Yorkshire Post

Business of football in Lipka’s thoughts

- Aaron Hindhaugh is studying sports journalism at University of Sunderland. He spoke to Sheffield United Women’s Kasia Lipka.

IN A world where everyone is having to adapt to a new normal, footballer­s are in a unique situation.

A lot of teams are returning to training with the Premier League given the green light to restart, but women’s football has been cancelled until next season.

Kasia Lipka, a midfielder for Sheffield United women’s team, has been planning for a future after football by gaining a degree in economics.

The midfielder spent 10 years with the Blades during her youth career before moving onto Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2009 where she made 53 appearance­s.

The 27-year old spent a year at Sunderland after leaving the Belles between 2017-18 before re-signing for the Blades in 2019 after a year out through injury.

Having been involved with football for over a decade, a year out with injury was a shock to the system for Lipka, which conversely means lockdown has been quite familiar.

Not that she has not found it tough like everyone else.

The combative midfielder is comfortabl­e being back in the Steel City and was gutted to hear the news of the Women’s Championsh­ip – in which

KASIA LIPKA:

United’s Women’s team sat second – being cancelled.

“I’ve taken the opportunit­y to spend time doing things that I often don’t get time to do,” said Sheffield-born Lipka.

“After finishing playing football I want to pursue a career using my degree in economics, so I’ve been able to make some positive steps in developing my skills in this area.

“When football comes to a complete stop it makes you realise how much it impacts on all aspects of your life. I would say for most players football isn’t just a game or a job, it’s a way of life.

“Every so often I have a difficult day where I start to overthink things and feel negative about football. I think this comes from having lots of time to think about football, so you get carried away thinking about a bad game or a weaknesses and yo’re not able to address it.”

 ??  ?? Pictured playing for Sunderland Ladies before rejoining Sheffield United Women.
Pictured playing for Sunderland Ladies before rejoining Sheffield United Women.

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