The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website | home
A Personal Appreciation | China Calling | Perpetual Motion Personified | Doctor Soccer Mom | One Of The Very Best
One Of The Very Best
In Appreciation Of New Zealand's Wonder Woman!
by Jeremy Ruane
Whenever I think of Simone Carmichael, one image springs to mind - the Wonder Woman caricature pictured right!
Because "Supa Sim", for mine, epitomised the indomitable spirit and fearless nature of the Amazon Princess in the way she continually overcame the odds - she really was New Zealand women's football's Wonder Woman!
The setbacks she faced over the course of the last decade, all of which are documented elsewhere in this section, would have reduced many a lesser mortal to tears, and seen them cry "Enough!"
Not Simone.
Every time, she came back against the odds to force her way back into contention for a return to national duty, and her efforts were rewarded by a total of thirty appearances for New Zealand, all but five of them full internationals.
That she even made the 2007 Women's World Cup Finals squad at all was testament to her stunning powers of recovery, a snapped Achilles tendon having threatened to destroy her dreams.
It pleased me no end to see this Kiwi battler overcome the odds and grace the field with her silky skills for the final eight minutes of the Football Ferns' final fixture, against host nation, China - for all she had endured during the decade, it was hugely satisfying to see her triumph once more against the odds for New Zealand's benefit, this time on the ultimate stage.
Simone should have returned to China a year later. But after helping the Ferns qualify for the Olympics, and proving her
|
 |
 fitness time and time again in the months which followed, the powers that be opted to overlook this mighty champion, bringing to a decidedly premature end an international career which, for mine, remains unfulfilled - what would a fully fit Simone have brought to a team which came so close to victory at China 08? We'll never know ...
She has since told me that she has no regrets, and some great memories of an eight-year international career on which to reflect with pride. But deep inside, you just know that this dynamic 32-year-old will always be pained by the way in the situation was handled, ironically when she was fighting fit and injury-free.
It's water under the bridge for Mrs C nowadays, for she's now a full-time Soccer Mom! Along with husband Pete, three-year-old daughter Kaitlyn (pictured with Mum above) and young son Charlie - born September 2009 - are her pride and joy ... and given their mother's undoubted footballing talents, potential NZ internationals of the future!
|