FIFA 2007 Women's World Cup
10 - 30 September 2007
China

It's been a strange and at times, difficult twelve months in the life of Faye White, but being named in Hope Powell’s squad of 21 players who have travelled to the World Cup perhaps marks a change for the better.

Last season Arsenal secured an unprecedented quadruple, England qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup for only the second time and Faye was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List, receiving her medal from the Queen.

Whilst the latter was awarded due to Faye's services to the women's game, acting as an immaculate role model to aspiring young girls, the 29-year-old had to watch her club and country from the sidelines as she recovered from her second ACL injury sustained in a pre-season friendly last September.

Faye managed to get a number of substitute appearances under her belt at the end of last season - as well as pulling on The Three Lions jersey again against Northern Ireland and Iceland – but what England Head Coach Hope Powell believed she needed most, was more game time.

With the agreement of Arsenal boss Vic Akers, Faye spent the summer in Canada with the Ottawa Fury, helping her side to the Eastern Conference play off finals.

"I played seven or eight games and it was exactly what I needed" she told TheFA.com.

"The set-up at the club was very professional and I was training every day, having a ball at my feet again, as well as all the core fitness drills.

"The weather was so hot and humid that I felt like I was going to die one day, but the experience will stand me in good stead for China where conditions will be very similar."

England's first group game is against Japan in Shanghai on 11 September and Faye feels England are respected on the world stage now, a sign of how far the squad have come.

"In Canada, their players and American players know all about the England squad and think that we'll surprise a few people in China.

"Our players now take more ownership of their personal fitness than ever before - if you miss training or try and kid the Exercise Scientists, you let all your team mates down, and no-one is prepared to do that.

"There is competition for places in every position and that keeps everyone on their toes too."

The life of a typical England Women's international is one that involves minimal or zero playing salary, with players either working full-time or studying.

"It's not easy working every day and then training for two or three hours every night on your own, but we do it because we want to" said Faye.

The squad flew to Macau on 19 August for a two week training camp before the real action begins, and Faye admits she's pinching herself a little bit.

"When England qualified for the 1995 Women's World Cup I was 17 and I used to look out for any reference on television or Ceefax to see how the team was doing.

"I wasn't sure I'd ever get to travel to a World Cup and after the injury I've had, for the second time, there were moments in rehab when you wonder if you'll ever play again.

"I feel sharp and fit but I know the players have done very well in my absence and I'm taking absolutely nothing for granted.

"I'm going to China to enjoy every moment and I'll be ready to take any opportunities that come my way."