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"Providing a platform to these voices is so important for the game" says Bex Smith as The Players podcast returns
17 March 2021
Bex Smith © Madeleine Penfold, BBC Sport & COPA90
Bex Smith is back with a second series of The Players, a collaborative women's football podcast, offering a platform to an even wider range of diverse voices.
The podcast, a collaboration between BBC Sport and COPA90, has proved a huge success so far. Series One brought some of the biggest names in women’s football together along with host Bex, a former New Zealand World Cup and Olympic Captain.
The second series, whicn will be broadcast on Wednesday 17 March, will welcome more huge names from the women’s game. Talking much more than just football, Bex will find out what makes the players tick, diving into mentalities and personalities beyond the pitch.
"We know that there's a discrepancy between representation of male and female voices and stories in sports media," Bex told womeninfootball.co.uk.
"The Players is looking to help close that gap, but also simultaneously provide a platform where players can help curate their own episodes and speak about the things that are important to them.
“We’ve covered topics that are vital to 'success' in today's world; things like resilience, leadership, determination, team-mates, relationships, areas of football that need attention like goalkeeping and coaching. We hope to show young girls (and boys) that it's ok to be competitive within a team – and that it can have huge benefits, both on and off the pitch!
“I've always said female footballers are some of the best role models out there, and Series 1 absolutely proved that. Series Two will welcome an even wider, more diverse display of voices. Providing a platform to these voices is so important for the game.”
Throughout the series, fans will also be given the opportunity to put questions to their favourite players. The first opportunity to do so comes later this week, with a one-off COPA90 webinar event, ‘The Players – Friends & Family’.
The opening episode will be followed by a new release every Wednesday thereafter on BBC Sounds.
Throughout the series, additional content related to The Players will be available on COPA90 (@copa90), BBC Sport (@bbcsport) and BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) platforms.
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Female footballers are some of the best role models out there, and Series 1 absolutely proved that. Series Two will welcome an even wider, more diverse display of voices. Providing a platform to these voices is so important for the game."
Bex Smith
Global Director of Women’s Game, Copa90