A year ago, Nicole Stratford was taking time out from football to train as a police officer. Now she has been to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, made her Football Ferns debut and earned a professional contract.

We caught up with the 30-year-old defender shortly after the Football Ferns two-match tour of China to get her thoughts on her rapid recent rise.

It must have been a lifelong dream of yours to turn professional, how does it feel to have finally fulfilled that ambition?

It’s actually strange to think about! I haven’t thought too much about the position I’m in as I just take it day-by-day and hope that I use each day in this environment to learn and grow as a person, not just a player. If I think about it, it’s amazing that the women’s game has come so far that it’s even a possibility to train and play full-time, so I think I’m more excited about what the future holds for this generation of female players and what this could mean for women’s football overall.

How did your move to USV Jena come about? How important was the Future Ferns Domestic Programme (FFDP) to your development?

FFDP played a crucial role in the position I’m in now. Not only did the contacts provide me with the opportunity to trial in Germany (via FFDP’s agent), it got me to a point where I was confident enough in my ability to actually pursue it. The coaching, player support (strength and conditioning, psychology, access to physio etc), quality of training and more competitive matches within FFDP puts NZ-based players in the best position they can be before stepping up again in professional environments.

It’s been a massive year for you with being called up to the World Cup squad, making your Football Ferns debut and now turning professional. Is it hard to get your head around everything that has happened in such a short space of time and what do you think has been the key to your recent success?

When I think back to last June when I was graduating Police College and not playing football at all (apart from a few indoor matches in the gym!), I am honestly amazed by where I am right now. A year ago I never would’ve thought that in a year’s time I would’ve been to a World Cup, made my debut and now be a professional footballer. I think I never really gave up on football and I knew in my mind that I’d never really tested my ability and seen where it could take me. So I’ve taken a lot of risks and stepped outside my comfort zone so that I know I can look back with no regrets, knowing I did all I could and if it wasn’t good enough then I would be ok with that. And I think the key to anyone’s success is the support they have around them, I’ve been fortunate enough in that area with my partner and family, the New Zealand Police by giving me every day off I’ve asked for in order to play football, and what FFDP and the Football Ferns have provided.

Nicole Stratford is enjoying her time at Jena

You are now playing in one of the top leagues in the world and have already had some minutes, how have you found playing in the Bundesliga so far?

The German style of football is very different from what I’ve experienced so far! I had and still have a lot to learn in order to adjust to the way this team and league plays football. The quality of players is exceptional and the pace of the game is so much quicker than what I’ve known. I enjoy the challenge, however, and it just gives me the opportunity to learn and grow with each training session and game. I’m grateful for any minutes I get on the field and playing a full match last week against SC Sand was an incredible experience. It would have been even better if we’d taken the points though.

The intensity at training must also be a step up, how have you found training every day with world-class players? What are the main challenges with stepping up from amateur to professional football?

The quality and quantity of training is a huge step up from what is available in New Zealand. In any given month, we might have two or three days off and this includes double contacts on some days. The standard is also a lot higher so players expect far more from you but I always approach it with an attitude that I’m there to learn and be the best I can be, both for myself and for the team. This is also one of the major challenges – you’re always held accountable. There are no excuses when you’re in this environment.

Nicole Stratford makes a tackle for Jena in the Bundesliga

Away from the pitch, how have you settled into Jena and how are you enjoying life there?

Jena is a great town and I enjoy the size of it. The club pay for German lessons for the non-German speaking players so I spend the first four hours a day from Monday to Friday learning the language. We have access to great facilities, I live with one of the girls in the team and we get to bike pretty much anywhere we need to go so it’s a great lifestyle.

How long is your deal with Jena and what are you hoping to get out of the experience?

I’ve only signed for the season until the end of June, although the last match is in mid-May. What I’m hoping is to see what I’m capable of and where the ceiling is within my footballing ability. I feel like I’ve played for so many years now but not really tested my personal boundaries. A professional environment allows me to pursue this without being limited by other aspects of life that can take that time.

Article added: Thursday 28 November 2019