After another year of growth for women’s sport domestically and around the world, Bonnie Jansen looks at the storylines and talking points likely to carry through in 2025.
The back-to-back champions’ current squad doesn’t match the experience they had three years ago when they hosted and won the World Cup.
The Red Roses – who haven’t lost a match since New Zealand defeated them at the 2022 tournament finale – stand in the Black Ferns’ way of lifting a third consecutive title.
Black Ferns players celebrate during the Women’s Rugby World Cup, in 2022. Photo / Photosport
With the home advantage and undeniable current form, England, the world No 1 side, are the hot favourites for the event. That said, the Black Ferns are famous for showing up in big moments. What could also improve their odds is the inclusion of the decorated Kiwi sevens players.
At the last XVs World Cup in Aotearoa, six sevens players were named in the squad where between them, they scored 21 of the Black Ferns’ 44 tries.
Coach Allan Bunting is yet to confirm whether any players will jump rugby formats for the pinnacle event.
This is our year!
The New Zealand-based NRLW team, the Warriors, are gearing up for a triumphant return.
They’ve bolstered their squad with top-tier talent, including Michaela Blake (née Blyde), Shakira Baker, and Tysha Ikenasio, who have all shone on the international rugby union stage with the Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens.
For the first time since October 2020, the Warriors women will re-enter the competition at a moment when both rugby league in New Zealand and women’s sport globally are gaining unprecedented attention.
Little space for transgender athletes
With right-wing governments enforcing strict policies around the world, the future of transgender athletes remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, the recently reinstated US President Donald Trump has called to “keep men out of women’s sport”, stating he will ban transgender athletes from competing.
This controversial debate continues to question whether there is a safe place for transgender people to take part in sport at both community and competitive levels. The discussion around fairness, inclusion, and safety in women’s sport is ongoing – and is likely to run beyond 2025.
What more can Caitlin Clark achieve?
The WNBA’s Indiana Fever scored big when they landed the first pick of the 2024 draft in the US.
They picked up Iowa Hawkeye star Caitlin Clark and the superstar turned many heads in her rookie season – she also single-handedly increased viewership and investment in women’s basketball around the world.
Caitlin Clark celebrates victory with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Photo / Getty Images
But where more can she take her game and the sport of women’s basketball? Will there be a new star on the block? Has the novelty worn off or is Caitlin Clark really in line to be our next Lebron James, Michael Jordan or Diana Taurasi?
Lydia or Lisa?
Golfer Dame Lydia Ko and kayaker Dame Lisa Carrington have both been tipped as potential winners of the Supreme Halberg Award for Sportsperson of the Year on February 18 at Spark Arena.
In 2024, female athletes claimed more than 70% of the total medals Aotearoa won at the Paris Games, with eight of the 10 gold medals won by women.
Carrington won three gold medals at the Games, to Ko’s one. However, Ko followed her up with a major golf win and became the 35th member and the youngest inductee in the LPGA’s Hall of Fame’s history.
Building from that disappointment, with one of the world’s best football coaches, Sarina Wiegman, at the helm, can the Lionesses win a second consecutive European Football Championship?
In 2022, they famously beat Germany 2-1 in extra time to win their first major title in front of a record 87,192 fans at Wembley Stadium.
White Ferns on top
After ending a 24-year drought to claim a global title last year, the onus will be on the White Ferns to build on their new foundations.
White Ferns captain Sophie Devine lifts the trophy as players celebrate winning the Women's T20 World Cup. Photo / Photosport
In reality, last year’s T20 tournament draw was kind to New Zealand, who didn’t have to play England or Australia in the knockout stages. But given the very nature of tournaments, the White Ferns have clearly shown they can win when it counts.
Auckland FC women
Every post Auckland FC have made so far has been a winner.
Later this year, the Black Knights will expand even further and introduce their female counterparts into the A-League Women, and give our brightest and best talent another chance to play professionally at home.
The club are making no secret of their intention for both teams to dominate their respective competitions, and the men have already shown that success is achievable at the first time of asking.
Throw into the mix that Auckland FC are set to launch an ambitious recruitment drive for their women’s team – in terms of players and staff – and there’s absolutely no reason why lightning can’t strike twice for football in the City of Sails.
Bonnie Jansen is a multimedia journalist in the NZME sports team. She’s a football commentator and co-host of the Football Feverpodcast, and was part of the Te Rito cadetship scheme before becoming a fulltime journalist.
