Emma Harries is hoping she can establish herself in the West Ham United women’s team starting XI in the upcoming 2024/25 Barclays Women’s Super League season.
The 22-year-old forward is entering her second year in east London, having joined from Reading in the summer of 2023, following 13 years with the Royals.
Last season was one of transition for both Harries and the women’s team, with Rehanne Skinner taking the reins, and foundations being put in place behind the scenes.
Harries is now looking to continue with the development she showed last season and kick on in Claret and Blue, with the first game of the season looming, away at Manchester United at 12noon on Saturday 21 September.
Indeed, Harries made 20 appearances in her debut term, eight of those being starts, and bagged her first West Ham goal in a 2-1 victory over Charlton Athletic in the Continental Tyres League Cup group stages.
Speaking to whufc.com, Harries admits it was a year of adjustment and learnings, and now she's hoping to push on in Hammers colours ahead of another exciting season.
Emma, how has pre-season been so far back with your teammates, and how was the recent tour to Western Australia?
It's been brilliant so far. We all had a great time in Perth, and we've learnt a lot from being out there both on and off the pitch. Before and after that there’s been a lot of work done at Chadwell Heath across the summer to make the areas that we have on the women’s side look even better!
For you personally this season, have you thought about your own aims?
I think, for me, obviously last year was a transitional period as I came over from Reading, and they had a completely different style of play to how I was asked to play here. I think, for me, I would have liked that transition to have been a bit faster in terms of how I was performing. It took a little bit of time for things to click for me here.
This year, the aim is definitely just to be more consistent in my performances. And I think I did a very good job last year of being the best teammate for people, supporting the team and making an impact when I could. I'd like to hope that it's my season now to establish myself in the team and that's the mentality I have.
How much did you enjoy being part of the Home Kit launch during the summer?
It was a really cool event. I've not really been part of anything as big as that in terms of modelling and advertising a kit. I'd never done a photo shoot as big as that before. I've done bits like it in the past, but nothing to that extent.
The kit is lovely, and I think you can see by the reaction that everyone's had on socials that it's gone down really well. It's my favourite West Ham kit I think that I've seen. I It was a really cool experience and obviously we were working with the men's team who were absolutely lovely with us as well.
I’ve had a couple of comments about my hair on the day of the shoot - the beehive, especially from my Grandma who said that she liked it, but she would say that I looked nice in anything. She was a big fan of the beehive and said that it reminded her of the 1960s, so there you go - it worked!
Personally, I wouldn't come to game day wearing it like that, but I'll never say never!
On My Day Off - Cooking
Harries discusses her main hobby away from the football pitch, explaining what sparked her interest and advising how fellow Hammers can get involved…
HOW DID YOU GET INTO IT?
Me and my Dad would do quite a lot of baking when I was younger, and I was definitely my mum’s sous chef and helping with whatever she was making. As an athlete, I think food is incredibly important.
It’s something that really started for me when I was looking on social media. I’ve always had an interest in cooking, but I would be scrolling through videos and would get inspiration and want to try new things.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT IT?
I like eating healthily and making sure that I get everything into my body that it needs! I find it really relaxing too! I know some people absolutely hate it and can’t think of anything worse, but I spend hours finding new recipes and I really enjoy experimenting with different things and seeing what works.
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND ON IT OUTSIDE OF FOOTBALL?
I’m the designated cook in my house, so I probably spend about an hour each night cooking as a minimum. Before every home game I will make myself some protein pancakes and things like that. I think it’s really important that I know what’s going into my body, so it’s something that I spend a lot of time on.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO ANY BIG EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH COOKING?
I haven’t been to any big events, but I did go to Lisbon recently and me and my partner booked ourselves onto a Pastel de nata (egg custard tart) class. From doing that, I found out that I’m also really competitive away from the pitch as well. I was looking round the room and making sure that mine was the best one!
HOW MUCH WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO PEOPLE WHO AREN’T FAMILIAR WITH IT?
I think there are so many ways that people can get into it nowadays. That could be finding recipes on TikTok or watching full length YouTube videos on how to do different things.
I know that a lot of people say they just don’t have the time, but I would encourage everyone to set aside an hour one evening or on the weekend to try and cook something. They just might find it really relaxing like I do!
