Westfield Matildas preparing for life after football

During National Careers Week, we celebrate the Westfield Matildas who are forging careers on and off the pitch.  

While the Westfield Matildas have made careers in Australia and internationally through football, many have also looked to prepare themselves for life beyond the pitch.  

Journey 2023

 

Westfield Matildas custodian Lydia Williams is among many that have explored other career routes while in the peak period of their career. The 33-year-old is soon to be the author a second children’s book Goal!!! (available June 2021), after releasing her first novel Saved!!! in 2019.

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Both books are inspired by Williams’ childhood, following a young girl and her move to the big city from the desert. The deep-rooted passion for animals and wildlife seen within her stories has extended academically, with the shot-stopper completing a Diploma of Science in Zoology. 

lydia williams-world book day

Defender Laura Brock holds a Bachelor in General Studies with a focus on completing a Diploma of Education in the future. Known for her leadership and nurturing qualities in both club and international environments, the transition of educating her younger teammates to potentially educating secondary students would be seamless.

Westfield Matildas’ partner Seven Consulting has reached their hand out to current players Elise Kellond-Knight and Tameka Yallop, who wish to expand their business and marketing expertise once they hang up the boots. Both Kellond-Knight (stuyding an Masters of Business Administration) and Yallop (Master of Marketing) flex the skills they have learned through their degrees.  

Many internationals currently balance their professional playing schedules with high level studies, planning for future career paths once they finish playing.

 

Aussie trio Caitlin Foord, Mackenzie Arnold and Karly Roestbakken currently study a Diploma in Nutrition. The qualifications open all three players to a career path which involves educating individuals on their nutrition and diet, useful knowledge to give an inspiring footballer, attempting to reach their peak physical performance.

Similarly, Clare Polkinghorne and Emily Gielnik have followed a sport-centric career trajectory, with the duo currently studying a Bachelor of Exercise Science.

Other current internationals have pursued potential career interests away from the game. Chloe Logarzo is in the process of completing an Interior Architecture Degree, while Everton midfielder Hayley Raso intends to be a paramedic after playing.

Meanwhile Norway-bound goalkeeper Teagan Micah, has completed her Bachelor of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

 

Paving the way for the current group to excel outside of football, are the many Australian internationals who have already made a name for themselves in their current careers.

Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont currently juggles the commitments of playing with being a registered nurse. Dumont spoke to Matildas.com.au in May 2020 about her role helping fight the COVID-19 pandemic during its peak in her home state Queensland.

MORE: Casey Dumont: 'You have to be a special breed to be a nurse'

A major hip injury in 2012 saw the 3-time capped Westfield Matilda take time away from football to focus on her studies. Dumont subsequently discovered a second passion for nursing, sparked by her nature that gains pride from helping and aiding others in need.

“It’s a different accomplishment – saving lives, keeping people safe, healing them and doing things they can’t do.” Dumont explains.

The current squad of Westfield Matildas continue a tradition of Australian female footballers carving out successful paths after their football boots have been hung up.  

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This article was originally published on the CommBank Matildas website.
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