CommBank Matilda Emily van Egmond reflected on being selected for her third Olympic Games after being named in Head Coach Tony Gustavsson’s 18-player squad that will compete at Paris 2024™.
She explained that the squad’s ability to roll with the punches has helped them overcome challenges such as those faced during Tokyo 2020™, that will hold them in good stead for the future.
“Women’s football in general has grown over the last five years, and it’s continuing to do so,” she began.
“The girls are quite adaptable when it comes to change and challenges. I think that’s something that they’ve always been good at. We have had to deal with COVID last Olympics, which was a challenge within itself.
“And now we’ve had Tony [Gustavsson] for the last three or four years, so we’ve had a bit more of that consistency and really been able to nut down exactly what it is that we’re looking to do as a team and to be the most successful team that we can.”
Van Egmond is one of eight players who are competing in their third Olympic Games. At the other end of the scale, there are four Olympic debutants – including Van Egmond’s club teammate at San Diego Wave, Kaitlyn Torpey.
“She’s worked extremely hard,” Van Egmond said of Torpey. “She obviously secured a first overseas club at San Diego, so I couldn’t be prouder of her.
“She’s a great athlete. She’s young, she’s keen to get better every single day, and she’s just got a fantastic work ethic. So for her, it’s an amazing achievement to be selected in the squad. “
“Anyone who is overseas and has challenged themselves in a heavily competitive environment, it’s going to better the individual which ultimately is going to help the national team.”
Due to playing in the NWSL, Van Egmond and Torpey will be playing consistent club football come the Olympics in July. This is different to leagues like the A-League Women and the WSL, who are in the off-season this time of year. It is something that Van Egmond sees as a benefit.
“I like that about the American League,” she explained. “It falls really well when there’s a major tournament in the middle of the year. We should be hitting around the midway mark when the tournament hits. So yeah, we’ll be match fit.”
At the Wave, she plays alongside USA internationals such as Naomi Girma, Jaedyn Shaw and Alex Morgan. She was asked whether her and Torpey’s experience in the States would be important, given that the four-time Olympic champions will be in their group.
“America’s a powerhouse, and have been for so many years,” she answered. “They’ve got a new coach as well [Emma Hayes] going into the game, so you can’t really read too much into it.”
“It’s more so just focusing on ourselves right now. When we go back to clubland we have our ways there, and we have a completely different coach again. So it’s about being able to be adaptable and when we come in for the first of July for that pre-camp, it’s with the team shirt on.”