A big a part of Blayney’s function is to journey to England and spend weeks at a time analysing the performances of Japan’s gamers.3
She additionally gives participant care – serving to them handle language limitations, settle into new cities and hyperlink them up with different Japanese gamers within the league.
Within the week she spoke to BBC Sport, she had attended video games at Brighton, Manchester United and Liverpool.
She noticed Risa Shimizu rating for Liverpool of their Girls’s League Cup win over Sunderland and Miyazawa dominate in United’s 3-0 win over Brann in Europe.
“Since January, I’ve been immersed in England fairly continuously. I have been collaborating with coaches immediately and that is been glorious for Japan,” Blayney mentioned.
“They reside on the opposite aspect of the world, away from house and their households. Generally simply having a well-known face is essential.
“I used to be a former participant who lived overseas so I perceive the challenges. I at all times let the gamers know I am coming to their video games, however not Aoba Fujino as a result of her face when she sees me at all times makes me smile.”
With so many Japanese stars within the WSL, golf equipment are introducing methods to assist them settle, offering translation companies and providing English talking classes.
Manchester Metropolis cook dinner Asian-themed meals earlier than matchdays and permit their Japanese gamers to return later within the winter break to allow them to rejoice new 12 months with households again house.
Consequently, the WSL is a sexy vacation spot for Japan’s high stars and their rising era, and Blayney hopes extra will make the transfer sooner or later.
“It’s terrific for the youthful gamers in Japan to see there’s a pathway to the highest leagues,” mentioned Blayney.
“If I exploit Hikaru Kitagawa for example from Everton, all the women in England got here round her and helped help her with the transition.
“It is nice to have that security web. The present WSL gamers from Japan are setting a typical and it is a actually constructive one.”
