Women's Football – The Orbital

Spotlight on Beth Mead’s Return to Arsenal

16Nov

By Beth McCowenNo Comments

Sports & Socs

Spotlight on Beth Mead’s Return to Arsenal

By Beth McCowen Arsenal have been at the forefront of women’s football in the UK since the team was founded in 1987, with an astonishing 60 trophies to the club’s name, and an admirable commitment to the advancement of the women’s game at all levels. The 2022/23 season, however, presented the team and its management with unprecedented challenges, largely in the form of an injury crisis which saw four players (Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, and Laura Wienroither) suffer Anterior Cruciate Ligament ruptures, an injury which is devastating to any footballer, and concerningly common in female players. In addition, captain Kim Little experienced a significant hamstring injury in late-March which saw her miss the rest of the season. Photo: @arsenalwfc on Instagram. ...

9Mar

By Louisa WicksNo Comments

Sports & Socs

#ThisGirlCan Fight Back

After last year’s #MeToo campaign, it is clear that women all over the world have grown tired of being silenced. The Harvey Weinstein accusations have encouraged women to share their stories and call out those responsible. But, this global movement has not just been restricted to the entertainment industry. On the 24 January 2018, a former physician for the USA Gymnastics National Team was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison after being accused by over 150 women of sexual assault. Amongst Larry Nassar’s accusers were former team members and Olympic champions including Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman and Simone Biles. But, this was not just restricted to the USA gymnastics team; Nassar was also a faculty member at Michigan State University. Similar accusations have come from students of the u...

26Feb

By No Comments

Sports & Socs

Charity Bingo Night!

Women’s Football have done it again, smashing what they could have ever hoped to achieve and raising £809 for Cancer Research UK in just two hours! Their secret..? Bingo! Charity Secretary of the club, Helena Fox spent the best part of two months organising the event which took place in Stumble Inn, chasing up various companies for their amazing donations, including many of Royal Holloway’s on campus outlets like the Students’ Union, Tommy’s Bar, Medicine, the College Shop, and the Sport’s Centre! “Bingo was unbelievable! I’m overwhelmed by how many people braved a freezing Thursday night to come out and support this incredible cause” says Helena. The night consisted of three rounds of bingo, hosted by the legend that is, Rhubarb TV’s Kate Burns, who had no trouble keeping it lively!...

Women’s Football – Still Walking on Water

26Nov

By No Comments

Sports & Socs

Women’s Football – Still Walking on Water

Currently undefeated and top of their BUCS league, Women’s Football’s first team faced Portsmouth in the first round of the South Eastern Conference Cup this Bears day, and were keen to maintain their winning streak! There was no question it would be a fast paced game, with right midfielder Alicia Lyne making some impressive runs down the wing, and setting up a beautiful cross for striker Flora Green making it 1-0 to Holloway in the 22nd minute! Krissie Glover set up Portsmouth’s subsequent own goal from an on point corner and went on to assist yet another Holloway goal placed neatly in the back of the net by Michelle Iversen Badiane in the second half! With Portsmouth having lost one of their best players to injury, as well as their keeper, who casually popped her shoulder back into pl...

29Oct

By No Comments

Sports & Socs

Women’s Football – Cancer, we’re coming to get you!

Wednesday 8th October was set to be an eventful day with Women’s Football hosting the return of their annual Charity Tournament in aid of Cancer Research UK; yet no one could have anticipated quite the turnout. With such excitement having built rapidly across the likes of Facebook and Twitter, the club were overwhelmed when met with 90 girls eager to make the most of the weather and test out the new facilities. Holloway’s five teams were joined on the 3G by the likes of Queen Mary’s, RUMS, and Reading Universities, as well as members of Royal Holloway’s Women’s Rugby, who were keen to support such a great cause. The day kicked off with fast paced action across the three seven-a-side pitches, including a hat-trick for Holloway striker Effy Hameed, and some impressive saves from Women’s R...

31Aug

By No Comments

Sports & Socs

5 Reasons to Become a Bear

As a fresher, the transition from further to higher education is undoubtedly one of the biggest changes you will undertake. Welcome week will be filled with new faces, freshers and tonnes of freebies, but if there’s one thing I urge you to do, whether you’re sporty or not, it’s to join a club. To many people, joining a sports club may seem even more daunting than starting your first year, so if you’re sitting on the fence or need a little extra motivation, here’s our top five reasons for becoming a Bear: 1. Keep fit! Whilst keeping fit may seem like an obvious reason to participate in sport, you’ll find there’s more to it than that! A club membership is significantly cheaper than joining the gym, and training in both a competitive and a friendly environment can be hugely beneficial w...