Fewer players enjoyed West Ham United women's team's pre-season trip to Western Australia more than Shelina Zadorsky.
Towards the start of the 31-year-old’s glittering career, then aged 22 and fresh from graduating from the University of Michigan in the United States, Canadian midfielder Zadorsky took her first steps outside of North America by signing for Australian W-League side Perth Glory in August 2014.
One goal in 14 appearances helped the Glory Girls top that year’s regular standings, before eventual defeat to Canberra United in the Grand Final, and though much has happened in the decade since, she has fond memories of the area and loved being back Down Under.
“It’s always amazing to be back in Perth,” Zadorsky said. “I have been back with Canada a couple of times, including playing here during the World Cup last year (2023), but it’s not somewhere I come often so it’s always nice to see it again.
“I was young and relatively inexperienced back when I played there, but we had a great team and we did really well. We made it to the Grand Final, and the whole thing was just really good for my development.
“It’s a really cool area with a nice mix of city and beach life, and the country as a whole is a really positive part of the women’s football scene.”
West Ham contested two matches in Australia, taking on Paris Saint-Germain and Leicester City in the first Perth International Football Cup.
The trip served as not just a means of building fitness and match sharpness ahead of the new Women's Super League campaign, but also of building team spirit among a squad that contains a number of summer signings, including Zadorsky, who turned her loan from Tottenham Hotspur into a permanent transfer to east London.
“We’ve had some new players come in, including me on a permanent deal, and although I know most of the girls well, it’s important just to keep working on that with everyone and get stronger and stronger,” the 31-year-old confirmed.
Zadorsky has been named as West Ham's new vice-captain this season, assisting new skipper Katrina Gorry, and the pair will hope to inspire the Hammers to their first win of the WSL season when they host Liverpool at Chigwell Construction Stadium in Dagenham on Sunday at 3pm.
Tickets for the game are on sale now HERE.
Shelina Zadorsky's favourites...
Band or Artist…
It depends on my mood to be honest! If I’m chilled and happy then I would say Burna Boy. If I’m moodier then it would be Noah Kahan. My music taste is really varied and I love listening to it all the time.
TV series…
I’ve recently started rewatching Peaky Blinders because I haven’t watched it for a while. I normally don’t rewatch shows but I had in my mind to go back and watch.
Film…
Again, it really depends on what kind of mood I’m in. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a classic like Shawshank Redemption, it’s such a good film.
Sports star…
I would say Christine Sinclair from Canada (pictured, below). She’s done so much for Canadian football as a whole as she’s a real idol.
Game…
I’m not somebody who is into computer games. I’m more into this like sudoku or doing crosswords. Sometimes I play those games on the New York Times.
Other sport to play…
I recently started golfing a little bit more. I’m very inconsistent, but it’s such a hard sport. When I was home in Canada I went with my Dad a couple of times.
Other sport to watch…
Honestly, I love watching all sorts of sports. I mainly just watch football consistently though to be honest.
Ground you’ve played at…
I would say the Parc des Princes in Paris. I played there for Canada in 2019 during the World Cup in France and it’s an amazing venue.
