Manager Rehanne Skinner is looking forward to being reunited with a familiar face when West Ham United women’s team get their Perth International Football Cup campaign underway against French heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday (6.15pm AWST).
The Hammers are out in Western Australia on a ten-day tour, and having arrived on Sunday evening are now ready to get stuck into their first bout of match action, before a second clash against one of Manchester City or Leicester City in either the competition final or third-place play-off on Sunday 1 September.
Though the Hammers have progressed well since starting their pre-season schedule at the end of July, and have contested a couple of behind-closed-doors friendlies, Skinner recognises that a match-up against last term’s Coupe de France Feminine winners, and Division 1 Féminine runners-up, will present a new challenge.
Mary Earps is expected to be part of PSG’s squad at HBF Park, following her move to the club earlier this summer, and having known the England goalkeeping superstar for over 15 years, Skinner is excited to be coming up against her as part of her team’s next step towards the 2024/25 Barclays WSL season.
“We’re all settled in Perth now after a few days and ready to get going on the pitch,” Skinner said. “Playing PSG is going to be a test, but we’re looking forward to it and looking forward to testing ourselves against quality players like Mary.
“Mary and I go back to when she was about 14, when I was involved in the national set-up and she was basically on trial for England. I remember I moved her into a squad that essentially was picked for the Elite Performance Camp at U15 level, which I ran in the midlands.
“Then I signed her at Leicester at the start of her career, and have worked with her for England, so we know each other really well. We both attended an off-field event in Perth earlier this week, so it was good to see her, and we’ll catch up again at the game.
“She’s a top quality goalkeeper, and PSG are a top quality side. We’ll have to be on it to make things difficult for them, but the game will also be about managing minutes in our squad, and making sure all the players understand the way we want to play.
“Mini [Katrina Gorry] and Riko [Ueki] have joined up with us over here after the Olympics, which is really good, so we’re eager to get out there and do what we can to get a positive result.”
The women’s side’s tour has involved several exciting activations so far, including meeting supporters at training, the aforementioned networking lunch, and a visit to the Dylan Tombides statue.
While the group continues to work on many technical elements as time moves ever closer towards the WSL kick-off against Manchester United on 21 September, Skinner is also clear about the bonding benefits such a trip has within the squad.
She said: “I always liken a tour to an international camp, in terms of being away somewhere together, and being in and around each other a lot. It’s a good opportunity to work on team building and relationships, and because you’re in close proximity to each other, all of that stuff is accelerated.
“On top of that there is the chance to get game time as well, which is really good. The timing of the tour is perfect for us, having played two friendlies so far, and now the standard is going up which will help us. Everyone is enjoying every element of the trip out here.”
Perth is a particularly special destination for Skinner, who actually lived in the city when she was younger, and has enjoyed refamiliarising herself with some of her favourite old spots.
Skinner added: “I absolutely love Perth, and it’s been amazing to be back. I did quite a lot of travelling when I was younger, and I worked here and saw lots of the big sites. I went to Rottnest Island, I went to the Pinnacles Desert, and I did a tour around Margaret River with my sister.
“When we drove into the city from the airport I quickly recognised lots of the places around, and it was funny how quickly it all came back to me. I’ve only been back briefly since I was first here, so I’ve really enjoyed being here again and I’m looking forward to getting out more when I can before we head back to the UK, hopefully armed with some good results!”
Tickets for West Ham’s games against PSG and either Manchester City or Leicester City 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.
