3 professional female footballers on the power of sport, and how it’s changed their lives

Women footballers in a huddle

Credit: Expedia

Life


3 professional female footballers on the power of sport, and how it’s changed their lives

By Amie-Jo Locke

Updated 2 years ago

In partnership with Expedia

Expedia logo

We spoke to the stars of Liverpool FC Women to hear how sport has transformed their lives, both on and off the pitch…

Whether you watch it, play it or coach it, sport is one of life’s greatest pleasures. From scrappy school rounders games to screaming at the TV during the Olympics, sport brings us together like no other pursuit.

And this year, off the back of a huge Euros win for the national team in 2022, it’s all about championing women’s professional football and making it easier for fans to get to the stands. 

That’s why Expedia, the official travel partner of Liverpool FC Women, is providing a free coach service to take supporters to every LFCW’s Barclays Women’s Super League away game within the UK. Plus, the Expedia app’s unique Price Tracking feature helps fans get the best rates on flights if travelling to games abroad.

To celebrate this new initiative, and as part of this year’s International Women’s Day, Stylist spoke to three footballers from Liverpool FC Women – Niamh Fahey, Rhiannon Roberts and Taylor Hinds – about the power of sport, the role models that continue to inspire them and how travel has played an integral part in their individual careers.

Here’s what they had to say…

Nothing beats the importance of family

“You can’t look too far from home when it comes to getting the right support,” says Niamh Fahey. “I’m one of eight, with six brothers and one sister, so while I grew up in what’s arguably a male-dominated household, my mother is the true rock of the house.

“Her support is one of the main reasons I think I am where I am today.”

Taylor Hinds recalls the sacrifices her family made when she was starting out. 

“Outside of football, I get so much support from my mum and dad,” she says. “It’s the same for a lot of the girls who grew up playing football.

“When I was 13 my dad and I would have our little pre-training rituals where I would start cooking the pasta and wait for him to come home early so he could drive me to training. Then he would eat in the car and wait until I finished so he could drive me home. I wouldn’t be where I am now without them both. They sacrificed a lot to get me here.” 


Travel enriches every experience

“Travel is a massive learning curve,” says Rhiannon Roberts. “I love how you get to try new things and totally immerse yourself in different cultures.

“Even within the field of football, travel has allowed me to play against teams with unfamiliar game styles and positions.

“I got to travel to China for the World University Games. It was like going to the Olympics. Plus, we had China in our group, so found ourselves playing in the Bamboo Stadium in front of thousands of fans, which was just a phenomenal experience.”

“Travel has given me so much opportunity to learn,” adds Fahey. “I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to so many different countries and experience so many different cultures, and that worldview has really opened my eyes.

“I’m a person who loves to discover new things, so I feel hugely grateful to be given those travel opportunities because I play football.”


Always follow your role models

“When I was a kid there were so few female role models in the world of professional football, but thankfully that’s changing now,” says Roberts. 

“Growing up, former England international Sue Smith was a big influence and then later Helen Ward, who came back after having two children to play football for Wales. She’s had such an incredible career.”

“I trained at the Arsenal Academy, so I’ve always said that the likes of Alex Scott and Rachel Yankey were a huge influence for me,” adds Hinds. 

“Two powerful women both playing in similar positions to me, and more importantly, two diverse women playing professional women’s football. They are and continue to be massive role models in the women’s game.”

“I’m Irish so Katie Taylor has always been my role model,” Fahey reveals. 

“I played football with her in the Irish team before she became a boxing champion, so I have always felt close to her career. Her dedication to sport from such a young age always inspires me. Also other Irish athletes like Sonia O’Sullivan would have also been huge role models to me growing up.”


Listen to advice and live the journey

“One piece of advice that was given to me fairly recently that’s stuck is ‘always play with a smile,’” Hinds revealed. 

“Think about it, if you’re not happy and you’re not smiling, you’re not going to be performing at your best. Smiling and playing with confidence helps me have a good game.”

“Sport creates so many opportunities to learn and grow, but I’m the type of person who found it really hard to accept defeat,” adds Fahey. 

“I would spend too long ruminating on them. It was actually my family who would bring me back down to Earth by saying that nothing is ever bad as it seems. Hearing that would always bring me back to life.” 

“I’ve honestly come to realise that some of your biggest learnings are taken from setbacks, so switching your mindset by turning every defeat into something positive has really helped me.”


Cherish every travel memory

“In 2009 when I was playing for the Irish team, the women’s game was still in the early stages of being professionalised,” Fahey recalls. “Our coaches had this brainwave where they thought bringing thirty Irish girls to America for summer training wouldn’t be chaos!”

“This was a long time ago and obviously a LOT has changed since then, but that was such a fun summer. Crazy times, but such a formative experience. That’s the one trip that sticks out in my mind, and I carry the memory with me still.”

“My fondest travel moment was actually spent with family,” Hinds reveals. “I have an uncle in California, who we visit all the time, but once we went for Christmas – which was a completely bizarre experience. Normally I’m just lounging in my PJs on Christmas Day, but here we were celebrating on the beach. Plus, I love theme parks. Disneyland. Universal Studios. That’s literally me in my element.”

Equally, the girls all agree that travelling with the team is a highlight.

According to Roberts: “The bus ride home after a win is always a brilliant journey with the girls!”


Don’t underestimate the power of female friendship

“It’s very difficult to put into words what being in a team means because sport has given me everything,” says Fahey. 

“Sport has taught me the pressures of what it’s like to be on top when you’re winning, and being kind and compassionate when you and your team are experiencing the lows.

“That’s why it’s so important to surround yourself with people who actually lift you up in those moments and help you celebrate every win, both on and off the pitch. I couldn’t imagine playing an individual sport because being part of a team is a much richer experience. Your teammates are your best mates and there’s no better feeling.”

“Sport has taught me to enjoy every moment,” Roberts concludes. “At the end of the day, my football career doesn’t matter – what matters are the experiences and friendships I’ve made because of it.” 



During the 2023 season, Expedia is providing a free Liverpool FC Women fan coach to take supporters to every LFCW’s Barclays Women’s Super League away game. To book a coach place to the next LFCW away game, fans can click here.     

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