Emma Sanders
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emsandersbbc.bsky.social
Emma Sanders
@emsandersbbc.bsky.social
Senior women’s football news reporter for BBC Sport. Write about football a lot. ✍🏻 Often talk rubbish on TV and radio 📺 📻 Always complain about trains. Views mine.
"She celebrated as if she had won the Champions League," said England boss Sarina Wiegman with a smile. And for Lucia Kendall, it wasn't far off.

Piece on Kendall, her background, how she describes herself and how Southampton prepared her for England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
'As if she won the Champions League' - Lucia Kendall's special night with England
Lucia Kendall's night could not have felt more special and England boss Sarina Wiegman said her goal celebration was
www.bbc.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Liverpool captain Grace Fisk, who unfortunately misses tomorrow’s game through injury, spoke to me about what she has learned during her time in the England camp. You can watch here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
December 1, 2025 at 10:06 PM
England were very impressive. They dominated from start to finish. But did they get much out of it? Did Sarina Wiegman miss an opportunity to give youngsters a go? It felt like a wasted chance. ✍🏻 👇🏻

Ps. Beth Mead was great. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Impressive England display - but did Sarina Wiegman learn much?
England fans could not have hoped for a more entertaining evening at Wembley Stadium - but with Sarina Wiegman resisting the urge to be more experimental, how much did she actually learn from it?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 8:11 AM
England will end another successful year with two friendly matches - but what personnel and tactical experimentation might we see from manager Sarina Wiegman? ✍️👇🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
A GK debut? Five things to look out for as Lionesses return
England will end another successful year with two friendly matches - but what changes might we see from manager Sarina Wiegman?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan grew up "seeing the hardships and suffering" in a single-parent household and now wants to help others in the same position.

I spoke to her & Jill Ellis on Fifa's new programme which funds players' social initiatives ✍️

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Chelsea's Kadeisha Buchanan to help single mums in Canada
Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan grew up
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
“We depend on that DNA” - the next generation of Lionesses and how they hope to replicate the first team’s success.

Piece from Joie Stadium with input from Izzy Goodwin, Faye Kirby, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Lauren Hemp and Gracie Prior. ✍🏻 👇🏻

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
England Women: 'We depend on that DNA' - the next generation of Lionesses
The Lionesses have won back-to-back European titles but can the youngsters coming through replicate their success?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Erica Meg Parkinson's international football career could go in four directions. She can speak four languages and can represent four countries. For now, she’s England’s. Fascinating story from Erica who is with the U23s for the first time tonight ✍🏻👇🏻 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
England teenager Erica Meg Parkinson on multi-cultural upbringing
Erica Parkinson can speak four languages and is eligible to represent four countries - so why has she chosen to play for England?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:52 AM
WSL Football has been asked for the footage from their Women’s League Cup QF & SF draw due to concerns over the process after a ball was dropped then picked up again. Took place on TikTok. Believe they have also apologised to Spurs over a comment made. Full story 👇🏻

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Women's League Cup: WSL Football asked to provide draw footage because of concerns over process
WSL Football is asked for footage of the Women's League Cup quarter-final and semi-final draw after concerns over the process.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Having suffered plenty of past heartache at Barcelona's expense, Chelsea may have ordinarily celebrated a 1-1 draw with them in the Women's Champions League. But this felt like a missed opportunity.

Ps. Naomi Girma was excellent.

✍🏻👇🏻 #cfc

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona: Blues left to rue missed opportunity in Champions League draw
Having suffered plenty of past heartache at Barcelona's expense, Chelsea may have ordinarily celebrated a 1-1 Women's Champions League draw - but this was a missed opportunity.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:19 AM
BBC Sport sources say Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby is in advanced talks to become head coach at WSL 2 side Newcastle United. With colleague Andy Gray. 👇🏻

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Tanya Oxtoby: Northern Ireland manager in talks over Newcastle United job
Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby is in advanced talks to become head coach at WSL 2 side Newcastle United.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by Emma Sanders
There were about 5.5K (out of 6.8K) home supporters at the NLD at Brisbane Road today. Total crowd was almost double the previous record for a Brisbane Rd WSL game (figures from @emsandersbbc.bsky.social).

Great to see so many Spurs supporters make it to Brisbane Road. Hopefully it becomes a habit.
November 16, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I sat down with Mary Earps yesterday. She responds to reaction of her book, discusses bullying, her sexuality, freezing eggs for child birth & restrictive eating. You can watch the interview on BBC iPlayer & listen in full on BBC Radio 5 Live. Online ✍🏻👇🏻

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Mary Earps interview: Ex-England goalkeeper says 'I've not written the book to tear anyone down'
Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps says she has not written her autobiography to
www.bbc.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
I went for a walk in the park with West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner, her dogs and @girlsontheball.bsky.social to discuss mental wellbeing of WSL managers, how she manages it, the challenges & what more needs to be done. Interview here ✍🏻 👇🏻 #whufc

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
'It's a huge concern' - Rehanne Skinner on coaches' mental health
West Ham boss Rehanne Skinner knows what it's like to be in a lonely place in her job - and it is a common feeling among Women's Super League managers.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 9:32 AM
It is a luxury to have too many strikers, but Sarina Wiegman has had some tough decisions to make - and Aggie Beever-Jones has made it even harder. She was also impressed by Lucia Kendall.

Piece from Pride Park here ✍🏻👇🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
England 3-0 Australia: Aggie Beever-Jones grasps chance and Lucia Kendall impresses
Sarina Wiegman has had some tough decisions to make over England's strikers - and Aggie Beever-Jones has made it even harder after the 3-0 friendly win against Australia.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Manchester City defender Kerstin Casparij spoke to me about her personal journey with her sexuality, her support for LGBTQ+ and why she wants to “continue spreading love”. ✍🏻 👇🏻 #mcfc

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Manchester City defender Kerstin Casparij: 'Being gay didn't feel normal, until I became a footballer'
Manchester City's Kerstin Casparij always knew she
www.bbc.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Spent the morning at Weald Country Park with West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner (on her day off), her dogs Alfie, Luna and Poppy, and @girlsontheball.bsky.social talking about mental health. A really important discussion that we’re looking forward to sharing with you on our platforms soon. #whufc
October 20, 2025 at 11:44 AM
We discussed the Japanese talent in the WSL on BBC World Service Radio's "More than the score" podcast. Great to get insight from @aishiterutokyo and discuss the topic with @mazfaroo Listen to the podcast here 📻👇🇯🇵

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
October 16, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Reposted by Emma Sanders
Just wrapped up a great conversation with @emsandersbbc.bsky.social about Japanese woso's WSL invasion! The podcast will be up on the BBC World Service later tonight but in the meantime check out her story.
WSL: Why English clubs are battling to sign Japan's best talents
There are more Japanese players in the Women's Super League than ever before - what impact are they having?
www.bbc.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:39 PM
There are more Japanese players in the WSL than ever before and it is easy to see why. I spoke to Japan assistant @LeahBlayney on their qualities, their impact on the WSL and how she supports their moves. We'll also have a podcast out on BBC Sounds later with more ✍️👇🇯🇵

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
WSL: Why English clubs are battling to sign Japan's best talents
There are more Japanese players in the Women's Super League than ever before - what impact are they having?
www.bbc.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Fascinating discussion 👇🏻
"Soon, there will be a lot more 'unplayable' days." 🥵

@sammymewy.bsky.social talks with Climate Professor Dr. Radley Horton about climate change's impact on sports and whether the NWSL should align its calendar with European leagues.
October 15, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Millie Bright's international retirement is a reflection of a changing of the guard in Sarina Wiegman's England team - but her impact on their success is unquestionable. The true scale of her impact will surely be felt for many years. ✍🏻 👇🏻 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Millie Bright: How England defender left her mark on Lionesses
Millie Bright's international retirement is a reflection of a changing of the guard in Sarina Wiegman's team - but her impact on England's success is unquestionable.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Important topic and well said by Rehanne Skinner 👏 She spoke candidly to us in her press conference and @girlsontheball.bsky.social have done a great write-up here on World Mental Health Day.

girlsontheball.substack.com/p/the-game-i...
"The game is the game and we love it but there are more important things in life" | West Ham's Rehanne Skinner calls for increased mental health support in football
On World Mental Health Day, West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner called for improved mental health support for players, coaches and managers in football.
girlsontheball.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Everton's Katja Snoeijs had a hole in her heart which required major surgery at the age of 3 and was born with a leg that grew to be 6cms longer than the other. She had to wear special shoes. We spoke about all of that and Everton's book club... #efc ✍️👇

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Katja Snoeijs: Everton forward's unusual childhood with hole in her heart and one leg longer than the other
Born with a hole in her heart and a leg that grew to be six centimetres longer than the other, Everton's Katja Snoeijs did not experience an ordinary childhood.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 9, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Reposted by Emma Sanders
You heard London City Lionesses owner Michele Kang, stop sleeping on women's football 🗣️

🎥 @bbcsport, @emsandersbbc.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 4:03 PM
My exclusive interview with London City Lionesses owner Michele Kang is out on Football Focus tomorrow ahead of their first home game of the WSL season. You can also listen across BBC Sounds & read more online. We discuss multi-club ownership, transfer fees, ambition & fanbases 🎥 🎧 ✍🏻 #lcl
September 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM