Chasing the dream

Blayney controlling Canberra's midfield | (Credit: Getty Images)

In terms of women's football, there is probably no better training ground than the US collegiate system.  It's not the easiest place to hone your craft but if you can survive its physical and emotional demands, you will come out a player to be reckoned with.

At just 18, Blue Mountains native Leah Blayney took on that challenge as she chased her dreams.  And, despite a nervous beginning, she thrived.

On arriving in the States, Blayney first suited up for Auburn University before eventually joining Central Connecticut State University.  It was at Central Connecticut Blue Devils that the attacking midfielder made her mark.  Her first season (2007) saw Blayney play all 19 games with her performances ensuring selection in the All Star team for the Northeast Conference.

This feat was to be repeated in her second season but it was in her third season at the Blue Devils that Blayney really demonstrated her ability.  In her senior year, Blayney not all gained NEC All Star selection but was also voted the NEC Player of the Year thanks to her 10 goals and 13 assists.

With those honours to her name it wasn't surprising that the creative midfielder was snapped up by the Boston Aztecs (feeder team to the Boston Breakers) in the Women's Premier Soccer League (one step down from the WPS).  Despite the step up in competition, again Blayney excelled.  At the conclusion of the season Leah and the Aztecs had taken out the WPSL championship with Blayney voted the WPSL East player of the year and named the Final Four MVP.

Unsurprisingly Leah Blayney is now well and truly on the radar of the WPS scouts.  However, before she heads back to the States and, hopefully the WPS, Blayney is showcasing her talents with Canberra United in the Westfield W-League.  TWG caught up with Leah to chat about her return home.

After a couple of years away from Australia, how does it feel to be back playing the game at home?

Its fantastic to be back.  I am enjoying playing with Canberra United.  They are a great club to be a part of and a very good side.

Yes, I am very much enjoying my time back in Australia with my family and friends and the football is sensational.

Tell us how did you first get started in the sport?

My younger brothers actually played soccer and I come from a sporting family.  We were into everything; cross country, karate, lots of different sports.  So I gave soccer a go and I just loved it.

Soccer, from where I come from in the Blue Mountains, isn’t very big but its growing and it was something to get involved in and I stuck with it.

(Credit: Getty Images)

When did you decide that you wanted to make this more than a weekend hobby?

Probably at the age of 12/13 I found that this was something I would like to pursue further.

I realised that I enjoyed the sport and I had very good coaches when I was growing up whom were very supportive.

Women’s football when you were growing up wasn't a big sport, so when did you make the decision to go overseas to further your prospects?

That was actually a childhood dream around a similar age, 12/13.  I always wanted to go overseas and play College soccer and hopefully in the professional league over there.

I had always heard about America and the lifestyle over there in terms of education and playing.  I thought I could go over there and give it a go.  I really enjoyed it and I benefited from it.

Women’s football in the States is a much more mature sport, how did you adapt and how was your initial time there?

Initially it was hard.  I was 18 years old and moving across the other side of the world.  However I enjoyed it.  I went to good college that had good support systems for me.

I was also fortunate enough to play for a summer team and that coach is now the coach of the Boston Breakers (Tony Di CIcco).  So I was lucky enough to build a relationship with him and now I am off to do a pre-season with the Breakers in March.

In the time you have been away, how has the level of football changed in Australia?

I think it’s at a very good level.  I think the depth of players, depth of talent across all the teams is much higher.  There is not just one team that has all the best players, there are more talented players spread across the teams.

Definitely the depth of player pool and that means the level is very good.

How are you finding slipping into the Canberra squad for Season Three?

I was fortunate enough to play with a lot of the girls prior to leaving.  The likes of Sally Shipard, Caitlin Cooper, Lydia Williams, we all played together at a young age.  We are joking about it as we played Schoolgirls together at 14/15.

The girls have been very welcoming and the club has been good to me so it has actually been a very smooth transition.

Brisbane Roar’s Aivi Luik had the same experience and now she is a regular member of the Matildas.  Was the national team part of your motivation to return home?

Absolutely. Who wouldn't want to be in the mix of the Matildas’ squad.  But I will see what happens based on how I perform in the W-League.

I definitely think it would be an awesome opportunity I would like to be involved with.