Goalkeeper reflects on her journey from the Academy to representing the First Team against Arsenal last weekend
Reading Women endured a difficult afternoon as they were seen off by Arsenal earlier in the month, but the defeat didn’t dampen the spirits on a long-awaited homecoming, nor did it falter Rhiannon Stewart’s pride as she made her Royals debut having come through the ranks at the Academy.
The young keeper came into the line-up against the Gunners at short notice after Grace Moloney was forced to miss out – and Stewart more than stood up to the test against the 15-time WSL champions.
She said: “Obviously Arsenal are one of the top teams in the league, so it was always going to be a challenge.
“It was so enjoyable though, playing against players who I have watched for years, although it was a lot more daunting seeing them run towards me!
“In terms of comparing the football to Academy football, the pace of the game is on another level, as are the expectations on you.
“Since I’ve been here though, the girls have been so welcoming, taking me under their wing to help me through things, and it has turned what could have been a scary change, into something I have loved.
“Training with such high-quality players day in, day out, has been fantastic for my self-development, learning from the girls who have represented their country and played in different leagues, it makes it a more well-rounded experience and pushes me to be better.
“Getting the nod to play is something I’ve been working hard to achieve for years, and again, full credit to my teammates and all the coaching staff for the immense support they gave me in build up to the game.
The occasion was given extra gloss as supporters returned home to the Select Car Leasing Stadium, to form an impressive crowd of 1,127 people, which Rhiannon said added to the spectacle.
She concluded: “The fans? Amazing.
“I think everyone in sport has realised the huge impact fans can have on a game, for me, it just gave me an extra spring in my step. I’m already counting down the days till the next one.”