When we asked Emily Van Egmond what she would like to say to the Matildas fans, her answer was short and instant. "Thank you," she said.
The Matildas veteran made her international debut at just 16 and was eighth athlete to reach 100 caps for the international women's team. Since that time she's added Nike athlete, international club star, and becoming a new mum to her CV. Now reflecting on her career, recognising the way the game has changed and what that means for future female athletes is close to her heart. "The girls that were on this team before us, we're so thankful to them that we now get to come in and play. We've had more investment in our careers as a result." As for the players that come after her, she says "they're going to be fine. Which is how it should be."
Ahead of the upcoming friendly game between Australia and New Zealand in Gosford, we caught up with Van Egmond and talked all things women's sport, the music she's listening to and which of her Matildas team would be the most ruthless in a game of Monopoly.
What is something about you that people might not know?
I'm a twin. I have a twin brother.
What's your star sign?
Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?
Introvert is the one that's not as social? Definitely introvert.
What is your current favourite movie and your favourite artist?
My favourite movie all time is The Fast & The Furious. And my favourite artist right now would have to be... I mean, I have to say Justin Bieber.
Who on the team do you think would be the most ruthless in a game of Monopoly?
Ooh. Maybe Alanna Kennedy. She wouldn't cheat but she would definitely be the most ruthless.
Who's always the first to fall asleep on a long bus ride or plane trip?
Mackenzie Arnold.
And who do you think is generally always fashionably late, and then who's always early?
I'm always early, but fashionably late? I would say Alanna Kennedy.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
Just to try to stay happy and be happy.
How do you get into the zone before a match? Do you have a go to song?
We actually usually have a dedicated DJ. We have a playlist that's quite good. But usually I just try not to think about the game too much. I just try to relax. I think that's the best.
Do you have any personal heroes?
My Dad.
You've had a very successful career, what was that moment that made you realise that you had made it as a professional footballer?
Probably when I made a 2011 World Cup squad. I was young, I was 17 I think. I had actually just missed out on the 2010 Asian Cup squad. And I kind of had a decision ahead of me, do I want to be in the Matildas, or am I going to choose to cruise through. But I worked really hard and I made the 2011 World Cup squad. At that point I thought – okay, this is what I want to do.
In your career, you've travelled to some amazing destinations. Do you have any favourites?
Jordan. It was actually amazing. We had a tournament in Jordan and we got to go to the Dead Sea. We were a little bit younger and everyone said you can't put your head under the water. I thought, okay sure. But quite literally, you can't go under the water. It was incredible to see it, Jordan was a very cool place. Our parents came and they went to Petra and they loved it.
What's your proudest achievement to date?
Probably becoming a mum.
What advice would you give to young people who aspire to play sports professionally?
Honestly, I would say, enjoy it. Keep a smile on your face and keep believing in yourself.
How do you feel the women's game has changed?
There's so many different elements, but I would say the investment. It's actually really interesting, I think the women's game has got such a platform to continue to grow.
I mean when you see sports like tennis and golf and [women's] sport like this that have been doing well for so many years – I think its really cool to look at the WNBA for example, there's so much hype and a lot of exposure. Now football is one of those getting a lot of hype and a lot of exposure. It's good and to have certain people getting behind the sport as a whole. Like Michele Kang for example, she's invested in a number of teams and put certain leagues on a platform. She's paving the way and making it all possible.
Also the way America runs their league compared to the way the England does, its like two different products but they're both so successful. Young, aspiring female athletes can hopefully now see there's a different pathway for them and if it's something they want to continue to do, they can.
It's truly changed so much. The girls that were on this team before us, we're so thankful to them that we now get to come in and play. We've had more investment in our careers as a result. And the players that come after us, from a financial point of view, they're going to be fine. Which is how it should be.
Is there anything that you would love to tell your fans?
Honestly, just 'thank you'.
And hopefully they can get out and rally behind the Asian Cup. The World Cup was amazing and we really felt it. We love coming home and playing in front of them all.
