Meet Malia Steinmetz

Malia Steinmetz, where do I start! She is beautiful being with a huge heart and I have watched her blossom over the years not only within her footballing career but also as a person. Malia represents the New Zealand Football Ferns and is an inspiration to the female footballing community (plus I get bragging rights for being friends with an International football player...not biggy!)

But all jokes aside, I have loved not only playing alongside her for many years, but I have had the privilege of watching her kick ass in the sporting world and live out her dream of becoming a fern. It's so awesome to see women paving the way in the sports industry and inspiring the next generation to get amongst it and remember, the FIFA Women's World Cup coming up in 2023 so keep an eye out!

Meet Malia Steinmetz...

WHAT'S YOUR FOOTBALL BACKGROUND AND JOURNEY?

I've played ever since I was a kid and just grew up through the ranks of auckland club football to then be incorporated in the youth NZF setup from u17s to u20s to now the national women's team.

WHAT IS IT LIKE PLAYING FOR THE FOOTBALL FERNS?

It's been a long journey full of ups and downs but that has just added to the pride and enjoyment I feel with it all. It was always a dream I could never tell myself or others but within this last year a lot has changed. It's a privilege to stand there and belt the national anthem and play alongside some of my lifelong friends - nowhere else I could ever want to be.

WHAT DOES A NORMAL 'DAY' LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

When I'm in season at my club, it's training most mornings with one or two off leading into gameday on a saturday or sunday. Wake up 520, roll into the car and have a quick brekkie at the training ground then get straight into gym or activation and then training. I'm still working my part time job so I will be going casual and doing that some days after training. Otherwise it's home to relax or to surf or read or hang out with friends as I cant get stuck in an only football world 24/7.

HOW DO YOU FIND JUGGLING LIFE AND FOOTBALL?

It's been a long process with life or football taking over too much and therefore the other being disregarded if so. I've learnt a lot about myself and what works for me. I need to get away from football but it's always a priority with anything I'm doing. A lot has been sacrificed but so much has been gained that nothing could compare to. Small moments in and around the game make it all worth it. But family and friends are just as important and a lot of my spare time is spent with them, they make me a better person and therefore player.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN SIX WORDS?

free, joyful, impulsive, annoying, friendly, energetic

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE NOT PLAYING FOOTBALL OR TRAINING?

I get into all kinds of hobbies. Gardening, pottery, surfing, reading, writing, walking - bad at all of them but the time off can be quite long and I love learning anything new. But most of it is relaxing and recovering and getting prepped for the game ahead. I love my flatmates and will always do something or go out to eat with them. I'll call home and friends more than I ever thought I would and chat some absolute nonsense always.

WHAT'S ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORIES FROM OVER THE YEARS?

I always think back to school football and how wild that time was. Still growing and so lost but just loving it and having the best laugh with great pals. That was playing with some pure naivety and freedom and confidence which is so hard to ever get back. Also the week away tournaments are some crazy special days which are always hard to explain to any outsider.

WHAT IS IT LIKE PLAYING IN A STADIUM FOR INTERNATIONAL GAMES?

I used to get really stressed and nervous, which isn't me as a person or player but was always hard to overcome. My mindset can be really negative and to begin with I wouldn't even want to get on the field, to then not wanting to see my name in the starting line up I was that anxious. But whenever I finally set foot on the pitch, all is right and there is nothing to worry about. You forget about the crowd and the moment and just play. It's such a habit of what you're doing out there that your mind has nothing else in it but just the game itself. I've learnt now how I need to think and be before these games so when it comes to it I'm relaxed and having a laugh. It's just a game, life goes on, and as always there is no other place I would want to be.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND PASSIONS AROUND FOOTBALL?

I want it to be my career and to take it even more abroad. I want to reach my potential and have no regrets in the choices ive made. Mainly I just want to keep enjoying and playing freely and help whatever team or club it is I'm representing. With all this I want to support and give back to this game and community that comes with it. Women's sport is growing and I want to see it continue, even quicker and better as its got more to give and I can't wait to see it unfold.

WHERE HAVE YOU TRAVELED TO WITH FOOTBALL?

So many places but so many are forgotten as most of the time all you're seeing is a hotel room and a pitch (always the local cafe however). Jordan was one of the favourites which I will go back to one day. The dead sea and Petra we were luckily able to see I'm currently in Japan in a small town outside of Tokyo and it's been so beautiful and authentic - I'll live in this country one day for sure. Cyprus was also cool! Some others were the Pacific Islands, China, Thailand, America, Russia, France, Spain, South Korea, Norway.

DO YOU HAVE A DREAM THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO FULFILL?

Do you have a dream that you would love to fulfill?I honestly think it is playing football overseas, especially Europe, and to just travel and learn everything I can about the game. The people you meet and experiences you have when doing this as your job is incredible. I want to do as much as I can as the window to play is so small, I will be retired and old so soon.

WHAT'S THE HARDEST THING ABOUT LIVING OVERSEAS?

Makes you remember how great NZ is and that there really isn't anything quite like home. I miss family and friends and the experiences I can't make and be there for with them. When football gets rough it makes it all the more harder and it's so easy to question your decisions on being away. But at the end of the day I'll always have their love and support and as long as I can try to get home at least once a year, which rejuvenates the soul - life is good.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR ANYONE WANTING TO REPRESENT THEIR COUNTRY?

Don't give up, as cheesy as it sounds. But believe in the process and dont be scared of failure. That nearly cost me my career and I've only just come to terms with accepting this dream to play for my country and to then tell people this dream also. I never wanted to come to terms with it as I didn't want people to know and therefore have the embarrassment of not making it again. But you learn so much in the times you don't succeed and to come back from those moments makes you a better person and player. Balls to the wall they say, simply just go for it and dont have any regrets on your efforts.