Women driving change and excellence in this Team of the Week.
Abi Burton steps into a landmark leadership role for women’s rugby, Ellia Smeding completes a remarkable comeback to secure her place at a second Olympic Games, and Lauren Baltayan breaks new ground with a career defining British Junior Open title. Alongside them, Simon Yates bows out on his own terms after a Grand Tour winning career few could match.
Abi Burton
England rugby star
Back row Abi Burton, who stars for England and Trailfinders Women, has been selected to be chair of a landmark leadership group of PWR players. The World Cup winner, will lead the Women’s Rugby Board set up by The RPA. The new separate women's board will ensure women's players are better represented and able to respond to "specific challenges and opportunities they face" say the RPA.
Lauren Baltayan
British Junior Open winner
If you don't know, squash is dominated by Egypt. At this year's centennial British Junior Open, 9 out of 10 champions were from the African nation. The exception? France's Lauren Baltayan in the GU19 competition - her first ever BJO win in her seventh and final attempt that makes her the second ever French female winner in the competition. A huge victory as she prepares for the move to senior level squash.
Simon Yates
Two-time Grand Tour winner
Despite winning the 2025 Giro d’Italia, Simon Yates has called time on his cycling career at just 33 years old. Yates turned professional in 2014 alongside his identical twin, Adam, and has since gone on to win 11 Grand Tour stages and secure two overall victories. It’s very rare in sport that an athlete gets to go out on their own terms, but Simon has done exactly that. A tip of the hat to you, sir.
Ellia Smeding
Team GB skater
It’s been a tough year, but she’s back and what a story of resilience. Ellia Smeding will be heading to her second Olympic Winter Games, after overcoming a difficult year of injury. Smeding has returned to the top 10 in the world rankings and will be representing Team GB in long track speed skating at Milano Cortina 2026. At Beijing 2022, Smeding delivered Team GB's best ever Olympic result by a female long track speed skater, while she was the first to compete for GB since 1980.
