Birmingham City have signed France youth international Chancelle Effa Effa from Le Havre.
It is understood the Blues, who won the WSL 2 title last season, paid just over £100,000 for the 19-year-old striker.
She progressed from Le Havre’s academy and made her debut for the senior team at the age of 15.
Effa Effa helped the club secure promotion back to the French top flight in her breakthrough season and signed a professional contract in December 2022.
The striker, who has represented France at every age group from the U16s through to the U23s, had a year remaining on her contract at Le Havre.
“I am very happy to be joining Birmingham City – such a historic club – and experience the Women’s Super League,” said Effa Effa.
“From my very first conversations with the club, I was won over by the project. I sensed a genuine desire to build something strong, with great ambition.
“I can’t wait to start this new adventure.”
Effa Effa helped France lift the Women’s U17s European title in 2023 before reaching the Women’s U19s European final two years later.
In total, she has scored 17 goals in 28 appearances for France’s age groups.
“Chancelle is a player we’ve been tracking for some time and we’re delighted to bring her to Birmingham City,” said manager Amy Merricks.
“She’s an exciting young forward with huge potential, who has already gained valuable experience in the French top flight and has consistently performed for France at youth international level.
“We’re looking forward to helping her continue her development and seeing the impact she can make in a Blues shirt.”
Trent Rockets’ continued their excellent form as they comfortably beat Birmingham Phoenix by seven wickets to move four points clear at the top of the men’s Hundred table, with two matches to go in the league phase.
Ellyse Perry and Alice Capsey starred as Birmingham Phoenix picked up their first win of the women’s Hundred with a nail-biting seven-wicket victory over Welsh Fire.
Chasing 145 in front of minority shareholder and England midfielder Jude Bellingham at Edgbaston, Capsey, who had earlier picked up two wickets, hit 51 (29) and Perry an unbeaten 68 (46) to help Phoenix home with one ball to spare.
Opener Davina Perrin fell just five balls into Phoenix’s chase while Tammy Beaumont couldn’t capitalise on being dropped on 10, picking out Heather Graham for 14, before Capsey and Perry came together for a match-changing 86-run third-wicket stand.
Capsey’s dismissal, caught cheaply at deep mid-wicket by Graham off the 82nd delivery, nearly proved the turning point, with Phoenix faltering from 24 runs required from 19 balls to needing 12 runs off the final set.
But captain Perry held her nerve, trading singles with Annerie Dercksen before dispatching Graham for a six and a four to see her side over the line.
The victory – only their third in 12 matches since the beginning of the 2025 edition – moves Phoenix off the foot of the table and into fifth place after four matches. Welsh Fire slip down to seventh, with one win and three defeats.
Earlier, the tournament’s leading run-scorer Georgia Voll struck a half-century for Fire against her former side, hitting nine fours and two sixes as she top-scored with 78 (55).
The Australian put on 58 for the first wicket with Ella McCaughan and a further 35 with Sophie Devine, who hit a flurry of late boundaries in her unbeaten 35 (19), but Fire were left to rue their lethargic powerplay, posting a run-a-ball 25-0.
Capsey collected 2-24 but Lauren Filer was the pick of the bowlers, conceding just 15 runs from her 20 deliveries.
Jos Buttler stars with 90 off 50 balls as Manchester Super Giants ease past Birmingham Phoenix at Old Trafford – with the home side winning by 87 runs to make it two wins from two in the men’s Hundred.
Birmingham Panthers earned a convincing 67-43 win at Leeds Rhinos to avoid finishing bottom of the Netball Super League.
In their final fixture of the season, whoever lost knew they would end the campaign bottom of the eight-team table.
The Panthers moved into a 17-11 lead by the end of the first quarter and stretched their advantage further to go in at half-time 31-18 in front.
At 37-19 ahead, the Panthers looked to be cruising, although the hosts reduced the deficit to only 12.
But the visitors quickly ended any home hopes of a fightback by pulling clear once more, with Betsy Creak ending with 49 goals.
This was only the Panthers’ third league win of the season, but they did end with back-to-back victories having defeated London Mavericks 52-51 on Sunday.
The Rhinos began their campaign with a 54-39 away success over the Panthers in February, but that was their only league win of the year.
Hi, and welcome to another edition of Prep Rally. I’m Eric Sondheimer. The greatest day in high school baseball for City Section players is when you make it to the Open Division or Division I championship game and get to play on Dodger Stadium. Another memorable day happened on Saturday.
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The Field of Dreams
Verdugo Hills players celebrate a 3-1 win over Taft in the City Section Division I final on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.
(Craig Weston / For The Times)
For Birmingham and Verdugo Hills, there was a celebration at Dodger Stadium after winning the City Open Division and Division I championships, respectively. But runner-ups Taft and El Camino Real got their moment of appreciation and memories, too.
It’s become clear to win the Open Division, the key requirement is having three pitchers. Birmingham’s two starters, Carlos Acuna and Nathan Soto, did their job. Acuna (11-0) had complete games in the first round and semifinals. Closer Aidan Martinez was waiting to be called upon and delivered at Dodger Stadium in support of Soto with four strikeouts in two innings.
Even with its pitching, Birmingham still needed someone to deliver a clutch hit in a 4-2 win. It was the improbable that happened. Masen Ruiz, who hadn’t come to the plate since May 7 while stuck on the bench, hit a three-run triple to break open the game after being put in as a defensive replacement. Here’s the report.
Verdugo Hills was the biggest surprise. The Dons entered the playoffs at 10-18 after finishing fourth in the Valley Mission League and defeated Taft 3-1. Anthony Velasquez threw a complete game, but the story was the Dons’ defense, from the infielders to the outfielders. Here’s the report.
Baseball
Lachlan Clark of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame will be on the mound against Norco. He threw a shutout the last time he faced the Cougars.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
The Southern Section Division 1 semifinals are set for Tuesday, and no one knows who’s going to make it to Cal State Fullerton. The games could go either way, with Harvard-Westlake at St. John Bosco and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at Norco.
The last time Lachlan Clark faced Norco two weeks ago, he threw a shutout. He’s expected to face left-hander Landon Hovermale. It’s Notre Dame’’s first road game of the playoffs. Harvard-Westlake is also facing its first road game against the defending Division 1 champions.
Norco received a tremendous performance from Jordan Ayala in a 3-0 win over Orange Lutheran. He struck out 10 with no walks and also hit a home run. James Clark hit two home runs and Julian Garcia struck out 14 in St. John Bosco’s 5-2 win over La Mirada.
Newport Harbor and Laguna Beach are surging in the playoffs. Here’s a report.
The state softball and baseball playoff pairings that will be announced next Sunday will be missing lots of teams. In City Section baseball, opting out are Birmingham, Granada Hills and El Camino Real. In softball, it’s Carson and Granada Hills.
Birmingham and El Camino Real have chosen to opt out of the state baseball playoffs. Pairings will be announced Sunday. It’s likely the final time that teams decide they don’t want to play in state playoffs because next season the first state championship games will take place, motivating schools to participate.
Softball
Liliana Escobar of JSerra threw a shutout in 1-0 win over Garden Grove Pacifica.
(Dylan Stewart)
The Southern Section Division 1 final in softball will take place probably Saturday with JSerra facing La Mirada at Bill Barber Park in Irvine.
The playoffs have been about the dominant performances of JSerra pitcher Liliana Escobar, who struck out 14 in eliminating defending champion Norco 2-0 last week.
The Southern Section will release final dates and times for its championships Monday.
In the City Section, Carson and Granada Hills could be headed for fourth straight final. First they each have to win their Wednesday semifinal games. Granada Hills hosts San Pedro and Carson hosts Birmingham. The championship game is expected to be Saturday in Long Beach.
Track
The moment Lawrence Kensinger of Venice broke a 53-year-old City Section record in the shotput with a mark of 65-11.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Things couldn’t have been more exciting at the City Section track and field finals when Lawrence Kensinger of Venice broke the second-longest held record in the shotput. It was set in 1973 and he obliterated it with a staggering mark of 65-11 putting him squarely in the competetion for a state title at the CIF state championships Friday and Saturday at Buchanan High School in Clovis.
At the Southern Section Masters Meet, there were plenty of outstanding marks in the girls’ competition, and sprinter Benjamin Harris of Servite set himself up to win multiple state titles. Here’s a look at top qualifiers.
Volleyball
Mira Costa has proven itself to be the No. 1 boys volleyball team in the state and the Mustangs are one win away from a Division I title. They face Northern California champion Northgate on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Fresno City College.
They’ve already accomplished what few teams have done — beat rival Loyola in three matches this season. They won the Southern California regional title with a five-set win over the Cubs.
Golf
The Southern California Regional championships are set for Thursday.
Austin Downing of San Marcos won the individual championship.
Notes . . .
Richard Simms has resigned after 21 years as girls’ soccer coach at Harvard-Westlake. His teams won four CIF championships and 18 Mission League titles. He coached the Thompson sisters, Alyssa and Gisele. Another Thompson sister is arriving in the fall….
In tennis, Harvard-Westlake continued its success by winning the Southern California Regional championship….
Steve Kennedy has resigned as softball coach at Newbury Park….
Loyola track star Ejam Yohannes has committed to Stanford….
Ernest Baskerville has resigned after seven years as basketball coach at South Pasadena….
Hurdler Peyton Brown from Trabuco Hills has committed to Cal Poly….
Terrence Worthy is the new basketball coach at West Covina….
Update from Orange Lutheran: “A serious allegation has been raised involving a former staff member at Orange Lutheran. The matter is currently under investigation by the Orange Police Department, and we are cooperating fully with their work. As the situation continues to develop,…
Orange Lutheran announced that the Orange Police Department is investigating “a serious allegation” made against a former staff member believed to have worked with the football program….
Sage Hill has promoted Jethro Julian to girls basketball coach after being the interim coach last season….
Dezi Delgado, who was all-Mission League as a sophomore baseball player at Sierra Canyon, said he is transferring to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame for his senior year….
From the archives: Trent Grindlinger
Former Huntington Beach catcher Trent Grindlinger.
(Nick Koza)
After a terrific high school career playing catcher for Huntington Beach, Trent Grindlinger has been equally impressive as a freshman for Tennessee.
He led the team going into last week’s SEC tournament action with a .357 batting average, eight home runs and 28 RBIs.
His younger brother, Jared, is expected to be a first-round pick in this summer’s amateur draft.
From the Los Angeles Times, a story on three-year JV player JJ Saffie of El Camino Real taking advantage of his opportunity to finally play varsity. He had two hits at Dodger Stadium.
Tweets you might have missed
Culver City’s volleyball team won the Southern Section Division 6 title with just two home matches all season because the gym was flooded in the fall. Sophomore Ken Hasegawa and senior Casey Brennan, who attended Palisades before the fire, have been big contributors.
Planet Fitness today announced the return of its annual High School Summer Pass program, which invites high school teens ages 14-19 to work out for FREE at any of its more than 2,900+ Planet Fitness locations throughout the U.S. and Canada between June 1 through Aug. 31. Teens…
Lawrence Kensinger of Venice sets City record in shotput 65-11. Amazing. He worked so hard with Notre Dame coach Nick Garcia. A record to remember today. pic.twitter.com/vAG1wJ42uI
In honor of Donovan Dent retiring from playing basketball, here’s a story from 2022 when he was The Times’ player of the year playing for Corona Centennial. https://t.co/mMA8gVgUT2
Have a question, comment or something you’d like to see in a future Prep Rally newsletter? Email me at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com, and follow me on Twitter at @latsondheimer.
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