You could not blame 2021/22 Julie Dolan Medallist, Fiona Worts, for checking her phone in case England Coach, Sarina Wiegman, was calling after an extremely successful personal season with Adelaide United last year.
Worts scored 13 goals in 14 regular season matches on her way to claiming the league’s most valuable player award in the Dolan Medal, and the competition’s Golden Boot as United qualified for its first finals appearance.
With the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ on the horizon and with matches to be played in Adelaide, Worts is incredibly excited for the tournament, but is also fully focused on the domestic season at hand.
It’s because the hard-working forward is also a realist, knowing full well the quality of the England Women’s National Team, which she credits to be the best in the world.
“I’ve got no chance,” Worts admits. “I believe England is probably the best national women’s team in the world right now.
“To try and edge your way into that at 26 years old is almost a near-impossible task.
“I won’t worry about that side of things; I’ll keep trying to play the best football I can for Adelaide United.
“I also think this is the best squad we’ve had with the all-round depth, and youth talent and experience that we’ve got.”
She does hope, however, that the World Cup next year can drive the game even further for women in Australia, after seeing a tangible difference following England’s maiden triumph in the UEFA European Women’s Championship.
In the short-term, Worts instead will find ultimate satisfaction in doing whatever possible to help guide Adelaide United to its first piece of silverware, and one that has evaded her for so long at the top level.
United’s successful 2021/22 season also saw the forward claim the equal league record for number of individual goals scored in a game with five, in an 8-2 demolition of Brisbane Roar.
Worts and teammate, Chelsie Dawber, ran riot in that match, particularly in the opening 45 when they both either scored or assisted for each other on the way to a 4-0 first half scoreline.
Worts is looking forward to again linking up with Dawber, who earlier this month confirmed her return to United on loan from the National Women’s Soccer League’s, Chicago Red Stars.
“I think last year we all just clicked, and I guess it was my second season so I’ve had a bit of time with the girls and playing with Chelsie for another year was great,” said Worts.
“Just to be enjoying football helped me and put so much of a focus on it was a massive boost, and having so many players who were having a great season allowed us all to dig in.
“I’m really focused on doing the best that I can for United and I want what everybody in this team wants, we want a Championship, and I’ll even take a Premiership along with it.
“It’s going to help if I’m scoring goals or contributing to goals so that’s what I want for us, to put our best foot and our best football forward on the pitch and winning trophies at the end of it.”
Although admitting the similarities to an English summer at the moment, the striker otherwise enjoys the breezy lifestyle and quality of the people in SA that contribute so much to her game.
“I really think probably the biggest thing for me is the people.
“Fortunately enough, in every aspect of my life, I have great people, I have great friends, I love my teammates and coaches,” Worts said.
“There are so many people at the Club who just do so much for the love of the game, the love of the sport, the love of the Club and the team.
“That’s a massive appeal to me that, sort of thing, and it means a lot to me because it allows me to invest myself in the Club and the game so much.
“Also, the beaches and everything here helps, and the weather… normally.”
Worts will line up alongside her Adelaide United teammates in Sunday’s season-opener against Sydney FC at ServiceFM Stadium. Kick-off is at 3:30pm ACDT.
