Tussle: Rachel Howard wants to be starting goalkeeper in China. Photosport
When Bayern Munich come calling, not many players turn down the advances of Germany's pre-eminent football club.
New Zealand women's goalkeeper Rachel Howard did. The 29-year-old twice turned down offers to join the powerful outfit in the women's Bundesliga, preferring to play with TSV Crailsheim.
"It was a
tough decision," Howard said. "I mean, who turns down Bayern Munich? But I'm really happy with my decision."
Howard has a history of doing things differently. She left Three Kings United, one of Auckland's two strongest teams at the time, to join Te Atatu hoping to see more action and turned down Bayern because first-team action wasn't guaranteed.
Although the women's Bundesliga can't be compared to the men's version, women's football has a relatively high profile in Germany with its own magazine, TV highlights and internet sites. Germany are defending World Cup champions and have never slipped below third in Fifa's world rankings.
They will again be among the favourites at the women's World Cup starting in China this week.
New Zealand, 23rd in the world, will take on Brazil (8), Denmark (6) and hosts China (11) in their pool.
Howard is in a battle with Jenny Bindon for the starting goalkeeper berth at the tournament. If she gets the nod, she's likely to be one of the busiest players on the park on Wednesday against the talented Brazilians, who boast the game's No 1 player, Marta.
It would be a major achievement if New Zealand were to become the first team from this country to qualify for the second round of a world cup and they are realistic about their chances.
"Credibility," was Howard's quick response when asked what her team hoped to achieve. "Definitely. Not just for women's football but for football in general in New Zealand. It's a challenge but we are at a point where we can make a difference for the sport."
Howard is on the cusp of a group of what New Zealand Football are calling the lost generation of the women's game here.
Between November 1998 and October 2006, the New Zealand women's team played just 15 internationals. Howard made her debut in 1998 against the US but has accumulated only 12 caps since.
She's quite keen, then, to make up for lost time.
