Girls on the Ball

Following the tremendous success of the Lionesses at European Championships this summer, the return of the WSL is as eagerly anticipated as it has ever been. It’s an exciting time for all clubs and fans alike, with Reading defender Brooke Hendrix and striker, Emma Harries, both very excited for the new campaign.

American defender, Hendrix returns to England and the WSL after leaving West Ham in 2019.

"It’s only been a couple years, but so much has changed and I think the Euro’s has boosted it even more" said Hendrix who clocked up 21 appearances in her previous singular season on English shores.

The defender has also played in her native America and most recently in Australia, with Hendrix feeling that her experience was key to the move.

“[Kelly Chambers] definitely brought me in for my experience, Having the different things I’ve learnt from each club has been hard but amazing, and I think it will be incredibly useful, especially with a young team”.

Along with Hendrix, Reading have added Diane Caldwell, Charlie Wellings, Lauren Wade, Jacqueline Burns and Becky Jane to their ranks for the forthcoming campaign.

Hendrix admitted she’s suffered with an injury setback but assured, "I'm sure I’ll settle in fine”, once her rehabilitation finishes.

Touching on her expectations for the upcoming campaign, Hendrix added, “I want to have the biggest impact I can on the team, fill in wherever I am needed”. The Royals finished last season in 8th place in the WSL, with the defender targeting “a top half finish and progressively get better and better, as the season goes on”.

Young forward, Emma Harries is well on the comeback trail for the Berkshire outfit after rupturing her PCL in April of this year, missing the last few games of last season.

“Being only 20 and suffering an injury that big off the back of the season I had last year was quite heartbreaking really”, said Harries who made 24 appearances, scoring three times before injury cut her season short. "For me, now it’s about taking it game by game, like the team after the injury.”

The Royals face newly promoted Liverpool in their WSL season opener at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on 11th September in what already is set to be a landmark day for the club. The sales of season tickets for 2022/23 have eclipsed any previous total with over 500 sold and the attendance for the opener is set to be a new record for the team.

"It doesn’t change our preparation at all, but it makes us all so much more excited, we’re in a really good place as a team and we can’t wait to get started.", Harries added.