Perth Glory and Junior Matildas’ Tijan McKenna has just completed her first W-League season for her hometown club which involved combining top-level football with Year 11 school work.
Beyond 90’s Ben Gilby spoke with Tijan soon after Perth Glory announced her re-signing for another season. It was something that the 16-year-old was thrilled about.
“Re-signing with Perth Glory was an easy decision for me as I’ve grown up admiring and wishing to play for the club over the years. They have been supportive during the season and I’m excited to be given another opportunity.”
That supportive ethos has been important as McKenna made her first W-League appearances alongside going to school throughout the season. She outlined how the two were juggled over the four months of the season.
“I am currently in Year 11 at John Curtin College of the Arts and the school has been very understanding and supportive with my football commitments out of school.
“I have missed a few classes but my teachers have allowed me extra time to complete my assignments so that I don’t fall behind. It hasn’t been easy but I’ve had to learn to balance my school commitments with my football and that’s a good skill to have.”
Tijan was part of the Junior Matildas team that toured the Pacific and then competed in the AFC U16 Women’s Championship in 2019, experiences that she will never forget.
“It was an amazing opportunity to be a part of the Junior Matildas tour of the Pacific.”
“We played three matches in Tonga, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. I gained invaluable insights into life as well as experiencing a different style of play plus the environmental challenges and dealing with living away from home.
“It prepared me for the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Thailand a month later. The tours have given me unforgettable memories and friendships that I will forever cherish.”
The tough hand that Perth Glory was dealt in the W-League season this year has been well documented, but what has not been discussed quite so much is what it was like for the large number of youngsters who wore the shirt during those challenges. Tijan saw the campaign as a learning experience and one that will stand her in good stead for the future.
“It was a tough campaign but I was lucky enough to be a part of it. I trained really hard, learning as much as I could from the older girls.
“It was an opportunity to show that I was prepared to do what it takes to be part of the team. I can’t explain how happy I was when I was given a contract and then getting as much game time as I did in my first year in the W-League. The experience was amazing.
“My toughest challenge was finding my feet. Trying to find a spot on the team and then keeping that spot. Dealing with the losses each week and trying to staying positive when the times got tough and the critics spoke up.
“Despite everything, there were many positive moments within the team throughout the season but one that stood out the most for me was that we never dropped our heads during the tough times where the odds were pinned against us. We never turned on each other and we continued to follow our principles.
“Alex Epakis brought a positive outlook to the club when he came to us in December. He created a cohesive environment and he showed us resilience. His attitude helped us to stay positive, improve our morale and we formed a unique environment that kept us working hard each week.
“We became a closely knitted team. We created an environment where we all felt equal and not once did someone point the finger at another teammate in frustration.
“We didn’t drop our heads, we stuck together and kept fighting to the end whistle.”
With Tijan’s maiden W-League season now behind her, Beyond 90 asked her what her goals are between now and the start of the next Perth Glory campaign.
“I am training hard to be better prepared now that I know what it takes. I have much room for improvement and I am determined to push myself and be challenged to take it to the next level which is the W-League standard.
“I just want to improve on and off the pitch as an individual and as a team player. I want to grow stronger from last season and continue moving forward to build success.”
