Beth McCowen
LightNews LightNews
banner
bethmccowen.bsky.social
Beth McCowen
@bethmccowen.bsky.social
320 followers 120 following 150 posts
Freelance Sports Journalist | Deputy Editor at The Halfway Line
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
bethmccowen.bsky.social
Beth McCowen @bethmccowen.bsky.social · Aug 22
After injury cut his footballing career short, one Birmingham coach turned heartbreak into hope. Anwar Khattak established a grassroots academy that has changed thousands of lives across some of the city's overlooked areas ✍️

www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/footba...
'We're saving lives' - Inside the thriving Birmingham sports community
Anwar Khattak established the Birmingham Youth Sports Academy (BYSA) Foundation to help kids in overlooked areas.
www.birminghammail.co.uk
Reposted by Beth McCowen
the-word.news
New! Reporter @bethmccowen.bsky.social attended the AI Town Hall to bring you more on the @newsguild.org "News Not Slop" week of action.

the-word.news/2025/1205/ne...
December 5, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
tom-maher-tm.bsky.social
Wrote something a little different for @thehalfwayline.bsky.social this week!

As I tried to answer the question: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟒𝟖 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬?

Projected outcomes came with no shortage of drama...

thehalfwayline.com/2025/12/03/w...
What would a FIFA Women’s World Cup look like with 48 teams? - The Halfway Line
What if the FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil had matched the expanded format that the men's World Cup in 2026 has utilised?
thehalfwayline.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
the-word.news
New! @bethmccowen.bsky.social talks to the people behind the new data vis tool, the Trans News Initiative, by the @transjournalists.org.

the-word.news/2025/1128/tr...
New tool tracks how media covers trans communities
The Trans News Initiative quantifies and categorizes coverage with data
the-word.news
November 28, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
thehalfwayline.bsky.social
𝐄𝐦𝐦𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐒𝐖𝐍𝐓 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬

The USWNT head coach says her side must be clinical ahead of the Italy double-header.

#USWNT

thehalfwayline.com/2025/11/27/e...
Emma Hayes welcomes Italy challenge as benchmark for USWNT progress - The Halfway Line
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes urges her side toavoid the “slow starts” in the previous camp against a “top-echelon side” in Italy.
thehalfwayline.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
thehalfwayline.bsky.social
𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐩?

Controversy over the competition's recent draw raises the question of whether or not the organisers have their heart in the right place.

💭 Siôn Misra

thehalfwayline.com/2025/11/27/h...
Has women's football outgrown the Subway Cup? - The Halfway Line
A TikTok livestream disguising itself as a League Cup draw has raised questions around whether or not the powers at be truly value the growth of the women's game.
thehalfwayline.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:45 AM
bethmccowen.bsky.social
As climate change shifts the conditions in which we live, it would be naïve to think sport won’t be affected. It already is — and for women’s sport in particular, the challenges are two‑fold.

✍️ for The New Women’s Sport Magazine

thenewwomenssportmagazine.com/playing-thro...
Playing Through the Heat: Climate Change and Women’s Sport - The New Women's Sport Magazine
We cannot ignore our changing climate any longer. In an urgent and must-read feature, journalist Beth McCowen puts women’s sport, climate change and equity under the microscope.
thenewwomenssportmagazine.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
thehalfwayline.bsky.social
𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐚

FT: Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona

The two continue their unbeaten start in Europe, making this a matchup we’re likely to see again.

#UWCL

thehalfwayline.com/2025/11/20/t...
Talking points as Chelsea squander strong start against Barcelona - The Halfway Line
It was honours even at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night as Chelsea managed to stop their losing streak against the always strong Barcelona.
thehalfwayline.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
jennatonelli.bsky.social
With no due respect to the author of this piece, shut up.
kabest.bsky.social Katelyn Best @kabest.bsky.social · Oct 27
Deeply disappointed in Liz Eddy here, who I've always liked and respected. A reminder that we have a lot of work to do when it comes to educating the public about why trans inclusion isn't just morally correct, but competitively sound share.google/Gjf9a1Sl01eL...
National Women’s Soccer League must adopt gender standards to keep growing
Recent controversies across women’s sports — from swimming to track and field — have highlighted professional soccer lacks clear eligibility policies, unlike a growing number of other competitions.…
share.google
October 27, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
jamiespangher.bsky.social
"I had a really amazing time with Arsenal. Every good moment with a team at some point comes to an end, and I felt that it maybe is my time to move on."

I spoke to Lia Wälti about her move to Juventus, and 2025 ranking 'at the very top' of her career.

thehalfwayline.com/2025/10/14/l...
Lia Wälti" The 'right time to move on' from 'amazing' Arsenal - The Halfway Line
Juventus midfielder Lia Wälti reflects on her departure from Arsenal – "Every good moment with a team at some point comes to an end".
thehalfwayline.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
tim-stillman.bsky.social
Wonderful work by @jfdoodles.bsky.social
October 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
thehalfwayline.bsky.social
𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

The team look back over the weekend's Women's Super League action as Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal, and Man City all picked up three crucial points.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts now 🍏🎧
October 13, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
stacykess.bsky.social
If you haven't checked it out, please do! So many great freelancers have contributed to this project... @sandyernestallen.bsky.social, @newsjennifer.bsky.social, @bethmccowen.bsky.social, @ishraqhashmi.bsky.social, just to name a few.

eapmstyleguide.org/the-word/
October 10, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
thehalfwayline.bsky.social
𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

The Champions League was back in action this week! Man United win in Europe, Chelsea stumble and Arsenal fumble #UWCL

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts now 🍏🎧
October 10, 2025 at 9:24 AM
bethmccowen.bsky.social
"𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞"

I spoke to two journalists living with endometriosis about the progress which has been made in media coverage of this misunderstood disease, and the work that is left to be done.

eapmstyleguide.org/10-8-20205-w...
Not a strange word anymore - The Word / EAPM Style and Accessibility Guide
Endometriosis gains media attention through women journalists with first-hand knowledge, but coverage challenges continue
eapmstyleguide.org
October 9, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
equalaccesspublicmedia.org
Journalists living with endometriosis tell reporter @bethmccowen.bsky.social there's been progress in media coverage of this misunderstood disease, but there are still struggles — just like women's health at large and accessibility. Read more today in The Word.
Not a strange word anymore - The Word / EAPM Style and Accessibility Guide
Endometriosis gains media attention through women journalists with first-hand knowledge, but coverage challenges continue
eapmstyleguide.org
October 9, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
equalaccesspublicmedia.org
New today in The Word: How does the media handle misunderstood women's diseases like endometriosis? Reporter @bethmccowen.bsky.social talks to journalists who live with endometriosis and report on women's issues and sports.
Not a strange word anymore - The Word / EAPM Style and Accessibility Guide
Endometriosis gains media attention through women journalists with first-hand knowledge, but coverage challenges continue
eapmstyleguide.org
October 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
tim-stillman.bsky.social
New! Arsenal Women Arsecast with @jamiespangher.bsky.social and I 👇🏻🔴⚪️
October 6, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
thehalfwayline.bsky.social
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚

ESPN have announced that Disney+ will be the home of the Women's Champions League.

#UWCL #WomensChampionsLeague

thehalfwayline.com/2025/10/07/w...
Where to watch the Women's Champions League in Australia - The Halfway Line
Disney+ has been announced as the new home of the UEFA Women's Champions League in Australia and New Zealand.
thehalfwayline.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
thehalfwayline.bsky.social
𝐏𝐒𝐆 𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐧 '𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝' 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐖𝐂𝐋 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝

The Dutch international says the Red Devils “felt like a second home” as she prepares to face them at Old Trafford next month.

thehalfwayline.com/2025/10/06/p...
PSG midfielder Groenen 'very excited' to face Man United in UWCL - The Halfway Line
PSG's Jackie Groenen says former club Manchester United 'always felt like a second home' ahead of the two sides' upcoming UWCL meeting.
thehalfwayline.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
thehalfwayline.bsky.social
𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

FT: London City Lionesses 1-0 Liverpool

Liverpool remain winless as London City climb the table to seventh.

thehalfwayline.com/2025/10/05/l...
London City 1-0 Liverpool: Player ratings as Linari secures victory - The Halfway Line
London City Lionesses got their first ever top flight victory at Hayes Lane on Sunday afternoon as Elena Linari's penalty was the difference.
thehalfwayline.com
October 5, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
thehalfwayline.bsky.social
𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐰𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐞'𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐛

📊 @roossch91.bsky.social and @lambertsmarc.bsky.social dig into the short history of the Netherlands' latest addition.

thehalfwayline.com/2025/10/05/2...
HERA United: About the Netherlands' first women-only football club - The Halfway Line
The Netherlands' topflight — the Vrouwen Eredivisie — is now home to its first independent women's football club, HERA United.
thehalfwayline.com
October 5, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
thehalfwayline.bsky.social
𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 ‘𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭’ 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐖𝐒𝐋 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬

The Toffees head coach says his side want to be 'competitive' against Leicester City in the WSL this weekend.

#EFC #BarclaysWSL

thehalfwayline.com/2025/10/03/e...
Everton want to 'make it right' after three straight WSL losses - The Halfway Line
Everton manager Brian Sørensen is certain his side 'will have solutions' to break down Leicester City despite injury woes.
thehalfwayline.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:53 AM
bethmccowen.bsky.social
Read my interview with Mush and Saf, the passionate Coventry duo who are ensuring kids still have access to the experiences they had when they were growing up.

www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventr...
Creed creating a positive ripple effect through sport in the community
The Coventry duo who are giving kids the experiences they had when they were growing up
www.coventrytelegraph.net
October 2, 2025 at 9:05 AM
bethmccowen.bsky.social
𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ✍️

It was an absolute joy to sit down with Southampton forward Ellie Brazil last week for @thehalfwayline.bsky.social

I especially loved hearing about how much Mary Bashford's first professional goal meant not just to her, but to Brazil, too 👇

thehalfwayline.com/2025/10/01/e...
Exclusive: Ellie Brazil 'moving with good people' at Southampton - The Halfway Line
Ellie Brazil says she is 'up there with playing her most enjoyable football' at Southampton in the WSL 2 this season.
thehalfwayline.com
October 1, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Reposted by Beth McCowen
thehalfwayline.bsky.social
𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐥

"I personally would love nothing more than to get promoted with this team," the Southampton striker tells @bethmccowen.bsky.social 🗣️

Read more below ⬇️

thehalfwayline.com/2025/10/01/e...
Exclusive: Ellie Brazil 'moving with good people' at Southampton - The Halfway Line
Ellie Brazil says she is 'up there with playing her most enjoyable football' at Southampton in the WSL 2 this season.
thehalfwayline.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:36 AM