Three Northern Ireland women footballers selected for Team GB at London 2012 Olympics
In the Belfast Telegraph it is being reported that Northern Ireland women's captain Ashley Hutton, goalkeeper Emma Higgins and Sunderland's Sarah McFadden, will be a part of Team GB women's football team at the London 2012 Olympics.
The Irish FA were opposed to a Great Britain team taking part at the Olympics, however many players have made themselves available for selection to Hope Powell.
According to the Belfast Telegraph's reports, the 3 players will receive call ups when the Team GB squad is officially named in the next few weeks.
If the reports are true it is looking like we will see a more balanced Team GB squad with players from all four nations rather than the England dominated squad that was first anticipated.
The women's football competition at the Olympics has no age restriction, unlike the men's. The competition provides a fantastic opportunity for women to play in front of a world stage at fantastic venues.
UPDATE (14TH JUNE 2012 - 13:20PM)
Quick update to this story... One of the players mentioned in this story Sarah McFadden, has tweeted that the report from Belfast Telegraph is not true.
The FA have announced Hope Powell will announce the Team GB squad on 26th June 2012, who would you select for the team?
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What are your views? Leave your comments below
Tags: 2012, Ashley, Emma, GB, Higgins, Hutton, Ireland, London, McFadden, Northern, More…
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on -
The fundamental issue here is that the UK is represented by England, Scotland, Wales and Northern-ireland in international competition. The separate FAs guard their priviledge jealously, and see the joining into a GBR squad for the Olympics as the not so thin edge of a very large wedge that threatens the time-honoured special status of the Scotch, Welsh and Northern-Irish in international competitons.
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Permalink Reply by Asa on -
Sunderland's Sarah McFadden says no I haven't received anything about being in final squad.. Wish it was true but unfortunatly not.
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Permalink Reply by Women's Soccer United on -
Thanks for update, I have added above. Will be interesting to see what the squad is on the 26th June.
Asa said:Sunderland's Sarah McFadden says no I haven't received anything about being in final squad.. Wish it was true but unfortunatly not.
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Permalink Reply by Women's Soccer United on
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Hopefully Kim Little will be in the squad, she is a goal machine :D lol
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Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on
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Ms Little´s situation is not enviable because the Scotch FA is the most assertive (rabid) about its players not participating in a Gbr side because of their (not unfounded) fear that it would be a first step to UEFA and FIFA recognising only the UK and not the four "home" associations. Such a decision would not just affect internationals but club competitions in Europe like the CL and Europa cup. Thus, were Ms Little to accept an offer from Gbr she could, in spite of he undoubted skill and ability, find herself excommunicated by the Scotch FA, without necessarily being qualified to play for England.
Women's Soccer United said:Hopefully Kim Little will be in the squad, she is a goal machine :D lol
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Permalink Reply by Women's Soccer United on
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That is the situation with the FAs, however Kim Little has already made herself available for selection and I don't blame her. In the women's game their are far less opportunities to play on such a global stage and I feel the benefits and opportunities are too big to miss out on.
Lars Breimer said:Ms Little´s situation is not enviable because the Scotch FA is the most assertive (rabid) about its players not participating in a Gbr side because of their (not unfounded) fear that it would be a first step to UEFA and FIFA recognising only the UK and not the four "home" associations. Such a decision would not just affect internationals but club competitions in Europe like the CL and Europa cup. Thus, were Ms Little to accept an offer from Gbr she could, in spite of he undoubted skill and ability, find herself excommunicated by the Scotch FA, without necessarily being qualified to play for England.
Women's Soccer United said:Hopefully Kim Little will be in the squad, she is a goal machine :D lol
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Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on
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Verily, GBR doing well this tournament could be the greatest event for the development of ladies´ football in the British Isles. To be part of a winning team must be every young lady´s dream.
It is worth remembering that in last year´s World Cup, England defeated Japan in their group match (as did Sweden USA) so a Gbr team with all its talent might well win the Olympic gold. Nevertheless, one assumes that the pressure will be great on the Gbr manager to select only such non-English players that can be relied on to fall on their swords and decline the invitation.
Women's Soccer United said:That is the situation with the FAs, however Kim Little has already made herself available for selection and I don't blame her. In the women's game their are far less opportunities to play on such a global stage and I feel the benefits and opportunities are too big to miss out on.
Lars Breimer said:Ms Little´s situation is not enviable because the Scotch FA is the most assertive (rabid) about its players not participating in a Gbr side because of their (not unfounded) fear that it would be a first step to UEFA and FIFA recognising only the UK and not the four "home" associations. Such a decision would not just affect internationals but club competitions in Europe like the CL and Europa cup. Thus, were Ms Little to accept an offer from Gbr she could, in spite of he undoubted skill and ability, find herself excommunicated by the Scotch FA, without necessarily being qualified to play for England.
Women's Soccer United said:Hopefully Kim Little will be in the squad, she is a goal machine :D lol
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