“It’s important to have those sessions” – Spencer on building new relationships in the team
Sat 31 August 2024, 10:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
With new arrivals in the squad and within the coaching staff, Becky Spencer highlighted the importance of team bonding sessions in pre-season.
There has been two new faces to Robert Vilahamn’s squad so far, with the signings of Ella Morris, who completed her move to Hotspur Way last month, and Australia international Clare Hunt from Paris Saint-Germain.
We have also welcomed a new arrival to the coaching staff with Chris Williams being appointed as the new Women’s Goalkeeping Coach following Perry Suckling’s decision to step away from his role.
After a 10-year stint with Manchester City, working within the men’s senior team and academy sides alongside the women’s section, Chris comes in with years of experience working in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Becky, who is set to enter her sixth season with the Club, has relished the opportunity to learn from him so far.
“Chris has been brilliant, obviously it was difficult as Perry was a great goalkeeping coach, but we know Chris comes with bags of experience in the league and is fantastic at what he does,” Becky added.
“Me and Eleanor [Heeps] have enjoyed working with him so far, but also as an outfield player, his knowledge of the game is really important so, I think, everyone has welcomed him in very well.”
As part of preparations for the 2024/25 campaign, we spent a week at Bisham Abbey last week, which included a team bonding session on the River Thames, and the 33-year-old reveals it is imperative to spend time with everyone away from the pitch.
“It’s important to have those sessions with the team and let everyone have a bit of fun, try to enjoy pre-season as it can become such a long campaign once it starts,” she said.
Watch - Vinberg's vlog | Pre-season camp
Speaking on the canoeing session on the River Thames, she added: “I was with Rosella [Ayane] and Drew [Spence] and we weren’t the best at it, we just kept going in zigzags and, basically, we didn’t know how to steer our canoe properly which was Drew’s responsibility.
“Kit [Graham] and Martha [Thomas] was trying to help us, so we were all a part of it and trying to help each other, and to also have the staff involved was important as you get to see a different side to them and get to know everyone on a personal level.”
Our pre-season programme in full flow, having won our first two friendlies against London City Lionesses and Southampton, and Becky has acknowledged the hard work being put in.
“I mean for me, it has been longer as I have been involved in international tournaments over the last two years and I was coming quite late into pre-season, so to come in at the beginning and have a full one has been nice as you can see the progress with your team-mates but also yourself. The players have worked really hard and the staff have pushed us, it has been really beneficial so far.”
