Latest news with #ColinBell
Irish Times
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Katie McCabe named Sportswoman of the Month for May
The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman Award for May: Katie McCabe (Soccer) It's a whole seven and half years since Katie McCabe won her first Irish Times/Sport Ireland monthly award, which came at the end of an eventful year on and off the pitch for both her and her Republic of Ireland team-mates. In April 2017, there was the very public stance the players took against the FAI, McCabe among those who turned up at Liberty Hall to air their grievances. In August, she was named the youngest ever captain of the national team, with Colin Bell choosing the then 21-year-old to succeed the retired Emma Byrne. Between September and November of that year, she captained the side to an impressive start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, with wins away to Northern Ireland and Slovakia followed by a scoreless draw away to then reigning European champions the Netherlands. READ MORE But perhaps the most significant happening for McCabe in 2017 was her six month loan spell at Glasgow City , her playing opportunities since joining Arsenal two years before having been severely limited. While in Scotland, she helped City win their 11th successive league title and then returned to Arsenal with just a fortnight left on her contract with the London club. By then, Joe Montemurro, who was appointed head coach of the Australian women's side last week, had taken over as Arsenal manager. He liked what he saw from the young Dubliner in training, extended her contract and, well, the rest is one heck of a story. When she headed to Lisbon last month with Arsenal to take on Barcelona, a Champions League medal was just about the only honour missing from McCabe's club collection. Only three other Irish women – Emma Byrne, Ciara Grant and Yvonne Tracy – had won Europe's premier club competition, but that was a whole 18 years before when they were part of Arsenal's quadruple-winning side. No English club had won it before or since, and coming up against one of the finest teams in the history of the women's game, the odds weren't exactly on Arsenal's side. Katie McCabe winning the ball from Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen in last month's Champions League final. Photograph:Barcelona had scored 26 goals in their six group games – 10 against Wolfsburg over two legs in the quarter-finals – and beat Chelsea, the six-in-a-row WSL winners, 8-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals. And, somehow, Arsenal managed to keep them scoreless in Lisbon – McCabe giving their brilliant winger Caroline Graham Hansen no room to breathe, her marking job playing a sizeable part in that clean sheet. Add in a 74th minute goal from Stina Blackstenius and Arsenal were, once again, European champions. And McCabe had added her name to that Irish roll of honour, having also shone against Bayern Munich and Lyons in the quarter and semi-finals. Little wonder that Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward has excused her captain from the trip to the United States later this month for the friendlies in Denver and Cincinnati, having suggested that she is 'on the verge of burnout'. As Uefa's stattos revealed, McCabe started all 15 of Arsenal's Champions League games, including in the qualifying phase, meaning she played more minutes – 1,296 to be exact – than any player in the history of the competition. Add in her appearing in all but two of Arsenal's WSL games, suspension ruling her out of both, as well as four cup games. Good and all as her engine is, it was time for a break. Form-wise, she hasn't had her best year for Ireland, so Ward needs the only Irish woman to ever be nominated for the Ballon d'Or, and our 2023 sportswoman of the year , to be in prime condition for October's Nations League play-off against Belgium. [ Aoife Wafer named Sportswoman of the Month for April Opens in new window ] Back in 2017, McCabe followed Katie Taylor on our monthly roll of honour. It says something of her career achievements since then that she might well have drawn level since on the name recognition front. Previous monthly winners – December: Ellen Walshe (swimming); January : Hazel Finn (basketball); February : Lara Gillespie (cycling); March : Kate O'Connor and Sarah Healy (athletics); April : Aoife Wafer (rugby)
Scotsman
10-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Dream Big Day returns for 2025 to continue inspiring young minds
CareerMap Media Group is thrilled to announce the return of Dream Big Day 2025, a nationwide celebration dedicated to inspiring primary school children to explore limitless career possibilities and focus on their bright futures ahead. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Returning this year on Friday, June 27 with the help of Barclays LifeSkills, the next Dream Big Day will build on the success of 2024's events and be bigger and more impactful than ever. More than just one day, the build up to Dream Big Day focuses on breaking down barriers for the future generation and eliminating the ideas that they can't achieve what they want. The event works with Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in primary school via strategic lesson plans, assembly guidance and downloadable resources including worksheets, role plays and teaching packs, that will break stereotyping of careers, build pupil's self-belief, resilience, and recognition of their unique qualities for a positive impact in the classroom and workplace. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad On the day itself participating schools will have the opportunity to celebrate careers across every industry, inspiring children to think past limitations and imagine their future and everything they can be. With workshops from businesses and organisations as well as volunteers giving their time to empower the next generation, children can gain hands-on experience, learn from inspiring individuals and discover careers and jobs they might never have heard of before. The event works with Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in primary school to inspire future careers In 2024, Blackley Academy in Manchester was named Dream Big Day School of the Year, achieving record-breaking student attendance on the day with students across every age group getting involved to celebrate their dream careers. From doctors, footballers, TV presenters and scientists, to teachers, astronauts, chefs and athletes - no dream is too big, and every child is encouraged to dream big. Dream Big Day is inspired by the bright outlook and unlimited aspirations of children—like founder Colin Bell's own daughter, Sofia, who dreams of becoming a professional footballer, and son, Milan, who hopes to be an astronaut. Colin shared: 'We're so excited to bring back Dream Big Day, and to continue breaking down barriers and inspiring children to dream past limitations. 'We firmly believe that no child should feel there is a ceiling which they can't break through. It's our duty to ensure children don't lose that passion for the things they love and to believe they can be anything they want to be. Inspiring young minds and the future work generation means they will learn and grow with the confidence to reach and achieve their dreams. When we Dream Big, anything is possible!' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Last year also saw the backing of key organisations who have returned again to lend support as well as share insights into the range of careers on offer. This year sees the return of key support including headline sponsor Barclays LifeSkills to bring Dream Big Day back for 2025 to help keep children's dreams alive and let them have aspirations to be anything and everything they want. Kate McGoey, Head of Barclays LifeSkills, explained: 'Nurturing the aspirations of children and helping them to develop valuable skills from a young age is vital. We are delighted to be partnering with Dream Big Day again. By working together with teachers, we can help empower, inspire and excite young people to recognise their potential, start to explore diverse career paths, and develop goals for a bright and fulfilling future.' For schools looking to build Dream Big Day into their primary school calendar, the event remains a cost-free initiative that teachers, parents and students can celebrate together. With help to bring the event to life both in and out of the classroom, CareerMap Media Group has support and ideas via the Dream Big Day website for reinforcing the positive and inspiring message with children.
BBC News
05-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'I slowly realised I was running two households'
As retirement age rises for many people, more grown-up children than ever are providing their parents with the support they need to go on living independently, while also continuing to work full time themselves. It is so common now that there is even a specific term for such grown-up children who give care to elderly parents: they have become known as "carents".However, some "carents" say there is a real lack of recognition around how hard it can be to juggle two households, especially when parents and children live far Bell, one of those "carents", is preparing to take her 95-year-old father Colin to a routine hospital for Christine, who lives in Guiseley, Leeds, that means a 400-mile round trip and two days away from running her own business as her father lives in is a train journey she has made many times in the last 15 years. Her late mum, Beryl, once broke her knee in a fall and, in order for her to stay at home, Christine and her sister decided to divide up her care between them."Slowly, I realised I was running two households," Christine says."I was doing all their bills; I had more contact with their GP than mine."As Beryl's health deteriorated and Christine tried to manage her mother's palliative care long-distance alongside managing her own life, she says she eventually reached breaking emotional, Christine explains: "There were times I just wanted my mum to die because she was suffering." Having packed for her latest trip to the South, Christine takes one train into Leeds city centre and then another one to London, before finally getting the tube to her father's house. By the time she returns to Leeds, she will have been travelling for more than nine hours, all so she can accompany her father to a 10-minute appointment at a nearby pacemaker says she has been lucky to have a "really loving" relationship with her parents, but at times she has found it overwhelming trying to support them to stay at home alongside continuing her own to Dr Jackie Gray, Christine is far from Gray, a retired GP and public health consultant based in Northumberland, says she has watched the role adult children play in ageing parents' lives change "dramatically" over the course of her career. She explains that when she first qualified, it was rare to see people living past 75."But, medical advancements, people living and working longer, as well as living further away from their parents, has caused a kind of perfect storm - a societal shift," she 2020, after seeing increasing numbers of patients - usually women, she says - struggle with caring for their parents, Dr Gray launched the Carents Room website, offering forums and information. Dr Gray says "nobody really knows" how many "carents" there are, but a 2023 King's Fund report suggested that about 57% of unpaid carers were looking after a parent or means there could be up to four million people in this position in England alone, she says.A recent Carents Room survey of at least 1,000 members found more than half provided about 20 hours of care a week. Meanwhile, 70% said they had reduced their working hours or left work altogether so they could care for their to Dr Gray, family relationships can be complex and older people can find the idea of their children as carers upsetting - as can the grown-up children with siblings can also be fraught, she Dr Gray points out that "carents" can often struggle with what she calls a sense of "anticipatory grief".All of this means the support group she set up has seen a rise in people seeking help."We have a signed-up community of about 40,000 people, and that is growing by almost 100 people a day," she themes, including struggling with "life admin", appointments, travel, and balancing work commitments all emerge from the online forums and focus groups, Dr Gray explains. 'Practical solutions' According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), there were an estimated 1.4 million so-called "sandwich" carers - people who provide care for sick, disabled, or older adult relatives as well as for dependent children - in the UK between 2021 and ONS found that 61% of "sandwich" carers were also found that in England, the North East had the highest proportion of unpaid carers, at 10.1%, compared to other regions, as well as the highest proportion of people providing 50 or more hours of according to figures compiled by Carers UK, in England and Wales, unpaid carers provided care worth £183bn in 2021-22 - an increase of £64.9bn since Gray says that each family affected in this way has its own set of circumstances and, crucially, each family member has their own feelings about the as the population lives longer and with more health needs, and with women also now expected to work for longer, the state's reliance on families to protect an already creaking social care system Gray says recognition and support are key."It can be hard for an adult child to accept they are a carer," she says."But once you've got that recognition in place and people feel heard, I think we're looking at really practical solutions," she says. Dr Gray explains that "coordinating healthcare" and "opportunities for respite care" could help people like Christine who care for elderly relatives. She adds that she believes "some sort of commissioner, a commissioner for frailty, perhaps" should be introduced by the government. Those taking part in Dr Gray's focus groups say more flexibility in appointment systems, as well as "carental" leave and tax breaks, might also help.A spokesperson for the government said it recognised "the immense contribution of carers who selflessly dedicate their time to supporting others, and want families to receive the support they deserve. "We have increased the Carer's Allowance earnings threshold by around an additional £2,000 a year – the biggest rise since it was introduced in 1976."We have also launched an independent review into social care, which will include exploring the needs of unpaid carers who provide vital care and support."Back in Leeds after her 400-mile round trip taking her father to his appointment, Christine Bell says at times she found it hard to think of herself as carer to her parents."I am, because without me, their house wouldn't have run, they wouldn't have had the care that they need," she says."But I want to be a daughter, first and foremost."Additional reporting by Philippa Goymer Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
How son of Man City cult hero is 'creating his own name'
He is the son of a Manchester City cult hero and was named after a club played in Norway youth teams with Erling Haaland, whose father also played for while Haaland shot to stardom, Colin Rosler has had to take a different path to carve out his career."Since a young age, I've tried to create my own name," he tells BBC Sport. "I've tried to be my own person and not rely on my dad."Now 25, the tough-tackling centre-back is finally stepping out of the shadows and making a name for the past seven months Rosler has become a league champion and a full international and, by chance, his old friend Erling was there to share both moments. Signing for Man City was a 'dream come true' A hard-working striker, Uwe Rosler represented East Germany before becoming a fans' favourite at City between 1994 and Norwegian wife later gave birth to two sons and such is Rosler's connection with the club, he named them after City legends Colin Bell and Tony Rosler was born in Berlin in 2000, before his father played and managed in Norway. After the family moved to England in 2010, the boys would often meet their namesakes at Etihad Stadium."It's an honour to be named after such a legend at City," says Colin Rosler."I'd always have a laugh about my name with Colin - and my brother with Tony Book - and it was always great to see them and hear more about the club's history."Perhaps it was inevitable, but Colin "loved City from an early age" so it was a "dream come true" to earn a place in the Blues' academy in 2010. Colin plays at the opposite end of the pitch to his father, but the City coaches soon noticed one similarity."Even as a 10-year-old, I was already an aggressive defender," says Colin. "I just wanted to smash people."My mum says all the time that we look the same on the pitch, and I have a similar temperament to him."And although Colin progressed through the City and Norway age groups, Uwe knew the chance of his son – or any academy product – making it to the first team was very slim."I am not sure all of them know it, but my one does," he told BBC Sport in 2013."What you get from City is a very good football education and, if you work hard, you can make a living from football elsewhere."After making five EFL Trophy appearances with City, Colin decided to give that a go, making a permanent exit at 19 rather than going out on loan. 'I wanted to push myself, see what I'm made of' Having been born in Germany before growing up in Norway and England, Colin felt equipped to go it alone overseas, and in August 2019 he joined Dutch side NAC Breda."Leaving City wasn't the easiest choice, but it's one I felt I had to make," he says. "It was going to be a culture shock and a new challenge, but I'm good at adapting quickly and learning new things."And I learned a huge amount in Holland - living by myself, playing in the first team, not speaking the language."You have to go in there, take charge and be the man that you are. I learned quickly that it's all about winning."He spent the 2022 season with Norwegian side Lillestrom, before joining Mjallby, a Swedish club that is "not as well-known and sort of in the middle of nowhere"."That was probably the best decision I've made," says Colin. "It came at the right time in my career because I could just focus on football."I became a leader, played every game and gained even more experience. Then you feel like you have to make that next step. I wanted to push myself, see what I'm made of, and when you're playing in Sweden and Malmo comes calling, you listen." Haaland attends 'chaotic' title win Malmo are arguably the biggest club in Scandinavia but had just suffered a mid-season wobble when they signed Rosler last meant a reunion with Malmo striker Erik Botheim, who came through Norway's youth teams alongside him and Erling first met Haaland when they played for Norway's Under-15s in 2015 and they had one rare fact in common."We talked about that instantly, that we're both Blues and our dads played there," says Rosler."I remember we both said that it's our dream to play for City. Obviously he's gone on to do that and it's just incredible to see how well he's done there. He's become an absolute monster."Botheim and Haaland remain close friends so when Malmo had a chance to clinch the Swedish title last October, Haaland chose to miss the Ballon d'Or ceremony and watch Malmo fight back for a 2-1 win over Gothenburg."He almost got more attention than us winning the league!" says Rosler."He's got a busy schedule so the fact he made that effort to come here and show his support was fun to see."We turned it around in the second half and 10,000 people stormed on to the pitch. It was absolute chaos. To win my first title was something I've been chasing so I'll remember it for the rest of my life." 'There's no correct way, everybody has a different path' Rosler then came off the bench for Norway in November and it was Haaland he replaced - nine years after they made their U15s debut together."I thought about that actually, that it would be a nice picture," says Rosler."We've known each other for so long and, yeah, I made my senior debut a bit later than him, but that's something that's so interesting in football."There's no correct way. Everybody has a different path. I've had a lot of challenges in my short career, but I've also had a lot of incredible times."To win the league and represent my country, it's something I've worked towards for a very long time, and it was a very proud moment for me and my family."Rosler remains a regular for Malmo and could win another trophy as they face Hacken in the Swedish Cup final on Thursday (14:00 BST).He has also been named in Norway's squad for next week's World Cup qualifiers against Italy and while Rosler has forged his own path, he is "extremely thankful" for his father's advice along the way."He's been through the same things so we can talk about them," he adds. "It's something that's maybe given me an advantage over others, but I have to use that."
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
‘Unique' Kevin De Bruyne leaves Man City with an impossible question
It will be Kevin De Bruyne 's night. Although, in some respects, it doesn't really sound like his kind of occasion. De Bruyne has been Manchester City 's down-to-earth superstar, the footballer who does the school run. There will be a light show after his final game at the Etihad Stadium. When De Bruyne's name has been up in lights, it has tended to be because of talent, rather than preference, due to the way he manipulates a ball rather than chases fame. He might not have chosen this, just as he didn't choose to leave this year. But a farewell involves a recognition, a celebration. Of a decade that has brought 19 trophies, 108 goals, 173 assists, moments that no one else could imagine, let alone produce. There will be a guard of honour from his teammates and a lap of appreciation, pyrotechnics and presents, some handed over by Marie and Jon Bell, the wife and son of Colin. Their late husband and father long had the status of City's greatest player. Now that probably rests with De Bruyne. So City will pay their tribute. What it might not include, however, is a valedictory start on a ground he has graced. Pep Guardiola stopped short of promising it, or even guaranteeing him a cameo. It may not be his night on the pitch. De Bruyne's time in England has seen City become the outstanding side in Europe. Now they sit sixth in the Premier League, needing to finish as one of the five best. 'What Kevin wants is that we win the game to qualify for the Champions League,' said Guardiola, implying the leaving present could come from the player to the club. For most of that decade, selecting De Bruyne would be the best way to decide a meeting with Bournemouth. But his ageing legs were required for over 100 minutes in the FA Cup final, Guardiola is working out whether his optimum gameplan ties in with De Bruyne's perfect goodbye. The Jamie Vardy party at Leicester on Sunday came with nothing at stake, this when the consequences are considerable. So Guardiola has to decide if De Bruyne is in Tuesday's team. In another respect, he could figure in his all-time team. As he casts his mind back across more than three decades' involvement with world-class footballers, whether as player and manager, he believes the Belgian belongs among the best passers. He played with Ronald Koeman and Michael Laudrup. He managed the masters of tiki-taka, Xavi and Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, at Barcelona. He went to Bayern Munich, with Philipp Lahm, Thiago Alcantara and Bastian Schweinsteiger. His City midfields have included Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri, David and Bernardo Silva. Each excelled at passing the ball. And De Bruyne? 'He's one of the best three I have ever seen that I ever played or dealt with,' Guardiola said. Which prompted the question of who the other two are, even if part of the answer was obvious. 'One is [Lionel] Messi, and the other two; let me think about it... okay, let me put Kevin second,' said a manager who will invariably put Messi first in almost every category. 'Messi is the best I've ever seen because Messi has done it really, really close to the box but Kevin is there,' Guardiola continued. 'It's just the stats, the goals, the assists, that he provides to the team in the final third, the talent. In the last game [the FA Cup final] he had two or three passes again, [to put] one player in front of the keeper. That is unique, that's why he has been one of the best players this club has had in the whole history. These are big, big words because he's been a special player.' If there is a distinction, Guardiola was talking about a type of passer. Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta would play more passes in a game than De Bruyne, and with a higher completion rate, too. Perhaps, in his heyday, Guardiola himself would, too. But, like Messi, De Bruyne is a creative passer, the man who can provide the final ball, who can unlock a defence with piercing vision and incisive inspiration. As Guardiola suggested, De Bruyne does it from further out: few have his ability to whip, bend, curl and place a pass from 30 or 40 yards There have been hints of David Beckham about it, a touch of Steven Gerrard, a devastating impact Guardiola put second only to Messi's. All of which renders the summer task for the manager, and the departing and incoming sporting directors, Txiki Begiristain and Hugo Viana, borderline impossible. How do they find a successor to a player Guardiola called unique? 'There are players who are really difficult to replace, really, really difficult for many reasons,' mused Guardiola. 'We know that. Of course we have to move forward.' He hopes it will be in the Champions League and knows it will without De Bruyne. Those potential replacements could include Florian Wirtz, Tijjani Reinders or Morgan Gibbs-White. Each is a fine footballer, one with a capacity to create and the ability to score. But the common denominator is that none is De Bruyne, the passer Guardiola ranks second only to Messi.
