Governing body’s CEO Joanna Coates believes work needs to be done to ensure policies and procedures are clear and consistent

A call for zero-tolerance life bans for abusive coaches has been backed by the CEO of UK Athletics (UKA), Joanna Coates, following the publication of an open letter to the national governing body which was signed by almost 2000 names.

British athletes Anna Gordon, Kate Seary and Mhairi Maclennan launched a petition earlier this month regarding the sanctions handed to coaches who are found to have broken the conditions of their coaching licence in cases relating to physical or sexual misconduct, harassment or abuse and the campaign received worldwide support.

Coates says a review is under way and that she “completely and utterly” agrees that for certain violations within the sport there should be a lifetime ban.

“We can make a statement about it but we now need to make sure that our policies and procedures reflect what we are saying,” Coates adds. “Some of them already do, I have to say, but we must ensure that we continue to change the culture of the organisation where people feel they can come forward. That’s what we should do as a governing body, we should provide a safe environment.

“Through the Christopher Quinlan review we knew we had quite a lot of work to do around safeguarding and discipline, especially when it’s around anything sexual, physical, aggressive or coercive. We have been working through that review and we will publish some more results at the end of March.

“I suppose it [the open letter] highlighted to me this nuance around the language that is used, because there is provision for lifetime bans within the coach licensing. Even if some coaches have had suspensions and people don’t think it is long enough, it is reviewed at that point – that doesn’t mean they get their licence back. That’s our error – it is not people not understanding, it is our error that we are not communicating that correctly.”

Coates believes work needs to be done to ensure the governing body’s policies and procedures are clear and consistent, while the launch of a new safeguarding software, MyConcern, is also in the pipeline as a way for people to report any concerns.

UKA can currently be contacted via [email protected]

“We were massively overwhelmed, humbled and motivated by the response and support we have received,” said Seary, Maclennan and Gordon, with Gordon having last year set up a peer platform ‘Signpost to Safety‘ which is designed to be a “bridge” between athletes and welfare officers in the UK.

“To see the power it can have when people unite their voices like this can really restore your faith in humanity.”

Ulster captain Iain Henderson has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the province until at least 2023.

His deal was set to expire this summer.

Having made his senior Ulster debut in 2012, Henderson succeeded Rory Best as the province's captain in 2019.

The 29-year-old has played 60 times for Ireland and represented the British & Irish Lions on the 2017 tour of New Zealand.

"It has been a great honour to captain both Ulster and Ireland in recent times," said Henderson.

"Irish rugby is in a good place despite the disruption the sport has experienced during the pandemic.

"As professionals we have been in a privileged position to be able to continue playing and I know we all hope to see supporters back in the Aviva Stadium and Kingspan Stadium in the near future."

Securing Henderson's deal is another big step for Ulster, who agreed to extensions with 23 senior players earlier this year.

Former Ireland prop Gary Halpin has died at the age of 55.

He spent the early part of his playing career at Leinster before moving to England where he enjoyed spells at Harlequins and London Irish.

Halpin also represented Ireland in the hammer throw at the 1987 World Championships.

The front-row forward famously scored a try against New Zealand in the pool stages of the World Cup in South Africa.

A teacher by profession, Halpin most recently worked as the head of boarding at Cistercian College in his home county.

The 2021 NHL season looks to have turned a corner, with games running smoothly (and as scheduled) recently, following a number of additional protocols undertaken due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

In this week's edition of ESPN's power rankings, we identified a stat for each team that helps tell the story of their season.

How we rank: The ESPN hockey editorial staff submits selections ranking teams 1 to 31 -- taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule -- and those results are tabulated in the list featured here.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to our Week 5 edition, published on Feb. 17. Points percentages are through the games of Feb. 23.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: .750
This week: vs. CGY (Feb. 24); @ EDM (Feb. 27, March 1)

Auston Matthews' 16-game point streak came to an end on Monday. But he still has 18 goals in his first 19 games, which would pace him for 78 (!) in a full 82-game season.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: .719
This week: vs. CAR (Feb. 24, 25); vs. DAL (Feb. 27); @ DAL (March 2)

No Nikita Kucherov, no problem ... for now. The Lightning are tops in the league averaging 3.63 goals per game. It helps that Steven Stamkos is in full rebound mode, at a career-high rate of 1.21 goals per game through 14.

3. Boston Bruins

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: .750
This week: @ NYI (Feb. 25); @ NYR (Feb. 26, 28)

There were some people who figured David Pastrnak would regress this season. Those people were wrong. Pastrnak has scored 59 goals and 113 points in his last 82 games, dating back to last season.

4. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: .735
This week: @ TB (Feb. 24, 25); @ FLA (Feb. 27, March 1); @ NSH (March 2)

The Lightning finally found a way to score on the Canes and picked up a win on Monday. It marked the first regulation loss at home for Carolina in 359 days. Almost made it a year!

5. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: .719
This week: @ SJ (Feb. 25); @ ANA (Feb. 27); vs. MIN (Feb. 1)

Is it time to start talking about Marc-Andre Fleury as a serious Vezina Trophy candidate? The Flower is first in goals saved above expectation (10.36) according to Natural Stat Trick. His .942 save percentage tops all goalies with at least five starts.

6. Colorado Avalanche

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: .633
This week: vs. MIN (Feb. 24); @ ARI (Feb. 26, 27); @ SJ (March 1)

The Avs stuck with Philipp Grubauer instead of looking for goaltending help this offseason. That has paid off. He's tracking for career bests in save percentage (.932), goals-against average (1.78) and is already one shutout shy of tying his career best (three).

7. Florida Panthers

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: .765
This week: vs. DAL (Feb. 24, 25); vs. CAR (Feb. 27, March 1)

The Cats put up 29 shots in the second period against Dallas on Monday. While Chris Driedger and the blue line's surprise performances have been big stories, the offense is driving this team. It's legit.

8. Philadelphia Flyers

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: .633
This week: vs. NYR (Feb. 24); @ BUF (Feb. 27, 28); @ PIT (March 2)

A poor outing in his first outdoor game put a spotlight on Carter Hart's season, and the numbers aren't pretty. The 22-year-old has been struggling to find consistency, posting a .891 save percentage through 10 games.

9. Edmonton Oilers

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: .619
This week: @ VAN (Feb. 25); vs. TOR (Feb. 27, March 1)

Connor McDavid cannot be stopped. It took him 92 games to go from 0-100 points to start his NHL career. 82 games to get the next hundred. 68 games to get the next hundred. 67 games for the hundred after that. And 64 games to go from 400-500, which he hit last week.

10. Winnipeg Jets

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: .639
This week: vs. MTL (Feb. 25, 27); vs. VAN (March 1, 2)

The Jets are clicking, and their most consistent performer has been Mark Scheifele. He's helping usher Pierre-Luc Dubois into the lineup on the top line (until Dubois switches back to center), and is on a 10-game point streak (seven goals, nine assists).

11. Washington Capitals

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: .611
This week: vs. PIT (Feb. 25); @ NJ (Feb. 27, 28)

As Nicklas Backstrom nears the 700 career assist milestone this week, let's note that the center is also off to his best start (22 points in his first 18 games) in nine seasons.

12. Montreal Canadiens

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: .611
This week: @ WPG (Feb. 25, 27); vs. OTT (March 2)

The Habs are in a bit of a slump right now, but still well positioned to qualify for the postseason. They play heavy, which should bode well if they do make it. Montreal leads the league in hits per 60 minutes (28.95).

13. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: .618
This week: @ WSH (Feb. 25); @ NYI (Feb. 27, 28); vs. PHI (March 2)

We're still not sure what to make of this 2021 Penguins team, but they have been squeezing out wins. Pittsburgh leads the league with a .800 winning percentage in one-goal games.

14. New York Islanders

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: .583
This week: vs. BOS (Feb. 25); vs. PIT (Feb. 27, 28); @ NJ (March 2)

The Islanders love to play at home. They're 5-0-1 at Nassau Coliseum this season, but 4-6-2 everywhere else. Now is a good time to make up ground in the East: eight of the Isles' next nine games are on Long Island.

15. St. Louis Blues

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: .579
This week: vs. LA (Feb. 24); @ SJ (Feb. 27); @ ANA (March 1)

St. Louis has been snake-bitten by injuries and still needs to find consistency. But Justin Faulk has been fantastic for them. At 5-on-5, he's been on the ice for 23 goals for and just nine against.

16. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: .600
This week: @ CBJ (Feb. 25); vs. DET (Feb. 27, 28)

Chicago entered the season without five of their top 10 goal scorers from last season. That's why it's such a pleasant surprise that three newcomers -- Philipp Kurashev, Mattias Janmark and Pius Suter -- have combined for 17 goals already.

17. Minnesota Wild

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: .600
This week: @ COL (Feb. 24); vs. LA (Feb. 26, 27); @ VGS (March 1)

The Wild seem to have found a terrific line combo with rookie Kirill Kaprizov, Victor Rask, and the recently returned Mats Zuccarello. Albeit in a small sample size, the trio have an expected goals for percentage of 67.7%.

18. Los Angeles Kings

Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: .559
This week: @ STL (Feb. 24); @ MIN (Feb. 26, 27)

Raise your hand if you had Dustin Brown atop the West Division goal-scoring race. The 36-year-old has 10 goals through his first 17 games (and reached his 1,200-game milestone this week).

19. New Jersey Devils

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: .500
This week: @ BUF (Feb. 25); vs. WSH (Feb. 27, 28); vs. NYI (March 2)

Corey Crawford's surprise retirement just meant the Mackenzie Blackwood era could begin sooner. The 24-year-old is starting to look like a franchise goalie, going 4-2-1 with a .935 save percentage to begin the season.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: .525
This week: vs. CHI (Feb. 25); @ NSH (Feb. 27, 28); vs. DET (March 2)

As the Blue Jackets strive for more consistency, their top defensive pairing isn't quite as dangerous as usual. Zach Werenski is managing an injury while Seth Jones has been on the ice for 17 Columbus goals and 25 from opponents.

21. Dallas Stars

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: .538
This week: @ FLA (Feb. 24, 25); @ TB (Feb. 27); vs. TB (March 2)

Dallas needs to figure out a way to get better starts. They've scored just five first-period goals in 21 games this season (for context, the Oilers lead the league with 28 first-period goals through 28 games).

22. New York Rangers

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: .469
This week: @ PHI (Feb. 24); vs. BOS (Feb. 26, 28); vs. BUF (March 2)

The Rangers are still finding their way, dealing with on- and off-ice adversity. But they do lead the league in one interesting stat: takeaways per 60 minutes; they're averaging nearly eight!

23. San Jose Sharks

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: .471
This week: vs. VGS (Feb. 25); vs. STL (Feb. 27); vs. COL (March 1)

Erik Karlsson's offensive production decline has been steep. The well-paid defenseman should return this week from a lower-body injury, but note his points-per-game rate (0.31) is nearly a third of what it was in his first Sharks season (0.85).

24. Arizona Coyotes

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: .528
This week: vs. ANA (Feb. 24); vs. COL (Feb. 26, 27)

Last week, we highlighted Conor Garland. This week, it's Christian Dvorak. He may be riding a sky-high shooting percentage (25.0%) but he has nine goals through 18 games, not insignificant.

25. Calgary Flames

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: .500
This week: @ TOR (Feb. 24); @ OTT (Feb. 25, 27, March 1)

Calgary's shutout of Toronto on Monday was pretty historic, giving a boost to a struggling team. It was the first time the Flames shut out the Maple Leafs in Toronto since the franchise relocated to Calgary.

26. Vancouver Canucks

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: .391
This week: vs. EDM (Feb. 25); @ WPG (March 1, 2)

Entering the season, Elias Pettersson was a serious MVP candidate, but it hasn't gone his (or the Canucks') way. Pettersson leads the league with eight shots that have hit either the crossbar or a post (no one else has more than four).

27. Buffalo Sabres

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: .438
This week: vs. NJ (Feb. 25); vs. PHI (Feb. 27, 28); @ NYR (March 2)

The number Sabres fans are fixated on is zero. That's how many goals Jeff Skinner has scored this season, despite making $9 million. Is now an appropriate time to mention he's under contract through 2026-27?

28. Nashville Predators

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: .444
This week: @ DET (Feb. 25); vs. CBJ (Feb. 27, 28); vs. CAR (March 2)

Oh, where to begin in depicting Nashville's misery this season? The Predators have zero games where they led entering the third period, and have only held a two-goal lead three times.

29. Anaheim Ducks

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: .395
This week: @ ARI (Feb. 24); vs. VGS (Feb. 27); vs. STL (March 1)

The Ducks are the only team besides the Red Wings to average fewer than two goals per game this season. So you understand why fans are so excited for the arrival of highly touted prospect Trevor Zegras.

Rite of passage for any NHL rookie - the solo lap. Go get 'em, @tzegras11! #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/fFKYqHb0mi

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) February 23, 2021

30. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: .310
This week: vs. NSH (Feb. 25); @ CHI (Feb. 27, 28); @ CBJ (March 2)

There are a few ways to show why the Red Wings just aren't there yet, but their power play has been so futile it's worth noting here. After Tuesday's blanking, they have now gone 13 games without scoring on the man advantage (0-for-36 in that stretch).

31. Ottawa Senators

Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: .310
This week: vs. CGY (Feb. 25, 27, March 1); @ MTL (March 2)

Ottawa is worst in the league with four goals against per game. The Senators also have a league-high eight losses in games where they outshoot their opponents. Likely related: Brady Tkachuk leads the league in shots taken.

Eight hundred and seventeen goalies have appeared in a National Hockey League game since the 1917-18 season, from George Abbott to Rob Zepp. Many of them have tried to accomplish one of professional sports' most exhilarating but rare feats. But to date, only seven of them have done it: a goaltender scoring a goal, on their own shot attempt, from the other end of the ice.

There have been 15 goals credited to 12 goalies in NHL history, beginning with Billy Smith of the New York Islanders in Nov. 1979. Seven of them were scored like Smith's was: The goalie was credited with a goal because they were the last player to touch the puck before an opposing player accidentally put the puck into their own empty net.

The other eight goals, however, were scored when a goaltender shot the puck from around his own crease into the opposing empty net, typically around 180 feet away. It's a feat of skill that, frankly, goes against the central programming of the position.

"When goalies are growing up and practicing, they're not trying to score a goal," said former NHL goalie Evgeni Nabokov, who scored on a shot for the San Jose Sharks in 2002. "Because your primary job is to stop the puck, you know?"

Former New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur leads all NHL goaltenders with three goals scored in his Hall of Fame career, including one he shot into his opponents' net in 1997.

"You have to be strong enough to shoot the puck over everybody's head and into the net," he said. "It's a little bit like a quarterback trying to throw a Hail Mary. You have to get through those windows of players in front of you before [the puck] can end up where you need it to go."

Some goalies view scoring goals as a science. Others see it as absolute, unrepeatable luck. But those who have scored goals on shots say there are rules and techniques that have to be followed for them to happen. And they all have their theories on why the NHL hasn't seen more of them.

Jump to:
Hextall | Brodeur | Theodore
When to try it | How to do it
Why not more?

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has stepped down following a dismal campaign that has left the Scottish Premiership club 18 points behind leaders Rangers, the club said on Wednesday.

Lennon's last game in charge was Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Ross County, which left Celtic's hopes of a 10th consecutive league title further in tatters.

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Celtic completed a quadruple Treble in December by winning the 2019-20 Scottish Cup but Lennon had come under increasing scrutiny after falling well behind Rangers this season, who need just seven points from their last eight games to secure the league title.

"We have experienced a difficult season due to so many factors and it is very frustrating and disappointing that we have not been able to hit the same heights as we did previously," Lennon said in a statement.

"I have worked as hard as ever to try and turn things around, but unfortunately we have not managed to get the kind of run going that we have needed."

Assistant manager John Kennedy will take interim charge of Celtic, who host fourth-placed Aberdeen on Saturday.

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka said social media abuse is killing football but that he is "not scared" to play in front of fans again despite being targeted for online abuse.

The 28-year-old has endured a stormy relationship with Gunners supporters ever since arriving from Borussia Monchengladbach for £34 million in May 2016.

Xhaka has often been singled out for criticism and the midfielder reacted furiously when his substitution was cheered by the Emirates Stadium crowd during a Premier League game against Crystal Palace in October 2019. He threw his shirt to the ground and told supporters to "f--- off" in an incident which led to him being stripped of the captaincy by then boss Unai Emery.

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"It is one of many [examples], if I am honest," Xhaka, speaking ahead of Arsenal's Europa League round-of-32 second leg against Benfica said. "If I showed the others what they write, I think I have to close my social media, everyone has to close social media. I say that before and I will say that now and in the future as well, it is only about me.

"They are not supporters of my club. I do not see them as supporters of my club -- to support the club they have to be here if we lose, we draw or we win... But if one guy is a ticket holder at the club and speaks like this about his own players I don't think he needs respect from our side or other people.

"I am the guy who is on the pitch. It is not my wife, it is not my little one, it is not my family. So if you want to criticise someone, no problem to criticise me like a person, like a player. But don't make the other people involved because they have nothing to do with my job.

"So you have to open our eyes and to look after this a lot, because I think you kill the football like this if the people start to speak about a player or their families or things like this."

"Secondly, I have a lot of help from the club because this is something we have to speak very openly about. You don't have to be quiet and say: 'Yeah, I keep it with me,' because it is not always easy.

"I wish I could meet the people who write me the things, to sit with them, eyes by eyes and to ask them, why are you writing things like this? Not only for me personally, because it happens a lot in the last few weeks, but only to know what he is feeling in this moment when he writes things like this. This is not acceptable."

The British government this week outlined plans for supporters to return to stadia in time for the end of the league season in May and when asked whether he has been happy to play behind closed doors given his history, Xhaka replied: "Not really, I'm not a guy who is scared or afraid to play in front of our fans -- never, ever.

"I love the club and I respect the people around the team as well. I wish we could play with the fans because they would push us more and more and more.

"But the situation is what it is and hopefully things will change as quickly as possible to have the fans back and work together, to see we are improving and we want to take the next step as a club -- this is what I wish."

An Arsenal spokesperson said in a statement the club provides psychological and legal support for players suffering online abuse, and continues to celebrate diversity as well as enforcing a zero tolerate approach to discrimination.

"As a club we are committing to using our voice and network to strengthen measures and action taken by relevant authorities to punish those responsible for this abuse which affects us all. Where any individual is found to have an Arsenal membership, they will be banned. We are working with the authorities to report abuse to the police. We cannot and will not let hateful abuse become a normalised part of the game," the statement added.

"We all need to work together to drive this behaviour out. This includes clubs, governing bodies, fans, media and politicians; but requires the help and commitment of social media companies. We cannot underestimate the impact abuse has on individuals and the recent spate of abuse needs to be a wake-up call."

Quilmes' all-time leading youth scorer Jose Luis Valdez has announced his retirement from football at the age of 22.

The striker has taken the surprise decision after not being considered by Quilmes coach Facundo Sava for the first team ahead of the new campaign.

Valdez, who scored two goals in 10 appearances while on loan at Talleres de Remedios De Escalada earlier his season, was contracted with second division club Quilmes until this summer.

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"I thought that this day was never going to come, I thought that I would never make this decision," Valdez wrote on Instagram.

"After almost 11 years of playing football, being away from family, friends, everything that does us good, I made the decision not to play anymore. I may be wrong, but I know that I make this decision with my heart and knowing that I leave happy. Today another stage begins, very different from all of them. Thank everyone who made it possible for me to play and be happy."

Valdez joined Quilmes in 2010 as a 12-year-old and made a huge impact with the youth teams.

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A post shared by Jose Valdez (@129valdez)

He played for Argentina's Under-15 and U17 squads and was among 16 promising Argentinian players invited to train with the senior team ahead of the 2015 Copa America.

In his farewell post, Valdez, who made his debut in Argentina's top flight with Quilmes in August 2016, gave a brief account of his career and the sacrifices he has made along the way.

"Sometimes football gives much sadness, but also much joy," he wrote. "Many years of sacrifice, missing important dates because I had to train or play a game. The injuries that played against you, the atmosphere that sometimes didn't let you play a game or didn't even let you train.

"Living in a boarding house, where every year you met new people, you had to become everyone's companions, without even meeting anyone.

"Leaving behind a family to fulfil a dream, to be able to debut in the First Division and give that satisfaction to your family, to be able to score a goal in the First Division, to be able to become champion."

Since making his first team debut, Valdez made 15 appearances for Quilmes but did not find the back of the net.

Manchester City and USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen is backing a campaign to end systemic racism in US Soccer.

The Anti-Racist Project will fund training for players, coaches, fans and executives from grassroots soccer to professional level across the United States.

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Created by Common Goal, a social impact collective of which Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp are members, USMNT No.1 Steffen said the time for simply talking about the issue of racism is over.

"There's been so much talk over the last months about racism in soccer and beyond and enough is enough; it's time to take action," Steffen said.

"We need to show people how to be anti-racist. I wanted to join this project because it is the kind of collective action necessary to make large-scale change, and I hope that this project will go worldwide and create a new culture of inclusion in as many countries as possible."

Organisers hope to train 5,000 coaches, 60,000 young people and 115 staff in more than 400 communities in the first year.

After rolling out the campaign in the US, the Anti-Racist Project is hoping to bring its resources to other countries.

Premier League players have been taking the knee before games since June but Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has stated his intention to stop because of his belief that it's "not enough."

"I remember being chased around the field being called the N-word" former USMNT defender Tony Sanneh, one of the figures behind the Anti-Racist Project, said.

"We have made some progress but not enough. Racism takes many forms. Sometimes it's an obvious individual manifestation, but it's also the structural barriers embedded in the game at different levels.

"But the end result is the same -- people of colour are excluded from the game. We know what the problem is, now is the time to go and fix it."