Naz on Lionesses debut: “I was literally in shock”

Jess Naz recalls the moment she stepped on to the pitch at Norwich City’s Carrow Road as an England senior player, describing it as a ‘dream come true’.

Following an impressive season in our colours, netting seven goals in all competitions, the 23-year-old received her maiden call-up the senior squad in May as she was originally named as a stand-by player before later being promoted to the full set-up.

Although she failed to get any minutes in the double-header against France, our number seven was handed her senior debut by Sarina Wiegman earlier this month, coming on as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 victory over Republic of Ireland in the penultimate game of their UEFA EURO 2025 qualifying campaign.

Jess, who will be entering her sixth season at the Club, came off the bench in the 71st minute and nearly made an instant impact as, four minutes after entering the pitch, she saw an effort smash against the woodwork after charging down a Courtney Brosnan clearance.

As the players who featured on international duty over the summer break returned to Hotspur Way on Friday (26 July), we spoke to Jess to discuss the moment she made her Lionesses debut…

“It was such a surreal experience,” she told us. “We had been working hard in training throughout the week and then, the day before the game, Sarina told me I was in the squad, I was buzzing about that.”

“I was not expecting to come on, I was thinking maybe if it was quite late in the game and we were doing really well, then I might get an opportunity but when she called out my name, I was literally in shock.

“To step out on the pitch was a dream come true and something I have worked hard towards. It has been and up-and-down journey for me, but that was a pinch myself moment and to do it with Aggie [Beever-Jones], another debutant and Under-23s player, was so nice.”

Reflecting on the support from the crowd, she added: “To have that opportunity in a European qualifier, such a big game for us, in front of a large crowd, and when I came on and heard the roar and claps from the supporters, it made that moment even more special. When I was on the pitch, it was just about showing what I can do and what I am about.

“My agent was at the game, so we caught up after the final whistle and spoke about it, and then when I got back to my hotel, I did a group call with the family and they were all buzzing about it, they all watched from home. My phone was also going off every second from people messaging so it was nice to speak to them and talking about the journey I have been on and how far I have come.”

Following her debut against the Republic of Ireland, the forward received her legacy cap, and she will be making sure to find a special place for it: “It's nicely placed at the moment, I’m trying to get it framed with my debut shirt as well. I want it to be a moment I never forget.”

Having spent four weeks with the Lionesses over two international windows, it’s fair to say that Jess has learnt a lot from the experience and is keen to use that in her development ahead of the new Barclays Women's Super League campaign.

“The four weeks with the Lionesses was a great experience, the girls were great and made it more comfortable,” she added.

“The levels were also a step-up and that’s an environment I want to be in to challenge myself and take myself to the next level, trying to grasp everything and take as much information as I can, whether that’s internationally or club level.”