Westfield Matilda’s Amy Chapman is enjoying her off-season but can’t wait for the new W-League season to start as her Brisbane Roar side attempt to atone for last year’s disappointing finals campaign.
Westfield Matilda-s Amy Chapman is enjoying her off-season but can-t wait for the new W-League season to start as her Brisbane Roar side attempt to atone for last year-s disappointing finals campaign.
The Roar were crowned minor-premiers after finishing the regular season two points clear at the summit but were not part of grand final day after losing to Sydney FC in their semi-final.
Chapman said that while the side would use the result as motivation they had moved on and would be starting the season with fresh expectations.
“I guess having such a strong team on paper we expect so much from each other,” said Chapman. “The added pressure is sometimes really good but also when we don-t achieve what we think we should, we can all be pretty tough on each other.
“But at the end of the day we are all building to something bigger, so being tough on one another is okay, so long as we are improving and enjoying the process.
“We were all extremely disappointed we didn’t get there last year and we are all going to come out hungrier this year.”
Chapman said that although the new W-League season was still a couple of months away from kicking off she remained as busy as ever and that this was indicative of most girls who played in the league.
“In the off-season I enjoy the opportunity to fly around and catch up with my family who I haven-t seen in a little while.
“At the moment I’m working 30-hours a week, I’ve also just started my ‘prac- for university. I’m doing a little bit of house renovating – oh and I’m off to the snow next week!
“It is tricky to juggle sometimes. Good time management skills are a must.”
On her experience with the Westfield Matildas this year Chapman was glad to be back as part of the national set-up following several knee injuries over the past few years and praised the contribution new Head Coach Hesterine de Reus had already made in her short time in charge.
“Hesterine has brought a very different outlook as to what everyone was used to,” said Chapman. “It is going to be a challenge for all the girls to step to up to the level that she expects from us.
“We-ve played more games this year than we’ve played in quite some time, so of course we are all enjoying that aspect and our whole training environment is strong and competitive at the moment which is great too.
“It has been a good opportunity for us all to have a stop and think, are we each at the level that is required to be international footballers.”
