West Ham United women’s team manager Rehanne Skinner was joined by Katrina Gorry and Shelina Zadorsky at a special Women’s Networking Lunch, in partnership with Tourism Western Australia (TWA) and TEG Sport.
The trio spoke at the Crown Hotel in front of a bumper crowd and local media two days prior to their opening match of the Perth International Football Cup, and were joined by players from Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Leicester City.
The Hammers landed in Perth on Sunday evening and got down to work on the training pitch at Macedonia Park on Monday and Tuesday in preparation for their first fixture, which takes place against PSG on Thursday at HBF Park (6.15pm AWST).
Skinner, Gorry and Zadorsky spoke on a panel, and were joined by PSG players Mary Earps and Jackie Groenen, as well as their Deputy Sports Director Sabrina Delannoy.
Zadorsky was able to speak about her past experiences of playing football in Western Australia, having featured for Perth Glory in 2014 and helped them to a Grand Final appearance in her only season at the club.
Gorry has joined the rest of the team out in Australia having had a small break after appearing at the Olympics in France, and she was quizzed on what it’s like to be back in her home country, this time with her Club side.
Skinner meanwhile told the crowd about how pre-season preparations have been going and her hopes for the upcoming season with the Hammers.
“Women’s football has grown exponentially off the back of the fantastic 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that took place here,” Skinner explained to whufc.com after the event. “It’s a real pleasure to be able to bring West Ham to Western Australia.
“It was great to see so many people in attendance at the event, I hope they got a taste of what West Ham and the Barclays Women’s Super League is all about. It was a reminder of the popularity of the game in this country and we’re excited to see that in the games we have coming up this week.
“We’re looking forward to kicking off the tournament against PSG on Thursday and continuing with our pre-season preparations.”
Zadorsky was also delighted to be involved at the event and is looking forward to the tournament getting underway.
She added: “It was a pleasure to attend the Women’s Networking Lunch and see the support for women’s football here in Western Australia.
“We’re all so pleased to be here in Perth and participate in the women’s team’s first tour - it’s particularly special for me to return to where I spent time earlier on in my career.
“I’m looking forward to getting out on the pitch on Thursday and seeing more of the West Ham fans.”
Following their PSG opener, West Ham will take on one of Manchester City or Leicester City, in either the Perth International Football Cup final or third-place play-off, also at HBF Park on Sunday 1 September.
Tickets for both matches are available HERE. We will continue to provide regular updates from Perth during the tour here on www.whufc.com, and on the Club’s official app.
