RASO Hayley

General
INJURY REHABILITATION
She was sidelined for five months after fracturing three vertebrae in her back in August 2018, but says she initially feared the injury may end her career and leave her unable to walk. "I broke down. I thought, 'That's it. I'm never going to be able to walk again. This is the end of my career'. I had a few episodes where I passed out because of the pain and I went into shock. Eventually I was able to get up, slowly and with a lot of help. I was just taking really small steps trying to get around the hospital. This injury pushed me to my absolute limits. This whole journey was an extreme mental and physical battle. I didn't think I'd make it out, but I am so happy to start my next chapter. I try not to go back on my injury or look back. I don't want to be afraid of playing or reliving those moments in my life that were so bad, I really want to move forward." (bbc.co.uk, 01 Mar 2019, 06 Dec 2020; theplayerstribune.com, 26 Jan 2020)

PARAMEDIC PLANS
In March 2020 she spoke about her plans to work as a paramedic when she retires from football. In 2016 she enrolled in a bachelor's degree in paramedicine at Griffith University after graduating from the Queensland University of Technology with a bachelor's degree in paramedic science. "I have wanted to be a paramedic ever since I was a kid. I find it very fulfilling knowing that people are vulnerable or hurt, and that you're the person there to help them." (myfootball.com.au, 25 Mar 2020; LinkedIn profile, 01 Jan 2020; theplayerstribune.com, 26 Jan 2020)

CLUB JOURNEY
She started her professional career at Canberra United, making her debut in the 2011/12 W-League season in Australia. She moved to the Brisbane Roar for the 2013/14 W-League season, but was then signed by the Washington Spirit in the United States of America ahead of the 2015 National Women's Soccer League [NWSL] season. She was released by the Spirit after one season at the club and was picked up by the Portland Thorns ahead of the 2016 NWSL season. While at the Portland Thorns, she returned to the W-League during the NWSL off-season and had loan spells at Canberra United in 2016/17 and Brisbane Roar in 2017/18 and 2018/19. She signed for English Women's Super League [WSL] side Everton in January 2020, but had to wait until October 2020 to make her debut for the club due to injury and league stoppages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (matildas.com.au, 30 Sep 2020; canberratimes.com.au, 15 Aug 2013; washingtonspirit.com, 11 Jun 2015; thewomensgame.com, 10 Oct 2016; theworldgame.sbs.com.au, 21 Sep 2017; timbers.com, 22 Jan 2020; theguardian.com, 31 Oct 2020; theplayerstribune.com, 26 Jan 2020)