Wilkinson

The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website | home

Wilkinson

Late Bloomer 'Wilky' Making Up For Lost Time

by Jeremy Ruane

photo courtesy Getty Images

It's fair to say Football Ferns front-runner Hannah Wilkinson has been something of a late bloomer on the New Zealand women's scene. But the statuesque striker is more than making up for lost time.

Just two months after first donning the silver fern in December 2009, for the NZ Secondary Schoolgirls squad in a three-match series against the Young Ferns, "Wilky", as she is popularly known, was making her Football Ferns debut against the old enemy from across the Tasman.

The Kamo native, whose all-action style combined with pace and power make her a genuine handful for opposing defences at any time, was thrilled to realize her life-long dream, even if it came later than she had hoped.

"I really love playing soccer", says the recently turned 21-year-old, "and the idea of playing for my country and as a career was something that … I couldn't really see myself doing anything else, to be honest.

"When I was younger, and as someone based outside Auckland, I found it difficult and a bit frustrating at times - just being so far away from all the exposure you can get down here.

"At the same time, it was also a bit motivating, because I still had this goal to reach. Once I moved to Auckland everything started happening. It was a good 'up' for me - an exponential rise.

"For instance, the leagues are bigger and better, particularly when compared to the Far North, where we'd travel two hours every weekend for a game. And there are some girls who live further away from Whangarei than that! I feel for them".

Doubtless Hannah is also an inspiration to, not only her former playing colleagues up north, but all female footballers around the country who are based in areas away from the main centres, yet love playing the game and strive to reach the highest levels available to them.

'Wilky', of course, has gone on in leaps and bounds since that initial breakthrough, scoring 'that goal' within eighteen months of her full international debut. It is, of course, the last-gasp equaliser against Mexico at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Finals, one which will forever be firmly entrenched in New Zealand's footballing history.

Life has changed for Hannah since that pivotal moment in her career, but it's a change sourced from within, as opposed to external influences. "I think it's given me a little more confidence in my ability, and reminds me that I'm capable of doing something like that.

"I fit right in with this team now", grins a young lady who was barely registering on the radar this time four years ago. "It feels really good to be up there with the girls like that, to be as good as everyone else in the team. It makes me feel confident".

That self-confidence has endured further tests since, with 'Wilky' finding herself further afield again. It's been quite a journey from Kamo to Tennessee State University for this psychology student with an interest in sports medicine, and it's one which the daughter of Simon and Karen Wilkinson found challenging at first.

"I was the classic homesick Kiwi to begin with, and it took me a while to adapt to an environment which is very, very different compared to home. The education system, the sheer volume of people … it's quite overwhelming. But I managed to get past that homesick phase and made a lot of cool friends, and I'm really enjoying it now".

Being treated like royalty doubtless helps.

"Haha! That's for sure. If you're an athlete in college over there, you are really respected. I love it!

"My first season for the Lady Vols was pretty good - quite challenging, but exciting at the same time. It's a really aggressive league - very fast, which I quite enjoyed. One of the highlights of my first year was the Conference Tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama, which was a good

experience, as was scoring the winning goal when we played Louisiana State.

"The winning goal over there is a pretty big deal. All the rules are different, whereby if it's a draw at ninety minutes, you go into extra time, and one goal ends the whole game.

"When I scored that goal, I didn't realise that it finished the game. Suddenly, everyone from the subs bench came on and hugged me. I was thinking, "Woah! What's going on here? Is the game over?" That was cool".

It was also one of eight goals she scored in sixteen appearances for the Lady Vols in her maiden season for the team, efforts which have earned Hannah a fistful of accolades, most notably selection in the NCAA Division One All-South Region eleven.

And, of course, more Football Ferns appearances and goals, so many, in fact, that 'Wilky' has already muscled her way into the top eight scorers in the national team's history, aided by a strike rate of a goal every three games.

From having been a mere blip on the radar four years ago, Hannah Wilkinson is now a very large target as far as opponents are concerned, and it hasn't gone unnoticed by the rising star.

"After I scored against the USA at the beginning of 2012, I noticed that when we next played them, at the Olympics, their back-line dropped way off, and it was a lot harder for me to get in behind in that game".

One of her opponents in that game is one of her inspirations in women's football. Indeed, 'Wilky' reminds this writer of a young Abby Wambach in the way she plays the game - no bad thing, given what the current FIFA World Women's Player of the Year has gone on to achieve in her career.

Needless to say, Wambach's Kiwi protégé is humbled by the comparison."She's an absolute class player. I look up to her, especially recently. Just watching her in the World Cup and the Olympics … I would love to be just like how she plays, plus a bit of Alex Morgan as well.

"You see how positive they are on the ball, and absolutely relentless as well. Their confidence level is definitely where I want to get to".

Morgan is a classic example of the type of strong, fast, fit athletes who are currently emerging from the US college scene in which Hannah and a raft of other talented Kiwi female footballers are honing their burgeoning talents to take on the likes of Australia and Japan, the Football Ferns' latest opponents on the road to Canada and Rio de Janeiro, matches which 'Wilky' is very much looking forward to.

"I have absolutely no doubt that we can beat Australia. Our team is getting better and better every time I see them. It'll be a tough game, but it'll be good. And having TV coverage of the games is awesome!

"It was really exciting news to hear that Sky Sports was showing the games live, too. It's exactly the kind of attention we need. Best of all, I love it that we won't have to search online for a live link and post it on Facebook!"

Hannah's prime objective in these matches is "to make a positive difference for the Ferns, either by assisting or scoring, and making it hard for the opposition while helping our team win these games".

But this big fan of Kiwi musicians Six60 - "I always have my guitar with me on tour, so I'm always playing their songs" - is simply delighted to be back in the Football Ferns environment.

"One of the best things with these tours is just coming in, seeing the team again, and catching up. We're almost like a family, and it's really good to just see everyone and what they're all up to.

"I really like it, especially when you've been overseas for so long, and you can finally see friendly faces from New Zealand. That's a great feeling!"

K - Z Goalscoring Goddesses