The Check In: Laura Brock lapping up new French experience

Westfield Matildas and EA Guingamp defender Laura Brock discusses her latest move to France and the challenges of playing in their elite competition.

Brock sealed a dream move to Division 1 Féminine side EA Guingamp in July this year where she has since become an integral part of the French outfit who recently began their 2020/21 season.

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The Westfield Matildas defender has featured in every one of her side’s matches this campaign which sees them situated in 9th on the ladder after collecting six points from their last three fixtures following a rocky start to the season.


“We’re seven games in and we’ve only won two of those, we had a pretty rough start coming up against the top three teams in PSG, Lyon and Montpellier. It was a little discouraging to see my team work and try so hard and still come up short,” Brock told Matildas.com.au.

“I think we’re coming to the tail end of that, we’ve had two good wins under our belt now, coming into a section of the league where we can actually pick up more points and progress on the table, so I’m looking forward to the next few matches before Christmas.”


Guingamp’s final four fixtures before the winter break see them face off against sides which are 5th and below on the table which will give them a perfect opportunity to claw their way up the standings by the time the competition resumes in mid-January.

The former Brisbane Roar stalwart has been enjoying all the football coming her way given that an extended injury lay-off left her on the sidelines for the majority of this year.

“It’s been really good to be back on the field again after such a long time out with my foot and then having another surgery to remove the plate in the middle of the year,” she said.

“I’m not feeling quite one hundred percent in terms of feeling super sharp but I’m getting through 90 minutes and not feeling completely dead at the end of it.

“I feel like my fitness is getting better, my body is getting older but I think I’ll be able to hang in there for at least another year.”

Laura Brock Guingamp
Brock (c)

Having previously played at the highest level in America and England, there is one factor that defender is trying to come to grips with in her latest move abroad.

“The biggest learning curve for me is the language barrier, it’s difficult coming from a place where normally I play a leadership role within a team, being able to take young players under my wing and teach them a few things and I really enjoyed that aspect.”

Being here, it’s really difficult to communicate to the young players as most of them don’t speak English so I’m learning new ways to communicate things. Whether it’s leading by example or having someone translate for me or learning a bit of the French and using body language to instruct the point I’m trying to make.”

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Her approach to the language barrier has been an important factor in keeping her focused on and off the pitch: “A positive attitude which I try to keep is crucial and I think can be translated in any language, positivity in that people understand when you’re encouraging them as opposed to bringing them down,” she added.

There has also been an overarching difference between the French top tier and that of England, America and Australia which the left back has been forced to adjust to.

“It’s (Division 1 Féminine) quite a technical league. There’s a lot of really challenging one v ones, across the board, every team has really strong forwards which is obviously challenging for me,” Brock said.

“They’re very fast, technical and strong. In America, you’ve got a lot of the quick and physical players. England is very much physical, Australia sort of touches on a bit of both.

“In France, I’ve found that the players here are very technical and that’s been a new challenge.”


Adapting to life on the opposite side of the world has been made slightly easier for Brock this time around with her husband Cam and trusted ally, her dog, Ella by her side.

“It was amazing to get Cam here. It’s strange being in a new country, especially one where you don’t speak the language so having him here has been a massive help and a nice little challenge for our first year of marriage,” she said.


“A nice adventure to kick off our married life, probably one that most people don’t get to experience, so we’re making the most of it trying to learn another language and obviously having our dog come over has been an absolute blessing.”