Simon driven by potential home World Cup
Jun 23, 2017 - 5:54 AM There's nothing like a double shoulder reconstruction to remind Matildas star Kyah Simon exactly why she wants to extend her career until 2023.Should Australia be successful in its ambitious bid to host the Women's World Cup, the 25-year-old striker wants in.
And even the possibility of playing the showpiece tournament on home soil has helped her resolve to fix the troublesome shoulders.
Strapping her constantly dislocating shoulders has long been a part of Simon's pre-match routine, but when they began popping out of place in her sleep she opted to sort it out during a quiet international year.
The long rehab spell meant foregoing her usual US season with the Boston Breakers, but after a taxing few months she hopes to be back playing in time for the next W-League season with Sydney FC.
"I'm in a good space mentally, physically it's taking a little bit longer but I really needed that so I can have that longevity for the rest of my career," Simon said.
"The surgeon said I would have had arthritis by the time I was 50 if I didn't sort it out.
"Before surgery I had a 99 per cent chance of them dislocating, and after surgery it's less than a three per cent chance."
If anything, the mental refresher has put the hunger back in Simon's belly just in time for the federal government to back a bid to host 2023 Women's World Cup.
"It's made me even more determined not to sell my career short," Simon said at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence where she and other indigenous Rio Olympians celebrated International Olympic Day.
"I'm looking to have a very long, successful career and build on the nine years I've already been in the Matildas team so 2023 is definitely in my sights.
"If I look after myself physically then I believe I will be there. I'm looking to play at least until low to mid-30s. I'll be 32 at the 2023 World Cup so it's very much realistic."
Source: AAP
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