Since graduating at George Mason University Emma Starr has travelled and played football throughout Europe.
That willingness to embrace new places has served her well. Having previously featured for Galway WFC in 2018, Starr craved a return to the west of Ireland.
“I have always wanted to come back, but just the timing hasn't been right or I have been playing somewhere else,” Starr explains. “The girls and coaching staff when I was here before were so welcoming and so nice.”
Former Galway WFC manager Billy Clery and assistant Maz Sweeney stayed in contact with Starr, who has made a significant impact for the maroon team.
“They have all kept in touch, I have spoken to Billy and Maz since I have been away quite a bit,” Starr adds.
“They have been keeping me updated on the league and how it has progressed since I have been here before. It was always an option for me to come back and I always felt that they would welcome me back. So I was excited the timing worked out this time.
“I still knew some people living in Galway, I used to work at the Train Station gym, Johnny O'Brien was here, I knew some of the players still, I knew Billy so I always wanted to come back. It just seemed now was a great time, it all has just worked out really.”
During the last three years Starr has enjoyed being in Europe. “It has been really good,” she says. “A good word is adventure for sure. I think in women's soccer there is not too much of a guarantee that you are ever going to get on a team or find an opportunity, especially as a foreigner.
“Visa problems always come into play, it is always definitely an adventure looking for a new team and a new place.
“You really have to be spontaneous, flexible, and always be training to be ready to be on a team at a moment's notice. When I left here the last time the next team I played on was in Denmark, then I went to England for a bit.
“I was in Prague, about two days after I got there Covid hit. So that didn't really work out too well. Then I was lucky enough to get a really good offer while Covid was happening and I went to play in Austria for a full season which was great. I have had a lot of really good experiences just from being open to going somewhere new and just going to see what happens.
“There is not really any guarantee ever if you are going to like the team or like the coaches or like the city or get playing time. As long as you are open to trying something new, I have always had a good experience.”
This is precisely what Starr wanted to achieve: to be involved in high level sport and also see the world.
“I always had an idea in high school that I wanted to somehow combine travelling and playing soccer,” Starr replies.
“I didn't really want to stay in the US to try my way on to a pro team there, I wanted to experience new places, meet new people, and live in different places. I have been fortunate enough to be on a team for three months, then to be able to go to travel, still be able to train and stay in shape. Then go to play for a new team or come back. I've continued travelling to see new places, while still fighting to play on a team.
“Being able to stay in Europe has been great for me because I have been able to continue doing what I love, being on a team and travelling and somehow make a life doing that so far which has been really great. I don't feel I'm sacrificing my life just to find a team,
“I'm combining everything I want to do, even if it is pretty unconventional. I never really go back home to the United States, I don't have one home base that I go back to. I'm always travelling, but it works. It has worked so far - somehow. I definitely think the path I have taken has been strange, but I really wouldn't have it any other way.”
Possibilities exist in the coming weeks and months for Galway WFC’s collection of emerging and established players. “I think I came back at a great time,” Starr says.
“All of the girls have been so welcoming, training has been great, a really good intensity. I was pleasantly surprised coming back to see how much talent we have with the young girls on the team. Not only are they talented, they work really hard.
“You never have to worry coming into a training session is someone going to give 100 per cent, you just know that they are. That is a really good feeling to have, it just brings the whole team closer.
“I'm excited to see how the end of our season is going to go because I think that we will definitely get a few more wins. Everyone will be happy with the way we are going to end our season.”
**Listen to the full interview with Emma Starr on this week's 'Cian On Sport' podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
