Glory trio seek overseas adventure

Carys Hawkins is the latest Perth Glory player to venture overseas with the defender linking with Swedish first division outfit Umea Sodra FF.

Carys Hawkins is the latest Perth Glory player to venture overseas with the defender linking with Swedish first division outfit Umea Sodra FF.

Hawkins joins captain Tanya Oxtoby (Doncaster Rovers Belles, England) and Collette McCallum (Lincoln Ladies, England) as Glory players plying their trade overseas during the Westfield W-League off-season.

The 23-year-old has featured in 39 Perth Glory Westfield W-League matches since the inaugural season scoring her maiden goal in the memorable 4-2 win over Newcastle Jets on the final day of the season.

The Welsh-born Hawkins said the opportunity to play in one of the world-s best leagues was too good an opportunity to pass up.

“Personally I just want to keep playing at a high level,” said Hawkins. “I’ve finished my law degree now and thought to myself, that I could go off and become a lawyer, but if I don’t keep playing I thought I would look back in 10 years and regret it.

“I’ve sort of done away with personal goals with football, it’s just more a matter of seeing improvements in each aspect of my game, I suppose if they improve – I may progress, which in itself could be a reflection of my dedication.

“The Swedish season continues until around October, so I will be back then and hopefully come into the Perth Glory W-League team.”

Injured Glory and Westfield Matildas star Kate Gill has spent several seasons competing in Sweden, while over a dozen Westfield W-League players will ply their trade in various European leagues during the off-season.