“I needed to come back. About time. About friggin’ time.” Five countries, five World Cups and two Olympics later, Matildas and Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Lydia Williams was ready to come home. Off the back of the success of the World Cup in Australia, the timing couldn’t have been better.

Returning to the Victorian capital for the second time in her A-League career, Lydia doesn’t hide her love for the city. “Melbourne won me over by its culture and the fact you can fit in somewhere no matter what you like to do.” Ask her about coffee and she’ll start listing spots as any local would. “Industry Beans, Market Lane, Axil, Top Paddock.” It’s a far cry from the rural Western Australian towns where she spent her formative years, but she appreciates the different cultures and lifestyles of the cities she’s since lived in. 

At Victory’s base at the Home of the Matildas, Lydia finds herself a stone’s throw from where she used to train with Melbourne City. In that time, she won three championships and a premiership. “Those years were fun. They [City] set the standard.” Now, she’s reveling in the environment created by Victory. Everything she needs is in one place. “I go in at 8, train, be there until after lunch if I need something like treatment, and then have the rest of my day to do what I like.”

When asked about the change in professionalism in the women’s game over time, Lydia is quick to point out that she’s been more fortunate than others. “I have pretty much had full-time athlete status my whole career.” She tells me there was a time early on in her career where she was balancing football with another job, however. 

Always one to seek out interests outside of sport, working as an education guide at the zoo was the perfect role for the animal lover that is Lydia. “I loved the giraffes and the tigers. The tigers were temperamental, but I loved it.” It’s fitting then that as we’re chatting, dogs, cats and swooping birds in the park surround us. It’s an entertaining distraction, and one that has Lydia in fits of laughter.

As much as playing at home has always been desirable, the challenge of being in new environments always appealed to Lydia. In France, she found herself motivated by a cut-throat approach at PSG. “If your touch was bad or your pass wasn’t along the ground, you got your heart rattled, and I love that. It’s just demanding high standards.”

The differing styles of play in the countries she’s been to - Sweden, America, England and France - have shaped her as a footballer. “That’s why we leave, that’s how you get better.” It’s a sentiment shared by many Matildas. Evidently, there’s something to be said for being uncomfortable.

After all this time pushing to be the best version of herself, Lydia is starting to think more seriously about life beyond football. She admits retirement has been on her mind. “It’s something I’ll do on my own terms.” Allowing herself time to transition is intentional; she wants to be ready for life beyond football once she hangs up her boots.

For Lydia, something shifted in her mindset more recently when it comes to representing her country. “I can go into camp now and do everything I can to make sure it’s the best environment it can be.” She’s relishing every moment she spends with the Matildas. Lydia speaks with great admiration about playing with fellow goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold. It’s clear how proud she is of Arnold - she never doubted her capabilities. “I’ve been waiting to pass the torch on.”

As we speak about the impact of the Matildas and the World Cup, it becomes clear that it’s far beyond what Lydia expected. “My favourite thing is how many young girls and boys have joined teams to play football, how the parents are so excited and how the Matildas have become people's role models.”

Whilst football will always play a role in her life, Lydia recognises the need for balance. After spending years away from home and from family, she looks forward to experiencing the Australian lifestyle again… and the weather, more importantly. 

Just as we’re saying our goodbyes, I notice three young girls sitting nearby. They’re staring and pointing excitedly at Lydia. I can’t tell whether she notices. Earlier, she’d responded modestly when asked if she gets recognised more since the World Cup. “A bit,” she shrugged. If one thing is clear, it’s that even if she didn’t anticipate it, Lydia Williams is certainly someone people look up to.

Photos and words by Rachel Bach