Assistant coach of Great Britain’s women’s football team Brent Hills is happy with the progress that the team have been making in training, in preparation for their first ever appearance at the Olympics.
As London 2012 will be the British women’s debut Games, the team will be entering the competition without a ranking, Hills therefore stressed how important it is for them to work together.
He said, “The major focus is to integrate the squad and then fill in the tactics. Only if they can go out as a team and put on their best performance can they think about getting a medal.”
GB’s opening match on July the 25th will see them face New Zealand, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Defender Alex Scott commented: “New Zealand is going to be tough but we are hoping to really up our game. The opening game is always the crucial one. It sets a momentum going on later in the tournament.”
When asked about the opening fixture, Hills appeared slightly more relaxed however.
“You always want to win your first game but you can always make a little too much out of it as well,” he said. “What matters is that you are able to produce a good performance. If you don’t, it’s not the end of the world. We have seen that in past competitions. But obviously it makes things easier.”
As the team arrived at the Athletes Village in the Olympic Park yesterday, the British Olympic Association held a press conference with a number of the competitors, ahead of the team’s warm up game against Sweden on Friday.
Manager Hope Powell commented: ” Our challenge, first and foremost, is to get out of the group and then we go from there. It’s a difficult group, and all the teams will be challenging and we’re just really pleased to be part of it. The whole experience of kitting out, with new players and a new environment has brought something really special to the group”.
While goalkeeper Karen Bardsley was hopeful about what the team’s appearance at the Games would do for the female football industry.
She said,“I think the performances we produce will encourage more people to watch women’s football. If we perform to the best of our ability then we are sure to get more support for the women’s game.”
Sophia Smith, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
