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Frances Howe

Frances Howe

Frances Howe is a sports reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.

Fans at Accor Stadium for the Asian Cup final.

Heartbreak for Matildas as Japan seal narrow win in the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup

The Matildas have the chance to win the Asian Cup title for the first time since 2010 but face one of the world’s best women’s sides in Japan. Kick-off is at 8pm AEDT; follow all the action live.

  • Vince Rugari, Frances Howe and Emma Kemp

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Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr both have lucrative personal brands off the pitch.

The Matildas may not have sold out their Asian Cup matches – but they were winners long before it began

Mary Fowler’s brand is so lucrative that even though her salary is less than half what partner Nathan Cleary earns, she likely takes home far more.

  • Frances Howe
Ex-Matildas captain Melissa Barbieri gets emotional when talking about the growth of the Matildas.

‘I told you so’: The sight that brought this former Matildas captain to tears

When Melissa Barbieri’s Matildas won the Asian Cup in 2010, they were largely ignored by media on their return to Australia. On Thursday, the contrast could not have been starker.

  • Frances Howe
Michael Milton competes during the Para Alpine Skiing Men’s Slalom Standing on day nine.

‘I’m not sure I had fun’. Milton’s bitter end to Games after 20-year comeback

Six-time Paralympian Michael Milton cheekily told journalists to “f— off” when asked if he would return for another Games in 2030. It was followed by a rare smile.

  • Frances Howe
Bruce the emu inside Alexandra Rexova’s bathroom.

The Slovakian, the emu held for ransom and Paralympic medals

Slovakian alpine skier Alexandra Rexova hid Australia’s mascot in her bathroom for two days. It was never in danger.

  • Frances Howe
Taryn Dickens is Australia’s first vision impaired athlete to compete in biathlon and cross-country skiing at a Paralympic Games.

When athlete Taryn Dickens aims her rifle, she closes her eyes. This is why

Taryn Dickens is the first Australian to compete in the para-biathlon at a Paralympic Games with a visual impairment.

  • Frances Howe
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Bronze medallist Ben Tudhope of Team Australia celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Para Snowboard Men’s Banked Slalom SB-LL2.

In 2018, Tudhope’s support crew was modest. In Milano Cortina, it was a different story

Ben Tudhope won Australia’s second medal of the Games – a bronze in the men’s snowboard banked slalom.

  • Frances Howe
Gold medallist Anastasiia Bagiian of Team Russia and guide Sergei Siniakin celebrate to their team as they make their way to the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women’s 10km Para Cross-Country Skiing Vision Impaired race.

German athletes investigated over podium protest during Russian anthem

The International Paralympic Committee will investigate a podium protest during Russia’s national anthem, while Ukrainian officials have accused the IPC of discrimination.

  • Frances Howe
Former Matildas coach, Tom Sermanni, says North Korea play soccer like it’s a matter of life and death.

After a doping ban in 2013, North Korea vanished from women’s football. Until now

North Korea are the “dark horse” of women’s football, according to Tom Sermanni, who was the last Australian coach to go up against the team.

  • Frances Howe and Emma Kemp
Liana France’s family with their custom flag made on strict instructions from the 16-year-old.

‘Yeah the girls’: Teen becomes Australia’s youngest female Winter Paralympian

Liana France, 16, made her Paralympic debut on Thursday in front of her family who waved a custom pink flag with her face on it.

  • Frances Howe