DESPITE leading Canberra United to its maiden W-League title over the weekend, Wagga soccer star Sally Shipard revealed she is not satisfied with her list of professional achievements.
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Still celebrating from Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Brisbane Roar at McKellar Park, the Matildas star yesterday spoke about her doubts over past performances with the Australian national team.
Shipard’s declaration comes just two days before boarding a plane to play a season in the national women’s league in Germany.
“There’s still a lot of things I want to achieve in my personal and professional career with the Matildas,” she told The Daily Advertiser yesterday.
“They’re mostly based around my own performance, I don’t believe I’ve performed the way I know I can or the way that I’m capable of with the national team.
“That’s why I think playing in the strongest league (in Germany) I can give myself a different challenge.
“I really want to give myself that chance to develop and work on things in that environment.”
According to Shipard, a stint in Germany will plant her among the world’s best female footballers who will all be vying for their place at the London Olympics in July.
With the W-League season wrapped up, Shipard said the timing was perfect to experiement with a new challenge with hopes to improve her Olympic performance.
“It’s the best league in the world over there –Germany, Sweden and America,” she said.
“I can’t wait to pit myself up against the best in the world and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.
“It’s perfect timing for us all to be heading overseas as well, it’s ideal for the majority of us going to the Olympics.
“My contract finishes on the 1st of June so that gives me time to come home and then head over to London, and hopefully some of the other girls qualify to come over as well.”
Shipard will leave for Germany on Thursday, determined to make the most of her European adventure.
Trekking through Spain is just one item on her travel itinerary as well as exploring all she can in her spare time away from soccer.
“I leave on Thursday, I can’t wait,” she said.