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WEDNESDAY 13 DEC 2023 | 7PM KO | OFFICIAL DIGITAL PROGRAMME

v LIVERPOOL

WALTON HALL PARK

17 DEC | 1PM

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Official Matchday Programme

MANAGER’S NOTES

BRIAN SORENSEN

Good evening, Evertonians. Welcome to Walton Hall Park for our match against Liverpool.

speed and physicality of a match at this level is like.

A Merseyside derby is always an exciting fixture to play.

It will be a learning experience for them, and we hope to make it a good game for both sides.

While neither side can progress from the group, to compete in a derby is motivation in itself, and we want to do well.

Tonight is also our first Merseyside derby at Walton Hall Park with fans in attendance.

With the quick turnaround between games, supporters can expect changes to our side tonight with several of our Academy players due to feature, some for the very first time. It will be a tough game, but we want to give them that experience of playing at this level and for them to show us what they are capable of. From myself, there is no pressure on our players tonight. All I ask of them is to wear the Royal Blue jersey with pride, do not be afraid, and play with your heart. If you do the best you can, then I cannot ask for much more. To those from our Academy who will come in, they know exactly how important this fixture is in terms of the rich history between the two sides.

We, of course, enjoy playing this iconic fixture at larger stadiums, but to have it at our home is a special experience in its own right. The atmosphere we generate at this ground is electric, and I expect it to be cranked up to another level this evening. While we have beaten Liverpool earlier this season with our fantastic win at Anfield, this match is a completely new challenge. We need to ensure that defensively we are rock solid, that we work together as a unit and do our very best because I expect a strong Liverpool side to show up tonight. They have depth in every position and may not play any of their Academy players, whereas we could play between four to six.

We often train with our Academy players especially during the international breaks - and they have worked tirelessly for an opportunity like this.

At the end of the day, we focus on ourselves and how we can deliver a good performance and we will take pride in that.

To play in a competitive match - and for it to be a derby - they can experience what the pressure,

Enjoy the game, Brian

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Official Matchday Programme

CAPTAIN'S NOTES

MEGAN FINNIGAN

Good evening and welcome to Walton Hall Park for our match against Liverpool. It is difficult to put into words how much a Merseyside derby means to me. prove why they are worthy of a place in the squad. This fixture is always one of the biggest games of the year and, as we saw earlier this season at Anfield, it is a game you play with an immense sense of pride. The team thrives off fixtures like this, and we are looking to bring the same kind of mentality that we had in the derby earlier this season. It is a massive game, one we are looking to win, and should we do, it can help generate a lot of confidence for our group. With the quick turnaround in games, I expect a number of our Academy players to feature tonight, some potentially making their first senior appearance for the Club.

We have a lot of players in the team, and it is hard for them at times to not be involved, but this is their moment now to show what they are capable of. For our squad as a whole, there are many incentives for us heading into this evening. The fact it is a derby, the desire to get our first home win this season, and wanting to build momentum heading into the Manchester City game at the weekend. Tonight is also the first time we have hosted Liverpool at Walton Hall Park with supporters in attendance.

As a player who has been in their shoes many years ago, my message to them is to go out and enjoy this experience.

We enjoy playing this fixture at larger stadiums with bigger crowds, but it is special that we can have it at our home, and I am expecting an intense atmosphere from both sets of supporters.

There is no better game to get yourself up for it than a Merseyside derby.

Playing under the lights adds an extra piece of magic to an already iconic fixture.

We are obviously disappointed that we are unable to progress from the group, but it means there is less pressure on our younger players coming in tonight, and I hope they can use this opportunity to express themselves in the best possible light.

It is a big week for us as we round off 2023 and we want to finish with our best foot forward.

They train with us every week and compete in every session. This game is an opportunity for them to work as hard as they have done at Finch Farm and evertonfc.com

Every game is as important as the one that proceeds it, and we will be hoping to celebrate a win come the final whistle. Enjoy the game, Meg 5

PLAYER PROFILES 1

COURTNEY

KATRINE

MEGAN

BROSNAN

VEJE

CAMPBELL

COUNTRY: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND POSITION: GOALKEEPER

COUNTRY: DENMARK POSITION: DEFENDER

COUNTRY: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND POSITION: DEFENDER

NATHALIE

CLARE

JUSTINE

BJORN

WHEELER

VANHAEVERMAET

COUNTRY: SWEDEN POSITION: DEFENDER

COUNTRY: AUSTRALIA POSITION: MIDFIELDER

COUNTRY: BELGIUM POSITION: MIDFIELDER

Official Matchday Programme

EVERTON 9

TONI

HANNA

EMMA

DUGGAN

BENNISON

BISSELL

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: FORWARD

COUNTRY: SWEDEN POSITION: MIDFIELDER

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: MIDFIELDER

EMILY

LIBBY

NICOLINE

RAMSEY

HART

SORENSEN

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: GOALKEEPER

COUNTRY: DENMARK POSITION: FORWARD

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PLAYER PROFILES 17

LUCY

MARTINA

HEATHER

HOPE

PIEMONTE

PAYNE

COUNTRY: SCOTLAND POSITION: MIDFIELDER

COUNTRY: ITALY POSITION: FORWARD

COUNTRY: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND POSITION: FORWARD

MEGAN

AURORA

SARA

FINNIGAN

GALLI

HOLMGAARD

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: DEFENDER

COUNTRY: ITALY POSITION: MIDFIELDER

COUNTRY: DENMARK POSITION: DEFENDER

Official Matchday Programme

EVERTON 25

KATJA

ELISE

KAREN

SNOEIJS

STENEVIK

HOLMGAARD

COUNTRY: NETHERLANDS POSITION: FORWARD

COUNTRY: NORWAY POSITION: DEFENDER

COUNTRY: DENMARK POSITION: MIDFIELDER

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ABBY

ANNIE

CLARKE

WILDING

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: FORWARD

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: DEFENDER 9

PLAYER PROFILES 41

ALYSSA

KAROLINE

AHERNE

OLESEN

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: MIDFIELDER

COUNTRY: DENMARK POSITION: MIDFIELDER

EVERTON

Official Matchday Programme

THE PERFECT WAY FOR GIRLS AGED 5-11 TO GET INVOLVED IN FOOTBALL RE SCAN HE ORE M T U O TO FIND

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PLAYER PROFILES 1

RACHAEL LAWS

EMMA KOIVISTO

GRACE FISK

NIAMH FAHEY

Goalkeeper

Defender

JASMINE MATTHEWS

MISSY BO KEARNS

FUKA NAGANO

LEANNE KIERNAN

Defender

Midfielder

Forward

12 11

SOPHIE ROMAN HAUG

MELISSA LAWLEY

TAYLOR HINDS

MIA ENDERBY

Forward

Defender

Forward

Official Matchday Programme

LIVERPOOL 14

MARIE HÖBINGER

SOFIE LUNDGAARD

TEAGAN MICAH

JENNA CLARK

Midfielder

Goalkeeper

Defender

CERI HOLLAND

SHANICE VAN DE SANDEN

YANA DANIELS

FAYE KIRBY

Forward

Goalkeeper

Midfielder

Forward

GEMMA BONNER

NATASHA FLINT

LUCY PARRY

MIRI TAYLOR

Defender

Forward

Defender

Midfielder

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Official Matchday Programme

Irish eyes were smiling when young footballers from Sligo Rovers visited Finch Farm and Walton Hall Park recently as part of the club’s affiliation with Everton. Sligo’s Women’s Under-17s team faced Everton Women’s Under18s at the Club’s training ground, before attending Walton Hall Park for a Women’s Super League match the following day. The trip was arranged to celebrate Sligo’s status as an International Academy Affiliate Club, as Everton continues to strengthen links with its partner clubs around the world. Sligo Rovers has a natural connection with the Blues, dating way back to Dixie Dean and most recently, Club captain, Seamus Coleman. Previously, Sligo attended a fixture against the boys’ academy, but this is the first time they have come to visit with their recently-formed women’s team. evertonfc.com

And Sligo Academy Manager, Conor O’Grady, was impressed by the welcome he and his young players received on Merseyside. He said: “It was brilliant and a historic day for us. It’s the first women’s team to travel over here and we have a great affiliation with Everton. “We had the Under-14 boys’ team over last year and it was great to get our Under-17s girls over. For the girls, it’s a first for them to come and see this amazing facility. “The female game is still very much in its infancy in Ireland in terms of academies. We just want to build on our relationship and affiliation by bringing the teams over and getting used to the environment. Everyone was so friendly and it’s just been brilliant.” The Sligo players also enjoyed a Q&A with Everton’s Irish trio, Megan Campbell, Courtney Brosnan and Heather Payne.

Paddy Byrne, Everton’s International Technical Manager, added: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Sligo Rovers Women over to further strengthen our relationship. “They have previously been over playing against the boy’s academy sides, and while a lot of our clubs are within the boys’ space, we have USA-based Columbus United with a strong girls’ programme, along with fellow American side Clifton Park, who are in the process of expanding theirs. “The International Academy has also this year welcomed our first female only football club, Ridge City, from Ghana, who will visit Finch Farm in December. “This strategic partnership with Sligo widens our affiliation with the Women’s game further and demonstrates that we are always looking to expand our global footprint through affiliate clubs and soccer school programmes.”

Everton’s Clare Wheeler says the impact of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is already having a big impact in helping the game to grow - and the Blues midfielder believes there is more to come. Co-hosted in her home country of Australia, along with New Zealand, the tournament saw nearly two million fans attending matches, making the competition the most attended women’s sports event in history. The semi-final between Wheeler’s Australia and England became the most watched television broadcast on record in Australia, averaging an audience of more than seven million viewers. Detailing the effect of the competition back home, Wheeler explained: “So many records were broken, and I think it’s a really good foundation to build upon. “There’s definitely been an impact in Australia since the World Cup. The memberships for our local leagues have hit new

highs for women’s football our games with Australia are being moved to bigger stadiums, so it shows the demand is there to watch the Matildas.

“Back then, women’s football where I was started at 12. I started at 10 and then did that for three years in a row, and then went into an academy set-up.

“That growth is also shown from a fan perspective. People who maybe didn’t watch women’s football before have come on this journey with us through the World Cup, and now they’re getting memberships and coming along to support their local teams. It’s really good to see.”

“It wasn’t until I got picked up by the team there - Newcastle Jets - that I thought I could play professionally and realised I wanted to play for the Matildas.

Wheeler, who featured in the Australia squad during the tournament, recognises that her involvement was the realisation of a dream. The 25-year-old Toffees midfielder discussed growing up and how she began her footballing career, as she recalled: “I fell into it at the time because I wasn’t really watching women’s sport. It wasn’t on much at the time.

“To finally get there was an amazing feeling and a pinchmyself moment, but I feel like, unfortunately, there will be so many people who didn’t get that opportunity because of disadvantages like girls-only football starting at the age of 12 back then. It’s good now to see where the game is going. “Less and less of those girls aren’t going to have those opportunities taken away from them, and if they want a successful career in the sport, they can work towards it. “It’s not only the national team

Official Matchday Programme

who are full-time now, clubs are, too. Back when I was 15, I wanted to play for the Matildas, but now girls are like, ‘I want to play for Everton’. It’s more about the clubs now, too, and I think that’s really inspiring.” In March, more than 22,000 fans watched the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park - a record attendance for a women’s match evertonfc.com

at the stadium. Wheeler, showing her appreciation for her side’s growing fanbase, added: “We played last season at Goodison in front of a record attendance, and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if we can beat that again, because that’s the way women’s football is going. “Walton Hall Park is amazing and

we had sell-outs their last year. Having the fans there to cheer us on is great. “Win, lose or draw, there’s fans there who wait around to see us. We’re grateful to have a fanbase like that - who support us through the highs and lows. It just makes you want to work harder and give that extra bit more.” 17

WHERE

GREATNESS LIVES

WOMENSLEAGUES.THEFA.COM

Official Matchday Programme

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NICOLINE SORENSEN HALF-TIME

ENTERT

AINMENT ? I’d probably ha ve Beyonce sing I’ll invite her so ing. she can perfor m at half-time.

POST-MATCH CHEAT MEAL? Pizzas.

DRESS CODE?

enue? Celebration/party v Copenhagen!

just be It would atever wh casual - feel people able in. comfort

Official Matchday Programme

ANGE? ONE RULE CHside s! Definitely no off

ONE SPORT

G EVENT TO I’d really like AT TEND AF to go to wat TERWARDS ch a tennis so I’ll choose ? game, the Wimble don final!

VIP GUEST?

I’d invit e Beyo

nce!

One chant for the crowd to sing loudest? I’d have to choose the chant the fans sing about me.

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Anti-poverty charity The Brick has built on its ongoing relationship with Everton in the Community (EitC) by donating 10 pre-loved children’s bikes to the Club’s official charity as part of their social enterprise division, ‘Brick Reuse’. The Brick Reuse project encompasses ‘Gearing Up’ - a bike retail and maintenance interest company which receives bicycles donated by members of the public and then refurbish and fully service them to be redistributed to social organisations, Bikeability workshops, local schools and charities such as EitC. The Brick’s latest gesture to EitC will see the charity gift the children’s bikes to pupils aged between five and nine years from Gwladys Street Primary and Nursery School and Arnot St. Mary Church of England Primary School. Ryan O’Hanlon, Blue Family Coordinator at Everton in the Community, said: “We’re so lucky to receive these bikes from the team at The Brick, which will be gifted to children in the local area. There’s a lot of families within the Liverpool 4 community that ordinarily wouldn’t have been able to afford or have access to bikes, so it’s fantastic to see them being given a second lease of life and put to good use.” Gordon MacDonald, Reuse Manager at The Brick, said: “We predominantly deliver solutions to address homelessness and poverty, with our work split into several different projects. “Under Brick Reuse, we support a number of charities and

organisations across the North West with bike supplies through Gearing Up, which is all about making cycling accessible and affordable for all. Brand-new bikes can be expensive, so we’re delighted to build on our partnership with Everton in the Communityby donating these preloved children’s bicycles to them for local kids within the area.” Furthermore, Gearing Up also provide bike service workshops, bike maintenance courses, free-to-access cycling initiatives and sell affordable bikes, with all profits donated back to The Brick. The aim of Brick Reuse is to divert unwanted high-quality goods, including bikes, from landfill to at-risk families and individuals; subsequently raising living standards and improving community wellbeing. The Brick has been working with the charity since this spring supporting its Blue Base Pantry - a member-run initiative that aims to tackle poverty in all its forms

by providing access to discounted food and other key wraparound services – by providing donations of surplus goods including essential household items and toiletries through their distribution revolution project, ‘Brick by Brick’. The pantry receives thousands of pounds worth of products from The Brick each month that would have otherwise been recycled or disposed of, donated to them by various well-known organisations including Unilever, Proctor and Gamble and Amazon. Commenting on The Brick’s support for the Blue Base Pantry to date, Ryan added: “It’s great that these surplus products are being used and not going to landfill. “This partnership has been a great addition to the Pantry’s offering, and we’ve found that providing personal care products and toiletries is just as important as giving access to discounted food, especially in areas like Liverpool 4 - which is one of the most socially deprived wards in the UK.”

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Manager: Brian Sørensen

Manager: Matt Beard

Courtney Brosnan

Rachael Laws

Katrine Veje

Emma Koivisto

Megan Campbell

Grace Fisk

Nathalie Bjorn

Niamh Fahey

Clare Wheeler

Jasmine Matthews

Justine Vanhaevermaet

Missy Bo Kearns

Toni Duggan

Fuka Nagano

Hanna Bennison

Leanne Kiernan

Emma Bissell

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