(l-r) Ashleigh Shim and Sashana Campbell
Amidst the excitement of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia, the spotlight has shifted to two exceptional Jamaican footballers, Sashana Campbell and Ashleigh Shim.
These dynamic athletes have been selected to participate in Festival23, an inspiring Football for Good event taking place during the tournament.
With a gathering of approximately 70 female delegates from over 40 countries, Festival23 celebrates the transformative power of football on a global scale.
The remarkable journey of Sashana Campbell and Ashleigh Shim is a testament to the core mission of Football is Freedom, an organization established by none other than Cedella Marley.
The daughter of Reggae icons Bob Marley and Rita Marley, Cedella Marley holds the mantle of CEO of the Bob Marley Group and serves as a global ambassador for Jamaica's women's national team. Her vision for Football is Freedom revolves around empowering women and nurturing young leaders across the region. Since its inception in 2021, the organization has been steadfast in driving awareness for women's football, advocating for its growth and recognition.
Both Campbell and Shim have assumed vital roles within the Football is Freedom family, serving as assistant coaches and mentors in grassroots staff mentorship programs.
Sashana Campbell, an accomplished Reggae Girlz defender, has been a stalwart presence in the senior squad since 2014. With her recent appearance in Australia for her second consecutive World Cup with the team, she embodies unwavering leadership qualities that continue to inspire her teammates and fans alike.
Ashleigh Shim, a former Reggae Girlz forward, made her mark on the world stage as a member of Jamaica's 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup squad.
Beyond her on-field prowess, Shim stands as a fervent advocate for women's football, instilling empowerment and strength in young girls worldwide both on and off the field.
Cedella Marley emphasized, "This is part of Football is Freedom's plan to develop a proper ecosystem that the players can relate to and to support the growth and development of our Reggae Girlz through exposure to opportunities such as Festival23. This also helps our former players by providing a pathway to other careers in football. Football is Freedom is more than certain that our women will make an impact in the conference."
Festival23, hosted collaboratively by Football United, Creating Chances, and Common Goal, has unfolded in the vibrant city of Sydney. The event commenced with an official opening ceremony on August 6, extending its influence until August 13. The overarching theme, 'Inspiring the Next Generation to Embrace Equity, Driven by the Inclusive Spirit of Women's Football,' encapsulates the essence of Festival23.
The event's program spans a spectrum of activities, engaging young leaders from the global football community and beyond. From the Young Leader Fairplay Tournament on August 9 to the Football Coaching Education and Football for Good Forum on August 11 and 12, respectively, participants are immersed in enriching workshops and cultural experiences. Over 2,500 youths in Australia have seized the opportunity to participate, amplifying the potential for positive social change across communities, both locally and globally.
As the world tunes into the FIFA Women's World Cup games, Football is Freedom shines on 'OCEAUNZ TV,' a brand-new YouTube content series by the adidas Football Collective. In episode one, Cedella Marley presents the captivating essence of Football is Freedom, sharing intriguing anecdotes about her father's deep connection to the sport and providing insights into the talented players she mentors.
With their indomitable spirit, Campbell and Shim embody the essence of Football is Freedom's mission. Their participation in Festival23 signifies not only their exceptional talent but also the strides being taken to empower women and promote the holistic wellness of athletes within the realm of football. As the event unfolds in the backdrop of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, the Reggae Girls' presence continues to inspire and uplift, leaving an indelible mark on the global football community.
Hurtig the hero after late goal sends Arsenal into Champions League quarters
Lina Hurtig's 89th minute winner ensured Arsenal progressed to the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League after edging Juventus 1-0 on Thursday.
After being frustrated for large parts of the encounter, Hurtig bundled home from close range after Martina Lenzini's poor clearance to book the Gunners' place in the last eight.
Despite Arsenal dominating the early exchanges, it was Juventus who had the first sight of goal, though Eva Schatzer's effort was easy for Daphne van Domselaar to gather.
In a first half that saw just two shots on target, both coming from the visitors, Renee Slegers' substitutes proved to be the difference for Arsenal.
Slegers introduced Beth Mead, Stina Blackstenius and Hurtig late on, with the latter somehow putting Kim Little's cross over the bar from five yards out.
However, the Swede would atone for her earlier error, combining with fellow substitute Blackstenius to net against her former club and send them out of the competition with two group games remaining.
Meanwhile, in Group D, Barcelona edged closer to the quarter-finals of the competition with a convincing 4-1 victory over St. Polten at the Generali Arena.
The reigning champions are still three points behind Manchester City following their 2-1 win over Hammarby, and know a win against the Swedes next month will see them progress.
Kika Nazareth opened the scoring in the 20th minute after capitalising on a mistake by Kamila Dubcova, notching her second nine minutes later from close range.
Barca found themselves three goals up at the break when Vicky Lopez netted her first goal in the competition to put the result beyond doubt.
There was also a landmark moment for Alexia Putellas, who netted her 200th goal for the club with a well-taken effort into the far corner.
Valentina Madl took some of the shine off an otherwise impressive display from the visitors, who have now taken their tally to 20 goals from their four matches in the competition.
Guardiola agrees two-year contract extension with Man City
Pep Guardiola will be Manchester City manager for at least two more seasons after 2024-25, after he signed a two-year contract extension on Thursday.
The 53-year-old was coming to the end of his City deal, which was due to expire at the end of the current campaign, but he has opted to remain at the Etihad Stadium.
The deal itself will take Guardiola's tenure at the club to over a decade, making him City's longest-serving manager since Les McDowall in 1963.
There had been suggestions that he may leave at the end of the season following the announcement that director of football Txiki Begiristain was on his way out.
Guardiola was strongly linked with the England job after Gareth Southgate resigned in the wake of their Euro 2024 final defeat, but the Football Association appointed Thomas Tuchel last month.
“Manchester City means so much to me," Guardiola said. “This is my ninth season here; we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club.
“That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.
“Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and, of course, the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.
“I have said this many times before, but I have everything a manager could ever wish for, and I appreciate that so much.
“Hopefully, now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus.”
Having been appointed in 2016, Guardiola is by some distance Manchester City's most successful manager of all time, having won 18 major trophies during his time at the club.
That list includes their first-ever Champions League triumph in 2023 and six Premier League titles, including an unprecedented four on the spin.
He also boasts a 72.04% win percentage across all competitions, which is unsurprisingly the highest of any full-time City manager in history.
Shaw at the double as Man City progress in Champions League
Khadija Shaw scored twice as Manchester City beat Hammarby 2-1 to seal their place in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals.
Gareth Taylor's team entered Thursday's game with a perfect record in Group D, and their fourth win in as many European matches ensured they finished in the top two.
Shaw—the leading scorer in the Women's Super League this season with eight goals—put them ahead in the 31st minute, driving into the area after taking in Yui Hasegawa's pass before seeing her shot deflect into the top corner.
Shaw was booked for celebrating in front of the home fans despite appearing to have objects thrown at her from the stands, and Hammarby should have levelled when Julia Blakstad fired wide 10 minutes later.
The hosts did draw level three minutes into the second half as Ellen Wangerheim tapped home while City's Laura Blindkilde Brown was down appealing for a free-kick.
That parity was short-lived, though, as Shaw blasted into the top corner from 25 yards out, taking her overall tally for this season to 12 goals in all competitions.
In Group C, meanwhile, Bayern Munich lost their perfect record as they played out a 1-1 draw with Valerenga, boosting Arsenal's hopes of topping the pile.
Jovana Damnjanovic came off the bench to put Bayern ahead 15 minutes from time in Norway, but Elise Thorsnes headed home following an 88th-minute corner to snatch a point for the hosts.
Arsenal could now move within a point of Bayern when they face Juventus in Group C's other match later on Thursday.
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