Norwich City Women midfielder Jodie Drake announced her pregnancy to the club back in July and recently caught up with canaries.co.uk to chat about how things were going.
Congratulations on the pregnancy, what was the initial reaction when you told the rest of the squad?
“Everyone was pleased to hear the news. I think they were a bit shocked. Some of the older girls already knew, as they were wondering why I haven’t been at training, but everyone seems really happy.”
And Shaun \[Howes\], too?
“Of course, I had to tell him first that I can’t come to training. I told him when I came home from holiday, and it’s been nice.”
How would you describe your time at Norwich City Women?
“It’s always been Norwich City to be honest. I came through the centre of excellence when I was about nine years old, all the way through until I was 16 and into the women’s team. It’s been a journey, but it’s been fun. It’s nice to see the club progress, and to see where they are now, we’re doing really well and I’m proud of all the girls.”
Onto your role now, is it more coaching or something else?
“Not quite coaching as such, but I’m head of the leadership group so I’m still involved and help oversee things. Good to see us progress and still be part of it all.”
What does the leadership role entail?
“Each girl has a head of their units. So attackers, defenders, etc. They’d report to me, and to Shaun \[Howes\] and to Flo \[Allen\]. We’d try to improve things, and see where the girls are at.”
Have you missed playing, now being on the sidelines?
“Yeah, I do miss it. It’s so nice to see the girls doing so well. I am gutted not to be a part of it, but I’m just so pleased that the club is going places and doing really well. It had to take something major to stop me playing!”
Is there a plan to return to football?
“I hope so. It’s obviously a massive thing that’s happening to me, and I’d be gutted not to be involved anymore. We’ll see what happens.”