Let’s be honest, 2020 has been a roller coaster ride for Emma Checker.
Prior to the Pandemic, the 24-year-old was part of the unbeaten Melbourne City squad who not only took out both the Premiership and The Championship but, in the process, broke several records; including the longest-held clean sheet and lowest goals against tally recorded in the history of the W-League.
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Checker was one of the five defenders that held rock solid in every single game of the W-League. Emma, who is no stranger to moving to accommodate her football, traded her hometown colour of Adelaide red for the blue of City in an effort to regain Matildas squad selection.
During the W-League season in 2019, the centre back saw an opportunity to once again re-join The Matildas in a 2 match tournament against Chile. This opportunity sparked a deep desire to be a regular in the squad moving forward.
Making the move to City was never going to be a walk in the park. Having so many internationals and Matildas in a strong backline, Checker would have to fight her way into the squad.
You can see the way City changed from a defensive 4 at the back to a more attacking 5 was no doubt because of the added strength that Checker gave in her defensive role. She allowed both Rebekah Stott and Lauren Barnes the freedom to attack, whilst knowing Checker had their back.
Checker was adamant to become a better footballer. Not just wanting to be able to defend well, but to stay calm on the ball and to have presence in attacking parts of the game.
Playing the City way inherently gives you the skills to achieve that attacking prowess, but the offseason is where you can fall short. Moving from W-League back to the NPLW is how Checker had been managing her hard work as an athlete, student and a business owner. Working up to 60 hours a week in order to keep all things moving steadily upward meant that football was the first balloon to pop when it didn’t quite all fit in.
But the kid is a machine. She wants to play for her country and decided that her business ownership and plans for post-football might just have to take a back seat for her to realise her dreams of going to a World Cup and Olympics.
Checker also made the decision that NPLW would not be enough moving forward. She would need to find a contract overseas and spend the months in between W-League seasons abroad playing professionally.
With all transfer windows closing and nowhere to play, the defender realistically was looking at very few options moving forward. The pandemic brought another level of anxiety, without a Matildas contract or playing contract, it meant the once 60 hour a week PT now had only her University degree to keep her busy.
Making it work though she found time to keep herself fit and healthy with the help of her partner Mandy and her two boys, whilst her management team sent out the feelers for a playing contract now that the world’s leagues had come to a halt. Maybe she could fit in somewhere?
The life of a female footballer is quite different to that of their male counterpart. Most leagues around the world only take a certain number of internationals and for the most part, it’s not a defender they’re looking for. Still, Checker was hopeful that something would come up but always knowing her time at City meant she could have a base to call home in between it all.
Rollercoasters are fun for the most part though, right? The fall from picking up trophies to hitting a jobless pandemic should mean that the rise would be worth it though, right?
The call from F.C Fleury 91 came in early June and whilst there was the heartbreak of leaving her loving little family to fend for themselves for a while, the opportunity to play in the French first division was not something to be overlooked.
The club lies just 20 minutes south of Paris and has a Men’s team. Winning Division 2 in 2017 has meant the team was promoted to Division 1 the following year, allowing for the opportunity that Checker has snapped up.
F.C Fleury is a middle of the table team that Checker has vowed to help make Top 5 for their upcoming campaign. The two-year deal has come at an ideal time for the 24-year-old, not only a professional contract but also playing against some of the top European footballers in doing so.
Whilst playing for The Matildas is her ultimate goal, the dream of playing professionally in Europe is firmly at her feet.
