Hannah Beard hitting her targets at red-hot North Shore Mariners

It’s been a dream start to the rebooted National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s competition for English born star attacker Hannah Beard with the North Shore Mariners flying high, topping the ladder taking out six wins from six matches thus far.

The 32-year-old former Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar ace has been impressed with the club coaching setup as well as the culture that has assisted in the North Shore Mariners taking off on the right foot post COVID-19 lockdown.

“I am definitely happy with how well this season is going.

“We have a great group of girls at the club, a real mix of younger players coming through the ranks and a few experienced girls that are gelling really well for us.

“Our coaches Grant Lee and Bill Papas have created a great culture at the club which has meant a lot of the girls are thriving under that and playing very well.

“Training is always high tempo and the girls are motivated to work hard but are also having fun which is very important too.

“We were fortune that we managed to hold onto the majority of the squad pre-COVID lockdown.

“We only lost a couple of players along the way, either due to injury or work commitments but the majority of the girls kept themselves ticking over well during the lockdown period, which is now showing as we are a fit team and all came back ready to play again.”

One player in particular that has shown this form has been fellow strike partner Evelyn Chronis who has smashed home an incredible 11 goals in six matches.

The motivation of pushing the club back to the top tier of the Women’s NPL was something Beard and co were hoping to achieve this year but this changed when COVID struck.

Instead, the club focus has been on working on its core foundations so when the 2021 season comes around, the North Shore Mariners will be raring to go – the push for silverware in 2020 however has still remained high on each player’s priority list.

“The aim this year was to win promotion into the top tier of the Women’s NPL which was our main goal at the start of the season.

“It is disappointing that we aren’t able to do that, but motivation has still remained very high to hopefully go on and win the Grand Final regardless.

“Everyone is in the mind set now that we are building a great foundation for next season and hopefully we can hit the ground running come 2021. With the majority of the squad set to return, adding to it some welcome additions, it will certainly put us in good stead for the run towards winning promotion.

“On a personal level, I am at the point now where I want to be play for a great club and most importantly surround myself with good people and that’s what it’s like playing at the Mariners this season.

“We have a good backing from the club in general, a great coaching staff and an awesome bunch of girls which is making this season very enjoyable. I realised during COVID just how much I missed having football in my life and it being an outlet for me. The aim this season is to finish strong and hopefully get the Grand Final win.”

Away from the game she loves, Beard is kept rather busy in the Medial Sales industry, a tough but enjoyable occupation the English star is thriving on.

“I work as a Medical Sales Representative, selling drugs for atrial fibrillation, COPD, type 2 diabetes and Antipsychotics to GP’s and specialists.

“I’ve been in the pharmaceutical industry for three years now and absolutely love my job.

“There are many transferable skills from playing football at a high level to working in sales and I enjoy being on the road every day and with no day being the same.

“Working from home this year for three months has had its challenges but slowly things are getting back to normal and I am back out seeing customers.”

Born and bred in Liverpool, England, it’s not everyday any NPL competition can lay claim to a former Liverpool FC player hitting up their respective football pitches on a weekly basis.

A staunch Evertonian nonetheless, Liverpool FC was the first club Beard registered for, commencing her journey as a professional footballer.

“Yes, I grew up playing for Liverpool Football Club from the age of 9 right through to 17 with my final year playing in the Women’s Super League for the Liverpool Ladies First Grade squad.

“I however grew up a blue nose and support Everton, nothing beats an afternoon at Goodison Park watching them with my dad – Come on the Toffees.”

Asked what she missed most about being so far away from her native home, family as well as her dog Flossie were top of the list.

“I left Liverpool when I was 17 and lived in America for six years playing for a University in Florida on a football scholarship and then spent two seasons after University playing in the W-League in New York City and Los Angeles.

“I have been in Australia for eight years now, so I haven’t lived at home for a long time, it’s been 15 years.

“I miss my family the most, but they come out to visit occasionally and I try and go home once a year too which makes it more bearable – Fingers crossed they can come in January as we have planned.

“I also would do anything to have my dog Flossie over here as well.”