Player Focus – Abbie

Could you tell us when you first got interested in football?

I first got interested in football when I was in primary school! My class was really small and out of around 20 students, only 4 of us were girls. This meant I tended to join in with whatever the boys were playing which happened to be football! As I started playing I began to discover female footballers such as Tobin Heath, Abby Wambach, and Kelly Smith who really inspired me to play even more!

Who has been the most influential person in your football life?

In my time playing football there have been many players who have inspired me. Tobin Heath was an immense inspiration to me. Her playing style was similar to mine, and I felt like I learned a lot from watching her! Also Rachel Yankey was one of the first footballers I looked up to! I met her in 2013 after my dad took me to see an arsenal vs Birmingham women’s game and was so excited I got to take a picture with her!

Is there any team that you support?

If you ask me which team I support in front of my dad it’s Manchester City, but for me I support Arsenal women. It was the first women’s team I really started watching and it’s so special. Out of all the clubs in England, Arsenal has always had a solid women’s team, and even today the players seem so committed to elevating the women’s game and are devoted to their team, which for me has been really motivating.

Can you tell us about your most memorable times as a With Unity player?

My most memorable moment with Unity was winning the 4th Yongsan Derby! I’ve played with this team since it started, but for me the 4th one felt really special! We had some players who were new, and some who had played with the team for a long time, yet despite this everything came together. We played so well and really felt like a community that will never stop growing!

What has been the best thing about playing as part of With Unity?

I’ve been playing in Korea for over a year now and the biggest difference I can see is the community aspect, especially within women’s teams. When I played back in England it was extremely competitive to a point where it was unbearable. My teammates were competing against each other for positions, rather than the other team. But in Korea I have only experienced pure acceptance. I have been so grateful that I have been able to meet so many amazing people through football, and honestly without finding this team and the football community I don’t think I would still be in Korea!