Presenter, Kelly O’Donnell, joined Manchester City Women on their pre-season training camp in Abu Dhabi and for nine days tried to find out whether she could learn how to play football.
Having never kicked a ball before, the series documents Kelly’s journey as she tries to grasp the basics and puts her body on the line, following the players’ rigorous training regimes.
“This has to be one of the toughest things I have ever done,” O’Donnell said.
“To go from a complete beginner to training with top athletes – many of them England internationals – was always going to be a huge challenge.
“The reason I wanted to do this was to show just how difficult it is to be at that level, and also show how skilful our women’s team are.
“I have to admit there were some dark days out there when I realised I wasn’t very fit! And it’s certainly no holds barred – you get to see everything from blisters, to fitness tests, to me needing some medical treatment!”
Looking at the four main positions on the pitch, the first part deals with Goalkeeping. Defending, Midfield, and Striker will follow on a weekly basis.
We kick off today with the first session which focuses on goalkeeping and stars MCWFC stoppers, Karen Bardsley and Marie Hourihan.
