After handling her studies, Emma Heckenberg is stoked to be back at Box Hill United following her short stint at Monbulk Rangers.
In case you missed it > Matt Shaw happy Heckenberg is back at Box Hill
The left-back admitted she left United to manage her hectic schedule, but felt returning to the club where she started her Women’s Premier League career was the right decision.
“I left United because of year 12,” Heckenberg said.
“I was struggling with study and wanted to be closer to home and Monbulk was about five minutes away. [Wembley Park] is about 45 minutes away.
“[But] recently, I’ve been on top of my study and I’ve been here for a couple of years, so I thought to finish off year 12, why not come back with a bunch of girls I really like?”
After playing six games with Monbulk, Heckenberg made her first appearance for United as a substitute in the 2-0 loss to Heidelberg United in Round 8.
Coming off two seasons at the club from 2012-2013, the versatile player was excited to be part of United’s new look team, following the appointment of head coach Matthew Shaw.
“I love the girls, I love the game and I love the new coach, he is amazing,” she said.
“We are planning on playing from out the back with a lot of passing. It’s a passing style, rather than the kick and run and hope for the best, which I think is a great style of play.”
Despite leaving mid-way through the season, Heckenberg said there was no bad blood with Monbulk as they understood her reasons.
“Not at all, they were really understanding. I explained what I said before, about my reasons for coming back and they completely understood where I was coming from,” she said.
“Plus it was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the coaching, technical director [Nic Eagle] and the coach, Quenten Wells, were great people. They really knew what they were doing.”
Her focus now will be trying to break into the starting 11.
“Most definitely, it’s my aim,” Heckenberg said.
“I’m training hard and hoping that Matt likes the way I play and that I’ll be back in the starting 11 next week.”
Box Hill United return to action in Round 9 against NTC U17’s on Saturday at the State Football Centre.