TALK about a week to remember.
Still spinning after her stunning two-goal performance sparked Canberra to victory in last weekend's W-League grand final, Wollongong footballer Michelle Heyman is celebrating again after securing a coveted contract with a Danish club.
The former Warilla Wanderers junior flies to Denmark on Sunday to take up a five-month contract with Brondby IF.
"It's a massive step for me," Heyman said. "I'm really looking forward to it.
"It's going to be a great experience for me over there. Just being in a different country and learning their ways of life, I can't wait. I've got a couple of days to buy everything and go start my new life."
Situated on the western outskirts of Copenhagen, Brondby IF is one Denmark's most successful clubs, winning 10 national championships and six Danish Cups since joining the country's top-flight competition in 1981.
"I don't know much about Denmark but I know it's cold over there, like -5 degrees," the 23-year-old said.
"I was told that it hasn't started snowing yet, but it's windy and I need to buy gloves and beanies and stuff ... I just want to go over there and enjoy it."
The only drawback of Heyman's imminent departure is that she doesn't get to line up with her beloved Illawarra Stingrays team-mates for a crack at a fourth straight NSW Premier League crown.
"I miss out on the whole season with the Stingrays, which is a bit disappointing," she said.
"I love playing with the girls, and that's the sad bit about it: that I won't be spending this year winning the cup with the girls. But I know they'd say I was an idiot if I stayed here instead of going over.
"I'll try and catch up with all my friends and family before I go because I won't see them for a while."
While Heyman had feelers out overseas, the call from Denmark caught her by surprise.
"It was really random, actually," she said. "My manager was helping me with a couple of UK clubs and a German club, and then one day he emailed me about Denmark and how they wanted me straight away.
"Pretty much two days ago I got an email with my contract and they called and said I need to email it back straight away.
"Two hours later I was signed. Now I've got all my flight details and I'm ready to go."
Illawarra football officials were full of praise for Heyman.
"What a magnificent achievement," Football South Coast's Eddy De Gabriele said.
"She has proven that she is going to be a success wherever she plays and it's a great demonstration of the Stingrays' talent development program.
"Well done to Michelle and all of you at the Stingrays."
South Coast Wolves spokesman Sasho Petrovski added: "Brilliant. This is the biggest club in Denmark and she will absolutely love it in Copenhagen. Michelle will do Wollongong proud in her new venture and we wish her all the best."
Email a friend