Rhianne Oakley is the latest member of the squad to take on the ‘This and That’ questions.
The forward talks about her time playing a completely different sport as a youngster, what her usual order at Nando's is, her favourite Disney movie and an accident involving a quad bike and a trampoline.
This episode is a cracker. Enjoy!
What is your earliest memory of football?
That would probably be playing football for the first time when I was at school. I didn’t start playing until I was about 16 and I started as a goalkeeper because I used to play rugby. As I say, I made the switch when I was about 16 and I really enjoyed it. I started playing for a local Sunday side and it went from there. I played rugby from the age of like three or four up to the age of about 12 with the boys. I couldn’t play rugby with the boys when I got to 12, but I was about 14 or 15 playing Under-18s rugby with the girls. I remember my school football team needed a goalkeeper the one day so I went and played in goal. That’s where everything started.
What was the first football shirt you owned?
Probably a West Ham one. My dad is a massive Hammers fan so I’m guessing it was a West Ham one. It was a home one, I remember that. We’re going back a few years though.
Who was your role model growing up and why?
Obviously I grew up playing rugby so my role model was probably either Sam Warburton or Jonny Wilkinson. They were the sort of players I looked up to.
What is your favourite meal to eat after a game?
I do like a Nando's. Seren Watkins and I tend to find ourselves at a Nando's on the way home from a game. My order would be halloumi to start, four thighs, broccoli and mash or rice.
What’s the best goal you’ve ever scored?
My favourite would be either when I played for Wales Under-19s and I cut in and shot, or when we beat Swansea City 2-1 at home when I was playing for Cardiff City.
What’s the best stadium you’ve ever played at?
I haven’t really been playing football for many years, but I have been lucky enough to play at some big ones like The Hawthorns, Cardiff City Stadium, Reading’s stadium, Notts County’s stadium, Swansea’s stadium and a few abroad as well.
Who is your favourite band or artist?
Gunna. He’s probably my favourite.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
That was probably from my first county football coach who said to me “better never stops”.
What was your favourite show to watch when you were growing up?
I think I’d have to say Disney. I liked Moana. That’s such a good film.
Does chocolate belong in the fridge?
No. It’s too hard then. It just breaks your teeth.
What’s your dream destination to visit on holiday?
I really want to go to the Turks and Caicos Islands. It just looks unreal. I’ve seen so much about the place on Instagram.
What’s your job?
I’m a primary school physical education teacher. I love my job.
Pineapple on a pizza. Yes or no?
Yeah, why not? Spice it up a bit.
What’s the proudest moment of your life so far?
Probably playing for Wales at Under-19 level. My family came to watch. My mum and my dad were both there to see me play.
Which celebrity would you chose to spend one day with if you had the chance?
Tough question that is. I don’t really know what to say to this one. I think I’d want to stay away from football for this one, just because I live football every day. Rocky Balboa. I’m a boxing fan and I think it would be really interesting.
Do you believe in aliens?
I wouldn’t say I believe or I don’t believe. You just don’t know, do you?
Name on thing you think is overrated in life?
Another tough one, that. Tottenham Hotspur.
Any quirky superstitions on a matchday?
Yes, actually. I’ll always have the same breakfast and I’ll always put everything on my left side first, such as my boots, socks and shinpads. I’m right footed, so that doesn’t even make sense, does it? My breakfast is always beans on a bagel.
What is the strangest way you’ve ever picked up an injury?
I’ve got quite a few to be honest. I broke my nose playing rugby when I was younger. I slit my eye playing rugby tag, too. The funniest one would probably be when I went to a family party and we had quad bikes. I thought I could whizz round on one and I ended up driving through the fence and into our neighbour’s garden and into their trampoline. I really hurt myself. I reckon I was about ten, maybe even a bit younger.
Finally, what is one thing that annoys you about social media?
I feel like everyone takes it too seriously. You don’t really need social media.
