Most people still think of Rounders as a game played in primary school yards. The reality is very different.

Every weekend during the summer, around 100 adult teams travel the length and breadth of Ireland to compete in national championships. Men, women and mixed teams take to the field from Mayo to Wexford, Galway to Monaghan, in a sport that has quietly become one of the most inclusive and community-driven success stories within the GAA.

Across Ireland, hundreds of adults are discovering the sport for the first time.

Many never played Rounders as children. Many never played any GAA sport at all. In clubs across Galway, Dublin, Waterford, Limerick and beyond, players from every corner of the world are pulling on club jerseys and becoming part of their local communities through Rounders.

Few sports offer such an easy entry point. A person can arrive in Ireland having never kicked a football or picked up a hurl and, within weeks, be playing championship sport alongside Irish teammates. In an increasingly diverse Ireland, Rounders has become one of the GAA’s most effective integration sports.

The growth in women’s participation has been equally impressive. Women’s and Mixed competitions continue to expand, creating opportunities for women to remain involved in competitive sport long after many traditional pathways disappear. Mixed Rounders, where men and women compete together on the same team, remains one of the most unique and successful participation models in Irish sport.

Another remarkable statistic is that 60% of adult members are over the age of 35. At a time when many sports struggle to retain participants beyond their twenties, Rounders has quietly become a lifelong sport. Players continue competing well into their thirties, forties and beyond, drawn by a combination of competition, friendship and community.

That sense of community is perhaps the sport’s greatest strength.

For many players, Rounders becomes far more than a weekly fixture. Clubs become social networks, support systems and friendship groups. New residents find connections. Families play together. Entire communities are built around a shared love of the game.

Yet behind this success story lies a challenge that cannot be ignored.

The Volunteer Strain Behind the Growth

The sport’s growth has been achieved almost entirely through volunteers.

Every championship fixture, every juvenile blitz, every social media post, every referee appointment and every development initiative depends on people giving up their time because they care about the future of the game. Nationally, Rounders now operates approximately 400 matches annually, placing increasing demands on a relatively small group of volunteers, referees and administrators.

Travel remains another major obstacle. Unlike larger sports with established regional structures, Rounders clubs often face significant journeys to fulfil fixtures. Volunteers regularly spend entire weekends travelling to support their teams, while referees cover huge distances to ensure games can proceed.

Facilities present an equally significant challenge. As participation grows, access to suitable playing venues is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly in urban areas where demand for pitches continues to rise. Many clubs are thriving despite having no permanent home of their own.

What Rounders Needs Next

The sport’s future will depend on addressing these pressures. Greater investment in development officers, stronger support for volunteers, improved facilities and increased visibility could help unlock the next phase of growth.

There is also a growing belief within the game that reaching 100 active clubs nationwide would be transformative. More clubs would reduce travel, strengthen regional competitions and create a more sustainable championship structure for everyone involved.

The foundations are already in place.

Participation is growing. New clubs continue to emerge. Women’s involvement is increasing. Juvenile programmes are expanding. More people from different backgrounds are discovering the sport every year.

For a game that many still mistakenly view as a childhood pastime, the reality is that Rounders has evolved into one of the most welcoming, inclusive and community-focused sports in Ireland.

The challenge now is ensuring the structures, resources and support systems grow as quickly as the game itself.

Because if they do, the next chapter of the Rounders story could be its most exciting yet.

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Nigerian-born defender Ime Okon has been included in South Africa’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers amid growing tensions between Nigerians and some South Africans over issues linked to immigration and jobs.

Some South Africans have accused foreigners of being in the country illegally, taking jobs meant for locals and being involved in crimes, especially drug trafficking. Anti-immigrant groups have also reportedly stopped people outside hospitals and schools to demand identification documents, while foreign-owned businesses were advised to close during a recent protest in Pretoria over fears of violence.

Despite the tension, 22-year-old Okon, who was born to a Nigerian father and South African mother, continues to represent Bafana Bafana. The Hannover 96 defender has already made five appearances for South Africa.

Okon is expected to make his first appearance at a major tournament after missing out on the squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos also invited new players Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Cross as part of his final squad for the qualifiers.

Nineteen of the selected players currently play in the South African league.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates).

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele (both Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK, Norway), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA).

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal).

Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus).

South Africa have played at three FIFA World Cups in the past, making appearances in 1998, 2002 and 2010, but failed to progress beyond the group stage on each occasion.

There was no upset this time — the Stanford women’s golf team made sure of it.

On Wednesday, the Cardinal cruised to their third NCAA women’s golf championship in the last five years, downing Southern California 4-1 in the final at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.

Stanford earned the No. 1 seed for the match-play portion of the championship for the sixth straight year, although last year it was upset by Northwestern in the final, which ended the Cardinal’s hope of a title defense after they won in 2024.

But that upset storyline hardly had a heartbeat this time around.

Meja Ortengren beat Jasmine Koo 6 and 5 to give Stanford its first point of the three it needed, and Paula Martin Sampedro earned the second when she beat Catherine Park 3 and 2. Megha Ganne gave Stanford the winning point, beating Bailey Shoemaker 4 and 3. With Stanford clinching after Ganne’s win, the other two matches on the course ended as is, meaning Stanford’s Kelly Xu won 1 up in her match, and Kylie Chong of USC beat Andrea Revuelta 1 up to give the Trojans their only point.

A loaded Stanford team was always the favorite, but that also meant it had to deal with the pressure. All five of Stanford’s players who competed in the NCAA Championships also qualified for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur last month (Revuelta was the runner-up) and four of the five are in the top 10 of the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking. Sampedro, who won the British Amateur and Ladies European Amateur last summer, is ranked 2nd; Revuelta 3rd; and Ortengren 6th. Ganne, who won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship last summer, is 10th; and Xu is 17th.

“These players all season long have been fighting and have had their backs against the wall,” Stanford coach Anne Walker told Golf Channel Wednesday. “They played great. I knew that if we had a chance with this crew we would be in it to the very end. That’s certainly what played out and we are going home the champions.”

The Stanford victory followed dominating wins over Pepperdine in the quarterfinals and Eastern Michigan in the semis; Stanford won both of those 5-0.

“I think the confidence comes from our preparation and knowing how hard they all prepare and how hard I prepare,” Ganne told Golf Channel. “That’s really all we can control, and we do all the things correctly leading up to this week and go in controlling the controllables and knowing we are really good players, and if we follow our routines we’ll end up on top.”

On the women’s side, Stanford now sits alone with four NCAA titles, which trails only Arizona State (eight) and Duke (seven). All of Stanford’s have come since 2015.

The NCAA golf championships continue this week at Omni La Costa with the men’s tournament. The stroke-play portion is Friday to Monday, with match play on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Welcome to I Tried It, a GOLF.com series about golf items — apparel, gear, accessories, etc. — that we’ve recently taken out for a spin. We’re here to give our honest, no-frills takes on the latest and greatest golf or golf-adjacent items. So, scroll down to read about what we love about golf’s newest (or new to us) products.

As a frequent traveler, the allure of Golf on the Road always exists. I wonder what the San Francisco munis are like? What courses can I sneak on in Austin? I have that open invite in Philly — should I take it? 

And in my 20s, I chased it. I lugged clubs through every airport, on every trip — you name it. But before long, my very basic travel bag took a beating. I’d cringe as airline employees dragged and dropped it on the barrage carousel, the thin canvas surrounding my irons fraying in numerous spots. I had received the travel bag for free from an industry pal, and it lived up to one of life’s truisms: you get what you pay for. In this instance, I owned a cheap travel bag, and it made traveling with clubs worse. 

I had to hold its handle a certain way for the bag to roll straight. I had to be on linoleum floors, not sidewalks, for its wheels to keep from catching and dragging. Golf on the Road was less attractive with my travel setup. It was time for a change. 

I waited until the very last minute — visiting a PGA TOUR Superstore en route to the airport — but I landed in the right spot: the Club Glove Club Traveler.

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Club Glove Club Traveler

The Club Traveler is a standard-sized, lightweight golf travel case, that will stand up to the rigors of airline travel. Formerly known as the “College” Traveler, this premium, padded and collapsible golf travel bag is equipped with a padded clubhead area, scratch-resistant interior lining, and shock-absorbing wheelbase to keep your clubs safe during transit. Arrive at your next destination with confidence.

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This is an extremely anecdotal observation, but in my experience, the proper golfers I see at oversized baggage claim are always carrying their weapons in this bag. The slimming, padded nature of the Club Traveler makes it seem like your sticks are zipped up tightly in their own little sleeping bag. The base of it is rigid, providing protection, but also a sturdiness to keep form as you bob and weave between other travelers in ground transportation. It feels like an extension of my arm as I race from baggage claim to whatever ride-share driver is waiting for me. 

The Club Traveler comes with a “Stiff Arm” extender to make sure your longest clubs aren’t feeling any undue pressure, and its wheels glide smoothly, regardless of the surface. In the most simple terms, I no longer feel any angst about how schleppy it’ll feel to Golf on the Road. I’m back to adding golf to most of my travels, even if there’s no golf at the center of the trip. It may cost a decent penny up front — $350-400 or so, tax included — but it’s a purchase that feels more and more efficient each time you use it. 

Angelina Jolie’s son, Maddox, has reportedly dropped Brad Pitt’s last name. He has put in an official request to remove Pitt from his name, making it Maddox Chivan Jolie.

Maddox is the eldest of Angelina Jolie’s six kids with Brad Pitt. Jolie adopted him in 2002 from an orphanage in Cambodia, before getting into a relationship with Pitt. She also adopted Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt and Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt. The former couple also had three biological kids: Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, Knox Leon Jolie-Pitt, and Vivienne Marcheline Jolie.

According to the Daily Mail, Maddox has filed court documents to drop Pitt from his name officially. He had already stopped using it months ago informally. The 24-year-old was the assistant director on the Angelina Jolie starrer, Couture. In the credits, his name was displayed as Maddox Jolie and not with Pitt at the end.

He joins Shiloh in legally changing their names to drop Brad Pitt’s last name. The latter filed for the name change in July 2024, as her lawyer, Peter Levine, explained back then:

“Shiloh Jolie did not take out an “ad” announcing any name change, and any press reporting that is inaccurate. As Shiloh’s attorney, I am required to publish a legal notice because the law in California requires that of anyone who wants to change their name. That legal notice was published in the Los Angeles Times, as is required.”

Meanwhile, Vivienne and Zahara have also informally dropped Pitt from their names. Zahara completed her graduation from Spelman College in Atlanta earlier this month. During commencement, her name was called out as Zahara Marley Jolie.

Also Read: Brett Cooper retweets Chelsea Handler’s old post about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s divorce, questions her past “racist jokes”

Brad Pitt reportedly has a tense relationship with his and Angelina Jolie’s kids

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were first linked together in 2004 and eventually made it official after the former’s divorce from Jennifer Aniston in 2005. They tied the knot in 2014, but announced their split just two years. However, their divorce took eight years to get finalized due to a high-profile legal battle.

Regardless, since their split, Pitt appears to have a tense relationship with his kids. In 2024, a source reportedly said (h/t Daily Mail):

“He has virtually no contact with the adult kids. His engagement with the younger kids is more limited in recent months because of his filming schedule.”

Meanwhile, after their divorce was finalized in 2024, Angelina Jolie’s lawyer James Simon told PEOPLE:

“More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt. She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time, she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family.”

Notably, Brad Pitt also didn’t attend Zahara’s graduation ceremony earlier this month. TMZ reported that he didn’t feel he was invited due to the animosity towards him. However, a source reportedly told the outlet that “nothing prevented him from showing up for her.”

Meanwhile, Jolie has reportedly remained single since his split. Pitt, on the other hand, has been in a relationship with Ines de Ramon since 2022.

Also Read: “Can see both sides”: Perez Hilton reacts after Brad Pitt doesn’t attend daughter’s graduation ceremony & both “team Angelina” & “team Brad” respond