Tottenham Hotspur Women’s Ria Percival last week became the first New Zealand player – male or female – to reach a remarkable 150 caps for her country.
The 30-year-old defender and veteran of four World Cups, made the milestone against Norway in the Algarve Cup.
She told tottenhamhotspur.com: “I hope my achievement gives females someone and something to look up to and work towards in each of their own football journeys. There are so many role models for young girls and I hope by achieving 150 caps, I can act as paragon to them too.”
Looking ahead, she added: “I am just taking it year by year, being a senior player and having more of a leadership role in the team. My focus is helping the younger players coming through, to develop, grow to becoming the best footballers that they can be, but also off the pitch support and growth is massive, so I am trying to help them in any way that I can.”
Hoping the season will be successfully finished – Stef Harvey (Wyre Forest Phoenix)