Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams hails Melbourne City for revolutionising women’s sport

MATILDA’S goalkeeper Lydia Williams has hailed both Melbourne City and former club Canberra for the groundbreaking work they have done for women’s sport.

Lydia Williams has hailed melbourne City for revolutionising women’s sport

MATILDAS keeper Lydia Williams revealed that she couldn’t resist joining the Melbourne City women’s sports revolution, ahead of her return ‘home’.

Williams declared that City and her former club Canberra United have been trailblazers for women’s soccer, ahead of their W-League clash at GIO Stadium, Canberra.

Australia’s no. 1 shot-stopper, who replaced AFL-bound Bri Davey, also revealed that Matildas roommate Steph Catley played a key role in her switch.

Lydia Williams makes a save during the round one W-League match between Melbourne City and the Newcastle Jets

Williams said Canberra, where she played over 50 games in six seasons, raised the bar on and off the field in the W-League’s early years until City came on the scene last season.

“Canberra did great in the beginning, they were the only club without men’s (A-League) team and support they generated in that area was fantastic,’’ Williams said.

“They ran things so well and they have the AIS facilities, City have built their own facilities and they’ve caught up to what Canberra started, now everyone’s pushing each other. It’s exciting.

“I wanted to make sure I was still on the rollercoaster and developing and I feel this is was the best opportunity to do that.

“The things they did were groundbreaking and that was the most motivating thing and made it a really exciting prospect to be a part of.

“It was actually Steph (who made the first contact), she’s my Matildas roommate.

“She gave me the heads up that the spot’s up for grabs and it started the ball rolling between me and Joe (Montemurro) and then it happened.’’

Williams, 28, has won 57 Matildas caps and had numerous overseas stints during an illustrious career, most recently with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Houston Dash.

Having been teammates with gun United strike duo Michelle Heyman and Ashleigh Sykes, Williams admitted City would

“Canberra have a fantastic strike force, that’s always been portrayed, but we have the structure and the way we play and we hope to dominate possession and create lots of chances,’’ she said.

“This week our training’s been about structure, and as long as we keep that we’ll be a good chance.’’