Earlier this year, two Latina women flew to England and spent a week with Watford, training and joining in coaching sessions.

Reyes, a Latina woman herself, said “inclusion was important” and young Latina girls are “just as passionate” about playing football as anyone else.

“We’re embarrassingly underrepresented as coaches. That’s the opportunity that we want to create,” she added.

“It’s why we’re so grateful to Watford for their support. They are excited about participating in this. It creates opportunity for both and growth for both.”

Unlike previous women’s football investments, which has seen the likes of businesswoman Michele Kang providing funds to London City Lionesses and being able to attract big-name stars to the Women’s Championship, Valencia said this was “not commercialised”.

“To be more unique, we’re going to show you how our investment works, as opposed to telling you what the numbers are,” he added.

“For example, Watford Women have never had a mascot, but we’ve designed it with our team in Latin America.

“I worked for AS Roma for a couple of years and started their digital department. We’re bringing that, as well as producers, to create content with the brand of Watford Women.”

Chanduvi says they hope to “truly make a difference” while building revenue.

“We want to give opportunities, create content, create stories that are inspiring, that are shareable, that transcend the sport itself – and that inevitably will attract commercial investment,” she added.

“From my experience working with brands, they want to attach themselves to causes that can actually make a difference.

“They don’t just want to plaster their logos on billboards. What I find beautiful about this partnership is the authenticity. It’s truly born through a passion of wanting to make a difference.”

Charles Oliveira hopes that UFC matchmakers change their approach when it comes to booking Tony Ferguson fights if the veteran decides to enter the octagon in the future.

Oliveira, who handled Ferguson the second loss of his current eight-fight skid back in 2020, and has a good relationship with “El Cucuy”, said in an interview with MMA Fighting that it was hard to watch Ferguson suffer another setback this past August in Abu Dhabi, a first-round submission defeat to Michael Chiesa.

Ferguson, a former interim lightweight champion, appeared to indicate his retirement immediately after the bout, but changed the tone at the post-fight press conference, saying “no, I still wanna fight.”

“He deserves all the respect in the world just to be fighting still, he deserves a standing ovation for everything he’s done in the UFC,” Oliveira said. “But I think the UFC should also give him some help and put him against someone [around his age] so they can put on a show and we applaud them.”

Ferguson was stopped in five of those eight losses, also finished by Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler, Nate Diaz, Bobby Green, with additional decision defeats to “do Bronx”, Beneil Dariush and Paddy Pimblett.

The last time Ferguson fought someone who was older than him was June of 2019, when he scored a win over Donald Cerrone. For Oliveira, who earned a shot at the UFC belt with his victory over Ferguson, the UFC should book “El Cucuy” against veterans on the tail end of their career instead of up and comers like Pimblett.

“The guy doesn’t want to retire, he’s there, so why not get someone with the same vibe to put on a big fight? That would be great,” Oliveira said. “But to put these young kids, kids coming in hungry for attention over a big name like him, that’s a bit complicated. It sucks. The guy has a certain age, and you put him against young kids to fight him? That hurts him a little bit.”

ISABELLA is the wife of UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker, who has just landed a mega-fight.

He’s been named by Conor McGregor as his opponent for his highly-anticipated comeback — here’s everything we know about Dan’s wife.

2

Who is Isabella Hooker?

Isabella Hooker has been a pillar of support throughout her husband’s fighting career.

While Dan has very much been in the limelight while making significant strides in the octagon, Isabella has largely maintained a low profile.

Isabella and Dan were in a long-term relationship before they tied the knot in 2016.

Their wedding was an intimate celebration held in Phuket, Thailand, which was attended by close family and friends.

Career

While details about Isabella’s professional endeavours are limited, reports suggests that she works as a yoga instructor.

Isabella has proven to be an invaluable support system for Dan throughout his UFC journey.

Her unwavering encouragement has been particularly evident during challenging times, such as during the Covid-19 pandemic.

While travel restrictions kept Dan away from home for extended periods, Isabella helped maintain their connection by sending videos of their home life.

When Dan went toe-to-toe with Islam Makhachev at UFC 267 in October 2021, he stepped up on short notice when Rafael dos Anjos pulled out due to an injury.

When he was interviewed after losing the fight, Dan was asked whether his wife had any worries about him taking the fight without a full training camp.

Dan told The MMA Hour: “She knows me. I don’t think it was much of a shock … I called her up and said, ‘I took the Islam fight’, and she’s just like, ‘Yeah, alright’.” 

Family life

The couple welcomed their daughter Zoey in November 2018.

Dan often shares candid moments with Zoey on his social media platforms.

Not only is Isabella a supportive wife to Dan, but also a dedicated mother to their daughter.

She helps her husband in both his personal life and career, providing unwavering support behind the scenes.

As Dan continues his rise in the UFC lightweight division, Isabella undoubtedly contributes to his success both inside and outside the octagon.

Her presence, though often out of the public eye, remains an essential part of Dan’s journey in mixed martial arts.

2

Gabriel Ibitoye’s rugby pathway has taken the road less travelled.

In 2018, Eddie Jones called him up to an England senior squad as a teenage apprentice, but a little more than three years later he had signed up to Tel Aviv Heat, a globe-trotting mix of out-of-favour overseas stars and local Israeli players.

Finally at Bristol Bears, the Londoner seems to be nearing the destination his promise indicated.

For three-quarters of their game at Exeter, the 26-year-old had been overshadowed by his opposing wings. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Paul Brown-Bampoe, the Chiefs’ double-barrelled dual threat, had scored two tries apiece and given the hosts a 20-point lead after an hour.

But Ibitoye’s dizzying nine-minute hat-trick – all red-line, top-end speed to finish off openings created by AJ MacGinty, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Harry Randall – flipped the match on its head.

Last season Ibitoye made more metres (1,432), threw more offloads (30) and beat more defenders (75) than any other player in the Premiership’s regular season. He topped all those categories by a distance.

He was also joint top for line breaks with Northampton’s Tommy Freeman – all while playing for a team that finished fifth.

Ugo Monye, speaking on Rugby Union Weekly last week, suggested international rugby might rein in what makes Ibitoye special.

Bristol boss Pat Lam, though, backed his man to finally make the step up.

“I believe he’s good enough to play at the next level,” he said.

“His fundamentals as a winger are great, and then on top of that, we get the Gabriel Ibitoye who’s brilliant. He’s one of the fittest guys, he’s electric, but it’s about him staying in the game and he’s done that very well.”

England announce their squad for the autumn internationals on Wednesday.

Bristol City head coach Liam Manning will take a period of absence following the death of his baby son Theo.

The Championship club said assistant boss, Chris Hogg, would take charge while 38-year-old Manning was away.

“Everyone at Bristol City Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Liam’s recently born son Theo John Manning,” a club statement said.

“We know that Bristol City’s supporters and the wider football family will share their condolences and deepest sympathy with Liam, his wife Fran and his son Isaac during this difficult period.

“We ask that the privacy of Liam and his family is respected during this time.”