Ali Riley is the charismatic captain of the Football Ferns. We caught up with the American-born Kiwi to get to know her a bit better, as the 31-year-old looks to lead the World No 20 to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

You were born in California, tell us about growing up and how you came to represent NZ?

I was born and raised in Los Angeles California until I went to Stanford University for college and then played professionally on the other side of the country, and then I moved over to Sweden. I haven’t spent an extended amount of time in New Zealand, but I still have a lot of family from there, I have two uncles and cousins who live there and playing for this team, I have spent so much time in New Zealand. The players are my family. I am an only child so the players are like sisters to me. To be able to come to Auckland now and spend the night at Point Wells with Rosie White’s family, that to me is my heritage. Being part of this team is being a New Zealander. It has been really cool to get to know the history of New Zealand. It is really cool to have that connection with my Dad who spent the beginning of his life living in Christchurch. He moved over the US after university. I know how proud he is that I represent his country and we have that connection. Even if I don’t sound like a Kiwi, I am so proud to represent New Zealand and it is such a huge honour. What we have gone through in the last few months and what we have fought for is what we stand for as a team and I am really proud to be part of that.

You made your debut back in 2007 against Australia, you lost 5-0 that day, what are some of your standout memories?

I remember coming into the environment and for me I wasn’t familiar with some of the senior players. I know, especially speaking to them now, how much things have changed and how much they fought for and everything that we have now. We focus so much on where we want to go and where we want to take the women’s game in terms of equality, but we also need to recognise it has come such a long way in a relatively short time in New Zealand. That is because of the likes of Maia Jackman and Kristy Hill. That is something I hope to continue. Back in those early days I was just a kid. I just wanted to play and go to a World Cup. Not fully understanding the meaning of the Ferns – we were called the SWANZ back then. We were beaten pretty heavily many times back then so it wasn’t the best feeling, but we have grown a lot and we are definitely a more competitive team now as a top 20 team in the world, which is something we sometimes take for granted.  I think back to those days – the places we stayed, the places we travelled to and the food – it wasn’t easy but I have the best memories. We learned a huge amount from those big losses and it made me want to push for more. Being here in the islands reminds me of the qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 World Cup with Ria Percival, Sarah Gregorius and Annalie Longo, to think that we are still together doing this. It has been a really unique and an amazing journey.

You have played 115 times for New Zealand, and scored one goal, what are your memories of that goal?

[Laughs] It was a long time ago. It was in another OFC Qualifying Tournament [against Papua New Guinea in New Zealand’s 11-0 win in Auckland, in 2010]. It was great to score a goal so I am not sure why I haven’t done it since then. I am hoping to get forward a lot at this tournament and in the games to come that is something I want to improve and have that attacking mind-set and that is something that this team needs. In this tournament we don’t have Amber Hearn or Hannah Wilkinson so it is time for some of us to step up. I am hoping to increase that number from one [laughs].

You have a huge passion for food and run the popular Love2Eat2Love a food Instagram and webpage – what do you enjoy about doing that?

I love thinking of ways to help inspire people...it started with a nutrition certification from IIN to making the Instagram account and now, unrelated to food, I've started my own podcast called Girls With Balls to empower women and young girls. But yes, I love food so much. One of the best things that I do is making the really delicious treats healthier. It doesn’t have to be something that totally raises your blood sugar and makes you feel sluggish a couple of hours later.  I have been selling some of my raw balls to a Yoga Studio in London. It has been a fun thing to do on the side and something for me to balance out my life. It is all about the idea of inspiring people to eat healthily.

You attended Stanford University – who boast some incredible Alumni like Tiger Woods and John McEnroe when it comes to sport – what was that experience like?

They were probably some of the four best years of my life. It definitely shaped me as a player but also as a person in those critical years when you are finding yourself. It is so inspirational being at a school being around so many smart people from all over the world who are so ambitious and want to help other people. That is more important to me than having money or status it is helping people and seeing how Stanford Alumni use their platform if they get famous, which a lot of them are, they use it to do good. That has inspired me to use my voice. I still watch their team and the level at Stanford has improved so much. They are churning out some incredibly talented athletes. They are four years that I will never forget at Stanford will always hold a special place in my heart.

The Ferns take on the Cook Islands tomorrow in Noumea in their second game of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup.

Article added: Wednesday 21 November 2018