When Clare Wheeler learned of her selection in Australia’s Olympics squad for Paris, her initial reaction was one of disbelief.
“[Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson] told me in a one-on-one meeting. When they told me, I asked the question again like ‘are you sure?’” Wheeler said.
Now, Wheeler is gearing up for her first Olympic Games.
Wheeler was selected in the 18-player Matildas squad to represent Australia in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games last month.
The Adamstown Rosebud JFC junior said while the call up was a shock at first it had been the realisation of a dream.
“When I found out it was definitely a moment of disbelief to put it pretty simply,” Wheeler said.
“To finally hear the words that I would be going to the Olympics, it was honestly a dream come true.
“It has always been on my wish list for sure. In the women’s game it is different to the men’s game where the Olympics is a part of our calendar. I always wanted to go to an AFC Asian Cup, I always wanted to go to a World Cup and I always wanted to go to an Olympics.
“Getting to the Olympics I always knew it was going to be a challenge with the squad being cut down to 18 and having the depth that we have at the moment in Australia.
“It was always going to be competitive for me to make it, so to be finally told that I am able to go and achieve that dream of mine was something that I am grateful for.
“Every week is becoming more real. I am still a little bit in awe that it’s happening.”
The night before Wheeler’s selection in the tournament was announced, the 26-year-old made headlines after she rose highest off a free kick to score against China PR in the Matildas’ farewell match in Sydney.
The Everton midfielder said to score in front of almost 80,000 people was a moment she would never forget.
“It is always special to score a goal and it is always special to score a goal in front of my family and friends,” Wheeler said.
“For me that goal meant more than just a goal. It meant so much to me.
“Obviously I want to push to play more and I want to make Tony’s life harder in the best way possible because that’s football and competition between the team is the best kind to have. I want to do the most with every opportunity.
“When I came on, I wanted to make a difference and to get that goal was just everything you dream of doing. I am not in set pieces much as well so there was a bit of shock as well.”
The Matildas came heartbreakingly close to a medal in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Wheeler said bringing home a medal was the squad’s simple goal.
“I think [the Matildas] came so close to a medal in the last Olympics and I know that feeling now from a World Cup point of view coming so close to something that is tangible to take away,” Wheeler said.
“The vibe amongst the team is definitely that we want to come away with something tangible. We want a medal.
“We know we have that pressure within ourselves to know that we can do it and it is going to take a lot from us as it is a very challenging tournament that has its own demands that are different within itself.”
After she missed out on taking the pitch in the World Cup, Wheeler was determined to put her best foot forward and take every opportunity that comes her way in Paris.
“It is a team sport at the end of the day and my personal goal is that the team comes away with a medal. That is my overarching personal goal,” Wheeler said.
“Aside from that it would be to make the most of this opportunity in the Olympics.
“Some of the girls that have been have said just take it all in as it will feel like a blur when it’s happening and it goes by so quickly so take as much as you can in. So that is what I am going to try and do and make the most of each moment.
“If I keep putting one foot in front of the other and make the most of each opportunity then when I come to the end I will be like ‘yep I did the best I can.’”
Wheeler looked forward to her father joining her in Paris, cheering her on from the stands.
“My dad is going to come over with me. I am so excited for him but also slightly nervous for him to be dealing with it all. He is over the moon with it all,” Wheeler said.
“I remember when I told him I made the team and he wasn't shocked. He didn’t give me a lot of emotion, he was like ‘I knew it.’
“He has that belief in me and unwavering belief which is really special and I am very thankful to have. I am really excited to have that moment with him being there with me.”
With the midfielder hitting the world stage for the Matildas and Everton, she has become a role model for many young aspiring girls and boys.
Wheeler said that it was a privilege to be a role model for young players across the northern NSW region and that she hoped to inspire others to keep pushing if a career in football was their dream.
“I think it’s now a pinch me moment when people go ‘she’s from the area and she’s a Matilda’ like that’s still crazy to me,” Wheeler said.
“The only advice I would give is just keep going. It is a simple piece of advice.
“There was an all-stars team at the end of nationals. I didn’t make the under-17s Australian team but I ended up being a Matilda. Just keep going.
“I think some players think that if I don’t make it at this age then I am not going to be a professional footballer or I am not going to make it which is just not true.
“Just keep focusing on enjoying your football, to be the best player you can be and keep going because those small efforts add up over time.”
Don’t miss Wheeler and fellow NNSWF junior Emily van Egmond represent the Matildas at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris with their opening game against Germany on Friday 26 July at 3am (AEST).
