Hannah Blake, a New Zealander who signed her first contract in 2023 to play professional football with the A-League, is eager to succeed.
Blake is determined to move on from Adelaide United and into the Women’s Super League, but she knows that first of all, she has to prove her worth.
While the Australian team has not had the most successful start in 2023-24, Blake is already off to a good start for her new club. She scored a goal during a draw of 4-4 with Canberra United.
She told LiveScore that she hoped to use her season in Adelaide as a springboard to do something else in the UK.
I’ve been born in Britain and have a British passport. That would make a great full circle moment.
This is my current goal.
World Cup Shock
Blake was not included in the World Cup team despite five caps for Australia. This is despite his strong performance with Perth Glory during the first few months of this year.
She said: “It’s hard to be disappointed when you have such a great opportunity.”
There will always be players who are unlucky. I was one of them.
The tournament was a great opportunity to watch some of the top players on the planet.
It gives you an extra motivation to show the coaches that they are wrong. “Hey, I am good enough and can I compete at the next event?”
Football full-time
Adelaide’s no6 has high expectations for her future. But not so long ago, she had just completed her university degree in the United States.
Blake was signed by Perth as a replacement after an injury and scored three goals for the league’s leaders in just six games.
It was surreal, she said. It was a great feeling.
As an attacker, scoring goals gives you some confidence.
It’s all about gaining confidence, so if you get 90 minutes of playing time, you’ll have the ability to score and make goals.
The decision to go back to the A-League to see how I would do for a whole season and then use it as a springboard to something larger was also made on this basis.
Hayes – Praise and Gratitude
Blake, who played football for the Michigan Wolverines of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in its first division, is very familiar with the level of play in America.
Emma Hayes, a London-born attacking player who was announced recently as the head coach of England’s national team believes that she will be the best choice to bring them back to the top.
Blake said: “I’m certain she has some knowledge of the style that US coaches and players like to play. But I believe she will only make them stronger.”
As a spectator, and someone who hopes to become more of a regular New Zealand player one day, competing against countries like these is thrilling and I am intrigued to watch how this unfolds.
This weekend, the A-League continues with Adelaide playing Sydney in a bid to win their first match of the season.
