Norwich City Women FC v Worthing

32

In ThIs IssuE

5 NOTES FROM FLO

7 HEAD COACH NOTES

8 MEET THE SQUAD

10 FEATURE INTERVIEW: FREYA SYMONDS

15 OPPOSITION INFO

17 NORWICH CITY WOMEN NEWS

22 GET TO KNOW

23 2023/24 FIXTURES & RESULTS

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notes from flo

Good afternoon all and welcome back to The Nest.

Since we last played a competitive fixture, we have welcomed Scott Emmerson as interim head coach until the end of the season. Scott has stepped up from his role as our girls’ academy head coach, a perfect fit having worked with the majority of the squad before. I would like to take this opportunity to place on record our thanks to Martin Herdman for his previous work as head coach and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Turning our attentions back to the fixture today, it has been a lengthy period for players and staff without a fixture. Internally everyone is delighted to be back in action this afternoon at The Nest as

we take on Worthing. Earlier this season Worthing provided a tough test and today will also prove to be a tough challenge, however this is a challenge the players and staff are relishing.

Earlier this week we opened additional areas of the stadium for the QPR fixture at Carrow Road, another landmark as we hope to attract a sizeable crowd on the 24th March.

We are now approaching a busy end to the season and our fans will play a pivotal role in the run-in. Enjoy this afternoon’s fixture. OTBC

coach’s comment

Scott Emmerson takes charge for the first time since his appointment earlier this month, sitting down today to analyse his first week as interim head coach.

You’ve now been settled into the job for a week; how have you enjoyed training with the squad since your arrival?

The last week has been like an absolute whirlwind for myself, being appointed at such an amazing club. I’m really appreciative of the opportunity that Flo and the football club have given me. It’s a privilege to work with so many players at this club. The squad themselves are working really well, working hard with a real good tempo and purpose in everything that they’re doing. They know that they’re in competition for starting places and becoming an impactor as well for the team, so it’s been really positive. I’ve really settled and I’m really happy with everything that’s happened in this last week and I’m looking forward to the game.

It was frustrating for all to see another game called off last weekend, but how did you and the players plan your weekend instead?

It was really disappointing that the match against Chesham was called off, you can see that the women

need that opportunity to play, and they are chomping at the bit ready to then start again and get a row of games underneath their belts. We had an internal game, so this was an opportunity for all players to show what they were capable of in a match situation.

This weekend we face Worthing, a top side that we only managed a draw against away from home earlier in the season. How do you assess this weekend’s game and what can fans expect this weekend?

We’ve had a look at the last game we played against Worthing, which was a very interesting game. We had the opportunity to win it right at the death. We’re going to respect each and every one of our opponents and we will use the old cliché ‘we are taking it one game at a time’. We will focus on the next opponent, look at what our strengths are, look at what their strengths are and find the weakness in each team. So, we’re looking for a high tempo game, hopefully with a lot of attacking and attractive football that will make the fans happy and make The Nest a vibrant place today, hopefully with three points in the bag.

FEaTurE InTErvIEw: freya symonds

Freya Symonds is this week’s feature interview, where she discusses the mood in camp, keeping momentum going and this weekend’s challenge against Worthing.

With a great 2023/24 campaign so far from everyone in the squad, you yourself have had plenty of involvement with four goals and a handful of assists. How do you see your role on the pitch and what positives do you take from your season so far?

I think everyone in the team has an important role to play, especially with having promotion on the cards, it’s important for us to be positive and push each other to succeed this. I think that when you look at our position this season compared to last, that shows how much we have improved, which is a massive positive.

When not in the starting 11, you and the rest of the squad have made every effort to be cheering the team on from the side-lines, home or away, injured or fit to play, which we know the squad massively appreciates. What kind of impact do you think that has on the team, seeing and hearing the backing from you?

I think it shows the other players and staff that your professionalism is unquestionable, and that you understand for success to ripple through the team, every individual must understand that their roles and responsibilities may change throughout the season. This should also fuel you as a player to give 100%

when in training, so that when the chance is given, you take it with both hands and do everything possible to keep the shirt.

We’ve now had six games postponed just this side of 2024, which must be frustrating for all of you. What have you and the team done to keep momentum going during weeks where we haven’t had a game?

It’s been very frustrating for all of us but we have had some in-house friendlies which have allowed us to stay fit and be ready for the next game. The focus in training

has been great and all the girls know how big of a month March is for us, so we have had full focus on that. It has also allowed us more time to prepare for the month.

You picked up a slight knock not too long ago but seemed to have recovered well, especially with the team at the Lotus Training Centre. How is your fitness doing now?

It’s good, with the time off I had I was trying hard to get back fitter and better than before and with help from Will and Gill I was able to do that.

How is Scott settling in with the squad since his arrival last week?

Really well, I think that he is a really good manager, and he will help us with that final end-of-season push. He brings experience on and off the pitch and has already got to know all the girls and fit straight in.

You have already been coached by Scott in your previous playing years, like a number of other players in the squad; will that help the team’s push for promotion in these final games this season?

I think it’s important that he knew a few of the girls as it helped us feel more at ease with the change. Since he has come in, he’s got to know the players which he didn’t know and we’re all looking forward to working with him towards the goal.

We face a tough side in Worthing this weekend, who are right up there with us in the table. How do we combat this challenge and come away with a good performance?

It’s important we carry on the momentum from training and previous games into this weekend; it’s a massive game and we know that. We need to be relentless and get the three points.

What did the team learn from our draw against them earlier on in the season away from home?

It was a good game against a good side; they are very physical and move the ball well, so we know it’s important that we match up this weekend. I think for us we learnt how to come back from a draw and we then got into some really good winning form.

After a month out of league action, the Canaries are back at The Nest to host Worthing in a Division One South East fixture.

The visitors have travelled 185 miles today in their first recorded away match against Norwich City Women.

Gaining promotion from the London and South East Women’s Regional Football League in the 2022/23 season, the Rebels have enjoyed their jump to tier four and currently occupy third in the table, one

point behind City.

In 15 matches, Worthing have ten wins, two draws and three losses. Their only defeats have come against Ashford (2-1), AFC Wimbledon (5-0) and London Seaward (3-0).

Their most recent outing saw them claim a point at home to QPR in a 1-1 draw.

The points were shared in the reverse meeting earlier this season, with Ellie Smith and Chloe Winchester grabbing goals for their respective sides in a 1-1 draw.

smith wins player of the month

Ellie Smith has been voted as the Norwich City Women Player of the Month for February, presented by Sekura.id.

In a month with just two fixtures, the Canaries recorded wins against London Seaward in Division One South East (2-1) and Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers in the quarter final of the Harrod Sport Women’s Cup (7-0).

Smith was on target away from home in the only league match, finding the back of the net first at the Lawtech Stadium in the capital.

On winning the fan-voted award, she said: “Thank you to everyone that voted for me, it really means a lot.

“Like the rest of the girls, I am loving this season and hoping we can end with a strong finish, as this team is something special.”

QuestGates and The Feed confirmed as headline sponsors for Carrow Road match

The Division One South East fixture takes place at 2pm on Sunday, March 24 and marks the third league game at Carrow Road in two season.

You can book your tickets to the match against QPR HERE, with extra seating now available in the Lower Regency Stand.

As part of QuestGates sponsorship of the match, they will donate a large proportion of the associated rights to The Feed. Through the power of food, The Feed’s mission is to empower communities in Norwich, ensuring each and every person has the support to eat well, live well and feel connected.

QuestGates is the UK’s largest independently-owned loss adjusting and claims solutions group. They provide claims-related solutions in areas where the highest levels of customer service alongside technical expertise are paramount.

Alistair Steward, director at QuestGates said: “QuestGates is delighted to provide headline sponsorship for this match.

“As a responsible business, we believe we have a duty to give something back to the communities in which we live and work, so this is a great opportunity for us to show our support of the women’s team, whilst also enabling The Feed to take advantage of the advertising space in order to promote the fantastic charitable work they provide to the residents of Norwich.”

Chris Elliott, marketing manager at The Feed, added: “We are delighted that The Feed has this opportunity to raise our profile on a matchday at Carrow Road, thanks to the generosity of QuestGates.”

Ed Turnham, head of sales and acquisition, added: “We are delighted to be able to announce QuestGates and The Feed as headline sponsors of the Norwich City Women fixture against Queens Park Rangers.

“Alistair is a committed supporter of the women’s team and it’s great that he’s been able to expand his support to offer some tangible branding opportunities to The Feed.”

Find out more about QuestGates or The Feed.

InternatIonal Women’s Day

Any Norwich City Women’s squad name and number free with purchase of any new replica shirt.

Offer ends 23:59 10/03/24

Today’s fixture against Worthing Women will be a dedicated Her Game Too takeover day.

Her Game Too are a group of female football fans, aiming to highlight and eradicate sexist and misogynistic abuse from football and the wider sporting world.

Since being founded in 2021, the campaign has partnered with 74 of the 92 clubs in the top four tiers of English football, as well as forming partnerships with hundreds of grassroots clubs nationally.

The campaign has now also reached out as far as cricket, rugby and ice hockey.

Thanks to Norwich City Women’s ambassador, Nicol Nicholls, Her Game Too have most recently forged grassroots partnerships with the Norfolk Women and Girls Football League.

This means that the league, as well as the clubs participating in it, are pledging to stamp out misogyny and encourage a safe environment for female players, supporters, and anyone else involved in the game.

If you witness any sexist or misogynistic abuse, this can be reported direct to Her Game Too via www.hergametoo.co.uk/report

get to know...

rachel lawrence

Place of birth Leicestershire

Position Winger

Preferred foot Right

Occupation Student

Favourite food Chicken and rice

Favourite film Good Will Hunting

Footballing idol Di Maria or Neymar

Favourite sport that isn’t football Volleyball or Futsal

Pre-match song of choice Entergalactic by Kid Cudi

Favourite holiday destination Greece

felicity limage

24 26

Place of birth Leamington Spa

Position Right-back

Preferred foot Right Occupation Strength and Conditioning placement student

Favourite food Spaghetti bolognese

Favourite film Pitch Perfect

Footballing idol Lucy Bronze

Favourite sport that isn’t football Mario Kart

Pre-match song of choice Rumble by Fred Again

Favourite holiday destination Caribbean