Transcript

Her Huddle - Episode 7 · TDUK

0:01
Welcome back to episode seven of Har
0:04
Hado. I'm joined finally by Jess and Dev
0:07
who have had last week off and they are
0:09
now back. Um this episode is being
0:12
pre-recorded. Unfortunately, we are all
0:14
working um and we cannot be together at
0:17
the right times for a um
0:22
for a live. So, yeah. How's everyone
0:24
doing? How How are you all feeling?
0:28
>> Uh I'll go first. I'm good. I've had an
0:30
uneventful week and I think Dev's had
0:34
the most stories to tell.
0:36
>> [laughter]
0:37
>> It's been
0:39
beyond incredible. I I it I'm still like
0:41
coming down from the adrenaline of it
0:43
all just from like how much
0:46
I had to like grind and hustle to even
0:48
get
0:49
to that point and then to be there and
0:52
experiencing it all and then to be back
0:54
home within like 4 days. I was just like
0:56
shell-shocked, but it's been incredible
0:59
and there's lots of good news to share,
1:01
but TDYK will hear it first and so
1:05
anyone wants to find out any
1:06
announcements or where I might be
1:08
playing in 2027,
1:10
it will be here first. So, yeah.
1:13
It was It was a great time, a great
1:14
time. And shout out to our sponsors.
1:17
Appreciate y'all.
1:18
Yeah.
1:21
>> Yeah. Um I mean, I've been working, you
1:23
know,
1:24
played played with cats on Sunday. Um
1:27
>> Yeah.
1:28
>> for the birthday was great great fun,
1:30
you know, popped my hip flexor was
1:31
great.
1:32
But we're we're surviving. We We We be
1:34
chilling cuz you know, I've got finals
1:36
in 2 days time, I think.
1:38
>> Which is crazy.
1:39
>> this goes when this goes out, it will be
1:41
tomorrow.
1:43
Um but yeah.
1:45
I mean, Jess, you're on your week off
1:46
again.
1:49
Take it just just working at work.
1:52
>> Yeah, very much.
1:53
>> Just
1:54
>> Working, grinding.
1:56
>> Doing what we can.
1:58
>> That's about it.
1:59
>> Yeah.
2:00
Cool.
2:02
So, we're going to start the pod with
2:05
a little bit of a
2:07
situation that has happened over the
2:09
past couple of days with
2:11
a certain European team
2:13
in Europe.
2:16
>> [laughter]
2:18
>> I couldn't remember if they were ASL or
2:20
EL or whatever the
2:23
>> Yeah, the ASLA.
2:25
>> That one.
2:26
>> Very irrelevant.
2:28
>> Yeah.
2:29
So, if people aren't aware,
2:32
Paris Lights, who are a team that play
2:33
out in Europe, are a men's only team.
2:36
They decided to promote their game
2:39
this coming weekend by joking that they
2:42
were going to be creating a women's
2:44
team.
2:45
Basically, the premise of the post was,
2:48
"We're creating a women's team. Psych,
2:50
we're actually not, but since we have
2:51
your attention now,
2:53
like you should come and watch our
2:55
game."
2:56
And this has obviously not gone over
2:58
well with a lot of the brick ball
3:00
community in the UK and external. I've
3:03
seen players that are, you know, from
3:05
Finland, Sweden, even players from
3:07
America, I'm pretty sure.
3:10
And then Deb, you might have seen this
3:11
as well, the WNFC itself actually
3:14
commented on their post.
3:16
>> Yeah. So,
3:17
>> not just the uproar from Europe, from
3:19
UK, it is from all over the world.
3:24
>> Yeah.
3:25
It It was It was just
3:28
It's crazy how disappointing it was cuz
3:30
you see the post and initially you get
3:32
excited. You're like, "Oh my gosh, this
3:34
is great for women
3:35
in in the football community and you
3:37
know, growing the sport." And then to
3:40
swipe right and you're just like,
3:42
"Really? Like, you're using women as a
3:44
punchline to your joke."
3:45
But, not only are you doing that, you're
3:47
also using us to promote yourselves,
3:49
which just goes to show like women is
3:51
who like what what's popping right now,
3:53
you know, and they suck and they don't
3:56
deserve any more of our attention or
3:57
publicity.
3:59
And Warriors beat them last time, so
4:00
whatever.
4:02
>> [clears throat]
4:02
>> Yeah.
4:03
>> Like yeah.
4:05
>> It's it it is insane that you know,
4:07
they've they have been beaten by a a
4:09
program that has a women's program that
4:13
you know, eventually we will be talking
4:14
about them. They are heading to the you
4:17
know, the women's Britball final this
4:19
year. Like they are one of the top teams
4:21
if not the top team in the UK.
4:23
So it is a bit it's a bit sad because
4:25
you know,
4:27
I'm assuming they would take it down the
4:28
same route and it would be a semi-pro
4:30
pro team out in Europe, which would be
4:32
great cuz at the moment most of the
4:35
teams that if you want to go play pro,
4:36
you're either out in the States or
4:38
you're in Germany.
4:39
Um
4:40
>> Yeah.
4:41
>> So it would have been great to have
4:43
something that's just a tiny little bit
4:44
closer to the UK, but again, you know,
4:47
people like to joke. I think what the
4:49
most shocking thing for me was some of
4:51
the comments that the team had said that
4:53
they were like, well, this was actually
4:55
like signed off by our team of like
4:57
women in media, like our media people
4:59
who are all ladies.
5:00
Like that's
5:02
>> It was just it was like make it make
5:04
sense. And then to double down, they
5:06
didn't delete it cuz I saw it very early
5:08
on cuz I'm in a little bit like my time
5:10
in a jet lag and all the rest of it. So
5:12
I saw it very very early and was like,
5:14
you've got time to delete this before
5:17
it blows up in your face cuz this is
5:18
ridiculous. And they double down, posted
5:21
a non-apology,
5:23
basically gaslighting everyone and being
5:25
toxic.
5:26
And then finally after like a day,
5:29
deleted it. But it was just like, it's
5:30
too late now, you know, the damage is
5:32
done.
5:33
And
5:34
no one's coming to watch your games.
5:36
Like no. Bye.
5:38
Bye.
5:39
>> Yeah. I think one of the positives I've
5:42
seen from this has been the Bristol
5:45
Aztecs. Um so if people aren't aware,
5:48
Bristol basically put out a team
5:50
statement from the club stating that I
5:52
believe it's
5:54
any of the tickets purchased for the
5:57
raffle that they're doing this weekend
5:58
for their game against Cold Phoenix, no,
6:00
next weekend.
6:02
Whenever their playoff semi-final
6:04
playoff game with Cold Phoenix is,
6:06
um, they will be, um, donating the
6:09
proceedings from the raffle to the GB
6:11
women's program. And I believe as well
6:14
as some of the money from the tickets
6:17
off the match as well, if I remember the
6:19
post correctly. So, I,
6:21
>> [snorts]
6:21
>> you know, this is a team that are
6:23
pushing the boundaries of Europe and
6:26
being a team that can compete in Europe
6:28
and they are, you know, they are even
6:30
saying,
6:32
like, we can do, like, watch us do
6:34
better, like, we can
6:36
we care about our women's game in the UK
6:38
and especially as a program that has a
6:41
couple of coaches that are affiliated
6:43
with the GB women's program, have been
6:45
affiliated with the GB program, and they
6:47
have had players themselves who are
6:50
part who have been a part of the women's
6:51
GB program as well. So, it's it's a
6:53
great move from Bristol and it's one
6:56
that I do wish maybe more teams in the
6:58
mixed adult could do.
7:01
And don't get me wrong, like, when I
7:02
played them a couple weeks ago,
7:03
incredibly respectful boys. They were
7:05
absolutely respectful to me walking down
7:07
that sideline. Kept calling me coach.
7:10
Not complaining.
7:11
But,
7:12
yeah.
7:14
Jess, have you got anything to kind of
7:15
say on this or, you know, you kind of
7:17
did?
7:18
>> Yeah, well, I
7:19
>> [clears throat]
7:19
>> I agree with both of you. Um,
7:21
but I also think if that's the sort of
7:23
audience that you want to bring to your
7:25
games,
7:27
you want to, you know, make the jokes
7:30
that about women,
7:31
then what sort of audience do you want?
7:33
What sort of fans do you want coming to
7:35
your games? Because
7:37
as a woman, I wouldn't want to be sort
7:39
of part of that atmosphere that thinks
7:41
that's funny.
7:42
That's a good laugh when it is just
7:44
misogynistic and sexist. Um
7:48
I I don't understand it. I'm glad
7:50
they've been called out by a lot of
7:53
like players, coaches, and teams. Um
7:58
I think it's a bit grim. I'm not going
8:00
to lie.
8:01
>> Yeah,
8:02
agreed.
8:04
>> absolutely love how everyone's come
8:06
together and it doesn't matter that you
8:08
know, like you said, we got Bristol
8:09
Aztecs who've done it. We've had
8:11
some of the like the sevens and the
8:13
nines teams who have commented about it,
8:15
like the players for them. Everyone's
8:17
come together even though at this point
8:18
in the season, it's the most competitive
8:20
fight that everyone's like
8:23
>> Yeah.
8:23
>> out to get each other. Everyone has
8:25
still come together to go, "No, this
8:27
isn't right."
8:29
And you know, a bit like screw you guys.
8:31
>> Yeah.
8:32
>> need you. We don't need that energy.
8:34
>> We don't. And I've seen today as well
8:36
like the Warriors London who have made
8:39
this transition into like Euro Pro who
8:41
actually beat Paris Lights once again.
8:43
I'll say that. They posted as well today
8:46
about um
8:48
their women's team and how successful
8:51
they are and the fact that they're going
8:52
to be in the finals coming up. And yeah,
8:55
like a lot of these guys on these pro
8:57
teams are the coaches for the women as
8:59
well. So
9:01
to all the pro teams out there and
9:03
everyone, seriously, like we need to
9:05
create more spaces for women, have more
9:08
women in sport, make the spaces safe and
9:11
respectful. It's It's really that simple
9:13
and it's 2026, like get it together,
9:16
please.
9:18
Yeah. We're not We're not the punchline
9:19
to your joke and
9:21
we are actually
9:23
some of the most successful teams in the
9:24
countries and everyone's respective
9:25
countries. So
9:27
yeah, whatever.
9:29
>> Yeah. As well as like we are starting to
9:31
see the trend where you are we are
9:33
getting women players in the mixed adult
9:35
game. I think there's four of us alone
9:38
at Royals that all play
9:40
for one a form of a mixed auto. You've
9:42
got two of them play
9:43
playing div two div one even. One of
9:46
them plays in div two. You've got myself
9:47
that plays up in the prem. Like you have
9:49
players and as I've said like us six
9:51
have had female players before. When
9:53
with Stallions have had a female player
9:55
like
9:56
it's becoming more and more common for
9:58
you to see another woman on that other
10:01
opposing sideline in a mixed auto game.
10:03
And it's you know the thing is sometimes
10:06
women are 10 times better than the men.
10:09
>> Cuz we're cultured.
10:11
>> Yeah.
10:12
>> So
10:14
Yeah.
10:14
>> Anyway, power of lights massive L. You
10:17
>> Ooh, red flag.
10:19
>> Red flag
10:20
massive. Bigger bigger than my tail red
10:23
flag.
10:24
>> Listen, the biggest red flag of red
10:26
flags, okay? Very very embarrassing. Get
10:30
it together.
10:32
>> So moving on to our very exciting
10:35
weekend. So we have one night's playoff
10:39
match, one semi-final match, and we have
10:42
the semi slash finals of the sevens
10:45
confident this Saturday as well. So
10:49
first
10:50
we're going to talk about this match.
10:51
It's very unfortunate that um
10:55
this match will no longer go ahead. Um
10:57
if people haven't been aware Teesside
10:59
have unfortunately put out an
11:00
announcement that they will not be able
11:02
to fill this match due to injuries um
11:05
holidays, work commitments with family.
11:08
And you know, our heart goes out to
11:10
Teesside. I really hope that they could
11:12
push
11:13
to potentially make this, you know,
11:16
final spot.
11:17
But
11:19
you [snorts] know, we're at that point
11:20
in the season where
11:22
everyone's slowly starting to get
11:23
injured. We're having People are on
11:26
holiday. Work's getting
11:28
Work's getting in the way of football.
11:29
And it's it's hard to see, but you know,
11:32
congratulations to the Warriors for
11:34
making it to the final. Again, this is a
11:36
match I definitely would have wanted to
11:37
see, but
11:39
I mean, Teesside would have to make that
11:40
trek all the way down to London, and
11:42
that's just
11:43
Yeah.
11:44
>> Yeah.
11:44
>> Not a great Not a great trip. I know
11:47
what I know Warriors have already done
11:48
the trip up to Teesside, and I know it
11:50
didn't go very well from, I think, um
11:52
stuff that you'd been passed on.
11:54
Um so, yeah. Um have you guys got any
11:57
thoughts on this?
11:59
>> I'm just gutted. I thought it would have
12:00
been
12:02
I mean,
12:03
I know when we did our predictions, cuz
12:04
we did our predictions before the news
12:06
came out, and we all said that the
12:07
Warriors would win. So, I think we all
12:08
expected a Warriors win, but I was so
12:10
excited to see what Teesside could do,
12:12
and
12:13
how they could push, and
12:15
you know, to see if they had that fight
12:16
in them to get to that final. So, I'm
12:18
just gutted for them. It's such a shame,
12:20
really, that they're not going to be
12:22
there, and they're not going to have
12:23
that chance, but
12:25
I'll look forward to seeing what they do
12:26
next year, and sort of
12:28
how they can use it in
12:31
use that sort of push to,
12:33
you know,
12:34
do better next season, and improve
12:36
constantly.
12:38
>> Yeah, 100%.
12:39
>> Yeah.
12:40
Um yeah, it was just really
12:42
disappointing to see. Obviously,
12:43
congratulations to the Warriors of them
12:45
getting to the final, but I know,
12:46
knowing a lot of those girls, this isn't
12:48
the way that we like to do things, um in
12:51
terms of like having walkovers and stuff
12:52
like that.
12:53
And um yeah, I thought
12:56
my my thoughts were that this game was
12:58
going to be really competitive, a great
13:00
watch. And, you know, I was quite
13:02
excited to see what Teesside kind of
13:03
brought to the table.
13:05
Um with the last few results that
13:07
they've been having, it's been, you
13:08
know, it's been quite quite exciting to
13:10
see. But, hopefully, um yeah, they can
13:13
rebuild, and next season, we can um have
13:15
a lot more of the competition back in
13:17
play, cuz we've been seeing like a lot
13:19
of like disparities between the teams
13:22
lately. And yeah, I think it's really
13:24
really important for all the
13:27
associations, everyone involved to like
13:29
really put some time into the into the
13:31
women's game and actually
13:33
help with the recruitment, with the
13:35
funding, with all of that. It's It's
13:37
It's really important because slowly but
13:39
surely we're just going to keep
13:40
losing our teams and losing our players
13:43
to retirement and things like that if
13:44
there's no recruitment. So
13:46
>> Yeah.
13:47
>> 100%.
13:47
>> Hopefully next season we see a lot more
13:50
improvement and development and more
13:53
competition. But yeah.
13:55
Congrats to the Warriors and sorry
13:56
Teesside. Hopefully next year is a bit
13:59
bit better.
14:00
>> Yeah.
14:01
So moving on to the next nines fixture.
14:04
So this one
14:05
as far as we're aware will be going
14:07
ahead.
14:08
Obviously um we've got the Birmingham
14:11
Lions home to the Solent Thrashers.
14:14
Um the Birmingham Lions being the
14:16
undefeated team in the nines bracket and
14:19
the Solent war- Solent Warriors. Oh my
14:21
god.
14:22
>> What?
14:23
That's going to cause a lot of problems.
14:25
>> Sorry.
14:26
>> [laughter]
14:27
>> Sorry guys. I've been working
14:28
working all day. My brain's
14:31
Um yeah, the Solent Thrashers who are
14:34
unfortunately I believe one in four.
14:39
I think it's one in four because one
14:40
match got voided due to
14:43
um logistical reasons.
14:45
Yeah. So
14:47
again this match
14:49
is a good match up. It's a very strong
14:53
kind of
14:55
will they won't they. Um this is a
14:57
repeat of last year's final.
14:59
Um last year we seen the Solent
15:01
Thrashers beat the Warriors in the
15:03
semi-finals to take on the Birmingham
15:05
Lions in the finals. So this is
15:07
definitely going to be an interesting
15:09
watch. Now with Birmingham as well
15:13
coming off just a very like a very small
15:16
win against Teesside the other week
15:18
there. Believe it was seven to the
15:20
Lions, six to Teesside.
15:22
>> Yeah.
15:23
>> know what state the club's in if maybe
15:26
people were on holiday for the Teesside
15:27
match or if people had injuries.
15:30
I don't know if they've maybe got the
15:31
full squad back like
15:33
I don't fully know.
15:35
Um but you know, I think we have kind of
15:38
all said this is a like a Birmingham
15:40
Lions win.
15:41
They're very they're looking very like
15:43
strong this season and I
15:46
I can't unfortunately see anything
15:47
different. Like I do love Solent and
15:49
Solent are probably one of my favorite
15:50
teams in the nines category um but
15:53
>> [laughter]
15:54
>> I think with the loss of having QB1 not
15:57
being there, normal running back one,
15:59
you know, taking a step out this season
16:01
to have a child, it's just
16:05
I don't think is a good recipe for
16:07
Solent and I do think unfortunately that
16:10
they have had the season just a bit of a
16:11
knock, but I do think they're going to
16:13
come back next year.
16:14
Um what's kind of like what's everyone
16:16
thinking on this match? Are we kind of
16:18
relatively the same or
16:22
>> Yeah, um
16:24
I think every time I speak about the
16:26
nines, I always speak about Solent. Like
16:28
I love them. I don't know why. I've I've
16:30
no affiliation to anyone who plays
16:32
there. I just I love them.
16:34
I think it's cuz I really love their
16:35
badge.
16:37
And their dress and so I love Solent and
16:39
I really I'm I'm wanting them to win
16:42
just to shake it up a little bit rather
16:44
than cuz I think we've all sort of
16:45
expected for majority of the season it
16:48
to be a Lions Warriors final.
16:50
So I'm looking forward to it. I have
16:52
gone for Birmingham win though.
16:55
Um but I would love absolutely love to
16:57
be proven wrong and
16:59
I would love to see Solent make it to
17:01
final.
17:04
>> Yeah, that
17:06
this game like obviously the Lions are
17:07
such a tight and well coached and well
17:10
like
17:12
just all together all round team.
17:14
They've got the defense, they've They
17:15
the offense.
17:16
And it is it's you can see it in their
17:19
in their stats right now, you know,
17:20
going undefeated throughout the season.
17:22
Um but the Ashes, they're hustlers, man.
17:26
They are hustlers. And I think
17:29
that with the grit that is within that
17:31
team with the girls in that team, the
17:33
women in that team I should say, um
17:35
they could put up a fight. They could
17:37
put up a fight. And to see a Thistles
17:39
Warriors final would be incredible. That
17:42
would be insane.
17:43
That would be insane. But um yeah, all
17:45
the best to both the teams. And it's
17:48
going to be exciting one. I'm happy
17:49
we're getting them at least one of the
17:51
playoffs off for sure.
17:53
>> Yeah.
17:56
Ooh, right. So,
17:58
sorry. Uh my housemate messaged me. Um
18:03
So, that would be our nines. Um
18:05
obviously I'm really sad that we've only
18:06
got this one match, but I think the
18:08
finals are
18:12
Oh, are they the week I think they're
18:14
the week before the Union Jack Classic,
18:16
I want to say, or the week after?
18:18
>> Uh it's before.
18:20
>> The big before yeah.
18:20
>> So, uh
18:21
yeah. I think it's the 9th or something
18:23
like that or the 7th.
18:25
>> Yeah. So, the BritBowl final, you got
18:26
obviously the women's playing the women
18:28
in the under 19s playing on the Saturday
18:30
and the men's playing on the Sunday.
18:32
This I do know because it took us a
18:33
while to try and figure it out when I
18:34
was in Turkey.
18:36
But that's this I do know.
18:38
Um so, moving on to our sevens semis and
18:42
finals because um important so they both
18:45
get played on the same day due to
18:47
tourna- tourna- tournament format.
18:51
So, the first one we'll talk about is
18:53
the number one seed in the south, which
18:56
is the Hertfordshire Cheetahs, going
18:58
against the number two in the north,
19:00
which is the Peterborough Royals. Now,
19:04
this match up
19:05
we have not had all season.
19:07
The last time the Royals and Cheetahs
19:09
played each other was in the third
19:12
fourth playoff match and
19:14
third third place last fourth place and
19:16
like playoff match right at the end of
19:18
last season where the Cheetos just won 7
19:22
to 6 I believe. I think there was only
19:25
one point ever in it.
19:27
I should know I played in it.
19:30
I think one of the I think one of the
19:31
touchdowns was me.
19:33
It would have been me.
19:36
Um yeah.
19:38
This is
19:40
This is definitely a match that I'm
19:42
excited to play in.
19:44
You know, I think I was saying last week
19:46
the Hartford Cheetos are they're a very
19:48
well oiled unit but they're also a very
19:51
well disciplined team.
19:53
I will hand on heart say that some of
19:56
the technique in terms of tackling and
19:58
ways that we have been tackled these
20:01
past three previous tournaments with
20:03
Cheshire and Newcastle
20:05
haven't been great, haven't been
20:08
what you would deem a safe tackle in
20:10
American football and that is coming
20:12
from all kind of perspectives even like
20:14
some of the coaches have been saying you
20:16
know, these haven't been safe. Whereas I
20:18
know like if I play Cheetos
20:21
I know I'm not getting my face cage
20:23
pulled to the floor. I know I'm getting
20:25
you know, Holly Holly Whiting coming
20:27
flying into my side and making that
20:29
tackle.
20:30
>> That's my safety right there. That is my
20:33
safety.
20:34
>> And I that this is why I'm excited to
20:36
play them. I'm just excited to play a
20:38
team that
20:40
knows football and their football
20:42
technique is off a standard off a
20:44
football team and is not
20:47
we're going to mess you about because we
20:48
want to.
20:50
And I think that's that's what excites
20:52
me the most. Also, I'm excited to see
20:54
the players that they've got if they've
20:55
retained players, got new players. I
20:57
mean, literally we haven't seen each
20:58
other all season, haven't played each
21:00
other. We were at the end of the season
21:02
together and we were the only two like I
21:06
think
21:07
each team in our each team in sevens
21:09
haven't played one team.
21:12
If I remember correctly and us
21:14
unfortunately it is Cheetahs.
21:16
So, preparation for this game hasn't
21:18
been great because we haven't seen them.
21:20
So, we don't know what they've been like
21:21
all season and vice versa. They're
21:23
probably going to be having the same
21:24
issues.
21:25
Scratching their head, you know, we've
21:27
had a change of personnel. They've
21:28
probably had a change of personnel. So,
21:30
yeah, it's definitely going to be
21:32
in my opinion it will probably be quite
21:34
a close game.
21:35
Um especially going off Cheetahs last
21:38
game of the um regular season where they
21:41
did unfortunately lose to the Cardiff
21:42
Valkyries.
21:45
What do you what do you guys kind of
21:46
thinking on this match? You know, I know
21:48
Dev's a massive Cheetahs fan.
21:53
>> Uh yeah, this one isn't the match up I
21:56
wanted to see because
21:59
I've been rooting for both of you guys
22:00
the entire season. And so, if you to
22:03
meet in the semis, I'm just like, ah,
22:05
I'm very sorry, but the loyalty is where
22:07
my loyalty lies. I'm very very
22:10
very sorry, but yeah, Cheetahs
22:13
that's my team, man. They're locked in.
22:15
They're ready. They've got people, like
22:17
you said, they know football, you know,
22:19
girls who are very experienced and
22:22
they've got coaches who are not just
22:24
you're not just going on the field doing
22:25
anything, you know, everyone's learning
22:27
the fundamentals, everyone's playing the
22:28
game correctly.
22:30
And so, you guys are going to get a this
22:31
is going to be a great game. I think
22:34
it's going to be very close,
22:36
but I'm hoping I I'm sorry, Liv, I am
22:38
hoping that the Cheetahs do take it.
22:39
But, yeah.
22:40
>> Mhm.
22:41
>> We'll see.
22:42
>> It's fine. You're not as big of a red
22:43
flag as Mateo is.
22:45
>> No, no, no. Mateo is just he just does
22:47
stuff for the do it sake, like, no,
22:49
please. Cheetahs, they took me in, okay?
22:52
I was just a I was just a babe.
22:54
Fresh fresh in the sport.
22:57
But, yeah.
22:58
>> Yeah.
23:01
Yes.
23:03
I don't I feel like I'm in the middle of
23:04
something here. I've got [laughter]
23:06
one strong Royals fan, one strong Chiefs
23:09
fan. I'm just like, "Okay."
23:10
>> [laughter]
23:12
>> No, this is one of them games where it's
23:14
like
23:15
you look at it like compared to what
23:17
we've had all season, this is one of the
23:18
games that you just want to be able to
23:19
watch it and I know we can't watch it.
23:21
It's not being streamed or anything like
23:22
that, but
23:24
>> But what a good game of football it will
23:26
be and
23:29
you know
23:30
I don't think either team is going to
23:33
No offense, I don't think either team is
23:34
going to score a lot of points.
23:36
I think it's going to be
23:36
>> No.
23:38
>> It could even be a two-score, like a
23:40
two-point game, sorry. Like literally
23:42
the difference between
23:43
>> fight.
23:44
>> Like
23:46
and I'll put it out here, I think
23:47
whoever wins this game
23:49
wins the tournament.
23:51
>> Agreed. Agreed.
23:54
100%.
23:57
>> But I'm ready for the Royals.
23:59
Sorry, guys.
24:02
>> Guys.
24:02
>> Good luck.
24:04
>> Yeah, it's just it's a really
24:05
unfortunate that
24:08
it's not been live streamed.
24:09
Unfortunately, it is on the same day as
24:11
the Div 2 under 19s, which is why BAFA
24:14
have said,
24:15
"No one's allowed to live stream." I
24:17
know I had the
24:18
Rossendale Raptors Instagram account
24:20
reach out to me a couple of days ago
24:22
asking if it would be live streamed.
24:24
Unfortunately, our semis and finals will
24:26
not because we have minors about due to
24:30
who 19s being played.
24:32
I did say I was like, "Oh, hopefully
24:34
BAFA will share the content." However,
24:36
now that I know that you know, World
24:38
Championship Flag World Championships
24:39
are literally happening right now.
24:43
I do think all eyes will unfortunately
24:44
be on the flag. Um
24:47
it does happen with sevens,
24:48
unfortunately.
24:49
We do take the kind of backseat. But
24:52
again, nothing against the flag girls. I
24:53
mean, after day one, we are currently
24:55
two and 0. We are at the top of our
24:57
table.
24:57
>> Listen, shout out to them girls.
25:02
Um, shout out to them girls. Shout out
25:04
to them cuz like big up you for making
25:06
it and stuff like that. But the women,
25:07
hello. They are eating. They're going
25:10
crazy. Jock, hey, 88, superstar. That's
25:13
what I call it, yeah. 10 out of 10. And
25:16
girls, I think they're going to they're
25:17
medaling. I think they're definitely
25:19
going to get medal.
25:20
>> I think they they are 100% qualifying
25:22
for worlds. And not world, sorry, the
25:24
Olympics.
25:25
>> Yeah. Yeah.
25:26
>> Like with the USA already guaranteed, I
25:29
think, you know, I do think it's going
25:31
to be between
25:32
at least one of the Asian countries,
25:35
however, like China or Japan,
25:37
and the UK is definitely qualifying.
25:40
>> Yeah, 100% 100%. They've them got
25:44
they're talented. They are talented.
25:47
>> I've seen some of the like the the media
25:49
from them of some of like like the
25:50
muscles. I'm sat there and I'm like,
25:52
damn.
25:53
>> Like they are toned. But that's the
25:55
thing, though.
25:56
Let's just put it out there. When you
25:58
have support, when you have funding,
26:00
when you have coaching, look what
26:02
happens. You you succeed.
26:05
>> Two week like a weekend camp instead of
26:07
a one-day camp. I'm pretty sure.
26:09
>> Like you succeed when you're not worried
26:11
about what kit you're going to wear,
26:13
whether you have everything you need,
26:15
whether how you're going to get there.
26:17
Do you know what I mean? When you have
26:18
all these things in place, you can just
26:20
focus on being great. And
26:23
the proof is in the pudding, you know?
26:25
And you know, tackle
26:26
would like some of the sponsorship
26:28
money, please. Thank you.
26:30
>> [laughter]
26:30
>> Yes.
26:32
So, moving on to the other match that
26:34
will be getting played on
26:36
Saturday as well. So, we have the number
26:38
one seed in the north versus the number
26:40
two seed in the south. So, we have the
26:42
Cheshire Bears versus
26:44
Cheshire Bears versus the Kent Exiles.
26:48
How's it going, guys?
26:49
It has been a heatwave at work. It has
26:51
been the same temperature
26:52
>> Oh my god. I'm it has been telling
26:56
>> Bro,
26:57
the hospital?
26:58
>> Disgusting.
27:00
>> I work in a hospital that has no AC.
27:02
What the hell?
27:03
>> Thanks. But yeah, this
27:05
>> NHS, get it together. I'm calling out
27:07
everybody this this stream.
27:09
>> [laughter]
27:10
[gasps]
27:10
>> This match Now, this These guys have
27:14
actually played each other this season.
27:16
Uh Cheshire won against the Exiles 7 to
27:19
6 in the interdivisional um match right
27:23
at the start of the season, which is
27:26
very interesting considering Cheshire
27:29
were not in the finals last year, and
27:32
Kent were the overall champions.
27:35
So, a very, very
27:38
first game was definitely a shocking
27:41
result.
27:42
Um this game
27:45
I Again, with with both games in the
27:48
seven semis, they are both two very
27:51
strong games and two very strong teams
27:53
going head to head.
27:55
I feel like this match could could be
27:58
anyone's win. Now, I think I have gone
28:00
with the Bears
28:01
um mainly cuz I kind of want to play
28:03
them in the finals again. I want I want
28:05
to score I want to score another 40-yard
28:07
touchdown on them again.
28:08
>> Yeah.
28:10
>> Two's not enough. Two's not enough.
28:11
>> I'm shouting.
28:13
>> [laughter and gasps]
28:13
>> That's a lot of tea.
28:15
>> [snorts]
28:17
>> But yeah, I do
28:20
Kent are a very strong team. I just
28:22
think
28:24
based on the past couple results that
28:26
they've had against the Cheetahs,
28:29
I do think they are potentially going to
28:31
struggle against Cheshire and having
28:33
played Cheshire a lot this year,
28:36
they are very good
28:38
at kind of stopping the run.
28:41
Pass could be up for options. I know
28:43
Kent have a lot of um
28:46
QB um QB RPOs and everything.
28:49
So, their passing game could get off
28:50
quite well.
28:52
But, you know, Cheshire are very good at
28:54
stopping the run. They are very strong
28:56
run defense. They're not scared to send
28:58
four on the D line.
29:00
Which is terrifying when you only have
29:01
three O line.
29:04
So, it's
29:05
It's I do think it's going to be a very
29:07
very close game, but I do I can just I
29:09
just see Cheshire, you know, making that
29:12
push and being in the final.
29:14
>> Yeah.
29:15
>> What's everyone else kind of thinking? I
29:17
know
29:19
Yeah.
29:21
>> I feel like
29:23
Cheshire are just so well oiled and
29:27
you sort of know that you're going to
29:30
get
29:32
a strong team coming at you and you
29:34
know, they're not going to back down for
29:36
anyone, no matter what. No matter who
29:38
you are, no matter what game it is.
29:40
And I just think maybe they might have
29:42
that mentality I just because in the
29:44
last tournament that you guys played in,
29:47
it was such like a tight game between
29:51
the Bears and the Royals and I think
29:52
that they will use that sort of
29:53
mentality to sort of push on and be
29:55
like, "Okay, we need to win,
29:58
but we go from the get-go.
30:01
As soon as that ball is in play, we go
30:03
and we go strong."
30:05
And I think that could be the sort of
30:06
mentality that
30:08
pushes them to win here.
30:11
>> Yeah.
30:13
Yeah, the Bears they've they've been
30:16
unstoppable low-key high-key this season
30:19
and
30:20
I see them it it's it's going to be a
30:22
tough game cuz XL are you could like
30:24
they've been great as well and the proof
30:26
is in, you know, last season being
30:28
champions and stuff like that.
30:30
But, the Bears this season have been
30:31
yeah, they've been rough and tough.
30:34
But, um
30:37
Yeah, it is I feel like both these
30:38
matches are going to be
30:40
the matches to watch this weekend, for
30:43
sure. I think the semis are a little bit
30:45
more exciting than the finals, if I'm
30:47
being honest.
30:49
>> Yeah. To me, it's just it is kind of
30:51
annoying, you know, we are playing both
30:52
on the same day, but again, we are
30:54
following the
30:55
tournament format. So, I think
30:58
this has definitely been confirmed by BU
31:00
and I, which is great. The first match
31:02
of the day will be the div two under 19
31:04
semi-final. Don't know who's playing in
31:06
them. I think Kent Legionaries or
31:08
something like that for that. Or you
31:10
said I don't know.
31:11
Uh they'll be playing the first match,
31:13
so both matches will happen at the same
31:15
time. So, I think it's again, they are
31:17
four formats, so there is four teams
31:20
all playing against each other, so
31:22
those two will happen at the same end
31:23
for the Cham Cheetahs versus Royals
31:25
match. Everyone bar me and Jess have
31:28
said Cheetahs. We have said Royals.
31:30
>> Don't worry, Liv. I've got you. I've got
31:32
your back.
31:33
>> It's fine.
31:34
Don't expect any less from a tail. Let's
31:36
be honest.
31:36
>> [laughter]
31:37
>> Oh, red flag.
31:40
>> That's why he's red.
31:42
>> [laughter]
31:42
>> So, yeah. Again,
31:43
I think definitely the ones to watch out
31:46
Looking at all those matches, in my
31:48
head, the ones to kind of watch are the
31:50
two the two night the two sevens
31:52
matches.
31:53
I think they're going to be two very
31:55
close contested games and are just
31:58
probably going to be some of the best
31:59
football that people aren't going to see
32:01
because of them
32:02
logistics.
32:03
>> No stream.
32:05
>> [laughter]
32:06
>> Bare minimum.
32:08
2026.
32:12
Anyways,
32:13
I'm going to get canceled.
32:14
>> [laughter]
32:16
>> So, moving on to like this is
32:19
I mean, we've been talking about the
32:19
playoff structure, so this is how it is
32:21
going to be working for the nines.
32:23
Obviously, you see that Warriors are now
32:25
in that semi-final spot due to Teesside
32:28
um
32:29
deciding to forfeit the match.
32:32
Again, we shall find [clears throat] out
32:33
on Saturday, probably around about 6:00
32:35
at night. I don't actually know when the
32:37
Birmingham kickoff is.
32:40
I want to say it will probably be about
32:41
2:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.
32:44
>> I believe it's a 1:30.
32:46
I could be wrong.
32:47
>> Yeah.
32:49
So, again, we should all be finding out
32:51
on Saturday how this final is going to
32:55
shape up. Are we going to see Solent
32:57
versus the Warriors, or are we going to
32:59
see the Lions versus the Warriors?
33:01
Again,
33:02
it's going to be a very interesting
33:04
match, and can't wait to kind of see how
33:06
this final is going to look um with less
33:08
than a couple of weeks until the
33:10
Britbowl final.
33:12
And then, finally, the sevens playoff.
33:16
Obviously, the section missing here is
33:17
the play the third fourth place
33:20
um match that will happen.
33:23
Again,
33:24
winner of both will play the winners of
33:26
both will play each other, and the
33:28
losers of both will play each other.
33:29
It's the easiest way to kind of say it.
33:31
Um again, all happening on the same day.
33:34
Very long day for myself. I think I
33:36
think we've been told to be there for
33:37
11:00 for the Royals. So,
33:40
yeah, long day long day traveling back
33:42
to Cambridge for myself.
33:44
Cuz I'm unfortunately working at 7:00
33:46
the next morning on the Sunday.
33:47
>> Oh, goodness. 7:00 a.m. is insane.
33:51
>> 7:00 I've got 7:30 I've got to be sat in
33:53
a pool.
33:56
But, yeah.
33:57
I think that kind of sums [snorts] up
34:00
our um ooh, why I don't like that.
34:03
Where's the third uh
34:05
Could we just have the No.
34:07
No. You know what? I'll go back to the
34:09
other one. I don't like having this
34:10
random square.
34:12
>> Yeah, but
34:13
where's the middle Oh, yeah, yeah, there
34:15
we go.
34:15
>> Yeah, this is the good one.
34:16
>> This is the better one. [snorts]
34:17
>> Yeah. Yeah.
34:19
>> And so, yeah, um again,
34:22
a week that's kind of been filled with
34:24
some drama.
34:26
Some good things that have come out.
34:28
Obviously, you know, our women's flag
34:29
team, they're doing fantastic.
34:32
Pushing for that medal again. You have
34:34
and the women's team you have our
34:36
support here at TD UK. Men's team as
34:38
well, obviously everyone
34:40
We do support the men's team, but you
34:41
know, this is a women's podcast. We're
34:43
going to hype up the women.
34:44
Especially if some of them have
34:46
transitioned from contact to flag.
34:48
So
34:50
big up the women's team.
34:51
Um
34:52
I mean Dev, we kind of spoke a bit about
34:54
Miami and the combine. You got anything
34:57
else to kind of add or just kind of
34:58
there?
34:59
>> Um I just want to thank everybody, every
35:01
single person who contributed, who
35:04
shared, who spoke about it, who you
35:07
know, really championed me and my
35:10
journey and me getting there. It is
35:13
invaluable, you know, I couldn't have
35:14
done it without everyone's support. So
35:16
thank you very, very, very, very, very
35:17
much. Um and yeah, just stay tuned. Uh
35:21
next season is going to be very
35:22
exciting.
35:24
And I hope that I was able to represent
35:26
everyone really well. Um I screamed and
35:27
shouted about women in the UK, in the EU
35:31
and the talent that we have out here. So
35:32
hopefully
35:34
if they're listening, um
35:36
we'll have a combine down here soon. And
35:39
we'll all be able to showcase and show
35:40
out cuz a lot of people can't do what I
35:43
did. Like I had to swallow a lot of my
35:45
pride in order to get raise that money
35:47
to get there. Um
35:49
but yeah.
35:50
Thank you all so very, very, very much.
35:56
>> So I think [laughter]
35:58
I think I don't think I've missed
35:59
anything. Anything else anyone else
36:01
anyone else wants to discuss or I think
36:04
>> Okay, who's winning the sevens then? Cuz
36:06
we can't predict it right now. Let's
36:08
just
36:10
You got a one in four chance.
36:12
>> [laughter]
36:12
>> A one in four chance.
36:14
Um
36:14
personally, I mean I'm going to have to
36:16
back my own team, you know.
36:19
We have been grinding. We got a chip on
36:20
our shoulder. We are, you know,
36:22
celebrating 10 year anniversary this
36:23
year.
36:25
I didn't think it's coming home this
36:26
year.
36:27
Yeah, so
36:29
I'm going to go with the Royals. Royals
36:30
win in the final.
36:33
>> I don't think you have to ask me.
36:36
>> [laughter]
36:36
>> She's going to be She is uh
36:40
Sorry.
36:41
>> [laughter]
36:41
>> I love you guys. I love you guys. That
36:43
literally caught me off guard.
36:45
Um
36:46
the finals will be the Cheetahs versus
36:47
the Bears. The Cheetahs are winning and
36:49
then the Royals will be taking the third
36:51
place. 1,000 and 10% That's how it's
36:53
looking.
36:55
>> I'm going to go Yes. Final Bears versus
36:58
Royals. Royals win and Cheetahs to win
37:02
third place. That's my prediction.
37:04
>> All right, we'll take it. We'll take it.
37:07
>> Mm. Okay.
37:09
And I mean, I think the Nines
37:11
are
37:12
I do think
37:14
>> [laughter]
37:16
>> I think I'm going to call the Lions win.
37:17
I think the Lions have got a bit
37:21
>> I know right? That last Teesside game.
37:25
>> It's a bit rocky, but again
37:28
>> Bit side-ish.
37:30
Warriors are playing out 50 points a
37:32
game.
37:33
Without without fail.
37:36
All right, just saying.
37:38
>> Yes.
37:39
>> Just.
37:40
>> [laughter]
37:41
>> I'm scared now.
37:42
Solid.
37:45
Yeah, solid.
37:47
No guys, Teesside are going to come
37:48
back. Please.
37:50
Love you Teesside.
37:53
I'm going to go Warriors to win the
37:54
whole thing.
37:56
>> LET'S GO!
37:58
BACK IT.
38:00
>> YEAH, [laughter] I love the Warriors. I
38:02
love I love the whole organization. I
38:05
think they're such a cool organization
38:07
from the women's and the men's.
38:10
Like
38:11
just so supportive and
38:13
I'm rooting for them every step of the
38:15
way.
38:17
>> Let's do it. Oh my gosh. Europe
38:20
sidetrack?
38:21
Warriors in the playoffs? Iconic.
38:25
Six wins and iconic.
38:27
>> It's basically a fairy tale.
38:29
The start of the season was a tiny bit
38:31
rocky. Everyone was like, "Oh, they're
38:33
back." And then
38:34
>> "Ah,
38:35
too quick, too soon."
38:37
They pulled that stuff together. We got
38:39
some
38:40
All the home grown UK guys like
38:43
Nash, 98 DT. I played with him at
38:47
Hurricanes, right? He brought me in.
38:49
That was my dog. He looked after me. Top
38:51
dog. Jezreel, hello. Winning like how
38:55
many MVPs? Like, come on, man.
38:58
Everybody's doing crazy. But anyways,
39:00
that's a side track. That'll probably
39:01
get cut out. My bad.
39:03
But big up big up everybody, man. Big up
39:05
the game. Big up Brit Britball.
39:07
>> Yeah. You know, in the UK we are we are
39:10
coming and we are making our impact.
39:12
We're making sure our voices are heard.
39:15
>> Putting our stamp on it. There's a
39:17
reason why they do this with me.
39:20
Sip tea.
39:22
>> [snorts]
39:22
>> Yeah.
39:23
>> You know, there's a reason why the NFL
39:24
come here. It's why they set up flag
39:27
[laughter] teams like flag teams in the
39:28
UK. It's why they come here for matches.
39:31
>> Yeah.
39:32
Oh.
39:33
Pause. We need to big up Chrissy and the
39:35
Jets.
39:37
Um
39:37
the flag girls, they went
39:40
to the US and won the whole thing.
39:42
Historic.
39:43
Okay, Chrissy, she was one of my like
39:45
mentors at the Warriors at GB. Top dog.
39:48
She's a coach now. 10 out of 10. Big up
39:50
them. Big up the girls and congrats on
39:53
your win.
39:54
Yeah. They got some really cool medals.
39:56
Baffa.
39:57
Pay attention.
39:59
>> [laughter]
39:59
>> Yeah. Right. So, that's
40:02
from us. We shall hopefully see you guys
40:05
potentially next week
40:07
to discuss the alignment for the finals
40:09
and to talk about the week just gone. I
40:12
say potentially, depends on when we're
40:15
all free.
40:16
But yeah, thank you so much for watching
40:18
and we shall see you guys next time.
40:22
>> Bye-bye.
40:22
>> Thank very much for watching this
40:24
episode. [music]
40:24
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