After spending the ‘winter’ in Australia, it’s a welcome return to the Academy for Louise Mason.
The 21 year old is currently acclimatising herself after arriving back in the UK earlier this month and is set to feature in Sunday’s pre-season clash against fellow SWPL side, Celtic.
Speaking at training earlier this week ahead of her first game back, Mason said, “The experience over in Adelaide was very different from here. At my first training session I think it was about 37 degrees so I got a bit of a shock as soon as I got there!”
“It’s a different kind of football over there, the girls were quite physical and athletic plus they were very tall – I was quite small compared to everyone else.”
In her brief spell Down Under, Mason played for the Westfield W-League side Adelaide United Lady Reds, making three appearances in some phenomenally warm conditions.
“One of the biggest hurdles was the intense heat. We were scheduled to play at 2pm one Saturday and it was 47 (yes, forty seven!) degrees. We got changed and as we were heading out to the field, the Club Doctor refused to let us leave the tunnel.”
The kick-off was cancelled until 7.30 that evening but when the players arrived back at the ground some 90 minutes before the rescheduled starting time, it was still deemed too hot to play.
“Even several hours later, it had only ‘dipped’ to 41 degrees. The Doctor stuck by his original decision and we finally managed to kick-off at 8.45pm. One of the longest days of football I’ve ever experienced and so different from back in Scotland where the games are postponed due to the cold.”
Playing against Celtic is a game that Mason always looks forward to and it holds a special wee memory for her too, “After signing back in November 2010, I scored 2 goals against them in one of my first games for Spartans. It’s one of my most favourite moments in my career so far.”
Mason is looking forward to pulling on the white and red colours again. “It was very different being in someone else’s dressing room when you are so comfortable in your own. The banter already from the team has been excellent as ever – I’ve missed it.”
Manager Debbi McCulloch is delighted to have her back in the squad, “It’s great to have Louise back and she is looking sharp on the training pitch with her fitness being in peak condition. Technically and tactically, she has developed far beyond my expectations and she will be an important player for us in the season ahead.”
Sunday’s game is at 1pm on the Academy Pitch and entry is FREE.
Season tickets will be on sale at the gate, offering a tremendous discount on match day prices. You can pick up your ticket on Sunday for just £40 with Under 16s tickets available free of charge. We’re offering affordable football for all at Spartans FC.