Former football players Kealia Watt and Rachel Brown-Finnis had a lengthy discussion on International Women’s Day, covering topics such as the growth of women’s football, juggling parenthood and a playing career, and life after retirement. The two also discussed their expectations for women’s football in the future. Watt is currently a co-owner of Burnley, and Brown-Finnis works as a pundit and analyst.
Kealia Watt, a co-owner of Burnley, has discussed with TNT Sports how her connection to the Premier League team has aided in her transition from a playing career.
From 2014 to 2021, Watt participated in the NWSL, the premier division of women’s football in the US. Before a brief stay with the Chicago Red Stars, she played the majority of her career with the Houston Dash.
In 2020, she tied the knot with NFL player JJ Watt, and in 2022, the pair welcomed their first child. Her spouse retired last year, and the 32-year-old hasn’t played since. Not long after, the two bought a minority share in Burnley.
For TNT Sports, Watt had a conversation with Burnley-born and bred goalie Rachel Brown-Finnis, a former goalie for both Everton and England, in honour of International Women’s Day.
Watt said, “My spouse and I kind of transitioned at the same time. We were able to invest in Burnley, which has been so much fun.” He retired first, and I followed suit.
We’re thrilled to be spending a month in England and will be attending the next five games.
It’s just been very great for us because we miss sports competition so much. I believe that’s something you’ll always want and simply miss in life.You’ve been competing daily for so long. This provides us that tiny bit of rivalry where we are genuinely invested in their success. We’ve had the games on every single week, and it’s been quite entertaining.
“I think it’s really difficult for any professional athlete to transition from playing your entire life,” Watt continued.You’re attempting to discover who you are or what your current mission is. I’ve had this identity and purpose for a very long time. We have enjoyed being a part of Burnley, even though we have been navigating it together.
After making 82 appearances for England, Brown-Finnis retired in 2015 and went on to have a prosperous career as a football analyst and commentator.
She admitted, “I miss the pressure of playing too.” “I got a buzz from people expecting mistakes or getting ready to play in a big game, which is the pressure of performing.” I miss that a lot.
“I really enjoy the job I’ve been doing now since it requires me to react in real time and make decisions based on my observations. As a goalie, I was always observing play patterns while I was in the game. I was seeing how attacks are developing and how I may set up my defence to enable me to get them into position.Thus, when I’m working, I’m essentially just saying these things aloud on the radio or TV. I enjoy performing under pressure. I’m just acting now, but in a somewhat different part.
THE RISE OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
In the UK, interest in women’s football is growing quickly. For instance, more than ten Premier League sides, including Arsenal, have an average attendance of 34,997 in the Women’s Super League this season.
Even though she retired almost ten years ago, Brown-Finnis saw glimmers of this throughout her career. She called her performance for Team GB in front of over 70,000 spectators at the London 2012 Olympic Games her “proudest moment.”
Watt and Brown-Finnis both agreed that the UK had fallen behind the US in supporting and embracing women’s football, but that the UK has now caught up—especially in light of England’s success at Euro 2022.
Watt stated, “Right now, we’re in a competition to see who can be the best and the most professional.”
“I believe that people are now more aware of the United States.”
Players’ expectations have also increased as a result of greater focus, funding, and sponsorship. Many people can now manage to balance a professional career and raising a family thanks to the implementation of improved maternity policies.
“There really wasn’t an option to play when you had a baby at the beginning of my career in the United States,” Watt remembered. “You might give it a shot. There might have been one or two. It wasn’t typical for my teammate Jessica McDonald to have a son.
These days, it’s rather typical to witness these women returning to their childhood hobbies and receiving the necessary assistance.
Every day when I’m with my baby, when he doesn’t sleep, or when I’m exhausted, I find it amazing that these ladies are taking care of their families, raising their children, participating in sports, and being professional athletes all at the same time. It really is unbelievable.
CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
In light of women’s football’s recent explosive expansion, Brown-Finnis and Watt expressed their hopes for the sport’s future on International Women’s Day.
“I hope that the current trend of events continues, so that the next generation of people realises that women and girls have equal reasons to participate in sports as do men,” Brown-Finnis stated.
“I’m extremely proud of our kids because they are growing up in a generation and setting that values inclusivity and encouragement for all people, especially when it comes to football.”I would like to see this nation’s professional league continue to expand. I want all of the game’s symbols to serve as positive role models for other players. I want other people to be able to share and have that same feeling because I am so appreciative of football.
“I remember when I first started playing professionally, women’s football and football really felt like charities,” Watt continued. You would only need to be appreciative of what you had, and they would let you to do it. Don’t say or grumble about things too much.That has significantly altered, and we’ve truly discovered our voice—of which I’m most pleased. I am aware that it took some time for the players in America to declare, “This is not good enough; we deserve more.”It truly stretched the bounds. I simply want it to keep going in that direction.
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