Sport in 2025

With 2024 coming to a close, it’s time to look ahead to the world of sport in 2025:

Netball Super League 2025:

First up, starting again on 8^th March with the new Super Cup, is the Netball Super League. The NSL will be back bigger than ever in 2025 after its rebranding. Ten teams have become eight. Despite my continued disappointment at the lack of a senior franchise in the South West, the promise of this league is clear to see. I am very excited to watch the Super Cup- I will be there in person to watch the action. Of course, I hope that the team I support, Loughborough Lightning, will retain their title for the third year running, but I do admit that, for competition’s sake, a new champion would not be a bad thing. I believe that, unlike last year, there will be more than three teams in the running for the trophy. For my other predictions, you will have to wait and see…

Women’s Rugby World Cup:

The Rugby World Cup comes home to England this year! After the agony of being beaten by New Zealand in the final last time, the hosts will want to lift the trophy with their fans. Personally, I think they have a great chance of doing so- the Red Roses have confidently beat New Zealand the last three times since the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Auckland. However, you can never count the Black Ferns out, never mind the other teams. Come on England!

Even more Premier League action:

With reigning champions Manchester City currently eight points behind current leaders Liverpool (at the time of writing: 09/12/2024), they have some serious work to do. Chelsea are looking strong and Arsenal are in third. Nottingham Forest have started well and are currently in fifth place. The normal midtable teams of Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford and Fulham are performing well in 7^th, 8^th, 9^th and 10^th respectively. Meanwhile, Manchester United are dangerously low in thirteenth. Our local Premier League team, Leicester City FC, have their head just above relegation waters; they are on fourteen points, having won three of the fifteen games they have played. How the season plays out, we will have to see… as long as Manchester City don’t win and Leicester stay up, it’ll be a good season for me!

European Championships:

Saving the best (well, on par with the NSL) until last, this summer, Switzerland will host the Women’s European Championships! Who are the reigning champions? ENGLAND! Can they go for back-to-back Euros titles? Honestly, I’m not sure. Our defence has been a little rocky and our attack has at times not offered much. Undoubtedly, we will need our best players fit and ready in time. Even if we have the best players available, this will be no easy ride. We do not have the home games or the wave of momentum like in 2021. Depending on our group, just making it to the knockouts could be a struggle. I do have faith and I do believe the Lionesses could win again, but I’m also hoping that another team knocks out Spain before we have to. Nevertheless, let’s keep football home!

As I sign off for 2024, I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone at Speak Out, including the readers. Thank you for allowing me to write and publish my work. Thank you for allowing me to share my joy. Thank you for reading my work and following my journey. See you in the new year!