A-Z with

Hayley Raso

Our A-Z feature will appear first & exclusively in this season’s official matchday programme, starting with summer signing Hayley Raso.

The Australia international got off to the perfect start in our colours as she scored on her debut competitive on Sunday in the 4-0 win over newcomers Crystal Palace in the opening game of the Barclays Women's Super League.

Following her arrival to Hotspur Way in the summer, we posed Hayley with some quickfire questions to get to know her a little better, from her lucky number to her favourite memory as a football fan.

Ability – Define your best three attributes as a player?

“Tenacious, determined and attacking.”

Best friend – Who is your best friend in football?

“That’s a tough one, I have so many good friends from all over the world. But I’m very close to my Madrid teammates and my national team, so I wouldn’t be able to pick just one.”

Cinema – What is the best film you have watched?

“I can’t think of one, but I know I really enjoyed watching the movie “Champions”. It was great, I loved it”.

Debut – When did you make your debut and where?

“It would have been for Canberra United in 2011 while for Australia I debuted in 2012 when I was 17-years-old.”

Hayley Raso in action for Real Madrid.

Australian tennis player, Ashleigh Barty, who Hayley would invite around for a dinner.

Eat – Who would you most like to invite around for a dinner?

“I would probably say David Beckham, Ashleigh Barty and then someone in my family. It would be cool to be with those people, but then also have my brother with me or something like that”.

Fanatic – What is your favourite memory as a football fan?

“If I had to change it to my favourite moment, it would be seeing all the fans that were out supporting us [Matildas] at the last World Cup, the atmosphere and selling out all the stadiums. If I had to pick one from when I was a fan, it would have to be seeing England win the Euros in their own country - that was amazing for them.”

Grades – what was your favourite subject in school?

“Maybe biology – I quite liked it!”

Hobbies – what do you do when you are not playing football?

“When I’m in Australia, I spend a lot of time with my family, going to the beach or for a coffee, seeing friends and watching the sunrise. Also, I like to go swimming, relaxing and that type of thing.”

Inspire – who did you look up to when growing up?

“When I got older and started playing football, I really liked Japan’s Homare Sawa.”

Job – what would you be doing if you weren’t a professional footballer?

“I would want to be a paramedic. I studied when I finished school to become a paramedic, so I would have definitely done that.”

Karaoke – What is your go to karaoke song?

“I’m not a big fan of karaoke at all, so I don’t have a go-to song.”

Love – What do you most love about playing football?

“Just being part of a team, getting to travel the world and do what you love with your mates.”

Hayley celebrating with Drew Spence after scoring her first goal for the Club.

Hayley in action against Crystal Palace.

Hayley in action for the Matildas during the 2020 Olympic games.

Meet – What one person would you most like to meet?

“I’d like to meet David Beckham, Ashleigh Barty or Ed Sheeran.”

Number – What is your lucky number?

“I debuted with the shirt number 16 for Australia and since then it has been a special number for me.”

Overcome – How did you overcome personal setbacks in your career?

“Just being mentally and physically strong alongside the support of my family around me.”

Position – What was your first position in football?

“My first position in football was as a forward, then I went to playing right back, before coming back up as a winger.”

Quality – Who is the best player you’ve played against?

“Caroline Weir. She’s the best player I’ve ever played against, but more so with.”

Rewind – Where would you go if you could go back in time?

“I would definitely choose to go back to the World Cup in Australia, it was absolutely phenomenal. I would love to experience it all again.”

Sport – If you weren’t playing football, what other sport would you do?

"I used to play touch football, so that would be quite practical. However, I would like to try gymnastics.”

TV – What tv series are you currently watching?

“Right now I’m watching ‘The Case of Laci Peterson’ and have also just started ‘Gangs of Galicia’ - a Spanish TV show. I only really watch TV series when I’m travelling but I got stuck watching a few Spanish shows while I was there.”