West Ham United midfielder Emily van Egmond says that having the opportunity to play regular football with the club in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League this season has been hugely important as she continues her preparation for this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The 27-year-old experienced Australian international joined The Hammers on loan from Orlando Pride in August 2020 after being starved of match action due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The player made her move to The Chigwell Construction Stadium permanent in January following a successful start to life in East London.
Van Egmond has been an ever-present for West Ham United in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League this season, scoring four goals in 17 appearances. With the Olympic Games approaching, Van Egmond says that like many of her Westfield Matildas teammates, playing overseas has been an important part of her preparation for the tournament while she also noted the growth of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League as a brand.
“It has been good,” Van Egmond told Football Australia Media. “Obviously with COVID, to be able to come over and play some games has been huge given the fact that the Olympics is going ahead.
“For the majority of the squad, they are in competitive environments at the moment playing week in, week out which is what you want when you can’t get together as a national team.
“The WSL is doing some fantastic things off the field in terms of promoting the women’s game and investing in the women’s game and hopefully, we will see it grow further in the future.”
Van Egmond is currently away on international duty with Australia with Tony Gustavsson’s side preparing for international friendly fixtures against Germany and The Netherlands. The Westfield Matildas return to action for the first time in 13 months when they take on the Germans in Wiesbaden this afternoon and Van Egmond is looking forward to what promises to be a stern test.
“Germany are a world class team, they have some of the best players individually in the world,” she added. “From a challenge point of view, it is going to be huge for us but it is one that we are looking forward to.
“It’s going to be a big test to see where we are at and to get a good gauge going into the Olympics and that’s the most important thing.
“We are focusing on ourselves as a team and we are doing what we can to be the best we can be for Tokyo.”
Australia’s international friendly against Germany in Wiesbaden is scheduled to kick-off at 3.10pm this afternoon.
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