Kyah Simon is back for the Westfield W-League season after returning from NWSL club Houston Dash to sign on with Melbourne City for the 2019-20 campaign.
“I’m very happy to be back in Australia, been a long time away from home, got to spend time with the family in Sydney, got stuck into rehab as quick as I could but it honestly feels like I never left [Melbourne] – I really do love it.”
“I just feel really at home, I’m well looked after and I feel like I’m in the best environment when up here so it’s really enjoyable.”
Unfortunately Kyah is no stranger to the injury front, but she shared some progress she has made ahead of Round 1 in the W-League.
“Rehab is going really good, I’ve had a calf strain that I’ve been dealing with since Houston which was about 10 weeks ago,” Simon said.
“It’s been a long rehab for an injury that was only going to be 3-4 weeks so I hit a bit of a hurdle and restrained the calf, it’s frustrating but i’m really happy with how it’s going now.”
The opening weekend of the season is the goal for Simon’s return to the pitch.
“I’m aiming for Round 1 but just hoping I can get a solid amount of minutes, not trying to rush things just gotta go step-by-step and day-by-day, but I’m back on the pitch and in with the team which has been really rewarding and exciting for me, to get back out there.”
Simon has also been given a leadership role for the upcoming campaign.
“I feel every time I’ve been a part of the club we’ve had a great group of girls, I’m happy to help the younger girls and drive that positive culture we have here [at Melbourne City] to make sure we have high standards, I’m more than happy to do my part for the team.”
Simon also praised youth prospects Sofia Sakalis (Young Matildas) & Nia Stamatopoulos (Junior Matildas) for how they have adapted to the standard expected at City.
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“They both have a good head on their shoulders and are talented in their own right but I think it will do them the world of good to be surrounded by a lot of high quality players and nationals [and] internationals.
“They learnt a lot last year and they continue to grow there as players as well, [so I] hope they get some minutes in the season.”
Simon believes there will be some friendly banter shared with her former Houston teammate with Veronica Latsko later on in the season.
“V [Latsko] is a great chick, lots of fun… she’s in rehab herself from an ACL reconstruction, [so] not too sure at what time we will see her in the season,” Simon said.
“[It] will be good to catch up with her though and seeing some of the Houston Dash girls in this part of the world.”
Simon also expressed her thoughts on the upcoming Matildas two-match friendly series vs Chile next month.
“For me it’s my health; we had a discussion with the medical & coaching staff, I think the main focus across the board is to get me healthy and not rush it.
“As much as I want to play the friendlies and get back to representing the Matildas, the focus is to get a full season of the W-League injury free and plus I may not be 100 % when those friendlies come around.”
When asked about her main focus for the campaign, Simon said she wants to get the body healthy again after all the injury setbacks she’s had to endure over the past couple years.
“I want to get back to enjoying football. I haven’t been able to do that for what it is as I feel I have been in rehab for two years.”
“I’ll be stoked if I can play 90 minutes in every game this W-League, or be a part of every game, just to get some game minutes under my belt and consecutive training.”
“I haven’t been able to play in any four or five consecutive games in any season – whether that be NWSL, W-League, or even this year. I don’t want to push or race against any clock, with my aspirations to play I just sometimes need to pull the reigns back a little bit and take it one step at a time, and do it right.”
