Ahead of the Football Ferns’ meeting with Japan at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on June 10, get to know fullback Anna Green and hear all about her footballing journey.

How did you get into football?

My dad loves football and he’d had enough of watching my two older sisters playing netball so when I was old enough to join a club it was my only choice!

What has been your pathway to international football?

I grew up in Palmerston North so played all my junior football in local clubs there. I played with boys until I was 14 when I joined a women’s team playing in the Central League. For my last two years of high school, I went to boarding school in Auckland so that I could train with the U-20 national team. From training with the U-20 team, I was able to break in to the senior team when John Herdman became the coach. After the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, I managed to secure a stint playing for Adelaide United in the W-League. That was my first professional contract and since then I’ve played in Germany, Japan and Sweden and have just finished my season playing in the FA Women’s Super League in England with Reading FC.

Who inspired you when growing up to be an international footballer?

I was always inspired by my dad’s passion for football and we used to love watching Manchester United games together! As I got older and was able to see women’s teams playing, the likes of Kirsty Yallop, Hayley Bowden and Maia Jackman were amazing role models and definitely made me to want to be a Football Fern.

What does it mean to you to wear the Football Ferns shirt?

Every time I put on the Football Ferns shirt it’s a huge honour. Some of the moments that I’m most proud of in my life have been in that shirt. It’s a massive honour to represent New Zealand and my friends and family and one that I don’t take lightly. Being a Kiwi and a Football Fern is a big part of my identity, not only as a player but as a person, and I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to put on the Ferns shirt so many times.

What has been your biggest setback and how did you overcome this?

In 2014, I tore my ACL. It’s a long rehab that requires surgery and around nine months before you’re back playing. With the support of my family, friends and New Zealand Football support staff – along with a huge number of hours in the gym and physio room – I was able to come back just in time for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

What would be your message to kids aspiring to be a Football Fern?

You can’t control a lot of things in football like selection, your opposition, the conditions or even what your own team mates do. But one thing you can always control is your attitude and how hard you work!

How would you describe the Football Ferns as a team?

I would describe the Football Ferns as a group of hard-working girls how have each other’s backs and really want the team to succeed. It’s a family that are grateful to be able to represent every female footballer in New Zealand.

What opportunities away from the field has football provided you?

I was lucky enough to be the recipient of a Prime Minister’s Scholarship which funded my Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University. Football has also provided me the opportunity to travel the world and experience a number of different cultures. It’s helped me meet the most amazing range of people and given me enough laughs to last a lifetime.

What personal traits do you think you have developed from playing football which you believe will help you through life?

One of the traits I feel football has helped me develop is definitely resilience – you need to have really thick skin to be an international footballer. I’ve become very self-analytical and it’s helped my communication skills as you’re constantly dealing with a really different range of people in a high-pressure environment. I’ve made lifelong friends and have fallen over enough times at training that I’m more than comfortable laughing at myself.