Pictured: Pittwater Chillies. Insert: Hayley and Susan
Football mad Hayley Roach (51) is playing in her inaugural Pan Pacific Masters Games (PPMG) and has joined the Pittwater Chillies for the six-day games football competition.
Hayley, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire in England has played football since she was 12 years old, now lives on the Gold Coast and is as passionate about football forty years later as she was then.
A regular on the World Football Program, Australia’s longest running dedicated football radio show Hayley says “football is in my dna”.
She not only loves to get out on the field but has worked in all levels of the game from grassroots to the FIFA World Cup.
Hayley said she was thrilled to be playing in the PPMG football tournament.
“The PPMG is a fantastic event; it’s like the Olympics for seniors!
“This event is so inclusive and is all about opportunity to participate, once an athlete always an athlete.
“I think if you have grown up playing sports, the passion and love never leaves you, so this event gives everyone a chance to play and competing for a medal is extra motivation.
Hayley’s career highlight came whilst working at the UEFA Women’s Championships in England in 2005; in a staff match Hayley was awarded the prestigious player of the match award after scoring a hattrick.
Because of that impressive performance, Hayley was invited by the England Manager, Hope Powell, to train with the Lionesses.
“That was truly unforgettable and a career highlight, for sure,” she said.
