2007

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2007

It's A Long Way Home For Kiwi Skipper Smith

by Jeremy Ruane

The distance Canada has had to travel to take part in New Zealand women's football's first internationals on home soil since October 1998 is not inconsiderable - over 14,000 kilometres, in fact.

But that's mere chicken feed compared to the ground covered by two of New Zealand's overseas-based players in their quest to be involved in this auspicious occasion for the code.

While Munich-based goalkeeper Rachel Howard has endured the longest trek - over 18,000 kilometres - to partake in this two-match series, the Kiwi native is well versed in the nuances of the Kiwi footballing environment, having moved abroad a couple of years ago to further her career both on and off the pitch.

Not so New Zealand women's football captain, Rebecca Smith, however. A Southern California native, the 16,500 kilometre journey she has made from her base in the far north of Sweden - a town called Skelleftea, on the outer reaches of the Arctic Circle - to Auckland on this occasion is particularly special.

While it's a journey she has plied previously for family gatherings at Christmas and New Zealand women's training camps, this time she has done so knowing that she'll be playing in her mother's homeland for the first time ever. Little wonder she's excited.

“Playing for your country for the first time on home turf is an experience you look forward to from the very beginning of your football career.

“You want to play at home in front of your own fans and on your own turf, and you always have a little bit of an advantage when you're at home, so it's just an amazing feeling to be able to come back, and feel like it's home too”.

It's not often Smith's family gets the chance to see New Zealand's lone professional women's footballer in action, but they'll be flying up from Christchurch to share the moment with her.

“My Dad came over to Sweden last June, and my sister came over in October, while my Mum came two years ago, so it's been a while since any of them have seen me play.

“As a collective group, it was either back in my college days at Duke University, or when I was with Ajax in Southern California, in 2003 or 2004. So it's certainly at least three years since all three of them have been there”.

Especially pleasing for the central defender will be the presence of her grandparents in the North Harbour Stadium crowd on Sunday. “They're aged 87 and 85, I think. It's the first time they've ever seen me play, so that's pretty special for me”.

They won't be alone in that regard, for the vast majority of the New Zealand footballing public has yet to see the tanned and toned Sunnana SK star in the flesh. The lady herself is very much looking forward to the opportunity to make a good impression, demanding travel itinerary notwithstanding.

photo courtesy Sunnana SK

photo courtesy Vanessa Smith

“Obviously the travel puts a little bit of a strain on the body, but I think as long as you're prepared for it mentally and physically, and you get the rest that you need, it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

“It's just something you have to get used to. You're on a plane for twelve hours, then off, then twelve hours on again, but if you can sleep and keep yourself entertained, then it's not too bad.

“Because of New Zealand's unique location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, no matter where we go - unless it's Australia - we're going to have to travel lengthy distances in order to represent our country. Hence we're really looking forward to these games on home turf - it's a real thrill for us to have this opportunity”.

Fellow Women's World Cup finalists Canada will provide the Kiwis with a stern test of their capabilities as John Herdman's charges prepare for a finals itinerary involving matches against Brazil, Denmark and China.

But once this series is concluded, Smith will be heading north on a Skelleftea-bound flight, looking to help her employers in their quest for a much-improved league showing this season.

“Our season at Sunnana has started really strongly. We've really gelled as a team. That's something we've really worked on this year - getting that team unity and team spirit, because we don't have any superstar players.

“I'm the only foreign player, and we have Hanna Marklund, who's the co-captain of the Swedish national team. Besides us, we've got some youth players who are coming through, so we're really trying to unify as a team, and our start has proved that it's been worthwhile.

“We've really been playing well and, I guess, playing to our potential. Last season we had the same players, but now we're playing more as a unit, so it's been a lot of fun”.

Currently lying in fifth spot after eight matches - they were fourth a couple of weeks ago, Sunnana has also advanced to the Swedish Women's Cup quarter-finals, so Smith's optimism and enthusiasm for her club side's efforts is well merited.

As it is for the side she will lead into battle against the Canadians at North Harbour Stadium from 3.30pm on Sunday, and again from 7.30pm on Wednesday evening. “The spirit in the camp is very good - high, in fact.

“A couple of new players have come in due to some injuries, and that always brings a breath of fresh air into a camp. Some new motivation, new talent and different qualities which we didn't have in the last one, so I think it's always positive.

“We're really looking forward to the game. All the girls are so excited. It's 1998 since the last game here, so just to have that to look forward to is huge”.

Rebecca Smith