Adelaide United’s recently re-signed midfielder, Dylan Holmes has had a true chance to ‘become a fan again’ and reflect on the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ and its impact on girls and women in Australia and abroad.
Holmes had a rather unique upbringing across multiple different countries around the globe and it has afforded her a rounded sense of perspective and experience about football and life.
Born in Brazil in 1997, she moved to California, USA with parents Anne and Steve, and played indoor football at the age of four.
She then started her outdoor journey playing with male teams as a child in Chile and Peru.
The Holmes family made the long trip to Australia in 2007 and has since made Adelaide Dylan’s most permanent home.
Despite this wealth of experience and diversity, Holmes most vividly recalls her times in the crowds of Hindmarsh Stadium as a 10-year-old gaining inspiration from the footballers in front of her, which has risen to a new level during the 2023 World Cup.
“It is actually very overwhelming to see the women’s game where it is right now and to be able to go to games in the flesh especially at my home ground in Hindmarsh,” Holmes beamed.
“It’s a ground I grew up going to games and watching the women and men of Adelaide United play there.
“To see teams like Brazil and England live in Adelaide now, and also witness historic moments like Morocco’s first World Cup goal has been a once in a lifetime experience.”
The Holmes family has hardly missed a game in their hunt for tickets, and it has enabled them to bond over their rich and diverse family history.
Such is the power of a home World Cup.
“I would say I’m somewhat lucky to have four countries I could technically claim allegiance to, but at the end of the day I would love to see the Matildas win the World Cup,” admitted Holmes.
“They are definitely my number one team even considering the other ties I have with my Dad being English, my mum American, and me being born in Brazil, but none more so than I do with Australia.
“The only thing cooler would have been a kid and seeing it and to have that inspiration and visible pathway at that age, but I’m still so glad for the next generation to be able to witness firsthand becoming a professional footballer is possible.”
Jumping back into her playing boots, Holmes first represented the Matildas in 2021 and she says that a dream of further appearances has only been enhanced.
“Anything is possible if you have a good year in the A-League,” she said.
“We’ve seen it recently with players like Clare Hunt and Cortnee Vine that they are definitely watching and ready to select from this level.
“If I have a good year then anything can happen, but in saying that I know that it starts with performing for Adelaide every week, and I’m fully focused on that.”
In between matches for Adelaide City, her local Go Sunny Solar WNPLSA team, the Holmes family will continue to ride the wave of the World Cup.
“It’s been a great off-season in this regard, going to World Cup games while playing alongside Izzy (Isabel Hodgson) at City, my local Club team.
“I’m actually going to Sydney for a week to see the quarters, semis and the final, so if the Matildas make it all the way then I will definitely be there and buzzing.
“It’s a really exciting couple of weeks ahead and I would really enjoy seeing this momentum roll into our Liberty A-League season come October.”
