With GCSE exams coming up whilst she is away in camp, the teenager says she will have to continue studying during downtime in NI’s preparations for games against unbeaten group leaders Poland at Seaview and third-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina in Zenica. “I’ve already had two exams and I have three over the camp, but I’ll get it...
Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby says she is “really excited” by the inclusion of 16-year-old goalkeeper Abbie Smith in her squad for the forthcoming Nations League games against Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Smith has been named in the senior squad for the first time after joining Manchester City on a two-year scholarship from Crusaders Strikers in...
Smith will train with the club’s Elite Development Squad (under-21s) as she completes her A-Levels, something that was very important to the Victoria College student. “My school has been very supportive and they have always made sure I have a backup in my education and it was important to me that I was able to...
Defender Laura Rafferty is back in the Northern Ireland squad for the forthcoming Nations League double-header against Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The experienced Rangers centre-back missed last month’s 1-1 draw away to Romania, and the 1-0 win over the same opposition, through injury. Rafferty is named in a 24-strong squad which also includes veteran Newcastle United...
England lock Abbie Ward and prop Sarah Bern have signed new contracts to stay with Premiership Women’s Rugby side Bristol Bears. Co-captain Ward has agreed a new two-year deal with the club she joined from Harlequins in 2021. The 31-year-old has 69 caps for England and, along with team-mate Bern, is in the Red Roses’...
