Ahead of a Unite Round clash with Brisbane Roar, aleagues.com.au‘s James Dodd catches up with reigning Julie Dolan Medallist and Western Sydney Wanderers star Sophie Harding to discuss what’s been a whirlwind 12 months.
The last year has been a rollercoaster for Western Sydney Wanderers striker Sophie Harding.
At the start of the 2023-24 Ninja A-League season Harding’s record read: 44 A-Leagues appearances, three goals scored across spells with both Newcastle Jets and the Wanderers.
By the end of the campaign, she was the Julie Dolan Medallist.
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“We weren’t really thinking anything of it,” laughed Harding when she recalls the day she was awarded the game’s top individual honour.
“Obviously there were so many talented recipients as well that I was like looking at and going, ‘Okay cool, I’m just here for the ride!”
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Such was her belief that she was merely just there to ‘make up the numbers’ Harding and her mum Tracy, an ever-present by her daughter’s side, even indulged in a fair few glasses of Grand Final champagne.
Then she got word.
“I got down to the field and I think I was shaking a lot because the crowd was watching me and I was like, what’s going on?
“I just was really not picking up on everyone’s vibes. Everyone was looking at me smiling!
“Then luckily, one little guy whispered in my ear: ‘You’re getting the main award’ and I was like, ‘What? What?!’ I think I immediately had teary eyes.
“It was so cold and my mum was up in the stand drunk on champagne having a great time and we were just so shocked. It was such a great evening and such a great thing to be a part of. I was ecstatic.”
Harding’s impressive individual campaign saw her finish the 2023-24 season with 13 goals and four assists as the Wanderers narrowly missed out on finals football.
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However, whilst missing out on a spot in the top six was a collective blow for the club, individually, Harding’s star continues to rise.
Called up to her first Matildas squad during that campaign, the 25-year-old was the subject of intense overseas transfer speculation before the current Ninja A-League season kicked off.
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“I’ve always wanted to go overseas,” said Harding. “I think being born in England and how massive football is in my family. My whole family lives in England and obviously they live and breathe football.
“I think it’s been a goal of mine for a long time to play overseas. I think this is my fifth season in the Ninja A-League and coming off the back of last year and having a really good year it’s definitely at the forefront (of my mind) to get an opportunity overseas.
“This year there was interest and I was interested but it didn’t work out. But I’ve come back and think everything happens for a reason.
She continued: “We’ve got a lot of young girls this year so I think me learning to get a bit more leadership (is good), not just have one good year and then run off somewhere and do it too early.
“I’ve got to keep building on that. But I think that if a good opportunity presents itself to me one day or somewhere along the line I’ll take it with open arms. I’m all about getting new experiences and improving.”
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Starting the season with a goal and an assist inside the first 30 minutes of the Wanderers’ opening round 2-2 draw Newcastle Jets, Harding’s side have since recorded back-to-back defeats against Adelaide United and rivals Sydney FC.
For the reigning Julie Dolan Medallist, season 2024-25 in the Ninja A-League now represents something of a double-edged sword: keen to shoulder the burden of firing her side back into finals contention but also wary of not putting too much pressure on her own shoulders.
“Part of me is glad that I’m being recognised for my efforts but the other side, it’s like a tough act to follow coming off the back of last year.
“I had a breakout season which, obviously, I’m very, very proud of and I’m so happy to keep building on.
“But I think more so for me it’s getting past the mental challenge of the pressure I feel to be as good as then.
FREE FOOTBALL: Tickets to Ninja A-League games at Unite Round are now FREE: Everything you need to know
“It’s early days in the season but that’s one of my focuses right now. Keep enjoying it, keep doing the little things right and not think so much about winning the award again or winning this and winning that.
“You just really have to ground yourself and just remember that you got that award because you were having fun, you were focused but enjoying yourself. That’s my focus right now.”
If Harding ever needed any tips on how to back up after achieving both individual and collective success then the Wanderers have the perfect person to speak to at their training facility.
Not only did Spanish superstar Juan Mata win both the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 UEFA European Championships with Spain but he also has a club CV that rivals any of Europe’s top footballers.
Winning trophies in Spain with Valencia, in Turkey with Galatasaray, the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Europa League with Manchester United and of course his finest club achievement with Chelsea: The 2012 UEFA Champions League title among others.
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But that last and most prestigious of trophy triumphs is precisely the reason Harding believes she can’t talk to him…
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“No I’m too nervous!” responded the striker when asked if she’s picked the brains of one of Spanish football’s greatest exports.
It’s no secret that Harding is a dyed-in-the-wool Chelsea fan. Born and raised in Twickenham in her early days, the Wanderers striker comes from a family of devout Blues fans.
But the real reason she says she’s too nervous to go up and talk to the Wanderers star import is because the little magician was actually her idol when she was growing up.
“It’s actually really funny,” says Harding when talk turns to who she modelled her game on when she was younger.
“Juan Mata was one of my favourites when he was playing for Chelsea when I was young.
“I used to cry because I wasn’t left-footed. I just wanted to be left-footed like him (Mata).
She continued: “When I was young I was more of a winger, so I used to look at Eden Hazard a lot. I loved how he took people on, head up, just drove at people. He was always just so dangerous.
“I loved Didier Drogba, that era, obviously there’s a common theme here with the Chelsea players!
She added: “I’d say that now, in the role I’m playing at Wanderers, I look to players a bit more like Erling Haaland. A powerful centre forward, aggressive, fast.
“But it’s crazy now because I look at all the girls who have female role models to look at – it’s growing a lot more.
“Now that the Matildas have just taken off it’s so nice to just have more female role models. The WSL in England has really taken off as well.
“But back then it was definitely more vintage Chelsea players. Now it’s definitely a lot more female players because there’s a lot to look at.”
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Harding and the Wanderers face Brisbane Roar on Friday, November 22 in one of six Unite Round fixtures set to take place at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney.
With free entry for all fans heading to the Kogarah venue, get down to Netsrata Jubilee Stadium for any of the three double-headers scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend and head straight through the gates to watch your favourite Ninja A-League stars in action!
FREE ENTRY: Tickets to Ninja A-League games at Unite Round are now FREE! Everything you need to know
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