a mission to inspire

    This article was sent as a newsletter. Sign up for our weekly Jewish sports newsletter here.

    Happy Friday! In this week’s Jewish Sport Report, we profile Orthodox college football player Sam Salz, invite you to an exciting Jewish sports event next month and share hall of fame updates across multiple sports.

    Let’s dive right in.

    Inside Orthodox player Sam Salz’s historic college football debut — and his improbable path to the SEC

    Sam Salz

    Sam Salz is in his third season with the Texas A&M football team after walking on in 2022. (Rob Havens/Aggieland Illustrated)

    Before Nov. 16, Sam Salz had never played a snap of organized football. The 5-foot-6, 160-pound wide receiver grew up attending an Orthodox day school in Philadelphia that didn’t have a football team.

    But last Saturday night, Salz took the field for the first time with the Texas A&M Aggies, the No. 15-ranked team in Division I and a decorated program that plays in the elite Southeastern Conference.

    Salz walked me through his first taste of football, and what it meant to hear his name called for a play as the Aggies routed New Mexico State 38-3.

    “There’s probably a Jewish kid, and maybe even especially an Orthodox kid, who wants to play football, or wants to play sports, and is sitting somewhere confused about what he should do, or who’s told that he’ll never be able to do it,” Salz said. “Even getting to see me run down on that field, successful play or not, could have given him all the hope that he wanted.”

    Click here for Salz’s remarkable story.

    Halftime report

    COOPERSTOWN CALLING? Longtime second baseman and former Team Israel player-turned-manager Ian Kinsler is on the 2025 MLB Hall of Fame ballot, making him the first Jewish player to make the ballot since Kevin Youkilis in 2019. Kinsler is a 4-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner and 2018 World Series champion. Getting on the ballot is itself an accomplishment — even if his chances at making it to Cooperstown alongside the likes of fellow first-balloteer Ichiro Suzuki appear slim.

    DEFLATED. One prominent Jew who will definitely not be enshrined in a hall of fame in 2025 is New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who, according to ESPN, was not selected for the 2025 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Kraft, one of the league’s most influential owners and a six-time Super Bowl winner, failed to advance out of the hall’s nomination committee for the 13th time. Ralph Hay, a co-founder of the NFL, was chosen instead.

    HONORED. More on halls of fame! Former NHL star Mathieu Schneider was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in New York last weekend. Schneider, who scored 223 goals across 21 seasons in the league, said being a Jewish pro athlete “meant an awful lot to me.”

    LISTEN TO THIS. U.S. rugby bronze medalist Sarah Levy appeared on the Women of Reform Judaim’s “Just For This” podcast, which highlights women in leadership positions. Check out the interview here, and for a refresher, here’s our profile of Levy from this past summer.

    HOLDING COURT. The Israel Tennis and Education Centers Foundation raised half a million dollars at a fundraiser Tuesday in New York City to benefit the organization’s work supporting Israeli children across socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. The ITEC, which has more than 200 courts across Israel, has expanded its work since Oct. 7, 2023.

    Jews in sports to watch this weekend (all times ET)

    🏒 IN HOCKEY…

    Jakob Chychrun and the Washington Capitals host Jack and Luke Hughes and the New Jersey Devils Saturday at 7 p.m. Jason Zucker — who scored his 200th career goal Wednesday — and the Buffalo Sabres face Jake Walman, Luke Kunin and the San Jose Sharks Saturday at 8 p.m. Zach Hyman and the Edmonton Oilers host Adam Fox and the New York Rangers Saturday at 10 p.m.

    🏈 IN FOOTBALL…

    Michael Dunn’s Cleveland Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-19 last night on “Thursday Night Football.” In the NCAA, Jake Retzlaff and No. 14 BYU face No. 21 Arizona State Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Sam Salz and Texas A&M play Auburn Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

    ⚽ IN SOCCER…

    Daniel Edelman and the New York Red Bulls face their crosstown rivals, New York City F.C., at Citi Field in the MLS conference semifinals on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. In European soccer, Matt Turner and his Premier League club Crystal Palace play Aston Villa Saturday at 10 a.m., and one level down, in the Championship, Manor Solomon and Leeds United take on Swansea Sunday at 10 a.m.

    🏀 IN BASKETBALL…

    Deni Avdija and the Portland Trail Blazers face the Houston Rockets tonight at 8 p.m. in the NBA Cup and Saturday at 8 p.m. in regular season play. Domantas Sabonis, who is converting to Judaism, and the Sacramento Kings play the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at 10:30 p.m. in the NBA Cup and host the Brooklyn Nets Sunday at 9 p.m. in regular play.

    ⛳ IN GOLF…

    Daniel Berger is competing in the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic tournament this weekend in Georgia.

    🏎 IN RACING…

    Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll will be on the grid this weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Lights out at 1 a.m. on Sunday.

    Join us for an online event to mark the 75th anniversary of a remarkable Jewish basketball championship

    Event graphic

    On Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. ET, I will sit down (virtually) with Matthew Goodman, author of “The City Game: Triumph, Scandal, and a Legendary Basketball Team,” to discuss the 75th anniversary of the City College of New York’s extraordinary 1949-50 basketball championship — and the point-shaving scandal that rocked the sport in its aftermath.

    The CUNY Beavers, a team made up entirely of Jewish and African-American players at a time when the NBA was still segregated, became the only team in history to win the NIT and NCAA tournaments in the same year.

    Click here for more information and to register for our free online event.

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  • former Wales football player faces fresh claims

    former Wales football player faces fresh claims

    Getty Natasha Harding celebrates a goal during a Wales matchGetty

    Natasha Harding retired from football last year and is one of Wales’ most-capped players

    Up to 70 parents and businesses have now made allegations that they have lost money to former international footballer Natasha Harding.

    It is understood the total figure lost could be almost £70,000.

    The former Reading captain, who is one of Wales’ most capped players and now uses her married name of Allen-Wyatt, is facing a number of claims, including that she took money for one-to-one coaching with children that she did not deliver.

    Ms Allen-Wyatt said she had to cancel “some sessions” due to circumstances outside her control, and apologised to those affected.

    Since the first allegations emerged, parents and businesses from south Wales, north Wales, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire have told BBC Wales about their own experiences with Ms Allen-Wyatt, in fresh claims amounting to £27,000.

    Meanwhile, a parent who set up a WhatsApp group for those affected said their claims totalled around £40,000.

    Reports have been made to a number of police forces in Wales and England, some of which have been passed on to Action Fraud, which co-ordinates fraud complaints from all regions.

    Action Fraud said at least one report “is currently being assessed” by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau.

    Former teammates have also revealed to the BBC that some of Ms Allen-Wyatt’s actions “also impacted ourselves, our families and friends”.

    Ms Allen-Wyatt’s former club, Manchester City, has been urged to cut its ties with her as a pundit and commentator.

    ‘I was really, really disappointed’

    Andy Hughes, a voluntary coach for Northop Hall Girls’ under-12s and under-13s in Flintshire, said Ms Allen-Wyatt had offered one-to-one coaching to team members after appearing as a guest on his podcast, This Girl Can Play, and mentioning she wanted to expand her academy to north Wales.

    She subsequently signed up 12 players for 10 sessions of coaching, at a cost of £280 per player.

    But only two blocks of coaching sessions were delivered, with subsequent sessions cancelled or postponed after Ms Allen-Wyatt told Mr Hughes that she had suffered two family bereavements.

    No further sessions were arranged, and Mr Hughes said no refunds had been given.

    He said, “I was really, really disappointed. For someone who played the game at that level and who’s an icon to the next generation of women footballers, these sessions were really important.

    “How do you explain to an 11-year-old girl that their Welsh hero isn’t going to come and coach them after all, and that they’ve let them down?

    “I’m gutted that someone we put forward as a great opportunity has turned out like this. It’s a shame because the coaching she did deliver was good.”

    Andy Hughes Natasha Allen-Wyatt looks on as a young girl player kicks a ball on a football pitchAndy Hughes

    Natasha Allen-Wyatt coached Andy Hughes’ daughter Brooke and some of her teammates

    Daniel Rees, who runs Cardiff Classic Shirts, agreed to sponsor Ms Allen-Wyatt after she contacted him through social media.

    He gave her £500, for which he was promised the company would be advertised on her academy training shirts, hoodies and jackets for a period of two years.

    Mr Rees said he had seen no evidence of this being done and not received any explanation despite trying to contact her.

    “I couldn’t find any pictures of shirts that were meant to be printed up, just a mock-up I was sent,” he said.

    “I never thought the worst, I just thought she was having a run of bad luck and it would come good.

    “To see now that it’s so widespread has come as a bit of a shock to the system.”

    Mr Rees said he was also promised two worn Wales match shirts, which never materialised.

    Daniel Rees standing beside a rack of multi-coloured shirts and in front of a wall displaying team shirts.

    Daniel Rees of Cardiff Classic Shirts paid £500 for sponsorship

    Kate Parker, a keen Wales football fan, purchased coaching sessions as a Christmas gift for her niece after seeing the Tash Harding Academy on social media.

    Ms Parker, who runs two pubs in the Caerphilly area, paid further amounts for sponsorship through the academy and kit for her niece, with the total coming to £1,335.

    However, only one training session was delivered, a second one cancelled, and eventually Ms Parker asked for a full refund.

    Just £350 has been returned to her, in three instalments, with £885 remaining outstanding.

    “She’d promised my niece a Wales shirt as well… it’s a big thing when you’re a kid,” said Ms Parker.

    “My niece is quite shy, I’ve been to a couple of her football matches and she doesn’t get involved as much as the others.

    “She was quite upset but my sister sat her down and explained that (the coaching) couldn’t happen, and that’s that.”

    BBC Wales approached Ms Allen-Wyatt or comment about these latest claims but received no response.

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  • Shohei Ohtani First Player In U.S. Major Sports With 3 Unanimous MVPs

    Shohei Ohtani First Player In U.S. Major Sports With 3 Unanimous MVPs

    It’s unanimous. Shohei Ohtani is the most valuable of the Most Valuable Players.

    Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Ohtani was unanimously chosen as the 2024 National League MVP in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced Thursday.

    While it seemed a foregone conclusion after his historic 50 home run/50 stolen base season — no player had reached both those plateaus in the same season — it was also another step toward legendary status.

    With his 2024 MVP, Ohtani became the only player in the four major U.S. professional sports leagues — Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League — to be an unanimous MVP more than once.

    He has done it three times. Ohtani received every first-place vote for the American League MVP award in 2021 and 2023, in two of his final three seasons 30 miles down the coast with the Los Angeles Angels.

    He joined Frank Robinson as the only players to win the award in both leagues. Robinson won the NL MVP with the Cincinnati Reds in 1961 and AL MVP with the Baltimore Orioles in 1966.

    The award culminated a record-bracketing first season with the Dodgers.

    Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million free agent contract negotiated by agent Nez Balelo of CAA in December, and he showed the value of the deal by slashing .310/.390/.646 with 54 homers, 59 stolen bases, 411 total bases and a 190 OPS+ as the Dodgers won the World Series.

    “I obviously don’t go into the season trying to strive to get the MVP Award,” Ohtani said through interpreter Matt Hidaka on the MLB Network announcement show.

    “I was more focused on being one of the guys with a new team with the Dodgers. “It was a complete team effort. I wouldn’t have been able to receive this award if it weren’t for my teammates. I wanted to obviously embrace the fans as well and let them learn who I was. That was my main focus.”

    UNANIMOUS MVPS IN OTHER SPORTS

    NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION (1) — Steph Curry won in 2015-16, when he averaged 30.1 points, 6.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals for the Golden State Warriors, who were defeated by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games for the NBA title. Curry was the MVP. Curry also was the MVP in 2014-15.

    James (2012-13) and Shaquille O’Neal (1999-2000) are the only players who were been one vote short of being unanimous. The award has been given annually since 1955-56.

    NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE (1) — Tom Brady won the second of his three MVP awards with the New England Patriots in 2010, when he completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 3,900 yards and 36 touchdowns with only four interceptions. The top-seeded Patriots lost to the New York Jets in the AFC division playoffs.

    Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson (2023), Denver/Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning (2013, 2004) and Brady (2007) were one vote short of being unanimous choices in the voting, which began in 1957. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers (2011), Carolina quarterback Cam Newton (2015) and Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes (2022) were two votes short.

    Manning is the only five-time winner, one more than Rodgers.

    NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE (2) — Edmonton Oiler forwards Wayne Gretzky (1981-82) and Connor McDavid (2022-23) are only the unanimous winners of the Hart Trophy, which has been given the best player in the league since 1922-23.

    Gretzky won nine times, including eight in a row, but in only 1981-82 did he receive all the first-place votes. McDavid was the second unanimous choice, in 2022-23.

    OHTANI’S SEASON OF FIRSTS

    Ohtani latest award is another of his singular achievements. Limited to the DH position while recovering from a second Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in his right elbow, he is the first DH to win an MVP award.

    In 2023, Ohtani became the first MVP who spent the season as both a primary hitter and a pitcher.

    Some consider his 2023 season the most impressive in major league history. He dominated on both sides of the ball.

    Ohtani slashed .304/412/.654 with 44 homers, 95 RBIs, 3452 total bases and a 185 OPS+. He also made 23 starts, going 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts in 132 innings before being shut down in August because of the elbow injury.

    Ohtani is unlikely to begin the 2024 season as a two-way player. He suffered a labrum tear in his left shoulder injury while attempting to steal a base in the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 4-2 victory at the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series and underwent surgery Nov. 5.

    “The goal is to be ready for Opening Day — that includes hitting and pitching — but we are kind of taking our time,” Ohtani said through Hidaka. “Obviously want to make sure I’m healthy first. We’re not going to rush anything. We’re going to take a little bit more time and be conservative.”

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  • Aidan Fenstermaker named Ski Valley’s football player of the year again

    INDIAN RIVER – Aidan Fenstermaker’s remarkable high school football career ended in a state semifinal loss to Pickford.  

    With his senior season compete, the Inland Lakes star is being recognized for what he accomplished on the gridiron this fall.

    Fenstermaker, a star quarterback and safety, was recently named the Ski Valley Conference’s football player of the year for a second consecutive season. Fenstermaker picked up the huge accolade after leading the Bulldogs (11-1, 5-0 Ski Valley) to another 8-player conference championship as well as a regional crown. Whether it was his legs or his arm, he dominated opponents throughout the campaign.  

    INLAND LAKES-PICKCORD RECAP:Inland Lakes football struggles to slow down Storey, Pickford in state semifinal loss



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  • Sports This Week: Canadian soccer player Jade Kovacevic has made history

    Sports This Week: Canadian soccer player Jade Kovacevic has made history

    The NSL is set to kick off its first season in April 2025 with six teams.

    YORKTON – Canadian Jade Kovacevic has made history, becoming the first player to sign for the Northern Super League (NSL), Canada’s first professional soccer league for women.

    Kovacevic, a forward from Acton, Ont., signed with AFC Toronto recently to break the ice in the league’s player recruitment. Later that day, Montreal Roses FC announced the signings of Charlotte Bilbault and Gabrielle Lambert.

    “It’s exciting,” Kovacevic told Yorkton This Week, adding it’s such an opportunity – to play professionally in her home country was something she has dream of “from the moment I started playing this game.

    Just the existence of the NSL is a huge step for Canadian soccer, in particular on the women’s side of the sport, said Kovacevic.

    “It’s everything I would have dreamed of as a little girl,” she said, adding having a domestic professional league gives young girls something close to home to aspire too. “. . . It’s (the NSL) something to aspire to when they go to tournaments, when they go to games, when they go to practices.

    “They can see the pathway.”

    Kovacevic is a striker from London, Ont., who has represented Canada at the U17 and U20 FIFA Women’s World Cups and excelled at Louisiana State University.

    After college the 30-year old made history abroad as the top scorer for Roma Calcio Femminile in Italy and GYŐRI ETO FC in Hungary.

    Back in Canada, she holds the all-time scoring record in League1 Ontario with over 170 goals, earning five Golden Boot awards and four MVP titles.

    Now she is set to perform on the national stage in her home country, where Kovacevic recognizes players will need to do more than play soccer – they will need to be ambassadors for a new league trying to carve out its place in Canadian pro sports.

    While noting she is not ‘officially’ an ambassador she does recognize she needs to play a role.

    “Being in this position comes with a lot of power and influence whether we asked for it, or not,” she said.

    It’s a mantle of responsibility Kovacevic takes willingly though.

    “I hope I am able to inspire some young players,” she said.

    As for ‘selling’ the league and Toronto AFC in particular Kovacevic said they need to build community.

    “It definitely begins with community engagement,” she said, adding that is an essential first step toward the obvious “need to fill the seats.”

    So the team, the league, the sport has to offer a positive experience for fans so they will want to be part of things, said Kovacevic.

    Kovacevic does think there are good reasons to give the league a look, starting with the calibre of players which she expects to be fielded in season one. She notes the success of Canada as a women’s soccer nation, and the NSL will be an opportunity to see some of those “hometown heroes” live “competing in your own backyard.” She added people may be surprised but “. . . the talent has been here the whole time there just hasn’t been a platform (to show it off domestically).”

    Kovacevic said the league will be a chance for soccer fans to “support local football” and she believes once they watch the game on the pitch they will become fans.

    Now Kovacevic waits for the games to begin.

    “I would love to wake up and be lacing up to play,” she said, adding that will at least have to wait until January when the preseason begins.

    The NSL is set to kick off its first season in April 2025 with six teams. Along with Toronto and Montreal, the four other clubs comprising the league are Vancouver Rise FC, Calgary Wild FC, Ottawa Rapid FC, and Halifax Tides FC.



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  • Tyler Warren ‘a great example of what a Penn State football player is,’ posts record-breaking game | Penn State Football News

    Tyler Warren ‘a great example of what a Penn State football player is,’ posts record-breaking game | Penn State Football News

    Everyone says records are made to be broken, and one was when Drew Allar found Tyler Warren from Washington’s 3-yard line for a 2-yard gain late in the fourth quarter, giving Warren the Penn State single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end.

    The previous record was held by Mike Gesicki, who recorded 679 receiving yards in 2016. Warren left the Nittany Lions’ 35-6 win over the Huskies with 681.

    “To be in that conversation with as many great tight ends who have played here and that I’ve played with is special to me,” Warren said. “That’s kind of what makes it special to me is knowing the guys that have been here and how talented Penn State tight ends are, so that’s kind of why (the record) means so much to me.”

    Warren didn’t only break Gesicki’s single-season receiving yards record, he also broke Gesicki’s record for most single-season receptions by a tight end in Penn State history with 58.

    Those aren’t the only records Warren has broken this season — James Franklin said there’s “about 33 more.” As a result of his record-breaking season, Warren was named a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end, and a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in college football.

    “I don’t see how this guy doesn’t win the Mackey Award and the Paul Hornung award,” Franklin said. “They would be proud of that guy representing their award. He does everything right on and off the field, he’s done it that way since he stepped on campus, so just a great example of what a Penn State football player is.”

    After losing to Ohio State last week, one of the biggest complaints Penn State fans had was the lack of involvement from Warren. The Nittany Lions had the ball inside the 5-yard line and didn’t attempt to get the ball into the tight end’s hands once, something Franklin said Penn State should’ve done.

    To remedy that, Penn State gave Warren the ball at the goal line twice. The first time, Warren jumped over the entire Washington defensive line to put the ball across, which he joked was a bit scary, but the end result was all that mattered.

    “I was up there for a little while. There’s a point where I was getting a little worried,” Warren said. “I did have to stretch out a little bit, but getting six points in that situation is what we want to do, so I was happy with it.”

    Warren tallied his second rushing touchdown of the game on Penn State’s next drive, and finished the contest with three rushes for seven yards on top of eight catches for 75 yards.

    “Obviously you can see how many ways we got him involved today, run-game wise, pass-game wise and even some of our option stuff,” Allar said. “We just try to get him involved in the game plan as much as we can, because we know what type of player he is and how much he helps our offense just generate explosive plays in general.”

    Warren has cemented himself as a Penn State great, but the work doesn’t stop for the senior, who was disappointed with his fumble in the third quarter and a few other plays.

    “(I think the offense) did a great job,” Warren said. “In the second half, that’s on me stopping that first drive with that fumble, so that’s something I got to work on.”

    Regardless, Warren showed Saturday what’s been clear all season — the sky’s the limit for the senior tight end, who the Nittany Lions are always trying to involve.

    “He’s our best playmaker on offense and the best tight end in the country,” Allar said. “We’re going to get him involved in the game somehow, in some way, in some form or capacity … Just getting him easy completions. He’s hard to bring down. There weren’t many cases where one guy brought him down today.”

    MORE FOOTBALL COVERAGE


    Penn State bounces back in beatdown of Washington in the White Out

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