A couple of our Westfield Matildas let us know some of the lessons they learnt from what was a challenging year for all.
Four of our Westfield Matildas shared what they learnt throughout 2020, a year which threw all kinds of curveballs and obstacles our way.
From the players we asked, we found that there was an overarching theme of missing home and learning how to make the most of life during the pandemic.
For the first of our English based stars, Emily Van Egmond, there was one virtue in particular which she has learnt to master this year.
“It has taught me to have patience and cherish the time that you have with your loved ones and being at home with family during these difficult times,” the West Ham midfielder said.
Both Elise Kellond-Knight and Steph Catley learnt to appreciate the smaller things that they may have previously taken for granted while Kellond-Knight stressed the importance of resilience in difficult times.
“Having that mental toughness and resilience to be able to turn it around make it go upwards again,” she said.
“That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learnt for sure.”
Like her fellow London based Westfield Matilda, 2020 forced Catley to remind herself of the value of family as well as placing importance on the small things in life.
READ: Generations of Australians: The Catleys
MORE: McCormick returns to the Westfield W-League eager to impress
“It’s easy to get swept up in the day-to-day workings of life but really when you get down to the basics you know the most important thing is your family and spending time with your loved ones,” the Gunner said.
This year being separated from a lot of family and friends has really taught me to appreciate all the time I get with them.”
For Melbourne City’s new signing, Jenna McCormick, she took away a few key lessons from a year in which she featured for Real Betis in Spain.
“Most importantly it taught me the power of being a good person and checking in on your friends and other people around you.”