Football Ferns midfielder Hayley Bowden formally announced her retirement from international football on Monday.
Bowden said she had decided to end her playing career with the national team two months ago but took time to think the decision through before confirming her retirement officially.
“I spoke with Football Ferns coach Tony Readings in March to say that I would step down from Football Ferns selection,” Bowden said.
“It was a decision I felt I had to mull over for a little while, but overall, I felt now is the best time to formally announce I will hang up my boots.”
Bowden says the time commitment to her young family balanced against the training time required to compete at the highest level made a difficult decision easier to make.
“I feel like I couldn’t invest the time I needed to in order to be at my best as a footballer.
“My husband and I have a 16 month old son, so all my time and effort goes into my family. They are my number one priority.
“It was always my goal to come back and play international football after I had my son, and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to do so, but in the end I have decided to retire.
“I wish Tony and the team all the best for their forthcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign in Canada,” Bowden said.
With Bowden now stepping down from the Football Ferns, the well-travelled midfielder took the opportunity to register her gratitude with those who supported her throughout her long and successful career.
“I have had my highest highs and my lowest lows with the Football Ferns, but I wouldn’t change anything. I am proud of the career I’ve had with the Football Ferns, and I am thankful for all the opportunities I have experienced.
“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank New Zealand Football for their support through this decision making process and all the coaches, staff and teammates I have played for and with over my international career.
“During my career I have evolved so much, not only as a player, but also as a person, and I want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped shape those experiences.
“My friends and family, of course, have been a huge part of my successful career, and I wouldn’t have been able to have done what I’ve done if it wasn’t for their amazing support.
“I would also like to thank the New Zealand public for the tremendous support they have given me personally throughout my playing career and for their support of the Football Ferns,” Bowden said.
Football Ferns coach Tony Readings paid tribute to a player who helped to lead the New Zealand women’s side’s rapid rise in the game in recent years.
“Words can’t do justice to the impact Hayley has had on the team,” Readings said.
“She has been in the squad for over 10 years and the transformation the team has made in that time has been pretty incredible.
“Hayley was part of the teams that did get beaten heavily and she has been part of these recent teams. It shows the character and the ability of someone who can keep improving her performance to keep track over that period of time.”
“It’s not only that it’s also the leadership she has brought on and off the pitch as well. She definitely leaves a legacy for our players. We’ve got midfielders now who would have looked up to Hayley and probably would have got them into the game and inspired them to work hard.”
“While she is leaving the team, which is going to leave a hole for us, her being around has left the team stronger because she has inspired these midfielders; the likes of Betsy Hassett, Annalie Longo and Katie Bowen, who I’m sure would have looked up to Hayley. She has helped them on their journey and now she hands over the mantle for them to do the business for the team.
“When someone is in the squad for that long, can be part of a team that improves that much and still stays in it – and a key part of it – I think that’s real testament to the sort of person Hayley is.”
Bowden retires with 92 ‘A’ international caps for the Football Ferns after scoring on her debut against Samoa in April 2003.
The 31-year-old represented New Zealand at two FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in 2007 and 2011 and appeared at both the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic games, the latter campaign seeing the Football Ferns reach the quarter-finals.
She earned her 50th cap for New Zealand in a 3-0 win over Scotland as they progressed to the Cyprus Cup final on 1 March 2010, at the time becoming only the fourth Football Fern to reach the milestone.
Bowden played Varsity football for Virginia Commonwealth University in Virginia and enjoyed a stint with Ottawa Fury then Fencibles United before making the switch to FA Women’s Super League side Chelsea Ladies FC. Her next stop saw Bowden pick up a contract with Lincoln Ladies and then later moving to Japan to join Iwata Bonita.
Bowden is the fifth most capped Football Fern of all time, level with Ali Riley and behind Amber Hearn (98), Katie Duncan (101), Ria Percival (102) and Abby Erceg (112).
Factfile
Hayley Rose Bowden
Born 13 February, 1984
Auckland, New Zealand
Midfielder
International caps: 92
International goals: 10
Previous Clubs
Lynn-Avon United AFC – NZL
Virginia Commonwealth University – USA
Ottawa Fury – CAN
Fencibles United AFC – NZL
Chelsea Ladies FC – ENG
Lincoln Ladies – ENG
Iwata Bonita – JPN
Courtesy NZF Media
For more on New Zealand football, visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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