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

How did you get into football?

I started playing when I was six-years-old, a group of us were playing at school and decided we would go home and ask our parents if we could play.

What has been your pathway to international football?

I started out playing at Western Suburbs in Whitby. I was at the supermarket when I bumped into Mick Waitt who I knew through a mutual friend, he asked why I wasn’t at the trials and to head down, so I did. When I was 10, I made the U-14’s Western Zone rep team, then Wellington Federation group the same year. I went on to attend an U-15 New Zealand Football camp the next year. I played in the National Women’s League since I was 14 and was then nominated for the New Zealand Football awards. I played in the U-17 World Cup in 2012, and U-20 World Cups in 2014 and 2016. I played in Australia for Sydney FC in the 2017/18 W-League season, where we were runners-up. I received my first cap in Spain against Scotland for the Ferns. I have just signed a professional contract to play in the German Bundesliga for the 2018/19 season for Duisburg.

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

My team mates, my self-belief and Mia Hamm – and the likes of Messi, Beckham and Ronaldo’s talent, amongst many more.

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

It’s an unreal feeling putting on that shirt and being able to represent your country the best you can. It’s about pride, passion, hard work and joy – I love it.

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

After the U-20 World Cup in 2014, I was out for a year with a back injury, then came back at the end of 2015 for a week before dislocating my shoulder over the Christmas break. In 2016, I did my left ankle really badly and was out for five months in an air cast. I came back for a week or two and pulled my hammy, then did the other one. My physio and I thought I was ready to come back but I tore my hammy warming up. I came back again for a month or so before the 2016 U-20 World Cup. I then did my ankle again, not too badly though. I went to the World Cup and, in our last pool game against France, a girl went studs up in a tackle and absolutely destroyed my left ankle. It was the most painful thing I have ever experienced. Fortunately, through those two years’ worth of injuries, I had my best friends, family and other people who helped me through this tough time. It was really hard not to be doing the one thing you are so passionate about and I don’t think you can truly understand that until you have been through it. I am very grateful to everyone around me for helping me get back to the player I am today.

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

Love what you do! Have fun! Make sure that, whatever you do, you are always having fun. Have passion in what you do and don’t listen to those who try to change you. Play your style, your way, and believe in yourself.

How would you describe the Football Ferns as a team?

Like a family.

What opportunities away from the field has football provided you?

I have received sponsorships from gyms and products to promote because of football. I have been given jobs because of connections through football.

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

That’s hard, it’s unknown. I think that because of who you are, you develop these traits and thrive in a sporting environment. Team building and resilience is definitely something you learn through sports but I think these effect all aspects of life. Endurance and perseverance are things I would say are learned from sports.

To purchase tickets for the Football Ferns vs Japan at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on June 10 please click here