Hannah Wilkinson gets goosebumps when she thinks about representing New Zealand at the FIFA Women's World Cup on home soil.

The Football Ferns striker can't wait to lace up her boots and take on some of the world's best in front of her friends and family in July.

The World No 26 Ferns are looking to make history by winning a game at a World Cup for the first time.

The 31-year-old from Whangārei says the opening night of the tournament – where she will walk down the tunnel at Eden Park to face World No 12 Norway - has been on her mind all year.

'I've imagined it over and over,” she says. 'It will be an experience like no other. I get sweaty palms and goosebumps just thinking about it.”

Wilkinson has played 113 A internationals for New Zealand and competed all over the world. She believes that competing in a home World Cup will be a career highlight.

'It always means the world to represent not only Aotearoa, but Northland as well,” says the Melbourne City striker.

'Being one of the few players from the Far North is quite unique. I hope my representation can influence more young girls and boys in Northland to get involved in the world's beautiful game.”

'The hard work eventually paid off”

As a youngster, Wilkinson attended Kamo High School and was a natural athlete. She loved anything to do with sport and was one of the few girls competing with the boys at school, and also at the Kamo Football Club.

'I played with the boys until I was about 16,” she says.

'My dream throughout those years was to play for my country. I travelled to Auckland weekly, hoping to catch the eye of a national team coach.

'That hard work eventually paid off, and I have to thank my father, and some of my other fellow northerners' families, for the long nights of travel to Auckland and back each week.”

Wilkinson says playing in this World Cup means her family will get to witness first-hand what that hard work has done for her.

It has been a challenging build-up for the Ferns – the Jitka Klimkova-coached side has lost eight of their past 10 games leading into the World Cup.

Wilkinson – who has scored 28 goals for New Zealand throughout her career – knows where they need to improve.

'Our top priority is to create more chances and to score more goals,” she says.

'When we are at our best, we show a great fighting spirit. The team that will win, will be the one that wants it more. And no team will want it more than us.”

The Ferns have been in camp over the past month and have focused on improving in that aspect.

Wilkinson has also played a role off the pitch. Last year she painted a mural on the walls of Eden Park to commemorate the cricket, rugby and football women's world cups held at the venue in 2022 and 2023.

For the mural, Wilkinson combined elements of native birds, lofty maunga and beautiful koru that unfurls to produce a silver fern, symbolising the growth of our strong national female athletes.

'It was a huge honour and privilege to be given that opportunity,” she says.

Creating a legacy

Wilkinson wants to create a legacy for not only performance but injury prevention.

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

She is a big advocate of the NZ Football Performance and Prevention framework and knows the personal cost of a serious injury all too well.

'After a long career, where I have had two ACL reconstructions, looking after my body is imperative,” she says.

'Ensuring that all of my muscles are activated and strong around my joints really help with training and game preparation. It is a routine I will always commit to.”

The personal cost of football injuries

In 2022, ACC accepted nearly 40,000 claims for football-related injuries.

ACC partners with New Zealand Football to deliver the NZF Performance and Prevention programme.

'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 says.

'We work with NZ Football to ensure injury prevention is an integral part of the game here. This is critical as it means we can support everyone to keep playing and maximise their enjoyment of the game.

'The 11+ warm up is an evidence-based programme designed to prepare players for the demands of the game. It includes exercises that really target strength and control of the lower limbs.”

Wilkinson has reflected many times on where her career began – a kid who loved to play football in the humble surrounds of her Northland community.

She has sound advice for any young girls and boys who dream of playing for their country.

'Never give up,” she says. 'It will get very tough, but always remember why you started.”

Football Ferns games at the World Cup

20 July v Norway, Eden Park, Auckland

25 July v Philippines, Sky Stadium, Wellington

30 July v Switzerland, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

What is the NZF Performance and Prevention programme?

• It is a player welfare and prevention programme for our everyday athletes.
• It provides support mechanisms for enhancing player performance, injury prevention, and wellbeing.
• The 11+ warm up is an evidence-based programme designed to prepare players for the demands of the game. It includes exercises that target strength and control of the lower limbs.
• A study published by the British Medical Journal in 2008 found that teams performing this programme at least twice a week had 37 percent fewer training injuries and 29 percent fewer game injuries. Severe injuries reduced by almost 50 percent.
• Find out more here: www.nzfpandp.co.nz/