Stars of Other Codes

<BODY BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" LINK="#FFCC99" ALINK="#009D74" VLINK="#FF9966"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#CC3300" FACE="Arial" ><B>The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website</B></FONT>     |   <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website"><U>The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Site Background"><U>Site Background</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Site Dedication"><U>Site Dedication</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Me"><U>Contact Me</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links"><U>Related Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id745.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="King Kenny"><U>King Kenny</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NZ Representative Soccer"><U>NZ Representative Soccer</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NZ Club Soccer"><U>NZ Club Soccer</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id826.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Great The Good"><U>The Great & The Good</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Womens Soccer Auckland"><U>Women's Soccer - Auckland</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id730.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Favourite Footy Fotos!!"><U>Favourite Footy Fotos!!</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Womens Soccer National"><U>Women's Soccer - National</U></A>   |   <B>Stars of Other Codes</B>   |   <A HREF="id827.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Classic Matches"><U>Classic Matches</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id878.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Oceania Soccer"><U>Oceania Soccer</U></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="04658020.gif" border=0 width="600" height="2" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Stars of Other Codes</div> <div> STARS OF OTHER CODES</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="552" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 2958 WIDTH="546"><div> When women’s soccer started out in New Zealand in the early 1970s, it was very much regarded as “a bit of kick-and-giggle”, of novelty value more than anything else.</div> <bR> <div> Sadly, it’s a preconception against which the sport is still battling at numerous levels in this country, even now, in the 21st century.</div> <bR> <div> Unfortunately, at least for those whose mindset is very much of the “woman’s place is in the kitchen” and “football’s a man’s game” variety, the world has moved on somewhat markedly from the days when such thinking was commonplace.</div> <bR> <div> So much so, in fact, that, as FIFA President Sepp Blatter claimed not that long ago, “The future of football is feminine”. </div> <bR> <div> Australian women’s soccer international, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Franklin Gothic Book" ><A HREF="id1048.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Amy Taylor"><U>Amy Taylor</U></A></FONT>, who is arguably better known for her role as cover-girl of the Matildas’ (in)famous 2000 calendar, said of the fundraising venture, “We can be attractive girls and still play sport”. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="6839c820.jpg" border=0 width="156" height="130" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0">This statement is backed up by New Zealand hockey star <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Franklin Gothic Book" ><A HREF="id833.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mandy Smith"><U>Mandy Smith</U></A></FONT>, pictured right, who says, “As a sportswoman, you hope you’ll be recognised for your skills, not the way you look”.</div> <bR> <div> This section of the site attempts to recognise this, by featuring a few of my favourite female sports stars from New Zealand and around the world who, while blessed with eye-catching physiques which have helped gain their respective sports additional predominantly male supporters, are, first and foremost, highly-skilled technicians in their chosen code. </div> <bR> <div> Their skill-laden endeavours, allied to their natural beauty, helps make women’s sport the tremendously attractive proposition it is today - no pun intended! And long may they continue performing to the best of their abilities - for everyone’s enjoyment, but most of all, their own.</div> <bR> <div> One of these stars alone takes up over forty of the pictures in this tribute, and it‘s something for which I don‘t apologise. For I’m a big fan of the devilishly attractive <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Franklin Gothic Book" ><A HREF="id220.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Anna Kournikova"><U>Anna Kournikova</U></A></FONT>, make no mistake!</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="cc8f4590.jpg" border=0 width="500" height="857" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="10"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="8b841c80.jpg" border=0 width="65" height="200" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Franklin Gothic Book" >It goes without saying that, in terms of looks, she’s just stunning! Cool 'n' casual (above), bikini-clad (right), dressed for the occasion or on-court in her Adidas attire, Anna K turns heads and sends mens' pulses racing, regardless of the environment she happens to be gracing. What's more, she knows it!!</FONT></div> <bR> <div> That's what I like most about Anna the person - her sheer presence. She's a class act  - a very attractive young woman who oozes charm, personality and self-confidence, who knows her own worth, and, hey, she's sexy - is that something for which she should be ashamed?</div> <bR> <div> And what a professional! Having had the opportunity to see her in action in Auckland during the first week of January, 2002, I know I'm not alone in my increased appreciation of this aspect of Anna Kournikova's persona - I'd like to think some of those responsible for interviewing her during her time here will pay due heed to the example she set in this regard.</div> <bR> <div> What this young lady has done for the image of tennis cannot be underestimated, either. Certainly it’s not a sport I showed a great deal of interest in prior to the appearance on the scene of both <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Franklin Gothic Book" ><A HREF="id222.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Martina Hingis"><U>Martina Hingis</U></A></FONT> and Anna K. That's not the case now, mind - roll on equal pay in women's tennis!</div> <bR> <div> If only people would recognise Anna's tennis prowess is just as impressive as her more easily visible attributes. For she really is an outstanding player - she has all the skills, all the shots and self-belief aplenty, to the point where she is so close to going all the way and actually winning an event on the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Franklin Gothic Book" ><A HREF="http://www.sanexwtatour.com/main.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.sanexwtatour.com/main.asp"><U>WTA Tour</U></A></FONT>, it’s not funny. </div> <bR> <div> Once she adds a touch more mental toughness to her game, and steers clear of niggling injuries, there’ll be no stopping her. Of that I'm certain!</div> <bR> <div> What price that first win coming at Auckland in 2002? I'd love to have seen her blow to smithereens, right here in NZ, that oft-quoted statistic with which sports media the world over seem to be obsessed - and no, you've heard it often enough for me to need to repeat it here!! </div> <bR> <div> Unfortunately, it wasn't to be, but those in New Zealand who considered Anna K to be all style and no substance prior to her quarter-final clash with Emmanuelle Gagliardi on January 3 should now have a new-found respect for the most famous female sports star to visit these shores - the manner in which she came back from 2-6, 2-4 down to take the three-set match 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 in strength-sapping 100F heat fully merits it.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="b0987c80.jpg" border=0 width="135" height="200" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="10">Mark my words - Anna Kournikova will grace the Sanex WTA Tour winner's circle in the not-too-distant future. And when she does, a certain Italian journalist, who showed her no respect whatsoever during one media conference in Auckland, can help himself to a healthy serving of humble pie - methinks he won't be dining alone when the time comes, either!!</div> <bR> <div> In recent months, Anna's form is not what it could have been, and while she remains the ultimate drawcard on the WTA circuit, her recent performances have been such that she's all too often making early exits from tournaments, much to her own frustration, and her fans' disappointment - no wonder she was looking so unhappy at Wimbledon!! (And that was before the post-match conference!!)</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="beb90c80.jpg" border=0 width="144" height="200" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="10">Since that tournament, however, with the assistance of a new coach in Howard Solomon, 'The Divine Miss K' has rediscovered her form, and images like the one above have been replaced by ones to which we can all relate - the beaming face of the most marketable woman in tennis - and women's sport, for that matter - in triumphant mood once more. Now if she could shrug off these niggling injuries ...</div> <bR> <div> Meantime, enjoy my tribute to my favourite female sports stars in codes other than soccer.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id1013.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Womens Tennis Favourites"><U><B>Women's Tennis Stars</B></U></A><B>     </B><A HREF="id1012.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NZ Sports Favourites"><U><B>NZ Sports Stars</B></U></A><B>     </B><A HREF="id825.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Other Womens Sports Favourites"><U><B>Other Women's Sports Favourites</B></U></A><B>     </B><A HREF="id227.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SWANZ"><U><B>SWANZ</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </BODY>