No game has a global reach like football and self-confessed travel-addict Racheal Quigley is looking to make the most of the opportunities the game can offer following an enjoyable stint in South Korea.
Quigley is now back in her hometown playing for Adelaide United after two seasons in Melbourne. Despite that absence she remains the record-holder for most appearances and also most goals for United.
And the forward is reinvigorated for the ongoing Westfield W-League season not only by her move home, but by an eight-month sojourn in South Korea playing for WK-League side Hwacheon KSPO.
“Honestly, it was the best experience of my life,” Quigley says. “It was hard as well, but I was very open to the experience.”
Always with a penchant for the big moment – Quigley scored the Westfield W-League goal of the season in 2012 with an overhead kick – the 25-year-old started her overseas journey in style, scoring the winner off the bench on debut. “The football was very attacking, and I loved that being a striker of course.
“When I first arrived absolutely no one spoke any English, but by the end at least half the team had started to learn English just to speak to me. So we had plenty of half-english, half-korean conversations, but overall I think I adapted very well, and my teammates helped me in that regard.”
Now Quigley, after a stint in Kansas a few years ago, is consumed by wanderlust. “If I can go to other countries and learn the cultures there … I love travelling, it is great.”
Of more immediate concern, however, is helping Adelaide United to a successful season under new coach Huss Skenderovic.
“It is really good being home, and excited to back in Adelaide. It is a little bit like starting from scratch again. With the men (Adelaide United Hyundai A-League club) taking over it is a massive step for us.”
Adelaide have accrued only one point from their opening three matches, but there are promising signs for a new-look side that will inevitably take time to gel.
“I love being home and playing in front of a home crowd again. Hopefully we make history and make the finals.
“We had a short time (pre-season), and we have a new coach. He has set down what we want to do, and I think everyone is adapting pretty well.”
Adelaide United will host Canberra United at Elite Systems Football Centre on Saturday evening.
