THREE DADS TAKE ON 46-MILE WALK TO - BRIGHTON FOR CANCER CHARITY Page 9 - South West Londoner
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THREE DADS TAKE ON 46-MILE WALK TO
BRIGHTON FOR CANCER CHARITY Page 9
@SW_Londoner
www.swlondoner.co.uk
May 5, 2021
CHELSEA WOMEN AIMING FOR THE
QUADRUPLE Page 12
‘A LOT OF US ARE SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING
THAT IS NOT REAL’: WE HEAR FROM LAURA HEALTH,
THE PARAMEDIC WHO TURNED HER EXPERIENCE OF
ONLINE TROLLING INTO A POSITIVE - PAGE 8
May 5, 2021
2 3
BAME MPs: Pandemic shows
good time for those institutional racism
of us who want to and a failure of lead-
stay the course to end ership” within the
institutional racism Metropolitan Police.
‘evidence of systemic racism’
instead of pretending Labour is now call-
it doesn’t exist,” she ing on the govern-
said. ment to “reject” the
“And it probably “disingenuous” find-
comes at a very bad ings from the Com-
time for the govern- mission on Race and
ment, so soon after Ethnic Disparities.
By Olly Murphy lives.” nothing wrong with which has been met the Commission’s re- its report.” It is urging for
Analysis from the the system itself, but by criticism from ex- port came less than More than four the implementa-
A number of Lon- Greater London Au- rather some individ- perts and contribu- a month before the years after his death, tion of over 253 rec-
don MPs from Black, thority’s econom- uals who are behav- tors alike.” 28th anniversary of in 1997, an official ommendations of
Asian and Minori- ic fairness data has ing badly,” Abbott Meanwhile, the the death of Stephen inquiry was estab- the long-standing
ty Ethnic (BAME) revealed that white added. current mayor of Lawrence, who was lished by then Home Timpson, Williams,
backgrounds have Londoners earned “If you don’t accept London, Sadiq Khan, brutally murdered in Secretary Jack Straw Angolini and Lam-
criticised the gov- one and a half times there are problems told SWL he was ‘in- an unprovoked racist following the drop- my Reviews – all of
ernment for ‘failing as much per hour with the system, it’s credulous’ at the ‘so- attack in 1993. ping of charges which focus on the
to respond’ to the compared to those very hard to combat called’ findings of the According to the against two youths. treatment of, and
“life or death conse- from a Black African, racism.” report. Labour MP for The 350-page re- outcomes, for BAME
quences of structur- Carribean or Bangla- Established by He said: “The idea Streatham, Bell port written by re- individuals in differ-
al racism.” deshi background in Downing Street to that our society does Ribeiro-Addy, the tired High Court ent areas.
Speaking to 2018. investigate racial dis- not have serious is- anniversary of Ste- judge, Sir William Labour leader, Sir
SWLondoner, for- According to Di- parities in the UK, sues with structural phen’s murder is par- Macpherson con- Keir Starmer, has
mer shadow home Marsha De Cordova, pictured, is one of a number of MPs warning of the disproportionate ane Abbott, the gov- the 258-page report racism is insulting ticularly significant cluded that the in- also committed to
secretary, Diane Ab- impacts of COVID-19 on BAME communities ernment “refuses” concluded that it no to all who have been this year, because vestigation into the introducing a Race
bott, shadow women to acknowledge the longer saw “a Britain confronted by it and it “teaches us that murder had been Equality Act to “tack-
and equalities minis- munities. deaths from the vi- women and equali- link between struc- where the system is whose lives have “marred by a com- le structural racial
structural racism
ter, Marsha De Cor- The report, com- rus. ties minister, Marsha tural racism and the deliberately rigged been blighted by it.” bination of profes- inequality at source.”
very much exists.”
dova, and Labour missioned by the According to its De Cordova, said: impacts of the pan- against ethnic mi- The publication of sional incompetence, De Cordova has
“It comes at a very
MP for Streatham, Labour Party, found data, in six boroughs “The pandemic has demic on the BAME norities.” claimed that with-
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, that BAME peo- where rates of deaths exposed and exacer- community. According to De out intervention the
expressed concern ple had been ‘over- from COVID-19 bated structural ine- The former shadow Cordova the report report will instill
at what they de- looked’ during the were statistically qualities. home secretary was marked a “depar- further mistrust in
scribed as ‘attempts’ first wave of the pan- higher than the Lon- “We know that referring to the con- ture” from the “over- Black, Asian and eth-
to ‘downplay issues demic. don average last year, Black, Asian and troversial findings of whelming body of nic minority com-
around race’. The impact of three were also high- ethnic minority peo- the Commission on evidence of structur- munities.
Their comments COVID-19 on er in terms of ethnic ple have suffered the Race and Ethnic Dis- al racism.” “It downplays the
come amid the pub- BAME communi- diversity. worst fatal and finan- parities, published in She added: “The role of institutional
lication of a review ties was laid bare last Brent and Ealing cial consequences. March, which noted Commission had and structural rac-
by Doreen Law- year when research recorded some of “O vercrowded that while there was an opportunity to ism, glorifies slavery
rence, which con- from the London the highest mortality housing, precarious anecdotal evidence meaningfully engage by saying there is a
cluded that struc- Assembly’s Health rates in the capital, work, low pay, inad- of racism, no ‘proof ’ with institutional ‘new story’ to be told
tural racism was Committee found compared to bor- equate sick pay and existed that it was and structural rac- and blames Black,
responsible for the that more ethnical- oughs with a lower huge health inequal- structural. ism in the UK. Asian and ethnic
d i sprop or t i on ate ly diverse boroughs percentage of BAME ities have cost Black, “The report takes “Instead, they pub- minority people for
impact of coronavi- were connected to residents. Asian and ethnic mi- us backwards by lished divisive and Diane Abbott, pictured, has said the government’s race report makes it ‘harder’ to combat their own disadvan-
rus on BAME com- a higher number of Labour’s shadow nority people their suggesting there’s offensive material racism tage.”
May 5, 2021
4 5
Research shows reality TV is
tral Michigan Uni- the reasons why peo-
versity found that ple are attracted to
people who spend reality TV shows.
more time watch- The ‘Social Com-
not ‘harmless entertainment’
ing shows, are more parison Theory’ sug-
emotionally invested gests that watching
in them or even iden- reality TV makes
tify with characters people feel better
more closely, tend to about themselves
be more narcissistic. and their own lives.
However, as Gib- With reality TV
By Honor Cockroft administered to an caused by media, dation’s study found son pointed out: “It existing as one of the
ostensible opponent. adding: “The effects that shows such as could be simply that most popular and
Whilst reality TV Researcher, Bryan can be more pow- ITV’s Love Island more narcissistic profitable sectors of
is one of the largest Gibson PhD, said: erful for children fuel body anxiety in people are drawn to the television indus-
sectors in the televi- “Unpleasant inter- because they have young people, with those shows, or that try, with nearly 4 in
sion industry, its be- personal behaviours less capacity to sep- almost 1 in 4 con- greater exposure 10 people watching
havioural effects are which we were able arate entertainment firming reality TV over a length of time some form of it, it’s
largely unknown. to show led to view- for reality, so it is in makes them worry leads to increased here to stay.
However, reality ers increasing the the realm of possi- about body image. narcissism. Gibson hopes that
programmes that amount of aggres- bility that the effects In a survey con- “It is also possible his research will
show toxic behaviour sion they were will- could be stronger in ducted by SWL of a that longer term ex- draw attention to the
such as Jersey Shore ing to direct towards younger people.” group of 16-24-year- posure might inten- ways in which tox-
and The Real House- somebody else .” As young people olds with varying sify the effects.” ic behaviour seen in
wives franchise can The study also are both the target levels of reality TV This open question shows might affect
increase aggression, found that partici- demographic and consumption, 50% draws attention to viewers.
manipulation and pants who watched largest viewing sec- confirmed reality
narcissism in view- episodes depicting tor of reality TV, shows affected their
ers. relational aggression the consumption of body image, whilst
Researchers from were more aggressive scripted reality that more than 55% said
Central Michigan than those exposed promotes negative they were unaware of
University found to family-friendly mentalities, aggres- potential psychologi-
that people were reality shows such sive conflict and cal effects.
more aggressive fol- as Little People Big dysfunctional rela- The survey also
lowing exposure to World or violent TOXIC VIEWING: Research shows that reality TV can increase aggression, manipulation and narcissism in viewers tionships has the po- revealed that whilst
an episode of reality crime dramas such tential to be extreme- 40% said they do
TV that contained as US show Dexter. the participants are of reality TV believed cial realities as they Today show that: ly damaging. not notice any be-
verbal and relational Gibson, who teach- engaging in. “argumentative and are presented. “70-80% of reali- Nonetheless, the havioural changes
aggression. es psychology at “That could poten- conniving” behav- According to data ty TV is scripted,” behavioural effects in themselves after
After watching the Central Michigan tially have a greater iours portrayed on published by One highlighting the of reality TV largely watching reality TV,
programme, study University, said that effect on their own shows are “normal”. Poll in 2016, 42% of methods of manip- remain undiscussed, 60% said they do
participants received a possible explana- behaviour as op- This phenomenon 25-34-year-olds be- ulation some show with conversation notice others being
an “ego-threat” in tions for this finding posed to watching is known as the ‘Cul- lieve reality TV dra- producers use to cre- veering towards ‘more aggressive’,
the form of a com- is that surveillance what they know to be tivation Theory’, a so- mas are true, with ate more drama, and the mental health ‘more argumenta-
petitive time-task, shows are marketed fiction.” ciological framework 60% also believing subsequently attract of participants and tive’, ‘more irritable’,
and their subsequent as reality: “The be- Meanwhile, a sur- that suggests people on-screen-romances more viewers. self-esteem problems ‘more self-centred’
level of aggression haviour documented vey of 145 students exposed to a form of to be genuine. According to Gib- shows can inflict on and ‘more anxious’.
was measured by the is also seen as true from the University media for long peri- But in 2012 The son, age could also viewers. Another study by
intensity and dura- behaviour, real un- of Wisconsin con- ods of time are more Bachelor creator be a variable in be- For example, the Gibson’s team of re-
tion of a noise they scripted things that cluded that viewers likely to perceive so- Mike Fleiss told the havioural changes Mental Health Foun- searchers at Cen-
May 5, 2021
6 7
The big reveal: Polka Theatre to open
its doors after £8.5m renovation project
By Lily Jobson bring audiences back other children. forward with the re- ists. 70% of people
as it is an extraordi- “We have learnt development that we who work in the the-
After a year of un- nary place around how to carry on have created. atre are freelance and
certainty, Polka The- the borough”. running a business “We created the all the work sudden-
atre can finally say Before the corona- remotely to provide FUTURE Polka pro- ly just dried up.
it is reopening its virus pandemic hit, creative activities gramme to reach out “It’s not just for the
doors on May 17. Polka Theatre closed digitally. to families. actors on stage but
It has been a rocky its doors in Febru- “Some of our re- “It has been real- it’s the designers, the
road for theatres, ary 2019 to start the mote activities have ly successful, lot’s of stage managment
with government major re-develop- reached people in families have come team, the technical
coronavirus restric- ment programme, France and Bath so it forward to donate and costume depart-
tions causing severe which has involved is something we re- and support it.” ments that all sup-
damage. an £8.5million refur- ally hope to contin- Glanville explained port the production
Now it has been bishment. ue even when we’re how the theatre in- as well.
given the green light The new renova- open.” dustry has been af- “It has just been ex-
to get performances tion is an ‘outstand- Polka opened its fected in terms of tremely tough for the
back up and run- ing’ project that Pol- doors in 1979 as the future planning for people who work at
ning, it’s full steam ka Theatre has taken first theatre dedi- productions as well Polka.
ahead for Polka The- on board. cated exclusively to as staffing issues dur- “It is great now we
atre. With new rehears- children. ing the pandemic. are in the position
The theatre has al rooms, play areas, Having been He said: “I think to get back in the re-
undergone a major studios and much opened over four some of the people hersal room as there
modernisation pro- more, Polka Thea- decades, it has in- who have been most has just been no
ject after 40 years of tre expressed how spired and enter- affected are the art- work.”
being open. thrilled they are to tained 3.5 million
TRANSFORMATION: External picture of Polka Theatre that has taken over a year to build. The now newly renovated building has undergone a major
CEO and artistic get back up and run- re-development project to celebrate the theatre’s 40th anniversary
visitors and contin-
director, Peter Glan- ning. ues to be the place
ville, said: “After 40 Polka Theatre was difficult for theatres their fingers crossed. families. cial interaction as it’s programme, a free where the theatre be-
years, it was just get- granted a generous across the country. “Our biggest con- “It’s more than just a major part of their falling group for gins.
ting a bit old around amount of fund- “We have all been cern has been for our the quality of a pro- development. children for those in As part of the new
the theatre, especial- ing from the Mayor re-scheduling and audiences because duction, it’s the ex- Having been closed difficult situations at redevelopment, the
ly with 100,000 kids of London’s Good re-planning every we put on produc- perience the children for so long, Polka home or at schools theatre created the
running and jump- Growth Fund, Arts three months be- tions, creative learn- get. Theatre turned to and an amazing choir ‘FUTURE Polka ap-
ing around. Council England, cause of restrictions ing activities and a “Polka theatre online programmes of all mixed ages. peal’ to help give a fi-
“The new redevel- London Borough of constantly changing range of communi- helps to support chil- to continue engag- “The online pro- nal push to open the
opment that we have Merton and many but we are in the po- ty events every year dren’s well-being, ing with children in gramme has allowed doors in Spring.
is just outstanding, other vital funders. sition where we feel reaching hundreds confidence, their lan- schools or at home. children to still have Glanville added:
it’s completely new “We needed to raise a ENTERTAIN: Children enjoying Jan Blake’s In the Winter
Glanville, 58, said: the most positive. of thousands of chil- guage and emotional Glanville added: the opportunity to be Wood performance at Polka Theatre
so we can’t wait to “It’s been incredibly “Everyone just has dren in schools and development and so- “We had a literacy part of a group with lot of money to move
May 5, 2021
8
Paramedic faces
fears to fight trolls
ated on the world
By Lily Jobson
of social media be-
During the pan- cause it can look a
demic, people have lot like reality.
turned to social “A lot of us are
media to reach out searching for some-
to those they are thing which is not
unable to see. real, causing a mas-
While many have sive impact on our
enjoyed staying in mental health.”
the loop on social Laura now works
media, studies have with other mental
shown that exces- health charities and
sive use can fuel has set up a blog
feelings of anxiety to help reduce the
and depression. stigma of the topic.
During Mental A spokesperson
Health Awareness FACE YOUR FEARS: Laura on her charity skydive for Cybersmile UK ahead of World for Wimbledon
Mental Health Awareness month in March 2020 Wednesday group,
Month this May, it
is more important work’. it can quite easily raising more than offering support
than ever to seek The 25-year-old consume you. £2,500. for mental health,
support. from Staffordshire, After her ordeal, She added: “I said: “It takes a long
Paramedic Laura said: “I can remem- Laura got in con- wanted to raise time for someone
Health, explained ber waking up and tact with Cyber- money for a char- to come to a group
how social media sitting on the sofa smile UK to tackle ity that deals with and get to that stage
has been a ‘blessing crying uncontrol- the problem around online harassment where they feel
and a curse at the lably. trolling and online and bullying as comfortable.
same time’. “I went into such bullying. Cybersmile helped “If somebody can
Laura grew a a dark place where I The Cybersmile me.” talk and somebody
large following af- didn’t even want to Foundation is an Laura now uses can listen, it is so
ter being trolled for get up out of bed. award-winning or- her platform as a important.
a photo she posted “I always say so- ganisation that is mental health ad- “People should
of her at work back cial media is like a committed to dig- vocate helping to listen to understand
in March 2020. blessing and a curse ital wellbeing and reduce stigma by instead of listening
She received a lot at the same time, tackling all forms of sharing her person- to respond.
of coverage for be- especially during bullying and abuse. al experiences. “It’s important to
ing ‘the paramedic the pandemic. Laura took part in She said: “I think sit down and not be
who received hate- “There is an ex- a charity skydive to personally from my dismissive of what
ful comments for tremely toxic side mark World Mental experience is to try somebody is going
wearing makeup to to social media and Health Day in 2020, and not get so fix- through.”
May 5, 2021
9
The extra mile: A
walk for cancer
By Jazmyne to Central London.
McGavin “I thought - let’s
take it an extra 46
Three South West miles and let’s walk
London fathers to Brighton,” Char-
are embarking on lie said.
a 46 mile walk to “A lot of peo-
Brighton to raise ple cycle to places
money on behalf of like Brighton, but
the Children with I’ve never known
Cancer charity. of anyone walking
On April 14, there.”
Carl Boyd, 28, Children with
from Twickenham Cancer UK is
shared to facebook a United King-
that on 29 May, he dom-based charity
and Charlie Burch, that is dedicated to
28, from Kingston, raising money for
and their friend STANDING FIRM: Carl (right) and Charlie together holding a poster that is promot-
research and pro-
ing the 46 mile walk that they will be doing. The poster also pays tribute to Azaylia
Jimmy Downham, viding care for chil-
33, will be begin- we could have re- GoFundMe page, able to raise £600 dren with cancer, it
ning a 16 hour long ally done to help and the money they and were shocked aims to understand
walk from King- Azalyia, but now raised will go to the to see that GoFund- what causes chil-
ston Town Centre we want to try and Children with Can- Me contributed dren to get cancer
to Brighton Pier. help children and cer UK charity. £400 to their dona- and to develop im-
The inspiration families who are in In surpassing tions - “we didn’t proved treatments.
to do this came af- the same kind of their goal of £1,000, know they could do Carl and his
ter the story about situation as Azay- the men said that that.” Said Carl friends are dedi-
Azaylia Cain and lia.” doing so pushed “We woke up cated to improving
her battle with Leu- He added: “We them a lot more. one morning and the quality of life
kaemia became vi- are all parents, so Carl said: “We’d we were at £1,000, of children who are
ral. we could feel some still do it if we had I said to Charlie sick, around the
Carl, dad of 1, of the pain that only £200, but we “we’ve reached our festive periods and
said: “It all started Ashley Cain was know now that the target!”. holidays such as
with the Azalyia going through with £1,000 we’ve raised In deciding the Easter, they donate
Cain story- we were his daughter.” will help at least one course of their walk, advent calendars
following her story The three men person.” Charlie, dad of 5, and easter eggs to
to the last days of have raised a total In just a week and stated that the three the children’s ward
her being alive. of £1,090 of their a half, the three men men were going to at West Middlesex
“There’s nothing £1,000 goal on their said that they were walk from Kingston Hospital.
May 5, 2021
10 11
Domestic violence referrals
London Assembly’s these crimes.”
campaign in lobby- Meanwhile, Croydon
ing for the introduc- Council announced
tion of a Domestic it had launched a
more than double in Croydon
Abusers Register and campaign that will
to ‘consider’ the pi- see its 123 prima-
loting options in the ry and secondary
capital. schools display post-
Writing in April ers to raise awareness
2019, the chair of for victims of do-
the Committee, Un- mestic abuse seeking
By Olly Murphy The biggest spike 23 cases reported in mesh Desai AM, help.
took place be- November to 31 in said: “During our in- The posters aim
The number of re- tween April 2017 December, a growth vestigation, we heard to highlight that
ferrals for victims of and March 2018, of 34.7%. from domestic abuse schools are a safe
domestic violence in with 1,720 referrals Meanwhile, data services and victims space where vic-
Croydon has surged lodged, compared to from the Mayor’s that the numbers of tims are able to talk
by more than double 980 between April Office for Policing those suffering from to members of staff
in the last four years, 2016 and March and Crime (MO- domestic abuse are at and make a call to
SWLondoner can 2017, amounting to PAC) showed that epidemic levels. the Croydon FJC for
reveal. an increase of 75.5%. in the five months “Once the immedi- support.
According to a re- In a report on do- after the government ate COVID-19 crisis Croydon Council
sponse to a Freedom mestic abuse and introduced the first has ended, the Met has been approached
of Information re- sexual violence pub- COVID-19 restric- and MOPAC need for comment.
quest made by SWL, lished in 2017, the tions, the number of to ensure that the If you are a victim
referrals to Croy- majority of clients incidents of domes- domestic abuse ser- of domestic abuse
don’s FJC (formerly seen at the FJC tend tic abuse in Croydon vices that are in place and need help you
Family Justice Cen- to be referred by the rose by 27.9%, from provide quality Lon- can contact the free
tre) rose from 980 in Police, Access Croy- 648 in March to 829 don-wide support 24-hour national do-
March 2017 to 2,076 don, and those who in August 2020. for victims and bring mestic abuse helpline
in April 2021, an in- present of their own In the capital, data people to justice for on 0808 2000 247.
crease of 111.8%. accord. from the London As-
The FJC is a Croy- There was, however, sembly’s Police and
don-based charity a 3% decline in re- Crime Committee
offering services to ferrals last year, with ‘DEVASTATING’ IMPACT: Data from Croydon Council shows a significant spike in the number of referrals during the pandemic uncovered that do-
victims of domes- 1,751 made to the mestic abuse offenc-
tic abuse and sexual charity in the year up played a significant the nation as cases ed by perpetrators less than four months the borough rose es in the month of
violence, aiming to to March 2020. role in the increase surged and demand and victims often after data from the from 94 in Novem- December have risen
offer a ‘safe place’ Figures also show a in domestic violence for support was at an spending lockdown Metropolitan Police’s ber to 111 in De- by a third over the
where victims and significant spike dur- cases. all-time high. in the same space. Crime Dashboard cember last year, up past decade.
their children can ing the pandemic, A spokesperson “The COVID-19 “During the latest recorded a rise in the by 18.08%. This is In December 2019,
access support in with 2,076 referrals for the charity said: pandemic has had a lockdown, we experi- number of report- compared to a 0.87% 2,031 domestic abuse
one location. received between “Over the last three devastating impact enced a 30% increase ed cases of domestic increase between incidents with inju-
Between April 2017 April 2020 and April years, raising aware- on victims of domes- in demand compared violence in Croydon the same months in ry were reported in
and March 2018, it 2021. ness of domestic tic abuse, with abuse to the first lockdown during the festive 2019. London, compared
recorded a total of According to do- abuse has become escalating and sup- and as lockdown re- season in 2020. A number of oth- to 1,554 in Decem-
1,720 referrals, in- mestic abuse charity, more prominent and port networks cut off strictions continue to In January, SWL re- er boroughs also ber 2010.
creasing to 1,817 Hestia, which oper- the recent lockdown overnight. ease, we anticipate an ported that the num- saw spikes, includ- In a report, it called ‘SAFE SPACE’: An information poster from Croydon
on the Mayor’s Of- Council designed to raise awareness for victims of domestic
between April 2018 ates services in Croy- made domestic abuse “The rise of incidents increase in demand.” ber of these incidents ing Kingston upon abuse seeking help
and March 2019. don, the pandemic a talking point for is directly exacerbat- The revelation comes involving injury in Thames which saw fice to support the
May 5, 2021
12 13
‘Inspired’ Chelsea FC Women
en route for historic quadruple
By Honor Cockroft group here that can tonight.
do just that.” Ingle, who wears
Chelsea FC Wom- The impressive shirt number 5, said
en are on course to sporting feat has ahead of the game:
become the second only been achieved “The Champions
club ever to achieve once before by an League semi-final
a four-trophy haul. English club, Arse- was an insane game
Following on from nal Ladies in 2007, with a lot of emo-
their 6-0 win over under Emma Hayes’ tions.
Lionesses, taking on competing for the
Bristol City in the coaching. “It was great to fi-
Everton in the fifth Community Shield,
Women’s League Now the former nally get that win
round on Thursday granting them an op-
Cup final, the club coach of US profes- and I think we fully
20 May. portunity to bring it
is in the running to sional football sides deserved it.
While only four home for the second
win the FA Women’s is leading the south “To the neutral fan
more wins are need- consecutive year in a
Cup, Champions west London team to and from what I’ve
ed to win the FA Cup, row.
League and Wom- new heights of soccer heard, everyone said
pandemic postpone- While their Lon-
en’s Super League success as manager. it was one of the best
ment means that the don rivals made his-
(WSL). Ingle, who also female games they’ve
competition will be tory in 2007, Chel-
Star midfielder captains the Welsh watched in the
completed next sea- sea are on course to
Sophie Ingle said: National Team, said: Champions League
son, delaying the po- show the world that
“That’s the stand- “Since Hayes arrived so credit to both
tential quadruple. in south west Lon-
ards that we live by 9 years ago, she has sides.
Winning the WSL don, Europe and be-
each day; coming been pushing every “Straight after the
or the FA Cup would yond: women’s foot-
to this football club single season for this DEFENDING CHAMPIONS: The South West London club is on track to retain the WSL, as well as their first Champions League title. Credit: Katie Chan game you have a little
also result in Chelsea ball is blue.
that’s what Chelsea moment. celebration, but then
want to achieve, they “Obviously it takes the side have ended the achievement to the years that, of As defending in their final fixture Monday morning
want to get as many many years to do that Britain’s 14-year-wait BT Sport, said: “I’m course I want to win champions of the on Sunday. you’ve got to park
trophies as they can in the women’s game for a women’s finalist so proud of those the final, but I am go- WSL, Chelsea’s draw But for Chelsea, that emotion and
each year. and she is an amaz- in Europe. players, they deliv- ing to acknowledge with Manchester with a game in hand, start focusing on the
“To potentially ing ambassador for On Sunday 16 May, ered, they’re resilient the achievement of City in their recent the women’s equiv- Spurs game which
do a quadruple, it’s the game and a role captained by Swedish and everyone did making history get- top-of-the-table alent of the premier is a massive league
amazing that we’re model for everyone.” defender Magdalena everything they can. ting there. match also put them league is within their game for us.”
in the position to do Following on from Eriksson, Chelsea “Someone de- “I think it’s impor- in good stead to win reach. Striving on a win
that. Chelsea Women’s will face Barcelona scribed us as ‘men- tant for English foot- the championship. With the WSL ti- rate of 67% this sea-
“It’s something success in the Cham- at Gothenburg in tality monsters’, and ball that we made it. With 51 points, the tle and the chance of son, the team are
that the club has al- pions League semi-fi- their debut UEFA we’re the best. We’re “Getting to the fi- London side is only a four-trophy haul even on track to win
ways inspired - to nal against Bayern Women’s Champions in the position we nal shuts up Europe one point behind hanging in the bal- the FA Cup follow-
ing their 5-0 win LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Chelsea celebrate their win over
be at the best - and Munich at King- League final. deserve to be in. in terms of what Gareth Taylor’s City ance, the team face Arsenal in the 2020 League Cup Final. Credit:: Katie Chan
now we have a great smeadow on Sunday, Hayes, speaking of “I’ve learned over we’re doing.” who face West Ham Tottenham Hotspur over London City
May 5, 2021
14 15
Robbo: Truly revolutionary for
AFC Wimbledon’s resurgence
By Tom Large to believe in them- so many games that
selves. have had late, last
With League One “They were all very minute winners,
football guaranteed low in confidence, there weren’t many
at Plough Lane for I didn’t have much games that were
next season, Mark time to do many mundane and having
Robinson has done sessions because we fans in the ground
what a lot of Wim- were playing every would have been cra- IN THE DUGOUT: Mark Robinson managing an AFC
Wimbledon youth team during a trip to Newcastle’s St
bledon fans thought Saturday and Tues- zy and maybe even a James Park for an FA Youth Cup tie
was impossible. day.” couple of pitch inva-
After his arrival as Robinson, known sions, those kinds of the club. outside Plough Lane
interim manager at to the Wimbledon moments are what “From what people for every game. I
the end of January, fans as ‘Robbo’, em- football is all about.” are saying, we should want us to be putting
Robinson was the phasised the ‘pro- He is hoping to em- fill it for the first in performances that
fans’ choice to take cesses’ that he has ulate those kinds of game but that wor- mean people bring
the full-time role. implemented into performances when ries me. I want peo- friends that stay and
The Wimbledon the team, to get the the fans can experi- ple to be queuing up come back for more.”
faithful have not results that have pro- ence Plough Lane for
looked back since, pelled the Dons away the first-time next
with a brand-new from the relegation season.
style of football, that zone and earn him- With fans only
is pleasing for the self a nomination able to watch games
neutral and gives the for Sky Bet League on streaming ser-
Dons a real edge to One manager of the vice iFollow, AFC
their attacking game. month for April. Wimbledon’s per-
CALM AND COLLECTED: Head coach Mark Robinson (right) speaks to striker Kwesi Appiah (left) before an away fixture against Peterborough United
The transforma- For most managers last season formances have not
tion of the team has securing safety for been fully appreciat-
not been an easy their club is a mo- always on what’s next then felt immense- for me I just think it the players think we the floodlights of ed yet, a fresh style
process however. ment of pure elation and how we are go- ly proud, privileged is a small club men- can’t do it. We just Plough Lane. of football, positive
The Wimbledon but Robbo explained ing to get better. and excited about the tality to celebrate have to work really This is something attitudes to the way
head coach said: the focus is on im- “Even after the future.” survival, although I really hard to find that Robinson wishes they play and more
“Changing the cul- proving further game against Ports- Robinson does not am massively pleased ways to punch above fans could have seen. importantly it is ex-
ture and the learn- He said: “I don’t mouth, I didn’t feel want the club to just for the club and the our weight,” he add- He explained: “There citing to watch.
ing environment has think that sunk in too much emotion. focus on safety like fans because it was ed have been some When asked about
been key in giving until a few days later, “I was frustrated it has done for the needed,” he said. It is just unfortu- games that would the future, Robinson
the players a pur- I don’t take too much that we had lost but past few League One “As a fan, the last nate that there have have been so excit- explained: “I want
pose behind what time to sit and think when the messages campaigns. thing you want to do been no fans to wit- ing for the fans, even the players to pro- BACK TO PLOUGH LANE: AFC Wimbledon have
they are doing and about those kinds of came in from fans “I don’t understand is wake up and think ness the latest run of from the beginning. duce a brand of foot- returned to their spritual home which it is yet to welcome
and other people I that kind of outlook, that the manager and form unfold under “There have been fans
getting the players things, my mind is ball that can grow
May 5, 2021
16
Let it tee! Golf is
back in full swing
By Tom Large to compete making
progression very
For sport lovers difficult,” she said.
across the country, The following
amateur or profes- winter lockdowns
sional, their place stopped a lot of
to escape was tak- technical work and
en away due to the strength work that
pandemic. usually takes place
Last March, when during the off sea-
the country went son in the gym,
into lockdown, meaning that when
many left the pitch- golfers arrived back
es, courses and to their golf cours-
gyms for the last es, there was still
time for a length work to be done
of time that no one and form to redis-
could predict. cover.
Golf, which is so- Golf as a whole
cially distanced in has fared well dur-
its nature, was one ing the pandemic, as
of the first to re- Horsford explained,
turn. DRIVING FORCE: Olivia Horsford preparing to drive the ball down the fairway there has been an
This meant a lot during a round of golf large increase in the
of people who were number of players
unable to play their unable to get out for everyone.” usually competes coming down and
usual sports took to a driving range As golf was one in could no longer taking a real inter-
to golf to get their or golf course, so I of the first sports take place and as a est in the sport.
sporting fix. have had to prac- to come back, peo- result missed out Due to the game’s
For an insight tice with a net in ple did find them- on a whole year of social distancing
into the world of my garden, but it is selves able to get competing. possibilities and
golf and to see what nothing like getting out on to the course “For competitive collective social as-
effect the pandemic out onto the actual even when the tier golf, it has heavi- pects, golf has been
has had, SWL spoke golf course. restrictions were ly affected a lot of a lifeline for those
to Olivia Horsford, “The first lock- brought in. the amateur golfers who have been
an 18 year-old am- down took out the It was only recrea- who are looking stuck inside to so-
ateur golfer who majority of the tional golf to return to take the sport cialise and regain a
represents England competitions last however. Horsford up professionally sense of normality
at youth level. year, so the sum- explained that the in the future. They that everyone has
She said: “I was mer was ruled out competitions she have been unable been missing.You can also read
