At 33, with a wealth of club and international experience behind her, you could be forgiven for assuming Amy Hardcastle would now be in reflective mode and looking to wind down here career.
Far from it. In fact, the English centre is buzzing for the future. In the shape of her life with a home World Cup imminent, Hardcastle is revelling in the women's game enjoying more exposure, and support, than ever before. And as far as her chosen sport is concerned, she's not going anywhere.
This summer, a nation was gripped by women's football like never before, as England captured the European Championships, beating Germany in front of a sell-out crowd at Wembley. Hardcastle was one of the millions to follow their journey, and is now hoping her own national side can have a similar impact on the country.
