Football

This weekend, the Barclays Women’s Super League season gets underway and the only place to watch all the action is on Optus Sport. In 2022-23, the WSL is home to 10 Aussies with Sam Kerr and Steph Catley once again headlining a stellar array of talent ready to test themselves against the world’s best. Each of our Matildas will be hoping for a big season heading into a home FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. Optus Sport previews every Aussie storyline ahead of kick-off on 17 September (AEST), which is a week delayed following the postponement of the opening round last weekend.   Q&A WITH OPTUS AMBASSADOR STEPH CATLEY Q: What is it like playing against your Matildas’ teammates in the FA Women’s Super League? Steph: It’s so nice having so many Aussies over here in the WSL. It’s not always fun playing against them but it’s always nice to see them after the game, a little bit of home away from home. And playing alongside Caitlin Foord at Arsenal is a big bonus, it’s great to have someone on the same team as you that understands the pain of jet lag after an international window in Australia. Q: What is it like to play for a Club like Arsenal? Steph: It’s always an honour to wear the Arsenal badge. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world and have always been so successful in the WSL. I’m surrounded by some of the best players in the world every single day but also a really great bunch of people who I love working with. Nowhere else I’d rather be to challenge myself and enjoy my football. Q: Does your family watch your matches on Optus Sport? Steph: It’s so hard to go so long without seeing family every year but I love that my Mum and my brother, all my family and friends in Australia can watch all of my games live or on demand. Sometimes the time difference makes it difficult to watch it live, but they watch whenever they can!   FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE SCHEDULE – THIS WEEKEND Saturday 17 September 4.25am – Arsenal v Brighton 8.55pm – Manchester United v Reading   Sunday 18 September 9.20pm – Aston Villa v Manchester City 11.55pm – West Ham United v Everton, Leicester WFC v Tottenham Hotspur   Monday 19 September 1.50am – Liverpool v Chelsea   FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE HEADLINES ON OPTUS SPORT Optus Sport previews the FAWSL campaign, complete with key storylines and new signings here. Optus Sport tracks Mary Fowler’s rapid rise from playground lessons to professional football. Matildas captain and Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr sat down with Socceroos icon Mark Schwarzer ahead of another FA Women’s Super League season on Optus Sport. Manchester United midfielder Jackie Groenen speaks about how good the Women’s Euro 2022 tournament was and what legacy she hopes it will carry into this Women’s Super League season as Manchester United bolster the squad for a Champions League push. Brighton and Silver Ferns defender Rebekah Stott was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in early 2021 and now, on the other side of beating cancer, she talks to Optus Sport about partnering with Canteen to help others going through a similar journey. We have compiled the 10 players to watch this season’s FA Women’s Super League, find out here.