Betsy Hassett is walking down the tunnel to a sold-out Eden Park.

A global audience is watching, four million New Zealanders are behind the team, but someone is missing.

It's been 13 years since the Football Ferns midfielder lost her mum Noelle. She thinks about her every day.

'She was an amazing woman,” says Hassett, who has played 143 internationals for New Zealand.

'If she was still alive now, she would be at every single game and supporting me every minute. This World Cup she would've been there so that's pretty sad for me that she won't be around for it, but I know she'll be there in spirit.”

Hassett was only 19 when her mum passed away. She had just moved to America to take up a scholarship at the University of California.

Hassett had recently been selected in the Football Ferns squad for the first time. The support of the team got her through the hardest time in her life.

'They were like my second family and I was always looking forward to going on tour. I don't know how I would have done it without them.”

Hassett had also recently recovered from the worst injury of her career.

She was 17, playing in a preseason game for Auckland club Three Kings United against Eastern Suburbs.

'I even remember the girl who tackled me – her name was Sandy from Eastern Suburbs,” the born-and-bred Aucklander says with a laugh.

'We both dived tackled and she came straight down onto my leg. Everyone heard the snap, so it was an awful moment. I was in a lot of pain.”

Proud moment – Betsy Hassett captained the Football Ferns for the first time in February.

The game was stopped, and an ambulance took Hassett to hospital. It was the worst possible timing.

'I was just about to move to the States for College. I did all of my rehab over there. It was a long process and it took two years for me to get back to the same level.”

Hassett is not alone. In 2022 ACC accepted 39,424 claims for football-related injuries. These came a cost of $53 million to help people recover.

ACC invests in a partnership with New Zealand Football to deliver performance and injury prevention programme Fit4Football.

'There are some unique female specific considerations when it comes to reducing the risk of injury in sport,” says ACC injury prevention partner Nat Hardaker.

'NZ Football is doing some great work to ensure that injury prevention is an integral part of the game here in New Zealand. This is critical to ensuring we can support everyone to keep playing and maximise their enjoyment of the game.”

Hassett says her injury gave her new perspective and she realised how important it is to look after your body.

The Football Ferns perform the FIFA 11+ Warm Up – a key component of the Fit4Football programme – every time they train and play.

'It's important to do a dynamic warm up so when it comes to training and playing, you're ready to go,” says Hassett.

She is in a race to be ready for the World Cup in around three months' time.

Hassett suffered two broken ribs in the Ferns' 3-0 loss to Nigeria this month.

The former Avondale College student has had a remarkable career and thinks playing a World Cup at home will be a highlight.

'I can't wait. It's going to be amazing having the World Cup at home. I hope everyone gets behind us.”

The Football Ferns perform the FIFA 11+ warm up every time they train and play.

Fact Box - What is Fit4Football?

• Fit4Football is a player welfare and injury prevention programme developed by New Zealand Football in partnership with ACC SportSmart.
• It supports footballers' welfare, performance and prevention.
• FIFA 11+ is an evidence-based programme designed to prepare players for the demands of the game.
• Learn more here: www.fit4football.co.nz